davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
Blast Made Victims
Into Human Torches

MT. CLEMENS, Mich, July 20
0.N.SD 1T seemed like a night
mare, with everyone screaming
and running through the semi
darkness, their clothes afire and
looking like human torches"
That was the vivid description
given today of the oil well fire
at Mt. Pleasant, near here, where
eight persons lost their lives.
Orah Courtney, oil dri!ler, gave
the eyewitness account. He said:
"The well was sunk to a
depth of more than 5000 feet.
A crowd gathered when the
news spread that it was pro-
ducing. 1t was a happy crowd,
enthusiastic over the success Of
the venture.
Suddenly there was dull
thud and a flash like that of
an exploding electric light bulb.
Then the flames leaped all over
the lot and bedlam broke loose.
The flames spread along the
ground where the fumes had
settled and then Ieaped into
the air like a great ocean wave.
Men and women became
frantic, screaming and running
blindly through the hell of
flames. Many were hideOuSIy
burned before we could carry
or lead them to safety.
"The oil tanks went fast.
Several victims were near them
when the fire started, and they
were the worst sufferers.
Everything happened so
quickly that I don't remember
much about it,"
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
20 Killed, 200 Hurt
In Choir Loft Crash

LONDON, July 20 GNS).
Twenty were killed and 200 in
jured. 80 seriously enough to be
sent to the hospital, when a part
of the choir loft of a church
collapsed during services at
Loanda, Angola, yesterday, ac-
cording to an exchange telegraph
dispatch from Lisbon.
Angola is the West African
colony of Portugal.
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
MericGn-N. Y. Plane
Plans Return Trip

BROWNSVILLE. Tex, July 20
UN.S).-Seth Yerringan and Ed
ward Maloney, whose attempted
nonstop flight last week from
New York to Mexico City ended
in a forced landing $50 miles
south Of here. plan to take off
early tomorrow for their return
trip to New York. They will stop
en- route at Atlanta. The plane
was brought here from the Mexi-
can beach where it landed.
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
Gen. Gales Named
Mexican Bank Head

MEXICO CITY, July 20 O.N.SO
Gen. Elias Plutarco Gales. former
president of Mexico, today was ap-
pointed governor of the Bank of
Mexico with almost dictatorial
powers, according to the news
paper La PrenSa.
Gales accepted the appoint
ment Immediately, the newspaper
said, and has been empowered to
take any steps which may be
necessary to solve Mexico's pres.
ent financial crisis.
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
Six Chicago Gunmen
Rob Bank of $1,000

CHICAGO, July 20 Q.N.SJ.
Six gunmen held up the Atlas
National Bank today and fled
with $1,000. They terroriZed en-
ployes and customers while they
scooped up the cash. They made
their getaway in two cars.
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
La Dietrich'S Mate
Joins Her on Coast

HOLLYWOOD, Calf, July 20
0N.S)-Marlene Dietrich, mete-
eric film star, was happy today
Her husband, Rudolf Sieber, ar
rived from Germany last night.
They had not seen one another
for eight months. Sieber will re-
main in Hollywood a month.
Maria Sieber. S. has been here
with her mother,
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
Russell Leads Field
For Ford Air Trophy

PONCA CITY, Okla, July 20
0.N.SO Harry L. Russell, Dear
born, Mich, flying a Ford with
Wright motor was still in first
place in the national air tour as
the ten contestants stopped here.
Nearly three-fourthS of the 5000
mile flight for the EdSel B. Ford
trophy and $4,000 cash prizes
has been completed.
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
Chinese Bandits Free
American MISSIONARY

DR.. C. H. Lacey Sites, American
missionary captured by Chinese
bandits July 8. has been released
and is at his home in Kutien,
Fukien Province, according to
word sent the State Department
today by Vice Consul George L.
Burke.
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
Broker, Architect
Lose Prison ADDeuL

ST. LOUIS, July 20 QN.S).
The sentences of George A. GribIe,
Cleveland architect, and William
A. Busch, former st. Louis
broker, convicted two years ago
on charges of using the mails to
defraud. were upheld today by
the United States Court of Ap-
peals.
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
4 Adrift IS Hours:
SQUed bH GuQrdsnlcn

CHICAGO, July 20 0NS)
Adrift for Is hours in their As
foot cabin cruiser, four men today
were rescued by Coast Guards.
The boat, the Sandra, was valued
at 100000. On board were H. H.
Richter, owner; Emil Richter, 19;
Phillip Book, and Henry ackSOn.
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
Baseball
Fans!

The Washington Times An.
nuaI Babe Ruth AII-America
Baseball Team Contest opens
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1.
Start studying your average
tables now! Four trips to
the World Series for the four
best selections of an All
America Baseball Team!
WATCH THE TIMES
FOR DETAILS
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
wife Dies, Mate
Dying in Shooting

MARIETTA, Ga. July 80 GIN
S).-While Fred Brown, 80, lay
near death in the Marietta Hos.
pital today with two pistol bullets
near his heart, police sought to
untangle conflicting stories of the
double shooting that took the life
of Browns pretty 25-year-old wife
Brown said his wife shot him and
then turned the gun on herself
Relatives of the dead woman
charged Brown with the Staying
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
Hoover at His Desk
After RGpidun Rest

President Hoover was at his
desk at $50 a. m. today fresh
from a weekend rest at his Vir-
ginia camp.
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
CONDITION OF TREASURY

Treasury balance as of July II,
$338, ,724. .669.01; expenditures, So
817,537.48; Customs receipts, ST.
985,91S.32.
The Washington times., 1931-07-20
THE WEATHER

Local thundershowers tonight and Tuesday;
not much change in temperature; moderate south
shifting to southwest west winds. TemPerS.
ture yesterday-Highest, so; lowest, 73.
Humidity yesterday-HigheSt, 81; lowest, 70.
Full Weather Report Page
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08
NEW COURT PLAN
SPEEDS UP CASES
1902 Equity, 70 Law and 1872
Criminal Matters
Handled.

The wisdom Of the adoption by the
District Supreme Court of the Cleve-
land system for expediting court work
is displayed in the achievements of the
court during october. Despite the death
of Justice Frederick L. Siddons, there
were 102 cases disposed of from the
equity calendar, 10 from the law cal
endar and 1872 criminal cases deter
mined.
The outstanding feature of the new
system proved its effectiveness in the
Motions Court. While the court did not
convene until October z, Chief Justice
Wheat determined 173 motions and
signed 1873 orders.
THE condition of the criminal dock
et," said Chief Justice Wheat, will
compare favorably with that of any
CITY of the size with Washington. The
grand jury is keeping up with the cur
rent work and often a person is in
dicted and tried within three weeks of
the commission of crime.
Work Is Gratifying.
"The result of the courts activity in
the opening month Of the new court
wear in view of the vacancy caused by
the death of Justice Siddons is most
gratifying, and unless some long cases
are encountered we feel that the end of
the court year will show great inroads
into the crowded civil dockets."
When the court convened October Z
there were pending and ready for trial
1913 criminal cases and the grand jury
has reported 1874 indictments during
the month So active has been the
work of United States Attorney Rover
and his assistants that there remain
ONLY 100 cases at issue and prepared
for trial. Pleas of guilty at the time
of arraignment were taken in SO cases,
while as others pleaded guilty at the
trial table. Verdicts of guilty were re-
ceived in 80 cases and 10 verdicts were
directed by the court in two cases and
the Jury disagreed in two others. Prose-
BUTTONS were abandoned in % cases.
SO Cases in Month.
In the Equity Division Of the court So
cases we're tried and so other cases were
dismissed by the court or by order of
counsel.
The law courts did not make such a
good showing because of jury trials.
There were 80 trials by jury, verdictS
Nv consent and 38 other cases were
dropped from the calendar. The law
justices we're also occupied during two
davs of the month in hearing and dis
posing of 103 motions.
with the addition of Justice Daniel
w. O'Donoghue to the bench 1t is ex-
pected that the law courts will move
forward more rapidly.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08
PR0TESTANTS TO MEET
ON CHEST COOPERATION
Subcommittee Represe nting
Churches to Chose It's
Permanent Officers.

The Protestant subcommittee of the
Community Chest Committee on
Church Cooperation will meet at CAL
vary Baptist Church Tuesday night at
3 O'Clock to work out ways by which
churches of the city can cooperate
with social agencies in a year-round
social work program. Rev. Allen A.
Stockdale, pastor of the First Congre-
gational Church, will preside and per-
manent officers will be elected.
Tuesdays meeting is an outgrowth of
the meeting of Catholic, Protestant.
Jewish and Greek Orthodox pastors and
laymen at the United States Chamber
of Commerce recently. At this meeting
subcommittee of each of the denom-
nations were named with temporary
chairmen, Rev. william S. Abernethy
being named head of the Protestant
group. These committees are to work
out plans for the participation of their
denominations in the city-wide pro-
gram.
Emphasis is given to the fact that
those who attend will not be asked
to solicit funds, it being a policy of the
Chest not to solicit church organiza-
tons as such.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08
MISSION APPEALS
FOR OLD CLOTHING
Superintendent Stresses Need
of 0vercoatS and Shoes
for JobleSs.

Two pairs of shoes and three suits of
underwear were all that the depleted
clothes locker room at the Central
Union Mission held for the 1870 ragged.
JobleSs men driven to its shelter by the
first shivering touch of Winter Friday
evening.
John S. Bennett. superintendent,
made check of the lineup of 100 men
on Friday night. There was not a sin
gle overcoat among them. For the two
pairs of shoes he was able to supply
there were SO applicants sorely in need.
Twenty-Five of the men didn't even have
underclothing. A few had sweaters, but
the clothing of all the men was worn
and patched.
'These men are not bums,' Mr.. Ben
nett said. "They represent men in
practically every walk of life. Only 2
per cent of them are laborers. The rest
belong to the skilled trades"
With the approach of cold weather,
Mr.. Bennett said, many of the men will
suffer more from lack of clothing than
from lack of food unless the public
the particular need.
With nearly 200 men being sheltered
and fed nightly at the mission. all of
them being in need of some garment, it
has been impossible to supply the
clothing wants.
The United States Marine Corps re-
rently loaned the mission 100 cots for
its lodging house, Mr.. Bennett said, and
efforts are now being made to obtain
blankets from the War Department.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08
RENTAL CAB FIRMS
MAY START SUIT ON
|. COMMISSION ORDER
Attorneys Indicate Court
Fight Is Imminent on
Board Ruling.
OTHERS ALSO MAY ASSAIL
INSTALLATION OF METERS
Expense of Machines Is Cited BY
Independents as Cause for
Increase of Fare.

Several taxicab companies, renting
cabs to drivers, prepared yesterday to
fight in court the latest taxicab order
of the Public Utilities Commission.
which will virtually put them out Of
business January 10.
Rumblings of dissatisfaction were
heard at the District Building soon
after the commissions order became
public, and yesterday attorneys for sew.
eral taxicab companies indicated to at
taches of the commission that they ex.
pected to make legal issue of the case,
Would End Rate War.
The order, the most drastic ever pro-
mulgated by the commission to control
taxtcab operations, not only was aimed
at rental cab owners, but is intended
also to end cut-throat competition
which resulted several months ago in
an intensive rate-cuttfng war.
Inc existing zone system of fares
was abolished and the commission di-
rected that all cabs be equipped with
meters and charge minimum rate Of
Is cents for the first miles or frac.
ton, and cents for each third of a
mile thereafter.
Lie pIOFlSlOn IN Cle commissions
order aimed at the owners of the cabs
which rent them to drivers reads: mo
motor vehicle shall be operated as O
taxicab except by the proprietor there
OF, or by a driver employed by the
proprietor and responsible to the said
proprietor"
The effect of such a provision, attor-
neys for the cab companies told the
commission attaches, would be confisca-
tory, because it would destroy the renal
cab business and put several hundred
drivers out of work.
While the legal fight will center on
the provision aimed at the rental sys-
tenn, some of the independent taxi own
ers are understood to be contemplating
court action to test the commissions
authority to order installation OF
meters. The independents claim this
Is anther expense, which the public
must pay in the form of increased fare.
Meters Cost $50.
Taxi meters, the drivers claim, cost
about $3.50. Secondhand meters sell
at half that price.
Legal action on the part Of some Of
the taxi owners was anticipated by the
commission. The commission, It was
said, proposes to defend vigorously any
suits arising from the order.
Ofhcial copies Of the new order were
mimeographed yesterday for taxi driv-
ers and organizations interested in the
taxicab situation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08

Col Grant accepted an additional
bid of $4,947 for moving the giant
magnolia. The tree is now about mid
way between the north and south
sides of the Mall. near Fourteenth
street. The Westcott Nursery Co. won
the award from seven bidders. Work
en- the tree moving will be started this
week.
New Drives to Be Built.
A dozen trees will be improved by
placing porous fill around them, to pre-
vent their dying and to permit air
and water to reach the roots. These
will not be moved, but the officials
will make an effort to save them.
The road work in the Mall will be
from Seventh to Fourteenth streets.
North-and-So drives will be con-
structed Plans of the National Cap
ital Park and Planning Commission call
for the construction of four driveways
down the Mall.
Col Grant is expected to sign con-
tract this week for grading the fill nov
being placed in the Mall. The National
Excavating g. Contracting Co. OF 2306
Georgia avenue was the lowest of three
bidders, submitting a figure of $4,000.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08
1Ol D. C.. MUSICIANS DISPLACED
BY SOUND FILMS, SURVEY SHOWS
Labor Department Inquiry Reveals Only
Minority Found Professional
Emp loyment Here.

Introduction of sound films in motion
picture houses caused displacement of
101 musicians formerly employed in
Washington theaters, according to re-
port yesterday by the Labor Depart
ment of a survey made in October,
1880, by its Bureau of Statistics.
Only a minority of those musicians
who lost their jobs by the coming of
the mechanical music-maker found
other employment here as professional
musicians the report shows.
The fate of of the group of 101
could not be determined, the report
said. Twenty of the number left WASH
ington, IL found jobs IN other orches-
tras here, 10 secured part-time work,
such as In radio broadcaSting or as
teachers of music, 81 gave up the pro-
fession and found jobs in other fields
and % are still unemployed.
Some in Dire Distress.
OF the latter, IS are being supported
by their families. while have no sup
port whatever, the department reported.
Some we're described as being in dire
need.
Washington was selected for the
study because other surveys indicated
this city had been affected less by the
depression than any other city OF its
size. For this reason 1t was 1elt IL
would be possible here to Segregate
effects brought about by the institution
of sound films from those due to other
causes, including the depression.
so Theaters in Survey.
The survey concerned so theaters,
80 of them being for white audiences
and IL for colored only. Seventy musl-
clans are now employed by these
theaters.
The Labor Department said the num-
Der of musicians displaced by employ
ment of sound films in theaters mere
led to an analysis of the general en-
ployment situation among local must
clans.
At the tiEle of the survey there were
TAB union musicians in washington.
OF these 443 were classified as profess
sional and the remaining 3O5 local
members of the American Federation
of Musicians had other occupations
outside the field of music.
AS the result of a wage scale agree
ment reached in October, 1880. by the
theaters and the federation, 1Ol must
clans were displaced, investigators
found.
There were 210 musicians, or slight
ly less than SO per cent of the 443 pro-
feSsional members of the local union
organization, who were permanently or
temporarily employed as musicians at
the time of the departments investi-
CATION the report said.
Chance of Employment Slight.
1.-THE others were either entirely un-
employed or were engaged in occasional
playing or in teaching music. Thus,
even if one excludes the 305 non
professional members of the local
musicians union, the chances of en-
pigment for the musicians who have
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08
BOY EDITOR FOLLOWS RUSH NEWS
FROM START TO FINISH AT STAR
Nine Year-Od Boss of Weekly Decides Journalistic
Course After Experience

his linotype machine and passed it on
for insertion IN the page form.
Larry saw the page mat pressed onto
the metal face of the form, taking an
impression against which, 80 seconds
later, molten lead was run to make the
half-cylinder plate.
In the press room he nodded an I'M
derStanding head while the plates were
quickly fitted onto the presses, and set
in motion.
Larry's enthusiasm, which had
mounted as he followed the swife pace
of the copy" reached its height as
the presses gathered speed
Faster and faster they sped, until
the low thunder of 10000 moving parts
became one chant, almost drowning the
first cries of the newsboys from the
street outside.
yes" Larry yelled against the din
Of the press room. II think I'll be a
newspaper mani"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08

The men who wear more gold braid
than Oriental potentates and flasher
uniforms than South American field
marshals-the docrmen at the de luxe
molten picture houses In Washington
average s2S apiece in pay for 81 hours
work each week.
This was revealed yesterday in a
Labor Department report following a
survey made by its Bureau OF STATISTICS.
The report said the three big houses
here employ GAG men and women. The
orchestra leaders are the highest paid,
averaging $14o q week. The chief pro-
lection operator averages $96.67 for only
40 hours week, while his assistants
are paid $50 for the same number OF
hours. Musicians, numbering So. also
make $50 a week.
Back stage, the carpenters are the
highest paid. each drawing 1898 for
a ze hSar week. The properly nia2
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08
ALL THAT GLITTERS is NOT GOLD
FOR CAPITAL TF1EATER DOORMEN
Wearers of Uniforms Outdoing Oriental Potentates
Average S23 Weekly Labor Survey Shows.

gets $7l44 and the lyman $63.33. Tne
stage doorman draws a salary OF $2z
and works Sc hours.
Woman cashiers average $21.85 q
week and work 80 hours, while their
assistants draw $1140 for 81 hours
weekly work. Ushers average $17.!0
get 1894.
In five other downtown theaters the
wages are not as high, except In tne
projection booths, where they are hlgn-
er. The chief in the booth averages
SlOl .25 week for 40 hours, while MS
assistant gets 1885 The doormen'
VINO wear less gold braid than those IN
front OF the de luxe houses, draw less
money. S2ll5. The ushers also receive
smaller wages, averaging 1881.
Wage scales in the neighborhooo
tneaters are approximately 6 per CENT
'ess than those paid at the three de luxe
...ca.eTS
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08
PROPOSES PARKING
GARAGES IN ALLEYS
Engineer Offers Plan to Solve
Two D. c. Problems at
One Time.

A proposal to solve Washington IS
parking problems and to eliminate the
ancient GALLEY evil" here at the same
time by the erection Of municipal ga
RACES In alley areas is set forth in a
report formulated by Allen B. Nc
Daniel, local engineer and secretary
treasurer Of the Research Service, In
corporated.
The report suggests that the Gov
eminent condemn undesirable struc-
lures facing on alleys to obtain space
for the garages.
No Reason for Them.
Investigation of the alley problem
here during the Wilson administration
resulted in the conclusion that most OF
the dwelling and small shops located
in these areaways were fire traps, many
of them were without sewerage and
that no reasonable necessity for their
existence could be offered.
Mr.. Mcdaniel, who assisted in the
survey of conditions at that time, later
reviewed the findings with view to
discovering a practical use for the now
misused space.
The parking problem here having
something of a permanent status, the
engineer attacked the question with its
solution in mind.
1t was discovered that in the average
city block containing alley dwellings OF
shops, space could be obtained for the
erection of garage with $4,000 square
feet basic floor space, capable of accom-
modating 400 cars. This would cleal
three blocks of machines, Mr.. Mcdaniel
estimated.
Suggest Revolving Fund.
Establishment of a revolving funo
for the gradual development of this
scheme would enable the Government
to clear a space, lease the ground for
the erection of a privately owned ga
rage on a basis allowing the investor;
a return of at least per cent, and
then to apply the returns from the
leasehold to the fund for execution Of
another project, Mr.. Mcdaniel points
out.
The garages would operate under Gov,
eminent supervision, assuring Jus'
prices, and would include in then
equipment repair and service facilities
The charges would be set by prede'
termined scale of prices.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08
PLASTERERS END
STRIKE ON WAGES
Ninety Men to Return to Work
Monday After Dispute on
'$5.25 Overtime.

Ninety plaSterers and hodcarriers who
had gone on strike on union orders over
a dispute of $5.25 in overtime pay, will
go back to work Monday, following adj
justment of differences between the
contractor and his employees yesterday.
The men, who were called OF five Jobs
under contract by A. w. Lee, pasterer,
last Monday, sacrificed total Of $3.50
in pay, it Is estimated.
The contractor was absolved Of re-
sponsibility for the dispute, and the
overtime wage was not paid or any
compromise reached concerning it.
representatives of Lee said today. The
conference yesterday was attended by
Lee, James M. Myles of Philadelphia,
vice president of the International
Operating Plasterers and Cement Fin
ishers' Association; Arthur L. Smith,
contractor; Patrick Leckey, president of
the local union, and John A. Goodwin,
financial secretary of the local union.
The builder of the apartment at
Thirteenth and Taylor streets, the job
on which the trouble started, subSti-
tuted union men with non-union men
when the strike was called.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08

The rush copy he followed through
editorial, composing and press rooms Of
The Star yesterday never got more than
one jump ahead of Larry Williams, g.
year-old editor Of the Thornapple Street
News.
Being the boss of a juvenile weekly
which doubled it's circulation the first
month, Larry had more than a pass
ing interest, and considerably more
than layman's understanding, OF the
process.
Larry didn't feel he knew it all: he
just caught on fast, and his mind leap
ed ahead to the next process while the
story sped under the city editors pen
Gil, across to the copy desk, where the
headline was written, and thence up
pneumatic tubes to the composing room.
Larry was on hand moment later,
when printer put the story through