davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1924-12-20
SEEK TOPROVE
HIGHT IS UNSOUND
Defense Introduces Testi-
mony to Show He Was
Unbalanced.
By the Associated Press.

by the Associated Press.
MOUNT VERNON, ILL.,, December 20.
A recess today interrupted defense
action to show Lawrence NJ Hight
who, with Mrs. Elsie Sweetin, Is
charged with the murder by poison
of Wilford sweetin. was a man whom
nature and circumstance had com
bined TO derange mentally. Testi-
mony that Hight was Of unsound
mind will be continued Monday, de-
tense counsel announced.
Mrs. Marry Eaton. % years old
Hights elder daughter, testified yes
terday that when she was about 10
years old she had seen her father
bite e. mule on the nose.
Bite him with his own teethr' she
was ask ed.
Yes" was the reply.
Mrs. Eaton said her father would
break into wild peals of laughter
Cross examination disclosed that his
laughter was usually during revival
meetings when others were also
laughing and shouting.
Mildred Hight, his youngest daugh-
ter, said Hight acted queer" after
an attack of influenza.
Previous witnesses related that
Hight had been severely beaten by
his father when a boy.
DR.. Fl. w. Walker, Hight's cousin
testified as to mental defectiveness in
the family. Hight's father he said
was in bad mental condition seven
years before his death and steadily
grow worse. One brother died in an
insane asylum, he added. and another
was regarded as mentally weak.
Court adjourned until Monday to
allow Attorney Layman, who was i'll
time to rest
Evening star., 1924-12-20
MORTIMER |NPLOT,
RELATIVE CHARGES
Father-in-LaW Says Govern.
ment Witness Threatened
to ''Get" Forbes.
by The Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
CHICAGO. December 2o.-The week
end recess in the Forbes-Thompson
Veterans Bureau conspiracy trial be-
gan today after the defense had put
into the record two full days rebuttal
testimony.
DR.. George B. Tullidge Of Phiia-
delphia testified yesterday that ELIAS
H. Mortimer. his son-in-law and the
Governments principal witness, re-
vealed to the Tullidge family that he
took the stand before the Veterans
Bureau investigating committee in
October. 1928, In furtherance Of a
determination to encompass Forbes
destruction
Mrs. Tullidge corroborated this tes-
timony.
Il am going to get Forbes: II I
can't get him one way TIL get him
another" DR.. Tullidge testified Morti-
mer said shortly before he appeared
before the Senate committee.
In response to a question as to the
reason for his bitter feeling toward
Forbes, Mortimer said to Tullidge:
Because he could have made me
a rich man by giving me hospital
contracts, but he would not do it."
did Mortimer say in your presence
that if you did not make Catherine
(Mrs. Mortimer) line up with him
against Forbes he would drag her
down to the mire?" DIR. Tullidge was
asked.
Yes" he replied
The defense will resume Monday.
Evening star., 1924-12-20

from f1TSt fdSe.D
adopted, the House would probably
broaden 1t still further, until per-
additional had been added to the
measure-money that would be ex-
pended not over a course Of years
but as fast as possible.
Task in House.
The Presidents task, it appears, is
to obtain the consent Of the House to
pass the bill without adding pro-
visions which would amount to a gen.
eral public buildings bill Members
of the House have been clamoring for
a long time for a general bill, which
would provide for new buildings in
their district. But in view of the
Presidents economy program ad-
ministration leaders at the Capitol
are strongly opposing such legislation
at this time.
1t was suggested today that the
House rules committee might bring
out a rule which would limit the
bill to the District and prevent
amendments such as that offered by
Senator Fletcher.
Senator Smoot's plan is to bring
the bill up in the Senate again as
soon after the Christmas recess as
possible. provided some arrangement
can be made with the House fol
Its passage. without adding a gen.
eral buildings bill to II.
When 1t is called up in the Senate
he will ask for a vote without furthe,
delay on the Fletcher amendment
This amendment, he is confident, will
fail. and the bill will then pass.
The bin authorizes the appropri-
alton of s5o,oo0.oo to erect man,
new department buildings in Wash.
ington, with q provtso that not more
than $1o,000.o08 shall be expended
in any one fiscal year.
Evening star., 1924-12-20
BUREAU ESTIMATES
ARE CUT BY HOUSE
Two of Assistant Directors
Dropped and Increase in
Watchmen Denied.

TWO OF the three assistant directors
at the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing are discontinued, some 1900
persons are given an increase in sal
ary or approximately 10 cents an
hour, the proposed increase in salary
from $4,000 to $500 for the director
or the bureau Is disallowed as mot
authorized by law" and an increase
OF g in the force Of watohmen, which
was estimated for. is eliminated in
the Treasury Department appropria-
ton bill reported to the House yes
terday.
Pay Changes Covered.
The amount approved for 1925 in
cludes an increase of $4,000 due TO a
change by the personnel classifica-
ton board in the grades of operatives
In the numbering, examining and sur
facing divisions. This change in
wolves approximately 1900 persons
who were previously classified in
grade one OF the clerical -mechanica /
service, with rates of pay OF IS to
so cents per hour. 10 grade two with
rates of pay from 55 to so cents per
hour. This change in grade has al
ready been made. No other increases
In compensation are contemplated IL
the amounts recommended in the bill
today. nor were any provided IN the
estimates.
The appropriation for the director s
office is increased by S20,540. This
sum is due entirely to the transfer
of 10 persons from the roll for com
pensation of personnel engaged III
manufacturing to the roll for the di
rector's office. The estimates for the
directors Office are reduced bv $32
200. The committee did not acquiesce
in a request included in the estimates
for an increase IN the salary for the
director from $4,000 to $4,000. The
report explains that the pay OF the
director is fixed by tho classification
act in the grades from $4,000 to $500
per annum. and that a higher rate
than the classification act provides is
not authorized by law.
i Madden Cites New Posts.
Chairman Madden, in his report
points out that the Bureau of En-
craving and Printing was recently
reorganized, with a consequent re
duction in the number of divisions
and sections OF work.
In this reorganization there were ap-
pointed three assistant directors at
5000 per annum instead Of one assist
ant director at that salary. The COM
mittee in drafting the bill restores the
assistant dictatorship to one position
and eliminated from the estimates the
provisions for two other assistant d.
rectors at 5000 each.
There was also eliminated from the
estimates provisions for Is watchmen
with aggregate salaries of $17,8o0, nee
essary in the event the postage stamp
activities are transferred from the new
to the old building. This transfer has
not been approved. and funds for the
moving have not been asked or appro-
priated, so the committee felt the pro-
visions for watchmen can wait until the
question Of moving Is considered b.
/ Congress.
Evening star., 1924-12-20
HOTEL RATE CURB
PROVIDED IN BILL
House Measure for District
Would Be Effective Be-
fore Inauguration.

Permanent legislation providing
that hotels In the District are TO be
licensed annually and the rates for
accommodation regulated, which
would take effect before the coming
Inauguration of President Coolidge,
is proposed IN bill introduced to-
day by Representative John L. Cable
of Ohio, which was referred to the
House District committee.
The bill defines as a hotel within
the intent of this legislation every
building or other structure kept,
used, maintained, advertised or held
out within the District to the public
to be place where sleeping accomo-
dations are offered for pay to tran
sient guests in which five or more
rooms are used for such accommoda-
tionS
License to Cost SO.
The law would take effect before
March I, 1926. The proposed annual
license fee for conducting a hotel is
$40. TO be paid in advance to the
District Commissioners, and to be
paid by them into the Treasury OF
the United States to the credit of the
District. The license thus obtained
would be required to be kept in the
once OF the motel OF publlCly as
played.
The owner or manager of each
hotel would be required to post in
conspicuous place a card stating
the price per room and would have to
file with the District Commissioners
diagram showing the price Of each
room in the hotel, and no advance
would be allowed on such schedule
without 80 days notice to the Dis
trict Commissioners.
Some Exemptions Made.
Nothing in this measure would be
construed to apply to family hotels.
lodging houses, rooming houses, din
ing or sleeping cars, hospitals or col
Iese dormitories.
The penalty for failure TO comply
with this legislation would be a fine
of $40 per day as long as the viola
ton is continued, and If it continues
for more than 80 days, the Commits
sioners would be authorized to re-
woke the license upon a public hear
ing after 10 days written notice, and
to close the buildings and premises
until all provisions of the law are
complied with.
Should the Commissioners refuse to
grant a license. or If they should re
woke a license, an appeal may be
taken to the District courts. provided
such appeal is taken within 10 days.
Evening star., 1924-12-20
SulLiUa1, Called
To ShOaU Cause In
VOIlsnteers' Suit

Justice Hitz in Equity Division 2
yesterday issued a rule on Daniel
sullivan, major and superintendent
of police, to show cause January 2
why he should not be enjoined
from interfering with the volun-
teers Of America soliciting Christ
mas donations for the poor. The
plaintiff, O charitable organiza-
tion, charges that Maj Sullivan re-
fused license to solicit funds and
has threatened to arrest agents of
the company who attempt the COL
lection.
Through Attorney Alfred II.
Smith the organization calls the
action of the police chief per
nicious form Of class distinction"
Charles J. Columbus, secretary
Of the Endorsement committee on
welfare organizations, said today
that the Volunteers of America
were not on the approved list of
organizations issued recently by
that committee.
Evening star., 1924-12-20
lBalIOu Recalls
Years Progress
In YuLe Greeting
Called Red Letter Era in
annual Message to
School System.

The year 1924 has been marked by
significant developments along lines
of professional advancement in the
District public schools. Supt. Frank
w. Ballou pointed out in his annual
Christmas message to all members OF
the school service, broadcast today
throughout the school system. ~.
DIR. Ballou's Yuletide greetings fol-
low: s.
Another passing year is drawing to
its close. Each day and month. has
brought it's opportunities and expe-
riences which have borne for every
one OF us some element OF bane or
blessing. The year has been one of
much activity and significant develop
ments along lines Of professional ad
vancement. This has been a red-let-
ter year for our schools, a year we
shall always remember because of its
fty and because of the rewards 1t Of
fers for higher professional COM
potency.
I'VE look forward to the coming
year with high hopes and expectant
pleasure. We can look forward with
satisfaction to the planning of even
better things and to the realization of
worthy ambitions. AS we approach
the holiday season the spirit of every
teacher should be buoyant and hope
full. rejoicing In the compensating
blessings that como from association
with happy childhood. There comes a
feeling at this time that devotion to
duty. sacritlcial service and the CIV
Ing out Of our very best have not
been In vain.
Enjoy the holidays. The superin-
tendent extends sincere Christmas
greetings. May the Yuletide season
be rich in enjoyment and full OF pleas
ure and good cheer. May our higher
thought be enriched and may our spir-
1t Of good will toward men develop
into a nobler conception Of the true
brotherhood OF mankind"
Evening star., 1924-12-20
GREETS U. S. CHURCHES.
New Orthodox Patriarch Sends
Message to America.

NEW YORK, December 20.-Con-
stantine VI, inducted into Office Wed
nesday as patriarch Of Constantinople
of the Eastern Orthodox Church, sent
greetings to, American churches as
one of his first official acts, the Fed
eral Council of the Churches of Christ
in, America announced yesterday.
"Fraternal greetings to the Ameri-
can churches from the newly elected
Ecumenical Patriarch Constantine vi
of Constantinople," read the cable
from abroad. To this message
Charles s. Mcfarland, executive sec
rotary Of the council, replied by cable:
THE Federal Council of the Churches
Of Christ in America extend fraternal
and seasonal greetings"
Evening star., 1924-12-20
TEXAN FAILS MEXICO
ON $50, 900, 900 LOAN
Contract Cancelled, Southern Re
public Announces, But 800, 900
Security Not Forfeited.
" the Associated Prs.

By the Associated Press.
MEXICO CITY, December 20
Failure of the $5o.o0o,oo0 loan. which
was to have been negotiated for the
Mexican government by j. L. Arlitt,
banker, of Austin, Tex, Is announced
by Secretary of the Treasury PAM.
The secretary gave out the text of
a message sent to the Mexican consul
general in New York, ordering him to
notify Mr.. Arlitt that, as the time
stipulated by the loan contract was
long overdue, the contract was can
celed the moment notification was made.
Senior Pant added that another rea-
son for canceling the contract was
the hope maintained by the govern
ment that the budget would soon be
balanced, due to retrenchment plans
recently adopted
The 100000 security given by Mr..
Arlitt upon signing the loan contract
will not be declared forfeit. the gov
ernment recognizing that the failure
was not his fault.
Evening star., 1924-12-20
MCCORMACK NAILS
B[ACKMA|L STORY
Tenor Declares Whispered
Rumors False, But Says
They Could Not Be Traced.
BY the Associated Press.


NEW YORK, December 20.-Whis-
pered rumors that for five years have
involved the name of John McCor-
mack. the tenor, in a vague story that
he paid 100000 TO blackmailers in
Boston after being Unanswered into
n compromising situation in the Cop
ley Plaza Hotel, are branded as false
hood by Mr.. Mccormack
The tenor revealed today that for
five years the whispered story had
been going the rounds-so vague that
Il never could be traced further than
that some body heard from somebody
else OF the blackmailers' plot. Then
on Thursday in Boston at the trial of
William j. Corcoran, former district
attorney of MiddleseX County, and
five others accused of conspiring to
extort $4,000 from Victor F. Searles,
an affidavit referring to the story
was introduced in evidence.
Amdavit Presented.
The affidavit was made by Mrs. Abb
raham Levy, who admitted having
been used by the blackmail gang to
lure its victims. She said she had
learned OF the story of the blackmail
OF John Mccormack" as the affidavit
put 1t, through a conversation among
members of the blackmailing gang.
Fight back? You can't; not a banshee
you can't see" said Mr.. Mccormack, re-
ferring to his efforts to get at the
source of the rumor.
MY friends know that I have played
the game of life decently," continued Mr..
Mccormack. They know my family life
has been right And my public won't
believe this lie. That I know
Never BIackmafIed.
Il have never been blackmailed." he
added Il would spend millions for de-
tense, but not one cent for tribute"
Mr.. Mccormack produced a letter
written to his manager, Dennis F. Nc
Sweeney, In July. 1919, by Joseph c.
Pelletier, then district attorney in Bos-
ton and later removed from Office for
malfeasance
The story is that Daniel II. Coakley
ESQ, lawyer, and I conspired to shake
down John for 100000 ON a woman
case,' wrote Pelletier. Il need not pro.
fess my innocence of this, but can say
that / never heard the slightest sugges.
ton Of such a thing and how 1t could
have arisen I cannot imagine
Evening star., 1924-12-20
MOVIE AGENT lNS0LVENT.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star
NEW YORK, December 20.-Mrs.
Cora c. whitening OF Douglaston.
Queens. a theatrical agent. who claims
to have been largely instrumental. In
Mary Pickford's ascension to stardom
in the movies, Hled a petition in bank
ruptcy In the Federal Court in Brook
lyn yesterday. The 100000 listed as
assets represents the amount for which
she Is suing the city Of New York be-
cause of injuries in a taxicab accident.
Among the $35,ss9 liabilities is an
item for S<9s. the court costs of a
breach of contract action Mrs. Wilken-
ing brought against Gladys Mary Moore,
rs Mary Pickford formerly was known.
The aim star won the suit.
Evening star., 1924-12-20
ALBANIAN REBELS
REACH MALESS|A
Fate of Scutari Reported De.
pending Upon Battle Now
On at KopIik.
BY the Associated Press.


BELGRADE. December 20.-The
Albanian insurgents have reached
Malessia. press dispatches say, and
are maneuvering to cut off the re-
treat of Bairum Tsours forces at
Tirana.
The fate OF Scutari. according to
a dispatch from Podgoritza depends
upon the issue of battle now pro-
ceeding at Koplik, the situation of
which appears difficult. "a Podg gorit-
Ia dispatch to Belgrade on Wednes-
day said Scutari had been captured
by the rebels)
In the Krouma region the COM
mander of the government troops. Les
Youssouf, Is reported to have been
wounded twice, while part of his
forces, consisting OF 400 regulars and
800 volunteers, were captured by
Ahmed Zogu's men. The rebels also
are said to have taken a cannon and
three machine guns.
SOLDIERS IN FARM GARB.
Evening star., 1924-12-20
HEADS GAVEL CLUB.
Clyde J. Nichols Elected, Among
Others, at Annual Meeting.

Clyde ]. Nichols was elected presi-
dent OF the Gavel Club of Master Ma
sons, to serve for the ensuing year,
at the annual election of the club,
held last night. Mr.. Nichols and his
new administration will be installed
at q special meeting New Year eve.
Other officers chosen are:
Senior vice president, Samuel S.
Banham; Junior vice president, II. K.
Troutman; secretary. Van ". Straub;
treasurer, DR.. w. L. Gausman; mar
shall, Grover G. Burrows; sentinel,
Sydney Haas.
Board of governors-E. Esher, e.
B. Mcdowell. Grover @. Burrows.
Charles A. Brewton. Thomas r. Jones.
James A. West, Joseph ]. Wood, I.
Thurman and William writ Taylor.
Evening star., 1924-12-20
TO GRANT HEARING
zON|NG ANGLE
Commission to Consider
Community Houses in De-
tached Home Areas.

The Zoning Commission will hold
another public hearing in January tc
consider from a different angle the
question of permitting community
houses in detached home areas.
Under existing regulations a com
munity house, which consists of three
dwellings having the appearance Of one
building, cannot be placed in a de-
tached, or "A restricted" area. Or
Thursday the commission heard argu-
ment on the advisability of reversing
the rule to permit the community
house in such localities.
Opposed by Citizens.
Representatives of several citizens
associations violently opposed the
community house. Harry Wardman
builder, contended the community
house would solve the housing prob
lem for families of limited means and
that desirable architectural effects
could be obtained If such homes were
permitted in groups OF from one &c
five. The citizens took the stand that
community houses are merely row
houses broken into groups of three.
Maj. Raymond Wheeler, executive
secretary to the commission, an
nounced that the commission has de-
fdrred action until the next hearing
at which time II will consider g
proposal that community houses bt
permitted in detached areas with
the consent Of as per cent of the prop
erty owners withina200 feet.
Ask Law Amendment.
The commission decided yesterday
to ask Congress to amend the Law
to permit buildings to be erected to
a height of 80 feet on residential
streets in the s0-foot-height districts
An old act of Congress limits the
height of buildings on residential
streets to S5 feet.
The commission also passed judg
ment on a number of applications for
changes in the coming of Individual
blocks in various sections of the city
Evening star., 1924-12-20

CONTINUED 1rom F1rSt PaSe.D
Coy of the District Supreme Court,
Justice Frederick L. Siddons, chair
man Of the community organization
board; Seantor Lawrence Phipps of
Colorado; Representative Stuart F.
Reed of West Virginia, and a num-
Der Of the District Of Columbia Board
Of Education members.
From this ceremony the President
and Mrs. Coolidge will hurry back to
the White House, there to welcome
the choristers of the First Congrega-
tional Church, who, attired in their
vestments, will sing Christmas carols
from the White House portico. This
custom was originated last year, and
thouands of persons stood on the lawns
of the executive mansion to hear the
concert.
VIII Select Three Carols.
The public has been cordially invited
to attend again, and the hope has been
expressed that this year the audience
will join the choir in singing at least a
few Of the more familiar carols. Those
in charge have arranged their program
80 that this innovation at the White
House concert will be possible.
Three carols will be selected espe-
cially for this purpose, 20 Little Town
of Bethlehem Holy Night" and an
other to be named later. The words
of these familiar old Christmas
hymns will be printed in the Wash
ington papers a day or two before the
singing Is to take place. Those who
do not know the words by heart are
urged to clip the verses from the
papers and bring along flashlights SO
that every one present will be able
to Join In the choral festival on the
White House lawn.
Evening star., 1924-12-20

with Maj. Sullivan's solemn edict that
Washington, as far as IL is possible,
shall have a Yuletide celebration free
from bootleg whisky.
The roads leading into tho Dis
trict from Maryland are under the
heaviest guard. The police appar-
emily are satisfied that most of vir-
gfnias consignment of intoxicants
has been seized en- route.
Under Cover Of Night.
Under the cover of the night, how
ever the liquor runners have been
successful In smuggling in a consid :
cradle quantity Of synthetic gin.
"moonshine corn" and brandy and
other forms of alcoholic concoctions,
the ingredients of which are known
only to the manufacturers. The liquor
runners who have evaded the pro-
hibition enforcement officers are maxi
Ing the consumers pay high for their
risk. Bootleg liquor which retaiIed
at $50 case several weeks ago, was
quoted today at $50.
Seizures on Maryland Routes.
A majority of the seizures of the
last Few days have occurred at night
on the roads leading into Maryland,
which has convinced the police that
most OF the liquor smuggled into the
District has come from Maryland and
Pennsylvania One of the large st
seizures was 40 kegs Of beer, con-
cealed in a. cargo OF merchandise in
large moving van.
Commissioner Oyster and Mai. Sui
livan indicated today that the vigil
lance for the rum runners will not
be relaxed during the holiday season.
Both are anxious for favorable action
on the proposed measure to provide
more police court Judges, believing
the additional service will result in
prompt trials for violations of the
dry laws. Prompt trials and imposi-
tfon Of severe penalties in their
opinion, will deal the death blow to
bootlegging in the Capital.