davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1931-12-13
DAVIS is REPORTED
IN FAVOR OF BEER
Pennsylvania Senator Declared
for Modification of Dry
Laws.
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press.
PHILADELPHIA, December l2.-Ir
reporting an announcement today by
State Senator George Woodward that
he may run against United States Sen.
ator James j. Davis in the next Repub-
hcan primary the Record says Davis
will seek the denomination as a wet.
Davis is preparing a public state
ment, the newspaper says, DECLARING
for modification of the VoIstead Law
to permit beer. The statement will
be issued after the first Of the wear
the paper continues.
Davis became Senator after SERVING
as Secretary Of Labor in President
Hoovers Cabinet. He previously has
been counted as supporter of prohi-
bition.
Woodwards announcement was CON-
tained in an issue of the PennsvI-
vania Legislator, a small folder in
which he presents his views on public
questions every so often"
I shall be wet and not foggv" he
wrote, adding that he had decided ten
tatively to oppose Davis because Of his
sloppy letter" to Gov Clifford Pinchot
in their recent falling out over unem- :
ployment relief.
Woodward said he would not RIM
however, II George Wharton Pennar
william s. Ware or Gen. SrnedIev n
Butler enter the race.
Evening star., 1931-12-13
DETECTIVE BUREAU
SHAkE-UP |SASKED
DemotIon of Four Sergeants
and Transfer of 18 Men
Recommended.

The long contemplated plan of In.
spector Frank S. w Burke, chief of de.
tectiVes, for increasing the efficiency OF
effectiveness of the Detective Bureau
was submitted yesterday to Brig. Gen
Pelham D. Glassford, major and super
intendent of police.
The reorganization contemplates the
demotion of four detective sergeants
and the transfer of Is men to the vari-
GUS police precincts where thew would
CONFINES to work on Detective Bureau
cases without losing their identity with
the bureau
The four officers recommended for
demotlon are c. E. Mansfield. Howard
Ogle, Q. w. Mansfield and C. P, Stem
All OF them, with the exception Of
Stepp, have been on general assign
ment work; Stepp has been attached
to the clothing squad.
Slated for Promotion.
Ofticers recommended for promotion
to succeed the four Inspector Burke
listed for demotion are A. M ToIson
OF the seventh precinct, E. F.. Lewis
OF the thirteenth precinct, H. G.. Wana-
maker OF the special Investigation
squad, and E. P. Hartman. now on
special assignment in the office of the
United States attorney for the District.
Detectives slated for transfer to the
Continued on Page 8, Column a.
Evening star., 1931-12-13
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Now that the Department Of Com
merce is about to take possession of the
completed portion of its mammoth ST.
100000, 8-acre Indiana limestone palace,
the inside story can be told of why the
building is going to be occupied only on
January /, 1882, instead of, as coutem-
plated on January l, 1881. The story
in nutshell is tragi-comic tale Of
Uncle Sans reluctant submission to
ironclad rules of the building trades
unions. The submission cost the De-
partment of Commerce years delay
in moving into its new headquarters and
cost the Federal Treasury 5000 900 in
extra rentals Of outside Offices required
for various departmental activities.
The rules which the unions succeeded
in enforcing are the ones which debar
Evening star., 1931-12-13
Tower Guard Criticized,
HIT-RUN CAR KILLS MAIL FOREMAN.
POLICE LOCATE FATAL MACHINE
Herbert Almond Birch, 90, Hurled to Instant Death
Driver Traced to Filling Station.

Herbert Almond Birch, so, of 1911
Emerson street, foreman in the Post
Office Department, was struck and
killed almost instantly last night by
hit-and-run automobile occupied by
two white men. The tragedy occurred
less than half a block from his home.
Birch, returning from his Office at
the Union Station Post Office, had just
alighted from a street car at Georgia
avenue and Emerson street and started
toward his home when he turned and
walked back toward a corner store. A
roadster speeding northward on Georgia
eyenue struck and carried him 40 feet
before coming to a stop.
Two white men riding In the ma
chine jumped to the street and re-
moved Birch's body from between the
left front fender and headlights, placed
him in passing car driven by James
J. Nutwell of 4425 New Hampshire ave-
aue and inStructed Nutweu 10 carry
Evening star., 1931-12-13
DYNAMITE USED
IN PRISON BREAK
Warden's Wife Says Hus.
band Ordered Gate Opened
After Threat.
BY the Associated Press,

BY the Associated Press,
LEAVENWORTH, Kans., December
11.-As guards at Leavenworth Federal
Prison were criticized for Withholding
gun-fire while seven convicts scurried
to freedom, the wife of Warden T. 3.
White tonight said the prison head had
ordered the main gate opened in an
effort to save the building from de-
ctruction by dynamite
The statement was issued by Mrs.
White for her husband, who is re-
ce1ving hospital treatment for severe
wounds received at the hands of the
convictS, who kidnapped the warden in
making their escape. Three of the
fugitives were killed, three others cap
tured.
While Mrs. White talked prison
guards were being rushed to Winchester,
Kans., where Earl Thayer, 65, the only
one Of the desperate convicts who par
ticipated in yesterdays break still at
large, was reported located. Fred
Zerbst, acting prison warden, said he
considered the report reliable, but Off
GERS at Winchester professed to know
nothing of the matter.
Threatened 10 BLOW up Prison.
In her story of the dramatic mo-
ments of the Leavenworth break, Mrs.
White said the warden ordered the
big main gate opened only when one of
his kidnapers held a lighted match
near a stick of dynamite and threat
ened to blow up the prison" if his
demands were refused.
The dynamite was found later in the
Warden's automobile, which the con-
victs vainly sought to use in the es-
cape. Mrs. White said
While Zerbst, who is also warden of
the penitentiary annex, directed criti-
cism at the several guards on duty dur
ing the escape, no action had been
taken against them
The guards expressed the belief thev
would be exonerated when the inquiry
is completed and that it would be
shown they had not displayed any lack
of courage.
Tower Guard Criticized.
Humbert Gray, the guard who was in
tower commanding the prison steps,
was taken to task by zerbst for not
shooting when the escaping convicts
marched out the main gate.
Deputy Warden Fred Morrison took
Continued on Page s Column AZ
Evening star., 1931-12-13

the man to Walter Reed Hospital. They
then fed in their machine, witnesses
told police.
Maj. E. c. Pratt and Capt. d. S.
Kellogg, physicians at the hospital, pro-
nounced Birch dead upon his arrival
there. A skull fracture and internal
injuries were suffered by the man, they
said
Three witnesses to the accident. John
Lambert, 2525 Minnesota avenue south
east; James Kline, 480l Seventh street.
and John Nose, 4503 Eighth street,
furnished thirteenth precinct police
with the license number OF the hit-and-
run machine and it was found parked
In the 1900 block of K street less than
an hour later.
Detective Sergts. Denis J. M,1rpbv
and Floyd A. Truscott traced the own
ership OF the car to a man living in
the 1900 block of K street. They ar
rested brother -in-law Of the alleged
owner and a woman for investigation
when they went to the K street ad-
Continued on Page 2, Column s.l
Evening star., 1931-12-13
MINISTER GETS LIFE IN SONS
Staying FOR INSURANCE MONEY
Rev. j. M Williams, Former Rochelle Ga. Pastor,
Weeping, Protests Innocence-Will Seek New Trial

Navy pharmacists mate after a f,,r.
Tough at his fathers home.
The elder Williams was arrested
September 6, at Rochelle, as he msde
preparations for services at his church
He resigned from the ministry of The
Methodist Episcopal Church, South
shortly afterward. =
The father had obtained a snecta,
furlough for his 19-year-old son "
visit a sister reported Ill in Rochelle
Evidence of the State was laroe,r
circumstantial. Prosecutors prodnceS
testimony that the tires on WiIIianr =
automobile corresponded with tracks
found near the body. Maurice O,NeiI
New Orleans, ballistics expert taeti-
fed the bullets that killed Young vii
liams bore markings similar to those
made by a pistol which other Stefe
witnesses said Williams had borrowaJ
This was his second trial. Another
jury disagreed last August and a mis-
trial was declared. -i''0
The sons young widow, a resident =,
kittery, Me- was spectator at the
triah "S Tic
Evening star., 1931-12-13
DEMOCRATS BEGIN
FUND DRIVE JAN. ID
Party's Victory Campaign" t,
Seek to Raise Total Of
$1,500,000.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
The Democratic party will launch its
Nationwide victory campaign" to
raise s1,5Oo,OOO on January IA.
Final plans for concentrated drive
for funds to pay off old debts and re-
plenish the party war chest for the
1882 campaign were made yesterday
at meeting of State chairmen.
John H. Fahey of Boston, presiding,
announced that pre-campaign contribu-
tions were pleasing. He hoped at least
S500,000 would be contributed before
the general public is invited to par
ticipate.
Victory dinners" will be held in
various cities on the fourteenth. A
speech by John w. Davis, the party's
1924 nominee, will be broadcast. He
Will speak at dinner in New York
at which John J, Raskob, Jouett Shouse
and other party leaders will make ad-
dresses
Shouse, who is chairman of the
party's Executive Committee, said the
campaign would be the opening gun"
OF the 1882 campaign.
Evening star., 1931-12-13
LABOR RULES DELAY COMMERCE
BUILDING AND COST u. S. S2O0OO0
Department Forced to Hold Up Transfer
to New Quarters for Year Be-
cause of Union Regulations.

unionized labor from working on job
with which -unionized labor is con-
nected in any way whatsoever. The
United States Governments employees
for the most part are not affiliated with
trades unions. The Department of
Commerce staff includes some 125 or
$50 men, who constitute its so-called
maintenance crew. 1t consists of engi-
neers, flremen, boilermen, electricians,
masons, carpenters, elevator operators
and mechanics of various grades. 1t
was planned that these maintenance
men should move over into the first
completed section of the department S
new structure, the great central wing,
as soon as Secretary Lamont was ready
to occupy it. AS originally arranged,
this was to have been around January
l, 1881. The south and north wings
were to be finished later, but while they
were undergoing completion the central
section was to be a fully functioning
branch of the Department of Com
Continued on Page 2, Column q
Evening star., 1931-12-13
Commission Asks Right to
Inflict Penalties for Vio-
Iation of Rules.
HOLD REC0MMEN
ARE NOT CARRIED OUT
Court Of Appeals" Among IA
Changes Suggested in An
nual Report.

The Civil Service Commission is
seeking a more effective weapon to break
up political activity by Government en-
ployes
In Its annual report, made public last
night, the commission asks the right to
fix penalties for violation of the regula-
ton on politics, and that the depart
ments be required to administer such
punishment as the commission sets.
AT present the commission can only
make recommendations in these cases,
and it is up to the departments to fol-
low them or not, as they see fit.
The report says that in the last fiscal
year only 119 employees out of the total
OF 468,050 in classified service were in
volved in charges of political activity,
which was 28 more than in the previous
year.
List Of Charges.
The charges were: Serving on cleo
tion boards, 2; taking an active part in
political conventions, campaigns and
elections, %; electioneering, /; infiu-
encing voters by use of money, l; be-
coming candidate for elective office, 4;
soliciting support for political candi-
dates, 5; holding Office in political or
ganization, 6; activity in school con-
troversy, g. miscellaneous (ninor Of
fenses and two or more charges), 64
In SO cases the charges were sustain
ed; in so, they failed, these including
the single complaint of electioneering
and of influencing voters by use Of
money.
In 80 cases the commission rec
commended cautions, warnings or repri-
mands; in IT, suspensions or reductions
in salary; in 5, removal or resignation.
quired to desist.
Milder Penalty Inflicted.
Sometimes" the report says, "the
departmental officials accepted the
commissions recommendations and took
disciplinary action accordingly, but in
a number OF fragrant violations, for
which the recommendation was removal
from the service or suspension from
duty and pay for periods varying ac-
cording to the gravity of the offense,
the departments inflicted a much milder
penalty, often merely reprimanding the
employe and cautioning against further
political activity"
The report points out that in some
places. notably in Arlington County and
Cheverly, Md, resident employees are
allowed to take part IN municipal gov
ernment.
The result is, according to the COM
Continued on Page 2, Column 81
Evening star., 1931-12-13
KANE IS ACQUITTED
Of DROWNING WIFE
Accused Professor Takes
Verdict CaImIy-Jury Out
Nearly Four Hours.
BY the Associated Press.

HAMPTON, Va, December 12.-
Elisha Kent Kane, University of Ten
nessee professor, was acquitted by a
jury tonight of charge of numbering
his wife by drowning her in Chesapeake
Bay last September.
The verdict came after the jury had
been out three hours and As minutes
Prof Kane took the verdict calmly
standing with his father on one side of
him and his brother, DR.. Thomas L.
Kane, on the other.
Hands Twitch Nervously.
The accused stood as the jury filed
into the crowded court room, his hands
twitched nervously, but otherwise he
showed little effect of the grueling
strain.
The jury foreman, when questioned
by Judge Spratley, said that verdict
had been reached, but aided that it had
Continued on Page 4, Column g.
Evening star., 1931-12-13
S11,172 FOR CHARITY
FROM ALABAMA TILTS
Crimson Tide Beats c. U. by 70
and Holds G. U. and G. ". U.
Scoreless.

Charity benefited s11,172 or more
from yesterdays foot ball extravaganza
at Griffith Stadium, in which the Ala
bama Crimson Tide, last years Rose
Bowl champions, defeated Catholic
University, to 0, and held George
Washington and Georgetown to score
less ties in three Commute games.
A gross gate receipt of $l4,672.50 was
received from the 10,148 persons who
attended. 1t is expected expenses of
the game will total less than the $4,000
which was fixed as maximum cost OF
the affair. The latter sum has been
underwritten with the personal check
of DR.. Cloyd Heck Marvin, president
of George Washington University.
Details of the game will be found In
the Sports 6ecti6&
Evening star., 1931-12-13
BY the Associated Press.

AUGUSTA, Ga, December 12.-Rev.
j. M. Williams, former Rochelle, Ga,
minister. was sentenced to life i'm
prisonment today after a jury had
found him guilty of numbering his
sailor son for s2,500 insurance.
Sitting with his weeping family, he
repeated his protestations Of innocence.
His attorneys announced a motion
for new trial would be filed Monday.
The sentence was mandatory under
the verdict which recommended mercy
The insurance money. which officers
SAID Williams needed to cover cotton
marKet icSses, was the only motive for
ton
The son, Raiford Grady williams,
was found shot to death in lumber
mih yard near here late In August.
he was killed as he was about 10 re-
turn TO his post in Nsx York az q
Evening star., 1931-12-13
ZAM0RA CABINET QUITS

Rift Between Conservatives and
Socialists Blamed.
MADRID, December IL R.-The
cabinet OF President Alcala zamora,
headed by Premier Manuel Azana, re-
signed today.
Formation of a new cabinet was post-
poned until tomorrow, Senor Azana said
Wnen the President and congressional
leaders Will confer in an effort to select
a new ministry.
An EFFORT among certain Conserva-
i've republicans to eliminate Socialists
lrom tne government was understood to
be principal issue, with the Socialists
threatening TO oppose the government
II tney were eliminated from the
Evening star., 1931-12-13
Cermak on Way Here to Speak.

CHICAGO, December IL R.-Chi-
cago's Democratic mayor, Anton j. Ger
max, left tonight for Washington. D.
e., to speak tomorrow before a meeting
OF the Republican National COMMITTEES
Mayor Cermak will urge the Repubu
cans to bring their National Convention
to Chicago in 1882. 0--
Evening star., 1931-12-13
Berlin Reds Seized

BERLIN, December - (P.-Thirty
Communists were arrested tonight In
groups OF two and three in different
parts OF Berlin for attempting street
demonstrations contrary to the holiday
political truce decreed by the govern
ment. No one was hurt.
Evening star., 1931-12-13
.CulbertsOns Gain
80 Points ON Lenz
At Fifth Session
33 Rubbers End With
"OfficiaT' System
4,840 Ahead.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, December 12.-Dou-
bles and redoubles were to the advan-
tage of Mr.. and Mrs. Ely Culbertson
tonight and they gained 80 points, al
though losing three of five rubbers to
Sidney S. Lenz and Oswald Jacoby,
their opponents in a 150-rubber test Of
rival systems of contract bridge.
After 33 rubbers Of the series had
been finished, LenZ and Jacoby were
4,840 points ahead of their rivals in
contrast to $3.50 after four sessions.
Tonight's was the fifth session.
At one time during the nights pay
the Culbertsons' deficit was only 2,l00
IS they made a gain of 1910 during
the second rubber Of the night alone.
It was during thst rubber, the thirtieth
Continued on Fage 5, Column 1)
Evening star., 1931-12-13
1882 POLITICS PUT
UNDER SPOTLIGHT
At GR|D|RQN DINNER
SkltS Show How Both Sides
Could Lose Next Election.
Hoover's Future Aired.
JEFFERS0N'S GHOST
STALKS DEMOCRATS
Advice to Presidential Aspir8nts
and Curtis Soliloquy Heard.
Notables in Attendance.

Presidential candidates and presj-
Dental possibilities always one
and the same-attending the dinner of
the Gridiron Club at the Willard Hotel
last night received advice, encourage
ment and encouragement at the hands
OF their newspaper hosts. The members
Of the club successfully demonstrated
to the Republicans and the Democrats
how both sides could lose next years
election through a combination of Re
publican misfortunes and Democratic
blunders.
With typical Gridiron candor, the
political future of President Hoover, the
guest Of honor, was discussed. But Mr..
Hoover was by no means the only guest
whose preSid entail possibilities came
under the spotlight. For there were
present some of the Presidents strong
est political enemies, all of them ready,
II opportunity arrives, to contest with
Mr.. Hoover for possession of the White
House. Among them were Gov. Albert
G. Ritchie of Maryland, Gov. Clifford
Pinchot of Pennsylvania, Senator Joseph
I. Robinson Of Arkansas, Melvin A.
Traylor of Chicago and Texas, Gov.
George White of Ohio, Speaker John
N Garner and Senator j. Hamilton
Lewis of Illinois.
While 1882 politics held the spotlight,
other subjects of public interest were
not neglected Economic conditions
prohibition, the Manchurian situation.
naval disarmament, Democratic control
of the House, Republican insurgency,
attempted censorship in Washington
and many related questions were di-
vested Of their more serious aspects and
satirized in the Gridiron fashion Back
and forth across the stage paraded a
weird procession Of the worlds notables
-Mahatma Gandhi, Senator Borah.
Mabel Walker Willebrandt, Bishop Can
non, Senator Simeon D. FeSs, John j.
Raskob, Seth Parker, Speaker John
Garner, Secretary of the Treasury Mel
Ion, along with colorful array of ad-
mirals, doctors, diplomats, soothsayers.
detectives and ordinary run-of f-the mine
politicians
Evening star., 1931-12-13
Hoover and Blythe Speak.

The spirit of the occasion was set
forth by the president of the club, Jay
G. Hayden of the Detroit News, in his
speech opening the dinner.
we ask of YOU" he said, chat for
this one night you live in land of
Illusion. We propose that you deliver
over TO us all Of the cares of state, and
we promise on our side to settle epery-
thing. We will show the way to peace
and prosperity in the world We will
guide the hand of beleaguered Con-
gress and still the voice of all of its boil
Continued on Page 4, Column ID
Evening star., 1931-12-13

PART TWO-8 PAGES.
Editorials and Editorial Features.
D. A. r. Activities-Page 4.
Y. W. c. A. News-Page 4.
Public Library-Page 4.
Parent Teacher Acitivies-Page 5.
Serial Story, City Girl"-Page 5.
Evening star., 1931-12-13
SENATE MAY GO ON AIR
Dill to Introduce Bill for Installa-
tion of bIicrophones.

A definite move to put the Senate on
the air will be made tomorrow.
Senator Dill of Washington said YES
terday he would propose installation of
inconspicuouS microphc mes in the walls
or ceiling, so important debates might
be broadcast.
Experiments conducted in the cham
Der Friday by radio engineers worked
out amazingly we'll" he said. and i'm
pressed number OF Senators with the
Feasibility Of the plan.
Evening star., 1931-12-13
TODAY'S STAR
PART ONE-36 PAGES

PART ONE-36 PAGES,
General News-Local, National and
Foreign.
Schools and Colleges-Page B-5.
AT Community Centers-Page ca.
Spanish War Veterans-Page ca.
Army and Navy News-Page C-3.
Veterans of Foreign Wars-Page ca.
News of the Clubs-Page CT.
Evening star., 1931-12-13

PART THREE--16 PAGES.
Society Section.
Kathleen Norris Article-Page II.
Women of Diplomacy-Page IL.
w. G. T. U. Notes-Page IS.
Evening star., 1931-12-13

PART FOUR-S PAGES.
Amusement Section-Theater, Screen
and Radio.
In the Motor World-Page 3.
Aviation-Page 4.
American Legion-Page 4.
Organized Reserves-Page 4. ...-..
Marine Corps News-Page 4.
District National Guard-Page S.
Disabled American Veterans-Page 3.
Fraternities-Page 5.
Radio-Pages s and 7. ,.-.......
PART FIvE-4 PAGES.
Sports Section.
PART SIX-l2 PAGES.
Financial News and Classified Adver-
tising.
Naval Reserves-Page II.
PART sEvEN-2o PAGES.
Magazine Section.
Notes Of Art and Artists-Page IA.
Reviews of New Books-Page is.
News OF the Music World-Page 16.
The Bridge Forum-Page IT.
Crossword Puzzle-Page Is.
The Boys and Girls Page-Page 10.
Those Were the Happy Days-Page 90.
GRAPHIC SECTIONS PAGES.
World Events in Pictures.
COLOR SECTIONS PAGES.
Moon Mullins; Mr.. and Mrs: The
Timid Soul; Reglar Fellers. Little
Orphan Annie; Highlights Of His-
tory Earssp and Mutt And jed.
Evening star., 1931-12-13
WEATHER.

10. .. WsAtheF Bufeau FoTscast.l
Cloudy and colder, followed by rain to-
night; tomorrow, cloudy and colder, pos
sibly preceded by rain; moderate east
winds, Highest, So at 4
pm. yesterday; lowest, 4e, at 10 am.
yesterday, Pull report on page 3.
Evening star., 1931-12-13

The Star is delivered every evening and
Sunday morning to Washington homes by
The Stars exclusive carrier service. Phone
National 5000 to start immediate delivery.
Evening star., 1931-12-13

NOontlnued On Fage z. Column Sd
The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-05-01

it's splendid record in the current session.
 Turns to Song
 While the House was waiting for the Senate to finish with the ap- propriation bill, and later while it was being enrolled, members and spectators in the gallery enlivened the wee morning hours with har- mony, the hall of the. House of Representative and the corridors ringing with melody.
 AS employees of various offices were arriving at the capitol, the members closed their desks for the last time and the tenth session was concluded.
 Two of the Legislators left this morning and others will sail on steamers this week and early next week. A. H. ziegler and J. E.. Johnson, and Mrs. Johnson, left on the Admiral Rogers for their homes in Ketchikan. Senator and Mrs. Lomen are expected to sail to- morrow for Seattle before proceed ing to Nome.
 Most of those residing in the interior and north will leave next Tuesday
The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-05-01

tonight, has everything in it but the kitchen stove.
 Dorothy Mackaill is the heroine. Frank Fay plays the role of a mas ter of ceremonies too, which na- turally fits him like a glove.
 Noah Beery makes the ideal vil- lain for the piece and Daphne P0f1 lard and Tom Dugan are delightful comics.
 Then there are chorus girls by the hundred, and of all sorts, DO, including the kind they used to like in Africa down Kimberley way, in the diamond mining settlements
 The story embraces the evolution of a dancer in an African dive into famous New York star, via all manner of picturesque spots on earth and pursuits.