davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
WHOLESALE GRAFT
CHARGED IN UNION
international Electrical
Workers Accuse New York
Body of Bribery and Plots.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK. December 22.--Whole.
sale graft I'm the electrical contract
Ing industry of New York City is
charged by the International Electri-
cal Workers Union in a iurisdictionai
fight to GUST II officers of the local
organization.
Five hundred affidavits. filed in Su-
preme Court yesterday by Interna'
tiOnal Vice President Fl. II. Breach.
charge the II officers and members of
the local union with bribery, corrup-
ton and conspiracy to prevent COM
petent mechanics from entering the
union, and aver that the electrical
contracting industry is honeycombed
with graft.
The affldavits were the internation-
ais answer to an attempt by the local
union to restrain the parent body from
removing the accused men and bring
ing them TO trial on bribery charges
before the international in Washing
ton.
"TwO-yNay Shops" Charged.
Among charges made in the affi-
davits are:
Union officers permitted electrical
contractors to operate what were
known as "two.way shops employ
ing crews of union and non-union men
at the same time.
Men who knew nothing of electrical
work were indicted into the union on
the order of business agents. One
such new member, inexperienced in
the craft, was wanted in the union
by business agent because he did the
dynamiting, for the McNamaTB broth
ers. and we've got to have sluggers in
case the other faction starts some
thing
An electrical contractor on the
Fourteenth street power house for the
New York Edison Co. swore that he
paid Richard l.. OHara. president
of the local union. and Business
Agent William O'Toole 5000 d month
each on the understanding thas
things would go smoothly OH the
power house job
Paid Probation" Graft.
Non-union electrical contractors
were compelled to pay graft when
business sagents of the union kept
them ION probation sometimes for
q year. before allowing them to have
union mechanics.
George DOnnelIan. counsel for the
local officers, in urging before SUI
preme Court Justice Grain that the
temporary order restraining the inter-
national organization from removing
the men be made permanent, charged
that Vice President Breach came to
this city last February at the request
of the local officers to organize the
field, but instead set afoot "a con-
spiracy" to gain control of the union
and it's funds of $268,000.
Justice Grain in reserving decision
said he was concerned onIy with the
procedure of trying local officers,
whether the local union had exclusive
jurisdiction or whether both the local
and international had concurrent
jurisdiction.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
HEAVY FOG DELAYS
PAN-AMERCANHOP
No Attempt to Be Made to
Leave for Mexico Until
Mist Lifts.

Special Dispatch to The star
BROWNSVILLE Tex, December
ga heavy fog rolling in frc;fi the
Gulf OF Mexico and settling on the
waters of Iaguna Madre. where the
Arfny's five pan-American hlght
planes have been anchored overnight,
threatened to delay the resumption OF
their flight to Mexico and South Amer
lean countries today. Maj. II. A.
Dargue, flight commander. said the
planes would not be towed to open
water until the fog lifted.
AT the hour scheduled for departure
the pilots said there was no chance
to get away, and that perhaps the hop
off could not he made until afternoon.
The first lap. of the 20 .000-mile tour
from San Antonio yesterday was made
under circumstances considered highly
satisfactory TO the pilots.
The aviators were enthusiastic over
the behavior of their machines, stat
ing that every plane had functioned
perfectly during the 260.nile hop
from san Antonio.
A speed of more than 90 miles an
hour was maintained and Maj. Dargue
was confident the machines would be
able to pull the pilots through every
contingency.
The aviators spent the night in
Brownsville.
Messages from Tampico state the
flyers will be greeted by Gov. Ports
Gil of the state of Tamaulipas. the
Tampico civil and military officials,
as well as the American colony, which
planned to turn out en- 1naSse. The
flyers hope to spend the Christmas
holidays in Mexico City. From Tam
pico they plan to hop to Vera Cruz
and then to Mexico City.
Chiefs Wish GOdspeed.
Secretary of War Davis and AS.
sistant Secretary Davidson sent God
speed messages to the Array flyers
who took off from San Antonio yes
terday for the South American flight.
ut will be instrumental in further
ing the happy bonds between the ma
tons OF the two American CONT
nents." said Mr.. Davis.
II am certain it will be one of tho
outstanding facts of automatical his
tory" said Mr.. Davidson.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
SIX SENTENCED TO DIE
FOR MURDER OF | MAN
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
JOLIET, H.. December 22.-The
six convicts who slew a deputy war
den. at the new Statesville Peniten-
tiarv in escaping last May were
sentenced yesterday to die upon the
gallows February II.
There is but one precedent in the
United States for the exaction of the
death penalty in six instances for the
Staying OF. one man, that at Amite,
LII, a few years ago, when six
Italian robbers were hanged for the
murder of one man.
Three of the men who heard their
fate in Criminal Court here yesterday
are Mexicans and three are Ameri-
cans. They are: Charles Shader,
Charles Duchowski, Walter Stalesky,
Bernardo Roa, Roberto Torrez and
Gregario Rio.
The court overruled motions for new
trials and termed the trial and verdict
fair and just.
The six convicts, all serving long
sentences, eseared with a. seventh
rlaus VINO remaipa 6 largA
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
WINTER ARRIVES OUT OF BREATH
IN FUTILE RACE TO BE ON TIME
Tie-Up on Celestial Trackage Delays
Petulant Old Season-Peaceful, But
Tantrums Possible Any Moment

to have arrived officially until the
sun stands directly over the Tropic
of Capricorn. that imaginary line
around the globe which passes through
northern Argentina. South Africa and
central Australia. When it. crosses
the Tropic OF Cancer, on the other
hand, an imaginary line which passes
through central MEXICO, the Sahara
Desert and India, our northern sum-
mer begins and the South is plunged
into it's three cold months.
Sometimes Capricorn is crossed as
early as, December 20. 1t varies by a
trifle every year Winter remains
with the north until the vernal equi-
nox, March 81. when the length of
day and night are exactly equal.
Autumn Leaves. Little.
Autumn took most OF her trappings
with her when she left us. Just a
few soiled bits of finery, frost-bitten
calendulas in garden corners. are left
of all the rich yellows and puppies
which covered her shoulders a month
ago. This year she left for petulant
old Winter to tear up none of those
silken bits of her intimate attire for
which she sometimes can't find room
in her trunks--late-bloom roses on
southern exposures, and white beds
of only slightly soiled chrysanthe-
NUNS.
The real cause for the variable
time of the coming of Winter. It was
explained at the Naval Observatory,
is the divergence between the actual
length of the year and the calendar
length. All years are figured on the
calendars, for sake of convenience
as either 365 or 366 even 24.hour
periods. But the actual length of
the year. calculated astronomically, is
about 365 and a quarter days. This
quarter Of day extra, which must
be taken into account. explains why
some Winters come officially earlier
than others.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
PRESIDENT LEARNS
OF Progress MAR
Col. Paul Henderson Declares
U. S. Tops England and =
France in Firms.

President Coolidge today was ad.
vised by the board of directors Of
the Aeronautical Chamber Of Com.
merce that, contrary to popular be-
lief. the United States enjoys more
commercial air service in number of
miles flown and firms operating than
Great Britain and France combined.
Between $500 and 5000 airplanes
are now in commercial use in this
country, Col. Paul Henderson. presi.
dent of the Aeronautical Chamber of
Commerce. who headed this delega-
ton, told the President. He added
that besides these planes, there is the
huge feet used in transporting the
United States mails.
President Is Praised.
. The President was told further that
q total of approximately 5000, 900
miles are flown by air mail planes an.
nually, and that existing routes total
1850 miles. Private operators mum.
berinE 290 have flown considerably
more than 100000 miles with passen-
gers, besides an enormous mileage
flown in miscellaneous, service, Mr..
Henderson said. 1t was pointed out to
the President that although men of
the private companies, holding, air
table operations, officials bf these
concerns are encouraged by the situa,
ton as it exists today, but believe
public interest in commercial flying
should be aroused.
The President was told that the eff.
forts of his administration, culminat-
ing in legislation passed at the last
session of Congress to develop COM
mercial aviation in this country, have
had much to do witt, the great in.
crease in this industry. He was re-.
minded that uncertainty has been re-
placed by certainty, and that indef-
mite hope has been followed by re-
newed courage and positive assurance.
Leaves Air Review.
The delegation left with the Presi-
dent a report containing q review Of
commercial air developments and &C.
tivittes during the past year, Among
other things, the report showed that
there are. now 3,608 landing fields, of
which $50 are regularly appointed
commercial fields, $40 are regular
municipal fields and 2,762 are emer-
gency fields. The balance belong to
the Army, Navy, air mail and sea-
plane carriers.
The Aeronautical Chamber Of Conn
MERGE includes. in it's membership
more than zoo responsible corpora
tions and individuals interested in. the
various phases of industrial aviation.
Distributed throughout the entire
country. it includes manufacturers
catering to the need of the Army and
Navy; similar manufacturers of COM
mercial machines; manufacturers Of
aeronautical accessories for both mill
tary and commercial purposes; opera.
tors of air lines and aerial service,
as well as designers, engineers, en-
ecutives and pilots.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
BOULDER DAM BILL
FINALLY REPORTED.
House Committees 0. K. Civ
en- After Three Years:
SIPS, 600, COO Is Sought.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
THE Swing Johnson Boulder Canyon
Danfabill was approved today w 'iie
House irrigation committee.
lNction ordering a favorable report
on the measure came at an executive
session and after nearly three years
of consideration.
The measure would provide Tor a
flood-control. irrigation ana power
dam at Boulder Canyon ON the toio-
RADIO River. and for construction OF an
all.American canal 10 link the I'M
& perial Valley in California with the
river.
Sls5,O0O,O 900 Is Needed.
The Government would be called
upon. to appropriate $l25.O00,00O Tor
the work. the amount to be repaid
later from the sale of power to be
generated at the dam.
The bin also would put into erect
the Colorado River compact, when
has been agreed to by all states III
the rivers basin except Arizona.
The committee voted to consider
any agreement that may he reached
nv commissioners of California. Arl-
IONA and Nevada who are attempting
to work out plan for river develop
ment. If necessary. an amendment
will be offered to the bill when II
comes before the House to carry out
such an agreement
Swing Is Gratified.
Approval of the long-pending bill
brought a statement of qualification
from it's chief sponsor in that cham
Der, Representative Swing, Repuoh-
can, California.
Recalling that the cost of the project
had been estimated at S125 5000, 900. to
be advanced by the Government and
repaid by the communities concerned.
with per cent interest, he said: 1t
has been conservatively estimated by
the Government engineers that the
total cost can easily be returned to
the Government from the sale water
and power we'll within a period of so
years. Arizona, which has not rati-
fed the Colorado River compact en-
tered into by States interested in the
DEVELOPMENT of the stream, he de.
clared lis not punished in any way
by the bill"
II have been pressing this matter
before Congress and the Federal Gov
eminent for a number of years" he
said, and the situation now looks
very favorable"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
king BEN" HEARS
WOMAN'S CHARGES
House of David Head in Court
on Stretcher-Accused of
Criminal Attack.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. Decem-
Der 22.-Ben jamin PlIrnell. "king" of
the House of David colony. was car.
r1ed on a stretcher into Justice Ara
Weldon's court at Q o'clock this morn.
ing to be arraigned on a first of two
warrants charging criminal assault
The warrant was sworn to by Mrs.
Bessie Woodwork. former member
of the colony, who led State police
to Benjamin's hiding place in the col
ony last November.
Justice Weldons court was crowded
as the aging leader of the cult was
brought in. Purnell was accom-
PANIED by Queen Mary" his wife,
and his attorneys, II. T. Dewhirst.
member of the colony. and w. j.
Barnard. The State was represented
by George IL. Bookwalter, prescott
ing attorney of Berrien County. with
Clare Retain. attorney general of
Michigan, present as an observer.
Faces Another Charge.
Following the appearance in Jus.
tice Weldon's court, Purnell was
scheduled to appear in Justice Eliza-
beth F'orhan's court for preliminary
examination on a warrant sworn to
by Mrs. Gladys Bamford RubeI and
her sister Mrs. Ruth Bamford Reed.
making similar charges against
Pur-nell.
Several of the more prominent
members of the colony also surround
ed Purnell's stretcfer.
Justice Weldon recited the allega-
tons that Purnell criminaliy assault
ed Mrs. Woodwork when she was 10
years of age. under the guise Of
''blood purifying" rites.
Deputies were, forced to clear .
passage in the corridor leading to the
court when Mrs. Woodwork was
called to the stand. There she re-
told her story, detailing the charges
that Purnell attacked her and that
other young girl inmates were similar
ly treated.
Woman Tells Her Story.
Mrs. Woodwork told Justice
Weldon that she was first approach
ed by Purnell on February 8, 1921.
She testified that she was only 10
years old at the time and was EN-
ploved in a House of David park re-
freshment stand. Purnell. she said,
influenced her to accompany him to
his chambers and that she was there
subjected to his caresSes. She then
proceeded TO relate the details or the
alleged occurrence.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
WELL AGAIN POISONED.

INDIANAPOLIS, December % GF9.
Poison again has been found in
samples of water taken from the well
of the Mount Tabor School, in Ko-
sciusko County. chemists Of the State
Board of Health reported yesterday.
A number of pupils at the school
were made lii several weeks ago by
drinking water from the we'll, and
after an investigation James and
Athol Riley, brothers, were arrested
In connection with the poisoning of
the water.
The water which has lust been
tested was taken from the we'll tWn
Heek9 after tho prtEiunk, anuDle.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
REFUSES TO GIVE UP
"BRiBE" INQUIRY RECORD
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
FREDERICTON, n. j., December
22.-Peter j. Hughes of Fredericton,
sole survivor among the four attor-
neys engaged in the investigation in
1911 of the payment of an alleged
bride of 100000 by Arthur r. Gould,
Senator-elect from Maine. to j. K.
Flemming in connection with negotia-
tions for the St. John Valley Railroad,
has in his possession a transcript Of
the testimony at the investigation, but
will not. turn it over to Senator
Thomas Walsh of Montana, he said
yesterday.
Hughes said he received telegram
from Senator Walsh asking If it were
true that he had copy OF the testi.
n1ony and if he would send it to Wash
ington. Hughes said he replied that
he had the transcript, but would not
surrender 1t. There is no legal man.
ner in which Hughes can be compelled
to turn over the transcript, attorneys
said.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
Postmaster Mooney Worried Due to Fact
Many Santa Letters Are Misdirected

Post Office officials from Postmas.
ter Mooney down TO the Office boys
are scratching their heads and Won
dering how they can prevent 300 to
400 poor children from losing their
belief in Santa Claus and passing a
cold, cheerless, giftless Christmas.
According to Postmaster Mooney,
nearly 400 letters written to Santa
Claus by these children have been
received at the post office. They are
addressed to the North Pole, Iceland,
Greenland, the White House and ev-
cry other place where the innocents
believe Santa holds forth.
Some children in far-away States
evidently believe with the Indians
that Santa Claus and the Great White
Father live in Washington, ID. G..
for number of letters from Middle
Western and even Far West States
have been received by the local Of
49,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22

Last year." said the postma ster.
several men came Of their own &C.
cord to the posi- office and asked for
a number of these letters, so that
they might play Santa to the most
deserving appearing Of the young
sters. One man took several hundred
and gave them all presents. No one
has claimed any Of the letters this
year-yet."
Mr.. Mooney said IL the purpose Of
those asking for these letters was
worthy, and not Just curiosity. the
Office would turn them over to them.
II not. the letters would be destroyed.
One little girl, addressing Santa
Claus at the North Pole, asks for
underwear, a doll. stockings and
shoes. Some Of the letters are from
children Of wealthy families and do
not need to be answered, as those
children Will be taken care OF amply,
ksatd MQ0neSh
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22

James Matthews Death Due to Ac-
cHdent, Coroner Reports.

James Matthews, eolorad, 81 years
old, 2413 Snow court. was fatally in
iured in a traffic accident at Thirty
first and M streets about 3 o'clock
yesterday morning, dying at Emer-
gency Hospital last night.
Matthews was a passenger in a mo-
tor truck driven by William Hill,
.colored, 2124 Flagler place, and was
thrown from the vehicle when it col
Iitied with a street car. His shoulder
was fractured and he was otherwise
injured.
dayr rendered verdict of accidental
DEATH after hearing testimony of
witnesses
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
GIBSON GROUP ASKS
POWER TO SUBPOENA
Chairman Presents Resolution in
House to Permit $2,500 Outlay
in D. G. Probe.

The Gibson subcommittee of the
House District committee, which is
engaged in an investigation OF the
government Of the District under
committee resolution, now asks au-
thority to issue subpoenas for wit
nesses, to send for persons and papers
and to employ such clerical ana other
assistants as may be necessary.
This request is embodied in a reso-
luton introduced today by Chairman
Gibson Of the subcommittee.
1t also provides authorization for not
to exceed So 500 as expenses to be paid
out Of the contingent fund of the
House upon vouchers approved by the
chairman of the House District COM
mittet.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
Firing on Autos Charged.

CAPE CHARLES, Va, December
% R).-O. A. Handy, State prohibit
ton agent, and William .Bloxom were
under $1,000 bond each today on
charges Of attempted murder and
malicious manning. They were an
rested on warrants sworn out as the
result Of the shooting at several auto.
mobiles on a public highway in
Northampton County on the night of
December 10
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
WOMAN ADMITS DEATH
PLOT, POLICE DECLARE
Alleged Confession Says She Hired
Man to Kill Supposed Mate
With Hammer.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
CHICAGO, December 22.-Mrs. Lii.
liam LAndstrom. a years old, last
night confessed. police said, tn a plot
to slay william Lindstrom, who
she claimed was her husband and
who was found dead Of skull frac-
lures ON an icy sidewalk hare De-
cember Z.
The woman is said to have named
a man from Hebron. Ind, as the
slayer whom she hired, and said the
man used a hammer in the killing.
She hoped to secure $1,000 from an
accident insurance policy, she said In
the alleged confession. Police claim
the woman's name is Mrs. Lillian
Fraser. and that Lindstrom was not
her husband.
The woman left SOON after Lind
stroni's death and WAS found I'm Mich.
igan City. Ind. -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
Teachers Tell Children of Need
To Conserve Holly and Ground Pine

Thousands, of Washington school
children are carrying home to their
parents the message of conservation
Of holly and ground pine from the
lectures given in their classes by
the 10 white and 8 colored nature
study teachers who cover all the Dis
trict schools.
This means of reaching the public
with the conservation campaign by
the Wildfower Preservation Society
and the National Capital committee of
the Garden Club Of America has been
found highly effective, according to
officials behind the movement, and tt
d. believed tfat an appreciatie IN
crease has ALREADY been potn6 10 tha
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22
Name ''Slllith'' Puts
Senators on Feet.
I'm False Alarm

BY the Associated Press.
The name Smith softly spoken
in the Senate today almost caused
a riot on the Democratic side.
Senators heard the presentation
Of the election certificate of "Sena-
tor Smith" and apparently
thought it was that of Frank l..
Smith Of Illinois, whom they are
pledged to GUST as a result of his
campaign expenditures.
Several jumped to their feet ST.
simultaneously, and Senator Pitt
man of Nevada obtained recogni-
ton.
Whose certificate is this?" he
demanded.
'Smith-that is, Senator Smith of
South Carolina" said Vice Presi-
dent Dawes amid laughter.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-22

That cantanIerous old cold Winter
arrived today for her yearly and un
welcome visit TO the Northern Hemi
sphere.
Dreamy. yellow haired Autumn
hated to go. She was weeping as II
her heart would break while she pack
ed her buds last night. She wanted
to stay for Christmas with the chill
dren
AS it was. she prolonged her visit
one day longer than usual. Winter
didn't get here until GAS this morn
ing. although most folks expected her
some time yesterday. Her train was
behindhand in crossing the Tropic OF
Capricorn, due to some tie.up on the
celestial ira cllage.
She came in sniveling, but, for a
wonder, peaceful enough. 1t was
obvious, however, that she has lot
Of tantrums stored up to let loose
later, and when she goes on a ram
page she sees to it that there is no
peace in the house. Our cousins
south of the Equator, whom she has
been visiting, report that she is as
cranky as starved wildcat this year
Shortest Day Of Year.
She brought with her the shortes1
day of the year. The sun didn't
shake itself out of it's luxurious bed,
snug i'm the east under pink and he
liotrope cloud blankets. until 1928. 1t
will retire promptly at 4:49 after a
day of only hours and % minutes.
From now on it will go to bed a little
later and rise a little earlier until
the blessed equalling of newborn
Spring i'm our own house will make
it impossible for him to rest of morn
ings.
Ordinarily the shortest day of the
year is December 81. yesterday. This
date has become almost traditional
as the first day of Winter. But the
fact is. it was explained at the
Weather Bureau, Winter can't be said