davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1934-05-22
QUESTIONING FAILS
IN RICE MURDER
No Light Thrown on Staying
Believed Caused by
Robbery.

Questioning of three men in con-
nection with the murder of A. Paul
Rice, 36-year-old Washington Ter
minal employe, VINO was found beaten
to death Sunday in ravine near
the Anacostia Golf Course. failed to
throw any light on the Staying. De-
tective Sergt. George E. Darnall said
today.
No charges were placed against
the men taken into custody yeSter-
day. who we're known to have been
with him prior to his murder. Rice's
body was found about 10 am. Sum
day. Detectives expressed the opinion
he had been murdered by a foot
pad who struck "at least three" blows
on the back of his head by sneak
ing up behind him, crushing his
skull.
Darnall, who is working on the
case with Detective Sergts. Walter S.
Beck, Jerry Flaherty and John w.
Wise, all of the homicide squad, as
serted I'VE are convinced that rob-
berry was the motive for the slay-
ing" They believe, however. that
hardly more than $18 was obtained
by the murderer In Rice's pocket
were found several numbers slips
and horse race tickets.
An autopsy performed at the Dis
trict Morgue by Deputy Coroner
Christopher j. Murphy showed Rice
died from a compound skull frac-
ture"
Capt Sidney j. Marks of No. II
precinct, was one of the first police
officers to arrive at. the scene of the
murder and assisted in the investiga-
tion.
Rice, son of an Alberene. Va,
evangelist, and boarder in the home
of Mrs. Gertrude Stotler, 302 S street
northeast was found by Howard
Miller, 1902 Branch avenue southeast,
and Charles H. Tschop, a special
officer at the golf course. Besides his
parents he is survived by sister
Mrs. Blanche Hogue, 1923 Roosevelt
street, Maryland Park, Md, and a
brother, o. L. Rice. a Federal building
inspector in Leavenworth. Kans. The
body will be sent to North Gardens
Va, for burial after completion OF
investigation of the case by the Dis
trict coroner, A. Magruder Mac
Donald.
Darnall said today the police in.
vestigation was going along smooth
ly." but that nothing new had beer
brought to light.
Evening star., 1934-05-22
Condition of Genung, Dead
Letter Clerk Wounded
by Blast, Critical.
HAND is AMPUTATED,
TRANSMISSION GIVEN
Mailing Point Believed to Be in
Eastern States-Posted With
in Last 10 Days.

Only meager clues were in the
hands Of postal inspectors today as
they sought to trace the bomb which
manned a clerk at the City Post
Office yesterday while on its way to
Europe.
The 59-year-old victim, Myrton L.
Genung, is still in a critical condi-
ton at Casualty Hospital. His left
hand was amputated and a blood
TRANSMISSION administered last night.
Today he appeared to be somewhat
recovered.
He related to investigators what
little he knew of the innocent-look
ing package which exploded with ter
rife force as he unwrapped it on a
glasS-topped table in the dead letter
and parcel division at the City Post
Office.
Addressed to Czecholovakia.
The mailing point and address
written on the wrapper were destroyed
by the explosion, postal inspectors
said today. Genung, however, re-
called that the package was ad-
dressed to Czechoslovakia. He thinks
the city was Prague, but the street
number and name of the addressee
were too obscure to decipher.
The small parcel had come to
Genung as improperly sealed and
suspected of containing goods for
smuggling. As he unwrapped it,
Genung found book inside done up
in cellophane. The book was Uncle
Toms Cabin, or Life Among the
Lowly"
1t was an attractive, red-leather
volume, and Genung opened it care
fully. A binding flash followed and
Genung was vaguely aware the
fingers of his left hand had disap-
peared. His chief reaction was one
of incredibility that this had hap
pened to him.
The parcel was not registered and
this adds to the difficulty of tracing
1t. Postal Inspector T. M. Milligan.
in charge of the Washington area. is
being assisted in the investigation by
Lieut.. John Fowler, balliStics expert
OF the Washington Police Department.
Genung, a bachelor, who lives at
2316 street, may never return to
active duty. Physicians expect him
to recover, but the loss of his left
hand may bring about his retirement
unoer the employees compensation act.
An additional blood TRANSMISSION
may be necessary today. Genung was
cut and burned about the face
Another employe, E. H. Jackson, COL
ored. was slightly cut about the arms
by flying glass, but returned to duty
after first-aid treatment Two other
men in the office when the bomb ex-
ploded escaped injury.
A piece of wire and parts of a small
dry cell battery gave inspectors a
clue to how the bomb was constructed.
| The pages of the book were cut out
| in the center and the bomb inserted.
1t was electrically detonated when
| the book was opened, although au-
thorities were uncertain whether the
explosive was powder or dynamite
The bomb was mailed within the
last 10 days, postal inspectors said,
| from one of several Eastern States
comprising the area served by the
local dead letter division. Inspectors
reported some progress in tracing the
bomb to its mailing point, but de-
clined to be more specific.
Evening star., 1934-05-22
DEATH CLAIMS "POP" STUNKEL,
BELOVED BROKEN DOLL MEMBER

On Christmas day, Pop called in
the children of the neighborhood
near his home at ITO K street north
east, and gave each one a bag OF
new pennies he had saved during the
year.
Children always had been his
greatest joy in life, and he is sur
vived by a son, five daughters, IL
grandchildren and six great-grand-
children. His son is John T. Stunkel.
and the five daughters are Mrs. Mary
Hutchinson. Mrs. Louise Fisher, Mrs.
Alice Jones. Mrs. Charlia Richardson
and Mrs Hilda Rogers, with whom he
lived. MI. Stunkel was native OF
Front Royal, Va.
Funeral services we're to be held
at his home today at 2:30 pm. to
be followed by burial in enwood
Cemetery.
Evening star., 1934-05-22
STRIKE SETTLEMENT
AGAIN is DELAYED

Negotiations looking toward settle
meut Of three strikes in Washington
virtually were at a standstill today.
A conference was held late yesterday
at the Labor Department under the
direction of Howard T Colvin, con-
ciliator. The strike of engineers, fire.
men and oilers at the Garry and
Southern Diaries ice cream plants was
discussed, but no agreement was
reached. The way was left open,
however. for further conferences.
The strike of carpenters, plasterers
and plasterers' tenders continued to
impede progress in several Govern
ment buildings and approached the
place where the work of other crafts
will be blocked
Several labor leaders are away, at
tending the State Convention of the
Maryland State and District of Co.
lumbia Federation of Labor at Hagers-
town. Md. This convention will close
tomorrow, and it is expected negotia-
tRns will be resumed after the re-
turn of some of these leaders.
Evening star., 1934-05-22
Increase in Marriages, Decline
IN Births Revealed IN Surrey
Sociological association Dis
closes Trend of Times in
Annual Study.

eled 173o miles, in 1928 $3.50, and in
1882 1880.
The number of millionaires fell
from 10000 in 1928 to 5000 in 1882.
The percentage of the population
engaged in the production of material
goods, compared to the total employed
was rs in 1870 with a steady drop
to so in 1880.
The married women employed
jumped from O4 per cent in 1924 to
10 in 1882.
The value of farm land dropped
from an average of SITS an acre in
1920 to $50 in 1882.
The use OF power on farms had It's
great Jump in 1880, reaching a peak
in 1882
The number of patents issued
jumped from $4,000 in 1920 to $4,000
in 1882.
The National income fell from
S85 ,000, 10000 in 1928 to $35, 900, ,000,-
900 in 1882
Turn of New Dear'
Depends Upon Roosevelt.
The great changes which have
taken place in the past IA months,
Prof. Ogburn says, are not to be Won
dered at. He attributes them, in large
part. to the tendency of postponed
social changes to pile up as in dam,
and be released with a rush when the
dam breaks. Government. in particu-
lar, shows such inertia-perhaps more
so than economic rganizations-
against changes precipitated by inven-
ton and technology
Thus, he says, ''can the exceptional
display of energy be accounted for.
Something of the same kind would
have happened. although on a lesser
scale, had William Jennings Brye
been elected in 1894.
The turn of the new deal" he
says. depends largely on what is ac-
tually in the mind of President Roose-
velt of which he gives little indication.
His ideas of what constitutes genuine
reconstruction" Prof. Ogburn says,
ARE about the most important ideas
in the world at the present moment" >"
The steps already taken are open
to two diametrically opposite interpre-
tationS. They may be considered as
progressive moves in the direction of
a thoroughly socialized economy or
they may be regarded as minor con-
cesSions necessitated by conditions to
patch up an old machine and get it
ready for another run. There is no
question before the country more i'm
portant than as to which of these
more nearly represents the Presidents
actual program"
Evening star., 1934-05-22
TAX|CAB LIABILITY
BILL UP TO HOUSE
Senate Passes Measure as
King Has 1t Called Up
at Close of Day.

The bill to require taxicab owners
in the District to show financial re-
sponsibility, which passed the Senate
late yesterday, awaits action by the
House
Chairman King of the District Com
mittee had the measure taken up and
passed by unanimous consent just be-
fore the Senate recessed yesterday.
The measure directs the Public
Utilities Commission to require all cab
owners to obtain bonds or insurance
policies for the settlement of claims
resulting from deaths, personal in
juries or property damage.
Would Limit Policy.
The bond or policy could be limited
on any one judgement to $2,500 for
death or personal injury. and to $500
for property damage; and all judg-
ments arising out of the same subject
of action, to $4,000 for bodily injuries
or death and $1,000 for property dam
age.
The bill further provides that the
bonds or policies would have to be
obtained from companies certified to
the Utilities Commission by the super
intendent of insurance. There also Is
a provision that the superintendent
shall not certify a company to iSsfe
bonds or policies under this bill unless
it maintains, in addition to the re-
serve provided by law, an unimpaired
capital if stock company, of $4,000;
and, if a mutual company. surplus
TO the policyholders of S5o,000.
Compliance Required.
The measure would make it unlaw-
full to operate cab without complying
with the financial responsibility re-
quirements
The House District Committee has
reported out a taXicab responsibility
bill, differing somewhat in its pro-
visions from the Senate measure.
When the question comes up, the
House is expected to consider the Sem
ate bill, even though it may insert pro-
visions of the House bill as amend
ments. This is one of % District bills
on the House calendar expected to be
considered on District day, next Mon
day.
Evening star., 1934-05-22
POSSIBLE CHANGES
HINDER GAS CASE
EIgen and GotWals Duties
With Utilities Commission
May Be Ended.

The possibility of the early retire
ment of two members of the Public
Utilities Commission arose today as
the commission resumed hearings in
the protracted proceedings in valua-
ton of the properties of the Washing
ton and Georgetown Gas Light Cos.
The present term of Riley E. Elgen
expires June 30. There has been no
word as yet from the White House
as to whether he will be reappointed.
Maj. John C. Gotwals, engineer Com
missioner. has been ordered to appear
before the Retirement Board of the
Army at an early date. His tour OF
duty here ends July 20.
Faced with these prospects, officials
of both the commission and the gas
concern voiced fears today that the
present valuation proceedings, now
nearing conclusion, might be seri-
ouSly handicapped if Elgen and Maj.
Gotwals go out shortly as members
of the commission.
Only Keech Remains.
II new commissioners were not at
once appointed, it was explained. only
Richmond B. Keech, newly appointed
to the Utilities Commission, would re-
main in office. Viewing the situation
as serious, gas company officials and
Commissioner Elgen approached Com
missioner Keech prior to the opening
of today's session to ask if he would
sit in the case. Keech replied that
he believed he could not sit as
Judge" since he already had ap-
peared in the case as an advocate"
as peoples counsel.
The case then was resumed with
Elgen sitting as the commission. Maj.
Gotwals was not present when the
hearings started.
Stoddard M. Stevens, jr., of counsel
for the owners of the gas companies,
said he had no objection to Keech sit
ting as a member of the commission.
Others participating in the confer
ence were E. Barrett Prettyman, cor
poration, counsel, and William A. Rob-
erts, now peoples counsel.
Two More Weeks Needed.
Commission experts said they calcu-
lated the hearing would require at
least two more weeks to complete testi-
mony, after which several weeks
would be required for members Of the
commission to review more than 5000
pages of testimony before reaching a
decision. This calculation does not
allow for any new delays in the exam
ination of witnesses.
Hearings on the value of the gas
company properties began in Feb
ruary, 1888, but taking of testimony
did not start until last october. The
hearings were adjourned last Febru-
ary until today. because of the tele-
phone rate case.
When today's session was started,
Byars NICK. Bachman, chief ac-
countant Of the commission, resumed
the stand to take up his testimony
of findings as to the original costs
of the company properties.
Evening star., 1934-05-22

The nimble fingers that for half a
century restored broken dolls through
out the city have been stilled by the
death of Edward Pop" Stunkel, loved
and admired by all who knew him.
Pop was the idol of the many chill
dren who would set aside their toys
and gather in his shop to hear his
stories. Theirs was a true love, a
child's love for a man who mended
their playmates and gave them small
gifts.
Pop, whose daughter, Mrs. Hilda
Rogers, is succeeding him in the doll
doctor" business. was rs years old and
conducted his shop at 7l8 H street
northeast until forced to quit because
of i'll health. Stricken with heart
attack while watching world series
base ball game last Fall, Pop never
fully recovered, but carried @ his
work as best he could.
Evening star., 1934-05-22
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
REPLACING IS URGED
Representatives of Four Women's
Organizations Appeal to
Commissioner Hazen.

An appeal to Commissioner Hazen
to include an appropriation for a
girls vocational school to replace the
Dennison Vocational School for Girls
in the 100000 public works allot-
ment, providing the grant is made
the District by Congress, was made
today by representatives of four wom-
ems organizations here.
Composing the committee was Mrs.
Edward Chaplin, representing the
American Association of University
Women; Mrs Richard Hogue, District
of Columbia League of Women Voters:
Mrs. Miner Buell., District of Columbia
Congress of Parents and Teachers, and
Mrs. C. l. Hendrickson of the District
of Columbia Branch of the Amer
ican Home Economics Association.
The present school, the only 1rls'
vocational school in the DistriA is
located on S street between Thirteenth
and Fourteenth streets. This build
ing is inadequate for vocational
classes, the committee said, in that
it was built for an elementary school
and is too small. Miss Mary Lackey
IS the school principal. The Den
nison School was built in 1884.
An appropriation for new building.
which the committee wants erected on
a site at Kansas avenue and Allison
street. already owned by the District
government. was recommended by the
Board of Education, they said, but
later stricken out Of the 1885 budget
appropriations.
If the $4,000, 900 P. w. A. grant is
made to the District, the organiza-
tions, which also include several others,
want the support of Commissioner
Hazen in securing the necessary sp-
preparation for erection of the ne
school building.
Evening star., 1934-05-22
82-Year-Old Scientist Ski Ps Rope to Keep Fit
YOUNG REPORTER
y RNsT GEORG FISCHER, 82-

II RNST GEORG FISCHER, 81
- year-old retired Government
scientist, who was honored
- last week for score of intrt-
cate inventions, today dis
closed. between hops at the Y M. c. A.
gym, his rope-skipping formula for
attaining the century mark.
Every other day." he told an
amazed Star reporter. II come here
and get into a gym suit and go
through a regular exercise routine
against the advice and in face of the
warning of my doctors.
First, I jump like this, as though
I were skipping rope, hundred times,
first one foot and then on the other"
He proceeded to demonstrate, per-
forming the exercise as gracefully as
high school athlete training for the
annual meet. He was putting consid-
erably when he reached the hundred
mark. but no more than the average
young man would be after similar ex-
ertion. In fact, the reporter. still in
his 30s. tried it for so jumps and
was too winded to make notes for
several minutes.
Then run around the track. like
this he said, taking off around the
twentieth = of = a-rmile indoor track
which circles the big gymnasium.
Returning from one round, which
he negotiated in IT seconds fiat, he
rested a few moments to get his
wind back" and then proceeded to
operate the rowing machine for 30
strokes.
This rowing exercise is fine for the
stomach" he explained Il never
suffer from indigestion or constipa-
ton"
The rowing over, he again circled
the track, took another 80 strokes on
the rowing machine and then ad-
journed to the swimming pool.
Posing on the springboard with out
stretched arms, the octogenarian took
header into the pool and did not
come up until he reached the other
end of the pool. 80 feet away.
That's my formula for keeping
young" he said. Il go through those
regular exercises every other day
and have been doing SO ever since my
retirement, II years ago"
Mr.. Fischer was retired as chief of
the Instrument Division of the Coast
and Geodetic Survey in 1922. Ofncials
there recall that the day he retired
he jumped to a desk, to show his
agility, and then did his rope-skip-
ping exercise 100 times.
Il joined the Y. M. C. A. the next
day" Mr.. Fischer said, "and began
my regular schedule of exercise. My
doctor warned me l would kill myself
but I showed him he didn't know
much. If more people supposedly suf-
fering from heart trouble would fol-
low my exercise plan-slowly and
carefully at first and gradually build
ing themselves up-they would live 20
years longer
The doctor examined my heart not
long ago and found it to be perfect.
I'm going to keep it that way by con-
tinuing to exercise until I'm a hun
| dred-and I fully expect to reach a
hundred"
Mr.. Fischer last week was awarded
the Howard NJ. Potts gold medal OF
the Franklin. Institute, Philadelphia
in recognition Of his scientific achieve
ments, including development of the
ide-predicting machine of the Coast
| and Geodetic Survey.
When he is not exercising at the
Y M. c. A. he is reading or fraterniz-
ing with fellow scientists at the Cos
mos Club. A widower. he lives with
friends in the Franklin Park Hotel.
Evening star., 1934-05-22
POSTAL BILL PASSED

A bill to grant $3.50 annual in
crease to village postal delivery en-
ployes was passed yesterday by the
House and sent to the Senate. 1t
would affect 984 carriers.
At present the classes are paid
$1,l50, Sl,250 and $3.50, respectively.
Under the bill by Representative Ter
rell, Democrat of Texas, they would
be raised to S1,4O0, $500 and $1,000.
Pay for substitutes would be in
Evening star., 1934-05-22
RESTRICT PARKING
DESPITE PROTESTS
Park Officials Go Ahead
With TWo-Hour Limit
for Mall Roads.

Although officials of the American
Federation of Government Employees
yesterday, in the name Of 1000 Fed
eral workers who park their cars in
the vicinity of the Lincoln Memorial
and the Mall, protested to Arno B.
Cammerer, director Of the National
Park Service, that a projected two
hour parking ban is unwarranted,
officials of the National Capital Parks
today went ahead with plans to
execute the ban.
Petitions, bearing 1000 names, were
laid before Mr.. Cammerer by Cecil
M. Mears, president Of Panama Canal
Lodge, No. s. and by Michael D.
Schaeter. president of the District of
Columbia Federation of the American
Federation of Government Employees.
They discussed the situation, the gov
ernment workers spokesmen explain
ing that such a prohibition will work
a hardship on hundreds of employees.
To Erect Signs.
Meanwhile. however, Capt. P. j..
Carroll, head of the United States
Park Police, proceeded with plans to
erect the new two-hour parking limit
signs, probably tomorrow. The lack
of piping to hold the signs has pre-
vented their erection prior to this
time. Capt. Carroll says that govern
ment workers will be given couple
of DAYS warning, after the signs have
been put up, before the new order Is
enforced.
Following the presentation Of the
petition, Mr.. Cammerer declared that
the whole problem is being given
serious consideration, as parking is
assuming serious proportions here. He
laid down the rule to the two govern
ment workers spokesmen, he said,
that no parking should be permitted
on new roads the Government is build
ing in the park system, particularly
in the Mall, where new highways are
now under construction. The Gov
ernment is spending hundreds of
thousands of dollars tor improvement
of the Mall and Union Square and
this Identification cannot be suffered
10 De UllSIllcU NY dAA-uoy PoAnSAS, Nv
clared the director.
Mr.. Cammerer said that he is a
parker himself and that he has the
utmost sympathy for the Government
workers, but he pointed out that often
he has to park at Washington Circle
and take a taxicab down to the In
terror Department.
Map Prepared.
A map has been prepared, showing
the roads that will be placed under
the two-hour ban, knocking out the
present all-day parkers. In progress
sive stages the park authorities pro-
pose to eliminate all-day parkers.
The first phase will be two-hour
parking limit on the roadway lead
ing directly from the back of the Mu-
nitions Building to the Lincoln Memo
rial, as well as on the radial roadways
branching out from the Memorial.
Later the two-hour rule will be ex-
tended to the roads around the
Washington Monument and then
through the whole Mall.
C. Marshall Finnan, superintendent
of the National Capital parks, is
prepared to execute the parking re-
strictions.
Yesterdays petition represented
Government workers in the Navy and
Munitions Buildings and the Public
Health Service, as ykll as those in
adjacent buildings.