davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1928-12-06
LETHAL GAS MURDER
THEORY DISCARDED
Probers Find Dry Agents Death
Due to Coal Damp
in Cave.
Rv the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press.
HOUSTON, Tex, December 6.-Dis-
carding a theory that Pat Sharpe, Fed
eral prohibition agent, was the victim
of lethal gas trap set by MOON
sinner, officials today decided that the
officer was overcome by BLACK damp"
Yesterday while exploring a cave near
here in which a still was discovered
After an inquest, j. M. Ray, justice
of the peace, held that Sharpe had
come to his death as the result of
poisonous gases formed naturally in the
cavern such as are encountered in mines
and excavations.
The agent was overcome when he
descended a ladder to the bottom Of
the cave, but not before he had shout
ed a warning to his companions to
"'go back"
Victor Buthod, Sharpe's chief, be-
came unconscious and had to be pulled
from the cave when he made a futile
attempt at rescue. Another officer suf-
fered from the effects of the gas in aid
ing Buthod.
Sharpe was dead when his body was
reached half an hour later
RAYMOND Wisehart, assistant district
attorney, expressed the opinion that
Sharpe was poisoned from mash fumes
combined with dampness and other
odors in the cavern, which had been
closed before the raid was made.
Evening star., 1928-12-06
WEST NOMINATION
BATTLE FORESEEN
President Gives Senate
Fighting Issue in Naming
Interior Secretary.

President Coolidge gave Congress
another fighting issue today, and it
was seized upon Immediately, with pros
poets of a battle over the nomination
of Roy o. West of Illinois as Secretary
of the Interior
Mr.. West is serving, along with
William F. Whiting. Secretary of Com
merce, by reason of a recess appoint
ment. AS soon as his name was pre-
ssnted, Chairman Nye of the public
lands committee served notice that he
would ask hearings on the nomination,
especially on whether Mr.. West was
connected with the Samuel insult pub
lie utility interests in Chicago.
The nomination of Mr.. Whiting also
went along today.
Both Mr.. West and Mr. Whiting were
appointed during the Summer Mr..
West, formerly secretary of the Re-
publican national committee and Re-
publican national committeeman from
Illinois, was given the Interior Depart
ment post when DR.. Hubert Work re-
signed from the cabinet to take over
the management of the campaign as
chairman of the Republican national
committee.
The President today reappointed to
the Interstate Commerce Commission
Claude r. Porter of Iowa and Clyde b.
Aitchison of Oregon. These nominal
tions were sent to the Senate for con-
firmation along with that of Patrick
j. Farrell of the District of Columbia
who was given a recess appointment
to the commission during the Sum-
mer to succeed John ESch.
Ness Is RenOminated.
Among other nominations sent to the
Senate today by the President were
those of Pat Morris Ness of Texas, for
another term as member of the Rail-
road Board of Mediation; John l. Cabot
of Massachusetts,, to be a secretary in
the diplomatic service, and Col. Harry
Burgess, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A,
to be Governor of the Panama Canal
Claude Henry of South Dakota was
reappointed member of the Federal
Board for Vocational Education.
The following judicial appointments
were also sent to the Senate today:
Smith Hickenlooper of Ohio to be
United States circuit judge of the sixth
circuit. To be United States district
judges, George P. Hahn, northern dis
trict of Ohio; w. G. Borah, eastern dis
trict of Louisiana; James w. Mccarthy,
district of New Jesrey; Edgar S. Vaught,
western district of Oklahoma, and Nell
son McVicar, western district of Penn
Sylvania.
Evening star., 1928-12-06
CARPENTER HELD
IN &c ROBBER|ES
Bond Is Fixed at $4,000
After Not Guilty Plea
in Police Court.

Faced with 26 cases of housebreak-
ing, all of which he is said to admit,
Herbert Allen Robertson, carpenter
of Clarendon, Va, was held under $15,-
600 bond for action of the grand jury,
when arraigned in Police Court today.
He pleaded not guilty and waived ex-
animation, through Counsel John ].
Silica.
Since his arrest by Precinct Detective
James w. Casey and Policemen r. L.
Fanmon and George Weaver of the
fourteenth precinct Tuesday, Robertson
is said to have confessed to and cleared
up a great number of the recent burg
Jary cases reported here. His thefts
consisted almost entirely of small
amounts of money.
Robertson, police say, posed as a
salesman for holiday greeting cards
when he knocked at apartment doors
to learn whether the occupants were
home. If they answered the door he
stated that as his mission, but If they
did not answer he forced his way into
the apartments, taking any money that
he could find.
Phones for Police.
The mans arrest was brought about
by a resident of the Newark Apart
ments, 1921 Newark street, who tele-
phoned police while he was still in the
building. When the police arrived, how
ever Robertson was just leaving, so
they trailed him to the apartment house
at 2807 Connecticut avenue, waiting
until he is said to have entered two
apartments before he was arrested.
Robertson at first admitted six cases,
telling police that he had recently
undergone an operation that incapaci-
tated him for hard work and that he
was forced to steal in order to live and
support his wife. Later however, he Is
claimed to have confessed to 20 more
cases.
The greatest number of complainants
from any one of the eight apartment
houses entered are residents of the
Maryland Courts, Maryland avenue and
Ninth street northeast. There he is
said to have entered seven apartments
on two different visits. Two of the
apartments. those of Marion Gates and
Ruby Wallace, he entered twice.
Other CompIainants.
Other residents of the same building
who appear as compliments are Roger
Brust, Albert Butler. Charlotte McKin-
ley. Irene Williams and ALA Clary.
At $500 Eighth street he is alleged
to have entered the apartments OF
Roy F. Goode, Elsie Van Cleve ano
Cook Leafley. Winifred Lamb ano
Harry E. Bowers are the complainants
living at 1924 Eighth street who are
listed as compliments.
George Kelly and Dorothy Colliflowel
charge him with entering their apart
ments at 329 Rhode Island avenue
northeast. At 800 Kennedy street he
is claimed to have. entered the apart.
ments of Vasil Mckay, j. c. Blaise anc
Ruth F. Fishel. James w. Weakley i:
the only complainant from 3100 War
der street.
In the Cleveland Park section, where
he was arrested, he is charged with
having broken into the apartments o
H Southland, Howard Americus, Francis
Baesill and Catherine Chambers. all o
the Newark Apartments 362l Newark
street, and Blanche Miller and Cath
crime Chambers, both of 2307 Con
tpccticut ayenu:.
Evening star., 1928-12-06
POLICE SAY GIRL, 13,
SOLD THEM LIQUOR
Arrest With Mother Reveals Pre-
vious Alleged 0ffense of Mrs.
Jessie Sebastian.

A 13-year-old girl faces trial in the
Juvenile Court for sale and possession
of liquor, as result of the arrest of
Mrs. Jessie Sebastian, 80 years old, of
the 1900 block of Euclid street, and her
young daughter, Margaret.
Mrs. Sebastian, mother of the recent
queen of the Columbia Heights carnival,
was charged with a second illegal
possession of liquor She was arralgned
before Judge Given in. Police Court
pleaded not guilty and demanded jury
trial. She was released on $1,000 bond.
The arrests were made by Sergt o. j.
Letterman and his vice squad, after, 1t
is said, an informer made a buy from
the daughter. Five pints of alleged
whisky were confiscated. A quantity of
alleged alcohol was destroyed by Mrs.
Sebastian and her daughters as the
raiders entered police say.
Evening star., 1928-12-06
POLICEMAN BANKRUPT.

Clyde Huff, 406 Emerson street, a
member of the metropolitan police
force. filed a petition in District Su-
preme Court today asking that he be
adjudged bankrupt. Huff claims assets
of 81 900 and liabilities of 81 1879. Among
the debts scheduled by the petitioner is
an item of $l,272 described as an ac-
commodation paper for Wilhelmina
RApp, 1900 block Fifteenth street, gro
Gerry proprietress. who filed a voluntary
bankruptcy petition September 10.
Evening star., 1928-12-06
PAPER RACK THEFTS
CHARGED TO QUARTET
Four Men Arrested After Warning
Is Broadcast Over Sta
ton WMAL.

In spite of repeated convictions of
paper rack thieves and warning over
radio station WMAL last night, four
men were arrested for taking papers
without paying for them at rack at
Fourteenth and N streets this morning
All forfeited $40 collateral in Police
Court
The quartet described themselves at
the second precinct as John Lewis Allen,
81 years old, of the 1400 block of N
street; John Gibbons. 81 years old, of
the 1900 block of Fourteenth street;
Leroy Hawkins, colored, %, of the 1900
block of Church street, and Walter
Monroe Cozad, 81, of the 1900 block Of
Tenth street All were arrested by
Policeman H. H. Hodge.
Evening star., 1928-12-06
TRAiNMEN INJURED.

Engineer and Fireman Hurt in
Chicago Wreck.
CHICAGO, December 6 (4D.-The en-
gineer and fireman of Chicago g.
Eastern Illinois suburban passenger
train were injured today when the train,
coming into the city from Crete. Ill,
sideswiped the Pittsburgh Express of the
Pennsylvania Railroad.
John Campbell SO, Williamsburg,
Mich, the engineer, suffered cuts and
bruises and j. c. Crouch, As, DanVille,
Ill, suffered minor hurts when the
C. & E. 1. engine overturned. The two
car suburban train was knocked from
the track. but no passengers were m
iured. Four cars of the express train
left the rails. The c. & E. l and Penn
sylvanai tracks cross at the point OF
the accident
Evening star., 1928-12-06
MRS. MEEHAN GETS POST.

On the recommendation of the Fed
cral Trade Commission, the President
has authorized the appointment of Mrs
Genevieve. G.. Meehan, widow of Charles
v. Meehan. formerly judge of the
Municipal Court of the District of Co
lumbia, to clerical position In the
classified service under the Federal
Trade Commission, without regard to
the Civil Service rules"
The executive order states that Mrs
Meehan has rendered several years of
satisfactory and efficient service along
statistical lines in various branches Of
the Government"
Evening star., 1928-12-06
VESTRIS DATA AWAITED.

Senate Committee Passes over
Resolution Proposing Inquiry.
Resolutions proposing Investigations
into the sinking of the Vestris were
passed over today by the Senate COM
merce committee at its first meeting,
pending receipt of testimony taken in
the New York inquiries.
Chairman Jones of the committee,
who is the author of one of the resolu
tionS introduced yesterday proposing a
joint congressional inquiry, said he
hoped it would be unnecessary for Con-
gress to undertake a separate inquiry.
He believed sufficient information on
the disaster could be learned from the
previous Investigations to permit the
formulation of any legislation deemed
necessary.
Evening star., 1928-12-06
Seeks Honor for Polar Flyer.

A Congressional Medal of Honor
would be awarded by the President to
Lieut.. Carl B. Eielson, Army Air Corps
Reserve, pilot of the airplane that took
Sir George Wilkins across the Polar
regions, under a bill introduced by Rep
resentative Burtness, Republican, North
dakota,
Evening star., 1928-12-06
Sicilian Prelate Sinking.

ROME, December 6 CP).-Cardinal
Practicable aged Archbishop of
Catania, Sicily, was still in an alarming
condition today. The Pope again has
sent him apostolic benediction. ..~--,.,-
New Britain herald., 1928-05-04
COLONY
 HAS QUEER VIEWS
Believes Earth to Be Nothing
 But a ConcaVe Cell

Estero. Fla. May { CP A strange and interesting town is Es- tero. where a colony of 75 persons contend tho earth is a great sta tlonary concaye cell inhabited on the interior.
 The citizens, who surrendered all their property to the unity upon ad- mfttance. are followers of the late Dr. George Tced, who call F. If horesh. In 1880 he founded Kore- shanity. I'll 'ous rct seeking re- establishment of the church and state upon basis of divince fellow ship and promulgated the theory the earth is not convex.
 Chicago was the home of the koreshan Unity, but in 1893. g branch was established here and the body now claims to have q membership of sever hundred, To- cated in various parts of the coun- try.
 Marriage Is not permitted. sep- arate dormitories arc maintained for men and women, who are per- mltfed to see and talk with each other only during meals, served in a general dining room. The men, bers have Fl graces and different one is passed at each meal.
New Britain herald., 1928-05-04
LET N'LEAN RETIRE

Our opinion is that Senator Me Lean ought 10 be permitted 10 re- tire from the Senate in peace. Let the soft soap bubblins about the state cease. Let fl he no longer intj- mated by countless admiring editors that no other man can be found in the state to take his place.
 The premise that only the present senior senator can be considered competent enough 10 join up with Senator Bingham in representing Nutmegia Is bosl1. it is hokum fed to It's subjects by the oligarchical organization. It is sort of insult to a score or so of other high calibered citizens each of whom is capable of representing the state in the Senate without loss of such Nutmeg prestige as is there recognized.
 The idea that it takes a man of superhuman intelligence, education and cultural polish to be a [. s. senator is a myth that we supposed had been exploded long ago. Even q man of most ordinary intelligence can get along in that body if he votes with the party and lets the party leaders do the deciding for him. That, i'll fact, is what most of them actually do. in practice and in theory. Both Of our senators, in fact, exercise no independent judgment at all. They are on the side of the ad- lnil1isfration ideas every time, and there is no evidence We know of that they ever show the shred of an in- dependent thought that would hurt
New Britain herald., 1928-05-04
THE SERVICE nUuJLDuNt,

The service building which the Connecticut Light 6l Power company will construct on Curtiss street will be on one 0. the residence streets in the west end, but there can be no doubt that it will be easier to look at than the open and unsightly acreage which has graced that side Of the street heretofore. It is Rratify- ing, too. that the large service build- ing will pe designed with an eye for beauty as well as utility. This will be In marked contrast to some Of the company's property on Corbin ave- nue. which not only has a ram- shackle appearance but is not even provided with decent sidewalks in front of it,
New Britain herald., 1928-05-04
HE IS A CANDIDATE

It is unusual to find a candidate for the vice-presidency. Most Of the upper berth candidates greatly pre- fer to be candidates for the presi- dential nomination or nothing.
 Not so our own John Q. Tilson, The Connecticut congressman got himself tangled up with vice. presidential boom quite a spell ago and sticks to his last. He knows he could not function as a fayorite son, as such candidate from Connecti- cut would get nowhere at a national convention, even with the help of J. Henry Roraback, which Mir. Tilsop wouldn't get considering the rift be- tween the pair.
 But the vice-presidency is some- thing different. Usually nobody wants it: at least nobody goes for it ahead of time. No, even Mr. Cool idge. when he was governor of Massa chusetts, was a candidate for the job which ultimately landed him in the White House. Senator Borah. former Senator Lenroot, and others have lodged the soft impeachment of being good enough to be vice. president: and Dawes first heard of his great honor while listening to the palaver over the radio. Well, I'll be xxx -" or like that, was his surpris- ed rejoinder.
 Our MT. Tilson Is built of different 'tuff. Seems like he is perfectly will ng to be the vice-presidential can- lidate. Hoover and Tilson" looks luite nice enough in print to suit the New Haven politicker.
 And down in Tennessee, where he came from, the folk are equally jealous about 1t. There he Is looked ipon something as a. native son. and Tennessee is functioning as the tail Q the presidential kite.
 We should like to see Brother Til. 1 'on land the nomination. It would make J. Henry sore; and that's
New Britain herald., 1928-05-04
COMNtUNICABLE DISEASES

Complaint made by Dr. Richard w. Pullen the other day that too many parents in the city were fail- ing to report communicable diseases. 1 and that there is a general careless ness manifested by some parents in connection with the so-called chil- dren's diseases. called attention to certain common errors.
 These are that children are bound to get the measles. the humps, the whooping cough and such diseases and that 1t Is not necessary to guard greatly against them. Such an atti- tude. as the health official em. phatically stated, is cruel and inhu- man. Furthermore, it is not true.
 Children do not necessarily need to acquire the experiences of hav- ing had any such diseases, anu a large proportion of them do not need ever to suffer from them if their parents would exercise the kind of Judgment the health department suggests.
 It is amazing the number of diseases that can be avoided by grownups having proper knowledge of hygiene and health preparedness: and 1t is equally amazing the num- her Of children's diseases that can be avoided through the bestowal of proper attention by their parents
 IL is equally amazing to the health authorities to find so many parents who take such things lightly. If they must be frightened into action the information might be more gen. orally disseminated that a children's disease, especially whooping cough or scarlet fever. can leave a weaken- ed heart which will lead to a pre- mature death.
New Britain herald., 1928-05-04

To support their contention that the earth is concave .ha members argue that a straight line extended at right angles from perpendicu. lar post. over lar or water surface, Will meet the water or surface of the earth at distance proportion ate to the ght of the perpendicu- lar. In the town is an apparatus which they use to demonstrate their theory.
 Located l8 miles from Ft. Myers. tie col ". community owned and operated. holds title to 1000 acres of valuable land.
 Az lure is the principal oc- cupation. IT grou Is re laid out in he~" full design. With sunken gardens, terraces and walks, bor, dered with plants. flowers and rare trees.
New Britain herald., 1928-05-04
Observations On Me Weather

Washington. May 4.-Torecast for Southern New England: Generally fair and warmer tonight. Saturday increasing cloudiness. Warmer in east portion: probable local thunder showers in afternoon or night, Moderate winds mostly south and southwest.
 Forecast for Eastern New York. Increasing cloudiness followed by local thunder showers in south por- ton Saturday and in north portion late tonight or Saturday. Somewhat warmer in south portion tonight. Cooler Saturday afternoon and night. Moderate winds mostly south and southwest.
 Conditions: The center of the disturbance over the interior por- tlons of the country is near Daven- port, Iowa. 2a.70 inches. It pro- duced showers during the past A hours from Texas and New Mexico northward to Nebraska and Iowa. and thence northeastward over the northern Mississippi valley and the upper lake region. Pressure con- tlnues high over the south Atlantic and east Gulf states and the sonth- westerly wind drift from the central Gulf districts has resulted in q further rise in temperatures from the central Mississippi valley region eastward over the Iowa valley and north Atlantic states.
 High pressure attended by cooler temperatures prevails over the plains states and the Rocky noun tain districts.
 Conditions favor for this vicinity fa'r weather and increasing cloudi- ness
New Britain herald., 1928-05-04

the localities are imaginary brt are reminiscent of several Balkan countries.
 Q. Who is the checker champion of the U. S.?
 A. Newell w. Banks. .. What is the best record for two miles for a running horse?
 A. Three minutes Fl and 45 seconds made by Exterminator at Belmont Park, New York, septem- Der 15, 1920.
 Q. What are the names of the managers of the Washington base ball club since 1912?
 A. From 1912 to 1921 Clark c. Griffith manager the Washington ballclub. From January to Decem- Der 1921 George Mcbride was man. aser. In 1922 Clyde Milan; in 1923 Owen J. Donnie" Bush; 1924 to date, Stanley Harris.
 Q. Who played tho part. of "Dolin" in the picture Johnny Get Your Hair Cut?
 A. Bobby Doyle.
 V. what IS the design of the flag of the Irish Free State?
 A. It consists of three vertical stripes of equal width and length, green on the left, white in the middle and orange on the right.
 Q. Can you give me the com- parative number Of deaths from automobile accidents. alcoholism and cirrhosls of the liver in the l.. $, i'll the years 1919 ot 1926?
 A. There Were o,457 automobile fatalities in the L. s. in 1918 and 2o,S19 in 1926. The number of deaths from alcoholism in the registration area of the U. s. for the year 1913 was o.1e3 and 4.1o9 in l'26. The number of deaths from clrrhosis of the liver in 1918 was l 7,'94 and 75o1 for 1926.
 Q. Do the L. s. hints issue proof coins?
 A. Not any longer.
New Britain herald., 1928-05-04
NEW STYLE IN PREACHING

New York. May 4.-tR,-One mjn- lster has decided to deal with the inn patience Of New Workers by preach- ing only one sermon during month or May. But he will preach every sunday employing the familiar ITO De 'cont'nued'' method of the maxa- zines.
 The modern New York taste fin sermons demands short ones" said the Rev, Charles Francis Potter. minister Of the Church of the Divine faternny today. Twenty minutes is 1f" present style Twenty-Five is occasionally permissible. but 30 is Dad taste and 35 is a social error,'
New Britain herald., 1928-05-04

You can ret m answer to any question of fact or information by writing to the Question Editor. New Britain Herald. Washington Bureau U, 13e: New York avenue. Washingt on, D. C.. enclosing two cents in stamps for reply. Medical. legal and marital advice cannot bs given. nor can ex. tended rssearch bs undertaken. All other ouestious will receive . per. sonal reply. Unsigned requests can. not be answesed. All lettcFs arc con. fldenttal.-Editor.
 Q. Wro first named the days of the week?
 A. The ancient Egyptians were the first to name the seven days of the week, and these were named according to the seven planets, From Alexandria. Egypt. the week with Its system Of nomenclature passed to the Greeks and Romans. From Rome tho system spread to Teutontc and Celtic peoples con- quered by the Latins and the names of the days of the week were trans lated.
 Q. Did Grover Cleveland carry New York state both times he was elected president of tho United States:
 A. His first election November 1880 was in doubt for two days, when the count of New York state finally give him small plurality insuring him the 37 electoral votes Of that state and hence the victory In the election Of 1892 he carried New York state readily.
 o. How long was Philadelphia the seat of the federal government:
 A. From 179o to 1900 when the government was. movedto Washing ton. D. C.
 Q. How old is Ruth Roland, the movie actress?
 A. Thlrty-flve years.
 Q. What Is the value Of q Y. S. dime dated 1ss4 with "s" mint mark?
 A. It Is valued at from $50 to eloo.
 Q. How many divorces were there in the U. g. in 1926:
 A. 1s0,s6s.
 Q. How long Is the neck of a 1 Eiraffe? !,
 A. The average adult giraffe has neck six feet long.
 Q. On what date did Good Friday fall in 1890?
 A. April {.
 q. What is the home address of Sentry Brothers circus?
 A. Camp Knox. Kentucky.
 q. Where is the largest center in he world for the manufacture of teel?
 A. Including the entire Pitts 'urg district, Pittsburgh is the arEest steel center in the world,
 Q. Can an American woman vho married a citizen of Jugoslavia n 1921 and has lived there since 'et an American passport to return o the U. S.:
 A. She lost her American citi- enship when she married an alien n 1921 and can only return to the ;. 6under the quota law or for isit on . visitors visa.
 Q. How many ounces and grains re there in a Troy and an Avoid pois pound?
 4. A Troy pound contains twelve unces and 6.7S0 grains;an Avoid pois pound contains l6 ounces and .000 grains.
 Q. Are the scenes Of "The Prts- ner of Zenda" and "Graustark" did in real countries?
 A. Both are works of fiction and