davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1921-11-17
u. S. BUSINESS LEADERS
DEMAND CLASSIFICATION

Members of the House today re-
ceiva5 letters from the United States
CHAMBER of Commerce.. stating that
the membership of the chamber. made
nm of commercial and industrial Or
rspizations, has voted overwhelming
" in favor of reclaSsification OF gov
ernment workers.
The letters state that because the
matter Is before Congress at this
time in an active way. I'VE bespeak
your earnest consideration of the re-
port and principles advocated oy our
members.
Calling attention to the report sub
mitted to members last April. the
chamber states that by polling Its
members it found that its member
ship:
by vote of nearly seventy to
one approved of recasting the present
system, under which the personnel
of the federal service is secured.
by a vote of nearly forty to one
recommended adequate and uniform
nav, under essentially like conditions,
as fundamental principle.
"By a vote of twenty-three to one
re commended that reclassification should
be installed by the Civil Service Com
mission and the budget bureau and
current correction made by Congress,
aided by these agencies.
"By vote of nearly forty to one
recommended that promotion should
be given statutory recognition as a
preferred method for filling vacancies
with lines of promotion clearly de-
fined and promotion made upon basis
of proved merit, under civil service
regulations"
Evening star., 1921-11-17
NO PROBE BY CONGRESS.
Police and Fire Departments Held
to Be Efficient.

There is to be no congressional in
Vestigation of the police and fire de-
portments of the District of Columbia
at this session of Congress. At an
executive session of the special sub
committee of the House District COM
mittee. headed by Representative
Fred NJ. Zihlman of Maryland, it was
agreed that both departments are per-
forming efhcient work, considering
the circumstances, and that the best
thing that the District committee can
do is to endeavor to secure for. them
better equipment and larger work.
ing force.
Following the executive session to-
day Chairman Zihlman gave out the
following prepared statement:
1T is the opinion of the subcommit-
tee appointed to investigate police
and fire departments Of the District
of Columbia that both forces are per-
and in view of the fact
that both departments are under
and in need Of additional per-
sonnel and equipment.
1.-THE subcommittee is anxious to CO.
operate in raising the standard of ef-
hciency and in assisting the Com
and the departments in se-
curing the quotas of officers and such
equipment as is needed for adequate
protection of life and property and
such as the people have a right to
expect in the National. Capital
In view of the absence of Con-
gresham Fitzgerald (of Ohio), who
is the author of the resolution, our
will delay further hearings
in order to give Mr.. Fitzgerald an
of coming before us,
And with the further view OF giving
the Commissioners and the depart
ment ample opportunity of reporting
as to the needs of the department and
causes Of the traffic jam last Friday.
NO further action will be taken
until the reconvening of Congress
on December En-
Evening star., 1921-11-17
BYRNE WILL PR0BATED.
Army Officer Divided Up His Prop
erty-Terms of Allen Will.

The will of Brig. Gen. Charles c.
Byrne, who died November S. has been
filed for probate. His cash in pos
session and in bank is. given to his
daughter, Mrs. Marjorie c. Lethbridge.
A cousin, Anais F. Byrne. is to have
certain personal property and prem
ises 1916 18th street northwest. A
nurse, Cora Shaic, is left $500. The
remaining estate is devised to the
National Savings and Trust Company
in trust to pay $500 annually to a
sister-in-law, Annie Cook. and the re-
manning income to the daughter Of
the testator.
By the terms Of the will of Andrew
H. Allen, who died November Is,
Helen C. Palmer is given $4,000; Ade-
laide and Frances Lawrence, each
$1,000; William McNeir. Louis and
Mabel Pennington. each, $1,000; Emily
S. knight, Anne Bradley. Sarah F.
Schroeder and Mary A. Swami. each.
$500. The Boy Scouts of America are
also to have $500. The remaining es-
tate is to be distributed among Anne
D.. Duane and Howard Duane, each,
one-tenth; Gertrude Griffiths and Ma
rian Wendell. each. three-tenths, and
Harvard University, one-fifth for
scholarships in its academic depart
ment.
Evening star., 1921-11-17
TWENTY-FIVE HURT
IN L" TRAIN CRASH
Rear-End Collision Blamed on
Dense Fog-SeveraI Sc
riousIy Injured.
Ry the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
CHICAGO, November 17.-Twenty-
five persons were injured. two OF them
probably fatally. this morning, when
two fve-car elevated trains, loop
bound from the West Side, were
wrecked in a rear-end collision at the
Crawford avenue station, on the Oak
Park line.
Three steel coaches were demol-
ished and several victims pinned be-
meath the wreckage- Firemen with
acetylene torches cut through the
twisted metal to reach them.
Cars Telescoped.
The first train was leaving the
Crawford avenue station when
speeding five-car. all-steel express
dashed out Of the fog and crashed
through the rear of the car ahead.
Two heavy steel cars were telescoped.
Most of the seriously injured were in
these coaches.
Three hundred passengers in other
cars were thrown to the floors and
showered with broken glass. Many
suffered minor cuts and bruises. but
were able to proceed on other trains
after receiving first aid.
The more seriously injured were re-
moved by firemen to nearby restau-
rant. where napkins were used for
emergency bandages while awaiting
the arrival of physicians and am
balances.
Two May Die.
Patrick Mcclure. a guard on the
first train, was pinned under the
wreckage for more than an hour. un-
til firemen obtained torches and cut
through the mass of twisted steel
plates and beams. He may die. Will
liam Griffin, who was riding on the
platform with Mcclure, suffered a
crushed leg and also may die.
officials of the elevated lines said
after an investigation. that the motor
man of the express failed to see the
first train because Of the dense fog
and mist.
Evening star., 1921-11-17
ASSOCIATION
Of BAPTISTS IN SESSION

Following the reading of the report
of the committee to nominate a new
executive board, announcement of
place and preachers for the 1922
meeting Of the Columbia Association
of Baptist Churches was made by J..
w, Many, chairman, at the early ses-
sion of the organization at the Metro
politan Baptist Church, 9Th and A
streets northeast, today.
The convention will be held at the
Temple Baptist Church, and w. S.
Abernethy of the Calvary Baptist
Church will be the preacher for the
sessions. Rev. W. c. Scott Will act as
alternate.
livered by Rev. W. r. Flanagan,
with Rev. r. N. Japhet as alternate.
Reports of. standing committees will
consume the major portion Of today's 5
sessions, and tonight Rev. John C:
Ball will call the roll of the, Baptist
young peoples societies Of the as
ttonal address will be delivered by a
selected speaker from each church
represented in the association.
Tn principal, speaker at this session
will be Rev. William e. Chalmers.
who will take as his theme, Baptist
Young People and the Conference on
the Limitation of Armament"
In an address on "The Worlds Cry
for Brotherhood" ut last nights ses-
sion, Rev, James H Franklin declared
that the thing that stands across the
path Of the progress Of America us
this damnable race prejudice. want
no favors because my face is white
SAID Dr. Frauhlin.
Evening star., 1921-11-17

its in the west and south of Ire
sBafore Col Gretton moved his reso-
1ut1on the conference adopted a reso-
luton expressing satisfaction that re-
form of the house of lords would be
the subject of a measure at the next
session of parliament.
This was followed by the presenta-
tion, by Lord .Faraham and Gen.
Prescott Decie. of the case against
negotiations with the Sim Fein on be-
half of that section of the southern
irish unionists opposed to the policy
of Lord Middleton and his party, who
are in disagreement with the Ulster
demand for separate dominions for
north and south Ireland
The speakers contended that peace
purchased from the Sim Fein by the
weakness of the government would
contain no element of permanence.
Col. Gretton. in moving his resolu-
tion and referring to proposed
amendment by Sir Laming Worthing-
ton-EvanS. secretary for war, wish
ing success to the Irish peace nego-
tiations, said that the watering
down" of the motion would ultimately
lead to the disintegration and de-
struction of the conservative -unionist
party.
We must accept the Irish confer
ence as an accomplished fact" he said,
but it is hopeless enterprise un-
less one side or the other is prepared
to sacrifice something VITAL
Evening star., 1921-11-17
ASKS FOR SUPPLIES
AS CHRISTMAS GIFT
Senator France Says Needy
Abroad and Business at
Home Would Gain.

A "Christmas gift" from Uncle Sam
to the suffering people of the coun-
tries where there is now economic
distress and famine-particularl
Russia, China and the near east-is
the way Senator France of Maryland
characterizes the bill he has intro
duced in the Senate providing for the
turning over of such surplus sup
plies Of the Navy, Army and Ship
ping Board as are not needed by other
where they are considered necessary
to avert famine and suffering.
Competition in Market.
1t was pointed out by Senator
France that the great amount of un-
sold surplus foodstuffs. which are in
some cases deteriorating. is a source
of disturbance to agricultural. in
dustrial and business interests. Mer-
chants are in some cases, he said,
afraid to buy goods which they may
be forced to sell in competition with
the government goods. while Gamers
fear to contract for crops, believing
that the surplus canned supplies may
be dumped on the market.
Disposal of these goods outside OF
the: United States. Senator France
contends, would tend to stabilize
business, reassure manufacturers. in
ereaSe employment. relieve the gov
ernmcnt of storage charges and rents.
release for productive work a large
corps of Army officers and employees
who have been in charge of the sur
plus goods, and would have a whole
some effect generally.
Predicts General Approval.
Adoption of the measure, in the
opinion of Senator France, would
arouse the interest and enthusiasm of
business men, manufacturers and the
workers of the country, because they
would instantly recognize the fact
that the bill would remove depress-
ing and demoralizing factors which
are causing distress. and at the same
time these goods would be a priceless
boon to the unhappy sufferers in other
lands who will perish from the lack
.of them.
Evening star., 1921-11-17
INSIST CONTRACT CO
T0L0WEST BIDDER
Three D. C. Bankers Get
Court Right to Intervene in
School Building Dispute.

Henry H. Mckee. president of the
National Capital Bank: John c. Yost.
president of the East Washington
Savings Bank, and Lewis Flemer. di-
rector Of the National Capital Bank,
as taxpayers on real and personal
property in Washington, today applied
to the District Supreme Court to be
permitted to intervene in the injunc-
ton proceedings brought against the
District Commissioners by George Hy-
man, whose bid for the erection of the
Eastern High School building was re-
jected. Justice Bailey permitted the
taxpayers to intervene. Former Com
missioner w. Gwynn Gardiner pre-
sented the petitions to the court. Cor
poration Counsel Stephens offered no
objection to the petitions.
President Mckee says he has no in
terest in any bidder, but objects to
the Commissioners awarding the con-
tract to other >than the lowest bidder
and thereby destroying many thou
sand dollars of the taxpayers money
He says he has investigated the stand
ing Of Contractor Lyman and believes
he is responsible.
He opposes the awarding of con-
tract involving a million dollars to
other than the lowest bidder.
President Yost and Mr.. Flemer file
a joint petition. setting forth similar
objection as taxpayers to the award
ing Of the contract at a higher figure
than made by Hyman. If the Com
missioners are to have discretion with
reference to letting of contracts. they
assert, "the doors will. be left open
To fraud and competitive bidding will
be discouraged to the great injury Of
Ethe District and its taxpayers"
Mr.. Yost tells the court he is seven
ty wears old and recalls the changing
Of the local form of government when
il was well known that it was the
intent of Congress ''to avoid a repeti-
tion Of what was then going on with
reference to the lack Of, competitive
bidding for contracts in the District
Evening star., 1921-11-17


duties of his own office and assisted
Maj. Pullman in familiarizing himself
with his new job, but he officiated
for two months as the chief clerk of
the police department during the ILL
ness of Chief Clerk Hesse.
After this trying experience, Cess
ford suffered a nervous breakdown.
He was away from his office five
weeks and lost thirty pounds. He
has never regained this weight, nor
has his health since been up to what
it was before he overtaxed his
strength.
Forty-One Years in Department.
In making police preparations for
Armistice day and the assembling
here of the delegations for the arms
parley Maj. -Gessford worked from
eighteen to twenty hours a day. Dur
ing the two weeks preceding Armi-
stice day he made more than 1000
police details-a record for the de-
partment.
In the forty-one years he has served
in the department. Maj. Gessford rose
from the ranks to the position of ma
tor and superintendent, with the rec
ord Of having but once sought a pro-
motion. When the post of superin-
offered Gessford by former Commits
sioner Brownlow, he declined the ap-
pointment. Later. at the insistence
Of the Commissioner, he agreed to ac-
cept it.
Maj Gessford. a native of South
Washington, was born February l,
1861, was educated in the public schools
and was appointed to a position as sta
tionkeeper in the police department jan
uary 5, 1881, month before he reached
his majority. His father, the late
Lieut.. James w. Gessford. was in the
police department at that time.
February 8, 1892. he was appointed
a private of class No. l giving him an
increased remuneration, and a promo
tion to class . came three months later.
He was promoted to the rank Of acting
sergeant July l. 1899, and was made
full sergeant July l. 1901. The next
day he was made lieutenant and the
following day he was given a captaincy
Five years later. July l, 1906, he
was given the position of inspector,
and August 10. 1919. he was given the
additional title of assistant superin-
tendent, holding the position until
after the death Of Maj. Raymond W.
Pullman. when. on August 10. 1920. he
was chosen to fill the position of
superintendent of police.
Member Of Many Orders.
Maj. Gessford is a member of Mount
Pleasant Chapter, No. 13, r. A. M;
Mount Pleasant Lodge, No. 33, F. A.
A. NJ; Rotary and Kiwanis clubs and
Board of Trade. He has a wife and
eight children, five daughters and
three sons. One son. Capt Richard s.
Gessford. served overseas during the
war and was severely wounded in Ar
gonne Forest. He returned home
after the war and was married in
Louisville, KY. three weeks ago.
The Columbia Federation of Baptist
Churces today adopted resolution
deprecating the attacks from GER
tain quarters on our efficient super
intendent of police, Maj. Gessford, ,"
and expressing confidence in his ad-
ministration of police affairs in the
District of Columbia"
NO PROBE BY CONGRESS.
Evening star., 1921-11-17
PLEDGE FOR EFFICIENCY
TO BE DEMAND OF UNION
Federal Employees Organization
Will Require That Members Co.
Operate With Government.

Future members Of Federal En-
ployes' Union No. will be required
to take an oath pledging their full
cooperation in the economy and eff
cheney program now being conducted
throughout the government service.
This amendment to the oath will be
In full use shortly. 1t was understood
today. and all present members. as
well as new ones. will be asked to
take It, 1t is in line with the stand
taken by President William ]. Hend-
ricks Of the local for a ''fifty-fifty" re-
lation between service and employees.
Mem bership day" will he held next
January l6. when a drive will be made
to induce government workers to join
Federal Employees Union. No. 2. al
ready the largest unit in the National
Federation of Federal Employees.
Plans were in process today to
initiate action which will culminate
in Membership day." so that the
numerical strength of the union may
take a big jump on January 16 next.
Evening star., 1921-11-17
ASKSFOR SUPPORT
Of THE RED CROSS

Necessity for hearty support Of the
Red Cross roll call and immediate CO.
operation by renewing memberships
was pointed out to Waskingtonians
today in statement by Edward A.
Mitchell, chairman of the roll call
for the District.
The excellent work which has been
done by the District of Columbia
Chapter during the last year." said
Mr. Mitchell. should prove an in
centive to the people Of Washington
to come forward willingly and spon-
worthy cause.
IF the District Of Columbia suffered
catastrophe such as an influenza
epidemic. the first organization to
he on the job would be the Red
Cross. The District of Columbia
Chapter is thoroughly organized to
meet such an emergency, but, like
any other organization- 1t cannot ex-
list without the support of the cit
izens, who will be the first to look
to it in times of distress.
contributions of MEMBERSHIPS can
be sent or brought to headquarters.
1414 F street."
Among the auxiliary and committee
chairmen in charge Of booths at the
various office buildings, theaters.
are: Mrs. Charles DENLY. Mrs. Thomas
Washington. Miss Sophie Casey, Mrs,
John Hone. Miss Katherine .Dougsi,
Mrs. Charles Forster, Mrs. Henry n.
r. Dixon. Mrs. Frances Hitler. Mrs.
NJ. Chamberlin. Mrs. w. e. Morsell,
Mrs. F. r. Eaton, Mrs. P. T. Dodge,
Mrs. Isaac Littell. Mrs. F. A. Evarts.
Mrs. Montgomery Blair, Mrs. A. e.
sStahl. Mrs. e. Swaveley. Mrs. Charles
Lynch, Mrs. ]. H. Fishback. Mrs.
Elizabeth G. Woodward. Mrs n. p.
Mcintosh, Mrs. D. c. Ravenel, Mrs.
Mary Hanyey, Mrs, Lawrence Heap.
Miss Miriam Eastman, Miss Maize
Eastman, Mrs. c. e. La Vigne, Mrs.
Van Ness Eauth. Mrs. Helen W. Clark.
Mrs. Virginia Green. Mrs. Clara Chap-
pelle. Mrs John Dayton. Mrs. Charles
a McXsy and -Misa- HarVeX
Evening star., 1921-11-17

Capt Martin F. Scanlon, U. S. A., and
Mr. Herbert c. Hengstler.
Mrs. Charles Wheeler had with her
Mrs. George L. Smith, DR.. and Mrs.
Owen, Mrs. Mary Roberts Rhinehart,
Mrs. George Barnett. Capt. Henry
Muslin and Coa. William E. Horton.
Mr.. and Mrs Dean Caldwell enter
tanned in their box Lieut.. Commander
and Mrs. c. w. Bunker, Mr.. and Mrs.
John Cassidy, Mrs. Hill. Miss Esther
Prayer, Mr.. and Mrs. Francis G..
LOier and Mr. Ralph keely.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bernard B. Jones had
with them Senator and Mrs. Andrieus
A. Jones. Mrs. Mersspor. house guest
of Senator and Mrs Jones; former
Senator and Mrs. Thomas p. Gore
and former Senator Hoke Smith.
Mrs. Thomas Stephens had among
Downey. and Mrs. Oakley Hall of New
York.
company at dinner preceding the ball,
her guests including Mrs. E. r. Gull
yer, Maj and MRS. John Greeley,
Mrs. John Allan sDaugherty, Col. D.
W. Hand. Col. c.. c. Collins and Mrs.
Mr. and Mrs. Beale R. Howard en-
tertained in their box Miss May
Adams, Mrs. George c. Howland. Mrs.
Buchanan Merrynlan. Miss Nan Young
and Mr.. George Bond Cochran.
Judge and Mrs, Charles B. Howry
entertained at dinner preceding the
BALL, their guests including Senator
Thomas J. Walsh, Mrs Caldwell
Haynes of Jacksonville, Fla, Mr. and
Mrs. S. c. Lawrence, Mr.. and Mrs.
Henry Miller. Mrs I. IT. Mann. Mrs.
.Thomas, Reed, Miss Gladys Hinckley,
Miss Howry. Maj. Wilfrid R1unt, Mr..
Hamilton Gordon, Mr.. de Buenavista
and Mr. Percy .Atherton of Boston.
Mr.. and MSs. Ernest C. Walker had
with them Representative and Mrs.
Royal Johnson, Admiral and Mrs.
Strother Smith. capt and Mrs. Joer-
Evening star., 1921-11-17
INDIAN REBELS KILLED.

By the Associated Press.
DELHI, India. November 16.-Nearly
seven hundred Moplah rebels were
killed in an attack on the Pandikkad
post. which was repulsed by the
Gurkha garrison. The MopIah force
numbered 1000 One British officer
and three men were killed and "a
wounded.
Reports of this and other clashes
show that the rebels are using ar
tillery. One gun was captured at
Pandikkad, while five were taken in
the operations northeast of Calicut.
Strikers Injure Police.
LONDON, November 16.-The Brit
ish deputy commissioner in Calcutta
and nineteen policemen were injured
while suppressing a riot led by the
tramway strikers. according to Off
cial advices. Several of the rioters were
also injured. No shots were fired.
Evening star., 1921-11-17
OFFICIALS TO BE GUESTS.

District officials and them families
will be guests at the presentation or
the musical comedy. "A Buck on
Leave" tomorrow night at the
Shubert -Garrick Theater. Those who
will occupy boxes with their families
are Commissioners Rudolph, oyster
and Keller.
The play is being presented all thls
week, under the joint auspices OF the
Rainbow Division veterans OIL the
District of Columbia and Vincent Il.
Costello Post, the American Legion.
for the benefit Of their comrades In
distress.
!, One hundred and fifty disabled
veterans from the Walter Reed, Naval
and other hospitals were guests at
49,. ...-w last night. -
Evening star., 1921-11-17
REVOLT HELD IMPOSSIBLE.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
DETROIT. Mich, November 16.-Be-
lief that there is no foundation for
rumors of an impending revolution in
India was expressed by Bishop H. Lester
Smith of India, one of the speakers sat
today's session Of the national con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Lack of friendship between
the Mohammedans and Hindus would
tend to prevent such a movement, he
said.
Bishop Smith declared English con-
troll of India must be continued 'if
anarchy is to be averted."
"The beginning of Indian develop
ment." Bishop Smith said, was in
Christian teaching. and Christian faith
and education that grows out of it is
the only influence that will bring intel
lectual and spiritual freedom to the
country"