davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08
AT RICHMOND
LEGISLATION
House Proceedings

Speaker Brewer called the Eouse to
order promptly at II O'Clock, and
prayer was offered by Rev. }. Free
land Peter, rector of St. James Epis-
copal Church. who implored divine
mercy and guidance on all members
of the lawmaking body, and especial
" do we pray for those affected and
distressed in the fire this morning"
House committee reports were read
after which Delegate Rogers, of Pc
tersburg, offered joint resolution OF
thanks to the Choral Club of the Nlr-
ginia Normal and Industrial Institute
lor the program presented Monday
night.
Delegate Price. of Richmond, Of
fered a joint resolution. fixing Satur-
day, February Is, as the last day for
introducing bills without unanimous
consent. and Senate concurrence was
reported by Senator Holt.
Clerk Williams read an invitation
from DR.. j. a. Burruss, president OF
the Virginia POLYTECHNIC Institute,
Blacksburg. inviting the General As
sembly to attend the semicentennia!
anniversary celebration, May 2S, 30.
1922. requesting that committee be
appointed to represent the House at
the celebration. Delegate Tyler. of
Radford. offered a Joint resoluScS
that committee of five. two from the
Senate and three from the House of
Delegates. be named to represent the
General Assembly. Senator Andrews,
of Roanoke. renorted the Senate's con-
currence, end Sneaker Brewer named
Delegate Hal S. Tvler. of Radford:
Delp"ate II. T.. Trolineer. of Pulaski,
and Delepate NJ. P. Farricr of Pearls
burg. as members Of the House COM
mittee.
Delegate Smith. Of AlbemarIr. an
nnrnced that DELEGATE D. n. Pitts, Of
Albemarle. was not seriously injured
in the LEXINGTON Hotel fire and was
at the Johnston Willis Hosnital. and
rnerntted to announce that Sheriff c.
NJ. Thomas. of Albemarle, lost his life
in the holocaust.
Under unfinished business the sub
stitute for House bill No. 3 the COM
CONTINUED on page three)
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08
HARDING ASKS
PROMPT ACTION
ON TREATIES
Work on Ships to be Scrap
ped and On Fortifica-
tions is Halted
FIGHT IN PROSPECT
Senator Comes Out With Demand tor
Heavy Cuts in Army and Navy
Personnel

Washington, Feb. S.--President
Harding favors the earliest possible
action on the treaties coming out OF
the Conference on the Limitation OF
Armament, and, while he is reluctant
to discuss reservations until the treat
les are before the Senate, it was made
plain at the White House that he sees
no need for any.
This purpose to press for early ac-
ton is contrary to plans that were
more or less definitely made in Con-
gress during the sessions of the Con-
ference, but Mr.. Harding wants the
treaties ratified soon so that the Gov
ernment may go ahead in confidence
in formulating its policies. The favor
able outlook for the treaties probably
will help the President.
1t is especially necessary, according
to high officials, that the naval treaty
be ratified without any unnecessary
delay. Every sign indicates its ratl-
fication by an overwhelming majority
but until the fact is accomplished the
Navy Department and Congress Will
be unable to proceed with certainty
in determining what appropriations
are needed for the navy in the next
fiscal year !,
In according with plans revealed
some time ago, the President has sus-
pended work on the ships under con-
struction that are to be scrapped
Actual scrapping will not take place
until ratification of the naval treaty
by all the signatory powers. The, Pres
ident also has suspended work on
Notifications in the Pacific, that are
within the status quo1area.
1t became clear yesterday that
sharp conflict is ahead over army and
navy policies-in light of the results
of the Conference.-The a strong pos
sib:lity that the collision last year be-
tween the Administration and the
small army and navy group IN Con-
gress, led by Senator Borah, will oc-
cur again.
Continued on page three)
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08
WITNESSES SAY
KNICKERB0CKERR
POORLY BUILT
Allege Defective COnstruc-
ton and Failure to Com
ply With Plans
MAIN TRUSS SHORT
Army and Navy Engineers In Their
Report Point Out Defects In Con-
structiOn.

Washington, Feb. S.-Charges Of de-
fpcfivc construction and dIsregard OF
building plans filed with the District
Commissioners were made yesterday
by witnesses testifying at the cor
oncr's inquest in connection with the
collarse of the Knickerbocker Thcatr"
and the consequent deaths of nearly
100 ncrsons some few days ago.
Robert Henry Davis, engineer sand
comnuter in the Office of the District
Building Inspector, testified he had
been working on the plans ever since
the collapse. Examination of the plans
and later of the steel work on the site
of the ruins. he said. showed that the
main truss for the roof was nine in
ches shorter than the plans would in
dicate by computation. He made other
statements criticiZing the conStruc-
ton of the building.
A star figure of the day. was Col.
William Kelly. of the Engineer Corps
of the army. who presented and ex.
plaincd the report of the army and
navy engineers who have been CO.
oneratinc with District Attorney Cor
don il the stigation.
Tall and erect. a graduate of West
Point. with voice readily heard. he
discussed in highly technical way the
details of the investigation, intellibl-
bic to builders but not to the lay mind.
He traced details from blue prints
and from photographs which ne pass
cd about among the Jury.
Here is the substance of the con-
cusons OF these engineers as embodi-
cd in the report and read by him:
The disas astor was evidently di-
rect result of the failure sufficient
X TO nrovide for the unusual con-
ditions existing at the Juncturc
of the curved Columbia road wall
ri the building to the stage wall.
Had however. the remaining part
of the construction been of high
grade and we'll braccd the fail
urc at the point of origin would
probably have been localized.
This was the end of the report of
tho engineers who included Colonel
Kcllv Commander George McCav. L.
s. y. Major Lunsford f. Oliver, Corns
of Engineers. u. S. A., and Joseph
Nicholson and K. F. Bessy, civil en-
sineers.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08
SECOND NIGHT
REPEATS HIT
Mary Lee Spillman Delights
Audience With Her
Tumbling Act
Big Wrestling Bout Announced For
Friday Night-Earl Cornell and
Cyclone Curricr

The second night of the Put and
Take Bazaar of the American Le-
gion and Veterans of Foreign Wars
went off in big fashion last night at
the Ellis Auditorium and those who
came were greeted with rare enter
tainment. The Mt. Vernon NJ. f.
Church South Quartet rendered sew
eral classical selections for the edifica-
ton of the large crowd. Mary Smiles
Sminter put her song and dance num-
bers over in the usual fashion. The
feature act of the evening, which will
be repeated every night throughout
the week. by popular demand intro
ducas petite and demure Mary Lee
Spillman and her Instructor Kirke
Walla.e of the Y. NJ. c. a. Mary Lee,
in her 'way-up in-the-air balancing.
o1cascs her friends immensely. She
has become quite STACEY even
though her public appearances have
bcen few. and has quite a big sense
of humor. Mr.. Wallace and his
charge, perform many difficult stunts.
Several other surprise acts will he
added for this evening.
On Friday night a special athletic
event will be staged at eleven o'clock.
Earl Cornell. welterweight champion
wrestler of the American Expedition
ary Forces will lock horns in finish
mat h--bcst two out of three falls.
catch as catch can, with Cyclone Cur
rier. also veteran Of the Worlds
War. Both of the boys are boosters
for the Put and Take Bazaar. and
members of the local post of the
Veterans Of Foreign Wars.
Sailor Tilton scored again last night
with his crack Deep Sea Jazz Band.
These boys are all artists, hand pick
ed men from the fleets, and members
Of the big United States Navy Band,
assigned to Washington Barracks.
And whether you do or do not dance.
lust listen to the boys tear it up.
Its a real treat for anyone. The adj
mission price for single night is only
25c. and everybody is made to feel
welcome. Various vaudeville ats will
be added and changed during the rest
of the week. There is something diff
ferent for each and every night for
the amusement of young and old.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08
DIVORCES MORE
DIFFICULT If
BILL PASSES
Measure introduced in
House of Delegates by
Chas. Henry Smith
DRASTIC CHANGES
Provides For Divorce Proctor to De-
fend Suit on Behalf of State-Io
Wait Six Months

A divorce bill with teeth which will
make it far more difficult to obtain d.
vorces than at present has just been
introduced in the house of delegates
in Richmond by Attorney Charles
Henry Smith of this city who repre-
sents this city and Arlington county
in the state legislature.
The bill follows:
To repeal section 5ll3 of the Code
of Virginia, and to amend and re-en-
act section 5l06 of the Code OF Flr-
ginia.
Be it enacted by the General As
semblv of Virginia. That Section fifty
one hundred and thirteen of the Code
of Virginia be repealed, and that sec
ton fifty-one hundred and six OF the
said Code be amended and re-enacted
so as to read as follows:
Section 1.-HOW INSTITUTED
AND CONDUCTED.-Such suit shall
be instituted and conducted as other
suits i'm equity, except that the Dill
shall no1 be taken for confessed, nor
shall a divorce be granted on the un-
corroborated testimony of the parties,
or either of them. nor shall the court
grant divorce in any case except
where the question of residence and
dom;cile is testified to by two wit
nesses, other than the parties, or
either of them; and whether the de-
fendant answer. or not, the case shall
be heard independently of the admis-
sions of either party in the pleadlngs,
or otherwise; and no process or notice
in such proceedings shall be served
in this State except by officers au-
thorized TO serve the same. Costs may
be awarded to either party as justice
may require.
Sec. 2.-There shall be filed in
every such suit by the attorney for
the complainant Il statement, on ms
honor as a practicing attorney. that
after reasonable inquiry, he believes
that the complainant or the defendant,
as the law may require, has been bona
tide domicied in the State of Virginia
for at least one wear preceding the
commencement of the suit; or. IN lieu
thereof, the attorney may file state
mcnt of the facts he expects to prove
as constituting evidence of jursidic-
ton.
In every such suit the judge, either
in term time or in vacation, shal! APP
point some discreet and competent at
t0rney at law. not related to either
party or interested in the suit, to be
known as divorce proctor, whose duty
it shall be to defend the suit in the
name of and in behalf of the Com
monwcalth of Virginia. as hereinaf-
ter provided.
Section 3.-Such divorce proctor
shall faithfully represent the interest
of the Commonwealth in such suit;
he shall make inquiry into, and, as
Continued on page threc)
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08
WILL NOT Hold
PRIMARY FOR
COUNC'ZL.MEN
All May En:er General Elec-
ton Which Will be
Held June 13
TO ELECT 5 MEMBERS
Many Persons Glad Primary Will be
Eliminated-Time Limit For Fill
ing Notice For Primary Past.

To the layman :. appears by an Act
of the General Assembly, approved
March %, 1914, Chapter 305, which is
probably followed in the State Code
1919, that it will be the first time in
many decades unnecessary to have a
Primary election for the purpose of
making a choice from the Democratic
party to be voted for at the general
election to be held for members of the
new council of five (5) members
which by law is Tuesday, June 18th,
1922 This is not matter of regret
for the very good reason that there
should be no politics in the coming
council elections.
In the primary election, chapter 305
in section three CD we read as fol-
lows:
"A primary for the nominations of
candidates for offices to be voted for
on the Second Tuesday in June, in the
cities of the State shall be held on the
first Tuesday in April next, proceed
ing such election"
This is plain enough as to time for
elections. Now as to candidates.
Section Q OF the Code reads as fol-
lows:
Declaration of Candidacy-"The
name of no candidate shall be printed
upon any official ballot used at any
primary unless such person is legally
qualified to hold the office for which
he is a candidate, and unless at least
sixty (60) days before the primary
he makes and files written declara-
tion of candidacy, ETC."
1t is less than sixty days before the
first Tuesday in April, hence no
names can be filed at this date, and
no names could be printed upon the
official ballot. and no other than Of
ficial or printed ballot can be used,
at least that is the way i appears to
US: because it is a legal primary.
The declaration OF candidacy must
also be properly attested.
At general election whore per-
son has failed to make this declara-
ton his or her name can be voted for
by writing in the name. and the
erasure Uf v,me one who is contest
ing for the position.
Section 40 Of the Act states when
primary shall not be held. 1t does
not however refer to the condition
where no names have beo1 presented;
only first where a candidate present
ing his name for nomination has no
opposition, and second, where the po-
Iitical parties adopt method for Sc
lecting other than a primary.
But. as we have stated. these sell
fections should not be made a party
matter, as they will not call for po-
litical preferment. Hundreds of our
people in National or State elections
all themselves republicans and en-
brace in their members men and wo-
men active in business. mechanical,
manufacturing, professional and all
kinds OF good citizenship. The one
election Tuesday, June IS, answers.
General information is to the effect
that other cities adonting the new idea
have not made the election political
matter. Even had they, it would be no
reason for us to do so. ln our local
primaries Republicans as well as
Democrats have participated without
challenge The law providing for a
change in the form of Government,
has no provision as to parties par
tiriDat;ng
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08
Visit Old Engine House

The following are names OF visitors
that have registered at the Friend
shin Veteran Fire Association House
on South Alfred Street, during the
past two weeks:
.January 23-Ethel y. MacBride,
Dallas. Texas: Dorotha Mckee, Phi!a-
delnhia. Penn: Ella L. Pensinger,
Philadelphia. Penn.
January 24--No visitors.
January 25-Cnra NJ. Hartman,
Cleveland. Ohio: Mrs. r. Y. Wagner,
Baker City, Oregon; Mr.. and Mrs:
p. NJ. Ross. Syracuse. y. y; Mr.. and
Mrs. s. 4. Van Wagner. Syracuse, y.
Y: II. c. Harscn. Woodstock, ILL.,: A.
/. Moss. Bristol Wisconsin: Mr.. and
Mrs, G.. A. Trelinger. Lafayette, Ind.
January 26-No visitors.
.Iaruary 27-Mrs. H. p. FISon
Nowville, Pa: Mrs ". 3. Fulton. De!
Raw, Va.
January 28-No visitors.
January 29-House closed on Sun
days.
January 3O-Mr. and Mrs. A. L.
Hanhurv. Norfolk. Va: S. Grunt
Newark, y. j.; r. Grunt, Newark,
y. J.
January 31-No visitors.
February l-2-3-l-No visitors.
February 5-Ifruse closed on Sun
days.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08
THIRTY MISSING
IN LEXINGTON
Hotel FIR {
Six Known to be Dead
Twenty Eight In
jured
SHERIFF AMONG DEAD
Only Seventy-Two Guests Registered
Hotel Was Old-Fashioned Brick
Building.

Richmond, Va, Feb. 8.--Six known
dead, 80 reported missing or unac-
counted for and % known injured was
the toll of a fire, which early yester-
day started from an undetermined
source in the basement of the Lex
ington Hotel, quickly spread through
the four stories of the structure and
then spread to other buildings.
1t swept half city block before
it was checked. The property loss is
variously estimated at from S230,000
to S500,000.
The known dead are:
Hiram S. Austin, Fincastle, Va.
NJ. j. Fox, Williamsport, Pa.
C. NJ. Thomas, Sheriff of Albemarle
county, Va.
F. r. Cox, of Richmond.
F. L. Shaw, of Richmond.
#. L. Pierier, of Yonkers, n. Y.
The bodies of the last three were
still in the ruins last night, accord
ing to the police.
The flames quickly cut off all exits
in the hotel and the guests many with
clothing in flames, jumped from the
windows, some landing in life nets
but others plunging to the pavements.
At police headquarters last night a
force of men endeaVored to check on
those unaccounted for while searchers
continued their efforts to locate bodies
in the ruins. Seventy-two guests were
registered at the hotel when the fire
broke out.
Other buildings destroyed or badly
damaged in the spread of the flames
were Che Pearl Laundry, the plant of
Clyde w. Saunders, printers; the Say
ings Bank of Richmond, branch Cabell
and Company, the Wilson Paper Com
pany, E. R. Lafferty and Company and
the Cooperative Producers Exchange.
The list of missing last night in
cluded the following:
f. T. Carter, United States Navy.
Frederick Keller, United States
Navy.
Thomas Flagan, Brooklyn, n. Y.
c. G. Eberly, address unknown.
T. w. Crannen, address unknown.
c. w. Hawthorne, address unknown.
s. Hamin, address unknown.
T. T. Leftwch. address unknown.
Among those reported probably ia
tally injured are.
John Z. Cochran, lumberman, New
York.
James Folden, travelling salesman,
Patton, W. Va.
Other injured include:
Mrs. Clara Cochran, New York.
NJ. Austin, Philadelphia.
A. II. Harrison, st. Louis; fractur-
ed leg and decorations on head.
J. S. Harivall, Portland, Maine;
broken leg and broken ankle.
Andrew Gallas, Buffalo, \. Y;
broken back.
T. H. Dodd. New York city, broken
back.
J. f. Ford, Rocky Mount, n. c.;
decorations.
William O. Bailey, New York city;
bruises about the body.
Paul Brigorna, New York city
right hip lacerated.
William ?. Little, Portsmouth, Va
J. H. Webb, Fincastle, Va.
Austin, it developed, came to Rich
mond Monday, urging Governor Trim.
Continued on page three)
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08

ten inches in height. His hair is light
colored mixed with gray. There were
no papers about the body by which
he could be identified.
Sergt. Wilkinson Of the police de-
partment here was notified of the af-
fair by the railroad authorities and
he detailed Traffic Policemen Durrer
and Maener on the case.
The Fairfax and Alexandria au-
.hor't;ns ,orobined hope later in the
day to be able to establish the identity
Of the stranger.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08

The bald eagle has long been looked
upon as the symbal of power.
The American eagle is the native
bald eagle. and was first adopted as
the seal of the United States on June
90, 1852.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08
DEAD WOMAN
IDENTIFIED AS
MISS A. H. JONES
The Deceased Left Home
Here Friday to Visit
In Cherrydale
RECOVERED MONDAY
Mother and Brother t'fy Body at
Washington Iiorgue Today-Body
Brought Here This Afternoon

The body found floating in the
Potomac between here and Nashlng"
ton Monday afternoon today was lden
titled as that of Miss Alma Hulllngs
Jones, twenty-six years old, daugh-
ter of Mrs. Lillian F. Jones, Of 33J
North Payne street. The family of
the deceased are unable to account
for the affair. II was stated at the
residence Of her mother today that
Miss Jones last Friday left home
saying she was going to visit MISS
Ruby Grogan. Cherrydale, Arlington
county, and had planned to return
home last Monday. At the time 1t
was stated that Miss Jones carried a
suit case containing some OF her
clothing.
The Identification was made by
her mother and her brother, George
W. Jones.
The young woman apparently was
in the best Of health and her failure
to return last Monday which she had
planned to do did not cause the fam
lily any uneasiness. although 1t was
stated that Miss Jones did not GO TO
the home Of Miss Grogan as orlgl-
nallv planned.
When newspaper accounts of a
body being found were seen, George
W. Jones, brother Of the young wo-
man. last nigh. went to the morgue
in Washington and partially identl-
fled the body and later today otner
members of TIE family went to the
morgue and completely identified the
body which will be brought here and
taken to Wheatley's chapel and pre-
pared for burial. The funeral ar
rangements have not yet been COM
pleted.
The deceased besides her mother is
survived by 3 sisters and brother
Her father was the late George W.
Jones, who manv years was a con-
tractor and builler here and who
several years before his death was
engaged in the grocery business.
Early Yesterday afternoon. a re-
port was in circulation in Washington
that the body was that Of Evelyn
Neshit. divorced wife of Harry Thaw
She had been missing several weeks
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08
WASHINGTON
DAY BY DAY

Washington, Feb. S.--Leading Re.
publican members of the Ways ana
Means Committee, encouraged BY
some of the Republican leaders on
the Senate Finance Committee, nave
practically determined to report out
the bonus bill with a provision under
which the interest on the foreign debt
will be used TO pay the expenses m
Cured under the bill.
The plan also includes a provision
by which bonds will be flcated until
such time as payments of principal
and interest on the foreign debt be-
come sufficient to defray the bonus
eypense. Chairman Fordney says
that the bonus bill will be reported
out in me days with a scheme for
payment Of its expense and the in
terval will be occupied with working
out the details of the foreign debt
plan.
A thing that has made the foreign
debt scheme attractive to the Con-
gressional leaders is the report that
the British government has set aside
a large sum to pay interest on tho
$4,000, ,OO0,000 obligation Of that gov
ernment to the United States and the
further report that the British are
ready, at any time, to discuss plans
for funding their debt.
President Harding, in all likeli-
hood, will submit to the Senate in
person the various treaties signed by
the delegats to tn Arms Conference.
Just when the President will visit the
Senate depends upon the date when
the report Of the American delegates
at the conference is ready for sub
mission to the Chief Executive. This
report will embody the various pro-
visions contained in the several pacts
and will serve as guide in any
comments the President may see fit
to make to the Senate.
That the President believes all OF
the treaties will be ratified by the
Senate is evidenced from the fact
that he has already issued instruc
tions to cease further work upon the
fortifications in Guam and in the
Philippines. He has likewise ordered
Continued on page four.)
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08
BOY SCOUTS
ANNIVERSARY
Today is Twelfth Birthday
of Scout Movement In
America
More Than Two Million Members
Mast be Twelve Years Old to
Join as "TendcrfoOt"

This the Sth day Of February
marks the 18th anniversary of the
Bov Scouts of America Incorporated
February s. 1910. Chartered by Con-
ress June -. 1916. More than
100000 boys have been committed
to the following obligation during
the last II years:
THE SCOUT OATH
On my honor ! will do my best
!. To do my duty to God and my
country. and IN obey the Scout Law.
2. To help other people at all times
3. To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake. and morally
straight.
THE SCOUT LAW
]. a scout is trustworthy.
A scouts honor is to be trusted.
If he were to violate his honor by
telling lie. or by cheating, or by
not doing exactly a given task, when
trusted on his honor. he may be di-
rected to hand over his scout badge.
3 A scout is loyal.
He is loyal to all to whom loyalty
is due; his scout leader, his home,
and parents and country.
2. A scout is helpful.
He must be prepared at any time
to save life, help injured persons,
and share the home duties. He must
do at least one good turn to some
body every day.
4. A scout is friendly.
(Continued on Page B.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08

There are two species of eagles in
this country, the bald eagle and the
golden eagle.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-02-08

For this section-Fair and some
what colder today: tomorrow fair,
with rising temperature.
High tide tomorrow; 5:32 a. m,
6:05 p. III.