davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1921-01-01
Public Utilities Commission.

The commission had one of the
most active years since its creation.
1t was called upon to fix street car
fares twice, gas rates four times.
electric current rates once and tele-
phone rates once.
When it is recalled that the mem
bers of the Utilities Commission are
also District Commissioners, handling
the numerous questions devolving
upon that board. it will be seen what
a busy year 1920 was for them.
From January until May the rate
OF carfare was four tokens for Is
cents. or cents cash. From May 1
until yesterday the rate was tokens
for 80 cents, or 8 cents cash The street
car problem was probably the most diff
cult, since the Capital Traction Company
did not need the increases which the
ington Railway and Electric Com
pany-
For the first three months of the
year the gas rate for households was
95 cents per thousand cubic feet. On
April the commission continued
that rate for two months.
From June to August 81 the follow
ing schedule Of gas rates were In
effect: For 100000 feet or less a
month, $1.25 per thousand: from
100000 to 100000. $1.2o: from 100000
TO 100000. $1.15: from 500,090 to
75e.eo0. s1-15: from 100000 to 1000, 600.
S1.05, and more than 100000 81 per
thousand.
On September I the commission
continued the above schedule for two
months. and on November 1 cents
was added to each figure in the June
schedule. These rates will continue
until March IS. 1921. :.
On June 1 the commission increased
telephone rates. making unlimited
residence service $3.50 a month. lin
tied residence service, 81 a month for
hfty calls, and two-party line resi-
d1Dc4 service. $2.50 for thirty-five
messages. These rates will continue
until January 81. 1921, when the COM
pany will ask that they be continued.
On September Is the commission in
creased the rate for electric current
from to SM cents for the first so
kiiowatt hours used monthly. and 5h
cents for each additional kilowatt
hour. Consumers. however, continue
to pay 10 cents per hour. IL cents
Evening star., 1921-01-01
FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Retirement Of Frank J. Wagner, CHIEF
of the department, and promotion Of
George S. Watson, fire marshal. to the
vacancy, involved the more important
changes in the fire department the past
twelve months. The new chief and
members of the Fire Fighters Associa-
ton participated in important confer
ences in matters pertaining to salary
increases, and the association held sew
eral public meetings at which invitations
to the public were extended.
Chief Watson, familiar with the policy
of his predecessor, already has obtained
appropriations for motorizing three ad-
ditional companies of the department.
companies will be equipped with motors
during the early spring. 1t is confidently
expected by the chief that all COM
panies of the department will be motor
ized in the near future.
Fire losses during the year amounted
to approximately $S60,000. 1t was due to
the fire at Boiling Field. Anacostia,
which involved a loss Of more thar
$40O, 600 to airplanes and equipment, tha,
the years losses were SO great. Another
disastrous fire involving government
property did $4,000 damage to buildings
at Walter Reed Hospital.
Another fire in a government hospital
building occurred on the premises of the
Public Health Hospital at Mount Alto
Both the fires mentioned occurred in
frame buildings and were followed by an
Investigation, which. it is stated, may
eventually result in substituting fire.
proof structures for those constructed OF
wood and other infiammable material
The heaviest monthly loss by fire was
in Oceober, the month in which the
Boiling Field fire occurred. the total
amounting to $477,26S, and the smallest
damage was in the month of August
when the losses totaled only $3.50.
Fire in w. T. Galliher's lumber yard
and the destruction of the Office and part
Of the wharf of the Washington and
Norfolk Steamboat Company served
to increase the fire losses in March,
losses occasioned by the two fires
amounting to $50,0O0 Other fires in
volving losses of more than $40, 900 in
cluded damage to Pennhurst apartments,
s. N. Meyers store and paper box
factory on Hanover street.
More than 1,300 alarms were sounded
during the year. Inspections made un-
der the direction of Fire Marshal L. v.
Seib, who succeeded George 8. Wat
son, promoted to chief. numbered more
than 1900. False alarms caused the
usually number of useless runs on the
part Of the fire companies. A number of
the offenders were arrested, some fined
and others, minors. placed on probation.
Evening star., 1921-01-01
DISTRICT GOVERNMENT
FINANCES.
The close of 1890 finds the District

The close of 1890 finds the District
government probably in better finan-
cial condition than is any city of its
size in the country. The records of
the auditors office show that the net
Indebtedness of the city now is re-
duced to $2,152,626.64.
Besides this net debt, most Of which
was incurred in the early develop
ment Of the National Capital, the
auditors books show that there is a
surplus of $4,648.666.69 in District
revenues in the Treasury. OF this to-
tai surplus $5S4.742.75 was acquired
during the fiscal year ended in June.
1920.
Surplus revenues, it is known, are
not applied to the bonded debt, If
they were the oity would in reality
show balance on hand instead Of an
Indebtedness, it is claimed.
The amount of real estate tax paid
by the people of the District in 1920
was $6.377. .S36.07.
The personal taxes paid during the
year, including taxes on gross earn
ings Of utilities, banks, building asso-
Citations, etc, and on the gross re-
ceipts of street railway companies,
amounted to $2.007.062.15.
The intangible personal property
tax paid by the people amounted to
$S94,53S.14.
The people of the District also paid
$1.234,608.89 in fees for business Ii
censes, motor tags and miscellaneous
charges.
Evening star., 1921-01-01
POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Death Of Mai. Raymond W. Pull
man. superintendent of. police, and
promotion of Inspector Harry l.
Gessford to the vacancy involved the
most Of important change in the per-
sonnel Of the department the past
kyelve months Numerous other pro-
motions were necessitated by Maj.
Pullman's death
Reports at police headquarters show
the usual number Of cases of dis
honesty. assaults and other offenses
which required police investigation
and arrests Numerous instances of
pedestrians and otorekeeperS being
held up and robbed were recorded
during the year. while in several in
stances the victims were shot or
otherwise maltreated.
While operations of the so-called
"voodoo doctors" were lacking. sharp
ers played their swindling schemes
on unsuspecting persons. notably the
pocketbook game. and obtained much
money from persons who were unable
to stand the losses.
Murder of DIR. Robert w. Brown.
1877 11th street, was the only one of
thirty-eight homicides committed dur
ing the year that remains unsolved-
He was slain in his Office the night of
NOV6mOef 20, Ino HAL VINO HItO
fatal shot quickly disappearing and
concealing his identity.
There were four instances of wife
murder included in the crimes re-
ported during the twelve months, and
in one case q policeman, Oscar J. Mo
Kimmie, was slain by q colored bur-
glar. In another instance a burglar
was slain by Detective Alligood. who
later was shot by an alleged hold-up
man and dangerously wounded.
The murder of Mrz. Gertrude H.
Mann, a music teacher, at Rodnan
and Quebec streets the night Of
March L. stirred the community and
remained mystery several weeks
before it was solved by Detective
Darnall A triple murder at 500 9Th
street the afternoon of July 6 also
attracted much attention. the victims.
Greeks, being shot to death.
Three h0micades were committed in
st. Elfzabeth's Hospital, one In the
District Jail and one at Walter Reed
Hospital. The staying Of Mrs. Emily
Faithful, an aged resident of Con-
gress Heights. early in February at
tracted wide attention. Robbery was
the motive, and Edgar Randolph Per-
rygo, q youth. is under conviction for
the crime.
Because Of the large number Of traffic
accidents that occurred earlier in the
year, Maj Gessford inaugurated a mo
Accident week." which materially re-
dueed the number Of accidents on the
Evening star., 1921-01-01
ANTI-GOvERNMENT MOVE
TN INDIA HAS NEW TURN
0andhi Party Is Opposing the
Election Of Officers Under
the National Act.

BOMBAY. January Qndia In
formation Bmeau-)-The non-c0-oper-
alton movement or boycott Of British
institutions, which is headed by
Gandht and other native leaders, has
taken a position in opposition to the
election of members Of city govern
ment and other legislative bodies un-
der the new government of India act
In consequence. most OF the candi-
dates for these onlces were from the
moderate faction composed Of the
minority who voted against the boy
colt resolution which passed the spe-
ciaI Indian national congress in its
session last September.
Just prior to the election Gandhi
published an open letter to every
Engiishman." in which he asserted
that the only way to suppress the
rising ebullition Of national feeling
was for the British government to
meet in conference the recognized
leaders Of the people. duly elected by
opinion, 50 az to devise means of
granting Swaraj" (national indie
pendence) 'fn accordance with the
wishes Of the people OF India"
Gandhi warned the Hindu leaders
who hesitated to support his boycott
movement that the people were ad-
vancing at q rate too fast for those
leaders to keep pace. 1T Is a psy-
Geological moment for the country
and we may not have an opportunity
Ike the present one for q century
ne said
Aohammed Ali, who Is considered
the rtght-hand man of Gandhi. de-
cfAred In a speech to students In
Ailahabad and Benares: IF we had
weapons and the courage to use them
We should have struck a blow at the
outset When we are At to strike .
oi0w we shall give due warning to
me government. II the non-co-opera-
ton policy in education fails, the next
movement will be for non -co-opera-
ton In the postal and telegraph serv-
Ices and afterward in the police force
and in the army"
Evening star., 1921-01-01
.Ex-SOLDIERS DEMAND
LIVING OF GOVERNMENT
In Many English Cities They Have
Seized and Held Public
BUILDINGS.

ooasAtianttc Cable Service to The star.
LONDON, January /. Thousands
Of former soldiers, out Of work, are
organizing by districts to compel the
government and the country to give
them a living. In the larger English
cities they have become the chief
problem OF the municipal authorities.
There are said to be over a quarter Of
a million of them in their district Or
ganizadohs.
Repeatedly they have seized whole
buildings for their use and barricaded
themselves inside. defying the police
to remove them. In two London dis
tricts, CamberWoll and Acton, they
took possession Of large halls where
dances were being conducted. evicting
the dancers.
In most instances the police, being
in sympathy with the men, have re-
fused to act against them and have
allowed them to retain the buildings
they have taken. but in instances
where there have been clashes the
former service men have been driven
oct Warning has been issued by the
chairman of one OF their district coun-
cils, however, that there will be re-
prisals against the police for head
crackings.
"They may club men in Dulwich.' IS
he said. but II they do they'll be paid
back somewhere else. We're not go
ing in for reprisalS on the spot, but
we are going to get our own back.
The police must learn not to interfere
with the unemployed"
Evening star., 1921-01-01
Prosperity the Year 1921

Of the teaching Of the German lam
guage in the high schools.
Lucy e. Moten. principal of the
Miner Normal School, was retired by
the board. Her successor has not yet
been selected.
The schools opened September 20.
with an enrolment of SO. 97S-3,006
more than on the opening day of 1919.
The enrolment now reaches approxi-
mately $4,000. the largest in the his
tory of the schools.
The night schools opened october 4,
with an enrolment almost totaling
10000.
Plans were made early in September
to change the uniform of the High
School Cadets. in order to reduce the
cost. They were not approved
DIR. Ballou after becoming superin-
tendent was to require the primary
teachers to work full five-hour day,
az some teachers in higher grades,
instead Of three and one-half hours.
consist of coaching backward chill
dren in their own classes and assist
ing teachers with large classes.
When school officials were con-
rronred with the problem of relieving
congestion in the schools, they con-
hdildings, and motion picture theaters
into schools. The cost of equipping such
structures for school purposes pre-
cluded this plan from being adopted.
Conditions at the Deanwood School.
due to the construction of an addi-
of 800 children attending this school
to withdraw them from school for
several days in the fall.
Near the close Of the year found
members of Business High School and
Tech High School alumni associations
e. L.,
place the present structures. About
this time a safety-first campaign was
inaugurated in the schools to impress
on the children the numerous traffic
dangers.
The summer or vacation schools.
which opened July 1 for a six weeks
intensive course. had the largest en-
rollment in their history. The regis
tration this year reached 1,400.
Among some Of the changes insti-
tuted by Supt. Ballou was a novel
system for appointing teachers, which
was designed to preclude their selec-
tion by favoritism or influence. The
bers.
Since the beginning Of DR.. Ballou's
regime Of the schools, preparations
also have been started to change a
number Of text books now in use in
the elementary and high schools and to
rules and regulations of the board
Of education. together with a new
school directory.
Dr. Bal1ou, among other things. has
advocated the extension Of the junior
high school system. and an amend
ment to the basic school law setting
aside a definite proportion Of local
taxes into a fund to be held inviolate
for the schools. Under the present
arrangement Of appropriating reve-
nues for the schools, he believes, it
will be impossible to keep pace with
the increase in school poplation.
Evening star., 1921-01-01
THE COURTS.
Litigation in Washington reached

Litigation in Washington reached
its peake in 1920, due in some measure
to the controversies growing out of
the. Ball rent law. which was de-
cIared unconstitutional by the District
Court of Appeals and which is await
ing review in the United States Su-
preme Court. On the law side of the
District Supreme Court there were
filed during the past twelvemonth
LOO suits. an increase Of more than
SO per cent over the previous years
business. Equity suits we're insh-
tuted to the number of 1,103, making
a total of 2,S03 new proceedings added
Evening star., 1921-01-01
coRoNER's OFFICE.

DR.. J. Ramsay hewitt. District coro-
ner. gave his official approval to ap-
proximateiy 100 death certificates
during the year. Inquests were held
in the three dozen homicide cases
that occurred at intervals during the
year. and similar procedure was taken
in the cases OF victims OF traffic and
other accidents
Deaths from accidents of all kinds
totaled 1S3. Deaths from burns num-
bered 80, while illuminating gas took
the lives of % persons. some result
ing from accident and others inhaline
the gas purposely. Eighteen cases
of accidental drowning were recorded
and 80 persons committed suicide by
various means.
In six Instances death resulted from
indulgence in poisonous alcohol. The
poisonous fluid, in most instances,
was imbibed as a whisky substitute
Evening star., 1921-01-01

streets Capt. Albert J. Headley and
Lieut.. W. S. Shelby, in charge OF the
traffic squad, were given Office accornmo-
dations and the scope of their work en-
larged.
More than 1900 traffic accidents were
registered on the books Of the TRAFFIC
squad during the twelve months. the
greatest number killed in any month
being thirteen in November. the total
for the year being nearly fve-score.
Nearly 1900 were injured during the
year. and arrests for violations Of the
traffic regulations numbered 51,440.
The total number of arrests for all
offenses during the year was 81 .440, OF
which 1884 were for intoxication and
1872 for other violations Of the prohibi-
ton law.
Evening star., 1921-01-01

Kutz was promoted from lieutenant
olonel to colonel In April Mai.
Roger G. Powell was designated as
sistant engineer commissioner to aid
in coming the city for building pur-
poses. When zoning was complet ed
Maj. Powell returned to Army duty.
In August twenty-six District en-
ployes were pensioned under the fed
eral civil service retirement law.
On November 26 Lieut.. John E.
Wood was sent to the District build
ing as third assistant engineer COM
missioner to take over some of the
duties of Majs. Carey II. Brown and
F. g. Besson.
Evening star., 1921-01-01
GALLi-cURCi DATE SET.
Songbird to Wed Accompanist Ian
uary n at Minneapolis.

MINNEAPOLIS. Mimi, January 1.
Mime. GaIli-Curci. famous grand
opera singer. and Homer Samuels. her
accompanist, will be married at the
home of the latter's parents in st.
Louis Park. a suburb of Minneapolis,
January Is. according to announce
ment by c. j. Samuels, father Of the
groom-to-be.
The father said that correspondence
from his son indicated the principals
will be unattended. in which event Dr.
Harvey c. Samuels, a brother Of
Homer. will act as best man.
Mr.. Samuels has written his parents
that no part of their tour will be
slighted by the wedding, and that
they will leave for Indianapolis the
day following tho ceremony to appear
there January IL From there they
VIII go to Cleveland. thence to Akron
and New York.
The wedding will be a plain homo
ceremony with but few present, DR..
h p. Dewey, pastor Of the Plymouth
congregational Church. Minneapolis.
omciating.
Mr.. Samuels announced that the
couple have promised to spend part Of
their summers here and the remain
der at Pine City. in tho Catskills.
Evening star., 1921-01-01

going into the fund established by the
District Supreme Court pending set
tlement of the company's suit against
the action of the commission in cut
ting the rate several years ago from
10 cents to 8 cents.
The commission also issued an order
during the past year increasing from
fifteen to thirty-five feet the length
Of underground conduit, which the
electric light company must construct
free in order to furnish service to a
new subscriber. The order also re-
quired a free extension Of overhead
wiring for q distance Of $50 feet.
Evening star., 1921-01-01
PORTUGAL'S WOMEN FAIL
In JAIL HOSTAGE OFFER
Government Unable to Put Them in
Political Prisoners Places for
Christmas Day.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LISBON. January 1.-The govern
ment today informed a deputation Of
Portuguese women that it could not
legally consent to grant the women's
appeal to pass Christmas day in the
5ails as hostages for political prison
erS.
The reason given was that such ac-
ton would be illegal and that pariia-
ment was closed and unable to discuss
the question. The reply expressed
admiration for the women's spirit of
self-sacridce.
The minister of the interior last
Wednesday received Dona Branca De
Gonta, a prominent member of the
Society Of Poets, who some time ago
Evening star., 1921-01-01
STARVING WAITS WAR WASTAGE

This is really wastage of the war; this of under
noished underctadhe mentally morally physically des-
htute children Twenty years from they will form the
basis of civilization of Europe If are preserve the
foundation of society the and if keep open
the love OF humanity in the west duty clear u.s.
HERBERT HOOVER
Every penny of your contribution will be used for chill
drens food without deduction for expense of any kind
Send your check to John Poole, treasurer European
Relief Fund care of Federal National Bank.
Evening star., 1921-01-01

to the crowded condition of the dock =
cts Of the court.
Dan Cupid also registered a new
record for activity in 1920. Col. w. \.
kroll. the license clerk. during the
year issued 7.030 marriage licenses.
This is an increase of nearly 800 over
1919, which had been the banner
year. The leap year privilege was
well exercised.
Despite prohibition and other re
straining legislation. crime continued
to increase in Washington durinr
1920. A total of LOO indictments.
charging law violations calling for
terms OF Imprisonment in the peni-
tentiary. was reported by the grand
jury. Among the persons convicted
of serious crimes was Edgar r.
said to be the youngest person ever
convicted Of murder in the first de-
gree in Washington. He has not ye,
been sentenced. Another youth. John
McHenry. twenty-five years old. Is
under sentence of death for murder
ing Detective Sergt- Armstrong.
The District Supreme Court during
| the year was called on to exercise its
| unusual Jurisdiction over the gov
ernment officials in a number of cases
The Western Union Telegraph Com
II
of the State. War and Navy depart
ments to prevent interference with
| the laying OF cables near Florida; the
adjutant general OF the Army was
summoned in contempt proceedings
| several suits were brought against
the Federal Trade Commission and
the Interstate Commerce Commission
The railroads brought a test suit to
compel the Secretary of the Treasur.
| to pay out $400.o0o.000 under the
transportation act without awaiting
a final audit. The packers cases also
| came before the court.
The District Court of Appeals re-
| Gently set aside verdict for $2S4.Vo"
awarded by the lower court in favor
| of the Baltimore Federal League club
against organized ball. The appeiiaie
court held that base ball is a sport
and not commerce and is not amena-
| BILE to the antitrust laws.
Evening star., 1921-01-01

With a comparatively small force of
agents working in the District of
Columbia, John. F. Kramer. fedora i
prohibition commissioner. recorded
more than $50 cases of alleged viola
tions of the prohibition law and seized
approximately $500 gallons of intoxi-
cants during 1920. COMMISSIONS
Kramer and his subordinates give the
local police force credit for much co
operative work. the local force giving
about the best cooperation Of any
police force in the country. Revenue
collections from violators Of the law
during the year amounted to several
hundred thousand dollars.
Evening star., 1921-01-01
SALE Is AUTHORIZED.

Justice Stafford Of the District Su-
preIne Court has authorized the Ma
tional Savings and Trust Company. re-
ceiver of the estate Of Charles Early. t.
sell premises 1893 Connecticut avenue
for $45,750. The purchaser. Louise b
Massa, is to assume a trust for $14, ,00f
now On the property and to pay the
balance in cash.
Evening star., 1921-01-01

addressed an appeal to the women of
Portugal to aid her in providing q
happy Christmas for political pris
oners She was accompanied at the
time by one hundred other women.
The minister then expressed the
view that acquiescence in the petition
would be illegal. but that the Ques-
tion would be placed before the min
isterial council for decision.
Evening star., 1921-01-01
PrickIy Porky Is Happy.
By THORNTON w. BURGESS.

Who wants but little has his wants supplied;
Who wants too much more often Is denied.
-Prickly Porky.
Prickly Porky had taken possession
OF q big hemlock tree in the Green
Forest. In it he ate and slepc and was
altogether comfortable, and he would
stay there unt1l-weil, until there was
nothing more to eat there. Then he
would pick out another tree and move
into that. The Green Forest was
white now. white with snow. Jack
Frost was busy every night and the
Evening star., 1921-01-01
BElGlANS DECLINE RIGHTS
tentatively Refuse to Seize Ger
man Property as Treaty Providex-

PARIS. December 30-The Belesan
cabinet has tentatively decided to re-
nounce BelSium's right under the
versailles treaty to confscate German
property in Belgium. according to a
Temps dispatch today from Brussels
The report stated that this decision
was taken under paragraph Is. annex
2. part S. of the treaty.
pointed out that final decision
win bc reached only at the next cabi-
net meeting and that no public an
nounceuaent will be made until the re.
nunciation hAa been formally ap-
proved