Newspaper Page Text
Knoxville Minister Says McFarland Made First Prayer in Cell A Knoxville Methodist minister, who went to Earl J. McFarland’s cell in the Tennessee city yesterday at the convicted killer’s request and spent 15 minutes talking and pray ing with him, tol<j The Star last night McFarland “turned to God and asked forgiveness of his sins” for the first time in his life. Tne Rev. R. o. Eller, pastor of the Central Methodist Church— largest community in Knoxville said McFarland was not downcast when the interview took place. The Rev. Mr. Eller, who said he talked to the former marine with two sets of steel bars between them, gave this account of his talk with McFarland: “Have you ever belonged to a church, Earl?” “No, sir.” Ready to Pray Now. “Do you believe God can save you from your sins?” "Yes, I believe He could.” “Have you ever prayed to the Lord, Earl?” "No sir. I’ve always been drinking and carousing and I never thought much about it before.” “You know that your life is almost over, Earl. Are you willing to pray with me now?” “Yes, I am.” “You ought to pray and talk to God often about forgiveness of your sins, Earl. You know that, don’t you?” "Yes, I know it and I will.” Prayed for Several Minutes. "The good theif on the cross at the right han'd side of the Lord on Calvary repented his sins at the last and God saved him. Jesus Christ had the power to save him and he can save you from your sins, too. “If you pray sincerely, Earl, not because you are going to die but because you want Him to forgive you, He will. Now, are you ready to pray with me?” “Yes, I am,” the minister said McFarland replied. The Rev. Mr. Eller said, “I prayed with him for several minutes and tried to direct his mind toward God. It was the first time a Minister of the Lord had ever spoken with him, McFarland told me. “When I said ‘Amen,’ I raised my head and looked at him. He had a look in his eyes you seldom see in men. Serene and calm. "Then, just before I left, he said to me, ‘Thank you. I appreciate that. I’m glad you were kind enough to come to me.’ ” McFarland (Continued From First Page.) house with Joseph D. Medley on April 3 precipitated a Nation-wide man-hunt, waived extradition pro ceedings and agreed to return to Washington. Meanwhile, the Congressional committee investigating the District Jail will end public hearings tomor row and await results of a separate investigation being conducted by the FBI before the final committee report and recommendations are made public at the end of the week The recommendations are expected to result in disclosures which will involve a drastic shake-up of the penal system here and a specific program to correct conditions at the jail which led to the escape of nine prisoners, including Medley and Mc Farland, in the past five months. May End Board Control. Informed sources believe the com mittee will recommend legislation divesting the Board of Public Wel fare of control of the jail. The in quiry board which ended hearings Friday in the case of Howard B. Gill, suspended penal superintend • ent, reported it will take about 10 days of deliberation before reaching a verdict. The hearing tomorrow will receive the testimony of Mrs. Helen Mack identified as the person who turned over to polipe letters smuggled out of the jail which contained instruc tions to a gang of safe-crackers. James V. Bennett, director of the i Federal Bureau of Prisons, will give the committee his opinion on what is wrong with the District's penal setup at closed committee sessions Tuesday. Mr. Albert told The Star he sent a telegram to President Truman shortly before 9:30 o’clock last night asking for an opportunity to pre sent a plea for executive clemency. He said the wire read: “Mr. President. I am writing you as a young GI attorney on behalf of another ex-GI, Earl McFarland 1 represent this boy and I feel that : have certain facts which, if pre ented to you, might cause you to ecommend clemency in this case. 'If you can find time to hear me, lform at once and I will come o Washington.” fcnms Flans Appeal. Attorney P. Bateman Ennis,' Washington lawyer, also is plan-’ ning an appeal for executive clem ency. Mr. Albert was retained by Mrs. Emory because she sai,d her brother "wasn’t like this until he went to war and they taught him to kill.” ‘‘I haven’t got much money,” Mrs. Emory said last night, "but if it takes all of it, I’m going to save my brother from the electric chair.” In his telephone talk with The Star last night, Mr. Albert charac terized McFarland as being "not well” *tnd said the tattoed, former Marine has several times contra dicted the story he first told, when FBI agents recaptured him in Knoxville Thursday, that he came back to Tennessee to get money to go abroad and join the French Foreign Legion. "He told me he just wanted to see Mrs. Emory and her children before recapture,” Mr. Albert said. "McFarland knew he was going to be caught. He had no idea he would remain free. He just wanted to see his relatives. He hoped, too, that it he had to be electrocuted it could be done in his native State instead of in Washington." Panama to Get Back U|S. Defense Sites By th* Associated Press PANAMA, April 13.—American Ambassador Frank T. Hines said today negotiations were concluded with the Panama government for return to Panama of defense sites in Bocas del Toro, Cerca Almirante and Anachucuna. The sites for merly were used by American forces as air warning stations. In accordance with the defense sites agreement of 1942, Gen. Hines said, about 30 buildings in the areas will become the property of the Re public of Panama. I i t . t Fuller Was Freed Here in 1941 After 4 Months of 2-Year Term Judge Hod Modified Sentence to Permit Fine, Restitution By William A. Millen James G. Puller, 46-year-old book salesman and promoter, who be came executive vice president of Engineers’ Group, Inc.f a war con tracts consulting firm, was able to obtain his release from District Jail in mid-1941 after serving about four months of a nearly two-year sentence on false pretense charges by paying a $500 fine, because Police Court Judge George D. Neilson was convinced the sentence should be modified, it was learned yesterday. Puller apparently was the man mentioned last Tuesday in the testimony of Howard B. Gill, sus pended superintendent of District penal institutions, when he told the House subcommittee investigating the District Jail that the business of Engineers’ Group, Inc., had so expanded after being conducted four months from the jail that one of the inmates decided it was time for him to get out of jail, and he "actually got his sentence re duced from 21 to 4 months.” Pulley made restitution by making good illegal checks, according to the best available information. The memories of the principals are hazy after the five-year lapse. Municipal Court officials say that it is within the province of a sentencing judge to change a sentence, if he desires. Gaithersburg Man Put Up Funds. Testimony before the Truman Committee, which was headed by President Truman when he was a Missouri Senator and investigating war contracts, shows that Everett R. Hurt of Gaithersburg, Md., put up the money for Fuller’s release from District Jail. Mr. Hurt testified he gave Puller $1,600 to make good bad checks, after Puller had told hiin that the authorities would free him if he repaid the money. Mr. Hurt later became treasurer of Engineers’ Group, Inc. Puller was found guilty on two. false pretense cases before Judge Neilson on February 11, 1941, and received a total of 720 days, the court records show. This sentence was amended on June 18, 1941, to read 720 days or $500 fine, but Puller was to be given no credit for the six months spent in jail, according to the court papers. Puller paid the $500 and got out on June 18. Shortly thereafter. Engineers’ Group, Inc., was actively launched. Idea Conceived in Jail. Puller and John Henry Stoneburg, jr., a former convict who spent some time in District Jail, conceived the basic idea of Engineers’ Group, Inc., in the jail, when they were confined there early in 1941. According to information given the Truman Committee, while in jail, they also formed "Americans United,” similar to the United Service Organizations and designed to furnish recreation to service per sonnel. Further, they formed Amer ican United Chemical Corp., which was to secure ammunition for the Russian government. Fuller and Stoneburg worked to gether for a time after they got out of jail in Engineers’ Group, Inc., at 1022 Seventeenth street N.W. Later, Puller and Stoneburg had a falling out. Associate Informed Probers. Prom, the Youngstown, Ohio, jail, where he was confined, Stoneburg wrote a letter to Hugh A. Pulton chief counsel of the Truman Com mittee, in which he gave informa tion about Puller’s lobbying and con tract peddling. This led the Truman Committee to Engineers’ Group, Inc. Officials of the former Truman Committee, now known as the Mead Committee, made it clear yesterday that Stoneburg was never a fully accredited under-cover man for the group. When he was freed from Youngs town, Stoneburg came to Washing ton and the Truman Committee gave him a typewriter to put down on paper the ramifications of Engineers’ Group, Inc. The committee paid him about $5 a day for about two weeks while he was doing this work, aa he was without funds. • With the aid of information sup plied by Stoneburg, the Truman Committee was enabled, in March, 1942, to seize the records of Engi neers’ Group, Inc., and turn them over to the Department of Justice for prosecution. Three of the officers of Engineers’ Group, Inc., Representative James M. Curley, Democrat, of Massachu setts, and Mayor of Boston, who was president; Donald Wakefield Smith, Marine Records Fail T o Show McFarland as Wounded in Combat Marine Corps casualty lists bear no mention of an Earl J. McFarland ever having been wounded in . combat, The Star learned last night, despite the convicted slayer’s statement in Knoxville, Tenn., that he was twice wounded while serving with the 1st Marine Division. It is known that McFarland was in action with the division at Tulagi, Guadalcanal and New Britain but details of his mili tary service could not be checked. A Marine Corps spokesman said McFarland’s military service record book and papers pertaining to his enlist ment are locked up in a safe at Marine Corps headquarters with orders that they not be shown to anyone. — ■ - ■* I . ■ ■ ■■■ wii gi. mm H this scientific instrument! you whot'i wrong wK.n you bring I y*yr w«tch in and gti*r*nt**i it it right I »h>n you tiU it out. PROMPT SERVICE. | W * I JAMES G. FULLER. former National Labor Relations Board member, treasurer, and Fuller were convicted. A District Court jury on January 18 found the trio guilty of using the mails to defraud and conspiracy. Their cases are now on appeal in the United States Court of Appeals. Stoneburg was sentenced in May, 1942, by Justice T. Alan Goldsbor ough in District Court to a total of one to three years in four cases of false pretense, to become effective at the expiration of Police Court sen tences. His sentences totaled 1 year, 11 months and 25 days. With time off for good behavior, Stoneburg was released from prison June 14, 1945, and his term is officially up May 14. He is said to be living in the vicinity of Catholic University. In the in terim he is under supervision of the Bureau of Prisons, Justice Depart ment. Claiming that District Jail pris oners might do him bodily injury, Stoneburg was taken by the United States marshal to the Federal Pris on at Lewisburg, Pa., on August 13, 1942. While there, he filed a peti tion for a writ of habeas corpus, claiming irregularities in the reduc ing of Fuller’s sentence in Police Court here. As a result of the charges he made, the FBI investi gated and while the report has never been made public, no charges have been filed against any of the persons involve*}. Stoneburg has furnished Mr. Gill with ‘‘inside information” about jail conditions when a prisoner there and he is credited with being the author of the 100-page “secret document,” placed before the Dis trict subcommittee. * Fuller is still in District Jail, hav ing been brought here from the Atlanta Penitentiary, and is serving a five-year term on charges of sending fraudulent securities through the mails. He is awaiting outcome of Ms Engineers’ Group, Inc., appeal. « Matted Scholarships By St. lota's Cotata eiBht your lull Johns Col hall-ochol^^ were awarded *<** lege High <- E\iseus ljeona’ S5o‘&*ll”5V 1 compel" o. B«d«: nounced •• •lo*?scMol. Tliom*. Blessed Sec™™'”1 He.rt »»“?; H,uel««er. s.^ Hem Francis EA ^ ^ d Thornett. \ School, and BWha Oahriel’s School. ^ to Arthur Hall scholarships^^ ApostJ \ McDermott, ° 0-Brien, HaW |*«* ?£& V«S5?w.d: School. school', BaJT school; ^ Ilessed Sacrament cri®*8* , McDertnott, chfc*lcs\ School John GilliRam • wuham SSS: «■ SSSfnyS^ th'H ISr^d. f^OKKEEPER 1 1 Double E«tr* | 1 $50 Weekly | \ Good 'Hour* V 1 npnt -working con* l ISnsVacaUon^^paV.i 1 BOOTERY \ 1 1015 Conn. *ve- , \ HwantedH I ICISPMJ®* 1 \ 60C iMlb*. 1 \B00KS-eE6«WES\ l fiee Per l 1 85*.'?®- \ 1 '**HlaULi*. I i&fH 4 WHEELS COMPLETE ^FREE ? Adjust ments FORD - I CHEVROLET I Plymouth ( 9t|<75 Chrysler "66" / WW De Soto I Dodqe I Buick Special Packard 110 120 Pontiac Oidsmobile Other Cars Equally Low Priced tBEC BRAKE TEST on ■ ntt Duplicate of Official D. C. Brake Teetinr Machine aENERAL BRAKE SERVICE 903 N St. N.W. Ml. 9801 i 1 Civil Service Method Of Selecting Personnel Approved by Callahan Police Superintendent Harvey G. Callahan told The Star last night he approved use of civil service pro cedures in selecting policemen and did not Intend to convey the im pression in testimony before the House jail investigating subcom mittee that the system hampered him in dismissing incompetent per sonnel. When Chairman Hebert of the subcommittee asked Maj. Callahan last Thursday about previous dis ciplinary action against Hubert C. Davis, policeman now suspended in •connection with the Medley-Mc Farland jail break, the official transcript showed the following ex change: Q. And under civil service regu lations you could not dismiss him? A. You cannot dismiss him arbi trarily; no, sir, not on the fact that he has been previously convicted three times. The man dismissed from the police force arbitrarily for something that is deemed insuffic ient cause has the right of appeal to the Civil Service Commission. He cannot appeal and say, ‘I have arbi trarily been thrown out of a job.”’ Explains His Reply. Maj. Callahan explained last night he had meant by his reply that a policeman dismissed after proper hearing before a trial board had no recourse to the Commission, but a man denied such a hearing could, as a civil service employe, bring such denial to the attention of the Com mission. Commission omciais pointed out that the act of 1919 which placed the Police Department under Civil Serv ice specifically places sole dismissal powers in the hands of the depart ment and the Commissioners. The act authorizes police trial board procedure in lieu of customary civil service dismissal methods but permits appeal only to the Com missioners, whose decision is final, the officials emphasized. The only exception to this pro cedure, it was said, would occur in the case of a dismissed policeman who was a veteran of World War U. Under an act of 1944, applying to all such veterans in Government service, he could request and re ceive a hearing at the Civil Service Commission. Work Co-operatively. Explaining his position last night, Maj. Callahan went on to say the Commission and the Police Depart ment had worked together co-opera tively over a long period. The Com mission always has shown a disposi tion to accept the department’s rec ommendations with respect to age, weight, height, educational require ments and other specifications for personnel, he added. Maj. Callahan said he viewed civil service as the only orderly method of selecting and advancing police men and commented that he moved : up from the ranks under civil serv ice promotion procedures. In another part of Thursday’s testimony, the last edition of The Star on Thursday was in error on the reporting of a statement made by Chief of Detectives Robert J. Barrett. That edition of The Star said Inspector Barrett had told the House investigators that he had in formed Claude O. Botkin, superin tendent of the District Jail, and Howard B. Gill, suspended super intendent of District penal institu tions, that the ‘’brains” of a safe cracking gang had been operating from inside the jail. Didn’t Tell Gill. On Friday, Inspector Barrett was questioned on this testimony at the Gill hearing, and denied having giv en the testimony as reported by The Star. He said he had informed Mr. EXPANSION BRACELETS REPAIRED A. Fisher & Co. Atlantic Bldg., 930 F St. N.W. Room 300. NA. 2205 "dye ft# I k WORK ALL COLORS Including UNIFORMS EXQUISITE CLEANERS |^70C^Georgie^ye^^^lE^777J I j Botkin, and Ral L. Huff, welfare director, not Mr. Gill. A check of the official record of Thursday’s House investigation hearing showed yesterday that The Star’s reporter had been in error and that Inspector Barrett was cor rect when he contended that what he said was that he had brought the matter to the attention of Mr. Bot kin and Mr. Huff, but not Mr. Gill. Weather Report United States Weather Bureau forecasts issued at 11:00 pm.: District of Columbia — Partly cloudy and wanner, highest temper ature near 70 degrees. Tomorrow, increasing cloudiness and mild, fol lowed by showers. Maryland — Partly cloudy and warmer, highest temperature near 70 degrees.' Tomorrow, increasing cloudiness and mild, followed by showers. Virginia—Partly cloudy and warm er, with highest temperature near 70 degrees. Tomorrow, increasing cloudiness and mild, followed by showers. Elver Report. (From United 8tete< Engineers.) Potomac River eleer at Harpers Ferry, and clear at Great Falls: Shenandoah clear at Harpers Ferry. Temperature and Humidity. (Readings at Washington National Airport.) Temp. Humidity. Yesterday— Degrees. Per cent. Noon - fi4 35 4 p.m.- 68 3? 8 p.m.- 55 39 Eeeord Temperatures This Tear, Highest, 83, on April 2. Lowest, 11, on January 28. _ _ Tide Tables. (Furnished by United States Coast and Geodetle Survey.) . „ Today Tomorrow High - 8:51a.m. 7:32 a m, &op - 1:08 a.m. 1:50 a.m High - 7:15 p.m. 7:53 p.m Low - 1:38 p.m. 2:20 p.m The San and Mean. _ , . Rises Sets Sun, today - 6:33 a.m. 6:44 p.m Sun, tomorrow ... 6:31a.m. 6:45 p.m Automobile lights must be turned or one-half hour after sunset. Precipitation, Monthly precipitation in Inches in tht Capital (current month to date): Month. 1046. Average. Record. January _ 1.88 3.55 7.83 ’37 February —l- 2.32 3.37 6.84 ’84 March - 1.67 3.76 8.84 ’91 April - 1.16 3.27 9.13 ’8( -- — 3.70 10.89 ’81 June- ... 4.13 10.94 ’0{ July - 4.71 11.06 >4J August .- ... 4.01 14.41 ’21 September- — 3.24 17.45 ’34 October ■- 2.84 8.81 ’31 November - ... 2.37 7.18 ’71 December- 3.32 7.66 ’01 Station. High. Low Atlanta- 68 38 Boston _ 35 Chicago -72 .30 Cincinnati _ 62 31 Dallas - 78 80 Denver - 78 45 Detroit _61 40 K1 Paso_ 86 61 "alveston _ 74 61 Kansas City_ 74 48 Knoxville _ 66 33 Los Angeles _ 67 63 Memphis _ 71 38 Miami _ 76 62 Mobile _ 72 45 New Orleans _ 72 66 New York _ 60 38 Philadelphia_ 56 36 Pittsburgh _ 65 33 Richmond_ 63 38 St. Louis -_ 81 62 San Francisco _ 57 60 Seattle 1_ 60 46 Washington_ 60 38 Dr. Tsiang Will Honor La Guardia at Reception Fiorello H. La Guardia, director general of UNRRA, will be guest ol honor at a reception to be given at the United Nations Club at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow by Dr. Tingfu F, Tsiang, director-general of the Chinese National Rehabilitation and Relief Administration. Dr. Tsiang, who came here three weeks ago to assume the chairman ship of the fourth UNRRA Council session at Atlantic City, N. J., leaves for China Tuesday. RADIATOR COVERS ALL STEEL CABINETS AND HUMIDORS MANUFACTURED HERE. YOU SAVE DEALER and SHIPPING COSTS—LET US ESTIMATE. HURLEY METAL PRODUCTS TA. 7396 WA. 7898 COAL Prompt Delivery BLUE EBB Q.00 (Bari Structure Coal) W SMOKELESS EBB f A.07 (No Smoke, Scot or Oat) I V POCAHONTAS NUT it** POCAHONTAS EG6 1143 Pocahontas Stokor Poa 8'91 Virginia Hard -M.21 Egg—Stovo—Nut ■ I j Virginia Hard Poa 9‘" We expect prices to be higher— l Order next winter's supply now. BLUE RIDGE COAL CO., Inc. Mlnera of Virginia Anthracite Bari Coal. 1107 Jeffercen Daria Highway. Arlington, Va. ME. 3545 JAck. 1900 HOUSE OF DIAMONDS Our Reputation for 50 Years Is Your Guarantee Gem Diamonds The Finest Gems The Most Unique Setting Vi CARAT A 1 CARAT t 2 CARATS | 3 CARATS k- 4 CARATS I We specialize in ESTATE DIAMONDS—Always be low market values/ We pay highest prices for • diamonds and old gold and give liberal trade-in on your diamond._ 5 | CARAT* 903 F St. N.W.__RE. 9823 1 $100 Discharge Pay Advance Offered Regular Army Enlistees ■y the Auociotad Prm Draftees now have the option of signing up with the Regular Army and getting $100 of their mustering out pay in advance, the War De partment said last night. A spokesman who said the prac tice has been ruled “legal and not objectionable,” said it works this way: Until he has received a notice of induction irom his draft board, the prospective draftee can be ap proached by an enlistment officer and sought for the Regular Army. After he gets his notice to report for induction, no attempt to enlist him can be made. Once he has been sworn into the Army of the United States (which is not the regular branch), a period of several hours elapses at the in duction center before the new in ductee is assigned to some unit in the stream of replacement troops. New York Dairymen To Ask Milk Price Boost Sy thi Associated Press NEW YORK, April 13.—The Dairymen’s League Co-operative As sociation announced today 11 repre sentatives of New York State farm groups would visit Washington next Friday and ask Federal authorities to raise present ceiling on milk prices. Henry H. Rathbun, president of the league, wh onamed the repre sentatives, declared that under pres ent prioes, farmers could not hire enough labor and buy enough feed stuffs to maintain production at proper levels, and that only by “sub stantial increases” in prices could severe shortages of milk be averted next fall and winter. Gardeners to Meet “General Cultural Improvement of the Home Grounds” will be discussed by Dr. Mark Shoemaker, University of Maryland faculty member, in an illustrated talk before the Silver Spring Garden Club at 8 pm. to morrow in Jessup Blair Community House. The public is invited. Montgomery PTA to Meet The Montgomery'coupty Council of Parent-Teachers Associations will meet at 8:15 pm. Tuesday at the Chevy Chase Elementary School. WALTER'S FLOOR SERVICE FLOORS ‘INISHED CLEANING & WAXING NA. 0365 SPANISH RUSSIAN r- FRENCH | Clam* apea ta icUraii an* ithen. GOOD NEIGHBOR SCHOOL OT2 nth St. N.W, RE, 2943 WATCH REPAIRING 3 to 5 Day Service HAUSS JEWELERS 912 G St. N.W. Bl«t> tail of Nwiwirt 6 Lath rip I 710 12th St., B«t. C 1 H See our selection of FINE JEWELERS 908 F ST,N.W. During that interval, the inductee can be approached by an enlistment officer for the Regular Army. This officer, explains that the inductee is in for the “duration and six months thereafter, unless sooner discharged! by competent authority.” The Inductee is further reminded that Congress has not yet defined the end of the war and that the inductee’s term is therefor indefinite, | but that by enlisting in the Regular Army, his term of duty will be a definite 18 months. The inductee also is told that if he signs up for the Regular Army he can get in advance $100 of the maximum $300 mustering ayt pay eventually due him. If the inductee wants to get into the Regulars, he can then be dis charged from the Army of the United States by the Regular Army enlisting officer, and at once be en listed for the regular branch. Whether the new soldier takes his $100 advance mustering out pay is purely optional. Western Electric | H*ei*owc. Hearing Aid It’s the NEW MODB 63 • “Full Color” Hearing—more realistic sound. Smaller, light er, curved to body contour. Wide frequency range, easily adjusted Tone Discriminator. SQQ50 Molded Earpiece or Bone fw3 Conduction Receiver Extra i Walter Brawn, 815 17th St. N.W."j | Pleate tend me free copy of j Guide to "Full Color” Hearing, j | Name _j i , Address_ I • I City...State.I i_ ! Are You SELF-CONSCIOUS —About Learning to Dance? Learning to dance at Leroy Thayer’s is a real pleasure. Strictly private instruction and patient, expert teachers make each lesson a thrilling surprise. You’ll be delighted to see how quickly and easily you dance the Fox Trot, Waltz, Rumba, Tango, or Samba with THAYER instruction. Come in tomorrow for a trial lesson—without obligation. Studios open i daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. / LEROY THAYER 1215 Connecticut Ave. ME. 4121 INSULATE YOUR HOME NOW IT WILL • Save Up To 30% In Fuel Cost Every Winter! • Insures Year Round Comfort! • Add To its Value and Protect Your Investment! Wt have the most complete facilities, the best of mcterials and a staff of expert, skilled mechanics to do your work promptly and efficiently. ALL WORK FULLY GUARANTEED 1727 PENN. AVE. N.W PETRO SERVES BOTH SIDES 1 OF THE PICTURE! I 7& tent t&at THaney eaK ^utf! Expert Petro Certified Service keeps your burner running at peak performance at all times—no matter what its make or type. Find out about “packaged” Petro service that takes all burner worries off gg your hands. 6^ HO. 0626 PETROLEUM HEAT AND POWER COMPANY l _ 1719 Conn. Ave. N.W. I BUSINESS PROPERTY AND | Businesses OF THE BETTER TYPE 'TO SELL" HARRY I. FRIEDMAN 66 BROKER RE. 1166 I A r