davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
PURSE-SNATCHERS' CLUB
ADMITS NEW MEMBERS
Neophytes Prove Worth By SEEKING
Two Pocketbooks From Women
Last Night.

Further activities Of purse-snatch
srs were again in evidence last nigh
With reports OF two robberies of poo
textbooks from women.
While walking near wisconsin ave.
1ue and Nourse road northwest, las
light, Mrs. Nettie Jacobs, 621 TenIh
'treet northeast, had a pocketbook
obtaining s17 snatched from hei
Iand by an unidentified negro.
The second purse snstching was re
ported by Edna Young, colored, =:
iagden alley. who told the polio,
nat two soldiers snatched a pocket.
)ook containing s16 from her hand
'hile she was standing in front o.
Ter home last night.
A diamond ring valued at 500 an.
: layalliere valued at $50 were stole
rom the apartment OF Mrs. Iren,
:eale, 215 Twelfth street northes,i
uring the past few days, police O.
he Ninth precinct were told lso,
light.
Several articles OF wearing appare
alued at S35 were stolen from >
;lothes line in the rear yard of Thorn
Is A Burns 134 Carroll street south
east, last night
A colored man was discovered ir
he rear yard OF 160S Thirty-frs
northwest, shortly before l o'cloc
his morning. The intruder wa. fire
Ipon by roomer in the house, bui
scaped. uninjured.
The theft of SIS was reported
he police by Miss Alice Johnston. II
bird street northeast. last night. Tn
oney, the police were told, wa
AIKEN from her home.
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
LAW PLANNED TO
STOP FAvOR|T|SM
RecIassification Commission
Acts on Employees Complaints
of Unfair Methods.

Alleged favoritism in the Govern
ment departments is receiving thor
ugh consideration by the joint Com
mission on Reclassification of Salari S
md a recommendation which will
make any practice of partiality inn
possible will likely be presented to
'ongress.
Numerous complaints have been
made about the discounting of merit
promotions and the advancing Of
mployes to higher positions and
higher salaries through influence with
Jureau chiefs.
In considering such charges the re-
classification commission is not work.
ng on the Nleory that administrative
reads have been dishonest, but upon
he belief that Government employ s
re entitled to greater rights of de-
-ense than those to which they have
recourse now.
Such protection would be given the
smploye through rights of appeal to
permanent salary board or whatever
BODY will replace the present commits
sion to meet questions of future ad-
justments in salaries and positions.
tgain, their rights would be SAFE
guarded through a definite merit sys-
EN- of promotion which the reclassi-
tcation commission is now working
Dut.
1t is understood that the commission
further in favor of defining the
iuties of an administrative officer to
he end that his powers will not be
Unlimited, as Is often the case now.
1t Is believed that in the question
Of competitive examinations, for ex-
.mple, the immediate ch ef Of an en-
'loye would not have any hand in
trading the examination papers, su h
Judgment being placed in the hands
If whatever body will be designated
o perform this work.
II any favoritism exists within the
Government organization it is be-
ieved that II would be wiped out
through the proposed right of the en-
'loye to present any grievance to a
pody which might be called a shop
ommittee in industrial employment.
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
JOIN D. c. CIVIC BODIES
Senator Williams and Three House
Members Aid Drive OF
Federation.

Members of Congress today began
responding to the call of the I'D. c.
Organized Citizenship joint commit
tee to become members of citizens as
sociations. Today's mail at fhe drive
headquarters in the District building
brought applications from three Con-
gresham and one Senator.
John Sharp Williams. Senator from
Mississippi, applied for membership
in the Kalorama Citizens Association
His name will be presented 1t the
next meeting.
Although the drive is officially
over, canvassing of homes through
out the city is continuing. Several
associations have announced they will
continue to drive in their section for
several weeks.
Taking the lead in the campaign Is
the Columbia Heights Citizens Asso
citation. which took In LOIS new MEM
bers last night. A representative of
this association applied for more ap
plications today.
JeAse c. Suter, drive chairman: Will
liam Peat, vice chairman, and William
B. Westlake, today began he task Of
distributing the hundreds Of applica-
tions made through newspapers and
downtown office canvassers. Mr.. Pea
Is endeavoring to secure from each
association the number of new men,
bers secured.
The C ~--n-~rar are SYDNEY An
derson. Of Minnesota, 1902 Wiscon~
venue; Th MAS La apert. 63S EIGHTH
street northeast, and r. Walter
Moore, Avondale apartment house
These men will be assigned to asso-
'iations today
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
cHIDREN'S HOSPITAL
DRIVE AT S3O,20O MARX
Workers Enthused by Results OF
First Three Days OF Campaign
For 100000.

Enthusiastic workers engaged in
the drive for a 100000 fund for the
Children's Hosuital gathered at the
third general conference of their
drive, and found that in the first three
days OF the work they had piled up a
grand total of 10000. almost one
third of their goal.
The division headed by Thomas
Bell Sweeney is leading In total sub
scriptions, having obtained S14,T94.
st. Mary's Guild team, captained by
Miss Bertha H. LOCKER. is leading
among the teams, with a total of
s4.S73.
The response with which workers
have met is attracting widespread
comment. Washingtonians already
hard put with one request and an
other, are subscribing freely, and IL 1 d.
expected that the 100000 will be OBJ
tained within a few more days. The
drive Is scheduled to close Decem-
Der 8.
At the meeting of the team workers
last night applause greeted the read
ing of letter from Mrs. Maria Tilton.
I13 Taylor street northwest. enclos-
ing a check for IS toward the fund.
"One dollar is from little Mildred
Meitzler, nine years old. 4405 Eighth
street northwest" wrote Mrs. Tilt n.
She wishes to contribute what she
can to help the fund. The balance is
for my two grandchildren. Elena and
William Ingram, aged two and three
years. l wish them to know that they
gave to the Children's Hospital"
The headquarters for the drive is
at 1903 F street northwest, where con-
tributions will be received.
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
HIGH RENTALS EXCUSE
DOESN'T GO WITH JUDGE

All sorts of excuses were offered
oday by talesmen who had been sum-
noned to serve on the different juries
which will sit in the various branches
Of the District Supreme Court for the
1cXt two months.
A significant excuse was that
hich was offered by a real estate
salesman connected with a large real
state brokerage firm of the city.
Ie offered the acute condition of the
housing situation for an excuse.
Justice Siddons declined to accent
he excuse, saying that 1t looked as
f the securing of homes might be
made easier In the light of the de-
yeIopments of the last few days" evil
lently referring to the decision of
the Court OF Appeals declaring the
act unconstitutional,
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
LONG LIST OF HOLD-UPS
ADMITTED BY NEGROES
Youthful Pair Refresh Victims
Memories On Series OF
Exploits.

A. lengthy tale OF crime, which
solves numerous hold-ups in this city
during the past few mon this, was un-
folded today at police headquarters by
two young negroes, police declare.
The negroes, who are Major Syl
yester Ludley, eighteen years old, 33S
Knox court southwest, and George
Taylor, eighteen years old, IS Capitol
court southwest, calmly told Inspec-
tor Clifford L. Grant, chief of de-
tectives, the circumstances of the
many .hold-ups in which they are AL
legged to have figured.
The arrest Of the pair came as the
result of days Of investigation by
Detectives Sergeants Scrivener, Kelly,
Sweeney, and Vermillion.
Relate Adventures.
Calm and deliberate, the two
negroes admitted, the police say. to
iolding up and robbing Robert Fitz-
gibbon, 1892 Twelfth street northwest,
near Twelfth and o str reets northwest,
some time ago, of a sum Of money.
Another hold-up which they aamit,
according to the police, was the rob-
berry OF watch and chain from
Charles Clark, 1904 Half st. eet south
west, at South Capitol and / streets.
The holding up Of Leon Grant, 533
Forty-hrst street northwest, at Nine
teenth and U streets northwest, ID
ALSO admitted by the pair, Ii is said.
Grant was robbed Of a watch, chain
penknife, rings and So in money.
The prisoners admit holding up and
robbing man near Corby's bakery
and the holding up OF men at Georgia
avenue and Barry place, and at First
nd af ~
reports on these robberies.
Plays Lone Hand.
Ludley. the police declare. admits
that he alone held up Wilmot Whit
ten, $40 Twelfth street southeast, al
Delaware avenue and b streets south.
,ost and robbed him Of SIS.
He further admitted that he held
up Thomas Ware, III Carroll street
southeast, near South Capitol and L
streets, and robbed him Of SIS, AMI
also held up George Martin, 6S y
street southeast, at Third and /
streets southeast. Martin was robbed
OF a watch and raincoat.
On October %, Charles Bursey, OF
Southbrook Courts, was held up at
.welfth street and Florida avenue
but was not robbed. Bursey sought
3helter behind a tree. and the high
wayman fired a shot at him which
passed through his coat. Ludley ad-
tnitted. II is said, that he figured In
The hold-up.
Greet Victims.
When they were faced by their VIC
Inns, the prisoners told them exact
how they had been robbed.
One man, when he was held up,
carried a lunch in his pocket
II remember you" one of the pris-
ners is said to have remarked. "you
:arried a lunch in your right hand
pocket"
The prisoners have been Identified
~ several of their victims, and ef-
forts are being made by the police
locate the three-persons who have
not reported that they had been rob-
bed.
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
BOOTLEG 'SLEUTHS'
CONF|SCATE rum
Trio Flash Badges on Auto
Runner" Take Whiskey
and Speed Away.

Posing as Government agents, three'
Washington boot'eggers, displaying
badges and drawing revolvers In reg
ular bandit fashion, recently held up
an automobile smuggling ten cases OF
whiskey into the District. took the
whiskey runner into "cuetody,' anH
permitted his release after the liquor
had been transferred to the highway
mans machine.
No report Of the hoIdup by the "road
agents" has been formally made to
the police, but the bandits today are
pedding the stolen whiskey in the
Capital at SO a half pint, and from $12
to $15 quart.
Taking advantage Of the illegality
of smuggling whiskey into the Dis
trict. the three Washington bandits
worked on the sssu nption that there
was but one chance in a thousand that
he whiskey runner would report his
holdup and the theft of the 100 quarts
of Illicit whiskey he was bringing into
the District by running the blockade.
Flash Their "Badses-"
Knowing that the whiskey runner
had gone to Baltimore, and judging
the time he would return by way Of
point on the Baltimore pike. the
Washin gton bandits motored out to
meet him. AS the whiskey runners
| ar approached, IL was stopped and
| the driver was covered with re-
volver as the three bandits displayed
| badges and declared they were Gov
"rnment agents.
What have you in the automobilerr
"Sked one of the men, as the trio
| leaped on the running board Of ths
0Nachine. Search revealed the ten
| cases of wh'skey.
You're under arrest-we are Gov
ornnent agents. You'll have to go TO
| Da'' imore to stand trial for shipping
whiskey into the District"
The man protested, but II was Of no
| use. The whiskey was transferred
| 10 the automobile Of the bandits. and
the whiskey runner was told to drive
! ahead toward Baltimore; that the
Government agents" would trail
along.
Eut they didn't trail him very far
Turning their car around, the bandits
drove at full speed across the District
| border. and today the stolen whiskey
Is on sale.
Prey On Fear Of Runneu.
This Is only one of many similar
hold-ups of persons bringing whiskey
into the District that have occurred
not only near the District line. but
just outside Of Baltimore. Several
persons. including two Baltimore po-
licemen, have been arrested for mis-
representing themselves as Govern
ment agents, and thus taking advan-
tage of the fear the whiskey runner
has Of being prosecuted and getting
jail sentenc" for smuggling liquor
into the Capital
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
PUPILS
MUST SIT AT
1000 DESKS
Hiqh School Situation to Be
Worse When New Students
Arrive in February.

Facing a problem Of accommodate
ing more than 1900 students in high
schools with a normal seating capac-
ity of 1000. Ernest l. Thurston, su-
perintendent of schools. said today II
probably will be necessary, beginning
the February term, to change the
opening and closing hours of the Eve
high schools
To accommodate the overflow,
classes may begin as early az
O'Clock, and others close as late as
and s:3O in the afternoon. Glasses
will come to school at 8. S:30 9 and
s:30 o'clock. thus forming a shift sys
tenn.
It viii also be necessary to use the
old Central High school, abandoned
several years ago.
The need for the immediate erec-
ton OF the new Eastern High School
is greater In the present time than
ever before. in the opinion of the su-
perintendent-
The present number of teachers also
IL Insufficient. In 547 classes, teach
srs are compelled to teach more than
forty students. Superintendent Thurs
ton contends IL Is unfair to place a
student in a room OF more than forty
pupils, as crowded class rooms hold
back students in their education
Predict. IcOoo Students.
An enrolment in the high schools
OF 1900 is predicted by Superintend-
ent Thurston, within five years. Gen.
trail High School reports 2,630 stu
dents, which Is several hundred over
normal capacity. Indications are tha
this number will increase to almos;
1000 when the February term be-
gins.
Mckinley High School reports ar
enrolment OF more than 1.20o. The
school can accommodate normally
only 1000. February entries will
boost this number to 1,4oO.
Eastern High School reports sec
studsnts- The capacity OF the school
Is 400. February entries will prob
ably bring this number to ESQ.,
Western High School reports 10.
capacity $50, and predicted enroll
ment in February. 500.
Business High School is filled 70
capacity. 1t reports $50 pupils with
20 more coming In February.
In the Dunbar and Armstrong, coli
ored high schools, conditions are about
the same. At least 400 students above
seating capacity will enroll in Feb
ruAry.
Re8eAy % to Congress.
Congress has been asked to pro-
vide for l13 more teachers which
viii relieve the present situation for
the time being. but makes no pro-
vision for the future. To get moro
schools may be a matter of years
Al the meeting of the Board OF
Education this afternoon, superin-
rendent Thurston will recommend the
Inauguration of the platoon system,
which will relieve congestion in the
graded schools. IL will provide for
accommodating at least 2.4oo add
tional students In the elementary
grades.
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
IS NEW MEMBERS JOIN
SOUTHWEST CIVIC ASSN

Fifty-five new members were
lected to the Southwest Civic Asso-
alton at meeting Of the associatio-
Id In the Randall School. First and
streets southwest r. c. Brooks
resident OF the association, . es ded
he Rev. o. <. Jones, OF St. PauIs
r. Church, spoke on the value of
sanized citizenship, and the Com
unity Center Chorus of the Randall
'chooi furnished musical program.
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
D. S. LABOR SITUATION
TO BE DISCUSSED IT ~Yr

James Henderson, OF Detroit, deld
representative OF the International
Association OF Machinists, will discus
the labor situation in the United
states eefore an auSience In the as
semcly nall Of the central Y. NJ. c. A.
175s @ street northwest. this evening
M Henderson was born in London
in 1870 and is the son OF the famous
English labor leader. who was one Of
the principal agitators for the nine
hour day. Mr.. Henderson Is in Wash
ington conferring with officials Of the
American Federation OF Labor.
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
HOUSE TO WAIT SENATE
ACTION ON PEACE Bill

Reports that the House is planning
In the near future to pass a resolu-
uon declaring the war at an end, even
before the Senate acts. were denied
today by leaders.
congressman Mondell and Campbell
DOT hsaid no immediate plans along
TINS line are being considered. The
apparent feeling among the House
leaders Is that the Senate should act
nrsf IN the resolution
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
ASKS
$L,5OO,0OO TO
EXTEND WORK
Howard University Plans to
Widen Scope and Establish
Musical. Center.

A project to make Howard Uni
Versity for the education of negro
men and women the equal of any
al establishment of a social intel
ectual and musical center for the
negroes of Washington, was an
nounced by DR.. ]. Stanley Durkce.
newly inaugurated president sof the
university, today, explaining requisi-
tions for about million and a half
lollars building and Improvement
funds approved by the Secretary Of
he Interior in his report to Congress
The largest item in the budget Is
100000 for university hall with
pipe organ. This is planned to be
erected on a large vacant lot on the
feorgia avenue side of the univer-
sity grounds, to contain an auditor
ium of 1900 seating capacity.
Needs Assembly Hall.
with more than 1,40o students.
our largest hail seats only ESQ.," said
DR.. Durkee. I'VE have no adequat
place for commencement exercises,
and although nearly one-third of
resident Washington is colored, there
- no community center.
"We had 1850 students last year.
including the secondary schools. We
have more than 1,4Go this year with
the secondary schools discontinued.
I am confident the freshman class
next year will have more than 500
members
'The university is now running on
the junior college plan, the first two
Dr junior college years. covering q
LIBERAL education, and the remaining
tolf -
some occupation or profession. This
8 with a view to sending out colored
men and women "a well fitted at tho
same age as graduates of any other
college in the country.
Our musical department Is over
crowded; we have been compelled to
turn students away. from the denta'
school; our agricultural department i~
operatins in, old buildings that ar.
100 small and not fitted to its needs
The engineering and domestic ar.s de
rartments are in temporary housing.
Our chapel accommodations reouire
more than nifty students to stand
every morning, and we need new
dormitories.
VIII Advance Race.
I'VE have only a makeshift buiIdine
Tor gymnasium, and, although we
trained 1,IOO men who went into the
service in the war, we have no drill
ground.
The appropriations approved by
the Secretary Of the Interior promise
new era for the university, which
we believe will have a material re
suit in the advancement Of the coloreo
race"
In addition to the appropriation.
asked from the Government, the uni
yersity officials expect to build
theological school building from pri-
Vate subscriptions DR.. Durkee point
I'd out that with $4,000 coloreS
churches In the United States, caIlinc
'or 1000 new ministers every Yea,
only 275 coiored men a year go int,
the ministry properly trained.
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
w. n. MASON SEEKS DIVORCE

An absolute divorce from Ethel
Mason Is asked by w. II. Mason in .
suit died in the District Suprems
Court. The huSba1d. represented b.
Attorney L G. Grossman. alleges mis-
conduct and cruelty. They were mar
ried in Rockville. Md, July 8, 1914
and have one child. whose custody Is
yeo-~sfed nv th~ husband
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
WIFE CHARGES MISCONDUCT

Alleging misconduct and naming a
correspondent, Anna X. Sullivan to-
day filed suit in the District Supreme
Court against George z. Sullivan for
shsoIuto divorce and ,l'mory
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
j. s. WORKERS.
SEE NO RAISE
BEFORE 1871
Long Fight Probable in Con-
gress on Recommendations Of
RecIassification Committee.

Government workers are not likely
to see any tangible results from the
work of the Salary Reclassincat on
Commission in the way of fattened
pay envelopes before July ! 1921. ac-
cordine to officials In touch with the
situation.
The Congressional machinery moves
so slowly that the new salary scales
cannot possibly be included In the
supply bills Of the coming hscaI ye r
unless an extraordinary emergency
should upset the program as mapped
out at present
There are several reasons why at
least eighteen months will lapse. in
all probability, before any of the
work of the Salary Reciassi ification
Commission win become effective
The fact that the departmental estt
mates already have been submitted TO
the Hosue Committee on Aprpopria-
tions for the coming fscal year. and
that all of the money asked for the
payroIls is based upon the present
salary scales makes IL almost certz n
that any move to Increase these Ag-
ures and revise the estimates will be
discouraged not only in the House and
Senate, but In the departments them
selves, where revision of salary esti-
mates in accordance with the scales
Of the Reclaasincation Commission
would be tremendous task
Energeney hsAers Possible.
Emergency legislation, of course,
would be possible In the shape of
riders to the supply bills. bot would
be certain to meet with obstruction
and oposition Of the sort which
would practically kill its chances in
either house unless the strongest sort
of pressure was behind it
Aside from the fact that the supply
bills are already prepared and win
soon be before Congress, another ever
work Of the Reclassi Acation Commis-
sion Ii certain to be debated ut length
in both houses and TO be fovght .ooth
and nail " certain quarters.
II IL hinted that q considerable
source of the opposition will be found
in the departments themselves from
various Cabinet and bureau officers
particularly IL salaries are revised
upward more emphatically than these
officials deem necessary.
Lsng Fight IN stgAt.
A determined fight to keep the de-
partment budgets down to the lowest
possible point. and to discourage all
efforts at considering the recommen-
dations Of the Reclassincation Com
mission at the present session will
come out into the open In the near
future.
1t 10 even possible that the Com
mission will not report to the present
session, thus postponing the debate
upon its work to the short session q
year from now, where It's chances OF
acceptance would be improved. IT is
held.
The Washington times., 1919-12-03
COOPERATIVE
BUYING BILL
TO Be PUSHED
Senator capper to Strive for
Early Action on Measure to
Fight H. c. Of l.

Cooperative buying and selling sf
food and other necessities is the
means which senator Cspper Of Kan
sas would have Congress employ In
reducing the cost Of living in the Dzs-
trict of Columbia
Backed by the Endorsement Of the
Senate District Committee. Capper
intends TO urge early action on his
oin providing for the incorporates
the District Of cooperative buy
ing and selling societies on the so
called Rochdale plan. which has been
In successful operation for more than
ifty years. The bill will be urged as
a measure distinct from the recon-
mendations TO lower the living cost
in the National Capital which Sem
ator Ball of Delaware 10 contemplate
ing on behalf of the subcommftteo
that Investigated food prices during
the last session.
Capper's bin is on the Senate CAL
sndar ready to be called up for con-
liberation In view of the Legislative
atuation IN the Senate, however, IL
must wait until after the Chrissmas
holidays
nsussxas sueeessful
Thousands of such orranizatieas
are In successful operation In -
United States. Capper points oct IN
his report on the bill Thirty-throe
States have provided special laws
facilitating the operations Of thass
institutions
THE annual business Of the g.
operative Wholesale and retail e.
sanixations In England and Scotland
uns between $500 600 0co and 81 49,
900 600 q year, with acceierating rate
of advancement. while some four mfl-
lions Of the families Of Great Britain
have enrolled Themselves among tie
ranks Of co-cperators,- the sspert
Continued on Page 20, Column l.,
The Washington times., 1919-12-03

The fun text Of the new District Of Co
lumbia Rent Law, with explanatory
notes by the Real Estate Editor of The
Times, has been printed in convenient
booklet form. A free copy is yours for
the asking at tie counter of The Wash
ington Times.