davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1934-05-16

Borah went to the recent White
House silver conference with hi:
tongue in his cheek. He had beer
steering away from the White House
because he doubted whether the ad-
ministration was warmly favorable tc
silver, His silver associates persuaded
him to come along just this one time
AS soon as he was inside the door
and before dropping his hat, he pipeo
up to ask the President:
Are you ready to declare remoneti-
zation of silver to be fixed policy?'
1t was a question designed to put
President Roosevelt on the spot. The
President hesitated moment, looked
around. then beamed the Roosevelt
smile on the silverites, saying:
Yes, am
That is what started all the trouble
Demands Leeway.
The President said plainly at that
conference that he was willing to let
Congress fix the policy by law, but
wanted full leeway to carry it out
when and as he desired.
The silver boys rushed back to their
Offices and started drafting bills
starting off: ut is hereby declared tc
be the fixed policy of Congress that
silver" etc.
Treasury Secretary Morgenthau
brought up the administration bill
later. 1t started off: 1T is the sense
of Congress that such-and- such
should be done for silver.
The stluerttes blew up. They
thought Morgenthau pas trying to
trick them. They knetD uery peH
that nobody cares about the sense
OF Congress. Mr.. Roosevelt pould
not hare to abide by it. But ne
mould hare to abide by its decldrd-
ttons Of ldtc. such as they proposed
to make. At least they think so.
Apparently Morgenthau told the
Senators he did not recall the Presi-
dent had made such a promise. That
made every one angry.
Borah threw the administration bill
down on the table and said:
THAT is all I wanted to know. ]
do not think We ought to have any
silver legislation at all. l would much
rather 60 out and discuss the issue
for six months and then, when we
come back here next January, I be-
neve We will have no difficulty In
getting silver bill through"
That was tack No g. The point
did not escape Mr.. Morgenthau.
1t meant that Senator Borah was
threatening to start silver campaign
against the administration.
Runs for Door.
Every time thereafter that the in
side negotiations struck hitch 3orah
would start for the door, insisting he
would rather talk on the stump.
Each time he was called back, pat
ted on the back and told: There is
no use in doing that. Let's get to-
gether."
There was really no reason why the
administration should let Borah and
the others build silver backflres all
over the West this Summer. The
three words when and as" in the
Presidents original promise afforded
him as big a loophole to escape the
silver policy as he could possibly wish
for.
Apparently some Of the Treasury
people felt. however. that the pledge
might be embarrassing later on.
Evening star., 1934-05-16
Missouri Bonds Carrying.

ST. LOUIS, May Is (R.-Returns
from 2,034 Of 4,149 precincts in to-
ton, gave: For, 1S7,o77; against, 76,-
$50.
Evening star., 1934-05-16

than that cast in 1926. it is expected,
when all the returns, are in. The
vote in 1926 totaled l,45l ,557 in the
Republican senatorial primary.
Evening star., 1934-12-17
URSCHEL GANGS
LAWYERS SEIZED
Justice Agents Arrest Two-Par-
ticipating in Division Of
Ransom Charged.

BY the Associated Press. ~.
OKLAHOMA CITY, December H.
The arrest of James Mathers. Okla
homa City, and Ben Laska, Denver.
attorneys for the defense in the $780,
900 Charles F. Urschel kidnapping, was
announced here today by the De-
partment of Justice.
Laska has been indicted with
Mathers, said Harold Nathan, assist
ant chief of the Bureau of Investi-
cation, for illegal participating in
the division of the Urschel ransom
money apportioned to Albert Bates" :"
Bates now is confined with Harvey
Bailey, notorious Southwestern des-
perado, and George (Machine CUM
Kelly in AlcatraZ Prison, San Fran
cisco, for the 100000 abduction in
1888 of Urschel, Oklahoma millionaire
1.-The division" said Nathan, "has
suspected for a considerable period
that his Gaska's) relations to various
members of the underworld with whom
he has been associated have been
more intensive and extended than
those based upon the legitimate duties
and responsibilities Of an attorney to
his clients"
Laska, who appeared as counsel for
Bates after the latter's arrest in Den
yer, also represented group Of sus-
poets in the $4,000 kidnapping Of
Charles Boettcher. I'd. in Denver.
Evening star., 1934-12-17
Bank Runner Shot and Robbed
Of $1,000 at Union Station
T,Uo Accost Riggs National Employe IL,
Main Entrance and Flee in
Car Reported Stolen.

While scores looked on, helpless, a
bank runner was shot and robbed to-
day of $1,000 in the entrance to the
Union Station.
The hold-up was staged at noon
with the careful precision that indi-
Gated it had been planned well in
advance.
The runner, Frank La Porte, So,
Riggs National Bank employe, had
gone to the station to collect a sum
of money from the Seaboard Air Line
and Pennsylvania Railroad ticket
offices.
He was under the main entrance
portico when sedan drew up and
a man in a brown suit alighted and
approached him, revolver in hand.
"Stick 'em up; this is no fake" the
man whispered.
Then, before La Porte had an op-
portunity to hand over the bag, the
bandit fired, the bullet piercing the
bank runners right leg just above the
knee.
La Porte dropped his bag. The
bandit picked 1t up and ran to his
automobile, in which a driver was
waiting with the engine running.
The car speeded away from the sta
ton plaza and out E street. A wit
ness, w. B. Burroughs, jumped into
his car and started in pursuit. He
told police he lost the bandit car after
a chase of five blocks, during which he
had to drive between go and 10 miles
an hour.
Burroughs said the hold-up men
were in a 1928 Chevrolet coach bearing
1885 Maryland license plates. A police
check-up revealed these tags had been
Evening star., 1934-12-17

issued to James M. Mount of Gathers
burg, Md, who reported the car had
been stolen.
Burroughs and Simon Rather Of
1850 Harvard street, another witness,
told police both occupants Of the car
were tough looking men,"
Their attention was attracted by the
sound of the shot. Then, they said,
they saw a man in a brown suit run
out from under the portico and jump
into car, driven by a man wearing
gray felt hat. Neither of them was
wearing overcoats, according to the de-
scription given police.
La Porte was placed in wheel
chair until first precinct patrol wag-
on arrived and took him to Casualty
Hospital. He did not appear to be
wounded seriously and police said the
bullet apparently had only penetrated
the f1eshy part of the upper leg
The runner visits Union Station
daily to make collections. Today he
had been sent for some registered
mail in addition to making the collec-
ton from the ticket Offices.
He told police he had a packet Of
money in an inside coat pocket at
the time of the hold-up. but this was
not touched.
Mount, an employe of the District
Highway Department. reported he
had parked his car behind the Bureau
of Engraving and Printing when he
went to work this morning. A watch
man said he had seen the car there
as late as II am.
La Porte's home is at 1904 Otis
place.
(Picture on Page A-2.)
Evening star., 1934-12-17
District Far ahead of States;
l4.9in 100 on Income Tax List
National Average for 1892 Only $40
Per Cent; Largest Earnings for
Year Here Less Than 100000.

The District of Columbia led the
whole Nation with 149 per cent of its
population filing income tax returns
in 1882 as compared with an aver
age for the country of only $40
per cent.
This was disclosed today by the
Bureau of Internal Revenue. in its
Statistics Of Income for 1882, show
ing that this city is so far in advance
of the rest of the country in percent
age of population filing returns that it
is far out of line with all other States
and Territories.
The nearest competitor in the per-
centage is New York State, where
only 621 per cent of the population
filed returns, while the second in line
Evening star., 1934-12-17
NEUTRALITY POLICY FACTOR. .
Agreement With Britain Sought on
Sea Disputes.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, December 1.-THE United
States delegation to the naval CONVEX
sations with Great Britain and Japan
indicated today, just in advance of the
conversations breakup, that it would
leave possible future conversations up
to the British and Japanese.
All three delegations studied the
wording of the declaration of formal
adjournment, which probably will be
issued Wednesday or Thursday at
about the time Japan denounces the
Washington naval treaty Of 1922.
No one expects to see a date set
for the resumption of the converse
tions, but it is likely that the three
delegations will agree to resume their
talks when conditions look more IA
vorable for an agreement.
This agreement, it was suggested in
naval and diplomatic quarters, will
be more likely under the new Ameri-
can neutrality policy proposed In
Washington, under which 1t was un-
derstood that the United States pol
icy of neutrality rights would be mod
flied.
These same quarters said that this
modification would remove the last
obstacle to an agreement with Great
Britain on the question OF the freedom
OF the seas.
Great Britain conpended in the
last war that she had the right to
search ships suspected with trading
with enemies and it is understood
that the proposed new American policy
would remove official protection from
such ships.
Naval and diplomatic quarters said
CONTINUED on Page 2, Column -
Evening star., 1934-12-17
Supreme Court Recognizes
"Wreck of Old 81" AuthOr

station at Franklin Junction, Va. The
next day he visited the scene Of the
wreck and was inspired to write a
song commemorating it.
Completing the poem in about a
week or 10 days, he set it to the music
of "The Ship That Never Returned. I"
About a week after the accident, he
said, he sang the song in a restau-
rant or barber shop in Gretna. Va,
and later he and his daughter sang
it at various places. It became pop
ular.
George sued the Victor Co. after
it made a record Of the song, con-
tending it had infringed his rights.
The trial court decided in his favor,
but the Third Circuit Court Of Ap-
peals reversed that action and dis
missed the suit.
The Victor Co. declared the song
had not been copyrighted and that the
words were originated by many au-
thors In different songs, particularly
Casey Jones" and THE Parted
Lovers"
Evening star., 1934-12-17
CRASH THAT KILLED
ARMY PILOT PR0BED
Admirals Son and Companion
Plunge to Flaming Death on
Crowded Highway.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
BURLINGANdE, Calf, December
l7.-Investigation of an airplane
plunge in which Lieut.. William C.
Reeves, son of Admiral Joseph M.
Reeves, commander in chief of the
United States fleet, was carried to a
flaming death, was under way here
today.
The 25-year old Army flyer and a
flight companion, Sergt. Noel Aubrey
Peterson, 81, Freedom, Okla, were
killed when their plane crashed on a
crowded highway outside Burlingame
yesterday.
Whirling low in a dense mist, the
plane narrowly missed a number Of
buildings, brushed a high tree and
plunged with terrific force onto the
highway, where it burst into flames.
Witnesses said Lieut.. Reeves ap-
parently became lost in the mist.
The young officer, graduated from
the United States Military Academy
last year, was assigned to duty at
Crissy Field month ago.
Admiral Reeves, en- route from
Washington to join the feet on the
Pacific Coast. was notified at st. Louis
Of his sons death.
Evening star., 1934-12-17
WHITE HOUSE AIDE
QU|zzED ON ARMS
Lieut.. Richard Cults, Jr.,
Says He Planned to Es-
tabIish Business.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Evidence was offered to the Senate
Munitions Committee today that an
active Marine Corps officer, on duty
at the White House as an aide to
President Roosevelt last year, sought
to establish a foreign arms business.
The officer, Lieut.. Richard M. Cults,
jr., testified he had never made a sale
or accepted a commission, having de-
cided it was better for him not to
enter the field
Senator Clark, Democrat, of Mis-
souri,, said the evidence showed Cults
did not accept a commission because
he was never offered one.
There was testimony that Cults got
into this activity through the inven-
ton of an improvement to take the
"kick" out Of machine guns and i'm
prove their accuracy.
He testified he offered the patent
to the Navy in 1925, but it was turned
down by former Secretary Wilbur.
Norman Thomas, Socialist party
leader, was among the spectators at
today's hearing. He sat among the
Du Pont Powder Co. officials, waiting
to testify.
Cults was examined by Senator
Clark. who has proposed legislation
for the naturalization of military in
ventions.
The Marine officer said he and his
father had asked the Navy to help
develop their invention, but were told
there were no funds available.
Evening star., 1934-12-17
SUPREME COURT
TO VIEW RAIL ACT
Will Pass on Lower Body's
Decision Declaring Retire.
ment Unconstitutional.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
The Supreme Court agreed today to
pass on decision by lower court
holding the railroad retirement act
unconstitutional
The administration plans to submit
new legislation at the forthcoming
session intended to meet the objec-
tions of the present act.
Held Crudely Drawn.
In signing the measure last June
80, President Roosevelt said it was
"crudely drawn and will require many
changes and amendments at the next
session of Congress"
The legislation, affecting more than
100000 employees, provides retirement
with pay at the age of IS. 1t would
compel both the workers and their en-
ployers to contribute to a retirement
fund.
The Alton and other railroads chal-
lenged the constitutionality of the act
in the District of Columbia Supreme
Court. The legislation was held in
valid.
The court also prohibited the Rail-
road Retirement Board, named to ad-
minister the act, from taking any ac-
ton to compel the railroads to make
payments.
For purposes of a speedy decision,
the Government asked the Supreme
Court to pass on the act without wait
ing for a decision by the District Of
Columbia Court of Appeals.
Date May Be Extended.
Retirement was specified at the age
of IS, but the date may be extended
annually by written agreement be-
tween the carrier and employe until
the age of 10.
The annuity would be calculated by
the application of graduated percent
ages of the employees average monthly
compensation to the number Of years
of service.
The District of Columbia Supreme
Court held that while Congress had
power to enact law requiring COM
pulsory retirement at a certain age, it
could not make the provisions apply
to employees not engaged in inter-
state commerce.
It declared invalid that part of the
act which required payment of annui-
ties based in part on services rendered
before its passage, holding that would
constitute the unlawful taking of
property without due process of law.
Evening star., 1934-12-17

Is Massachusetts, where 5.81 filed
returns.
In the same statistics the District
Of Columbia ranked thirteenth in the
list Of States for individual income tax
paid. with total of s5.115,117. Cor
poration income tax returns here,
however, showed a falling of from
$2,4l8,670 in 1881 to $2,063 ,696 in
1892.
The largest income report from the
District for the year was somewhere
between $3.50. 900 and 100000
Five persons here with incomes be-
tween sl50,000 and 100000 paid q
total of $3.50, ,187 in taxes There were
Is who earned between 100000 and
Continued on Page 4 Column II
Evening star., 1934-12-17
ITALY CONSERVES
GOLD FOR WAR USE
Conversion of Foreign Credits
Into Lire Due to Halt
Drain on Metal.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
ROME, December IA war chest
of gold was one of the reasons many
italian bankers gave today for the
sweeping foreign credits law Italy has
just passed.
The law requires all Italian citi-
zens to convert their foreign credits
into lire at the current rate of ex-
change. With enforcement, the gov
ernment expects to come into pos
session of about 5000, 10000 lire
(about s255,000, ,0oo), development
which, it is hoped, will halt the drain
Of the Italian gold supply.
Bankers say the experience Of the
past war has taught that In another
conflict gold and goods would be the
only medium with which to buy war
supplies.
Evening star., 1934-12-17
TROOPS prevent
DISORDER AT PLANT
Threatened Outbreak in Ken
lucky Over Union Demands
Fails to Materialize.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
MOREHEAD, KY, December IL
Threatened disorder at the Kentucky
Fire Brick Co.'S plant at Haldeman,
KY, near here apparently had been
averted today by presence Of Lieut..
Col. Jesse Lindsay, and IL National
Guardsmen.
County Judge c. E. Jennings, who
asked for the troops yesterday, said
he had a report that all was quiet
at Haldeman and that men were going
to work, but that he did not know
how many. Jennings said 191 OF
the approximately 300 workers in the
plant had expressed intention to work
despite a strike called for today.
Judge Jennings said he was sure
II anything happened he would hear
about it Immediately.
Friction arose Saturday night, Jen-
nings said, when 120 employees Joined
a new union intended to supplant the
Clayworkers Union. The new union
voted a strike to start today, de-
manding closed shop and check-of
collection of dues.
Evening star., 1934-12-17
GAFFNEY MYSTERY
LINKED TO FISH
Police Learn He Worked
Near Home of Brooklyn
Boy Who Vanished.
BY the Associated Press.

oy bllc AcSOCldtcQ E4Cec.
NEW YORK, December 17.-Albert
H. Fish, confessed abductor and
slayer of Grace Budd, was employed
within seven blocks Of the Brooklyn
home of Billy Gaffney on the day in
1927 when the 4-year-old boy van
ished, according to police.
This information spurred efforts Of
authorities today to ascertain if Fish
could be connected with other un-
solved child slayings in the metro
politan area in recent years, in spite
of Fish's denial that he had anything
to do with the Gaffney case.
Meanwhile, Inspector Harold King
of the Nassau County police, said that
Fish admitted that he had been in
Farmingside, Long Island, about the
time of the unsolved death Of 15-year-
old Mary Ellen O'Conner, whose body
was found at Massapequa, Long Is
land. Fish denied having any knowl-
edge Of the case.
Darien, Conn.,, police, seeking to
solve the mystery of child's skele-
ton found there last June. said they
were checking names and addresses
found in a small book carried by Fish.
New York police will make care
full check of all unsolved child muir
ders in their Jurisdiction before turn
ing Fish over to Westchester County
authorities for the killing Of the Budd
girl.
Evening star., 1934-12-17
Fredericksburg Deacon
Banks Heavily Upon DR..
fuckers Declaration.
PROSECUTION TO CALL
STATE HOSPITAL HEAD
Judge Again Warns Photogra-
phers-Court Is Adjourned
Until 2 P. M.
BY STAFF Correspondent of The Star.

By STAFF Correspondent of The Star
FREDERICKSBURG, Va, Decem-
Der 1.-THE defense for Edward C.
Bell was rested today, banking heavily
on an affirmative answer it received
from an alienist to a 15-page hypo-
thetical question ending with is Bell
crazy?"
The answer was given by Dr. Bev-
erley Tucker of Richmond, who was
convinced of the insanity of the 60
year old civic leader on trial here on
charges of six poison attempts on the
life of his wife, now an invalid.
After the defense rested court was
adjourned until pm.
Judge Warns Cameramen.
At the outset of the session this
morning Judge Coleman enjoined
photographers on pain of jail SEN
tences from taking pictures while the
judge was in the room.
Gentlemen" Judge Coleman said,
Il am informed that some of you
have cameras concealed on your per-
sons and that you are taking feature
pictures in this court room. I hereby
advise you to desist."
A lengthy hypothetical question
then was put to DR.. Tucker of Rich
mond
Let us assume" the defense coun-
sci began, "the following facts to be
true"
The counsel then sketched Bells
life, pointing out that he was go years
old now in distressing physical and
mental condition.
Bells illness from measles which
developed into pneumonia 80 years
ago, was discredited, as well as the
thyroid operation he underwent three
years ago.
The counsel sketched Bells home
life, the fact that he had given his
daughter, Irma, college education
and was now sending his son. Ed
ward, jr., %, through the University
Of Virginia.
The counsel then went into detail of
Bells alleged mental collapse fol-
lowing the goiter operation.
Administered to Wife.
1t was pointed out that Bell gave
careful attention to his wife during
her illness, buying medicines and ad-
ministering them himself.
The counsel summarized both pros
ecution and defense teestimony, de-
failing how Bell sought 70 poison his
wife over long period of time.
He pointed out that Bell had
reached the pinnacle of civic. social
and business usefulness in his COM
munity until his mental ana physical
collapse was followed in October by
his arrest on charges of six poison
attempts on his wife's life
Assuming all the foregoing to be
true" defense counsel concluded, "for
the purpose of this question, what is
your opinion as to the mental condi-
| ton of the accused?"
'I think from the history 1t shows
that this man has been irresponsible
| for the last few years, that he did
many irrational things, acted on i'm
pulses Of the moment and showed lack
of thinking. This mans history is
| the result of a diseased brain" DR..
Tucker replied: ct would say def
nitely that Bell is insane" DR.. Tucker
| declared.
Senile Insanity Is Diagnosis.
DR.. Tucker declared under cross
examination by Bryan that he dag
nosed Bells condition as senile in
sanity.
Bryan sought to show that Bell was
CONTINUED on Page 8, Column So
Evening star., 1934-12-17
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
That celebrated song dear to the
heart Of railroad men-"The Wreck Of
Old 97"-was held today by the Su-
preme Court to be the property of
David Graves George Of Detroit. the
author.
Hence, the court held, he can re-
cover from the Victor Talking Ma
chine Co. on profits 1t has made on
the song.
The song recounted the efforts Of
a Southern Railway engineer on q
passenger and mail train to make
the trip from Lynchburg to Danville,
Va, on time and thus uphold the finest
traditions of the service.
Travelling at the greatest speed his
engine would make In those days-it
was In l903-the train plunged from
a trestle near Danville, and six or
seven persons were killed, most OF
them railroad employees.
George, who now lives In Detroit
was employed at . railway pumping
Evening star., 1934-12-17
BRITISH FASCIST
LEADER ON TRIAL
Sir Oswald Mosley and Followers
Face Charge of Riotous
Assembly.
Nv the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LEwES, England, December 17.-Sir
Oswald Mosley, who hopes to establish
a Blackshirt regime in England, and
three of his followers went on trial
today on charges of riotoUs assembly.
Arriving in court half an hour late,
the four pleaded not guilty. The
charges grew from disorders at q
Blackshirt meeting in Worthing Oc-
tober 9. Co-defendants with Mosley
are william Joyce. director Of propa-
ganda; Capt. Charles H. B. Budd. a
regional officer, and Bernard Mullans.
Sir Patrick Hastings, one Of Eng
lands most noted attorneys, heads
the defense counsel.
In outlining the case Prosecutor
John Flowers emphasized that the
hearing "is not q political prosecu-
tion," but that the government Is
concerned with "the very disgraceful,
discreditable and violent state Of
affairs in the streets Of Worthing."