davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1933-01-26
C0SM|C RAY HELD
SPARK FROM ATOM
Able lie Maitre Explains His
Theory of Universe as Divi-
sion of PrimevaI Unit.

The mysterious cosnlic ray Is spark
from the explosion of the great pri-
meval atom that is responsible for the
universe Able Georges LIE Maitre, Bel
gian prieSt-scientist told an audience
at Catholic University last night
The nature of the cosmic ray, the
most powerful radiation known to man
which will go through a foot of lead as
if it was so much air, has been a sub
ject of much dispute among the world S
foremost scientists for the last few
years. Some, led by DR.. Robert A.
Millikan of the California Institute of
Technology. hold that they result from
the building up Of atoms in the vast
depths of space. Others insist that
they are the result of vast forces at
work in the interiors of the stars.
Held Remnant of Blast.
LeMaitre advanced the radically diff
ferent hypothesis that they are the
lingering remnants of that great ex-
plosion approximately 100000 years
ago which marked the beginning of
space and time Originally. he holds,
there was only a single great atom
containing all the matter in the present
universe but filling no space" in any
accepted definition of the word. This
can be comprehended only by under
standing that an atom, as it exists
today, although it is the ultimate
particle Of matter, consists chiefly of
empty space which, if was filled solidly.
would contain the solid substance of
many billions of atoms. Yet many
billions of atoms could rest easily on
the head of pin. There could be no
space if there was no separation in the
original mass and nothing outside it.
There could be no time because nothing
could happen.
Able lie Maitre has just returned
from California, where he conferred
with Prof. Einstein and other relativists
He differs from Einstein chiefly in his
hypothesis of "cosmical force"-the
force of the explosion-which acts to
pull things apart, in opposition to the
law of gravity, which acts to keep them
together.
Considers Theory Necessary.
Einstein, he said, still holds that the
observed phenomena OF an expanding
universe do not require cosmical force
for their explanation. He himself, how
ever, considers 1t necessary at the be-
ginning, although, he says, the expan-
sion has gone so far now that it can
continue of its own momentum.
The expansion, he said, will 60 on in
definitely until every particle of matter
In the universe Is so small that it can
divide no longer. This may require
100000, 600, 900 years. What will happen
then nobody can conjecture.
Able LIE Maitre holds that the evolu-
ton of the universe is in the direction
of breaking down, rather than building
up. New atoms, he says, cannot be
created spontaneously. The most COM
plex was at the beginning. Continually
everything is becoming simpler and
more diffused.
Evening star., 1933-01-26

proximately 200 guests were present at
the ceremony.
Miss Merrick has been a pioneer in
child welfare work throughout the
country, establishing small settlements
in the poorer sections of cities, fresh air
homes for undernouriShed children, free
dental clinics and similar services. One
of the outstanding institutions OF the
society is the fresh air farm and home
for convalescent children at Rockville
The Washington Settlement House has
an enrolment of 1000 children.
Several years ago Miss Merrick re-
ceived the Laetaire Medal of Notre
Dame University, annually conferred on
the person who has done extraordinary
work in any field of uplift. The Christ
Child Society Is under Catholic auspices
but operated on a non-sectarian basis.
Previous awards of the Cosmopolitan
Club medal have been made to Theo-
dore w. NoyeS, editor of The Evening
Star; Martin A. LeeSe. owner OF Station
WMAL, and E. c. Graham, president OF
the Community Chest.
Among the guests at the ceremony
today were Dr. Luther H. Reichelderfer
and Maj Gen. Herbert D. Crosby, Dis
trict Commissioners: Thomas P. Little
page, president of the Chamber Of Com
merce: Ben T. Webster. president OF
the Board of Trade; E. c. Graham,
president Of the Community Chest;
Mgr C. F. Thomas, pastor of st. Pat
rick's Church; Elwood Street, director
of the Community Chest, and three OF
Miss Merrick's sisters. Miss Mildred G.
Merrick, Mrs M. M. Ramsay and Mrs.
George E. Hamilton.
Evening star., 1933-01-26
DEMOCRATIC INAUGURAL MAIL
BEARS HOOVER-CURTISC CREST
Grayson Committees Attempt at Economy Makes
Rooseveltian Faces Red.

but some sharp-eyed Democrats ferreted
them out and, indignant. wrote to Ad-
miral Grayson.
Today, Admiral Grayson admitted
the Roosevelt Inaugural Committee had
lifted" the die for the letterheads
from the Republicans as an economy
move. and had ordered the names Of
the two Republicans stricken from 1t.
Somehow, on the first batch of sta
tionery prepared for the committee, it
was explained at inaugural headquarters,
the die was not altered, and the letter.
heads were used. Later, when the
blunder was discovered, the die was
altered, and the names of Hoover and
Curtis appear no more on Roosevelt
Inaugural Committee stationery.
The Republicans are getting big
chuckle out of the situation of Admiral
Grayson and his committee members,
for. although there are plenty of Re-
rubhcans On the Inaugural Committee.
the committee which had to do with the
printing is headed by a very active
Democrat. John B. Colpoys, chairman
of the Democratic State Central Com
mittee. And he is in the Printing busi-
ness.
Evening star., 1933-01-26

Rear Admiral Cary T. Grayson.
chairman, and other members of the
Roosevelt Inaugural Committee, were
wearing very red faces today.
1t was all on account of a little at
attempt at economy when Admiral
Grayson's committee was first formed,
which called for the use of the same
crest on the years stationery as was
used by the Hoover Inaugural Com
mittee four years ago.
It was revealed today that some OF
that stationery went out in the mail of
the Roosevelt Committee and the BAN
ner held by the impressive-l looking eagle
in the crest bore not the names OF the
two Democratic stalwarts who will take
office March 4, but the names OF the
two defeated candidates, Hoover and
Curtis.
The design, especially prepared for
the Hoover inaugural, is of wreath
inclosing an eagle and the Capitol
ard around the encircling wreath are
the words, Inaugural Of President and
Vice President"
The names of Hoover and Curtis are
barely discernable on the letterheads,
Evening star., 1933-01-26
Capper Has Close
Call as He Rushes
To Radio Studio
Arrives Half Minute Be.
fore Broadcast of Re.
lief Appeal.
w YORK AVENUE BUILDING.

Senator Capper, Republican, of
Kansas, a veteran broadcaster, had the
closest call Of his radio career last
evening when he rushed into the WRC
studio half minute before he was due
to go on the air with an appeal for
old shoes for needy children.
The Senator had promised to speak
in support of the campaign of THE
Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe"
but to do SO he had to make a rapid
dash from night session of the Sen
ate to the downtown studio.
The Senator was due on the air at
6:45. He was all ready to leave the
Capitol at 625, when the quorum bell
rang in the Senate, denoting an i'm
pending vote Senator Capper waited
while the quorum was obtained and the
voting began. As soon as he had voted,
he. hurried out to his automobile with
only 10 minutes left AS he emerged
from an elevator at the National Press
Building. with less than a minute re-
naming, he saw studio announcers
looking anxiously down the hall for
him.
Evening star., 1933-01-26
YOUTH, 70, IS HELD
UNDER Mann ACT
Homer B. Shropshire Ordered
Detained for Action of
Grand Jury.

Homer B. Shropshire, 20. was held
for grand jury action by United States
Commissioner Needham c. Turnage to-
day on charges of violating the Mann
act, after a 22-year-old woman testi-
fed against him.
The young woman, Miss Dorothy
l.. Pollard, told the commissioner that
Shropshire, whose bond was set at
S., 900, had beaten her several times
since inducing her to accompany him
here from her home in Roanoke, Va,
last November. The youth. whose
home also is in Roanoke, pleaded not
guilty.
Shropshire, on the advice of his at
torney, James K. Hughes. decided to
go to the District Jail in default of the
bond after it was indicated other
charges Of the same nature might be
filed against him.
Tells of Beatings.
The second night after Shropshire
brought her here, Miss Pollard testified,
he ordered her on the street. giving her
detailed instructions on how to pick
up dates and bring them to our apart
ment."
After about three weeks here, she
said she was taken back to Roanoke
by Shropshire who left her there The
night before she returned home, how
ever, she asserted, Shropshire beat her
because hadn't made any money"
She came back to Washington by bus
on Christmas eve. she testified, and
rented An apartment In the 1900 block
OF Tenth street. Shropshire discovered
her about a week later, she said, and
induced her to take an apartment with
him in the 1900 block Of NJ street.
Miss Pollard accused Shropshire Of
beating her three or four times"
She testified she was about to be-
come a mother.
The last beating, she declared, oc-
CURED Monday night. It was then,
she explained, that she complained to
Policeman James E. Bennett. Traffic
Bureau, who with Policeman L. R. Le-
Foe, also of the Traffic Bureau and
Agent John B. Little to the Department
Of Justice. arrested Shropshire.
Two Others Arrested.
He beat me-" she said, because I
asked him not to make any noise In
the apartment. I told the officer about
it because I was nervous and upset"
Previously, Bennett had testified
Miss HOlidIu dppiodSllcO 2Aiu Oll tllc
street and complained Of Shropshire's
treatment. She was crying, the police
man said, and she told him the youth
had forced her to turn the bulk of her
money over to him.
She said she had given him about
5000" Bennett testified.
Miss Pollard, in her testimony, said
she had given Shropshire about $66"
Following Shropshire's arrest, police
reported, they discovered several other
young women who claimed to have had
similar experiences with the youth. In
cooperation with the Justice Depart
ment, they began an investigation i'm
mediately.
Another man and q woman-James
H Melcher, 81, and his sister, Miss
Olive ". Melcher, IS, were arrested in
connection with the case They did
not appear at the hearing, however.
Evening star., 1933-01-26
ACCUSES COMPANION
OF SIMMS MURDER
Baltimore Colored Man Tells Coro.
ner's Jury of Night Watch
mans Staying.

The murder early Sunday of William
Simms, IS. of 1640 Kramer street north
east. colored night watchman at Dickey
Bros. Feed Store on Kenilworth
avenue and Benning road northeast,
was described to a coroner's jury today
by George Mckinley Pitmond, colored,
81, Of Baltimore. who said the injuries
which resulted in the watchman's death
were inflicted by Joe Goodman, colored,
also of Baltimore, with whom Pitmond
said he planned the robbery of the
feed store
The jury held Pitmond for the action
Of the grand jury and directed that
Goodman, alias Joe Smith, be appre-
hended. Baltimore and Washington
police are cooperating in seeking the
man
Pitmond took the stand after Acting
Coroner A. Magruder Macdonald had
told him he would not be obliged to
make a statement. The prisoner. who
was arrested for investigation several
hours before it was found that Simms
had been murdered, said he wished to
make a statement.
He said he and Goodman had planned
to rob another place in the vicinity,
but later decided to go to Dlckey
Bros. He said Goodman asked the
watchman for a drink Of water and
when the latter turned to get it. Good
man beat his head with piece OF scrap
iron.
Evening star., 1933-01-26
Utilities CommisSon Chairman
Optimistic as Lawyers
Seek Agreement.
COMPROMISE TO END
LITIGATION EXPECTED
Sessions Under Way to Change
Phraseology Keech Opposed as
Endangering Public's Case.

The Public Utilities Commission,
Chairman Patrick announced today,
hopes to make substantial reduction
in electric rates, effective February /,
regardless of the outcome of the re-
newed negotiations for settlement of
the consent-decree litigation now in
the Court of Appeals.
As Chairman Patrick made his an
nouncement attorneys for the commits
sion and the company, in addition to
Peoples Counsel Keech, were in con-
ference at the District Building, en-
deavoring to reach an amicable agree
ment over the plraseology of a legal
document designed to end the electric
rate litigation.
These negotiations were abruptly
halted last week because Peoples Coun-
sci Keech thought the phraseology of
the document would forfeit the victory
won by the commission in the decision
of Justice Luhring which held that the
commission was within its rights in
abolishing the consent decree of 1924
by which electric RATES have since been
regulated.
Hopeful of Agreement.
THE commission is very hopeful that
an agreement can be reached by which
the litigation can be terminated" said
Gen. Patrick. If present negotiations
toward that end are unsuccessful, the
commission has reason to hope it can
make substantial reduction in rates
beginning February l, although it is
problematical whether the amount of
the reduction will be as great as is pos
sibie if the matter is settled out of
court"
Gen. Patrick indicated that the re-
duction would apply generally to the
various rate schedules of the Potomac
Electric Power Co.
Would Protest Decision.
S. R. Bowen, counsel for the power
company, had several conferences with
Gen. Patrick ani Corporation Counsel
William w. Bride, prior to the meeting
this mornn ng at which another effort
was made toward reconciliation of diff
ferenceS of opinion over phraSeology of
the document for terminating the liti-
cation.
The commission, it was learned, is
remaining adamant in its position not
to concede any point which might de-
stroy the victory involved in Justice
Luhring's decision Therefore, any set
tlement that might be made would net
leave the power company in position
to question at some future time the
authority of the commission to make
alterations in the sliding scale without
consent of the company or the court
Adjustment of the controversy de-
pends upon whether the company will
acknowledge the right of the commits
sion to fix rates independently.
Determined efforts are to be made to
settle the controversy but if they fail
the commission. it was declared, takes
the position that electric consumers in
the District should not suffer by losing
a reduction in rates to which they are
justly entitled. For that reason, the
commission is preparing to cut rates.
and let the lawyers resume the fight in
the courts.
Evening star., 1933-01-26
COUPLE SOUGHT FOR WEDDING
AT FOOD STORES EXPOSITION
Everything From License to Honeymoon Trip Offered
Inducement by Grocers

With everything from the marriage
license to honeymoon trip as induce
ment, the sponsors Of the second annual
exposition of the United Food Stores
are seeking a matrimonally- inclined
couple willing to 60 through wedding
ceremony at the Washington Auditorium
one night during the show week, which
begins February II.
The $50 merchants comprising the
food stores group are cooperating in
providing the wedding ring. minister,
brides outfit, flowers, decorations and
all transportation. A huge wedding
cake, big enough to be distributed
among ladies present on the night Of
the wedding. also will be furnished.
And the shelves Of the newlyweds'
pantry win be laden with foodstuffs by
The merchants. In addition, the yari-
Evening star., 1933-01-26
NORTHEAST STORM
|. DRENCHES CAPITAL
Wind of 49 Miles an Hour
Does Slight Damage, but
Causes Traffic Accidents.

A northeasterly storm which at one
time reached a velocity of 40 miles an
hour, drenched the city last night and
early today with Its inches Of rain
while the wind tore at trees, disabled
automobile ignition systems, and al
most halted traffic at times.
With the passing of the disturbance,
forecast early yesterday by the Weather
Bureau, the abnormal temperatures
which have brought Spring weather to
the Capital for several days returned
Today will continue fair. with the
mercury between As and SO, although
another disturbance is due to bring
more rain tomorrow afternoon or eve
ming.
Damage was limited to few broken
tree limbs, stalled automobiles and
minor accidents, blamed on the driving
rain. A plate-glass show window was
blown out at the Franklin Drug Store,
Fourteenth and streets
The center of the disturbance passed
between Washington and Richmond,
after having travelled from Kentucky
and Tennessee during the day Gales
developed along the coast as it passed
on out to sea.
Accident victims include James Swat
ford, 55, of $50 Eleventh street south
east. who broke his jaw when his auto
mobile colhded with a fireplug in the
900 block Of Pennsylvania avenue
southeast as he swerved to avoid hit
ting another car George w. Revere,
10, of Gregory's Boat House, Sixth and
Water streets, who is at Emergency
Hospital suffering from a possible
fractured pelvis and other injuries,
after having been struck by an auto
mobile at Ninth and E streets; Ralph
Donald, 54, Of 1708 F. street, who suf-
fered cuts when struck by car at
Fifteenth and Pennsylvania avenue, and
Mrs. Ruby S. Stahl. 40, Of 1910 Bilt-
more street, choir director of the First
Congregational Church. who was
treated for minor injuries after being
struck by an automobile near her home.
ANNAp0IIS EEEIS GALE
Evening star., 1933-01-26

GUS exhibitors at the exposition are
expected to come forward with gifts for
the couple.
If more than one couple applies for
the honor, the sponsors of the show
announced they would resort to draw
ing to determine the eligible pair. The
sole requirement is that they agree to
permit the ceremony to take place in
public at the Auditorium on the night
Of either February 16 or II. The
couple will be selected before the show
opens and will be given reception on
the evening Of st. Valentines day.
This feature of the week-long pro-
gram of the food show is In charge of
Alfred L. Stern, managing director of
the expGsition. who is receiving -eppI-
cations 1t the United Food Hyores,
Twelfth and Water streets southwest.
Evening star., 1933-01-26
MISS MARGARET M'INTYRE
IS DEAD IN DENVER
Daughter of Maj. Gen. and Mrs.
Frank M1ntyre Had Been in
Hospital for Year.

Miss Margaret Mcintyre, daughter of
Mai: Gen. Frank Mcintyre, former chief
of the Bureau of Insular Affairs, War
Department, died yesterday at Denver
hospital where she had been a patient
for year.
Gen. and Mrs. Mcintyre, who live at
2540 Massachusetts, avenue, were ex-
pected to arrive in Denver today. They
left Washington Monday when their
daughter became critically i'll.
Besides her parents, Miss Mcintyre
Is survived by two sisters, Marie and
Nora Mcintyre. both of Washington
and two brothers, Edward, of New
York, and Capt. James D. Mcintyre
U. S. A., Washington.
pleted.
Evening star., 1933-01-26
TURNING Of EARTH
HELD INACCURATE
Prof. E. W. Brown of Yale De.
cIares Speed of Movements
Is Slowing.

The earth is an inaccurate clock,
Prof, E. w. Brown of Yale University
said last night in the annual Arthur
lecture, delivered under the auspices
Of the Smithsonian Institution.
Prof. Brown, regarded as the worlds
foremost authority on gravity within
the solar system, has devoted approx
mately 80 years to the preparation of
tables by which the movements of the
moon can be determined. He is salts
fed that the Slight inaccuracies which
appear at every eclipse are due to the
erratic behavior Of the earth itself.
He compared the earth and the moon
to two watches, both of which should
be keeping perfect time but do not In
the first place. he said. the earth S
speed of revolution is slowing down.
This is due chiefly to the dragging
effect Of tides along the bottoms of
shallow seas.
Constant Rate of Slowing.
Bering Sea, of the coast of Alaska,
he pointed out, is responsible for nearly
two-thirds of this drag and might even
be regarded as a fatal wound on the
earth's surface. The rate of slowing
down. he said, has been approximately
constant for the last 5000 years and, if
it continues indefinitely, the world will
come to a stop. Then. like the moon
and probably like Venus and Mercury
1t Will turn only one face to the sun
and presumably become a dead world.
But. Prof. Brown said, such a pes.
sinliStic prediction cannot be made be-
cause the surface of the earth itself
changes greatly through the ages and
there is no reason to believe that the
present shallow seas will continue in
existence forever. This friction effect
he said. can be calculated accurately
and allowance made for it in reading
time by the earth-clock.
A far greater source of error, he said
rests In the mysterious oscillations OF
the earth," the reason for which re-
mains mystery to astronomers. The
speed of the globe has a tendency to
increase and decline suddenly One
such change took place in 1897 and
another in 1917. The difference Is only
about one part in 100000 900, he said
but this Is sufficient to throw off as
Economical calculations.
Offset Each Other.
BY a process of elimination. he said
1t can be shown these oscillations must
be due to something taking place in
the interior of the earth. They cannot
be due to anything outside the globe
or on its crust. Through a century, he
believes, the increases or decreases in
the time of the earths revolution prob
ably offset each other.
At present, Prof. Brown said, approxi-
mately 1000 observations are being
taken OF the moon every year in an
effort to check up on the mystery OF
the oscillations. An oscillation, he said
acts as If 1t reduced or increased the
radius Of the earth from S inches to
II feet, depending on where the effect is
produced. Because of this phenomenon
the earth may be as much as a second
ahead or behind perfect clock.
Evening star., 1933-01-26

"A was AWARDED CQe OlStluS ulSlleu
1 \ Service Medal of the Cosmo-
politan Club, as Washing.on's
outstanding citizen for the past year.
There was a convenient incident in
1882 which made appropriate the con-
ferring of the medal on Miss Mary Viz
ginia Merrick, founder and president OF
the Christ Child Society. This was the
gift to the city of the Christ Child
Settlement House at 6O8 Massachusetts,
avenue northeast, but the medal might
have been given just as well at any
time during the past 20 years.
Miss Merrick whose home Is at 2
East Melrose street, Chevy Chase, Md,
was crippled by fall from a fence
when a small girl. Since then she has
lived in wheel chair. But instead OF
giving way to invalidism, she has led
a life of constant activity and has built
up from her sickbed one Of the most
far-reaching national charitable and
welfare organizations, with branches IN
33 cities. She started with group OF
schoolgirl friends making layetteS Tor
Door children and the Christ Child So
ciety is the result of that humble be-
ginning.
The medal was presented by DR.. j.
Rozier Biggs, president of the CoSmo-
politan Club, to Mrs. Charles P. Neill,
national vice president Of the Christ
Child Society, who acted as proxy to
Miss Merrick at a luncheon at the
Carleton Hotel Afterward delegation
visited Miss Merrick at her home. Ap-
Evening star., 1933-01-26
ROMNEY WILL SPEAK
House Sergeant at Arms to Ad

Kenneth Romney, sergeant at arms Of
the House. will be the guest speaker Of
the Young Democrats Club of WASH
ington at its next meeting in the
Women's National Democratic Club,
1926 New Hampshire avenue, Wednes-
day at 8 pm Senator Russell Of
Georgia also will be guest.
The second Winter ball of the Young
Democrats Club will take place in the
Carlton Hotel February IS.
Evening star., 1933-01-26
STUDY BOOSTER PLAN
a stan Correspondent of The Star.

BY StafY Correspondent Of The Star.
BETHESDA, Md, January 26.-The
advisibility of issuing q second booklet
boosting Montgomery County, such as
the one published last year by Greater
Montgomery County, Inc, will be con-
sidered at an open meeting to be held
in the County Building here tonight
at 3 O'Clock.