The Washington times. [volume], July 25, 1931, Page 2, Image 2

About The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939

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2
COURT TO SETTLE MRS. HENDERSON’S FEUD WITH LITHUANIA
TANGLE TOLD
IBY LEGATION
’ SECREW
Woman’s Change of Mind
on Sale of House Blamed
For “Complicated” Case
Weird handling of the affairs
Os the immense Henderson es
tate by the eccentric Mrs. John
B. Henderson, which resulted in
housing the Lithuanian Legation
virtually free of cost for about
five years, has just been revealed.
Some hope of settling the tan
gled matter, which involves the
home of the legation at 2622 Six
teenth St. N. W., is held out now
that the estate is about to be
administered by the courts.
The story as it comes to light
goes back to 1926. and as Dr.
Mikas Bagdonas. secretary of the
legation remarked today:
“Every day it becomes more
complicated.’’
Tried to Sell It
Back in 1926 Mrs. Henderson
was doing everything possible to
build up "Embassy Row” cn up
per Sixteenth Street.
The old lady entered into ne
gotiations with the then min
ister from Lithuania with a view
to selling him a house which she
had built as a legation. The
place struck the fancy of the
diplomat and he agreed to take
it up with his government.
Accordingly, in order to give
him a basis for negotiation, he
and Mrs. Henderson signed a
conditional bill of sale. It is
understood that Mrs. Henderson
agreed to sell the house to Lithu
ania if and when the Lithuanian
government agreed to buy it.
The minister paid down a small
sum, either $5,000 or SIO,OOO.
Then the diplomat moved the
Diplomat Moved In
legation into the building and
took up with his government the
matter of an appropriation to
complete the deal he was mak
ing with Mrs. Henderson. The
Lithuanian government thought
the price was all right and agreed
to buy.
The minister then went to Mrs.
Henderson, offered her the bal
ance of the purchase price, and
asked for the deeds.
But by that time Mrs. Hender
son had changed her mind. She
refused to execute the deed and
told the minister she would like
to have her house.
BOTH ADAMANT
The diplomat was dumfound
ed. He thought the deal was
only a formality and that then
he would have title to his fine
legation. Mrs. Henderson was
adamant. She demanded her
house. The minister demanded
the deed. Nothing doing. It
was an Imrasse that all the
diplomacy in the world couldn’t
break.
The minister kept the house.
Every now and then he would
send emissaries to Mrs. Hender
son trying to complete the pur
chase. She wouldn’t change her
mind. Other ministers succeeded
the then minister. As often as
the ministers would approach her,
Mrs. Henderson would demand
the house.
And so it went on through the
years.
Damaged by Fire
Some time about 1928 he
rear of the house caught fire.
Mrs. Henderson still had the
deeds and the insurance pol
icies on the house. The insur
ance adjusters paid her for
the damage caused by the
flames.
The minister suggested that she
repair the building. Not a chance.
So the charred remains were
left on the rear of the legation.
And thus things continue up
to the present day.
Mrs. Henderson couldn’t force
the legation to move because
tinder diplomatic laws she could
not obtain legal process on the
minister. The diplomats wouldn’t
move because they liked the
house.
That is one way to obtain rent
free for a long time.
Edison Denies Health
Is Hindering Work
WEST ORANGE. N. J.. July
25 (U.S.).—The health of Thomas
A. Edison, it was learned today,
Is no worse since his return from
Florida.
Reports that his condition pre
vented his visits to his commer
cial laboratory here were stated
to be without basis. It is true,
however, that Mr. Edison has suf
fered. as always, from the recent
hot weather.
Owing to a mild stomach dis
order Mr. Edison’s diet at pres
ent is almost confined to milk.
record“arrests
ERIE, Pa., July 25 (1.N.5.).
Invert 62. which is the age of
Floyd Welsh, and you have 26.
which is the number of times he
hM been arrasted by Erie police
within the last six months. He
served 75 days in jail.
When Germany’s Banks Reopened Their Doors
HhloCl . l a |nß|
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HERE’S JUST a sample of how German depositors
gathered at their banks to collect their savings after
the hanks had been closed for several days. Millions in
BODY OF SLAIN
CO-ED FOUND’
(Continued From Page 1)
ceremony in connection with a
thesis she was preparing, in order
to secure and advance degree at
Columbia.
No Fear Felt
No fears were felt for her
safety until Tuesday, however, as
she had previously remained
away from her cabin for one or
two days at a time.
Officials of the Indian agency
then joined the search and made
an organized effort to find the
girl.
Her body was found by a party,
led by Deputy Sheriff George
Woolford, after an allday hunt
in a hard rain, which had washed
away all traces of footprints or
other clues which might aid in
finding the murderer.
Has Killer Spotted
Woolford declared that he “had
a pretty good idea sf who killed
Miss Schmerler,” but refused to
explain any further. He added:
“The girl had put up a bat
tle for her life. We believe
that she was intercepted on
the brink of the gulch and
beaten to death with a club.
She fought back and her cloth
ing was nearly torn off.
“When she finally sank to
the ground under the batter
ing, her slayer pushed her body
over the edge into the gulch,
a dozen feet below.”
Apache Is Held
Meanwhile, at the Indian
agency, authorities were holding
Claude Gilbert. 25-year-old Apache,
who had been working as inter
preter for Miss Schmerler.
Although William Donner, su
perintendent of the Indian
school, said that Gilbert was not
aware of the girl’s disappearance
and that he was being held on
a charge of selling beer, friends
who reported her disappearance
told Sheriff Dan Divelbess that
the girl had said Gilbert was to
accompany her to the Indian
dance.
Squaws Disliked Her
The Indians are angered over
Gilbert's detention and have sul
lenly refused to aid agency of
ficials investigating the girl’s
death.
It is recalled at the agencies
that Miss Schmerler excited
Indian antipathy shortly after
her arrival here. The squaws re
sented her companionship with
the Indian boys.
The women could not under
stand why the girl wanted to see
and learn details of secret tribal
ceremonies.
The office of the Commissioner
of Indian Affairs in the Interior
Department has telegraphed Wil
liam C. Donner, superintendent of
the White River . Indian Agency,
asking full details of the killing of
Miss Henrietta Schmerler.
With Commissioner Charles H.
Rhoads and Assistant Commis
sioner J. Henry Scattergood both
out of town today, -it was expected
that nothing could be done at this
end before Monday.
169 TOWNS GeFfUNDS
HARTFORD, Conn., July 25
(I.N.S.).—Connecticut's legislature
appropriated $3,000,000 to be used
to harden rural roads this sum
mer, after listening for weeks to
the slogan "Get the farmer out
of the mud.” The money is now
available to the State’s 619 towns.
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
—Photo oy International
THRONGS GATHER TO COLLECT SAVINGS
LIMIT ON SPEED
UNDER FIRE
Average highway speeds are ap
proximately the same in all States
whether they have speed limits or
not, according to findings in a
survey by the Albert Russel
Erskine Bureau for Street Traffic
Research.
Citing these findings. Miller Mc-
Clintock, director of the bureau,
insists that definite speed limits
have been proved obsolete.
Mr. McClintock reminds that
driving conditions are so varied
it is impossible to set fixed rates
of speed which can be equitably
and safely applied. He says that,
for the more favorable condi
tions. they are. of necessity, too
low, and for the less favorable
conditions they are invariably too
high.
The definite speed-limit idea
has been modified in some sec
tions, but even the “reasonable
and safe” speed factor, instead of
a definite figure, is not com
pletely satisfactory, he says. Some
States have abolished speed limits
altogether, like Connecticut, Michi
gan, Indiana. Kansas, and Tennes
see. and these have had no ob
vious increase in accidents.
Crippled In Ocean Race
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—Photo by International
MRS. ROOS AT HELM
HER YACHT, Lismore, crippled by a gale, Mrs. Wil
liam Roos refused to withdraw from the transatlantic
yacht race 2,000 miles out from Newport, R. I. A liner
came alongside her yacht, with its topmast carried away,
but the plucky woman would not leave her craft. Two
sailors, however, went aboard the steamship because
food was low. Three years ago Mrs. Roos’ schooner,
Rosa, suffered the same mishap in mid-ocean. ’
marks were returned to depositors who then rushed to
shops to spend money before the value of the mark
dropped. Shopkeepers did a -thriving business.
Mix-up at Post Costs
Arlington Track
Sum of SIO,OOO
ARLINGTON PARK. 111., July
25.—Arlington Park track was
out about SIO,OOO today, that
sum having been refunded those
who bought mutuel tickets yes
terday on Ironsides, which was
left at the post when Jockey
George Depeso refused "to ride.
The jockey lost his temper
when an assistant starter used
a twitch on the horse as he
acted badly at the barrier.
FINGERPRINTS
TRAP SLAYER
J
DAYTON, Ohio. July 25 (1.N.5.).
Through fingerprints, Elmer Beas
ley, 28, held here for a week by
police on burglary charges, today
was Identified as a convict who
escaped more than three years
ago from prison at Canon City,
Colo.
He escaped shortly before he
was to have been hanged for the
murder of a man during an SBOO
holdup at Pueblo, according to
authorities.
The National Daily
MA FLINGS KISS
AT BIGAMIST
LOS ANGELES, July 25 (U.S.).
Chastened by the cruel buffeting
fate has given him since his ro
mantic midnight marriage a mere
three weeks ago to Mrs. Minnie
“Ma” Kennedy, the Rev. G. Ed
ward “What-a-Man” Hudson sur
rendered yesterday on a bigamy
charge and languished in durance
vile while arrangements were
made for bail.
After a conference with his two
attorneys, the “ideal lover” accom
panied them to the sheriff’s of
fice and submitted to arrest -on a
warrant from Washington charg
ing that he married “Ma” in that
State without the formality of
divorcing Mrs. L. Margaret New
ton Hudson, of Los Angeles.
“Ma” Throws Kiss
“Ma” Injected a note of cheer
into the darkest hour of “What
a-Man.”-
She threw him a kiss and “What
a-Man” tossed one back with a
smile to boot. Ma explained:
“I just came to see my man.
He’s in trouble. The least I can
do is to be near his side in this
hour.”
His erstwhile wife yesterday said
that after the wedding was an
nuled in Superior Couty they
would not remarry.
“Dirty Deal.” Says MA
Mrs. Kennedy continued:
“Isn’t this a dirty deal! Where
in all the world is there a judge
and jury that would give him a
fair trial after all that has hap
pened.”
The judge set August 7 as the
date of “What-a-Man’s” prelimi
nary hearing.
He Keeps His Secret,
Prison Keeps Him
NEW YORK. July 25.—“T0 di
vulge her whereabouts would
mean her life and mine. I’ll
stay.”
Edward Lawrence Hall. 71. calm,
determined, said that last Novem
ber when he was told he would
have to remain in jail if he did
not reveal the address of Eugenie
Cedarholm, who, he says, is his
wife and the mother of his three
children.
He said it again today and will
stay on in Raymond Street jail.
Eight months he has spent In
a cell.
Army, Navy Caddy
Drowns in Potomac
The Potomac claimed another
victim today when a colored
boy, whose name police believe
to be Leroy Boynes, was drowned
near the south end of Highway
Bridge. The boy, a caddy at the
Army, Navy Country Club, had
gone swimming, presumably by
himself. The body was taken to
the Morgue.
mexicOearFlockout
MEXICO CITY, July 25 — One
of the most serious Mexican lock
outs in recent years threatens in
the cotton and woolen mills of
the State of Puebla by reason of
the inability of the employers to
buy raw materials unless they
pay in American dollars or in
gold. Due to the Mexican cur
rency crisis, this is virtually im
possible. The textile plants of
Puebla employ 20,000 workers.
SATURDAY—JULY 25—1931
REICR CABINET
EAGER WITH
SHAKE-DP
Nationalists, Social Democrats
May Join in Reorganization;
Stimson Arrives in, Berlin
BERLIN, July 25 (1.N.5.).
Chancellor Heinrich Bruening
and Foreign Minister Julius Cur
tius returned to Berlin today to
“face the music” for having come
away from the London seven
power conference practically
empty-handed.
Further drastic financial de
crees, possibly involving the na
tionalization of some of the
largest German private banks,
may be expected. A shake-up of
the German cabinet is more than
a possibility.
Chancellor Bruening called on
President Paul von Hindenburg
almost immediately upon his re
turn here, and made a detailed
report of the negotiations carried
on at London. A meeting of the
cabinet was called as soon as the
chancellor left the president’s
palace.
Stimson In Berlin
Col. Henry L. Stimson, United
States Secretary of State, arrived
in Berlin this evening for a visit
which he Insists will be devoid
of political or financial signifi
cance.
The entire United States .Em
bassy staff, in top hats and cuta
ways, turned out to receive him.
A small crowd watched the re
ception unmoved.
It was understood that a strong
national “concentration” cabinet
was in the making, with the
Bruening government secretly ne
gotiating with Nationalist and So
cial-Democratic leaders.
Workers More Uneasy
Various branches of the govern
ment administrative machinery
are often involuntarily, and some
times wilfully, sabotaging each
other’s measures to cope with the
scarcity of money.
Uneasiness is growing among
the working masses and the un
employed. Much of this is due
to the fact that only 50 per cent
of the unemployment dole has
been paid this week. Radical
spell binders of the Right and Left
parties find willing ears for their
tirades against the government:
ATCAMP
First Lieut. James Albert
Hickey, Ordnance Corps Reserves,
living at No. 1 Maple Ave., Hyatts
ville. reported today at Aberdeen
proving grounds, Aberden, Md.,
for two weeks’ training. t
Resignation Demanded
bF W I
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—Hbo ,z > by International
PRESIDENT CARLOS IBANEZ
A GENERAL STRIKE was imminent among trade
union organizations in Chile today unless President
Carlos Ibanez resigned. Revolutionary activities have
spread over the entire country and further disorders
resulted in seven more deaths, bringing the total to 21.
Victim of Madman
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■ FLORA BONANNI
THIS 15-YEAR-OLD girl was
one of the eight persons as
saulted by Marko Demonfonti,
when he went on a rampage in
a little mining village near
Mercer, Pa., before being shot
and captured Demonfonti had
slain five persons and injured
three.
BERLIN BANKER
HANGS SELF
BERLIN, July 25 (I.N.S.).—The
second suicide within 48 hours
directly resulting from the eco
nomic crisis in Germany occurred
today when Wilhelm Tang,
wealthy head of the German-
South American Bank, hanged
himself in the park of his villa
in the fashionable suburb of
Grunewald.
Tang left a note declaring that
“Many will follow me to the
grave.”
Less than 48 hours ago Jacob
Wheeler, president of a 136-year
old private bank, committed sui
cide by drinking poison in his
office.
Tokyo Hop Deferred,
Engine New Reason
SEATTLE, July 25 (1.N.5.).—
Plans of Reginald L. Robbins and
H. S. Jones, Texas fliers, for a
nonstop refueling flight from
here to Tokyo, went awry again
today when they found that oil
consumption in their new motor
was too heavy. They are con
vinced the Fort Worth would need
mother engine.
CM AS SPECIE
GETS ROUND
APPROVAL
Rep. Howard Suggests Ford
Follow Harvester Lead
to Depress Surplus Wheat
Big business was called on to
day to help the wheat farmers
by accepting grain in payment
for farm machinery.
Pointing to the example of the
International Harvester Com
pany. announced by its board
chairman, Alexander Legge, of
accepting December wheat at 75
cents a bushel in payment for
machinery. Representative Howard
(D.) of Nebraska called on others
to "go and do likewise.”
Move Is Approved
The action of the harvester
company won approval in nearly
every quarter.
At the Agriculture Department.
Assistant Secretary R. W. Dunlap
went so far as to say that if
others followed the lead of the
Chicago concern the farmers
would be helped, but would not
suggest such action publicly.
Representative Howard warned
that care should be exercised that
speculators should not buy wheat
at the prevailing low prices and
try to buy industrial commodi
ties with it. He suggested speci
fically that Henry Ford would
do well to know' the trail blazed
by the Harvester Company, while
depicting the Farm Board as an
organization that has only done
harm. Howard added:
"Henry Ford once had a high
position in the esteem of his
countrymen. He could regain
that place if he would make
an announcement like that of
Mr. Legge.
Slams Farm Board
"Mr. Legge’s offer convinces
me that he is a noble, sincere
man, and earnest in his desire
to help the farmer. I always
believed in him, though I have
never considered the Farm
Board of any help to the
farmers. i
“The Farm Board’s work has
done more to depress the price
of farm products than anything
else.”
HE SHOPS EARLY
AND LOSES CAR
One resident of the District
who obeyed the admonition to
apply early for automobile titles
today has neither car nor title.
The machine was confiscated by
the automobile squad, members
of which said it was stolen tn
Baltimore.
The engine number supplied in
the application for title was
checked against the list of 50,
000 stolen cars at the traffic
bureau, and it was found that
the car was stolen several months
ago.
The man who applied for title
had purchased the machine from
a well-known dealer here, who
had bought it from a BakLnot*
man. The dealer, it was said,
probably would be forced to re
fund payment.
2 Serbians to Hang
For Mayor’s Murder
BELGRADE, July 25.—The ex
traordinary court for the protec
tion of the state today sentenced
Ivan Ljevakovitch, a gendarme,
and Ivan Rositch, his comrade, to
death by hanging for having mur
dered Andreas Beritch, former
mayor of Nova Gradiska, and hav
ing committed other terroristic
acts.
Seven other accused received
prison sentences of six months to
15 years and three were acquitted.
The condemned will also be re
quired to pay compensation to the
family of the murdered man.
Post and Gatty Reach
Chicago After Flight
CHICAGO, July 25 (1.N.5.).—
Wiley Post and Harold Gatty,
round-the-world fliers, arrived here
in their plane, the Winnie Mae.
today after a flight from Cleve
land. They received an unofficial
welcome by more than 1,000.
Hoover and Others
Relaxing From
Debt Strain
For the first time in more
than a month. Acting Secretary
of State Castle and other offi
cials of the State Department
engaged in the American effort
to rescue Germany, today were
able to have a week-end to them
selves.
The exodus from the Capital
began yesterday. The Presi
dent went to his Rapidan River
camp, castle left last night
for Hot Springs, Va., to be gone
until Monday, and lesser offi
cials .departed for their favor
ite week-end haunts.