Evening star., 1924-02-28
ALEXANDRIA.

~
(SpeciaD. heated fight over the
proposed abolition of state poll taxes
in the case of world war veterans Is
expected when American Legioners OF
the eighth congressional district meet
here Saturday morning at IL O'Clock
with Jack Wicker, state commander,
and his staff.
The meeting has been called by
Capt. T. NJ. Hamilton. local comman-
der, upon the petition of legioners
from the district, while Wicker Will
attend In his official capacity to fight.
it is understood, Capt. Hamilton's
proposal to start a drive to abolish
the poll tax system. Wicker Is said
to be bitterly opposed to any such
legislation or agitation.
A trial vote will be taken at this
meeting which probably will decide
what further action is to be taken.
Among local veterans 1t is said that
a many oppose the proposal as favor
it.
Immunity Refused.
An Intellectual effort to have Thorn
as Rhecche, who was held Tuesday
for the grand jury, released was
made yesterday by Attorney Carl
Budwesky. Rhecche. charged with
having had in his possession stolen
goods, is at liberty under $500 bond.
Budwesky told Judge Duvall that
Rhecche had been promised imnu-
nifty should he produce the negro
from whom he had purchased the
stolen leather. officers accompanying
Budwesky arrested John Williams,
Capt. Durrer and Sergt. Campbell
were about to be called to tell Of the
arrangement with Budwesky this
morning. when Director of Public
Safety Morton announced that the Of
ficers had no power to grant immu-
fr
had taken this matter upon them
selves they would either be fined ten
days pay or be dismissed from the
service.
Upon hearing this statement Bud
wesky withdrew his plea and said
that he would not take the matter up
further until it reached the grand
jury. Rhecche is a shoemaker and
is alleged to have purchased twelve
sides of sole leather, which was TAX
en- from a freight car consigned to
G. c. Smoot Company.
Hear Ship Contract Suit.
Charles W. Morse, former president
of the Virginia Shipbuilding Corpora
ton, was in Alexandria yesterday at
tending hearings before Judge c. E.
Nicol, master commissioner, in suit
Of the United states against the
Emergency Fleet and the United
States against the Virginia Ship
building Corporation.
In the suit the government claims
$19,o16,91s.16, which is more than
offset by counter claims of the Ship
which have been proceeding inter-
mittently for several months, ac-
cording to Judge Nicol, are likely to
last for several more: His report
of the eastern district court Of vir-
ginia and probably eventually find
its way to the Supreme Court.
The litigation arises out Of gov.
company here calling for the build
ing of twelve steel ships at a cost
of $1,875,000 each.
Discuss Tax Ordinance,
Details of the city merchant tax
ordinance were gone over last night
by City Manager Rich with the retail
merchants bureau of the chamber of
The ordinance. the most extensive
piece of city legislation, will be taken
UP tomorrow at an informal meeting
of city council, and will probably re-
ceive final action next week. Few
changes will be made.
According to City Manager Rich,
no important changes are to be made
In the bill, which is to become opera
tive June 1 this year and remain In
effect for twelve months. The opin-
chants that radical changes were to
be effected.
Policemen were perplexed yester-
day when they detected fumes, un-
nistakably those Of corn liquor, near
tho foot of King street along the
water front. The source Of the odor,
however, defied detection for a time.
Fifty gallons of confiscated corn
whisky was dumped into the sewer at
police station, and eventually found
its way through the sewer to the
river, where it's odor was strong.
Violations Of the head light law
brought B. K. Creel and Lena Highly
into police court today. following