davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1933-12-22
UTILITIES HEARINGS
INVOLVE BIG SUMS
Commission or Courts to Be
Busy on Power, Gas, Phone
and Car Questions.

The coming two months will see a
series of cases before the Public Utilities
Commission and the courts of vital i'm
portance to users of electricity. gas, tele-
phone, street car and bus The issues
involved run into the millions of dol
lars in valuations and into hundreds
of thousands annually in rates.
Starting January 3, the valuation case
OF the Washington and Georgetown Gas
Light Companies will be resumed. This
case is now about half tried before the
Utilities Commission although it had
heen previously hoped to have it over
with by Thanksgiving, it proved too
much to handle and the date of its
eventual completion is now uncertain.
Phone Case Delay Likely.
January was the date set for the
trial of the litigation between the CheSa-
peake 81 Potomac Telephone Co and
the commission in District Supreme
Court, although it is now expected that
this case will not be reached until some
time in February. Involving as it does
an attempt by the telephone company
to escape rate reductions ordered by
the commission Of 10 per cent for all
except private switchboard operation, il
will mean approximately $4,000 per
month in rates.
Next in order is the electric rate case
before the commission. Electric rates
are set here under sliding scale agree
ment between the commission and the
Potomac Electric Power Co., and de-
pendS upon the earnings made by the
company in the previous year. 1t now
appears that approximately $50o,000 in
rate reductions will be distributed to
power consumers as result OF public
hearings on the 1884 rates set by the
commission for January 18.
Car-Bus Transfer Question.
After that comes the hearing on the
transfer system of the newly merged
street car and bus lines, set for Febru-
ary 5. The present transfer system was
ordered into effect as temporary ex-
pertinent December l, and the commits
sion has been studying its effects care
fully since. Citizens associations have
been circularized with requests for their
views on transfer points in the various
city neighborhoods.
At this hearing the Federation of
Citizens Associations will attempt to
persuade the commission to abolish all
transfer charges, since there are still
some in existence for changes from bus
to street cars and vice versa.
Evening star., 1933-12-22
BALTIMORE BANK
IS ROBBED BY FIVE
Bandits Are Sought in D. C.
Stolen Car Tags Used on
Fugitive Machine.

Using an automobile bearing a L.
cense plate reported stolen from an
Army officer here. five bandits held up
a Baltimore bank today ana escaped
with approximately Sl4,l00.
Washington police were asked to be
on the lookout for the robbers few
minutes after their car sped away from
the bank, evidently headed in this di-
rection. The leader of the gang, who
fired one shot during the hold-up. was
said to have answered the general de-
scription of the head of the so-called
''Twin-Citie Gang" wanted by both
District and Maryland authorities for
participation in recent robberies. The
car was found abandoned later.
One of the tags used by the bandits
was reported stolen from a car owned
by Mai. William Nalle, U. s. A 1920
Tilden street At the Army officer 5
apartment it was said his machine was
stolen about two months ago and found
abandoned in Baltimore the following
| day, without its tags.
Four Men Enter Bank.
In the interim, it was said, the auto
mobile was used in the hold-up of the
Maryland Biscuit Co, which netted a
gang of robbers several thousand dol
lars. A short time later, Baltimore
police reported, car bearing one of
| the stolen plates was used in the hold
up of a Monumental City brewery.
The West Baltimore Branch of the
Calvert Bank was the scene of todays
| hold-up. A few minutes after the
bank opened a blue sedan pulled up to
! the curb and four men stepped out
The fifth man remained behind the
steering wheel of the car, the motor
of which was kept running.
The robbers marched into the bank
and, without word, their leader, a
short, stocky many of about As, fired
a shot through the partition of the pri-
vate office of Simon Kemp, branch
manager, in the front part of the
building. The bullet whizzed over
Kemp's head and buried itself in a
corner of the opposite wall
While one of the bandits forced
Charles Fowler, a customer. to hand
over a pay roll of $3.50, the two others
vaulted the cage, grabbed a waste
basket from beneath the counter and,
running along the row of cash drawers,
began scooplng money into 1t.
Robbers Speed Away.
After the other robbers had finished
looting the cash drawers, they ran for
! the door, followed by their leader.
| Inc rODDerS jumped into their car
which already had started moving, and
sped away.
Witnesses said the machine bore only
one of Maj Males tags, a New York
marker hanging from the front.
While the hold-up was in progress, a
14-year- old boy was selling Christmas
trees outside the bank. Mister. want
to buy a Christmas tree?" he asked the
| lookout.
mo, sonny" was the smiling reply
! Not TODAY"
Evening star., 1933-12-22
REALTY TAX SALE
RULES ADOPTED
Auction January 8 to 16 to Re-
quire Bids Equaling Levy
and Penalties.

The District Commissioners, meeting
yesterday, approved rules for the an
nual auction" sale of District real
estate for non-payment of taxes, to be
held from January 9 to 16, inclusive.
On recommendation from Chatham
M. Towers, collector of taxes, the Com
missioners decided the PROPERTIES on
which taxes due during the past fiscal
year were not paid, would be sold in
the order in which they were listed in
the recent legal advertisements.
No bids will be received prior to the
opening of the tax deed sale.
Under terms of the law, tax deeds
are to be sold to the person submitting
the highest bid for not less than the
amount of taxes due plus penalties and
costs Otherwise, the property will be
bid in by the District government.
Approximately 10000 parcels of prop
erty were advertised for sale at the
auction in the first legal notice pub
lished December 6. This Is the largest
number on record. Those properties
for which delinquent taxes and penalties
are paid prior to the sale will be with
drawn from the auction
More than 81 600, 900 in taxes was in
volved in the matter at the time of the
December advertisement, but since
then hundreds Of property owners have
submitted delinquent payments.
Evening star., 1933-12-22
BANK PAID S73,667
ON BONDS OF TELLER
Three Surety Companies Make Up
for Peculations of District
National Employe.

Recovery of S73,667.25 from three
bonding companies to make up for the
peculations of a savings teller in the
District National Bank was announced
today by the banks receiver, Norman r
Hamilton.
The money already has been deposited
to the credit of the controller of the
currency for the benefit of depositors
in the District National Bank. Even
tually this cash will be paid out to
depositors, but at present there is no
indication as to when a dividend will
be available.
The amount of the defalcation, made
public today in detail for the first time,
was ascertained by Lester A. Pratt.
certified public accountant, who was
employed by Hamilton.
Walter E. Koons, a savings teller
formerly with the District National
Bank, has been indicted on charges OF
embe5zlement in this case and is now
free on bend awaiting trial.
Evening star., 1933-12-22
1876 CONGRESSMEN
FAVOR RESTORED PAY
Figures Obtained From Poll Con-
Quoted by Federation of
-.r q. S, Employees.

A total of 135 Senators and Repre-
sentatives now are on record in fayo.
of pay restoration, according to figures
from the poll being conducted by the
American Federation Of Government
Employees.
These have announced they will vote
for such legislation, while % others
have expressed their Endorsement with
out making any pledge to vote. Replies
from II have been on-committal and
two were in opposition.
Recent additions to the list of sup
porters are Senators Bulkley, Ohio;
Logan and Barkley, Kentucky; Repre-
sentatives Young, Ohio; Spence, Ken
lucky; Truax and Hollister. Ohio.
Senator F'ess. Ohio, and Representa-
tive Hess. Ohio, Republicans, were non-
committal.
Evening star., 1933-12-22
VICTIMS IDENTIFY
HOLD-UP SUSPECTS
Two of Four Taken in Hotel
Fight Linked With Past
0ffenses.

With two identifications made to aid
the solution of past robber1es. police to-
day were continuing their investigation
of the recent activities of four men cap
tured Wednesday night as they were
hiding. armed with guns. tear gas
billy and adhesive tape, in the adjoining
hotel apartments of Thomas Moore and
Albert Shapiro, well known sporting
figures.
Herbert GlasSman, operator OF a taxi
cab company here, at lineup yeSter-
day pointed out Leslie Weldon, alias
Williams, 80. of the 1900 block Thir-
teenth street. as one OF the men who
bound and robbed him of $1,000 and a
diamond pin in the Raleigh Hotel last
August.
Woman Confirms Identity.
"Reds" Mitchell, proprietor of a Sixth
street establishment, made the second
Identification. He picked James E. Neal,
alias Davis, %, of the 2700 block Four
teenth street, as a participant In hold
up at his place about a month ago.
Mitchells wife also confirmed this iden-
tifcation, police said.
Neal Is a member of a well known
Southern family, understood to be here
today to intercede in his behalf. Rela-
tives refused to believe he had been
responsible for any of the crimes OF
plight to bad company"
The other two men captured in the
hotel here were Lawrence E. McNally,
81, of the 200 block of K street north
east. and John M. Taylor alias Tabler,
26, of the HOO block Eleventh street.
All four we're taken into custody by
Detective Sergt. Frank o. Brass after
he had received a tip-of on the alleged
robbery plan, gone to the hotel and
exchanged shots with the men In the
dark before they surrendered.
Brass to Be Commended.
Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen an.
nounced today that Brass will be called
before the Board of District Commits
sioners within the next few days to
receive a special commendation for his
bravery in action and intelligent work
in effecting the capture.
Witnesses to the 81 800 robbery OF the
Heurich Brewery were among the doz-
ems of hold-up victims who viewed the
quartet yesterday, but none of them
was positively connected with the crime.
Inspector Frank S. w. Burke said to-
day, however, all the Heurich witnesses
had not been present at the lineup
and would be called in today. Mean
while, detectives of the robbery squad
continued Questioning the suspects.
Evening star., 1933-12-22
COURT AGAIN TO HEAR
PARK SAVINGS CASE
Depositors' Counsel Files Final
Reply and Memorandum
of Authorities.

The Park Savings Bank case probably
Will come up again for hearing in Dis
trlct Supreme Court early in January.
it was forecast today as counsel for the
Depositors' Committee filed a compre-
hensive memorandum of authorities and
fl1al reply In the court today.
Prepared by E. Hilton Jackson and
William E Richardson, the extensive
document constituted detailed reply
to all OF the motions filed by the five
different classes of defendants in the
case
The depositors are attempting to es-
tablish in this equity suit the liability
OF directors of the bank for the
tremendous losses.
A date for the hearing probably will
be set In few days when an agree
ment can be reached among the counsel
involved and when assignment can be
made.
Evening star., 1933-12-22
POUNDMASTER EXTENDS
NEW DEAL TO DOGS

The new deal for the forgotten man
will be extended to the forgotten dog
this Christmas by Poundmaster Walter
r. Smith this year. Although appeals
frol a radio station have almost
cleaned the pound of stray dogs, there
are still few, with fresh recruits COM
ing every day, Mr.. Smith said.
Ten OF these were to 60 this after
noon, Frank H. Edmonds, local optician,
having donated $40 in fees SO that 10
dog-loving children who didn't have the
So fee could each get pet.
The dogs left over, however, will cele-
brate In appropriate style beneath dog
Christmas tree. The tree will be deco
rated with two cakes and sausage
fer each Of the forgotten dcS5.
Evening star., 1933-12-22
CLERKS ON c. v. A.
PROJECTS TO GET
39-HOUR WEEK PAY
Change Expected to EquaIize
Salaries With Govern.
ment Workers..
NEW SCALE AVERAGE
MAY REMAIN SAME
Construction of Wooden Dormi.
tories at Lorton Considered by
Planning Committee.

Clerks employed on civil works prof.
ects in the District hereafter will work
SO hours week instead of 80, and will
be paid on weekly basis, under a de-
cision announced today by Capt. How
ard F. Clark. chairman Of the Work
Planning Committee of the District
G. w. A
The change. estimated roughly TO
affect some 1000 clerks was in keeping
with new regulations issued by the Fed
eral civil works authorities, Capt. Clark
said. An undetermined number will re-
ceive pay for 80 hours tomorrow.
One reason given for the change was
that in many cases regular Government
employees were receiving approximately
the same pay as the c. w. A. clerks
and were working nine hours a week
more, Also. 1t was pointed out, the
c. w. A. workers are not subject to
the IS per cent Government pay cut
The clerks in such cases, it was
stated, will be placed on weekly in
stead OF an hourly basis The new
rules permit clerks to work up to 80
hours week. 1t was stated that in
cases where operations require periods
of extra work. the rule of 100 hours
a month would te followed.
Some Affected Soon.
1t was said the change would affect
some workers in the pay roll tomorrow
but that most of the shifts would be
effected during the next week.
Under the weekly pay system for this
zone the base pay Is set at SIS q week,
the intermediate scale at sl8 a week,
operating supervisory pay at s2l a
week and technical supervisory scale at
from s2l to $40 a week.
Capt Clark said he estimated that
this scale would average about the same
as the present scale for c. w. A. clerks
The Planning Committee. Capt. Clark
said, would consider plans for the con-
struction of two temporary wooden dor
mitories for prisoners at the District
Reformatory at Lorton, Va, next week
If approved. Virginia civil works au-
thorities will be asked to make the
work a project under their program
Problem Of Mechanics.
District welfare officials have urged
that immediate steps be taken to re-
lieve the overcrowded conditions at
Lorton. where more than LOO prison
ers are housed in buildings planned for
capacity of 720.
A number of problems as to the
wages of mechanics employed on civil
WORKS here are to be reviewed at
conference next Tuesday afternoon be-
tween John Carmody. chief engineer
OF the Federal c. w. A, labor leaders
and Capt. Clark and W. C. Cleary of
the District C. W. A. staff.
one question Is whether skilled work
ers building shelter for antelope at
the Zoo shall be paid the union scale
Tor stoneSetterS. District officials be-
ueVe the rate should be SI10 an hour
rather than the higher union rate,
since this job is not one that would be
let under contract in normal conditions.
1t is not work. they declared. that
requires the technical skill of union
Stonesetter.
Evening star., 1933-12-22
BRIEF ILLNESS FATAL
TO GEORGE F. SWIFT
Funeral Services Tomorrow After
noon for Local Department
Store Worker.

George F. Swift, so. for many years
a department store worker here, died
yesterday at his home, 1921 Kearney
street northeast, after short illness.
At one time Mr.. Swift served as chief
engineer of the Evangeline Home. He
came here from Fort Foote, Md, and
became associated with Woodward q
Lothrop about Is years ago. He was
a member of Masonic Council Of En-
gineers, Joseph H. Milans Lodge and
Columbia Chapter, Royal Arch Masons.
Mr.. Swift is survived by a daughter,
Kathryn Louise Swift; his mother. Mrs.
Rebecca Swift; two sisters, Mrs. Mary
A Kintz and Sarah E. Swift. and
three brothers, Charles, Wilmer and w.
Frank Swift.
Funeral services will be held at
3 pm. tomorrow at Murray's chapel,
2007 Nichols avenue southeast. Burial
will be in Oxon Hill, Md.
Evening star., 1933-12-22
DISTRIBUTES GIFTS
Cosmopolitan Club Sends Out 1oo
Christmas Baskets.

Distribution of approximately 100
Christmas baskets was made yesterday
to needy families by members of the
Cosmopolitan Club following their an
nuaI pre-Christmas meeting In the
Carlton Hotel. An assortment OF toys
and clothing also was given out.
The Rev. Calvert E. Buck, chaplain
OF the club made Christmas address
in which he complimented the workers
for their cooperation in securing
Christmas baskets. James E. Diver
was chairman Of the Relief Committee
IN charge Of the work.
Evening star., 1933-12-22

THIEVES last night dug through
15-inch brick wall, tore a
wooden door from its hinges,
Il picked the lock of steel graf
ing and finally smashed a
wooden cabinet to get five cases of
choice old whiskies in the Peoples Drug
Store at Fourteenth and U streets.
Store officials valued the liquor at
about 5000.
The robbers handed their haul out
of the store through the same hole by
which they entered.
Police believe the burglary was the
work of some one familiar with the lay
out of the store since the hole, some 8
feet in diameter, was made 10 effect an
entrance between two vacant shelves
in the store room, just missing another
wall
Evening star., 1933-12-22
CHRISTMAS SEAL SALE
REPORTED BELOW QUOTA
Thousands of Dollars Needed for
Full Continuation of Pre-
ventive Work.

The sale of Christmas seals so far
has not produced sufficient returns to
guarantee carrying on the work of the
Warrington tuberculosis Association.
1t was annoupnced today by officials
Still many thousands of dollars are
needed to complete the quota for doing
preventive work, such as the Chill
drens Health Camp at Fourteenth and
Upshur streets, which has been main
tanned by the association for several
years.
Use the Christmas seals now and
pay for them after the holiday season."
officials of the association urged In
statement today. One donor has sent
a check for $500. they said. and asked
to remain anonymous. Friends School
pupils reported large sale of seals.
Evening star., 1933-12-22
SEEK GUN POINTER

Police today were searching for a
man who early this morning was said
to have pointed shotgun at William
H. Hart, 1900 block of P street, a taxi
driver, while he was seated In the cab
near his home.
Police quoted Hart as telling them
that the man stepped from between two
parked cars and trained the gun at him
but did not say anything. Hart told
police that he backed his cab out from
the parking place and drove speedily
cyav.
Evening star., 1933-12-22

The burglary was discovered by NJ
E. Snyder, assistant manager, when
he opened the store for business this
morning. He summoned police and
Detective Sergt. Thomas Nalley inves-
tigated.
He found the cash register also had
been broken open, but it yielded only
81. Nothing but the register and the
liquor cabinet had been touched.
To reach the outside wall through
which they dug, apparently with a
pick-aX, the thieves had to enter a
shed next door to the store Although
the hole in the outside wall was about
feet in diameter the aperture made in
the inside wall was scarcely large
enough to admit a mans body.
Evening star., 1933-12-22
Old Box Causes Court Case.

Two women, charged with theft. re-
Gently we're tried in Glamorgan, Wales.
For two hours the jury listened to
counsel questioning witnesses, four Of
whom had travelled SO miles. After the
judge summed up the case, and the jury
had duly deliberated. it declared the
women not guilty. The theft consisted
of taking a dilapidated wooden box. 1t
was valued at IL cents.
Evening star., 1933-12-22
c. w. A. WORKER HURT
Blown Cylinder Head Knocks Man
Down Embankment.

Louis J. Van Allen, "a, of 5000 Foxhall
road, was seriously injured today when
the cylinder head of gasoline engine
blew off and knocked him over six
foot embankment when he was at work
on a swimming pool project at Fourth
and Van Buren streets.
Van Allen was removed to Walter
Reed Hospital in a private automobile
and treated for skull fracture and
internal injuries. After going over the
embankment the injured man fell on a
concrete abutment.
The swimming pool is a Civil Works
Administration project.
Evening star., 1933-12-22

the baskets and the market dealers
furnished the other 100. The families
taken care Of by the club were selected
by its 200 members; those receiving
the market dealers baskets were named
in list turned over to Gait Burns, cir
culation manager Of The Star, by Ne
Associated Charities
Last year 258 needy families we're
provided for in this way. Distribution
! of food baskets was begun by the mar
Evening star., 1933-12-22
Treasury to Cash
C.W.A. Work Checks
Tomorrow Morning

Although the Treasury De-
partment, like other branches of
the government, will be closed all
day tomorrow, a special window
in the cash room will be open
from 9 am. to 1890 pm. for
cashing C. w. A. checks.
No other business will be trans
acted through this window, it
was announced. The entrance
to this cash window is through
the north door of the Treasury
Department Building.
Evening star., 1933-12-22

ASKETS Of food for Christmas
were presented to 232 needy
n families today by members of
- the New Center Market Dealers
Association and employees of the
Fruit Growers Express Co. The baskets
were delivered by feet of trucks pro-
vided by the circulation department of
The Star.
The express companys workers
Christmas Cheer Club provided 1872 of
Evening star., 1933-12-22
Co. just before their 1872 baskets of food

ket dealers year before last, but the
fruit growers employees have been at 1t
for seven years.
Officers Of the market dealers organ
ization are: F. w. Loetsch, president;
Fairfax Oyster, vice president; Alfred
M. Briggs, secretary, and Fritz w.
KnutSon. treasurer.
Arrangements for the fruit growers
baskets were made by committees head
ed by Charles E. Raeder and G. J.
ChaconaS.
Evening star., 1933-11-03
SUIT DEMANDS SO
IN COLD FOR BILL
New Yorker Contends U. S.
Deprives Him of His Prop
erty in Refusing Metal.

Designed to test the constitutionality
of President Roosevelt's regulations
against gold payments. a mandamus
petition to compel the Secretary Of
the Treasury to redeem $40 gold
certificate in gold coin was filed yes
terday in District Supreme Court.
Supreme Court today issued an order
directing Secretary Woodin to show
cause on November IS why the manda-
mus should not be awarded against him.
The suit was filed by Halsey K.
Davis Of New York City. He said that
on october Is he made demand for
redemption of his certificate in gold
coin and had been refused on the
ground that the President acting under
authority Of the national banking act,
had forbade such payments.
Davis contends he is being illegally
deprived of his property and that the
national banking act constitutes an
improper delegation of the powers of
Congress.
Hearing on a suit against the Sec
retary of the Treasury by a New York
construction firm to compel the award
of a public works building contract,
originally set for today has been post
poned until November 8. to give Gov
eminent counsel more time in which
to prepare. The contract was denied
the New York firm on the ground it
had failed to comply with certain
N R. A. provisions. The company
contends it has met all the require
mentS
Evening star., 1933-11-03
WITNESS REVEALS
MARET CASE ROLE
Charles A. May Says He Got
$3.50 for Taking Part
of Policeman.

Revealing the role fake policeman
played in an alleged plot to swindle
Miss Louise Maret, 6o-year-old CO.
proprietor Of a fashionable private
school here, out of $4,000 she claims to
have lost to Countess Grace de Benque
and George A. Gormley in october,
1881, the prosecution opened its grand
larceny case against the Countess and
Gormley in District Supreme Court yes
terday afternoon.
The first and only witness heard at
the initial session was Charles A. May,
SO, of Takoma Park, Md, called to the
stand by Assistant District Attorney
John r. Fitzpatrick to relate his part
in scheme the Government charges
the defendants concocted to make Miss
Maret believe her reputation and her
school would be ruined by publicity if
| she did not bribe the officer" who
found her sitting In parked car with
Gormerly on the Brookville Pike.
Tells Of $3.50 Payment.
Neatly dressed and bland OF counte-
nance, Gormerly sat scribbling notes
and smiling as May testified that he