davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
WIFE IDENTIFIES
BRIDGE SUICIDE
Man Was Benjamin B. Gill;
Hat and Note Lead
to Naming.

The man who early yesterday morn
ing drowned himself by leaping from
the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge into
the Anacostia River was identified late
yesterday, through his hat and note,
as Benjamin Berkeley Gill, 44-year-old
Navy Yard machinist and retired World
War Army officer. of 234 Eighth street
southeast. The identification was made
by his widow, Mrs. Betty Gill. The
body has not been recovered.
Mrs. Gill stated at her home late
yesterday that her husband had been
respondent over i'll health since under
going physical examination by Navy
Yard surgeons about a month ago. They
told him that he had serious internal
ailment.
She said her husband served as
a captain in the Chemical Warfare
Service during the World War, being
stationed at the Edgewood Arsenal
N. j. He was discharged from the
Army for physical disability.
The man had not been seen by men,
bers of his family since leaving his
home Tuesday night That on July 13
he told her that If his body was found
anywhere to have it cremated.
There are three grown children OF
the couple. two daughters and a son
Two witnesses told police yesterday
they had seen a man climb up on the
railing of the bridge and Jump off, but
until Mrs. Gill got in touch with police
and examined the note no one had any
information as to the mans identity.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
BIG DENTAL MEETING
is BROUGHT TO A CLOSE
Delegates From IL States Adjourn
Session at ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Heads Organization.

One hundred dentists from IL States
who attended the three-day session of
the Interstate Dental Association here
this week departed for their homes yes
terday after the final meeting at How
ard University Dental School had re-
elected DR.. E. D. Downing Of Roanoke,
Va, president of the organization.
Members newly appointed to the Ex-
ecutive Committee were DR. L. r. BaX-
ter, DR.. William Grlnnage and DR.. w.
H. Sutherland The conferences pre-
ceding the final election meeting were
featured by series of clinics conducted
by prominent physicians. The speakers
yesterday included DR.. William J. Gies
Of the College of Physicians and Sur
geons, New York, and DR.. j. B. Lowell Of
the Odonto Chirurgical Society Of Phil
adelphia.
The next meeting Of the association
will be held at the Bordentown Indus
trial Institute, under the auspices of the
New Jersey Dental Association, the date
to be announced later by the Executive
Committee.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
HUSBAND CONFUSED
WITH VICTIM, ALIVE
John R. Walter Recognized
by Children on Bench in
Judiciary Square.

John r. Walter, 81, who disappeared
much alive today, after a funeral ar
ranged for a man at first identified
as him had been called eff. Mean
while the body Of the dead mantle
victim OF a hit-and-run driver-lay
unclaimed in the w. w. Chambers Co.
funeral parlor, 1400 Chaplin street.
Walter, a carpenter, was found Sit
ting on a bench in Judiciary Square
last night by two of his four children,
John r. Walter, jr., and Mrs. Hilda
Washington from her home in Atlanta
just short time before to attend her
fathers funeral.
Working in Frederick, Md.
The missing man, according to his
son and daughter, explained he had
been working in Frederick, Md. In
fact, he said, he planned to return
there this morning to continue his
work. He gave his Capital address as
1873 E street.
At the time of his disappearance
Walter and his family lived at 2109
Eighteenth street. However, Walter S
wife, Mrs. Geraldine Walter, and two
of her children, John r., jr., and Mil
dred, have since moved to l74l Lanier
place
When told his wife had identified
the body of another man as him, Wal
ter is said to have remarked that the
hit-and-lun victim must have borne a
remarkable resemblance to him.
AS a matter of fact, the dead man
did, according to Mrs. Walter Viewing
the body Tuesday in the District
Morgue. she unhesitatingly identified it
as that Of her husband, and the
identification was substant.ated by
other members of her family.
At Mrs. Walters request, the body
was removed to the undertaking estab-
lishment and plans were made to hold
the funeral today.
When Mrs. Walter visited the funeral
parlor later, however, she discovered
the body was not. that of her husband
Found Soon After.
She Cancelled the funeral arrange
ments and asked the police to continue
their search for her husband. 1t was a
short time after this that he was found
The man was about 81 years old, S
feet 8 inches tall and weighed between
lat and $50 pounds. He had black hair
bluish-gray eyes and a prominent nose
If the body Is unclaimed the under
taking establishment will conduct the
funeral at its own expense, officials oil
the firm said.
The man died at Casualty Hospital,
where he was taken by a motorist who
picked him up after hit-and-rur
driver had sped away from Laurel last
Sunday. His body lay in the morgue
more than 48 hours before 1t was
! identified by Mrs. Walter
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16

resentative Louis T. McFadden of
Pennsylvania. Some witnesses declared
the charge hit the figure atop the Cap
itol dome, travelling down the side CT
the edif1ce to discharge into metal
rod supporting the awning. A painter
extinguished the flames.
Employees said that while 1t was
common for lightning to play about
the Capitol, the bolt yesterday came
any in the past SO years.
At the height of the storm lightning
struck a big hickory tree in the north
east corner of the White House grounds,
stripping away a large limb
While all commercial planes were
landed without mishap during the high
wind, and few passenger schedules
we're interrupted, three planes were
slightly damaged at local fields when
blown from their moorings
At Washington Hoover Airport, BIZ
plane was carried 100 feet across the
field and hung up on an adjacent troll
ley line. A three-motored ship was
blown against it's hanger and damaged
somewhat, while at Boiling Field anoth-
er ship was overturned with small dam
age to the wings.
The storm interrupted steady climb
of temperatures, and from SO degrees
at O'CLOCK Lne mercury Iell OH Il
points in an hour and a half.
Shortly before the rains developed
George Massegill, 37-year-old colored
laborer employed by the District Refuse
Department, was overcome at Twelfth
street and Virginia avenue southeast
He was treated by the Fire Rescue
SQUAD and later removed to a hospital.
The wind toppled more than a dozen
trees along the Speedway and at Hams
Point. An emergency crew was called
out to clear the drive. Other windfallS
caused some property damage in the
400 block of I street southwest and in
the HOO block Of Alabama avenue
southeast.
Little or no damage was caused when
lightning hit the Fifteenth Street
Christian Church, Fifteenth street and
Potomac avenue southeast; the tower
of the Chestnut Farms Dairy Building
at 1889 Pennsylvania avenue, and q
residence at 2917 Olive avenue.
The Weather Bureau reported that
90 inches Of rain fell here yesterday
A hail storm deluged sections Of Airing
ton County, Va. The storm was short
lived. however. and probably did little
damage.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
POLICE ISSUE ARREST WARNING
ON "CRUISING" BY STORE DRIVERS
Customers Autos Plotted by Merchants Chauffeurs
Impede Business Area Traffic, They Say.

Downtown department stores, adver-
Using free parking space for customers,
who employ chauffeurs to cruise" pat
rons' automobiles, are under surveil-
lance by Traffic Bureau police, 1t was
announced today.
Trafic Bureau officials explained most
of the stores have lots on which to
park their customers cars while they
shop, but announced that there were
several stores, advertising free park
ing, who used chauffeurs to drive the
machines up and down in front OF the
stores until the owners returned.
Police declared they have issued a
warning to these stores employing the
cruising" system to cease the prac-
tice, announcing arrests viii follow II
the warning goes unheeded.
This action of the Trafilc Bureau Is q
continuation Of the recent campaign to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
CAB COMPANY CUTS
CITY PROPER RATES
Reduction Announced After Meet
ing of Drivers-First Zone
Fare 20 Cents.

The Bell Cab Co. today announced
reduction of its rates from 35 cents for
the city proper" zone to IS cents. The
reduction also applies to the former Co
cent zone. which has been cut to so
cents, and the former 85-cent zone.
which has been cut to rs cents, it was
stated.
The announcement was made by Leon
Brill, jr., president Of the company,
who said the new rates have bsen filed
with the Public Utilities Commission.
Decision to reduce the rates. Mr.. Brill
explained, was made last night at a
meeting Of the concerns drivers.
The company, Mr.. Brill pointed out.
was the first to introduce 35-cent "city
proper" rates in Washington taking the
stand "the former meter rate was out
of all proportion to the cost Of opera
ton"
Recently, Mr.. Brill added, the concern
has taken on many OF the aspects Of q
cooperative organization
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
FIRE CHIEF PLANS
EXTRA JOB PENALTY
Men Who Do Outside Work
May Fsce Cut in Rating
for Efficiency.

The Fire Department probably will
make further efforts to prevent Its
members from doing work for compen-
sation when they are not on duty, In
spite Of the decision Of Justice Jennings
Bailey to the effect that the Commits
sioners have not the power to make
rule prohibiting the firemen from en-
gaging In such work.
II still feel the same way about the
subject" Chief Engineer George s. Wat
son said today, especially in these times
OF unemployment. do not feel that It
Is right for a man with steady JOB
to take money away from others by
doing outside work.
Plans New Conference.
II have not yet seen Justice Bailey
order, but as soon as I read 1t shall
call another conference with Maj. Henry
@. Pratt, superintendent Of police, and
the corporation counsel and see what
can be done under the decision.
Even IL we have not the right to
issue an order, we might try to use
moral suasion. On the efficiency rating
Of each fireman there Is q blank for
cooperation I take 1t that fireman
who will not put himself in line with
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
MAN HELD IN Staying
ACCUSED OF GUN THEFT
Police Say Prisoner Admitted TAX
ing Firearm, But Claims Shoot
ing Was Accidental.

Nelson Harrison, IS, charged with
the murder on July Of Charles Fred
erick Brandenburg, 18 street north
east, today was charged with grand
larceny.
The charge IS the outgrowth Of the
alleged theft of the gun used in the
Staying and pocketbook and watch be-
longing to William E. Waddell, 337 I
street. while Waddell slept.
Police said that Harrison admitted
stealing the watch, gun and pocketbook,
but insists that the shooting Of Brand
enburg was accidental. He maintains
the. gun discharged when the trigger,
which had been damned, slipped as he
sought to free it. A coroners jury,
hearing the evidence ordered him held
for the grand jury.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
FEDERAL WORKERS
| PUSH 6HOUR DAY
AND 5DAY WEEK
District Federation Approves
Resolution for National
Convention.
DELEGATES WILL CARRY
STATEMENT TO MEETING
48 National and international
Unions Now Enjoy Reduction,
Assembly Hears.

The campaign Of the District FEEDER
alton of Federal Employees Unions 70
a five-day week and six-hour day with
no reduction in salaries for all Govern
ment workers Will be given impetus at
the national convention OF delegates
from all local unions in Seattle this
September, according TO federation
officials.
The proposal was put forward by the
Women's Union of the Bureau Of En-
craving and Printing and was approved
by the District Federation last night
1t now has the Endorsement OF many
local unionc throughout the country
which are sending their delegates to
the national convention instructed on
this resolution. It was emphasized AT
the federation meeting last night that
4S national and international union.
are in part enjoying the Dement'S OF
the fve-day work week.
Urges Every Effort"
In adopting the resolution last night
the local federation urged the national
federation exert every effort to secure
without any decrease in total weekly
earnings the five-day week and the Six
hour working day for Federal employees
as progressive steps which snoq1o De
taken by the Government OF the On1teo
States"
It was pointed out by legislative lead
ers of the local unions that more than
500, 900 workers are on f1Ve-day week
basis, receiving the same scale OF pay
they received for the old six-day week.
The resolution as approved last night
for presentation at the national con-
vention declares as follows:
1T has been proved conclusively that
the f1ve-day week and the shorter work
day as well, rather than causing
dirninution in efficiency, actually raise
working standards without important
cost increases generally and in many
cases without any such increases at
ALL
Government Should Lead"
1.-THE United States Government the
resolution said, should be a leader in
all movements designed to bring about
improvement in economic conditions in
this country and the world.
1T is recognized by all authorities
that the present serious condition of
worldwide unemployment would be ma
terially aided through adoption both of
the five-day week and the shorter work
! day.
The number OF unemployed is and
will continue to be addsd to because OF
the use of improved machinery and Office
devices and new methods Of work.
Improved methods make possible cur
tailed working hours and a shorter
work week without any reduction IN
production for employees Of tie Federal
Government"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
Validity of La Toilette Act
to Be Sought in Fight on
Phone Stock Sale.
A. T. & T. is BRANDED
FOREIGN CORPORATION
Local Company Bases Its Case on
Fact New York Unit Owned
100 Pct. of It's Shares.

Preparations were under way today
for second suit to test the validity
of the La Toilette anti-merger act, de-
signed to prevent control of local pub
lie utilities by foreign corporations.
Sale of $500O,000 worth of common
stock in the Chesapeake & Potomac
Telephone Co. to the American Tele-
corporation, will be the basis OF the
litigation. The company notified the
Public Utilities Commission yesterday
OF the sale.
Gas Sale Upheld.
In the first suit brought under the
act, as a result Ct the purchase OF
controlling interest in the washington
Gas Light Co. by a group OF New York,
Buffalo and Chicago capitalists, the
decision went of on the point that
the purchase had been engineered
through a Massachusetts, common law
trust, and that the terms Of the act
forbade purchases only by foreign
holding or utility corporations.
The corporation counsel has previ-
ously ruled that the American Telephone
d Telegraph is both foreign utility
corporation and foreign holding cor
poration. The local company, in its
statement to the commission, however,
pointed out that prior to the sale, and
prior to the passage of the La Toilette
anti-merger act itself. the American
Telephone g. Telegraph had owned 100
per cent of the stock of the local COM
pany, and that the sale of the newly
issued stock has not changed the inter-
company relations in the slightest.
Previous Issue Withdrawn.
The stock was issu:d with the permis-
sion of the commission, but the order
granting the permission provided that
the stock, when issued, must not be
sold in violation Of any law. 1t had
previously ruled an issue Of $4,000, 900
in common stock. made by the company
without asking the commissions permis-
sion, illegal, and the company withdrew
that issue.
William A. Roberts. special assistant
corporation counsel in utilities matters,
has been asked by the commission to
handle the forthcoming litigation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
OPTOMIST HEAD TALKS

Holmes A. Sperb of San Francisco,
newly-elected president of the Optic
mist International, addressed the
Washington Optomist Club at its
luncheon meeting yesterday in the
Hamilton Hotel 1t was Mr.. Sperb's
first official appearance since his cleo
ton last week.
The speaker was introduced by Frank
Peirce, past president Of the local
club. Henry Schaffert presided at the
meeting.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16

the expressed desires Of the Commits
sioners cannot get very high rating
for cooperation.
UnfairneSs Is Feared.
There is a difficulty about this, it
might lead to discrimination. 1t would
be unfair to mark one man down where
we knew he was doing outside work for
pay, and fail to mark others down be-
cause they kept us in the dark about
his outside activities.
II cannot say that I have anything
definite in mind, but I intend to take
the matter up again and see what can
be done about it,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16

relieve trafhc congestion on F street,
between Tenth and Fifteenth streets.
In explaining the cruising" system.
ofncials explained that some stores en-
ploy two or three colored chauffeurs.
who drive customers automobiles in the
vicinity Of the store until the owners
complete shopping. They pointed out
that sometimes six or seven automo-
biles cruise up and down F street, pre-
senting serious impeachment to traffic.
Yesterday police uncovered q park
ing racket" whereby downtown lot own
ers, charging fees for parking, were
driving automobiles parked on Their
lots to parking spaces out of the con-
gested area to make room for later ar
rivals. $751;
With the issuance Of a warning to
these lot owners, TRAFFIC Bureau Off
cials believe they have broken up this
practice and have thereby bettered traf-
&c conditions in the District.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
CAPT. HALLA TO LEAVE

Capt. John Halla, who commanded
the United States Marine Corps de-
tachment at the London Naval Con-
ference, will leave Washington Satur-
day for duty In Haiti He recently
had an eye infection but was cured,
and he has been on duty at the Marine
Barracks here.
Marine Corp headquarters today
directed that he be detached on Sat-
urday and 60 on duty with the first
brigade in Haiti, sailing aboard the
U. S. S. Kittery, which Is scheduled to
depart from Hampton Roads, Va. about
August S. Capt. Halla served until q
few months ago as aide to the major
general commandant Of the Marine
Corps.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
ACCUSED DETECTIVES
CONTINUE AT WORK
Jones and McCarty, Charged With
Assault, to Remain on Duty
Pending Probe.

Detectives Robert L. Jones and Rich
ard F. McCarty of the tenth precinct.
charged with aSsaulting two men and
4-year-old girl while investigating a
reported robbery at 1922 Spring road
about two weeks ago, still were on duty
today.
Meanwhile, Lieut.. J. E. Bobo and
Sergt. B. A. McAllister of the first in
spection district headquarters were con-
tinuing their inquiry into the accu-
sations, which were made in aff1davits
filed with Maj Henry G. Pratt, super
intendent Of police.
U1Gl the investigation is completed,
Serg& McAllister said, no official action
will be taken against the detectives.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
HELD ON LIQUOR CHARGES
Two Colored Men Sell Police Two
Quarts Of Alleged Rum.

Robert Evans of Rock Court, and
Everett Adams Of Halls Hill, Va. both
colored, were arrested on charges Of
Illegal passion Of liquor by two members
of Inspector Beans squad last night
after. the officers charged, they pur-
chased two quarts of moonShine from
the pair for So during a call at the
Rock Court address. The agents rep
resented themselves as customers"
they reported.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
TWO TAKEN BY POLICE
ON LIQUOR CHARGES
Precinct Vice Squad Lies in Wait
for Bootleggers and Seize Car
in Front of Home.

After lying In wait for alleged boot
IeggerS, officers Of the third police dis
trict vice squad last night arrested two
colored men on charges Of illegal pos
session Of liquor when the men are
said to have been preparing to take
liquor out of an automobile into house
The two men arrested are Samuel
Elmer Cox, 80, 725 Third street south
west, and Nathaniel Edelin,. Is, Of 336
street southwest. The arrests were made
In front Of Cox,s residence.
Edelin, tried to make his getaway on
foot. but was overtaken by Offlcer r. A.
williams Of the vice squad. The men
were charged with illegal possession Of
five one-half gallons Of liquor. Ohicers
c. H. Warder and @. p. Flynn were with
williams on the raid.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
SEIZURE THREATENED
FOR UNLICENSED CARS
Van Duzer Says Motorists Are to
Be Deprived Of Autos
After January /. -

Many District motorists will be de-
prived of the Use Of their automobiles a
month or SO after January l If applica-
tions for next years license plates fail
to be sent in faster, Traffic Director
William A. Van DuZer announced today.
The director said members of his
staff are able to handle from 1000 to
1900 applications daily, but added the
number of persons applying at present
is very low.
Van Duzer warned motorists if they
failed to respond more rapidly a rush
will develop at the end of the. year.
making it impossible to get tags for all
automobile owners before January /.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
HALTS RUNAWAY TEAM
FRIGHTENED BY STORM
Golfer Stops Horses About to
Plunge Into River With
Terrified Driver.

While yesterdays storm was at its
height Otway A. Pratt. who had been
playing golf in East Potomac Park, ran
from the shelter of the club house and
halted a runaway team just as the two
horses were about to plunge into the
Potomac River-wagon, driver and all
When Pratt, who lives at 1928 Twen-
ty-eighth street, saw the team careen-
ing toward the river, with the terrified
driver, q colored man, clinging to the
wagon seat and yelling for help, he
leaped into action.
Running abreast Of the horses. Pratt
grasped the harness and coaxed the
animals TO stop.
The horses began their wild dash
when thunder frightened them. $500,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
France Boosts Air Budget.

France has appropriated $50, 1926, 900
for aviation activities in the 1882
fiscal year. This Is an increase of
$7,000,00 over the air budget Of last
year. Commercial air lines subsidies
call for $7,693, 200, tourists" aviation
will get $784. 200, while the French Air
Force will have $23.3l3.8s5 for planes
and equipment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
BLAST SHAKES BUILDING
Apartment Manager Says Cleaning
Fluid Was Cause.

Doors and windows ratified, dishes
shook, and apartment jewellers at 4701
Connecticut avenue jumped from their
chairs yesterday when a blast rever-
berated through. the building.
The explosion, accidental, according
to the apartment manager, occurred
when a partly used bottle of cleaning
fluid was dropped into an incinerator
chute and exploded when it struck the
bottom.
No damage was done, 1t was said,
aside from Splintering the door leading
to the incinerator hopper.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-16
CADETS TO SEE HOOVER
Citizens Trainees From Fort Wash
ington to Call at White House.

The entire personnel of the Citizens
Military Training Camp at Fort Wash
ington will be received by President
Hoover in the White House grounds
early Monday afternoon.
Immediately following the White
House fuAction the $50 District Of Co
lumbia, Maryland and Virginia boys ,S;
march to Keith's Theater, where the
OUTFIT wiz be the guests Of Isaac Cans,
national Military Training Camps Com
mittee Of the Veterans Of Foreign Wars