davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
AGE Of BUILDING
FIRMS REPORTED
81 Per Cent of Total Here
Formed Before 1925,
StatiStiCian Finds.

The permanent nature of firms en-
gagged in construction work in the Dis
trict of Columbia is clearly indicated
in report showing the length of time
during which such organizations have
been in business, compiled by DR.. Rob-
ert j. McFall, chief statistician for dis
tribution of the United States Census
Bureau.
For all classes Of firms combined, DR..
McF'all says, 1877, or 81 per cent, of the
total number were organized prior to
1925, the averages for individual classes
varying only slightly either above or
below 80 per cent. He has prepared a
table showing the length of service by
years of such firms in the District.
Nine Formed Before 1900.
OF the 81 general building and high
way contractors in business during 1929
tween 1900 and 1913, 6 during the war
years 1914 to 1919 and 20 between 1920
and 1924.
A similar relative distribution is
found among subcontracting firms Six
teen of the 125 reporting firms have
been in business for more than 35 years,
35 for from II to 80 years, IT from IL
to 16 years and 35 for from 6 to 10
years. For the 40 companies organized
10 reported as having started during
1928, while only four firms started
business last year.
Two-Fifths Incorporated.
Approximately two-fifths of the 327
reporting construction firms of the Dis
trict of Columbia are incorporated COM
panies, the lowest average for an in
dividual class being found in the build
ing contracting group, with only 19 out
of a total of 81 firms incorporated. OF
these 10 reporting firms, however, two
thirds were incorporated before 1925,
while only six firms have been added to
that group during the past five years.
The figures for operative builders, on
the other hand, show that only six re-
porting incorporated companies had
that legal status before 1925, while
nine additional firms have been incor-
porated since 1924. OF the five reporting
highway contracting concerns four were
incorporated before 1925 and the other
one since 1924.
There appears to have been an in
creasing tendency toward incorporation
of subcontracting firms since 1924. Dur
ing this last five-year period, 20 of the
48 reporting companies were incor-
porated, the majority of these during
The three earlier years of the period.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
WOMAN, 73, IS HELD
ON BAD CHECK COUNT
Washington Detective to Be Sent
to Lowell, Mass, to Return
Mrs. Graves.

A 73-year-old woman, Mrs Lydia E.
Graves, wanted here in connection with
: the passing Of bad checks, was arrested
at Lowell, Mass, today, a message sent
from that city to local police declared.
Inspector william S. Shelby, chief of
detectives, said that Mrs. Graves was
under arrest here several years ago for
passing worthless checks. He i'm
mediately wired Lowell authorities to
detain the woman and said he would
dispatch detective there to return her
to this city.
When Mrs. Graves was arrested here
several years ago. police said, she had
been passing worthless checks on banks
here and police now charge that she
passed bad checks at number of bust
ness houses here since that time.
Coincidentally with the arrest of Mrs.
Graves at Lowell, local police arrested
George Afford Lussier, SO years old, a
railroad conductor, who, police say, is
wanted at Lowell on a charge of non
support.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24

Robinson, Finance Committee; Rev. B.
II. Melton, chairman Exhibits; Mrs. w.
r. Metz, chairman Over Seas. Commit
tee; W. E. Braithwaite, Music; L. l..
SherfIy, Assignment; Rev. w. S. Smith,
Information; K. A. Brumback, Recep-
ton; Rev. W. E. Balderson, Sight See
ing; Rev. S. Read McAlpin, Transporta-
ton; A. G. Ridgeway, BanquetS; Rev.
d. G. Gordon. Communion; Mrs. Simon
KINNEY Hospitality: c. E. Wood, Post
Office; Mrs. j. W. Graves, First Aid;
Mrs. E. M. Reese, Flowers and Decora-
tons; r. C. Kidd, UsherS.
Unites Professionalism.
At the final service held yesterday
afternoon in the National City Church,
erected by the united efforts of Disciples
throughout the country, the preacher
was DR.. l.. N. d. Wells of the East Dali
las Christian Church, Dallas. Tex.
Our basic convictions unite all Prot
estantism," he said. These are the
bed rock upon which life is built"
DR.. Wells declared that Christendom
need have no fear for the testing period
through which We pass.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
VETERANS HONOR
UNKNOWN SOLDIER;
VISIT FORT MyER
First Division Colors Massed
as Wreath Is Placed
by SummeraII.
"A. {. F. LUNCH FOLLOWED
BY EXHIBITION DRILL
Special Ceremony to Be Held at
Monument Tomorrow-Banquet
to End Reunion.

A trip to the tomb Of the Unknown
Soldier in Arlington Cemetery, where O
special ceremony was held this morning,
and visit to Fort Myer this afternoon
were features of the reunion Of the
veterans of the 1st Division here today.
A wreath was placed on the tomb of
the Unknown Soldier by Maj. Gen.
Charles P. Summerall, chief of staff,
U. S. Army, and president of the lst
Division Society. The 1st Divisions
wartime regimental colors, gathered
from various parts of the country, were
massed around the tomb.
At Fort Myer the veterans ate an
"A. E. F. lunch" and this was followed
by an exhibition drill by battalion of
Artillery and troop Of Cavalry The
1St Division veterans also arranged to
pass in review before their former divi-
sion commander, Gen. Summerall.
Mount Vernon Trip Cancelled.
Up to last night only about 800 dele
gates had registered here for the re-
union, but a hundred or more came in
this morning, and it was thought by
those In charge that many more would
come In during today and tonight.
A trip to Mount Vernon. originally
scheduled for tomorrow morning, was
called off, with the explanation that the
Potomac River is so low, due to the
drought, that the boat which would
have made the trip would be unable to
make a landing at Mount Vernon.
Special Ceremony Tomorrow.
Tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock
the veterans will gather around the list
DIVISION Monument, south of the State.
War and Navy Building, for a special
ceremony. The program includes the
massing Of the divisions colors, adj
dresses by Former Chief Justice Wal.
ter l. Mccoy and Gen. Summerall. and
music by the Army Band. Benediction
will be given by Col. Thomas j. Dickson.
former chaplain of the 1st Division.
Gen. Summerall and Mai. Gen.
Campbell King, the latter former chief
OF staff of the First Division, will speak
at banquet in the Willard Hotel to-
morrow night at z o'clock, the occasion
to be the closing feature of the
reunion here.
A feature of the banquet will be the
ofhc1al printed programs, which will
be decorated with sketches drawn by
Capt A. B. Butler, cartoonist of Tulsa.
Okla. and First Division veteran.
The sketches will depict various events
in Gen. Summerall's career. Gen.
Frank Parker. commander of the Sixth
Corps Area, Is to fly from Chicago to
Washington to attend the reunion, it
Is announced. The reunion got under
way here yesterday
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
PLAN FOR DISPOSAL
OF CHRISTMAS MAIL
Shop Early-Mail Early" Commit.
tee to Cooperate With Post
Office in Handling Rush.

Mark Lansburgh, president of the
Merchants and Manufacturers Associa-
ton, today called a meeting of the
Shop Early-Mail Early" Campaign
Committee of the association for next
Tuesday to formulate plans for CO.
operating with the Post Office Depart
ment in the early handling of the
Christmas rush of mail. Mr.. Lansburgh
appointed Ralph Goldsmith chairman
of the committee.
The annual campaigns of the asso-
citation have been beneficial in convinc-
ing the public of the desirability and
necessity of the early mailing of Christ
mas packages, according to officials of
the Post Office Department, Edward D.
Shaw, secretary of the association, said
today. The peak of the Christmas rush
has been advanced in the past couple
of years to the point where it is posi-
BILE for Post Office employees to enjoy
Christmas day at home of duty, Mr..
Shaw said.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24

The attention of the Planning Com
mission has been called to the con-
fusion that is likely to arise if the new
square, westward of the Capitol at Third
street and Pennsylvania avenue, is
called Union Square. as has been sug-
gested in the study before the commits
sion. This may come about because of
the similarity of the name to the Union
Station Plaza.
Names Under Consideration.
The planning commission still has
under consideration the giving of a
number of historical names to various
streets and squares about the city, but
there was opposition to the altering OF
the present names of Washington
streets, due to the well established
land marks and the difficulties that
might enSue in land transactions, wills
the delivery of mail, kilograms and from
other causes. The commission has be-
fore it report from its engineer, Capt
E. N. Chisolm, jr., and C. L. Wirth, a
landscape architect, on the suggestions
for historical names.
If the name of Louisiana Is given to
the new avenue. another name will have
to be found for the present louisiana
avenue, which will run adjacent to the
new Municipal Center.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
POLICE ANNOUNCE
PERSONNEL CHANGE
Lieut.. Groves Is Promoted to
CaptainCy-HaisIip and
Lee Raised.

Lieut.. Hugh Groves, a member of the
night inspectors force was promoted to
captain by the District Commissioners
today to take the place of Capt. Fred
Cornwell, of the fourth precinct, eff
fective November l. Sergt. James H.
Lee of the fifth precinct was promoted
to a lieutenant and private William B.
Haislip of the sixth precinct was made
a sergeant.
Groves is so years old, and has been
in the department % years, Lee is SO
and has been in the department "a
years. He was one of the sergeantS
recently given SIS extra pay for out
standing efficiency. Haislip is 80 and
has been in the department. IL years
and was also one of the men receiving
SIS extra compensation for special
efficiency.
The Commissioners approved the re-
tirement Of Pvt. William E. Owens at
his own request. He had served over
38 years and is So years old. He was
granted a pension of 500 month.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24

community Of Columbia Heights. On
this makeshift course. an oval clearing
of greensward, with furbelowed Wash
ington society attending, he saw horse
really" run for the first time. From
that day until a year ago, a period of
rs years. Mr.. Eslin remained staunch
lover of blooded horses. Only last
year. spent with the burden of age. did
he desert the crowded paddock. 1t was
Also Active in Business.
Horse racing, however, was not the
only love of Mr.. Eslin. AS a fancier of
birds he was remarkably successful. A
half-century ago, when the sport of
cock fighting, though even then pro-
hibited, was widely encouraged, the Red
Quill Eslin breed of bird was by-word
among sporting men from Canada to
New Orleans.
Despite the interest he took in sports,
Mr.. Eslin led an active business career,
and as contractor was closely iden-
titled with the expansion of the city
for many years. With his partner and
nephew, the late William Holmead, Mr..
Eslin supervised the construction of the
entire street system of Petworth, built
the Fort Reno Reservoir, surveyed nu-
merous street extension projects and
engaged in road construction work in
nearby Maryland and Virginia. In 1910
he retired to a country home in Prince
Georges County, returning to Washing
ton about 10 years ago.
Until the last few days Mr.. Eslin re-
tanned a remarkable clarity of mind,
conversing easily on the most retro
spective incidents. His wife, Mrs. Julia
Eslin, died 35 years ago, and he resided
O ~
1908 Girard street, his frock-coated
figure being familiar sight in Column
bia Heights.
Interment this morning at Mount
Olivet Cemetery was in one of the first
plots allotted in the cemetery, having
been purchased by Mr.. Eslin's father in
1858.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
LARGER GASOLINE
TAX AND LICENSE
FEE ARE OPPOSED
Merchants and Manufacture
ers Fight Proposed In
crease in Fees.
GAS PRICE BOOST
HELD UNNECESSARY
Traffic Committee Rejects New
Schedule of Automobile
Assessments.

The proposed increase of the gasoline
tax in the District and the recommen-
dalton that the registration fee for
passenger automobiles be doubled and
that commercial vehicles be taxed ac-
cording to their gross weight, made re-
Gently by the Traffic Advisory Council,
we're vigorously opposed by the Traffic
Committee of the Merchants and Manu-
facturers' Association at meeting held
late yesterday at the association head
quarters in The Star Building.
Charles H. Frame, who, with Theo-
dore p. Moves, chairman of the Traffic
Committee of the Washington Board
of Trade, led the fight against the
recommendations at the council meeting
early this week, is chairman of the
committee. The report of the traffic
group of the association will be sub
nitted to the board of governors of the
organization at its next meeting for
final action.
Increase Held Unnecessary.
In placing itself on record as being
unalterably opposed to the recommen-
dation of the Traffic Advisory Council,
the committee of the Merchants and
Manufacturers group declared that 1t
felt an increase in taxation on auto
mobiles and gasoline at this time was
entirely unnecessary. 1t cited that rev.
enue returns from these sources at the
present rate of taxation show a con-
siderable surplus.
In discussing the recommendations
Yesterday the committee brought out
that the original District tax on gaso-
line was proposed on the grounds that
the personal property tax be eliminated.
However, when the bill was brought up
in Congress the personal property tax
clause was thrown back into the bill,
and District taxpayers were forced to
accept both.
Property Tax Remains.
The Traffic Committee of the asso-
citation, in discussing the recommended
ton Of the Advisory Council that the
property tax be eliminated and the
registration fee and gas tax be doubled,
expressed the opinion that, should the
changes be made, the public probably
still would be faced with the property
tax item as before.
The traffic advisory council, by a
vote of to 6, recommended increas-
ing the tax on gasoline from cents to
cents, and increasing the registration
fee for passenger automobiles from 81
to 50. In addition, it proposed that the
registration fee for commercial vehicles
be made in proportion to the gross
weight of the VShicles. These recon-
mendations would mean increasing the
revenues from the gasoline tax from
$l,500,000 to 100000 annually, and
increasing registration fees from $94, 900
to approximately 100000, the council
reported.
If the recommendation to tax trucks
in accordance with their weight were
adopted. the merchants group declared,
many Of the larger operators would be
driven from the streets, the fee in some
cases reaching as high as $500, accord
ing to the committee.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
EMMETT M'BR|DE
HELD IN JAIL HERE
Unable to Make Bond on
Arrangement as Fugitive
From Justice.

Emmett Mcbride, SO years old, a
brother of DR.. F. Scott Mcbride, su-
perintendent of the Anti-Saloon League,
was unable to make bail when arraign-
ed in Police Court today on a fugitive
from justice warrant, and was recon-
mitted to Jail to await the arrival of
Steubenville, Ohio, officers, who are said
to be on their way here with a war
rant charging him with passing worth
less checks.
Mcbride, a school teacher, was ar
rested here a fortnight ago by police at
the instance of relatives. DR.. Mcbride
later explained that his brother was
mentally unbalanced" and that such
step was taken to keep him from get
ting into further trouble. Last week
Mcbride was committed to Gallinger
Hospital for mental observation.
The defendant told Judge John p.
Mcmahon that he would return volun-
tarily to Ohio to face charges there,
providing there would be no charges of
issuing worthless checks preferred
against him in the District. He in
formed the court ne had given min
lister residing at the Wardman Park
Hotel a worthless check. but that he
understood the victim did not care to
prosecute him.
IT refuse to take a condition." an
swered Judge Mcmahon. by the time
Ohio authorities reach Washington
there might be 10 charges against you
and they would have made the trip for
nothing. We will notify Ohio men TO
bring removal papers"
Il am willing to go anywhere and
face charges" Mcbride then said.
Assistant District Attorney Michael
Keogh asked the court to fix bond at
$4,000 in the case. stating that there
was an investigation going on and that
he regarded the man as public men,
ace. Bad checks which Mcbride is
said to have issued in Ohio amount to
approximately $500, Keogh said.
Judge Mcmahon asserted that he
thought Keogh's requested bond excess
sive and promptly reduced it.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
Pioneer Figure Passes On
"Uncle Charley Eslin, GentlemanS portsman of Past
Era, Is Bnried-Fdther's Inn Was Rendezvous
for Lincoln and Grant.

Charles W-"Uncle Charley"-Eslin,
one Of the last of the old-time gentle
men Sportsnen, who were a legion in
Washington of another era, was laid to
rest this morning in Mount Olivet Gene
terry. He died Wednesday in his ninety
third year.
Fancier of game birds, lover of fast
horses, and beloved character known
wherever Maryland horsemen and
Maryland thoroughbreds gather. Mr.
Eslin was born here in 1887. His BIRTH
place, hospitable outpost in virtual
wilderness, was a roadside inn, situated
in the present embassy" district at
Sixteenth street and Columbia road.
At that time, the father of Mr.. Eslin,
James Eslin, proprietor of the inn,
practically owned the entire Mount
Pleasant territory. The picturesque re-
moteness of the tavern, its mellow
brews and rude hospitality made it a
rendezvous for prominent Washington
ians. President Lincoln, on his long
drives through the wooded north section
of the city, and Gen. Grant, a hard
rider, attended only by colored order
ly, frequently stopped at the old, oak
timbered retreat.
Developed Interest in Horses.
Mr. Eslin, years later, recalled Lin
coin with a caricature-like vividness,
"a tall, hollow man, stopped under a
dusty stove-pipe hat" AS for Grant,
Mr.. Eslin, then a young man, often
stood in the inn door while the general,
remaining mounted, received a tankard
of ale.
Doubtlessly. Mr.. Eslin was the only
remaining Washingtonian who hunted
the paths of Rock Greek Valley for deer
and wild turkey Armed with an old
musket and accompanied by colored
slave, he often proviSioned the family
Iarder with venison and wild fowl, hunt
ing far into Maryland.
It was during his boyhood that Mr..
Eslin developed an interest in horse
racing, then being held on the old
Holmead tract, now a part of the busy
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELDS
SCHEDULED FOR MARKING
Assistant War Secretary Approves
Plans Submitted by Spottsyl-
vania County Group.

Assistant Secretary Frederick H.
Payne of the War Department has ap-
proved plans prepared by the Spottsyl-
vania County Memorial Commission for
marking the Civil War battlefields in
that vicinity, as provided by acts Of
Congress.
The policy Of the commission is based
on a system of relief maps, properly
oriented at the points from which COM
prehensive views of the terrain can be
had and containing on their faces the
locations of the units of both armies,
down to include regiments. These maps
will be accompanied by tablets describ-
ing the actions.
In addition, appropriate markers on
the ground will indicate the location of
all divisions and detached units. Mark
ers also will be posted on the various
roads showing routes to points of vital
importance to the contending forces.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
CORNER STONE RITUAL
SCHEDULED SATURDAY
Western Presbyterian Church Elk
ercises Are Arranged-Dr. Dun
ham to Be in Charge.

Cornerstone laying exercises for the
new Western Presbyterian Church
Nineteenth and H streets, will be held
at o'clock tomorrow. 1t was incor-
rectly stated in yesterdays issue of The
Star that the exercises were listed for
today.
Dr. j. H. Durham, pastor of the
church, will preside at the exercises. He
will be assisted by the Rev. Godfrey
Chobot, pastor of the Sixth Presbyterian
Church; Rev. Andrew Bird, pastor of
the Church of the Pilgrims; Rev. Freely
Rhorer, pastor of the Metropolitan
Presbyterian Church, and Chester
Smith, moderator of the Washington
PreSbytery.
Grand Master James A. West of the
Grand Lodge of Masons, who will lay
the stone, will use the gavel which
George Washington used in laying the
corner stone of the United States
Capitol.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
ALExANDRIAN ROBBED
OF SIT BY ARMED MEN
Tells Police Pair Jumped on Run
ming Board of Car-Gives De-
scription of Both.

Lynn Florence Of Alexandria, Va,
told police that he was relieved Of SIT
last night by two men who jumped
mobile at Twenty-seventh street and
Pennsylvania avenue southeast and
robbed him. He said they were armed.
Florence furnished eleventh precinct
police with a description of the two
men.
Harry A. Morrison and Clarence Z.
Cassell, both of SIS Thirteenth street
northeast, told police they were robbed
of Sc and 81, respectively, by burglars
who entered the premises through q
rear window last night.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
MILLER FUNERAL RITES
TO BE HELD TOMORROW
Native of Germany Came With
Family to Baltimore When Young
Boy-Was I. o. o. F. Member.

Funeral services for Charles Fred
erick Miller, 70 years old, who died
suddenly yesterday at his home in
Mclean, Va, will be held tomorrow
morning at IL o'clock at Matters
Funeral Home in Cherrydale, va, Rev.
DR.. Harvey Durham, pastor of the Pres
byterian Church in Townsville, Va,
will oficiate.
Mr.. Miller, native Of Germany,
came to this country when a young
boy. His family settled first In Balti-
more, but later moved to the District.
He had been member of the Odd
Fellows for nearly so years.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs.
Sarah C. Miller; three sons, william
Miller and Howard Miller of Balti-
more, and Charles Benjamin Miller
of Mclean, and by one daughter Mrs.
Florence Davis of washington. In
terment will be in Columbia Gardens,
in Clarendon, Va.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
NAVY DAY OBSERVANCE
is PLANNED BY k. OF C.
Program Outlined for Service at
Barry Statue-Wreath to Deco
rate Monument.

A Navy day observance program will
be held by the knights of Columbus
at the Barry Statue, Fourteenth and
K streets, Monday morning at 10 o'clock
william G.. Feely, State deputy of
the organization, will place a wreath
at the foot of the monument and Rev.
Francis x. Cavanagh, State chaplain,
will offer the invocation. An address
on the life of Barry, known as Father
of the American Navy, will be delivered
by Daniel A. Edwards.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-24
SHIP MODELS VALUED AT $4,000
ARE DESTROYED BY NIGHT FIRE
Industrious Uphostering Agent Phones for Repair Con
tract Shortly After Couch Is Thrown From Window

spread about the room, destroying the
models, which were lined about the
walls on shelves. Firemen had the
blaze under control soon after their ar
rival Several of the models were
saved, although badly charred by flames.
A bit of humor somewhat alleviated
the pain of loss when an industrious
upholstering agent called Mr.. Wagga-
man a few minutes after flaming
couch had been thrown from the win
dow of the home and asked for the job
of remodeling it.