davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1924-06-01
The Chicago Crime.

An amazing sequel to the Chicago
kidnapping murder case comes in the
confession of two young men. mem
bers Of wealthy families, that they, in
a spirit of adventure, planned and
carried out this crime. Traced by a
pair of spectacles which had for some
unaccountable reason been left on the
thrust into culvert, these youths at
first denied any completely and offered
an alibi which in itself indicated a
shocking degree of moral delinquency.
This alibi might have withstood all
tests but for the fact that the family
chauffeur declared that the car which
they claimed to have been using on
the day of the crime had not been out
of the garage. With their alibi thus
discredited they were subjected to in
finally was obtained.
These young men were not needy.
They had no motive for kidna ping for
ransom. They were both well supplied
with money by their parents. perhaps
too well supplied. Yet, according to
their story, they had been planning
this crime for months, with the victim
unchosen and only selected on the
very day Of the killing.
Much mystery still attaches to this
case. If it was a genuine kidnapping
for ransom why should the boy have
been killed? He was slain actually be-
fore the demand for money was made
upon his father. This is the first case
known where a stolen child has been
killed prior to negotiations for ran
som. This fact leads to the suspicion
that the killing was the result of un-
speakable practices. At any rate these
young men are by their own confes-
sion guilty Of one OF the most shock.
ing crimes ever committed in this
country.
Had it not been for the accident of
the spectacles they would possibly
have escaped detection. On such slight
clues are crimes revealed and their
perpetrators caught. No writer of fic-
tion has ever contrived story more
strange than this shocking tale. Three
families are stricken as a result of
this escapade. stricken beyond com.
fort or consolation. It is sad COM
mentary upon the tendencies Of youth
in America today.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

playground system of the National
Capital" The report said ''To provide
for a permanent commission author.
lied to make a comprehensive study
Of the development Of the park and
playground system Of the National
Capital, and to acquire lands neces.
sary for such development, both with.
in the District and in adjoining terri
tory of Maryland and Virginia and to
provide for regular annual appropria.
tions to be used by said commission
for acquiring such lands, your COM
mittee has prepared and presents the
following bill" The bill was enacted
by Congress substantially as drafted
by the committee, the principal change
being in naming the chairmen of the
House and Senate District committees
members Of the commission instead Of
the chairmen Of the Senate and House
committees on public grounds.
For the purchase of land the act
authorizes the appropriation each year
in the District appropriation bill "a
sum not exceeding l cent for each in.
habitant of the continental United
States as determined by the last pre-
ceding decennial census Three
fourths of the sum appropriated shall
be used by the commission for the ac-
QUESTION Of lands within the District
and shall be paid from the revenues
Of the District of Columbia and the
general funds Of the Treasury in the
same proportion as other expenses Of
the District OF Columbia" Land ac
quired in the District, and which shall
be made part Of the park system. will
be under the chief of engineers Of the
Army, and lands suitable for play
ground purposes in the discretion of
the commission shall be assigned to
the control of the District Commits
sioners.
In the selection Of lands the advice
of the Commission Of Fine Arts shall
be requested. The purpose is not only
to provide more park and playground
space, but to preserve scenery and
forest in and near the District, to con-
serve the flow of Rock Creek and
other creeks and to protect those
creeks, the Potomac River and East
ern Branch against pollution.
Evening star., 1924-06-01
Sociable Washington.

Washington is a sociable old town.
1t was thought Of as being a sociable
and hospitable place when it was a
small town, when the homes were set
in gardens, when boarding houses
were filled with senator's, representa-.
tives and department officers, and bar
rooms were forums where the might
lest things Of state and foreign nations
were adjusted in words. Though great
physical change has come over Wash
ington much of the character Of the
old city remains. Nearly everybody is
a member Of one or a dozen social or
civic organizations, and everybody
who has the spirit Of a joiner may Join
all good kinds Of clubs and associa-
tons, spend al spare time and more
in working on committees and can be
recording secretary, corresponding
secretary, president, member Of tho
board of directors Or m olBcer Of some
other kind. Glance through tho pages
Of The Star any evening and this il
plain.
There is the story of the annual re-
union of the high school class Of 1886.
Boys and girls of school days thirty.
eight years ago get together. Some
come from far away. Veteran teach.
ers join their old pupils and the
sroWn.up sons and daughters at tho
Evening star., 1924-06-01

| have been inseparable friends. Day
after day, month after month and
year after year, they have lunched
same hotel. They have been sena-
rated at lunch time only when one
or the other was out of the city.
The possibility of their going to
the Senate IS founded upon poIfticat
fact, too, rather than fancy. Ever
one knows by now the story of the
letter written by the late President
wilson Just prior to his death. in
which he said he felt that Joe Tum-
ulty was as well equipped as any
man he knew to make the race for
the Senate in New Jersey The for
ner secretary to Mr. Wilson has been
inclined to take the Senate rather
lightly-especially that he should go
thfre-but many of his friends are
serious on the subject. Once not so
long ago Joe said he would like to
run for the Senate on a platform of
rearranging the seats so that he could
put Magnus Johnson and Henry Cabot
Lodge right next to each other.
| Ray Baker has definitely determined
| 70 make the race for the Senate from
MS home state of Nevada in 1926.
when the term of Senator Tasker Cd
die expires. Mr.. Oddie came in on
the Harding wave in 1920. Nevada
mas way of going Democratic in the
on years, as a rule. and as 1926 will
De such q year, there may be quite a
scramble in the Democratic party for
the honor of opposing the Republican
| incumbent. Mr. Bakers friends be-
| him.
| If these two young raconteurs
should by chance find themselves in
the Senate, there is no doubt they
would lend keen tone to the musty
| old chamber.
x X
At this time of heavy European
travel it is Interesting to learn from
shipping men that the popularity OF
an oceans going vessel is only too
often gagged by the number OF
smokestacks she carries. Ffrst-ciass
passengers as a rule are not 80 fas-
tidious about the number Of rakish
! looking tunnels on the boat, but when
you get down to the second class
| cabin and into the steerage you find
that the passengers are quite serious
and concerned on the subject Emil
grants from Europe have been known
| to refuse absolutely to sail in a yes
sci with only one stack because the
beautiful poster shown them by the
steamship agent pictured a fine color
full boat with at least two red stacks.
possibly three.
Several European steamship lines
which are adopting motor-driven ships
are putting two smokestacks on their
vessels. Notwithstanding the fact that
there is to be no smoke. One Italian
line propotes to defy the custom or
Superstitios or whatever it is. and has
designed tWo motor-driven ships with
out any stacks at all. These vessels
VIII carry only a few first-class pas
sengers each, SO perhaps that is the
explanation of the defiance. If these
stackless ships ever attempted to com
pete lot the second and third class
trade they would be left at the dry
dock
Hopyright l9Al
Evening star., 1924-06-01
Washington's Bad Traffic Record.

Washington has low rating among
cities of the United States in respect
to the percentage of traffic fatalities
TO population. 1t is reckoned as one
of the most dangerous places in this
country in point of street accidents.
Whether this is due to a larger per.
centage of motor cars in use here or
to greater degree of carelessness on
the part of drivers or to conditions in
the streets is not determined. The fact
stands, however, that Washington's
streets are the scene of a shocking
number of casualties.
Friday life was lost in a col.
lision Of two cars at a street intersec-
ton. Another life was lost in a wreck
caused by the blowing off of tire.
A third person died from injuries re-
ceived few days earlier. Every week
brings the serious injury or the death
of a pedestrian hit by a motor car.
Since the 1st of January last thirty.
tive people have been killed in the Dis
trict in traffic accidents and ,041 have
been injured. This is shocking rec
ord
One of the causes of children being
hit by motor cars so frequently in
Washington is probably the presence
along the curbs of strings of parked
machines, some parallel and some at
angles. These machines obstruct the
view of drivers. People passing out
from the curbs in midblock cannot be
seen in some cases in time to prevent
accident Children are especially prone
to run out without looking. The line
OF parked cars narrow the running
space in the street and lessen the
chance of avoiding a collision.
This parking question is a grave
one. Cars have been purchased and
drivers have been licensed in excess
of the facilities for housing All-night
parking is common throughout the
residential district. All-day parking
is permitted save in the congested
business area. Thousands of cars are
brought down town daily and left all
day somewhere in the streets for use
at the close of Office hours. They un-
doubtedly add to the dangers.
Unsafe speeds are the major pri-
mary cause of accidents. A machine
that is being driven at twenty miles
an hour through the streets cannot be
checked in time to prevent a collision
in a sudden emergency such as the
unexpected appearance Of another ma
chine at a crossing or on a turn, or the
sudden appearance Of pedestrian,
child or adult, in the driveway. Yet
the regulation Of speed is not the sole
cure for these mishaps. Drivers must
be held accountable for whatever hap
pens, and that accountability should
take the form of severe punishment
whenever life is endangered or is de-
stroyed
Evening star., 1924-06-01
MEN AND AFFAIRS
BY ROBERT T. SMALL

AS is always the case when a
President brings close. personal
friend and adviser with him, WASH
ington has been endeavoring of Iate
to find a place" for Frank w.
Stearns, the Boston merchant, who
has been almost an inseparable COM
panion of President Coolidge's ever
since the latter was sworn in as Chief
Magistrate of the United States.
Mr.. Stearns is down in the books
as one of the men who made" Calvin
Coolidge. Washington did not know
him, however, during the days of the
Coolidge vice presidency. II Mr.. and
Mrs Stearns came to town during
those days it was not very often, and
thelr entertainment was not conspic-
uous enough to attract any undue
amount of attention, either socially
or politically.
But with the death of President
Harding there was sweeping
change. Mr. and Mrs. Stearns joined
Mr.. and Mrs. Coolidge on their way
from Vermont to the Capital and
have been here most of the time
since.
Mr.. Stearns has not wanted an Of
fetal position. He is a man of inde-
pendent means There has been talk
that he might go into the cabinet if
President Coolidge should be elected
and should appoint a new official
family on March 4, 1925.
But it is known that Mr.. Stearns
himself has cast no eyes in that or
any other official direction. He has
been more than content to stand at
his old friends side, to sit at supper
with him, and to while away many
an evening hour with down home
talk and the spinning perhaps of an
occasional New England anecdote or
two.
Now, however, there is soon to be a
vacancy which Mr.. Coolidge will be
called upon to fill and which the Bos-
ton merchant might fit like a glove.
This is the treasureship of the Re-
publican national committee. Fred
Cpham of Chicago, who has served as
treasurer for a number of years, is
desirous of laying down the onerous
task of managing the campaign
finances because his health has not
been good the last two or three years
and he has found it necessary to
spend much of his time in travel and
at health resorts.
President Coolidge already has des-
ignated his friend, William NJ. Butler
of Massachusetts, as the new chair
man of the committee, so Washington
today is of the opinion that the Presi-
dent may ask his friend, Mr. Stearns
also OF Massachusetts,, to serve as
treasurer.
X X
What stranger coincidence could
there be than that the Damon and
Pythias OF Washington should some
day soon find themselves side by side
in the United States Senate?
The aforesaid Damon and Pythias
are none other than Joseph p Tum-
ulty, one-time secretary to Presi-
dent Woodrow Wilson, and RAYMOND
I. Baker, one time director of the
mint. For twelve years these two
Evening star., 1924-06-01

pupils. Other classes of high school
grads hold annual reunions and can
up the days when they worked On
algebra and reveled in green pickles
from the o Street Market. Something
in the reunion line is always going on.
Alumni and alumnae Of colleges and
universities outside Of Washington
hold reunions here.
Close by the class reunion story vas
one that the District Of Columbia Vir-
ginia Society will give q reception and
ball. A thousand cards are out. All
the state societies in Washington go
in for social evenings. The Massachu-
sets Society holds a Lowell or Long.
fellow evening. The Vermont Society
holds a maple sugar party, the Indiana
Society meets to read James Whit
comb Riley's poems, the Maryland So
ciety gives beaten-biscuit party, and
so on. The Society of District Natives
holds rollicking meetings to review the
days when everybody in Washington
knew everybody. Running through
tific societies, the chemists, biologists,
astronomers, etc.
There is no lack Of scientific-social ac-
tivity. Scientists address this associa-
ton on how to know the wild flowers
and that association on how to call the
birds by name. The citizens associa-
tions keep busy, the big trade-civic
bodies give shadbakes, rain or shine,
banquets and booster picnics. The
oldest inhabitants gather and tell of
homes that stood on the site OF a ten
story office building. The musical so
cieties are in the news. and there are
community concerts, community sings
and all that. There is lots" OF So
ciability in Washington.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

The patriotic New York representa-
tive who wants a law to compel all
civilians of this city to salute the na-
tion's flag is profoundly correct in
principle. He is only reasonable in
suggesting that every state should
enact a similar measure. The District
of Columbia should not be alone in ex-
pressing the reverential regard which
every true citizen of the republic
honestly feels even though inadvertent
at times in taking due note Of the
emblem he so deeply honors.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

BY holding the Democratic national
convention in New York the managers
gave Gov. Smith the advantage of
being on the ground early to work up
enthusiasm. Even in this instance,
however, time is likely to bring the
usual demonstration that a favorite
son is a phenomenon pertaining rather
to geography than to political science.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

The man who claims to have dis
covered means Of projecting death
ray may have to be reminded that
civilization already possesses more in
genious mechanical toys than can be
used with proper regard to public
safety.
Evening star., 1924-06-01
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILASDER JOHNSON.
Friend Butterfly.

Friend Butterfly, you fling
A gorgeous wing,
And feel that we
Should grateful be
So wonderful a sight to see.
And SO we should
While you are good.
Friend Butterfly, you bring
The moths that cling,
And grubs that eat
Whate'er they meet
Till devastation is complete,
While you deceive the eye,
Friend Butterfly.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

1t occasionally becomes necessary to
remind ardent students Of the prob
lens of law enforcement that there Is
great deal Of importance in the
United States Constitution besides the
eighteenth amendment.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

The assumption that gentleman e
agreement can be given the force Of
definite governmental obligation again
brings up question as to the point in
public affairs at which pitiless pub
licity properly ceases.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

No stage artist can hope to com
mand the nationwide publicity in
stantly accorded the chorus lady who,
resolute as Lady Macbeth herself,
steps into court with a revolver in
one hand and bichloride tablet in the
other.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

The inventor of the socalled death
ray is in controversy with govern
ments about his compensation. He has
not quite the heartless effrontery to
try ito market his device on royalty
basis.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

The positive assertion by nations
that they do not desire another war is
by no means to be taken as positive
assurance that there will never be
one. All wars ere approached by lead
ers in international competition with
great ostentation of pious reluctance.
Evening star., 1924-06-01
Tickets.

IT'S hard lines when a financial
hacker deserts you
'It is," assented Senator Sorghum.
your ticket, politically speaking. But
it's worse when you find you're not
keeping up with your meal ticket"
Evening star., 1924-06-01
Metaphysical Politics.

If balloting cannot avail
To find great minds that will not fai
To WELD the intellectual sway
That win produce the perfect day,
To science we may have to turn
And call, with resolution stern,
The psychoanalysts to pick
The persons who can do the trick!
Evening star., 1924-06-01

1t Is pointed out that Col. Bryan's
rank as scholar is attested by nu-
merous college degrees. If he can
prove that Darwin was all wrong he
should have still more OF them.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

The Dawes report found much ia
vor in Germany, but not enough to
prevent it from being the subject Of
the usual controversy among political
factions. =
Evening star., 1924-06-01

Even the weather bureau has been
compelled to remind the public that
the result of an investigation, in order
to be accurate, must occasionally be
depressing.
Evening star., 1924-06-01
Member of the Associated Press

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled
70 the use for republication of all news dis
patches credited to il or not otherwise credited
IN this paper and also the local news pub
lished herein. All rights of publication Of
special dispatches herein are also reserved.
Evening star., 1924-06-01
Old Story,

The optimist who was so gay
Finds sadness grimly lurking,
Because the plans of yesterday
This morning are not working.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

1t would scarcely be logical for Won
Tirpitz to go before the people Of Ger.
many on good -old-imes" platform.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

Jud Tunkins says even il bobbed
hafr makes women bald they won't
look any funnier than they used to in
curl papers.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

One difficulty a nation may expert
ence in finding leadership is that there
are too many vociferous volunteers.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

The-climate experts at least so so
far as to assure the public that danger
OF a blizzard need not be considered.
Evening star., 1924-06-01

ing the joint congressional commit
te e investigating
The End of the the affairs of the
Investigation. nsnf n,s,fi1. r...sos govern, m.
end of its work of inquiry on the 22d
of May, 1874, and went into execu-
tive session to consider its report
The Star in its issue of May %, 1874
says:
We'll, the investigation is over and
the memorialists can now take an
account of stock and estimate profit
ana losses. Some mistakes. error and
irregularities have been shown. such
as are inseparable from all work on
| a large scale carried on by human
agency; but nothing has been de-
veloped to the prejudice of the per
sonal integrity of the District govern
ment; and it will not do to take a
microscopic or narrow view of petty
faults in the execution of a vast
scheme like the redemption of the
National Capital. 1t should be judged
as grand whole, and in view OF the
question whether it could have been
effected as well, or at all, by any
other agents. This was the view
held in the case of Warren Hastings.
on trial for the strong hand with which
ne ruled in India. He was shown to,
nave been faulty in particulars. but
his faults We're gloriously condoned
by the splendor and vigor of his
achievements, by which. despite fac
tious opposition at home and in conn
Gil. he was enabled to preserve the
British empire in India from a for
midable combination of foreign and
domestic enemies. 1t has long been
apparent, and was so pointed out
many months ago IN these columns,
that the District machine was too
large, expensive and unwieldy to be
maintained permanently, and we
urged that it should be curtsiled
Just as fast as the completion of the
work of Improvement would permit
For what might be called the peace
establishment of the District q small
ofhcial force only is requisite, and We
| doubt not that our best citizens of
all classes would welcome any leeix--
iation by Congress that would tend
to simplify the system of District
government and reduce the working
expenses.
But it was not at all necessary for
the memorialists to get up this te-
dlous investigation to show these
petty 1aultS In the working of a great
, remedial measure, and where nothing
was to be gained by pointing them
out since the work had been ac-
complished and the engines were
slowing down to go out of use
Curiously enough, the me1norialists
drifting from one point to another
nave finally spent their main energies
In the endeavor to prove that the gov
ernment has paid more than its pro-
portion of the cost of improvements
and the taxpayers less than theirs.
To this end all these tedious measure
ments and remeasurements have been
made"
Evening star., 1924-06-01
Montal Compotence.

WAS the prisoner crazed by liquor 90
asked the stranger in town.
NO" rejoined Cactus Joe. "Any-
body that'd drink the stuff he got from
Snake Ridge was crazy to start with"
Evening star., 1924-06-01

Il is de possessor," said Uncle Eben,
"of a rabbits foot, three hoss shoes
an fo'leaf clover; an I'm wishin' /
could be lucky enough to trade 'em
all Of for q tvo-dollar hillr
Evening star., 1924-06-01
Fate by Mail-Payable in Advance.
Maryland and Virginia.

All Other States.
Evening star., 1924-06-01
Fifty Years Ago
In The Star
Copyright. 19a4.l

After many weeks of testimony TAX
ing the Joint congressional commit
Evening star., 1924-06-01
Many Visitors to
Washington.


only in an individual capacity, but IT.
some cases as bodies organized for
the occasion, and in others as perma
nent associations. Two weeks ago
the Indiana Editorial Association paid
us a visit, of which we are assured
they carried home pleasant memories.
Day before yesterday the rich and
beautiful County of Lancaster, the
garden of Pennsylvania, sent n large
delegation of her sturdy yeomanry
to feast their eyes on the beauties of
which they have heard SO much and
which they found have not been over
praised. Yesterday the editors of
Alabama came here in force: today
the New York State Editorial Ass.-
citation is with US, and next week a
similar organization from Illinois will
be here.
Whatever strangers may have
heard in advance OF Washington, We
are sure all will find here something
of which they can just: D. rrO-G,
and as her population g tlrrciw ni.adt
up OF citizens of all the states ard
territories, so ali visitors arc sure I"
find here more than o common wsl-
come and something warmer than All
ordinary interest In their enjoyment
and welfarc"