davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
PUBLIC UTILITIES

Many important events in the field
of public utility operation in Wash
lngton were crowded into the wear
1879. The development of greatest in
terest to the individual consumer was
the refunding to the public by the Po-
tomac Electric Power Co. of more than
S2,000,000 of the money which accu-
mulated during the seven years of
litigation over the Company's valua-
ton.
When the suit was compromised last
January approximately $6,000,000 had
been set aside, representing the diff
ference between the 10-cent rate col
lected by the company and the lower
rate the commission was contending
for. The settlement resulted in a re-
duction in the rate to 72 cents per
kilowatt hour and the return of about
half of the impounded fund to the
people. The amount of refund re-
ceived by each consumer was figured
according to the amount of current
actually used during the seven years.
Just as the year 1925 was drawing
to a close the rate for electricity was
reduced again to cents for 1926. as
the result of an automatic plan
adopted at the time of the settlement
providing for reductions in rates
whenever the company's return on
valuation exceeds 712 per cent.
Merger Talk Revived.
Prospect of a merger of the street
railway lines, a proposal of many
years standing, was revived in 1925
by two happenings: First, Congress
passed a law authorizing a voluntary
consolidation, thus removing a legal
obstacle to a union of the companies
which had existed; second, the North
American Co. of New York, a big
public utility concern, evidenced an
interest in the local situation by
spending $4,000 on a thorough sur
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31

view of litigation in the District dur
ing 1925.
Among the prominent civil proceed
ingS was the allowance by Justice
Adolph \. Hoehlins of an increased
valuation to the Capital Traction Co,
which has been appealed by the Pub
lie Utilities Commission, and the filing
of an application by the Chesapeake
and Potomac Telephone Co. for an in
junction to prevent a reduction of
rates ordered by the commission. A
temporary restraining order was Sc
cured but the case has not come on
for hearing.
AS evidence of the crime wave, an
increase of % per cent is noticeable in
the number of indictments reported by
the grand jury in 1925 over the figures
for 1924. A total of 800 indictments
have been received during the year,
as compared with 1 ,049 in the preced-
ing II months. United States Attor-
ney Peyton Gordon, with the aid of
the justices presiding in the Criminal
divisions, has been able to keep a little
above the tide, having disposed during
1929 OF 1894 cases, or about 10 more
cases than there were new charges by
way of indictment.
The justices in the equity and law
branches of the court also did good
y
remove the congestion in the court
doCkets. Some Of the judges were
able to call through their entire calen-
OARS, thus giving an opportunity to be
heard to all that were ready. The
others met with some cases which con-
sumed unusual time and were unable
to make much Roadway with their
calendars. New litigation of law and
equity cases however showed marked
tl,o
cases disposed of, leaving the court
with a larger docket to start the new
year.
The District Court of Appeals dis.
posed of 1870 cases on its special and
general calendar, 12 patent appeals
and 104 original petitions during 1925.
During the year 1873 special and gen.
eral docket cases were filed, 125 pat.
ent appeals and 107 original proceed.
ings. The court has disposed of all
criminal appeals excepting two, one
of which was only recently filed and
the other was continued at request
of counsel.
Some of the important cases dis
posed of during the year were the 90
German bond cases against the alien
property custodian, which were ap-
pealed to the Supreme Court, and re.
Gently affirmed there: the Norwegian
Nitrogen Products Co. VS.. United
States Tariff Commission, affirmed
Federal Trade Commission VS.. Kles
ner, involving the Jurisdiction of the
Court of Appeals to enforce orders
of the commission, which is now pend
ing in the Supreme Court on Ger.
tiorari; Kolinski VS.. Thompson Voting
Machine Co., and Bek VS.. Alien Prop
erty Custodian, which were reversed
Bonner Steel Co. VS.. Interstate Com
merce Commission, affirmed; the case
of McCarl VS.. Cox, involving the right
of the controller to withhold salaries
of Army and Navy officers in settle.
ment of claims against them by the
United States; the cases of United
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31

marked by determined efforts 10 rid
the schools of thousands OF obsolete
geOSra phies and other textbooks as
well as definite steps TO moderniZe the
curriculum and coordinate il for the
new system of education which has
grown out of the rapid extension of
the Junior high schools.
Perhaps the most unexpected de-
NelOpment of the year was AN open
rebellion OF high school students
against the school boards anti
fraternity ruling. The battle china Xed
IN the courts. where Western High
School secret society had instituted
proceedings in mandamuS To restore
several of its members who had been
penaliZed by the board with the loss
of school honors.
The court ruled that the fraternity
students had come before it with
''unclean hands and refused To
maintain the maudamuS proceedings,
but held at the same time that the
board rule had not been properly
adopted. Subsequently the board
''leGaliZed' the rule and the year
ended with the Western High School
fraternity still threatening other
legal action To prevent enforcement
OF the regulation.
The board itself passed through an
almost annual recurring period of in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31

there was presented an opportunity
for the entertainment of large NUM-
Der of Congress members who thereby
came in close contact with the leading
citizens of Washington for whom they
legSlate.
The Washington Chamber of Com
merce, the Board of Trade and the
Merchants and Manufacturers Assocf-
alton joined with the Hotel Mems AS
ISOLATION during the last year in estab-
fishing the Washington Convention
Bureau for the purpose OF creating
central organiZat ton TO bring 10 the
National Capital the great conventions
of the country. This bureau has ar
ranged during it's existence for 10000
visitors to Washington, which will add
to the revenues Of the Capital, accord
ing to officials Of the bureal, more than
S1,750 600. Contacts with more than
600 organizations have been establish
ed by this organization.
Board of Trade Proposal.
With the increase in membership
of these organizations and the in
crease in financial stability comes the
talk from the Board of Trade that il
| it continues its success of 1925 for a
few more years it will erect it's own
building, a project long looked for by
the members of that organization.
~ q t'I''- i'i VI -
40 ioIi no IN III uoIl " az a
iiiyiI1 u nv IOiiIiiiti ia ~
t e.i 80 $50. VI 'ls NY, lfele mas De-,
an ny ea'7e III me HooI space occuPle''
by the member business houses and
IL ueIlAeu iiICi ed7e III 'iie Nolu!le VI
pu ,T,il tiaIi9acltu ny lheiil,
ne 49, !Ile9 Vi lie NaIIo09 trh -
CIoil3 VI Inns VI ii1N De-
- iiIeIi'ouS' e'Cil section ueaiIhS WIN
me i' lo''IeiilS o. the particular lFaue
A. ~, eSeIIS'
ne dssoCial 4oh mas peleh q constant
SUPPORTER 0I reg 4sial4oh lor the better
I IHi u W aAiihsIoi' ne Hhop
-! Ia ,il ~ -Nldli f'aI-H am paigh' the
business IN education IN the pubic
schoolS campaign the ACTIVITIES OF the
ti0'iiC 'oliii'4It zee III ueaiIhs Win the
i,"I NtiiS anu u dlllI PiopleI! as aHt''
iiIs lhe liei CIiahIS' anu snow removal
are among the outstanding activities
oil TINS BODY.
Boards Activities Notable.
The Rette,. pu-ipase p,,rea,, bos had
ono of rho n,nst ..t;[.a So. nf a..
"iie VI me most dctlNe Years Oh It's
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
Park Commission Fund.

An appropriation was made during
the last year for the National Capital
Park Commission, amounting to $780,
GEO. Under this commission it is con-
tidently expected the development of
the park system of the Capital will
go forward on proper lines.
The last Congress alS) put through
legislation for the construction of
$l3 600 900 memorial bridge across the
Potomac River from the Lincoln Me
mortal 10 Arlington.
4 joint resolution proposing an
amendment To the Constitution grant
ing to the citizens Of Washington ma
iional representation. the right to
elect Senators and Representatives in
Congress and presidential and vice
presidential electors was favOra bly,
reported by the Senate District com
mittee and placed on the calendar
j failed of action. however. and thc
same resolution has been reintroduced
hy Senator Jones Of Washington since
the meeting of the new Congress. De.
Cemher :.
another measure which failed of
action in the last Congress. but which
las been reintroduced in the new
congress, is the so-calIed public vel
fare bill. to better centraliZe the ad-
ministation of child welfare and
otEer charities in the District
PRESIDENT Coolidge in his annual
l8eSSag" to Congress has twice rec
olumeuded the appropri; ton of fluids
Tor the erection of much-needed pub
liz buildings in the District of Column
2ia. Bills to carry out his recon-
mendation have peen introduced in
both houses. and il is expected that
the new Congress will act favorably
upon them. The Presiden. has also
recommended enactment of a mothers
aid law for the District which shall be
a model for the entire country. A
bill in conformity with this recon-
mendation has been introduced by
Senator Wadsworth of New York.
The House District committee has
already made plans for an investiga-
ton of the cost of living in Washing
ton. and this investigation will be
held early this year
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
THE DISTRICT COURTS

The indictment and exoneration of
United States Senator Burton X.
Wheeler for conspiracy to defraud the
United States after he had been &C.
quilted of a similar charge in Mon
tana, the quashing of the conspiracy
and bribery indictments growing out
of the oil scandals, the securing of a
new conspiracy indictment by the Gov
eminent and the reinstatement of the
bribery indictment on appeal consti-
tute the outstanding features of re-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
DISTRICT AFFAIRS

The most important event of 1925
from municipal standpoint was the
creation of a department of traffic con-
troll in the District government. with
NJ. o. Eldridge as director.
In May, shortly after Congress
enacted the new traffic law for the
District. Director Eldridge and his as
sistant, Col. |. G. Moller, revised the
entire code OF regulations. In per-
forming the task they consulted with
a committee of representative citizens.
During the closing days of the year
Washington witnessed installation of
the first automatic traffic control
lights. a system which Mr.. Eldridge
plans to extend to all main thorough
fares.
On May 10 Commissioner James +.
oyster died following a protraCted ill
ness, and his passing was mourned
not only by his associates in the Dis
trict government. but also 10y the
countless friends he had made during
long career in business and civic
circles
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
Outstanding Achievement.
THE PRESIDENTS YEAR

President Coolidge's Inauguration
March last. although very simple.
was the most important happening
in his administration during the past
year.
There was much in the way of gov
ernmental activity and considera BILE
of importance in American intercourse
with foreign nations during the last
II months. Also there was important
legislation enacted and numerous
high offices filled by the President. but
these naturally enough We're over
Swallowed in their popular appeal by
the inauguration Of the President. 1t
was upon that day that he assumed
the Presidency in his own right after
having received a 1000. 900 plurality
in November. 1924.
William T. Galliher. banker and
prominent civic leader here. was Sc
lected by the President to head the
committee to arrange the Inaugural
ton fete. The President. however. in.
sisted that nothing elaborate or Dor.
derlng on pomp or display be con.
sidered. and. as a result the event was
celebrated with great dignity. but
without the customary inaugural pa
rade and ball
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
F'enning Appointed.

Early III June President Coolidge
appointed Col. Frederick a. Fenning,
lawyer, to succeed Commissioner
oyster and in December the Senate
confirmed the nomination.
An innovation in civic affairs during
the year was the formation of the
Citizens Advisory Council, an unoffi-
cial group of civic workers who make
recommendations to the city heads on
annual appropriations and on pro
posed new legislation for the District.
The council was established ut the
suggestion of the Commissioners and
consists of nine memberS-SeVen white
and two colored-SeleCted from among
the citizens associa tionS.
In accordance with Il new act of
Congress. the Commissioners early i'll
the year appointed a board for the
licensing of architects.
The Commission on Public Welfare
Legislation. a group of representative
citizens appointed by the Commission
ers, was active during 1925 in consid
ering changes which should be made
in the various welfare laws of the
District. The commission originated
two important measures now await
ing action by Congress. namely, the
bill to create board of public welfare
and the bill to provide financial aid
10 worthy mothers to enable them to
rear their children in the home when
they otherwise would be placed in in
StitutiOnS.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
Fills Four Cabinet Posts.

During the year. the President was
called upon to make four appointments
to his cabinet. Secretary of State
Hughes resigned to return to the
practice of law in New York. and in
ms place the Pres dent named Frank
b. Kellogg of Minnesota. who at that
time was United States Ambassador
TO Great Britain. Shortly after this
Secretary of Agriculture Wallace died
ana the President appointed William
Nj. Jardine of Kansas to fill this va
cancy. His next cabinet appointment
was that of John G.. Sargent of Yer
mont to succeed Attorney General
stone, who had been elevated to the
supreme Court to succeed Associate
Justice Mckenna. retired. The last
appointment to the cabinet was that
of Dwight +. Davis of Missouri to
succeed John w. Weeks, whose con
tined i'll health caused him to resign.
Some of the other Federal appoint
mentS made during the year by the
President We're landlord MacNider of
Iowa, former national commander of
the American Legion, to succeed Sec
rotary Davis as Assistant Secretary
of War; A. B. Houghton of New York
was transferred as Ambassador to
Germany to the Court of St. James,
to succeed Mr.. kellogg: DR.. Jacob
Gould Schurman, Minister to China.
was transferred to Germany to sue
coed Mr.. Houghton, and John V. Mac.
Murray, who had been in charge of
the Far East Division of the State
Department, was appointed to succeed
DR.. Schurman in Picking. Edgar A.
Bancroft died while serving as Am
bassador to Japan, and Charles Mac.
Veagh was appointed to succeed him.
Dry Enforcement Changes.
Reorganization of the prohibition en-
forcement unit of the Treasury De
partment followed the appointment of
Lincoln G. Andrews as Assistant Sec
rotary of the Treasury. Another i'm
portant appointment was that of VIII
liam d. Mitchell to succeed James M.
Beck as Solicitor General of the De-
partment of Justice.
Strictly local appointments included
that of Frederick A. Fenning, a To-
cal attorney, to the board of District
Commissioners, to succeed the late
James F. Oyster; Miss Mary O'Toole
to be judge on the Municipal bench;
George H. Macdonald and Isaac r.
Hit to be Police Court judges, and
Maj. U. S. Grant, Sd, to succeed Col
G. o. Sheriff. as officer in charge of
public buildings and public parks.
One of the outstanding features of
the administrations year is credited
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
DISTRICT FINANCES

The most important event of 1925
in the financial affairs of the District
Government was the action of Con-
gress in recognizing the existence of
the city's accumulated surplus of more
than S. ,O000 900 in the Treasury.
Approximately half of the surplus
was made available for the school
building program before Congress ad-
journed in the Spring. The balance
is expected to he appropriated in the
next District bill
The act of Congress which recog-
nized the surplus fixed the sum at
S4,43S.154.92, and provided that the
controller of the Treasury should
decide whether the District was en-
titled to an additional claim of S819,-
1883 District Auditor Donovan sub
mitted a brief to Controller McCarl,
who decided in favor of the District
on June 10. This made the surplus
revenues total S5,257, 52S.75.
Abandon 6O-4O Ratio.
For the fiscal year 1925-1926 Con-
gress again departed from the 60-40
percentage ratio basis of appropriating
for the District by continuing the So
900 900 lump sum as the Federal Gov
ernment's share of Capital upkeep.
In their annual report to Congress,
in December, the Commissioners APP
pealed to Congress to name a joint
committee to make careful inquiry into
the fiscal relations between the Fed
eral and District governments with a
view to settling the issue.
In June t Commissioners found it
necessary t. Increase the tax rate on
real estate al tangible personal prop
erty for the current fiscal year from
S1.40 to S1.70 per 500 of assessed
value, due partly to larger appropri-
atoms and to the fact that the $4,000
900 lump-sum from the Federal Gov
eminent places a heavier share of the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31
ZOning Body Busy.

The Zoning Commission was kept
busy during the year considering nG-
merous requests for changes in the
use Of property in all parts of the
city. The commission also considered,
but failed TO approve, a suggestion
that the regulations be amended to
permit the building of row houses in
groups of six in an "A area
In September the Commissioners, on
consultation with the Citizens Adj
visory Council, began preparation of
a program of legislation to be present
ed at this session of Congress. Among
the legislative matters under conSid-
Grafton are: A bill to increase the
powers of the Commissioners reorgan-
ization of the personnel of the Util-
tiles Commission, a modification Of
the Borland street paving assessment
law, bill to broaden the powers of
the traffic director, a bill for the con
demnation of a number of new
streets. including the extension of
Fourteenth street: a new organic act
to provide for the proper development
of the free Public Library system, Il
bill to provide a new building for the
recorder of deeds. This list also in
cluded several bills that failed TO re-
ceive action at past sessions of Con
greSS.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-31

to the refunding of the Belgian ami
Italian debts and debts of several
minor European nations. An effort
was made to reach an agreement with
the French government, but this was
unsuccessful. The President. how
ever, has recently received intima-
tons from the French that that coun-
try would be glad to reopen negotia
The Tomahawk., 1925-12-24
SOLOMEN SEAL 8
lodge by
the Dunes."

A Camp for little Indian Child.
rem. Write r. F. D. No. 2.
Chesterton, Indiana.
The faculty in charge of this
institution are admirably qualified
for their work. 1t is in charge of
q college trained lady who is a
graduate of Smith College for
girls, and who also spent two years
at the Massachusetts, Agricultural
College, and a term at the Uni.
versity of Chicago.
She has as an assistant college
trained Indian woman who under.
stands the Indian children and is
deeply interested in her work.
Charges are reasonable. Write for
pal ticulars.
The Tomahawk., 1925-12-24
Not Make
A Clean Sweep?

During the past six months
about every Indian tribe in Che
United States has petitioned Presi.
dent Coolidge for the removal of
Charles H. Burke as Commissioner
of Indian Affairs, but as yet we
have heard of no petitions includ-
ing the biggest toad in the puddle
e. B Merit, assistant commits
sloner of Indian affairs for 10 these
many, many years. No matter
who is appointed commissioner,
and on matter how sincere he may
be in his desire to do right by the
Indian people when he assumes
Office, he sooner or later falls under
the spell of Assistant Commissioner
Merit and the score or more of
confirmed bureaucrats snuggly
entrenched in the Indian Bureau
for many loLg years, and he soon
finds that his efforts on behalf of
the Indians are blocked at every
turn. By all means get rid of
Merit if possible, If the Ipdians
can accomplish this they will find
that it will be the beginning of the
end of all their troubles-make a
clean sweep.
The Tomahawk., 1925-12-24
Adult Indians to be Educated
By a Kentucky System

Measures for the elimination of
adult illiteracy among Indians of
western tribes was announced oy
educators and Indian Service
o6icials at the conclusion of a
three day conference on Indian
education. held in Spokane, WASH,
recently.
Preliminary steps included pre-.
paration for publication Of a
primer similar to those used in
Kentucky moonlight schools
which will treat subjects of interest
to the Indian adult mind and in.
clude illustrations with which he
is familiar. 1t is to be published
at the Haskell Indian Institute at
Lawrence, Kansas, and will prob.
ably be available. by January /.
Other arrangements included
the establishment of a department
of education of the annual Indian
congress at Spokane. with a three
day secsiop at the close of the
congress, and inclusion of tho In.
dian education problem in the
program of the council of state
superintendent aud commissioners
of education, 70 be held in Wash.
ington, ID. O., February 1S.
Those in charge of arrangements
for the enlarged cam paign of In,
dian education included Mrs.
Josephine Corliss Preston. state
superintendent of schools of Wash.
inglon, who called the conference.