davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
AND WATER
COSTS PROTESTED
Move to EquaIize Assess
ments With Paving
Charges Is Made.

A move to equalize sewer and water
assessments with paving costs to prop
erty owners, as contemplated under the
revision of the Borland law now pend
ing in Congress, will be made by the
Sewer Committee of the Washington
Board of Trade.
The committee yesterday afternoon
directed its chairman, Rufus S. Lusk to
lay such petition before the Board of
District Commissioners.
While District officials are hopeful
that the proposed revision of the Bor-
land street assessments law will be
passed by Congress at this session, it
was pointed out that there has been no
move to change the plan of assessing
costs of the laying of sewers and water
mains.
Mr.. Lusk cited one case in which the
purchaser of 81 200 lot found he had
TO pay an assessment of 81 800 for sewer
and water connections.
The new Borland measure would pro-
VIDE that the maximum linear front
loot assessment for paving shall not ex-
coed $3.50 and that the total bill levied
shall not exceed 20 per cent of the total
value OF the abutting property.
The sewer connection assessment is
now So per foot. The committee In the
past has urged and will continue to
urge that such assessments be reduced
70 81 90 per foot. Members of the COM
mlttee contend that the price in install
latlon OF sewers has dropped since the
rate was fixed and that now pronertv
owners are being forced to paw more
IMAM the actual cost of such improve
mentS.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
POLICEMEN HURT
ANSWERING ALARM
Cars Collide as Officers Re-
Spond to BroadCaSt-Riot
Report Is False.

Two second precinct policemen were
slightly hurt last night when an auto
mobile in which they were answering
an emergency call was struck by pri-
vate car at First and r streets and sent
crashing into large tree. The police
men were responding to a riot call at
lexington place and R street northeast,
which proved to be a false alarm.
The officers, Pvts. Charles B. Nc
Donald and John Gilman, were dis
missed from Sibley Memorial Hospital
after treatment. Fred j. Martin of So
Randolph street and his companion,
Miss Leona Taylor of Silver Spring,
Md, occupants of the other machine,
escaped unhurt.
Crash Broadcast by Police.
Word of the crash was broadcast over
the new police radio system as soon as
a report was received at headquarters
and scout car manned by PvtS. L. w.
Payne and j. B. Wallace picked up the
call and was on the scene in less than
two minutes.
Several witnesses told police the siren
of the police car driven by Mcdonald
could be heard several blocks away
but that Martin failed to give the speed
ing machine the right-of-way. Martin
was released after being ordered to
appear before corporation council
today, when it will be determined
whether charges will be brought against
him.
Both Cars Damaged.
Both cars were badly damaged, while
the police vehicle was further threatened
when a machine operated by James
Slaughter, 81, of 221 M street, swerved
to avoid crashing into the patrol car
as it was being towed across the inter-
section of New Jersey avenue and p
street and ran onto lawn. Slaughter
was arrested for reckless driving.
Others hurt in accidents reported to
police were:
Arthur Van Mort, SO years old, of 126
Maple avenue, Clarendon. Va; Charles
Harris, colored, At, of 432 Neal place;
Mrs. Ida Humphrey, 65 years old, of
920 M street; Billie Crump, 3 years old,
GIG Sixth street, and Joseph Stump, z
years old, 925 I street.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
SOLUTION OF CRIME
IN LIMERICK DEATH
UP TO GRAND Jury
Police Investigation of Case
at StandStiII as Probe
Is Continued.
NINE WITNESSES CALLED
TO TESTIFY DURING TODAY
List of 200 Gun Purchasers Given
Girls Friend in Search
for Acquaintance.

Probable solution of the Staying of
Beulah Limerick rests once again with
the grand jury, as police announced to-
day their investigation was at stand
still.
Nine witnesses, including Lieut. John
Fowler, police firearms expert, will tell
the grand jury this afternoon what
they know about the life and murder of
the Sky High Whoopee Club secretary.
Fowler to Testify.
Fowler is expected to recount in de-
tail his balliStic investigation in connec-
ton with the case. He will tell of the
finding of two .25-caliber revolvers in
the home of Robert Langdon, suspended
fifth precinct patrolman, now held in
the District Jail with three other sus-
poets in the battling case.
The police ballistic expert is expected
to tell the jury that neither of Lang
don's guns could possibly have fired the
rs calibre slug which ended the life of
the 19-year-old usherette. He also will
testify, it is believed, that the shells
found in the murder house have no pos
SiDtc COIIlSCIlOu Will eIlLlST O1 LdIlB-
don'S guns.
Fowler is expected to state to the
jury that the rs calibre bullets found
in a sewer trap near the home of Mrs.
Dora Limerick, mother of the slain girl,
do not compare with the fatal bullet.
Investigators are inclined to believe that
the bullets were planted in the sewer
trap.
Pistol Buyers Listed.
Mrs. Martha Bargfrede, friend of the
slain girl, was given list of 200 per-
sons who have bought or sold guns dur
ing the past two years. Police wanted
to know if she could recognize any of
the names as friends of Beulah Liner
ick'S. She was unable to recognize any
of them.
Julian Richards, who is presenting
the case to the grand jury, announced
today that he will recall Lyman Green,
Casualty Hospital inferno, to testify
again for the grand jury. Richards
said the jury wished to clear up a
certain point in Green's story.
Investigators intimated they will visit
the District Jail some time tody and
question Langdon, William Paddy,
Richard Reed and Vernon Limerick,
now held in connection with the case.
Other Witnesses Called.
The four suspects have been grilled
almost daily since their incarceration,
but have failed to waver from their
original stories.
The other witnesses to testify this
afternoon are Francis Pilkerton, Joseph
Bell, David Thompson, Roy Wolfe,
Louis Calvert, Samuel Friedlander, Ell
mer Donaldson and Sergt. Thomas
Mcnamara.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30

response by Mrs. Virgil Mcclure ma
tional president, American War Moth
ers, Mrs. Robert Lincoln Hoyal, ma
Ilonal president, American Legion Aux
llary, and chairman of the confer
ence, spoke on "The Purpose of Our
Conference"
mo interest in ornaments or armies
as such moves us to come here" said
MRS: Hoyal. THE things of war are
IOtslgn ana nateful to us. We would
rather come to welcome the day when
all armies could be disbanded and all
navles converted to peaceful purposes
put we refuse to let our sentiments
dominate us in these matters. We
reallze that such day has not dawned
Tor the world and we cannot let our
selves be lured into sense of security
by false dawn Of world peace"
Col. Robbins Speaks.
I Col. Charles B. Robbins, former As
slStant Secretary Of War, addressed the
delegates on the present condition of
national defense. Declaring that there
never had been a time in the Nations
history when such efforts had been
made to strip the country of national
defense, Col. Robbins said that those
women and men backing the move
mentS to bring about disarmament,
oemoDulzatlon and abolition of mill
tary training would be greatly surprised
II they knew that the leader of such
movements is an atheist and a Com
muniSt and that much of the financing
OF the disarmament propaganda in this
country is financed by Soviet atheists.
Walsh Denounces Passivity.
Strongly denouncing the administra-
tons policy Of passivity and inaction
relative to the naval program resulting
from the Washington Naval Conference
Of 1922, Senator Walsh said: "Since
the Washington Conference the other
powers have launched upon intensive
programs of small shipbuilding, while
American construction atrophied. Paci-
fists tell us that we should set an ex-
ample to the rest of the world and dis
arm. The record of the other naval
powers-Great Britain, Japan, France
and Italy-in the last eight years has
afforded abundant establishment as
regards the effectiveness of this 'reduc-
tion-by example method"
A conference dinner will be attended
by delegates this evening at the Will
lard Hotel at 1880 o'clock. Women
members of Congress and Mrs. Eleanor
Patterson will be guests of honor.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
WARRANT AUTHORIZED
FOR OFFICERS ARREST
Youth Makes Assault Charge on
Policeman After Arrest for
Alleged Speeding.

Authorization for the issuance of a
warrant for the arrest of Policeman
James H. Dellinger of No. IL precinct
on a charge of assault was given early
this afternoon by Assistant United
States District Attorney Michael Keogh
upon complaint of a 19-year-old youth
whom the officer had arrested on a
speeding charge last Saturday.
The youth-CScar A. Reba OF Boule-
ward Heights, Md-chargeS that the
policeman struck him over the head
after he stopped his car at an address
near the $500 block Of P street south
east.
When the speeding charge came up
in Traffic Court Monday, the officer
testified Reba drove his car in excess
of so miles an hour at times on Min
nesota avenue southeast. The officer
said that upon arrival at the youths
destination Reba resisted arrest and
attempted to attack him with the Of
ficer's hludgeon, which he took from
the seat of the policeman's car. Reba
was given q suspended sentence by
Judge Isaac r. Hit that day.
Following investigation OF the case
by headquarters detectives and by the
Office of the assistant district attorney,
the complainant appeared at Mr..
Keogh's Office today to seek warrant
for the arrest of the officer.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
SENATE REPORTS BILL
TO REINSTATE MIDD!ES
Walsh Resolution for Two Youths
in Academy Mess Hall Prank
Gets o. X.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The Walsh resolution providing for
reinstatement of two Naval Academy
students who were dismissed for taking
two Washington girls. dressed as mid
Shipmen, into the mess hall at An
napolis was favorably reported today
by the Senate Naval Committee.
The two former midshipmen, Law
renee L. Wyatt of Quincy, Mass, and
Miller S. Burgin of Jacksonville, Fla,
appeared before a naval subcommittee
and described the incident as prank. !"
Senator Walsh, Democrat, Massachu-
sets, was author of the reinstatement
resolution. The committee amended it
to provide for their return to the
academy after two-year interval in
stead of one, as provided in the original
measure.
Mrs. Charles w. Boyd, the former
Lorette Taylor, whose marriage was an
nounced Wednesday by her mother, Mrs.
r. L. Taylor, 3505 Woodley road, and
Miss Eleanor Hayden, daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. Joseph Hayden, we're the two
Washington girls who donned MILDLY"
uniforms and entered the academy mess
hall with Midshipmen Myatt and Burgin.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
Report to Maj. Pratt Says
Policeman Answered for
Fellows Before Judge Given.
INSISTED
ON DROPPING CHARGES
Inspector Bean Says Other Officers
Involved Were in Criminal Court
and Could Have Been Reached.

Dismissal by Police Court Judge Given
several days ago of the six so-called
"clean-cut" gambling cases was at the
insistence of Assistant United States
Attorney John r. Fitzpatrick, accord
ing to report submitted today to Maj.
Henry G. Pratt, superintendent of police,
by Inspector Thaddeus Bean.
At the direction of Mai. Pratt, In
spector Bean made an exhaustive In
vestigation of the action of the court to
determine whether any negligence on
the part of police officers to appear as
witnesses was responsible for the dis
missal of the cases. He recommended
TO Maj. Pratt that the report of his in
qulry be filed without prejudice to the
officers involved.
Rover AbsOlves Aide.
Fitzgerald reported to United States
Attorney Leo A. Rover yesterday that
ne had not made any recommendation
to the court as to the disposition of
the cases, but had merely informed
Judge Given of the facts as to previous
continuances and the failure of some
of the policemen involved to notify him
that they were in the District Supreme
at the time the cases were called. Mr..
Rover subsequently announced he had
abSolved his assistant from any blame
in connection with the dismissals.
Inspector Bean, however, oficially
advised Maj. Pratt that at 10 o'clock
Wednesday morning when the jury
court convened at Police Court with
Judge Given presiding, Mr.. Fitzpatrick
stated that he had sent notices to the
officers involved to appear in his office
at o'clock that morning, and that
they had failed to do so. Then, Inspec-
tor Bean declared, the prosecutor
recommended that the cases be dis
missed for want of prosecution.
Says Policeman Answered.
"At that time" Inspector Beans re-
port continued, Mr.. F. w. Adams, as
sistant United States District attorney,
who has always had charge of these
cases, announced that the officers were
in Criminal Court l, that he had called
Mr.. F. w. Schwartz, chief clerk of the
District attorneys Office, and Mr..
Schwartz stated that the officers were
in Criminal Court /, under summons.
pvt. F. D. Hilbard, the officer who
had made plays in the cases, was in
Police Court and when the cases were
called one by one he answered his name,
telling the court that the officers were
in Criminal Court /.
Notwithstanding these facts, Mr..
Fitzgerald insisted that these cases be
dismissed for want of prosecution, which
Judge Given did"
Mai. Pratt said he would take no
further action in the case, since United
States Attorney Rover had ordered
Fitzpatrick to file new informations in
Police Court against the persons In.
volved in the gambling cases.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30

The colored driver Of a heavily-laden
liquor car escaped and two cases of
whisky were stolen from his overturned
machine by passing motorist in a
swift series Of events centering around
a chase between the rum runner and
Motor Cycle Policeman j. E. Bennett
of the Traffic Bureau, last night.
The whisky car, endeavoring to shake
off the pursuing officer, toppled over in
making a turn at Fourth street and
New York avenue. The driver, thrown
clear of the car, fled from the scene
on foot with the policeman close behind.
Liquor Is Stolen.
Bennett was outdistanced, however,
and returned to the whisky car, where
he found five cases of liquor intact.
The machine and contraband were
confiscated while lookout for a truck
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
M|DYEAR CLASSES
RECEIVE DIPLOMAS
Eight Commencement Exer-
ciSeS Held and IL More
Are Scheduled.

Midyear commencement exercises for
WaShington'S high and junior high
schools, which got under way yeSter-
day and last night, with total of eight
graduation exercises held, were to be
completed with IL additional exercises
today and tonight.
Business High School last night
awarded diplomas to 81 students of the
four-year class and held exercises for
its two-year class yesterday morning.
The class was addressed by DR.. Cloyd
Heck Marvin, president of George
Washington University, and the scholar
ship awards for the year were an
nounced by Allan Davis, the principal.
Mrs. Henry Grafton Doyle, member of
the Board of Education, presided at the
exercises. Richmond B. Keech, peoples
counsel of the Public Utilities Commits
sion, spoke at the morning exercises at
Business, and Harry o. Hine, secretary
OF the Board of Education, presided.
The graduating class at Armstrong
High School last night was addressed
by George E. c. Hayes. and diplomas
were awarded by j. Hayden Johnson,
member of the Board of Education
Garnet G. Wilkinson, first assistant
superintendent of schools, told of the
special achievements of individual
students.
Other schools which held commence
ment exercises yesterday were Column
bia Junior High School at O'Clock
in the afternoon, Hine Junior High
School at o'clock, Mcfarland Junior
High School at 1870 o'clock, Francis
Junior at 1890 o'clock in the morn
ing, and the Garnet-PatterSon at
o'clock in the afternoon.
Among those holding exercises today
and tonight are Central, 8 pm; East
ern, 8 pm; Mckinley, 8 pm; West
ern, las pm; jefferson Junior, 8
pm; Paul Junior, 2 pm; Powell Junior,
pm; Stuart Junior, 2 pm; Cardoza,
2 pm; Dunbar, pm; Randall, 1890
am, and Shaw, 2 pm.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
PASSING DRIVER STEALS RUM
AS LIQUOR RUNNER ESCAPES
Car Robbed of Two Gases
After Chase by Policeman and Upset.
Thief Now Sought

driver was broadcast when police
learned that the man, a witness to the
chase, stopped beside the overturned
machine, picked up two cases of whisky
and drove away while Bennett was
chasing the man.
Smoke Screen Fails.
Meantime an automobile, believed by
police to be carrying load of whisky
for delivery in Washington, was forced
to turn back into Maryland when its
two occupants failed to halt Policeman
s. r. Mckee of the eleventh precinct,
with a smoke screen attack after a
three-mile chase last night.
The pursuit began at Fifty-seventh
street and Blair road southeast when
Mckee saw the machine travelling at
top speed without lights.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
HOOVER TO TURN ON NATURAL
GAS FOR CITY OF WASHINGTON
Flow From Kentucky and West Virginia
to Be Mixed With Manufactured Prod
uct at 10 O'Clock Tomorrow.

Coolidge, accompanied the party to the
White House
A supply of the natural gas will be
released into mixing chambers at the
East plant of the Washington Gas Light
Co., Eleventh and M street southeast.
Tapped at Rockville.
The gas, which comes from the prop
critics of the Columbia Gas & Electric
Co. in Eastern Kentucky and zWestern
West Virginia, will make no change in
the heating value or price of the pres
ent gas supply.
1t will be mixed with water gas in
the correct proportions, instead of en-
riching the water gas with crude oil,
as at present.
The natural gas comes from a pipe
line leading from the gas fields to New
York. The Washington supply is tap
ped in at point near Rockville, Md.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
u. S. TO ASK PERJURY
INDICTMENT OF PITTS
Evidence Against Him and His As
sociates to Be Presented
Monday.

The Department of Justice Is ex-
pected to go before the grand jury
Monday to resume its efforts to secure
perjury indictments against G. Bryan
Pitts and certain persons associated
with him in the recent F. H. Smith
Co. trial.
Several additional witnesses, who
were not in the city when the case was
first brought to the attention of the
jury, are expected here next week. The
names of these witnesses have not been
disclosed.
1t is claimed by the Government that
several persons associated with the de-
Tense committed perjury in the intro
duction of acquisitions and receipts in
an effort to justify the payment of
large sums of money to Pitts from the
treasures of several corporations sub
sidiary to the Smith Co.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
WILSON RITES TOMORROW

Funeral services will be held at the
Arlington National Cemetery tomorrow
morning for Lieut.. Col. Evert r. Wilson,
a retired Infantry officer, who died at
his home, Fairmont, w. Va, last Tues
day. "A native of West Newton, Ind,
Col. Wilson served in the ranks during
the Spanish War of 1898, and was COM
missioned second lieutenant of Infantry
in October, 1899. He reached the rank
of lieutenant colonel in July, 1920, and
was retired for disability incident to the
service in September, 1922. His widow.
Mrs. Edith P, Wilson, accompanied the
funeral party to this city.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
WEATHER BUREAU MAN POKES FUN
AT ALL METHODS OF RAIN-MAKING
Says Savages Beating Kettles in Palm Trees Not More
Ridiculous Than Moderns.

Here is the earliest known recipe for
making rain" as practiced by savages
centuries ago:
Pick out the three tallest trees in the
vicinity and the three most agile mem
bers of the tribe. Give one a burning
torch, another sprinkling can and
the third kettle and club. Make them
climb the trees.
The one with the torch brandishes it
in the treetop, Stimulating lighting. The
savage in, the next tree beats Justify on
the kettle. That Is the thunder. The
last of the trio tits up the sprinkling
can. That is rain. In the meantime
their fellow tribesmen on the ground
dance and shout, in effect, to the gods
above:
See, we are making rain. Now you
do the same"
This method Of making rain was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30

ridiculous, but no more so than the
tactics of the present day rain makers,
William j. Humphreys of the United
States Weather Bureau, told the Society
of Sigma Xxi at its regular meeting last
night in the Carnegie Institution.
All of the modern methods for pro-
ducing rain, however complicated, are
doomed to failure, he declared.
Rain comes only from the action of
natural forces, Mr.. Humphreys explain
ed, and it cannot be artificially produc-
ed by any known method. He pointed
out that Congress appropriated $4,000
about 40 years ago to make rain," but
that even this attempt was failure.
Mr.. Humphreys explained the atmos-
pheric conditions which must prevail
TO bring about rainfall, and also gave
an illustrated lecture on the amounts
of precipitation in various parts Of the
country during 1880.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30

President Hoover at 10 o'clock tomor-
row morning will press an electric but
ton in the White House officially start
ing the flow of natural gas in the city
of Washington.
The Presidents participation in this
event will be marked by small cere-
mony which will include several officers
of the Washington and Georgetown
Gas Light Cos.
Slemp Accompanies Party.
The invitation to the President to
take part to this extent in this cere-
mony was extended to him today by G.
A. G. Wood, president of the Washing
ton Gas Light Co.; Wilton j. Lambert,
general counsel; F. A. Woodhead, vice
president, and w. M. Russell, chief
engineer. G. Bascom Slemp, Repub-
lican national committeeman from Vir-
GINA and secretary to former President
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
80 CARS AUCTIONED
Police Sell Machines Seized in Pur-
suance of Duties.

Thirty-nine automobiles auctioned of
by police this morning brought an aver
age price of approximately $40 at the
District Property Yard, Twelfth and
Water streets southwest.
The machines, some sei1ed by police
in prohibition cases and Others. found
abandoned on the streets, brought q
total of $121. The lowest price Tor q
car today was so cents, while the i1igh-
est was $24. The police sell abandoned
cars after they have remained I'M
claimed reasonable length of time. II
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
JOHN W. SMITH DIES

MORGANTOWN, w. Va, January 80
P)-John w. Smith, 81, West Virginia
commissioner of agriculture, died today
after suffering paralytic stroke while
attending the West Virginia University
Farm and Home week here.
He was to have been POSTMASTER at
the annual banquet Of the Farm and
Home week tonight.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-30
ASYLUM NAMES OFFICERS
William c. Zimmerman President
of German Orphans Home.

Officers and directors of the Ger
man Orphan Asylum have been elected
for the year 1881. william G. thinner
man is the president; Gustave w.
Brahler, first vice president; Franklin
w. Schneider, second vice president;
Rudolph w. Santelmann, secretary, and
Edward A. Trip, treasurer.
George C. Gertman was added to the
board of directors to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Attorney Myer
Cohen. He will serve for three years,
Other members of the board include DR..
G. K. Baier, August Plugge, John G.
Weinberg, Jacob Mueller, Thomas z.
FARRELL, Henry M. Wiegand, Charles
Aufenthie and Herman c.. Winkler,