davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-21
PARK PLAN HEARINGS
MAY BE ENDED TODAY
Attorney for Power Corporation
Expected to Testify on
Cramton Bill.


The Senate District committee was
expected to complete hearings on the
Craniton park development bill this aft
ernoon after taking testimony on the
Possibility Of combining q park and
power project on the upper Potomac
River.
The committee was called to meet at
2 O'Clock 20 hear Elisha Hanson, attor-
ney for the Potomac River Corporation,
applicant for water power develop
nent at and below Great Falls. Mr..
Hanson has asked the committee to call
Maj. Brehon Somerville, Army engineer
Tor this area, and also to get reports
dealing with the possibility Of having
both park and power on the river.
The main feature of the Cramton bill
is the proposed George Washington
Memorial Park, to extend along both
sides of the Potomac from Mount Ver-
non and Fort Washington, up to Great
Falls. Representative Cramton con-
tends that power development is not at
issue In this bill, because the measure
is park plan, which leaves for future
determination by Congress the question
OF whether power should be developed
on the river.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-21
GEORGE TOPHA|M
DIES AT AGE OF s.
Heart Disease Is Fatal to
Former Partner in Trunk
and Leather Company.

George Topham, SO years old, who
long was identified as partner in Top
hams trunk and leather goods business
here, established before the Civil War,
died at the home of his daughter, Mrs.
Arthur B. Whittet, 3271 Van Hazen
street, yesterday after an illness of sew
eral months. Death was due to heart
disease.
A native of this city, Mr.. Topham was
the SON of the late James S. and Annie
M. Topham. His father established the
first trunk and leather goods store UNI
der the name In 1855.
After being on Seventh street from
the early part of the Civil War, the
store was moved in 1881 to 123l-1233
Pennsylvania avenue, where business
was conducted until 1908, when 1t was
moved to 1919 F street It continued at
the latter address until 1920. 1t was
later sold by the Tophan1s. It included
an extensive manufacturing business
also. with the factory in this citys
Retired in 1920.
George Topham conducted the busi-
ness jointly with his brothers and sis
terS, following the death of his father
In 1912, until retiring in 1920, after
which it was carried on by the relatives
until they sold their interests some years
ago. He had been in the business with
his father since 1880.
Mr.. Topham was educated in the pub
lie and private schools of this city and
ct Western Maryland College, West
minister, Md. In addition to his other
activities, he was widely known in musi-
cal circles, being proficient in both in
strumental and vocal music. He was q
pupil of Dr. j. W. Bischoff.
On October 90, 1884, Mr.. Topham was
married to Miss Margaret r. Suther-
land, daughter of Rev. S. B. Sutherland
of the Methodist Protestant Church of
Lynchburg, Va. He is survived by his
widow, three daughters, Mrs Jesse
Cover of Passaic, N. j.: Mrs. Arthur B.
Whittet of this city and Mrs. N. A. Ep-
pesson of Meridian Miss; two brothers,
washington and Howard W. Topham, of
this city, and two sisters, Mrs. Ida 7.
Cldfield of this city and Mrs. Robert
3. Bernheim of Charleston, w. Va.
Funeral to Be Tomorrow.
Funeral services will be conducted at
the home of Mrs. whittet tomorrow aft
ernoon at o'clock Rev. DIR. Charles E.
Fultz will officiate. Interment will be in
Oak Hill Cemetery; with Masonic rites
at the grave by Federal Lodge, No. l.,
+. A. A. NJ, Of which Mr.. Topham was!
o member.
In addition to belonging to Federal
Lodge, Mr.. Topham was member of
Fidelity Chapter, Order of the Eastern
Star, and was widely known in Masonic
circles.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-21
ILLNESS OF ARONE
WINS TRIAL DELAY
Hearing on Charges Involving
Models Is Continued
to April 3.

So Ill he was unable to walk without
assistance, George Arone, SIS, 35l3 Rit-
tenhouSe street, drew a continuance
until April 3, when arraigned in Police
Court yesterday on charges preferred
by three girls who sought work as
models.
Arone's wife later announced he
would be confined in a Chevy Chase
sanitarium until he regained his health.
This followed the appearance of DR..
Benjamin Iden, 1900 street, the fam
lily physician, who testified while he
was examining Arone a few days ago
the man threatened to kill him. He
declared Arone should be given a mental
examination.
Arone advertised for models early In
February. Ten girls called at his ONCE.
Among them was Miss Jacqueline Swift,
attractive Atlanta heireSs.
Another complainant was police
woman who investigated the case.
Charles A. Murray. assistant district at
torney, informed Miss Swift she would
not be needed in the case. The prose-
.chtor also entered nolle PROSE- in the
case of the policewoman.
Other complaining witnesses are:
Miss Lillian B. Noel. %. FOG Twentieth
street; Miss Ethel Pagan, 10, 1888 Fourth
street northeast, and Miss Virginia
Lowe, IS, F. street, near Twentieth.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-21

Completion of the Hubutao -Harbor
projects in China will cost $4,000, 900
and work will be completed within five
and a half years.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-21
BELT RITES ARE HELD.

Funeral services for Mrs. Joanna w
Belt, widow of Robert v. Belt, who
died last Friday at her residence, 1913
Biltmore street, were held Monday. In
terment was in Arlington National
Cemetery, where Mr.. Belt also is buried
A resident of Washington for more
than 20 years, Mrs. Belt was born in
Maryland, being the daughter Of the
late Wallace and Jane Kirkwood. The
late Samuel Kirkwood, former Governor
of Iowa, was an uncle of Mrs. Belt.
She is survived by son and daughter
William o. Belt of Chicago and Mrs
James G. SHIRLEY of this city.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-21

Warield. instructor in physical educa-
ton, Howard University; Mrs. Pearl
Smith Wisemen, surgical nurse, Freed
mems Hospital; william l.. A. Tancil,
washington assistant Scout executive;
Street Y. M. G. A.
The following are recommended for
senior standard certificates In first aid:
ITALIA AnnoZene Davis, Artemia Alma
Gibson, Sara Catherine Bailey, Alyce A.
Hughey, Irene r. Robinson, Thomas
Verdell, physical director teacher for
men, Howard University; Mrs. Evelyn
j. Davis, Carrie Annette Moten, Helen
G. Williams, Mrs. Henrietta B. Davis
and Mrs. Emma Booker.
Recommended for junior certificate:
Rama Ramada Gibson.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-21
NEW PLANETS POSITION
IS RECORDED BY PHOTO
Yerkes and Harvard observatories
Join to Determine Exact Loca-
ton of Recent Discovery.
BY the Associated Press.

~ the Associated Press.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass, March 21.-
Harvard Observatory yesterday an
nounced the first officially recorded
position of the newly discovered trans
is temporarily known. The announce
ment follows:
"On a plate on 80 minutes exposure,
made March 10, with the 16-inch Met
calf refractor at Harvard, the photo
graphic magnitude of the transnep-
tunian planet is estimated 16,O on the
international magnitude scale.
From measures on plates taken on
24-inch reflector at Yerkes Observa-
tory at Williams Bay, Wis, Prof. Van
Biesbroeck has reduced the following
position of the planet, March IT: .07s
right ascension, z hours Is minutes Al
seconds; declination, plus % degrees, z
minutes Is seconds"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-21
Detective Loses Heirloom.

"Steve" Brodie, headquarters detective
took chance on placing a gold stick
pin In his wallet, intending to take 1t
to a jeweler to be repaired. and as a
result today is mourning the loss OF
the heirloom given him by his mother
from a gold dollar minted in 1849.
Brodie had the dollar mounted on a
pin which he wore in his necktie, but
few days ago the dollar worked loose,
and he stuck it in his wallet with the
intention of taking it to a jeweler to
have it repaired. In some manner 1t
dropped from the wallet, and now is
lost He values it at considerably more
than the dollar it represents, ard is
willing to pay reasonable reward for
its return.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-21

which was cut from Mexico by the me-
andering Rio Grande In 1911. Under q
treaty of 1905 the Federal title would
pass to the, United States. II the tract
and not by the Cordova crt-off, river
Strengthening project perfected In 1899.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-21
MEANDERING RIO GRANDE
CHANGES TITLE TO LAND
Tract Valued ata$21o,ooo Awarded
to United States, but Mexican
Claim to Be Recognized.

BY the Associated Press.
Ell PASO, Tex, March 21.--Although
decision of the International Boundary
Commission here yesterday awarded
national sovereignty over the Weber
Banco. a tract valued at $4,000, to
the United States, Mexican private
titles will be recognized.
The tract includes about 1875 acres
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-21
|LIFE-SAvING COURSE
AT HOWARD U. ENDS
Appointments to Various Ratings
Are Announced on Completion
of Study Period.

Completion Of the second annual Red
Cross training course for first aid and
life saving instructors for colored people.
at Howard University, has resulted in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-21
MOTHER OF 8 is BURNED

Frantic in Fear, Woman Breaks
Back in Leap to Walk.
CHICAGO, March 81 GP.-Eer
clothes aflame with ignited cleaning
fluid, Mrs. Leonard Mauel, 40, mother
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-21

of three children, threw herself from
the second-story window Of her home
yesterday and fen to the sidewalk. Her
back was broken by the fall and she IA
helpless to beat at the flames. N
Neighbors took her to q hospital.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-09

turns out every year, almost twice
as many weddings as Reno does divorces.
For years the sleepy little town has dozed
along compiacent of the fact that its seven
ministers were getting virtually all the elope-
ments from i've big cities. Recently. however,
it's been jolted out of it's lethargy by the
charges of one of its clergymen that scandalous
tactics are going on before the very eyes Of
the unsuspecting townspeop.e.
Elkton, despite its scant $500 population, has
o reform element and, as one result Of the in
dignant parsons accusations, there's talk now
of introducing legislation that probably would
end Elkton's municipal career as a twentieth
century Gretna Green. Such a move would Of
course, cut the towns gross income by about
$35O0O but the reformers aren't worrying.
Their fair village they have pointed out with
dignity would be better of without such money.
The legislative end Of their proposal could be
accomplished by passing bill in the Maryland
Legislature making civil marriages legal in the
State. Maryland is the only one Of the United
States Of America where wedding ceremony
must be performed by a minister to be entirely
within the law.
That factor, combined with the absence Of
certain license restrictions enforced by neigh
boring States has brought the marrying par
sons" of Elkton 70 their heydey.
OTHER towns the size of Erkton might
average three weddings month. Elkton
uBufeS It's q SLACK week Inat uOSSnG see 10
couples married at one or another of its par
sonages, with the more romantic touches sacri-
feed In the interest of efficiency
It's q phase of that efficiency that the Rev.
William Rollin Moon, known among his fellow
townsfolk as "Old Reliable" has made the
basis of his charges against what he terms the
Marriage Ring" OF Ekton.
rev Moon thinks those who make up the
"ring" are altogether too efficient and declares
that thee tactics have reached point where
something ought TO be done about it. He has,
I'm fact, started out to do something about it.
His efforts. so far. have included publication
OF two pamphlets in which he seeks to expose
the eraticns Of the 'ring," ard incidentally
TO attention to his own reputation for
rei.,. y.
Advertising isn't taboo among the marrying
parsons Of Ellton. and Rev. Moon has done his
share. On the lawn Of his modest home on
North street, large, black sign announces In
white letters. Home Of Rev. Moon" And on
the porch another slightly smaller, Sign pro-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-09

claims REV. Moon at Home" The latter sign
Is o portable affair and serves in a capacity
somewhat similar to a business mans "out to
lunch" placard. When it isn't in evidence on
z the porch Rev. Moons prospective customers
may find him at his downtown Office. This Is
the parlor of the FELTON, House, one Of Elkton's
three hotels.
IN older days "Old Reliable" used to spend
most Of his time and perform most Of his
weddings at the Office. That was in the days
when most young SWANS brought their sweet
hearts to Elkton by train. The FELTON, House
was conveniently located est across the acks
from the railroad station and it was hard to
get of the train without seeing Rev. Moons
sign.
Times change, however, and now, thanks to
good roads and cheap automobiles, the railroad
brings Elkton few potential brides and grooms.
They come by road now and at all hours Of
the day and night. Elkton is on the main
highway from Baltimore to Philadelphia, just
: half way between those two cities and scant
90 miles from Wilmington, Delawares single
metropolis. And so good roads have enlarged
the territory from which the little Maryland
village attracts its matrimonial customers"
A survey Of the marriage license records in
the Cecil County Court House at Elkton shows
that, while Philadelphia, Camden, N. j.; VIII
mington Baltimore and New York contribute
most of the applicants, many come from as far
as Boston, Pittsburgh, Richmond and WASH
ington
The shift from railroads to autos, however,
brought about the start Of the ring" to which
the Rev., Moon is now objecting 50 strenuousy.
The ring" started out group of inde-
pendent taxcab operators who made their
headquarters at the railroad station. They did
pretty well with the incoming couples. A five
minute walk would have taken the newcomers
to any one of the seven ministers in town. but
they didn't know that. Besides, the taxi
drivers shrewdly estimated, prospective bride
groom is not one to reason nationally and q
taxi ride rather belongs in honeymoon plans,
anyway. All in all, they did a pretty good
business.
Then the railroads contributions dropped OF
and the taxi men found themselves losing a
comfortable income The called meeting and
organized for mutual benefit.
Prior to that time about the only revenue the
taxi men had had was the regular fare they
charged for their transportation service. Many
times waiting on the porch of minister's home,
one or another of them had watched the de-
parting groom slip $40 bin into the minister's
palm. Their own fees were usually considerably
less. From considering those two facts they
reached q new plan Of action. II couples were
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-09

going to continue to come to Elkton by auto
instead of train they would find some means
to "cut in on the marriage business from a
new angle.
Thus it was that within a short time, couples
entering Eikton by almost any road would find
themselves hailed by polite strangers who in
quired blandly If they were seeking the mar
rage license office. Usually the abashed couples,
once they had recovered from the surprise Of
having their supposedly well masked secret thus
quickly discovered, would gladly accept the
strangers guidance
SOMETIMES they even consented to ride in
his car. Hardly ever did they raise any
objection to paying him the usual taxi rates
when he led and they followed. The route led
to the license clerks office, where the legal
formalities were attended to- These, incidentally,
are less troublesome in Maryland than in any
of its neighbor States. Hence Elkton's popu-
larity. Pennsylvania requires its brides to be
Is, with consenting parents. or II If without
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-09
Tai Men Enter Elkton s MarYiage Racket

They Imported Their O7vn Minister to the Famed
Maryland Gretua Green and Paid Him Fees for
Splicing Shanghaied EIoper,, Complains old
Reliable Req Dloon, So No70 7ozvnspeo0le Are
Putting the Brakes on HeW|edding MIL
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-09

OMPETTTTON may be the life OF
some trades, but it's playing havoc
with the marriage business of ElktOn
the little Maryland village that
turns out. every year, almost twice
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-05
WOOD MAKES PLEA
FOR KINDERGARTEN
Letter to Bingham Asks That
Item Be Restored to Ap-
preparations Bill.
Opposition to the proposed reorgani-

Opposition to the proposed reorgani-
Zation of the District of Columbia
kindergarten system and an appeal to
the Senate appropriation committee to
restore the kindergarten item to the
1881 appropriations bill which the
House eliminated was contained in a
letter addressed to Senator Hiram Bing-
ham of Connecticut by Herbert S.
Wood, president of the District of
Columbia Public School Association.
In the letter, dated April 3, Mr..
Wood presented the resolution which
the association adopted last Wednes-
day in which it was commended that
by transferring 70 kindergarten teach
ers to graded work the entire educa-
tionai system would be menaced. 1t
further was pointed out that since the
new plan would establish a great num-
Der of afternoon kindergarten sessions
the children would be handicapped be-
cause 5-year-old children should at
that time be resting or sleeping.
Concluding, Mr.. Woods letter declares
that the Public School Association be-
lieves in the kindergarten, and holds
that its work should be expanded, not
curtailed. More than ever before edu-
Gators are emphasizing the value of
early training in developing the child's
character and abilities, and in our
Judgment, that emphasis is not mis-
placed. We feel that kindergarten
training is especially valuable in de-
veloping the social attitudes that are
! the essence of fine character"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-05
Marriage Licenses.

Paul j. Bergh, SO, this city, and Carls
santelmann; 80, Chevy Chase Nd; Rev
Charles Enders.
Jenkins, 10; Rev. H H D. Sterrett.
Clarence E. Blair. 80, and Anna e. Bailor
81: Rev. w. L. WASHINGTON.
Paul j. Soash, 81. Kansas City, Mo-, and
Ellen L. Rogers, 10, Annapolis, Md; Rev.
william J. Sweeney.
Harry r. Sherman. 81, and Bessie Levy, "a,
both of Baltimore. Md; Rev. G. Silverstone.
Robert F Shipman, rs, this city, and
Rosalie E. Mccall, 81, Hyattsville, Md; Rev.
Horace e. Peacock, %, and Lola B. Robin
SON, 10; Rev. Robert s. Barnes.
Adelbert Kearns, 81, and Margaret Weld
man, n: Rev. Thomas S. Davis.
Robert B. Gibson, "a, and Adah M. Hans
com, 20; Rev. John c. Palmer
Joseph r. Inof, "a, and Frances r. Holtz-
man, %; Rev. NJ A. Horowitz.
Burton E. Grose, Is, and Beatrice Hutton.
II: Rev. Charles H. Simms.
James r: Hall, rs. and Fannie M. Mundy,
=, Chs Charles !: Taylor 81: and Alberta F.
David Leichtman, IS. and Vera E. Tomlin-
son, 80. both of New York City; Rev. G. B.
Raymond Carter, 81. and Lillian Swain,
IS: Rev. j. Froelich.
Clarence r, Hause, 81. and Blanche A.
McGhes, 10, both of Richmond. Va; Rev.
John A: Friedman. 90, and Mary ". Wal
tiers, IT. Rev. Benedict j. HanIemann.
Robert r. Bradley, 81, and Carrie Barcal,
a.; Rev. l.. /. McDougle.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-05
DISTRICT WOMAN
BELIEVED SUICIDE
Passenger Thought to Be
Helen Marie Fink Disap-
pears From Liner.

A woman believed to have been Miss
Helen Marie Fink, formerly secretary
to the late Representative w. w. Griest
of Pennsylvania, disappeared from the
Panama Pacific liner Virginia while off
the coast of Southern California We'd
nesday night, the master, Capt. James
E. Roberts, reported when his ship
docked in San Diego yesterday.
Capt. Roberts said the woman had
been suffering from melancholia and
presumably jumped overheard.
On the ships records. she was car
ried as Helen Irene Fink of 815 East
Capitol street. No one of that name
is known there, but at 812 East Capitol
street, Miss Fink resided until recently,
and friends had been informed that she
had sailed from New York for Califor-
MIA on March 22-the date the Virginia
left.
A friend here said her handwriting
was such that it might account for the
apparent discrepancy in the identified
ton.
Had Led Concert on Ship.
Capt Roberts declared, according to
the Associated Press, that before his
passengers disappearance Wednesday
night she was leading a concert on the
liner. Friends of the Washington wom-
an say that she had an exceptionally
good voice.
Miss Fink is known to have expert
enced periods of depression since an
operation in 1923 at Clifton Springs,
N. Y. Her health had been impaired
and she WIS forced to resign from Rep
resentative Griest's employ.
For four years she resided in At
lantic City and had lived in New York
City since September. At Christmas
Miss Fink visited friends here and was
said to have been in good spirits.
Daughter of Late Oil Man.
Helen Marie Fink was the daughter
of John Fink, well known Washington
oil man, who died in 1919. Her mother
died when she was years old. She
attended Force School. She was first
employed by a firm of public stenog-
raphers and later worked for the Amer
lean Federation of Labor for a veal
before her employment by Mr.. Griest
Miss Fink's only relatives are ar
aunt and uncle, living in small town
near Washington. from whom she has
been estranged for years.
When in Washington she had lived
with Miss Marie Louise Weisse at 81
East Capitol street.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-05
MAI. JOHN FITZPATRICK
TO PRESIDE AT DEBATE
Princeton and American University
Teams Will Clash on Local
Campus Tonight.

Maj. John Fitzpatrick, president of
the Princeton Alumni Association Of the
District of Columbia, will preside at the
debate tonight between Princeton Uni
versity and American University at
Hurst Hall, on the local campus.
The debate will start at o'clock and
is expected to attract large number
of Princeton alumni, each of whom in
this city has been personally invited.
Interest in the debate is spirited be-
cause of the fact that Princeton was
defeated twice last year by American
University, and the Princeton varsity
has come down to Washington hoping
to turn the tables. =
The seasoned American University
team, which has won nearly all of its
debates so far this year, consists Of
Bruce Aitchison, James Swan and Ar
thur Murphy, while the Princeton var
sity consists of j. M. Tunnel, G. Olcott,
jr., and w. w. Haynes. The visitors
will take the affirmative Of the question,
Resolved, that the policy of providing
a college of liberal arts education to all
high school students who seek it Is
sound" There is no charge for admis-
sion.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-05
THE WEATHER

District of Columbia - Increasing
cloudiness and warmer tonight; tomor-
row cloudy; colder at night; gentle to
moderate southeast and south winds
Maryland-Fair. warmer tonight; to-
morrow, increasing cloudiness; variable
winds becoming moderate southeast and
south.
misunderstanding cloudiness, prob
ably followed by rain in southeast and
central portions tonight and tomor-
row; not much change in temperature
moderate east winds.
West Virginia-Increasiag cloudiness
and warmer tonight; tomorrow partly
cloudy.
Record for "a Hours.
Thermometer pm, So: 8 pm, Sc;
IL midnight, At; 4 am, 43; am, 43;
noon, 56.
Barometer-4 pm, 30.07; s pm
3014; IL midnight, 1922; 4 am, 1928;
am, 1923; noon, 1922.
Highest temperature, So, occurred at
4 pm. yesterday.
Lowest temperature, So, occurred at
2 am. today.
Temperature same date last year
Highest, 80; lowest, 56.
Tide Tables.
FURNISHED by United States Coast
and Geodetic Survey)
Today-Low tide, 6:28 am and 1887
PM; high tide, 1900 am. and 1894
pm.
Tomorrow-Low tide, 1885 am. and
BAT pm; high tide, 1:13 am. and
1912 pm.
The Sun and Moon.
Today-Sun rose 5:48 am, sun sets
6:34 pm.
Tomorrow-Sun rises SAT am, sun
sets 6:35 pm.
Moon rises 9:51 am, sets 1851 am.
Weather in Various Cities.