Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-01
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS.
Calvin J0hnSon's Fate to Be
Known Soon.
LAWYER VISITS RICHMOND
Application to Board Tomorrow for
New Trial.
WILL ASK FOR SECOND RESPITE
Employees Of Railroad Yards Pleased
Over Continuance Of An
mex Train.
WILL ASK FOR SECOND RESPITE
Special Correspondence of The Star.


ALEXANDRIA, Va. October 1, 1859.
Attorney Lewis H. Machen. representing
Calvin Johnson, sentenced to be electro
cuted October next for the murder of
Walter F. Schultz. left this afternoon for
Richmond. Va, with a copy Of the record
in the case. and will tomorrow morning
make formal application to the state
court of appeals for a new trial for his
client. At the same time he will request
Gov. Swanson to grant a second respite
to Johnson, in order that the court may
have an opportunity of examining into
the case. The record in the case of
Johnson has just been completed and is
very voluminous. In order to expedite
matters Attorney Machen got into COM
munication with Judge Barley, who is
out OF the city, and has his final approval
to the papers.
1t is regarded as more than probable
that Attorney Machen will ask for re-
spite Of another month, in order to give
the higher court ample time in which to
look into the case. He is Of the firm
conviction that he will secure for his
client new trial.
The action Of the higher court in this
case is awaited with no little amount of
interest. 1t is pointed out by many that
SllOu u JOHNSON Uc SThHISO q new uldt IL
will mean that Richard Pines and Eugene
Dorsey, also convicted of the same crime
may also be granted a new trial, they
being convicted on practically the same
testimony.
Annex Train Continues.
The annex train operated for the benefit
of the employees of the Potomac railroad
yards by the Washington and Southern
n 1t,
Alexandra and the railroad yards, which
was to have been taken off today. will
continue in service. The railroad officials
after a consultation over the matter de-
cided that the best interests Of the road
as we'll as the employees would be sub
served by letting the present arrange
ment. for the transportation Of the en-
plOyes continue In force. Announcement
to the foregoing effect was made in reply
to an inquiry at the yards this morning.
1t was also stated that the old plan will
be continued Indefinitely.
More than a month ago announcement
was made that the company would Oc-
tober take off the annex train owing to
the great cost involved in operating ex-
penses incident to running 1t to the yards
Shortly thereafter came the announce
Company would on the same date place
an annex train to be used exclusively for
its employees and to be operated from
WASHINGTON to the yards.
Should the original plans have been put
into operation today it would mean that
the majority of the employees of the yards
-Alexandrians-would be seriously affect
ed. 1t would also mean that many would
be eventually compelled to move into
Alexandria county In order to be In closer
proximity to their work. The fact that
the old arrangement would continue was
received with delight by the Alexandrians
employed at the yards.
The question as to the jurisdiction Of
the city coroner to hold tnquests over
bodies found drowned in the Potomac
and lowed to the docks in this city, was
settled today in an opinion handed. down
by Corporation Attorney Fisher. relative
to inquests over the bodies Of Ernest
Grady. Robert McKenna and Charles
Hardy, all colored. who were drowned
from gasoline launch September 2, and
over whose bodies separate inquests were
held by Coroner Moore. in which he up
holds the coroner. Among other things
Attorney Fisher in his opinion says: THE
coroner has power and authority to hold
inquests upon bodies drowned in the Po-
tomac river and towed by the discovarer
to docks in this city, otherwise ii would
be impossible to legally bury Them Cor
poration Attorney Fisher says the author
ity for holding separate inquests over
times. was done under section 1923 of the
code of 1904, which provides for the same.
The question came up following the pre-
sentation of the bills for the holding of
the inquests to Auditor E. F. Price. There
was some question as to the legality of
the transaction. especially as to the juris-
diction of the coroner in the premises and
the matter was, therefore, submitted to
the corporation attorney.
E. C,,l~.