davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1934-09-11
Texas O,Uner ''Here to Stay''
Until U. S. Snags Oil Thieues
Writes Scorching Letter
to President Demand.
ing ActiOn.
Declares Draining of His
Land Costs Him 500
to 5000 Daily.

DR.. w D. Kinney, aggressive Iowa
physician who became a Texas oil
land proprietor, has come out of the
Southwest to project his forceful per-
sonality into the Governments turbu-
lent hot oil" problem.
The soft-spoken, but determined oil
property landlord has barged in on
Washington like a Texas tornado with
the announcement that he will stay
on the doorsteps Of the administra-
ton until something is done about
the thousands of barrels of "hot oil''
he says are stolen daily in the East
Texas field.
Failing to obtain action so far from
Oil Administrator Ickes-he has been
unable even to get an interview with
the administrator-Dr. Kinney sat
down and wrote a scorching letter to
President Roosevelt at Hyde Park,
He hasn't had time to receive a reply
as yet.
Letter Gives Scene.
Excerpts from his letter to the
President show what all of DR.. Kin
ney's fighting is about.
"It is estimated" he wrote, "that at
least $4,000 to IS, 900 barrels of stolen
hot oil are daily fllched from the great
East Texas oil field. I am a sub
stantial land and royalty owner in this
field and this continuous thieving is
costing me from 500 to 5000 a day.
This has gone on almost continuously
since the opening of this great field
four years ago.
"On this stolen property am heav-
lily taxed by both State and Nation.
hereby ask you, Mr.. President, to shut
down that East Texas field, the same
as you shut down the banks, and per-
nit only those to open up again who
can show a clean record on this hot oil
theft.
These oil thieves are well known
and easily reached. Their property is
easily located. They are as brazen as
any thief dare be. East Texas hot oil
thievery is estimated at over 40 ,000, 900
barrels thus far this year, and hun
dreds upon hundreds of millions of
barrels during the past four years."
Attacks Officials.
DR.. Kinney told the President he
has cited some of these thieves"
operating on his own land to Federal
and State officials repeatedly, but they
have failed to act. He charged that
the hot oil interests prevent action
through "hot oil judges, hot oil at
torneys and corrupt oficialdom."
Washington is the place to clean
up these thieves" DR.. Kinney declared,
because they are national thieves
and steal this hot oil from citizens of
nearly every State in the Union who
own property in that field. am COM
PEELED to come to Washington TO get
relief"
DR.. Kinney said it is beyond COM
prehension" why the Federal Govern
ment should hobnob with these hot
oil price-thieving majors and take
them into Government confidence and
conference to help makes codes, laws
and regulations"
II shall be glad to go before Fed
eral grand juries and tell them what
I know of this thievery. if an honest
effort is being made to land these
thieves and their cohorts, large and
small, in the Federal prisons and
Evening star., 1934-09-11
Mrs. Eppes Ho,ues Preston Wins
Reno Divorce in Secret Trial
Obtains Decree From
Millionaire Husband
on Cruelty Charge.

Mrs. Eppes Halves Preston, beauti-
full brunette daughter of former Sena-
tor Harry B. Halves, today had won
Reno divorce from Lewis T. Pres
ton, millionaire New York broker
sportsman.
The decree was granted late yester-
day after a trial shrouded in the
secrecy Of star chamber proceedings,
according to an Associated Press dis
patch. The ground was cruelty. A
property settlement had been reached
July IT.
The marriage of the Prestons here
November IA, 1880, was one Of the
most brilliant events of the season.
The bridegroom had chartered train
and brought to Washington a jazz
band, cases of champagne, a retinue
of servants and his personal friends.
The ceremony was performed at the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. James F. Cur
tbs. Afterward the bride and groom
departed on a honeymoon to Europe
and Africa.
Reports of an estrangement circu-
lated here last May when it was
learned Mrs. Preston was living with
her parents In their Massachusetts,
avenue home.
Preston Is the son of the late Mr..
Evening star., 1934-09-11

make a real cean-up of these gang
sters-majors, mediums and Minors"
the adopted Texan wrote.
Firms Withhold Money.
He said he has three major COM
panies at present taking my oil, who
have withheld for several months and
are still withholding my money due
me each month until sign their cut
throat contracts
Who is there to protect the honest
taxpayer in his property rights in the
great East Texas common oil pool?"
DR.. Kinney asked Mr.. Roosevelt.
Why has our national law-making
body and the State of Texas permit
ted all this thievery to go on since the
discovery of the field in the Fall of
1890? 1t Is no wonder that lawlesSnesS
and rascality are running our Nation,
as well as Texas. No State to protectl
No Federal Government to make our
property secure! A dry rot seems to
permeate the whole"
DIR. Kinney, white-haired and
keen-eyed, is here with his brother
to get action" The pair said they
telegraphed Hyde Park today for a
prompt reply to the letter, and that
they would get on the long distance
telephone" If no answer Is forthcom-
ing shortly.
The former Iowa physician told an
interesting story of how a chance in
vestment in 920 acres of rolling graz
ing land in Rusk County, Texas, back
in 1911, led him into the oil business.
Wrote 2,40O Letters.
my wife and I came into a little
money" he explained, land we de-
cided to put it where we thought it
would be safeSt-in land I wrote
believe it or not-2,4 400 letters to peo-
pie in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and
Texas, asking for cheap land for
stock raising. I said was willing
to pay from 81 to $3.50 an acre.
''Six months later I went to Texas
with satchel full of letters I had
received from there. I looked around
and bargained with various people
and finally bought the Rusk County
land for $3.50 an acre. raised stock
OAA ~ 04AOAA Vic Vi 10OU.
"On September 5 of that year,
G. M. Joiner brought in the first oil
well, about ~ miles northeast of
my property. The first well was
brought in on my land on May IS,
1881. leased the property on
royalty basis and when I left Texas
there were 81 wells on my land. Sew
eral have been brought in since"
The "thieving," DR.. Kinney as
serted, was done by interests operating
wells outside the limits of his land.
He declares they violate oil regula-
tions controlling output of oil by
draining hot" oil from the common
pool.
Its got to stop" DR.. Kinney de-
clared with a thump Of his fist on
a desk. And I'm going to camp right
here in Washington until President
Roosevelt orders 1t stoppedl"
Evening star., 1934-09-11
REROUT|NG URGED
IN STANTON PARK
Citizens Association Pro.
poSaI Would Move Cars
With 0ne-Way Traffic.

In line with the current proposal
for rerouting the street car system,
the Stanton Park Citizens ASsocia-
tion urged last night that a street car
switch be placed at Third street and
Massachusetts, avenue northeast so
eastbound traffic would move out D
street and westbound traffic down C
street, thus reversing the present pro-
cedure.
Harry N. Stull, who introduced the
plan, said the change was desirable
because at present street cars move
against one-way traffic on the north
side Of Stanton Park between Fourth
and Sixth streets northeast.
The same plan was introduced sew
eral years ago, but was opposed by
the street car company because of its
cost. The association has directed
that letters be written the Public Util-
tiles Commission, Peoples Counsel
William A. Roberts and Traffic Di-
rector Van Duzer asking for an i'm
mediate investigation of the plan.
Rail Tax Opposed.
The Traffic Department already has
expressed favorable opinion to this, it
was said.
The association also adopted a mo-
ton introduced by A H. Gregory
favoring the stand taken by the
Federation of Citizens Associations
which opposed the payment by tax
payers for the repaving of streets
when old car tracks were taken up.
The car company, it was contended,
should stand the cost.
Announcement was made that the
traffic lights sought for Stanton Park
would be installed later.
James p. Farmer was elected presi-
dent to succeed William E. Monroe.
Last night was the associations first
meeting of the season, held at the
Peabody School, Fifth and G streets
northeast.
Other officers elected were: G. z.
Chadwick, first vice president; A. @.
Stovall, second vice president; Mrs.
w. M. Martle, third vice president;
E. j. Elwood, forth vice president;
Mrs. L. H. Brown secretary; Mr.. Mon
roe, treasurer; S. Merton Chipley,
financial secretary, and A. H. Gregory
and H. N. Stull delegates to the
Federation of Citizens Associations.
The association adopted a resolu-
ton asking the traffic director to
change the system so that instead of
having heavy trucks and automobiles
go out Maryland avenue northeast in
passing through the city, such traffic
would be directed along a route on
the outskirts of the city.
Another resolution adopted by the
association recorded the group as op-
posed to the issuance of any ION sale"
hard liquor license in the area.
1t was agreed to make a special
order of business, next meeting, the
subject of increasing the associations
membership and also the community
interest in the Stanton Park section.
Mr.. Stovall and Mrs. Brown were
appointed as committee to arrange
a Halloween celebration for the as
sociation.
Evening star., 1934-09-11
BLAST ROCKS HOME
OF LOUDOUN FAMILY
Knocked From Beds by Dynamite
Explosion-Property Ad-
joins Hurley Estate.
By stan Correspondent of The Star.

LEESBURG, Va, September IL
A sleeping Loudoun family early this
morning narrowly escaped death
when dynamite placed beside the
home by unidentified persons ex-
ploded, throwing occupants from their
beds and shattering almost every
window in the house.
Occupants of the home, Howard
Sanders and Kenry Kern and the
latter'S family, escaped without seri-
Gus injury. Sheriff E. z. Adrian this
afternoon was investigating.
Sanders is said to have told author
1ties his life recently had been threat
ened. Members of the household said
they heard no one approach the home
during the night, being awakened
when the blast shook the house about
2:30 am.
The property, on which Sanders
and Kern are tenants, Is located on
the Ashburn road near the intersec-
ton of the Washington pike and is
owned by State Senator Cecil Conor
OF Leesburg. The property adjoins
Belmont, the palatial home of former
Secretary of War Patrick ]. Hurley.
Evening star., 1934-09-11
REDS ARRA|GNED
IN CUBAN COURT
Charged With Preparing to
ASSaSSinate U. S. AM
bassador Caffery.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
HAVANA, September 11.-Twenty-
five asserted Communists today were
arraigned in the Marianao Court of
Urgency on charges of following too
closely the movements of United
States Ambassador Jefferson Caffery
during the past few weeks.
This following" it was charged,
was done with a view toward at
tempting to assassinate the. Ambas-
sador.
The court took the cases under ad-
V1sement and must, by law, either
indict the defendants or release them
within 10 days.
Probe Morro Castle Fire.
At the same time the government
directed a fourfold investigation into
charges that the liner Moro Castle
had been set afire by Communists and
into rumored threats against three
transportation systems.
An announcer, speaking from an un-
identified and unlicensed radio station
last night, warned listeners not to sail
on ships Of two lines touching Cuba.
Some time ago, it was disclosed, Pan
American Airways had received an
anonymous telephone warning that
terroristS planned to smuggle a bomb
aboard one of the company's planes.
Drastic Vigilance Ordered.
Havana port officials today laid
down orders for the drastic vigilance
of all vessels in port. canceling all
passes to board the ships, as a step
in the investigation of the MORO
Castle disaster.
Capt. Oscar Hernandez, chief of the
port police, said he was making ex-
cellent progress with his investigation
and expected to announce definite re-
suits within two days.
Best Men on Case.
The police chief said his best men
were working on the Moro Castle
case and he was pleased with the re-
suit so far. He said that thus far
the United States Government had
not asked him for anything, but if he
did have anything it was available to
that Government.
Evening star., 1934-09-11
NEW n. R. A. SET-UP
TO CURB JOHNSON
Authority to Be Divided
Among 3 Units Under
RooSeveIt's Plan.
Continued From First Page.)

equal authority and no one branch Is
to outrank the other.
According to representations, Gen.
johnson was agreeable to all this
when he left here today. 1t was ex-
planned, however, that he is to do more
studying of the subject and that he
will have more conferences with the
President in the near future. Early
suggested that there might be at least
three or four and that the next one
probably will be soon after the Presi-
dent returns from the yacht races of
Newport early next week.
It was explained that what has been
decided upon for the reshaping Of the
N. r. A. Is temporary, at least until
the permanent plan is passed by Con-
gress. There is every reason to feel
that this three-department manage
ment will be included In the perma-
nent set-up.
In making known what the Presi-
dent has agreed to thus far in reor-
ganizing the, N. r. A. no mention was
made of board of control, as has
been prominently suggested through
out the discussion of this subject for
the past several weeks and over which
Gen. johnson and other advisers Of
the President are represented as hav-
ing fought bitterly.
From present indications, the gen.
eral leadership will rest with the
President himself.
Mr.. Roosevelt this afternoon en-
tered upon a series of conferences
with an imposing list of callers.
Postmaster General Farley is in this
list, and it goes without saying that
the result of the election yesterday
in Maine will furnish much CONVEX
sation when he and the President
are alone together.
Gov. Ely Of Massachusetts,, rated
as one of the so-called conservative
group Of Democrats, is on the list,
but it was explained in advance of
his coming that his call has nothing
to do with politics. 1t was said that
his conference will have to do solely
with unemployment relief and pub
lie works in Massachusetts,.
Others will be Myron c. Taylor,
chairman Of the United States Steel
Corporation; Nathan Straus, IT.;
William N. Niles, successor to the
President as chairman of the Taconic
State Park Commission, and HamiI-
ton Holt, president of Rollins College,
in Florida.
Several Of these callers will be
luncheon guests. Late this afternoon
the President will receive j. C. Pen
ney, chain store operator, who con-
ducts a model farm near here.
Evening star., 1934-09-11
RETIREMENT FUND
DECLARED SHORT.
BabCoCk Charges Govern
ment Is $4,000, 900, 900 in
Arrears in Payments.
CONTINUED From First Page.)

organization should define the action
to be taken in any case where an
employe wishes to handle a griev-
ance with an administrative officer.
Secondly, he urged the federation to
work to have the Government pay in
its accrued liability to the retirement
fund.
While disclaiming any reference to
past happenings, it was evident that
Babcocks remarks on grievances arose
from the Donovan case, and he urged
that the constitution be amended to
prohibit picketing and strikes. At the
time John Donovan, head of the
federation lodge at N. r. A., was out
of service in the celebrated row with
Gen. Hugh S. johnson sympathizers
picketed the Commerce Building.
'I think the Constitution should fix
limits beyond which a lodge should
not go in presenting grievances" he
said. He also uged against the use of
"inordinately large groups" in present.
ing grievances, declaring there should
be nothing indicative of a showing of
strength" In such cases.
There is need, however, for some
fixed procedure for handling disputes
between employer and employe, the
federation head emphasized, pointing
out that even the Court of Appeals"
plan which has been pressed for years,
falls short in that it provides ma
chinery that can only be invoked after
some definite action has been taken
against an employe.
Evening star., 1934-09-11
HOPKINS BROTHER ASKS
OFFICE AS REPUBLICAN
Seeks Place as Coroner in Home
Observation-Disclosures Is
Surprised.

DIR. Lewis A. Hopkins, q brother
of Harry L. Hopkins, emergency re-
lief administrator, is running for cor
oner on the Republican ticket in his
home town, Tacoma, Wash.
Can you beat that?" brother Harry
asked at his press conference yes
terday.
my father was a good Bryan
Democrat in Iowa. He ran for Con-
gress from time to time and never
got enough votes to put in his hat"
Brother Harry, who is a good DEM
ocrat, too, commented on the Repub-
hcan afhliations of his brother with
chuckle: II thought that party
died two years ago and didn't need
q coroner"
Evening star., 1934-09-11
David Calls, Actor, Dies.

LOS ANGELES, September II
R).-David H Calls, 46, actor, died
in a hospital here last night after a
lingering illness. He was son Of the
noted actress, Florence Stanley, who
played for many years on the stage
with Joseph Jefferson. In recent
years he had appeared in number
of stage productions here and in
Hollywood. His widow, Ethel Baker
Calls, and two children survive him.
Evening star., 1934-09-11
"Jim" Ferguson Quits.

GALVESTON, Tex, September IL
R).-The retiring Democratic State
Executive Committee yesterday ac-
cepted the resignation of James E
Ferguson as national committeeman
from Texas and adopted a motion
that vice president John N. Garner
be named to succeed him.
Evening star., 1934-09-11
FUGITIVE is SENTENCED
IN THEFTS FROM AUTOS
Police See Possibility That Arrest
of Escaped Convict May End
Capitol Grounds Trouble.

With the arrest and conviction of
an escaped prisoner from q Georgia
chain gang, police believe they may
have halted petty thievery from auto
mobiles of tourists parked in the Cap
itol grounds. Police headquarters
have received so many complaints of
articles being taken from automobiles
Of tourists that special detail has
been assigned in recent weeks to
guard the machines.
The defendant, Ferna Cosby, who
is wanted in Georgia to complete a
sentence of two years In chain gang
for larceny, pleaded guilty to several
charges of petty larceny in Police
Court today before Judge Gus A.
Schuldt.
Judge Schuldt sentenced Cosby To
serve $50 days in each of two cases.
Evening star., 1934-09-11
FIRES ENDED BY RAINS

Forestry Officials Say Western
Timber Safe for Season.
SPOKANE, Wash, September IL
R).-Drenching rains over North
Idaho, Western Montana and East
ern Washington timberlandS yester-
day apparently ended the forest fire
season for this year
The United States forestry cfhce
here said In every section from which
1t had reports small fires were
drowned out" and major blazes had
been put definitely under control.
Evening star., 1934-09-11

and Mrs. Ralph j. Preston, who were
prominent in New York society life.
The father was a well known attor-
ney. During the war the son served
with the American air forces. He has
been married twice.
Mrs. Preston, herself q noted follow
er Of sports, has had several offers TO
AXE up q stage career.
Evening star., 1934-09-11
Eddie Cantor in England.

HOLLYWOOD. Calf, September
IL R).-Eddie Cantor said yesterday
he would leave next week for a 10
weeks vacation in England. The va
cation will be the first real break In
his schedule In several years.
Evening star., 1934-09-11
FALLS CHURCH AWARDED
$4,000 FOR SEWER
Secretary Ickes Allots Sum for
Connecting System With
Arlington Project.

Secretary Ickes today made an al
lotment Of $177,000 to Falls Church,
Va, for construction Of a sanitary sew
age system connecting with the system
now under construction by Arlington
County.
The approximate cost of labor and
material is $l65,000, of which 80 per
cent is Federal grant. The balance
is a loan, secured by 4 per cent general
obligation bonds.
p. w. A. officials said construction
Is estimated to require 10 months and
give employment to 140 men.
Evening star., 1934-09-11
Bonus Action Unlikely.

Bonus Action Unlikely.
Soldier-politicos figure the Miami
American Legion Convention will
take no action on the bonus two
weeks hence. They base that sup
position on the reports from State
conventions, which indicate that less
than one-third of the State delega-
tions will favor the bonus. The next
convention city for the American
Legion will be either Los Angeles or
st Louis, with the odds favoring st.
Louis
President Roosevelt's adviser, Prof
Moley is going to Texas and Mexico
this week with Representative Ray
burn, candidate for Speaker of the
House. They will visit Vice Presi-
dent Garner.
The speech of Rail Magnate Loree,
warning against encroachments of
the New Deal, was made at, Bluff
Point. NJ Y. which may or may not
be significant.
(Copyright. 1884 by the North American
Newspaper Alliance. 1nc0
Evening star., 1934-09-11
OVERTIME WORK GROWS
Utilities Commission Staff Cut by
Congress.

Congress.
Employees of the Public Utilities
Commission are having to work over
time because of the reduction Of the
staff from 80 to II employees, ordered
by Congress in an economy move.
Officials said today the overtime
per person now amounts to the equal
of about a day a week. Most of
the extra work is done in late after
moons or evenings. The heavy crush
of work before the commission is said
to make the extra hours necessary.
Even so, one official said, the work
is not entirely current.
Evening star., 1934-09-11
FIVE DIE AT CROSSING
Auto-Train Collision Kills Thre,

Auto-Train Collision Kills Three
Men, Two Women.
OAKLAND, Calf, September II
P).-Three men and two women oc-
cupants of an automobile were killed
in a collision between their machine
and a Southern Pacific electric train
at a street intersection here last night.
The three men were S. S. Jensen,
Berkeley chiropractor; z. B. Perry.
Berkeley, and r. J. Van Wuch,
Berkeley. The bodies of the women
were not Immediately identified.
Evening star., 1934-09-11
DEBATE TAKOMA ISSUE
suter and Austin Broadcast Argu.

6uteT ana Austln BroadcaSt Argu-
ments Tonight.
'TakomG-Wet or Dry?" will be
debated over WJSV tonight from $50
to 10 o'clock by two of the COM
munity's civic leaders.
Jesse C. Suter will support the
move to keep Takoma dry. His oppo-
nent will be Philip W. Austin.
Unless the District Supreme Court
interferes in the meantime, residents
of Takoma, D. c., will go to the
polls tomorrow to settle the wet-dry
issue.
Evening star., 1934-09-11

The tariff is such a warm polit-
ical issue that the New Dealers would
stir up hornets nest if they fooled
with it now.
The Washington times., 1934-12-29
TYPE EXPERT DIES

MEDFORD, Mass, Dec. 20 GIN.
S.).-Joseph Warren Phinney, for
nearly so years the foremost au-
thority in America and England
on type foundings, was dead today
at the age of Sc,
The Washington times., 1934-12-29
QUIZ Of COURT
ENDS SOON

Investigation Of police and
Municipal courts by the Depart
ment of Justice, in all likelihood,
will not be completed until about
the middle of February, j. Edgar
Hoover, chief, predicted today.
Mr.. Hoover's men are examining
every docket filed in both courts
during the past three years. OF
ficials state one report has been
definitely scotched-a charge that
$1,O00,000 in the hands of one
District lower court had been mis-"
appropriated.
Every one of the thousands Of
dockets will be scanned. The in"
vestigatorS must not confine them.
selves to the records of cases, re-
garding certain phases of which
complaints have been made. For
this reason, it was necessary to
augment the force of two men as
signed to the task last August.
Six are now devoting their time
to the work.
Any actions or recommendations
resulting from the divisions find"
ings will be taken up at the dis
cretion of Attorney General Homer
Cummings. If changes are found
desirable, he will advocate reme-
dial measures to Congress for their
consideration.