Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-09-08

Popular subscriptions to meet the
expense of sending the body of Miss
Selma Margaretten, the war worker
drowned at Great Falls Saturday. to
her home. in Los Angeles. were start
ed today by DR.: Josephine Baird. pres
ident of the Illinois Girls Club. after
she had learned from the War De-
partment that no government fund
was available which could be used
to meet the funeral expenses of the
former employee of the department.
The body, which was recovered yes
terday, is now at Geier's Sons under
taking rooms. 1113 18th street north
west, and 1t Is expected that 1t will be
forwarded to the parents of the girl in
the California city shortly. DR.. Isador
Margaretten of New York, an uncle OF
parents were not destitute they did
not have enough money to pay for
transporting the body across the con-
tinent and had telegraphed him to
make whatever arrangements he could
about getting it home to them.
Coworkers Ask to Contribute.
There are 1900 girls in the govern
ment dormitories with me. all employed
in the government departments" said
DR.. Baird today, land they have asked
to be allowed to contribute something
to meet the expenses of sending the
body of their late fellow worker back
to her home. They will contribute at
least Is cents each, and other war
workers will also help. have been
assured.
'This is in no sense charity. but
rather a tribute to very lovable
young woman who met most tragic
end far from her home.
81 know that she was saving and
industrious and that she sent money
to her aged parents regularly. She
INDUCED in few pleasures, and an in
expensive trip to Great Falls was one
study at night to At herself for a
better position, and she was repre-
sentative of the very finest type of
girl that the war work brought in
such great numbers to Washington"
Star or DR.. Baird to Receive Cash.
Subscriptions to defray the expense
of several hundred dollars incident to
sending the body of Miss Margueret-
ten to Los Angeles will be received
by The Evening Star or may be sent
direct to DIR. Josephine Baird, P-Q
bilding government dormitories.
Morris j. Chuck. New York BUSH
ness man, who read OF the drowning
of Miss Margaretten while en- route
y
tributed a check for SIS toward her
funeral. In the munitions building,
where hundreds of workers are en-
ployed, additional subscriptions were
being taken today. Miss Margaretten
was employed in the adjutant gen.
erals Office and was known to many
Of the War Department clerical force.
Mrs. M. E. Murray is aiding DR.. Baird
in the task of caring for the affairs
of the dead girl.
Suggests Protection for Tourists.
To the Editor Of The Star:
Since the unhappy occurrence of the
loss of life Of Miss Selma Margaretten
at Great Falls last Saturday afternoon,
upon the Washington and Old Do
minion Railway Company. owner or
lessor of the Great Falls Park, to
provide some protection in the future.
This wonderful waterfall is always a
fascination to me and the jagged over
hanging rocks and hidden inches in
the great stone wall are very inviting
to the venturous American. 1t is not
always practical to prohibit tourists
from taking these chances" and lots
of people seem to like to "firt with
death" just little.
But, as people are not usually as
cautious as expedient, some measure of
safety device should be provided. Life
ropes and buoys should be attached
firmly to the rocks, high enough to
be above ordinary high water, and
with long enough throw to place
out in the middle of the current of the
principal fall. Two or three strong
life boats could be anchored below
the falls and lifeguards would be an
added safety valve to precious human
life If some such protection had ex-
listed there would have been at least
pHo q af
all but commits suicide to jump into
the roaring current with the hope of
rescuing another. The expense of this
life saving system naturally should be
borne by those deriving an income
! from the pleasure seekers.
WALTER w. PAIGE.