davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1934-01-09
MAN FOUND BEATEN;
MAY Die OF INJURIES
Victim Is Found Unconscious in
Doorway-Suffered Skull
Fracture.

Apparently severely beaten about the
head. Archie w. Smith, 81, said to be
a medicinal liquor sales agent, was in
Gallinger Hospital late today. suffering
from a fractured skull.
Smith was found in the doorway OF
535 Eleventh street shortly before noon
and taken to the hospital in the first
precinct patrol wagon.
Smith was unconscious and, up un-
til 8 pm. had not recovered con-
sciousness.
DR.. Edgar A. Bocock. superintendent
of the hospital. said Smith was very
bad off" and probably would die.
Smiths nose had been bleeding pro-
fusely. and there was marked discolora-
ton over one eye. as well as severe
bruises about the head.
Smith was identified through a Har-
rington Hotel key found in his pocket.
Police at first said he lived in the 2l00
block of California street. but investi-
CATION there by detectives failed to
bear this out.
Evening star., 1934-01-09
D. c. RUM LICENSE
.PLAN HIT AS HOUSE
TAKES UP MEASURE
Passage Today Expected in
Spite of Assault by Three
Opponents.
DISPENSARY SYSTEM
SUBSTITUTION ASKED
Fight of Interest to Representa-
tives Because Of Liquor Control
Disputes in States.
BULLETIN.

Two test votes in the House this
afternoon resulted in victory for the
private license plan over the Gov
ernment diSpenSary method of liquor
control here, but by margins sur
prisingly close. On a standing vote,
advocates of the diSpenSary plan
mustered 81 to II for the private
license bill. On a teller vote. the
dispensary plan got 81 votes to 118
for the private license.
A sharp attack on the private IL
cense liquor control bill for the Dis
trict was launched this afternoon by
Representatives Blanton and Patman.
Democrats. of Texas, and Stalker, Re-
publican, of New York, but all indica-
tions are the measure will pass the
House by evening.
Blanton opposed the bill in its en-
tirety. Stalker urged that it be sent
back to the committee to have the
Government dispensary plan substituted
for the private license plan. while Pat
man. who also prefers the dispensary
method, concentrated his fire on the
charge that by allowing the sale of
liquor by the glass at tables the bill
fails to prevent the return of the saloon.
Disgrace to Capital"
Blanton, long militant dry, opened
debate by saying he is not in favor OF
filling the Nations Capital with saloons
from one side to the other. Places
where liquor would be sold under the
measure he asserted, would be nothing
less than the old-time saloon in mod
ern dress.
It's a disgrace to the Nations Cap
ital and the bill should not be passed,
but there's no way on earth to stop its
passage. / am not going to butt my
head against a stone wall by trying to
stop its passage"
Blanton also criticized the s6,000-a-
year salaries which would be- paid men,
bers of the liquor control board under
the bill. He pointed out that members
of the judiciary in Texas receive 81 600
year and have more responsibility
than would. members OF the control
board
He also declared that under the bill
boys of 18 years could purchase beer
and when they reach 81 they could
buy hard liquor by the case and take
it home.
Il can't understand" he said, why a
man who doesn't drink himself wants
to pour this stuff down the gullet of
somebody else
Recommitting Bill Urged.
The Texan, in seeking a definition
of the word saloon. provoked Repre-
sentative Patman to explain that the
only difference between an old-time
saloon and the saloons that would
exist under the liquor bill would be
in the way the liquor would be con-
sumed. He declared that in the old
time saloon a person could stand up
with one foot on the brass rail and
drink, whereas under the District liquor
bill he would be required to sit down.
Representative Stalker urged that the
bill be reconlmitted with instructions to
Evening star., 1934-01-09

) Paul Henderson, Second Assistant
Postmaster General under the Coolidge
administration and later official of sew
eral airlines, also testified Brown had
set up more than 5000 miles Of airmail
line extensions without competitive bid
ding after Congress had specifically
refused to give him that authority.
In a steady voice. he detailed how
the contracts were awarded under a
provision of the law permitting the
Postmaster General to extend and con-
Solidate mail lines, but said he did not
foreSee that the extensions would be
longer in some cases than the original
lines.
The evidence presented to the COM
mittee quickly reverberated through
official Washington, but Chairman
Black would not definitely predict the
future course of the inquiry.
Maher's testimony concerning the
burning of the files was offered upon
resumption of the long inquiry into air
and ocean mail contracts by the COM
mittee.
Correspondence Of preceding Post
masters General was stored in the de-
partment, Maher said. out all of
Browns was burned except what he
took with him.
Mdner was the second witness at
the opening of the inquiry into mail
contract awards under the Hoover ad-
ministration.
The first, James j. Dunn. a postal
inspector. said an investigation of
post office files had disclosed no cor
reSpondence to or from Brown under
the airmaf subsidy law.
Maher estimated there were 8 draw
erS OF personal correspondence and is
OF official correspondence
Macpherson, Maher testified looked
over the correspondence and told me
to destroy the ones he didn't want
to take"
The witness said Macpherson in
structed him to go down to the fur
mace and see that the files we're de-
stroyed
He added he had commented to an
associate that the files should not be
burned because the next administra-
ton would want to see them.
Questioned by members of the COM
mittee, he said much of the correspond
ence related to air and ocean mail
contracts, but he did not know whether
any of what was saved by Brown was
official.
Today's hearing was held in a brand
new committee room in the latest ad-
d1tlon to the Senate Office Building,
Continued on Page 2, Column 81
Evening star., 1934-01-09
MORE e.. W. II. CLERKS DEMANDED
WITH OVERTIME COMPLAINTS

The Treasury Department and the
Civil Service Commission today were
thrashing out the question of where to
get more clerks for the division of the
Office of the Treasurer handling c. w.
A. pay checks.
Herbert CASTOR. publicity representa-
tive of the Treasury, told a Star re-
porter that the Civil Service Commis-
sion had been asked for 200 additional
clerks to eliminate overtime work in
this division, that the commission al
ready had exhausted its regular register
and now was trying to get the clerks
from anywhere it could.
The commission, In written state
| ment, said:
The commission has met promptly
all demands made upon it by the ac-
counting division of the Treasurer's Of
flce for temporary employees on c. w. A.
checks and 1t expects to continue to
meet all such demands without limit"
1t seemed to be agreed, however, that
more clerks will be obtained. that work.
ing conditions in this division are bad
and that efforts are now being made
to correct those conditions by this extra
employment.
The division Of the Office which
handles the checks is housed in a
Evening star., 1934-01-09
Stenographer to Hoover Post.
master General Tells of
Destroying Files.
DATA SOUGHT IN SITTING CHARGES
REGARDING AIRMAIL CONTRACTS
Cabinet Member Took With Him All
That Was Left, Witness Tells
Senate Committee.


investigators told today portions
official files of the Postmaster General
administration, Walter F. Brown of Ohio had
before March 4.
Macpherson, Browns secretary.
Questioned these developments before the
Airma Investigating Committee William Howe Assistant Post
General told
sIGyed papers was made by postal inspectors investigating
I'm postal investigation he said he inspectors found
that and, of told the committee"
There indications Brown would be called to
Uncertain Legal Category.
Asked whether the destruction
HoWes replied the affirmative added
knowledge just papers destroyed and
consequently could whether they fell within the illegal
category.
charge of airmai Yesterday President
mated him for the post Of First Assistant.
Evening star., 1934-01-09

building at 119 D street northeast. En-
ployes of this division have complained
that the work of clearing the checks
has made it necessary for many of
them to remain at work from o'clock
am. to o'clock pm. and quite often
from O'Clock am. to 10 and II o'clock
pm. There was an unconflrmed report
that this overtime condition had caused
IA of them to resign.
Ofiicials Immediately and remotely in
charge of this work declined to COM
ment on working conditions and re-
ferred questions to CASTOR. who said:
I'VE have had an enormous amount
of work to do in that Office, work which
is constantly mounting. There are
about 700 employees there now. and we
have put in a request to the Civil Serv-
ice Commission for another 200. The
commission has already exhausted its
regular register and are trying to get
these additional clerks from anywhere
they can find them. We believe. that
900 employees will be able to carry the
work and cure these conditions.
"A good deal of the overtime has been
caused by extra holidays. The condi-
tions there are bad, but they are now
being corrected" Mr.. CASTOR added
that the information pertaining to
(Continuel on PAGE 2, Column 81
Evening star., 1934-01-09
HOUSE DEMOCRATS
BACK ROOSEVELT.
Delegation Calls at White
House to Deliver New
Pledge.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ReasSured by fresh pledge of sup
port from House Democrats, Presi-
dent Roosevelt today devoted most of
his time to preparing special messages
to Congress proposing immediate con-
sideration of the ST. Lawrence water
way pact and a Federal guarantee of
the principal of the S2,0O0,000, 900 Farm
credit bonds.
The new pledge was given to Mr..
Roosevelt by a special committee of the
Democratic Steering Committee.
Chairman Crosser headed the special
delegation of five which called at the
White House to deliver the declaration
of support.
Thanks Committee.
The President thanked the committee
and urged continued close relations be-
tween the Executive and legislative
branches at this session.
I'VE called to tell the President, 3"
said Crosser, that the Democratic
Steering Committee had authorized a
subcommittee to assure him OF the
desire to cooperate as far as humanity
possible. We think the best way for
harmony is to understand each other" "
Representative Cox of Georgia. an
other member of the committee, said the
group had given pledge of best sup
port" .
Other members of the subcommittee
were Representatives Lozier of Mis-
souri,, Taylor of Colorado and SABBATH of
Illinois.
Crosser said no details Of the legis-
lative program were discussed and esti-
mated the House would be busy for a
while on the supply and revenue bills.
Works on Legislation.
Meanwhile, all but the most necessary
engagements were cancelled by the
President SO as to get the st. Lawrence
CONTINUED on Page 2. Column g.
Evening star., 1934-01-09
INSULL STILL MAY FIND
LEGAL HAVEN IN TURKEY
Parliament Adjourns Without
Ratifying Extradition Treaty
With u. S.

BY the Associated Press
ANKARA, Turkey, January 9.-An
opportunity for Samuel insult, former
American utilities operator, to seek
refuge in Turkey if expelled from
Greece was left open today as Parlia-
ment adjourned without ratifying an
extradition treaty with the United
States. The body will not reconvene
until March /.
insult has been ordered by the Greek
government to leave Athens at the ex-
piration of his police residence permit
there, January 81.
Greek courts twice have blocked
United States attempts to extradite him
to face charges based on the collapse
Of mis- far-fung utilities empire.
Evening star., 1934-01-09
DRASTIC ACTION THREATENED
FOR DRY CLEANING VIOLATIONS

John c. Chevalier, secretary of the
latter organization, said efforts of his
board to enforce the code provisions
in these cases had failed, and he was
forwarding the complaints for proper
action.
Walter said today his Office will make
final effort to have the establishments
in question complv with the code pro-
visions, after which the regular course
of action will be pursued. This includes
forwarding the complaints to the State
Recovery Board for the district, which
in turn will pass them along to William
H Davis. national compliance director,
fer action.
Evening star., 1934-01-09
First Lady Inspects System
Of Free Lunches IN Schools
Sees Classes in Operation and Seeks to
Auoid Stigma Being Placed on
Needy Children.

dressing Garnet C. wilkinson. first as
sistant superintendent of schools. Mrs.
Roosevelt asked what provision was
made to prevent the children from
feeling "stigmatized" by having to re-
ceive the free lunch.
1T seems to me-" she said, that the
other children of the schools might
point out these needy ones and say. oh,
they're the ones who have to get the
free lunches wonder If it wouldn't
be possible to give tickets to all the
children and permit the ones who can
to pay for them. while those who can't
receive them anyway"
Mr.. wilkinson and A. X. Savoy, assist
ant superintendent In charge of the
lunch program. explained that while
Continued on Page q Column s.
Evening star., 1934-01-09
BUDGET SURPLUS
PROJECTS MAPPED
Commissioners Direct Prepa.
ration of Estimates for Ad-
ditionaI improvements.

The District Commissioners today di-
rected immediate preparation of supple
mental estimates calling for expendi-
ture of s2875 900 for municipal i'm
provements not provided for in the 1885
budget proper. and for which money
will be available out of an estimated
surplus revenue of more than SIS. 400 900
at the end of the next fiscal year.
Maj Daniel j. Donovan, District aud
itor and budget officer, was directed to
prepare the estimates to be submitted
in the near future to the Budget Bureau
for approval for transmission to
Congress.
In addition to the four items an
nounced last Saturday by Commissioner
Melvin c. Hazen, the Commissioners
added two new ones to the list One
calls for an appropriation Of $f50.000
for starting construction of George
town branch Of the public library sys-
tenn. for which a site already is avail
able. The other asks $4,000 for study
of plans for construction of new high
level bridge over the Potomac to replace
the old Chain Bridge The latter pro-
posal has the approval of the National
Capital Park and Planning Commission.
Municipal Center.
The other items to be provided in the
supplemental estimates are $4,000, 900 to
begin construction during the next
fiscal year of the first unit Of the
municipal center on site already pur-
chased by the District at a cost of
$4,000 900: $360000, to complete the
walled group" of buildings at the Dis
trict Reformatory at Lorton, Va, where
buildings now are badly overcrowded;
S205 900 for completion of the Ana
costa Junior High School. for which
initial construction funds now are avail
able, and S150,000 for the purchase of
additional land needed for the new JET
ferson Junior High School in South
n
Evening star., 1934-01-09

With more than 20 Washington
cleaning and pressing establishments
accused of cutting prices and departing
from working hour provisions of the
revised N. r. A. code for the cleaning
and dyeing industry, the local Compli-
ance Board is preparing to take drastic
action to bring the code evaders into
line, It was revealed today.
Complaints against concerns, accom-
panied by afiidavits, were placed in the
hands of Mai. Raymond Walter. execu-
tive oficer Of the District Compliance
Board. today by the Cleaners and Dyers
Administrative Board for the District.
rfaryland and Virginia.
Evening star., 1934-01-09
PRODUCTION SHOWS
GAIN IN DECEMBER
Increase in Few Lines Off.
set by Drop in Pay Rolls
and Employment.

For the first time since last July
production figures for the United States
turned upward in December instead
of downward, according to the Monthly
Survey Of Current Business, issued
today by the Bureau of Foreign and
Domestic Commerce of the Commerce
Department.
There was. however, more than sea-
sonal decline in employment and pay
rolls in the manufacturing industries.
Employment in manufacturing indus
tries in November dropped per cent
and pay rolls slumped about per
cent, or nearly twice as much as the
average decline from October to No.
vember for the past 10 years.
The Monthly Survey of Current
Business is a digest of statistical re-
ports made by more than 1000 busi-
ness services and represents cross
section of all professional opinion on
business trends in the country.
November Changes Small.
Changes in the price level during No
vember we're slight, with the major in
dexes showing the variations of a point
or less, compared with the preceding
month. The wholesale price index was
one-tenth of a point lower than in Oc-
tober, the first month since February
in which prices did not advance. The
weekly index has moved within the
range of a single point from the end
of october through the week ending
December 16 The high for this period
was tit on November 18 and the low
TOT on December 2.
Farm prices, which advanced mod
erately in the latter part of October,
dropped two points to SO in the first
week of December. The index Is based
on the 1904 average.
Evening star., 1934-01-09

A sympathetic investigation Of the
hot-lunch service being provided Wash
ington's needy public school children
was made today by Mrs. Roosevelt in
a personal visit to representative pub
lie schools. Besides the lunch service,
Mrs. Roosevelt also took occasion to
view typical public schools in opera
ton.
At the Morgan School for colored
children the First Lady had her first
contact with the public lunch program.
She had Just come from the Alice Deal
Junior High School in time to inspect
the lunch room at the Morgan before
the little children filed in to eat. Ad-
Evening star., 1934-01-09
GRAYSON'S CONDITION
WATCHED BY DOCTORS
Operating Surgeon at Mayo Clinic
Believes Patient Will React
Favorably.
Ry the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ROCHESTER. Mimi. January O.
Physicians we're watching the condition
today of Rear Admiral Cary Grayson.
hoping it would show q favorable re-
action after an operation for relief from
a kidney tumor.
DR.. E. Starr Judd of the Mayo Clinic
DR.. E. Starr Judd of the Mayo Clinic.
declined to make definite prediction,
but added he believed his patient would
react favorably.
Admiral Grayson, who was personal
physician to President Woodrow Wilson.
was accompanied here by Mrs. 0raysou
and Bernard NJ. Baruch Of New York.
Evening star., 1934-01-09
LIEUT.. TORBETT DEAD
FROM RIFLE WOUND
Former Fort Humphreys Officer
Believed to Have Been Suicide
in New Orleans.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW ORLEANS, La. January g.
First Lieut. Olive C. Torbett, on duty in
the Office of the district engineer here,
was found dead this morning from a
rifle wound, which police said was self
inflicted
Torbett, West Point graduate. was
discovered in the basement of his home
here A rifle lay nearby, according to
police.
Fellow officers reported he had been
in Ill health for some months. He is
survived by his widow and an 8-year-
old daughter, who heard the shot after
Lieut.. Torbett had gone to the base
ment to look after the furnace.
Evening star., 1934-01-09
FRENCH MAIL PLANE
OFF TO RIO De JANEIR0
Southern Gross in Series of Expert
mental Flights After Journey
Across Atlantic.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NATAL, Brazil, January 9-The
French mail seaplane Southern Cross,
which arrived here last Thursday after
a transatlantic flight from Senegal,
hoped early today for Rio de Janeiro.
Piloted by Naval Conndr. Bonnot and
three other French flyers. the big plane
is conducting series of experimental
flights.
On the basis of its performance,
France hopes to perfect the first trans
atlantic mail service.
The Southern Cross negotiated the
transatlantic crossing "a 1.970-nnile
dight-in 18 hours II minutes.
Evening star., 1934-01-09
CALLS
CREDITORS FARLEY
Renewal of Agreements Between
Holland and Switzerland
to Be Discussed.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
BERLIN, January 9.-The Reichs-
bank today invited all Germany's for
eign creditors to q conference in Ber-
lin January % TO discuss whether
agreements with Holland and Switzer-
land are to be renewed.
The step was taken in accordance
with an earlier promise not to renew
these agreements, which expired De-
cember 81. without the approval Of the
other creditors
Transfer p-cb'er1- 1t was officially
stated, sre mt CT t.ae 1,-:,a CT this
r-,~-. +.
Evening star., 1934-01-09
DEBUCHI REP0RTSU.S.
AFFAIRS TO EMPEROR
Highest Officials of japanese Court
Hear Former Envoy to
Washington.

BY the Associated Press.
TOXIC, January 9-The Emperor
listened for an hour today to an analy-
sis of the American political and eco
nonic situation by Katsuii Debuchi,
who recently returned to Japan after
five years as Ambassador in Wash
ington.
The highest officials Of the court also
attended the lecture.
Evening star., 1934-01-09
Still Making Appropriations.
GOLD PRICE SAME

Domestic Price of $34.O6 an Ounce
Is Maintained.
The Government maintained its do
mestic gold price today at $3406 an
ounce A stronger dollar abroad failed
to prompt a boost in the Reconstrt1c-
ton Finance Corporation offer, which
now has been repeated for 16 business
days.
At this level, bar gold was worth $32.22
an ounce.
Evening star., 1934-01-09
Former Postmaster
Says Official Files
Were Not DESTROYED
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, January 9-Former
Postmaster General Walter Brown to-
day declared that no official cor
respondence from his files had been
destroyed prior to his leaving Office last
March.
At session today of Senate COM
mittee investigating air and ocean mail
contracts. James Maher testified that
a day or two before President Roose-
velt's Inauguration he had burned, at
the direction of Kenneth Macpherson,
Browns secretary. some correspondence
both Official and personal, from the
Postmaster Generals files.
Brown said:
mo activities of the Post Once De-
partment during my four years as
its head warrant any criticism.
Official Files Left Intact.
"All official correspondence in my
files was left intact at the end of my
tenure of Office"
Maher. who testified to the contrary,
is a Post Office Department stenog-
rapher.
Brown explained the method by
which the files of personal and official
correspondence were kept separate. He
said that a large number of personal
letters, many of them from Con-
gressmen. contained portions dealing
with Post Office affairs These Sec
tions, he said, were transferred to the
official files.
Before I left Office" Brown said,
much personal correspondence was de-
stroyed. 1t is customary to do a little
house cleaning for the convenience of
ones successor in Office. This matter
which was not preserved concerned
largely such things as congratulatory
letters from persons all over the Ma
tion and. although they concerned af-
fairs of my Office, were claSSed as per-
sonal."
Still Making Appropriations.
Regarding testimony of Paul Hender-
son. who was Second Assistant Post
master General in the Coolidge admin
istration. that some 5000 miles of air
mail contracts were awarded by Brown
without competitive bidding, Brown
said he had awarded the contracts in
a perfectly legal way.
Brown added that the Government
still was making appropriations to pay
for mail carried under those contracts.
The former Postmaster General also
said that during his four years as Post
master General he doubted whether he
had received as many as four letters
from air line officials concerning mail
carving contracts.
Evening star., 1934-01-09
PRESIDENT BANS PAY RESTORATION NOW
Cut From $1,000
to 500 in Levy
on Brewers Urged
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press.
The formal report of the Sen
ate Finance Committee on the
House liquor tax bill was made
public today, showing the 81 900
license tax on brewers imposed by
the beer act of last March had
been reduced by the committee
to 500, the rate carried in prior
laws.
The committee left unchanged
other House levies, including the
So a gallon tax on distilled spirits,
SIS a barrel on beer and rates
ranging from 10 to 80 cents a
gallon on wines.
Under the proposed amendment
brewers producing less than 500
barrels a day would pay only a
$50 tax.