Evening star., 1921-12-16

ton, announced to the House today.
with profound regret and deep sor-
row. the passing" of John Arthur Ell
ston, member of Congress from the
sixth California district. The body of
Representative Elston was found in
the Potomac river las. night short
distance west of the north end of the
Highway bridge. Coroner hewitt is
sued a certificate of suicide by drown
ing.
Representative Kahn told the House
that at some future time he would
ask that day be set apart for me-
mortal services. On Mr.. Kahn's mo-
tion the House authorized the Speaker
to appoint a committee of eighteen
members to attend the funeral and
the House Immediately adjourned out
of respect.
FnvOrite In Congress.
Representative Elston was one of
the most popular men in Congress
and no death in recent years has
caused a deeper gloom to fail over the
membership of the House Close per-
sonal friends in Congress. of whom
the most intimate was Representa-
tive Barbour of California, said they
are unable to ascribe any reason
which would prompt Representative
E1ston to commit suicide. Those who
knew him best are unanimous in say
ing that they believe he was tempo
rarily insane.
The only cause for worriment that
they can think of is in connection
with the Alameda naval base project.
which is in Representative Elston's
district. He appeared much depressed
and worried over his failure to get
favorable action upon this protect. his
friends who had talked with him
about 1t said today. They could not
III
have allowed it to play uron his
mind to such an extent as to lead
him to suicide.
His most intimate friends. in
cluding Representative Barbour and
Stephen T. Mather, director of the
national park service. with whom
he lived at the Garden Tea House.
1914 Vermont avenue, said today that
riment. He was not worrying about
financial matters and had never eX-
pressed other worries except con-
cerning his family.
Awaits Word From Family.
Funeral arrangements had not been
made late today. because Representa-
tive Kahn was awaiting advices from
Mr.. Elston's family. AS many MEN,
bers of the California delegation as
can get away from duties here will
attend the funeral.
p Discovery of Representative Elston's
body near the Highway bridge fol-
lowed the finding of a suicide note in
the pocket of his overcoat. which was
left on the river bank. The police
have made public this note. in which
the words "offense.' ''innocently" and
.'people" occur. Representative Bar
hour. who studied this note when it
was found, says that it was written
in pencil. was considerably blurred
and SO difficult to decipher. He dis
dinO q nv ha
police. Instead of the word .'Offense"
his version substitutes the word
.offer"; instead of the word "inno-
cently' he substitutes ''uncondition-
ally" and instead of people" he sub
stitutes project"
Note Explains Motive.
A note taken from his overcoat
found on the river bank read:
Il am in chain of circumstances
that spell ruin. although my offense
was innocently made in the begin
ming. I hope all the facts will come
out. My staying means embarrass-
ment to my district and to worthy
people. clean and generous"
1t is generally believed that the
note had reference to the proposed
naval base at Alameda. Calf. prof.
ect that did not receive favorable
consideration in Congress. Repre-
sentative Elston, 1t is stated. owned
property about six miles from the pro-
he feared such ownership had been
enc of the things that operated
against the project.
, Representative Elston discussed the
proposed establishment of the naval
base at Alameda with other members
Of Congress. and 1t was noticed that
he displayed a nervousness to an
alarming extent. So nervous did he
become that he sought the advice of
DR.. Gregg Custis Birdsall.
:. Last Seen Alive Tuesday.
:. Tuesday morning Mr.. Elston decided
He would remain away from the Cap
tlo1. and consulted his physician.
Word was left that he should not be
disturbed, and it is now thought he
possibly contemplated ending his life
Af home.
Late in the day, however. he left
the apartment, where he resided with
Stephen T.. Mather, director of the ma
sional park service, Interior Depart
nnent. His failure to return to his
apartment that night was regarded
Az being significant. but it was not
until Wednesday afternoon that Mr..
Matfier and Representative Barbour
appealed to the police to institute a
search.
Detective John Flaherty was de-
that Representative Elston had en-
Dleyed H. F. Collins, 3208 @ street, to
Drive him to Great Falls, OH the Vir-
ginia side of the river.
Reaching q point some distance be-
yond Cherrydale, where the road no
longer was in condition for auto
mobiling. Collins suggested it would
be well to return to the city and
make the trip on the Maryland side.
The driver was directed to proceed
to Arlington cemetery. which he did,
and then he drove to the city, Rep
resentative Elston leaving him at 18th
street and Pennsylvania avenue about
4:45 o'clock.
81 Overcoat Gives Clue.
The detective and friends of the
Californian conducted a practically
an-night search of hotels and hos
pitals in vain. Michael Bell. 312 Az
street southwest. yesterday found the
oyercoat and hat of the representative
on the river bank. e..
The coat; and hat were taken to
police headquarters. Inspector Cliff
ford L. Grant, chief of detectives, and
Lieut.. c. L. Plemmons, his assistant,
examined the note found in the over
coat pocket. Lieut.. Dean, In charge
of. the police harbor precinct, sent
members Of his crew to drag the rivers !