davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1925-04-11
DANCER, 16, SLAIN,
YOUTH IMPLICATED
London Beauty Hints in Last
Words "Indian Student"
SIaShed Throat.
BY the Associated Press.

LONDON, April 1.-THE Scotland
Yard authorities are OBTAINING an un-
named man In connection with the
death yesterday OF Grace RlakalIer, a
pretty sixteen year -old dancing teacher.
who was found with her throat cut
Thursday night huddled on the steps
of her mothers home in the fashionab BILE
West Kensington district
The mystery of the case, which
previously had been set down as one of
assault, deepened when the police came
into possession of a letter which
reached the girl Thursday morning and
which. they say, is OF the highest i'm
portance. Its contents are being closely
guarded.
Prior to the detention of the man
today, Scotland Yard had announced
that it was searching for a man de-
scribed only rs q young Indian stu
dent"
1t was learned today that the girl
for the last five years had not been
living with her mother, but made her
home with Capt Langmaid, a retired
regular army officer, who upon her
fathers death promised to act as her
guardian during her lifetime.
hcturncd TO Mother.
Capt Langmaid, It is said went to
visit his own father and mother over
the Easter week end, and the girl
had returned to her mothers house
during his absence. She went alone
to a motion picture performance
Thursday night, and a few hours
later her mother heard a cry and
found the girl on the doorstep with a
wound in the throat The only
words she would say, according to
the report, were Boy from india"
Later she requested that the police
should not make an investigation.
The case is complicated by the fact
that a young man who was seen
lettering about the vicinity several
days prior to the crime told ac
costers that he was a solicitors clerk
watching the house IN connection
with divorce proce eedings.
Miss Blakaller was we'll known in
the West End. where she appeared
as a child actress in a number of
musical performances. Although she
Is described as exceptionally pretty
and attractive, she is not known to
have had men friends. Iatterly
however, according to the police, she
had been seen with a number of
Indian students, some OF whom, it is
supposed, lived in the artists quarter,
Chelsea, which is not far from her
mothers home.
Evening star., 1925-04-11
GERMAN LIBERAL LEADER
SUCCUMBS In DETROIT
DR.. Hermann Paasche, Privy
Councillor and Former Reichstar
Officer, Dies of Pneumonia.
By the Associated Press

By the Associated Press
DETROIT, April 11.-Dr. Hermann
Paasche, privy councillor and former
first vice president of the German
Reichstag, died in a hospital here
early today of pneumonia. He was
stricken week ago upon his arrival
here to address mass meeting on
conditions in German territory oc-
cupied by French troops.
With DR.. Paasche when the end
came was his wife, Frau Elise
Paasche.
DR.. Hermann Paasche was born near
Magdeburg, Prussia, February "a,
1851. An authority on political
sciences, DR.. Paasche held professor
ships at several German universities.
He travelled extensively and visited
the United States previously. in 1892
and 1907. AS leader of the National
Liberals he was elected to the
Reichstag in 1903. He was first vice
president of that body until the down
fall of the imperial government.
The body will be taken to Germany
by his widow.
Evening star., 1925-04-11
|NAVY MEN FETED
ON EVE OF SAILING
San Franciscans Give Round
of Receptions for. Officers
and Sailors.
By the Associated Press.

~ tue Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO. April 11-Ofi
GERS and men attached to the United
states fleet anchored in San Francisco
Bay preparatory to a cruise TO far
eastern waters today were engaged
IN a round of social duties ashore.
me japanese community well
coined the officers and their wives at
Ihe Japanese tea garden in Golden
cate Park, which was thrown open
lor reception and tea to the naval
officers
Admirals of theiarmada were listed
as guests of DR.. and Mrs. Ray Ly-
man Wilbur at luncheon at Stan.
rord University. The Oregon-Stan.
ford track and field meet this after.
noon furnished opportunity for the
admirals to remain on the campus
all day
j. A NJ. Elder. Australian commits
sioner to the United States, conferred
with Admiral Robert e. Coontz, com
mander-in chief of the feet, yester.
day and then wired to the Antipodes
several changes in the plans for the
visit of part Of the fleet to the south
ern continent. He also urged the
desirability of sending a detachment
OF the American vessels TO Hobart
Australia, in addition to the present
plans for calls at Melbourne and
sydney. This request was Forwarded
to the Navy Department.
Admiral Coontz informed Mr.. Ell.
der that present plans call for divid-
ing the fleet into two squadrons al
Samoa, one TO go to Melbourne and
the other to Sydney. Both detach-
ments are due at their destination
July 23 and will remain II days
Officers are to be guests tonight al
a Bohemian Club jinks at the club.
house, while the enlisted men will be
rendered a ball at the exposition au-
ditorium.
Evening star., 1925-04-11

A powerful $4,000 touring car.
capable of making from so to so
miles an hour, seized early this
morning while transporting alleged
liquor, may be the first of a fleet
of such automobiles for local pro-
hibition agents to use under a new
act of Congress recently put into
effect.
The car, driven by Paul b. Gun
nell, 1906 II street, was captured
this morning by Policeman F. l.
Arlington and r. B. Carroll of No.
Z precinct by clever tactics while
riding in light small car along
Tunlaw road, and will be among
the first automobiles which the
Treasury will be asked to assign
for the local prohibition agents, IL
1t is forfeited by the court.
FL shall ask the Treasury to let
us have this car" said Division
Chief Harry n Luckett OF general
prohibition agents this morning.
IF we could only get about four
or ave cars like this for use eit
Evening star., 1925-04-11
COAST GUARD TO HAVE
MODEL ICE BREAKER
Craft Being Constructed, on Lines
Adapted in Polas Waters, to
Cost 1925, 900.

In the construction of its new
Guard is drawing upon the expert
ence of it's own officers versed in
Polar conditions, and asking foreign
countries for information that may
prove useful
Lieut.. Comdr. stephen o. S. Yeandle
aide to Rear Admiral Frederick C.
Billiard, Coast Guard commandant
hopes to have incorporated in the new
craft provisions for carrying two air
planes, equipped to land on the ice
The veteran cutter Bear, for which
the new craft will be named. has
been doing duty in Alaskan waters
since 1885, and probably will make its
last trip in the frozen North this sea-
son. Coast Guard headquarters have
written to some so officers who have
served on the Bear and other ships
in the ice regions, TO obtain their
views on just what features the new
ice breaker should embody. A COM
munication recently was dispatched
to Sweden for data on a new ice
breaker, being built there, and officers
have in mind cleaning information
over the world from those experi-
enced in vessels called upon to do
ice duty.
The old Bear will remain in service
il possible. until it's namesake is
commissioned. The new ship still IS
in the blueprint stage, but officers
expect 1t to be in service by next
season, or certainly in 1927.
Having in mind the recent Nome
epidemic. Lieut.. Comdr Yeandle
wants the new ice breaker to be
equipped with airlanes as a measure
OF economy. The aircraft not only
could scout ahead for clear water
saving the vessel from buck.ne
heavy ice packs, but in an emerg-
ency could rush aid inland
Evening star., 1925-04-11
10000 Auto, Capable of 80 to 90 Mile
Speed, Seized; May Be Used by Dry Force

of Washington, under the new law.
we could drive all the rum-runners
OF the roads"
Gunnell later in the morning
was hailed before two branches of
Police Court, one after the other,
on a first offense. which happened
about two weeks ago, and the sec
ond offense. this morning, against
the prohibition law.
Downstairs, in Police Court, Gun
nell was fined $500 by Judge Gus
A. Schuldt On charges of illegal
possession and transporting liquor.
Promptly thereafter he climbed
the stairs to the United States
branch of the Police Court, before
Judge Mcmahon, and demanded
jury trial on the charges of illegal
possession and transporting laid
against him for his alleged viola
tion OF this morning.
Meanwhile GunnelPs high-priced
car, in which Arlington says there
were found 1s gallons of liquor. is
in the hands of the prohibition
aEents.
Evening star., 1925-04-11
TIDAL BASIN LOCKER
HOUSE TO COME DOWN
Sheriff. Will Ask Bids for De-
stTuction of Building as Re
quired by Law.

The locker house which formerly
served the bathers at the bandoned
bathing beach on the Tidal Basin will
disappear within a few weeks Lieut..
Col. Clarence o. Sheriff.. director of
public buildings and public parks of
the National Capital, said today that
bids would be asked for smmedia teiy
for the destruction of this building
that has served thousands of bathers
during the time 1t has been there.
1t has been originally intended by
Col. Sheriff. to keep this structure in
place for the use of the hundreds of
people who use the sport field op-
posite 1t. He realizes that II would
fill long felt need for the provision
of locker space for people who use
this field, but upon reading the law
requiring the abandonment of the
bathing beach, 1t was seen that the
office was required to tear down the
building and restore the shore to its
original state. At the present time
il is necessary every Summer to erect
a number of tents on the sport field
for the comfort of those participating
in games.
Evening star., 1925-04-11
FALTERS ON SUICIDE.
Prisoner Fails in Series of Tries
Then Police Halt Efforts.

DECATUR, Ill, April 11.-william
Stanley, under arrest for being intox-
icated, yesterday tried three times to
hang himself, then decided death by
ones own hand is too painful. He
first tried using his trousers as a
moose and found them too unwieldy
Then he tried his suspenders. They
broke. He took off his underciothes
and tried 1t again. This moose he
found more effective, but each time
the moose frightened Stanley put his
feet back on the fioor to reconsider
At last the other prisoners called the
police, who put an end to the pas
time. Stanley was then charged with
vagrancy and placed in the county
iail.
Evening star., 1925-04-11
WILL START BORINGS
FOR MEMORIAL BRIDGE
Army Engineers Prepare to Test
Rivers Bottom for Piers of
Arlington Structure.

Channel borings will be started in
the Georgetown channel of the Po-
tomac early next week to determine
the kind of foundation there for the
piers of the Arlington Memorial
Bridge. Twenty piles were brought
up to the site of the proposed bridge
today and this afternoon the Army
pile driver Atlas viii come up into
the river and sink these piles at vari-
GUS points across the river bed to
hold the boring machine while II is
working in the river
The second boring on the Potomac
Park shore was started today, and II
is expected that this one will be com
pleted early Monday, when the drill
ing machinery will be shifted to a
barge in the river. Surveyors this
morning laid off the points where the
river borings are to be made.
Evening star., 1925-04-11

In any one territory is that Of the
Philadelphia Bulletin. under whose
sponsorship $4,000 pupils have been
at work on orations. Preparation
for the contest was n part of the
curriculum for all pupils in the Phila-
delphia territory. Honors for the
greatest growth in number of par
tiCipating' schools go to the Kansas
city Star, in whose territory almost
three times as many schools are en-
rolled this year as last. The largest
prize list for any territory Is that
of the Indianapolis News. That
newspaper, together with the Indiana
Bar Association, which Is offering
large prizes in every county in the
State, is making available approx
mately $4,000 to contestants.
Large Gain Locally.
The number of participants in The
Evening Stars contest shows an in
crease, of 81 per cent over last year,
putting the local gain well above the
national average OF increase, which
Is 40 per cent
The growth of the contest in pop
ular favor and in value as an educa-
tional agency has been due In no
small measure to the cooperation OF
the American Bar Association. That
organization last July passed reso-
luton requesting the newspapers to
continue the contest as an outstand-
ing citizenship contribution. 1t at
the same time pledged its assistance
in the work Through Charles f.
Hughes. it's president, Il. +. L. Saner
former president, and Elihu Root and
Josiah Marvel OF its Americanization
committee, as well as through its
State and local organizations through
out the country, the American Ban
Association has made good on that
pledge by countless evidences of in
terest and definite acts Of assistance
Among those expressing their ap-
proyal OF the 1924 contest and their
pleasure in learning that the project
would be repeated this year were
President Coolidge, Chief Justice Taft
and United States Commissioner OF
Education John j. Tigert. Mr.. Tigert
in evaluating 1t from the educational
standpoint, expressed the hope that
the contest would become an annual
event in the secondary school life OF
the Nation. Mr.. Tigert will act as
chairman of the board of judges
which will select the District of Co
lumbia representative for the national
finals.
Evening star., 1925-04-11
AID OF AMERICANS ASKED
TO SAVE ZULU FAUNA
Naturalists Told by Game Warden
Movement to Abandon All Pre-
serves Threatens Animals.

Appealing to naturalists in the
United States to help save from
slaughter the fauna OF his country,
Maj. F. Vaughan-K Kirby, game war
den of Zululand, S. A, has enlisted
the cooperation of the American
Nature Association. Mai Vaughan
Kirby points out to the. association
that he hopes the coming visit Of the
Prince of Wales will be of help and
that he has called upon the Society
for the Preservation of Fauna of the
Empire in England to come to his
aid.
The warden explains that in Zulu
land there is a movement to abandon
all game reserves, which would mean
the determination of the once mag
nificent fauna of the subcontinent
and that he has been powerless to
stem 1t. He believes the Prince of
Wales will throw his influence in
favor of wild life conservation and
the American Nature Association. has
issued an appeal to it's members
throughout the world to write to
Mai. Vaughan Kirby and protest
against the continued slaughter OF
the wild animals Of his country.
Evening star., 1925-04-11
100000 HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS
TAKE PART IN ORATORY TEST
Great Increase in Interest Throughout Country CiUes
Promise of Thrilling Final Competition to Be
Held Here on May 8.

The seven finalists in the 1925 ma
tfonal oratorical contest who will
compete in the Washington Audito-
rum on May for $1,000 in prizes
will probably he even more thrilling
than the 1924 finalists. At least they
Will have fought their way through
a much larger field OF competitors
and through a greater number OF
grueling contests, as shown by re-
ports received by Randolph Leigh,
national director. from 35 contest
clearing centers throughout the
United States.
These reports show that slightly
more than 100000 high school pupils
participated in the 1925 contest. This
is contrasted with approximately
1000. 900 participants in the 1924 con-
test.
The scope OF the project is shown
in the following summary for the en-
tire country:
Participants, 100000.
Schools. 1926.
All awards, s46,650.
= All publications, 1,12o.
Increase In Prizes.
Aside from indicating the increase
in the number of contestants, the re-
ports also furnish information as to
the growth in popularity, generally,
of the contest movement. Last year
1921 schools participated, so that
this years gain in that regard Is
almost a fourth. The reports also
show that 1870 publications of all
kinds are cooperating with the 35
major newspapers in promoting the
contest. Last year there were slight
ly less than 500 of these cooperating
publications. 1t is probable that
within the next few weeks. when the
project reaches its more dramatic
stages, with national leaders taking
part in the meetings, practically
every newspaper in the country will
treat this second great constitutional
contest as news"
There has also been a noteworthy
increase in the number of local prizes
offered, the aggregate of these run
ming thousands OF dollars in excess
of the sectional prizes last year
These prizes come from cooperating
newspapers bar associations. civic
organizations and individuals who
are interested. In addition to the
cash prizes there are hundreds OF
cups, medals and handsomely en-
graved certificates offered to spur on
the youthful orators.
The greatest number of contestants
Evening star., 1925-04-11
REV. w. S. O. THOMAS
DIES AT PORTSMOUTH
Former Pastor Of Baptist Church
Here Will Be Buried at Falls
Church, Va.

Rev. w. s o. Thomas. rs years old,
former pastor of the West Washing
ton Baptist Church here. died at a
hospital in Portsmouth. Va, Thurs
day after a short illness
Funeral services will be conduct ed
at the Columbia Baptist Church at
Falls Church, Va, where Rev.
Thomas was once pastor, tomorrow
afternoon at $3.50 O'Clock. Rev. w. S.
Knox will offlciate. Interment will
be at Falls Church.
He is survived by four sons. M. d.
Thomas of Wilkes Barre, Pa; J. E.
Thomas of Falls Church. G. T. Thomas
Of Washington, D. c., and r. W.
Thomas of Baltimore; a daughter,
Miss Ida Thomas of this city; a
brother, Maurice w. Thomas of At
lanta, and two sisters, Mrs. Alice b.
Quick of Falls Church and Mrs. A. D.
Henvis Of Richmond. He was a
member of the Masonic order.
Evening star., 1925-04-11
u. S. WOOD DISTILLING
INDUSTRY ATTACKED
Germany Threatens It's Extinction
by Producing Synthetic Methanol
in Overwhelming Quantity.
BY the Associated Press

BALTIMORE, Md, April 11.-Amer-
ica's s10O,O0O,OO0 wood distilIation in
dustry is threatened with extinction
by German chemistry, it was de-
clared yesterday at the meeting of
the American Chemical Society here.
Germans are making synthetic
methanol, formerly known as wood
alcohol, from water gas, and are
shipping it into this country In such
quantities, 1t was said, as to arouse
fears that the American production
of methanol from hard. wood will be
wiped out.
Another forward step of German
science was described by DR. Franz
Fischer, director of the Kaiser Will
helm Institute at Mulheim- RUIZ, who
said that process closely related
to that by which synthetic methanol
Is produced is being employed to
manufacture liquid motor fuels from
water gas.
Americas only hope in this and
in other similar exigencies which
may arise, it was declared at the
meeting, lies in research.
Evening star., 1925-04-11
THOMAN EVIDENCE
STILL INCOMPLETE
Autopsy neport in Poison
Search Probably Will Be
Made Monday.

Although the authorities today still
were unable TO decide whether Sam
uel P. Curtin Thoman died a natura
death or was poisoned 3. year ago, az
intlmated in q letter held by tho po-
lice 1T was indicated that they will
be in a position to announce de
cision probably before Monday.
The final decision will not be made
until the completion of certain path
ohgical tests now being made by
Prof. Oscar B. Hunter, assistant dean
of George Washington University
Medical School
DIR. Hunter said today that he Will
not make his report TO Deputy Coro-
ner Herbert E. Martyr, in charge of
the general autopsy, until he is en-
tirely satisfied either that Mr.. Tho
man died from natural causes or that
the charges of poisoning are con
1rmed
II am not yet satisfied about this
question" Or. Hunter explained, but
| expect to be able to make definite
statement probably before Monday
Meanwhile, l am continuing my ex-
animation Of the exhumed organs"
Evidence InconcIusive.
DR.. Hunter said that so far rabbits
who have been fed specimens of the
organs which would have been affect
ed by poison have shown no symptoms
Of Illness to sustain the allegations
This fact, alone, he indicated was not
conclusive proof that Mr.. Thoman
died a natural death.
The pathologist, while not com
hitting himself TO a definite opinion,
gave the impression that his first
suspicious" aroused by a peculiar
appearance of the brain, have not so
far been materially strengthened
| through further research.
DR.. Hunter stated yesterday that
the suspicious appearance" of the
brain had led him TO postpone his re-
port to the coroner's office until Mon
day, so that he might pursue his
studies longer. Study OF the blood
| cells. he explained, would serve tn
roborate or dispel his suspicious.
Observations Near End.
1t was understood from DR.. Hunt
er's statement today that these
further observations have been about
completed, but he refused to make
known his findings, pending report OF
the results to the deputy coroner.
II the pathological examination OF
the dead mans tissues develops no
evidence of poisoning the police probe
into the death of Mr.. Thoman IN
uOuDteotN Will DC uTOppeu- ~hchAA~--A
tests, already completed, failed TO
disclose any trace of poison.
The exhumation of the body climax
ed a police investigation which began
in intensive form after a mysterious
attack more than two weeks ago on
the dead mans daughter, Mrs Fieta
Motherweu. of 1905 c street north
east who claimed that her assailants
were in search OF the letter now in
the hands of the police. The letter
| was signed and named a certain per
son as having given Mr. Thoman a
| white powder" in a drink.
Evening star., 1925-04-11

Continued from First Page)
a hurried midnight conference of the
minstrel management. 1t broke up
early today with a decision to protest
the edict TO the church session itself,
and to request the elders to view the
costumes themselves and Judge
whether the girls were properly
clothed, despite the bare knees.
Special Session Called.
The fourth thing that happened
was the calling of a special meeting
of the session for tonight for agree
ment on a final decision on the basis
of the attitude of the fire depart
used. to help the elders make their
decision, 1t was announced today by
]. NJ. Barron, director of the show.
Its all a tempest in a teapot"
Mr.. Barron said today. I'VE are quite
incensed over the whole thing, and
so are the young ladies'. They are all
respectable Takoma Park girls, and
they do not relish the idea OF inti-
nations being made that they are
taking part in a risque performance.
In the mud pie scene the young
ladies are supposed to take the part
of kiddies. They dressed in romperS
to the knees and wore short stock
ings, just as any child would do.
Wouldn't it look fine to have them
wear long stockings? Furthermore.
several of the church elders had
viewed the scene previously and they
didn't protest about II.
Will Accede II Necessary.
'4Of course. if we can't convince the
session tonight that these young
ladies are properly clothed We will
go ahead with the long stockings.
Some of US doubt if the church really
could stop the show or censor il, after
having rented the hall to us. Why, some
ot tae towns leading citizens are in TINS
show. Yet We are made to appear
that we are putting on a shady per-
fermance. We have got to go ahead
with it, as we have already sold more
than 1000 tickets"
Another scene in the Minstrel Fol-
lies" requires the appearance of the
same young ladies in silk pajamas.
1t is the Goodnight, Sleep Tight
scene. There, appears to be no OBJ
lection to this scene, Mr.. Barron said
DIR. Clark said today that the edict
against the romper scene was issued
by the committee Of the church"
He said the hall is owned by the
church and is used by it for Sunday
school purposes. I'VE could not toler-
ate its use for a performance in
which girls appear who are not prop
erly clothed" DR.. Clark explained.
We have told them they must at
least make the show respectable"
The "Follies" is being staged under
auspices OF a committee of the Fire
Department, composed of Walter
Whitney, president of the depart
ment; DR.. Walter Dudley, fire chief:
j. Heale and Director Barron.