The Washington times., 1912-07-14
ALEXANDRIA CLUB
IS FORMED TO PAY
MEMBERS FINES
Police Discover Unique Or
ganization to Help
Lawbreakers.
WASHINGTON TIMES BUREAU.

WASHINGTON TIMES BUREAU.
ALEXANDRIA, VA. JULY II.
The police of Alexandria have discov-
cred the existence of one of the most
unique of all organizations, which while
not bearing any official name, could per-
thaps be termed fine" club. The club
has for Its object the release from dur
'ance vile' of any of its members,
caught in the meshes of the law.
For some time 1t has been remarked
at the alacrity Of which IS and $40 fines.
imposed in police court for minor Of
lenses. have been paid by friends Of the
prisoners. While its existence has been
suspected for some time, it was only
lately that its inner workings have be-
come known. Each week every member
Is said to contribute a sum, pro rata
with his earnings, which are held in
the treasury. Regular meetings of this
strange mutual benefit" society are
held, and officers are elected each year.
II a member is arrested. he is visited
by members of the society in his cell.
It Is even said that cases are some
times tried formally, and the judg-
'ment of the president is brought to bear
in a case where a collateral of s. might
well be forfeited, to avoid the risk Of
q higher fine by appearing in court.
Each Christmas an accounting Is
made. From the personal record of
each member an account Is drawn up,
and the balance remaining in the treas
ury is equally divided. Frequently these
divisions. the police say. amount to
$40 or $50 among those who have es-
capped the laws minions.
IN htte IN
andria these days is the city health Of
ficer, DIR. e. A. German, who with ar
assistant, has charge of the city's cru.
sade against flies. The first week since
the Inauguration Of the contest, which
came to a close last night, showed a
mortality of 5S5, 600 among the insects
Nearly a hundred children are in the
competition, and Charles King heads
the list with a total Of $500, closely fol-
lowed by Millard F'innell, with 67,600
The contest runs from month tc
month, ending October /. Handsome
prizes of cash and merchandise have
been offered for each period by Alexan'
dria's merchants.
Within the past few days, City Cour
Gilman Charles B. Marshall has beef
flooded with letters OF appreciation foI
his stand taken at last Tuesdays meet
ing Of Alexandras governing board
when he announced that he proposed
to take vigorous measures against th
action of the city school board. which
recently announced the reduction Of tn
annual salary of Col Theodore H. Flick
lin, principal of the Washington Schoo
for Boys, from $3.50 to $1,000. Thes
letters come from former students Il
various parts of the country. many o
life. ~ ~
1t Is pointed out that for more thai
a quarter of a century Colonel F1ckli
has instructed the boys Of Alexandria
of one Of the correspondents, "in tn
evening of his life, he should be force,
to stand a material reduction in sal
ary."
Mr. Marshall states that at the mex
meeting of council, he will present
resolution which will seek to curb wha
is termed IAN uncalled for reduction,
for the purposes of economy.
The local branch of the Holy Nam
Society will, at a meeting at Z o'clocl
this evening, consider the Organization
of band.
The union church services at the Trim
fly Methodist Episcopal Church this eve
ming, will be conducted by Rev. Harr
NJ Canter. of the Southern Methods
Church.
The three local glass factories. bein
closed for the summer. force of me-
is engaged in making extensive improve
ments. 1t is announced that they vii
reopen early in September.
Not a single heat prostration has beel
reported in this city during the presen
wave.
The local camp Of Boy Scouts is pre-
pairing for a field day later In the sum
mer.
Robert Shorter and Joseph Groves
,colored, were arrested by Acting Chic
Belts, on suspicion Of stealing brass
of which they had large quantity Il
to have been taken from the steame
River Queen, which was recently burnet
at her dock in Washington. The Cap
tai authorities were notified
Plans are afoot by members OF tn
ct Luke Circle of Queens Daughters
to endow a room in Alexandria Hos
pital In memory of Miss Bessie Dawson
for manv years matron OF that institu
tion. and whose death occurred som
time ago.
Robley D. Brumback left yesterda
for a trip Of several months in Europe
Lies in Hot Bath
To Stop Gangren'
LOUISVILLE. July A-Charies :
Rogers, who for six years was nigh
editor of the Associated Press at Louil
willie and who suffered severe burns 4