davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1934-04-11
BETTER BUSINESS
IN DISTRICT SEEN
Tax Assessor Attributes
Recovery to Increase
in Population.

Belief that business conditions here
are improving was voiced by William
P. Richards, tax assessor, during con-
sideration of the 1885 budget by the
House Subcommittee on Appropria-
tions.
There is evidence, he said, of i'm
proved rental conditions in apartment
houses and Office buildings. Commis-
sioner Allen declared all Washington
hotels are enjoying 80 to 40 per
cent increased patronage.
Increased Population.
Improved conditions were attributed
by Richards primarily to an increase
in Washingtons population.
Commissioner Hazen, who also at
tended the session, remarked: "All
you have to do to observe this in
creased population is to go into the
eating places on Pennsylvania ave-
nue."
Readjustment Of valuations OF real
property in the District still Is re-
quired by changing conditions. how
ever, Richards told the committee.
Reassessment work during the coming
year, he said, would amount to as
much as that performed last year.
In this connection it was recalled
that reductions in assessed values to-
falling about 100000 were ordered
last year. Recent predictions were
that some s60,000000 in further re-
ductions would be effected this year.
Apartments Filled.
Outlining reasons why he believed
conditions are better now than they
were a year ago, Richards said that
even apartment houses which were
from 10 to 20 per cent vacant have
been filled with tenants, and that
several large Office buildings. formerly
40 to so per cent vacant, now are
fairly well tenanted
There are a great many more peo-
pie in the District than there
were year ago." the tax assessor
said. These people are coming from
all directions.
Representative Cannon. chairman
Of the committee, agreed that the
population was increasing. but won
dered If the additional residents were
permanent ones.
"Of course. our Welfare Depart
ment is taking such excellent care
Of many people" he said. But am
asking about the stable population.
What reasons are there for an in
crease in the stable population?"
Less Depression Here.
Richards replied that it was his
belief that business in the District
probably had suffered less than in
most other places.
I'VE got that testimony from all
points," said Cannon.
Commissioner Allen said there was
no question but that the population
had increased. He cited the fact that
various emergency organizations have
been set up which have brought
thousands Of new residents to Wash
ington.
Evening star., 1934-04-11
$50, 900 IS REJECTED
FOR FIRE Department

District authorities having failed to
convince the House appropriations
subcommittee that IA pieces of Fire
Department apparatus more than Is
years old ought to be replaced, an
item of $4,000 for new equipment
was eliminated from the District
appropriation bill, 1t was disclosed
today.
The older apparatus is so old, in
fact, Otto E. Fearn, superintendent
Of Fire Department machinery, told
the committee, that needed parts for
the various repairs have to be hand
made by the department workmen.
Mr.. Fearn recommended a 15-year
replacement program of the obsolete
apparatus and said such a schedule
would call for purchase of two hose
wagons, two pumping engines. and
one aerial ladder each year.
Evening star., 1934-04-11

because of heavy enrollments about
a third Of the District classes are
diversified. In this discussion he told
the committee that the schools now
have 370 high school graduates en-
rolled as postgraduate students" be-
because they find it economically i'm
possible to 60 on to college and Just
as impossible to find jobs. Mr.. Otter
raised the question of whether it was
fair to congest the senior high
schools with students who already had
had the benefit of high school classes
before admission to the postgraduate
classes"
your suggestion is that they be
denied admission after having COM
pleted the high school course?" Chair
man Cannon asked.
Il am not prepared to say that
would be my suggestion" Mr.. Otter
answered. Il am more prepared to
inquire of the doctor and get his
opinion so that we might come to a
fair and equitable decision on a sub
ject which I believe Is q mooted
question"
Under the head of portables, DR..
Ballou advised the committee that
there are now about IS or Is" of
these frame, one-room structures in
use, and, under questioning, he ad-
mitted this to be "a negligible num-
ber" At the same time, Ballou de-
clared that the situation in the ele-
mentary schools, SO far as congestion
Is concerned, lis far better compare
lively than it is in the Junior and
senior high schools" Asked by Mr..
Otter how he accounted for that,
Ballou said 1t was because Of the
decline in the birth rate and that con-
sequently, the number of children be-
coming or years of age has de-
clined. He previously had advanced
this idea at q meeting of the Board
of Education.
Eventually it means less pressure
on the high schoos?" Mr.. Cannon
wanted to know.
eyes, in the upper grades" Ballou
answered. "But you are going to have
and this is a prediction-in the
next five or six years. increasing de-
mands on the high schools to take
care of the pupils who cannot 60 to
work or cannot 60 to college; the
number Of children leaving school sat
Is or II to 60 to work Is going to be
zero.
Ballou said that not only is in
creased interest being taken in the
child labor amendment, but said that
industry itself has found it both un-
necessary and undesirable to hire
Juveniles. Later he said that society
will have to find some way of taking
care Of these boys and girls who have
neither college nor employment.
I hope it will be an educational
provision" Ballou told the committee.
because think the salvation Of these
boys and girls depends upon society
taking care of them in a constructive,
effective way"
"You think money is better invested
in schools than in penetentiaries?"
Mr.. Cannon queried.
Il believe so with all my heart"
Ballou replied.
The largest single item in the
school budget is the $5,728. 500 for
salaries of teachers and Librarians.
In making this sum available, the
committee added the proviso that
"in the interest of economy, the
Board of Education may, at its dis
cretion, during the fiscal year 1885
appoint as temporary teachers from
the eligible list Of applicants es-
tablished by examinations. This
item, providing for part restoration
of the pay cut, together with the
items for construction, are said by the
Evening star., 1934-04-11

The history Of Appropriation Com.
mittee hearings on District bills shows
that one very seldom takes place
without some District ofhcial being
singled out for torrent Of harsh
criticism from members Of Congress.
The late municipal architect, Albert
Harris, used to be favorite target.
D. Frank w. Ballou has had his bad
DAYS in the committee room. This
year the goat was Assistant Corpora
ton Counsel William A. Roberts.
Roberts took an unmerciful Raging
from Representative Thomas L. Elan-
ton and from Representative Clar-
ence Cannon, the subcommittee chair
man. The stenographic transcript Of
the testimony, made public today, car
ries no less than 26 printed pages Of
Roberts uncomfortable stay on the
witness stand, most Of 1t under the
lambasting of Blanton and Cannon.
Sought to Belittle Ability.
Between them, they sought to be-
little his ability as a lawyer, accused
him of letting the Chesapeake & Po-
tomac Telephone Co. get the better Of
him in q legal battle, Of giving the
telephone company more than they
asked for and Of "squandering" the
District taxpayers money in trips to
other cities.
Roberts struck back and received
the support of Representative Otter
of Pennsylvania. But the battle is
seldom fair in a closed committee
room, with committee members on the
attack.
Blanton produced copies Of the ex-
pense sheets of many of Roberts va
rious trips. There was one on March
IL to Boston, one on April 8, 1882, to
New York; one on November IA,
1882, to Hot Springs, Ark; one in
June of an unspecifled year to Chi
cago and another trip to New York.
unspecified date.
Not Travelling Salesman.
"You are not travelling salesman"
Blanton asked.
Il certainly am not" was the re-
ply.
Blanton questioned items in the
expense account for valet and maid
service incurred by Mr.. Roberts.
Roberts had also listed some Of his
expenses as payment to porters for
carrying dress suit cases" He ex-
planned that he had not taken any
dress suits with him.
Speaking of the Boston trip:
Mr.. Blanton-Do you have maid
service up there? You have maid
service charged here twice on this
Boston trip, Mr. Roberts.
Mr.. Roberts-For what? Do you
mean the Is cents which you give to
the maid for making up the room?
Charges Extravagance.
Mr.. Blanton-I never had to give a
maid 25 cents to fix up my room; I
never see maids; I pay the hotel
what they charge.
Reading from the expense ac-
count of the same trip: Valet, 80
cents" Did you ever have a valet?
Maj Donovan District auditory -
He got his clothes pressed.
Mr.. Blanton-He was pressing his
clothes at District expense. (Contin-
uing reading maid, Is cents")
Does a lawyer have to have a maid?
He spent s88.98 on that trip.
Gentlemen, I want to tell you right
now that it is extravaganza and waste.
in my judgment, and I believe that
every member of Congress, II you
Evening star., 1934-04-11
Roberts Subjected to Bitter
attack by Congress Members
Blanton and Cannon Sought to Belittle
Legal Ability at Appropria.
ton Hearings.

would put It up to them. will say 1t
Is extravaganza and waste, and that
the people ought not to have to stand
for that.
Roberts explained that he had been
sent on his trips by his superiors,
that they were all in connection with
his work, that he had not put down
all of his expenses and that they had
been productive of good. When Blan-
ton threatened to stop all travel, Rob-
erts not only said that would be un-
wise. but added: "You ought to get
rid Of men not ambitious enough to
do it,
Attack Legal Ability.
On his legal qualifications, Roberts
was put through the jumps in con-
nection with stipulation, entered
with lawyers for the telephone COM
pany, that the cost of reproduction
of the telephone plant was $751;
014,000.
Blanton said that the company's
original stipulation carried the figures
$3l ,000,0l4, and that Roberts had
therefore given them $13,988 more
than they asked for. Roberts said
the original figure was a typograph-
ical error.
Cannon complained because the
stipulation did not make it clear
whether the allowance included $4,-
100000 for going concern value or
whether it left it open for the COM
f0 oil iy,
ton to the figure stated in the stipu-
lation.
Mr.. Roberts said: 1T is like stipu-
lating in case involving the value
of buggy and q horse; both are de-
stroyed, and the question arises as
to the damage. Plaintiffs counsel
and defendants counsel agree that
the buggy costs $125 and they stipu-
late as to that. The question arises
as to the value of the horse and they
cannot agree. Shouldn't they take
the buggy out of the case, when it
is definitely found to have the value
the client demands?"
Should Include Laprobe.
Mr.. Cannon-It seems to me that
the stipulation should have included
the laprobe, whip and harness, and II
it failed to include that, and allowed
them to bring separate charge for
the laprobe, buggy and harness, which
were destroyed, that the one who drew
the stipulation was failing. either
through carelessness or through collu-
sion, to draw proper stipulation.
Mr.. Roberts-You have the laprobe.
whip and harness all in this stipula-
ton. every cent; it has not been con-
tested.
Mr.. Canron-Such a stipulation
should definitely determine whether
or not the going concern is included.
Mr.. Roberts-That is a separate ele-
ment: they did not want to stipulate,
and they would not stipulate as to
that.
Mr.. Cannon-You concede that in
addition to this, they might then
bring in also, as basis for the estab-
lishment of their rates, $4,000 900 ad-
ditional for going concern value?
because the courts say they can; there
is no way I can stop them.
Mr.. Cannon-The stipulation could
have included that so you would know
definitely.
Mr.. Roberts-I will agree that it
could If they would only stipulate;
hey will not do it; they are too smaR.
Evening star., 1934-04-11
Youth Killed in Crash.

MANCHESTER, Tenn, April II
@.-Raymond Bledsoe, 10, Leaven-
worth, Ind., youth, was killed near
here last night when the automobile
in which he and his brother were
returning home from Florida col
lided with q truck on q curve. The
brother, Curtis Bledsoe, was unin-
jured. Ted Morgan, ~, Of Danville,
Ill, driver Of the truck, was unhurt.
Evening star., 1934-04-11

committee to be the explanation for
the sharp increase over the current
appropriation.
Other personnel items include
$579, 900 for officers salaries; $141,115
for salaries Of clerks.
Evening star., 1934-04-11


The subject of economy in the ad-
ministration of the schools marked
the very opening Of the hearings on
the school items in the budget Chair
man Cannon asked DR.. Ballou at the
outset If he wanted to make pre-
liminary statement before the individ-
ual items we're considered. Ballou
said he did and then declared, in
part:
"Ths budget represents what the
school people think IS minimum
for operating expenses during the
next school year. We have under
taken to meet the present situation
by reducing every item as far as
possible and maintain a reasonable
going concern. I should like to ex-
plain that without additional teach
ers and without additional class
rooms, the only way in which we
can take care of the increased en-
rollment is by enlarging the classes" F"
DR.. Ballou went on to say that
Evening star., 1934-04-11

"The committee is aware of the fact
that many hundreds of needy persons
sfe benefiting from these relief funds
and it is also aware of the fact that
there are also many persons who will
never seek employment while these
finds are available. The committee,
therefore, expresses the earnest hope
and belief that this appropriation will
be greatly reduced in the fiscal year
1886"
sThe only major construction prof.
ects authorized in the bill, which.
Incidentally, were approved by the
budget Bureau, include funds for an
addition to the Brown Junior High
School, completion of the construc-
ton Of the Wow Wilson Senior
High School. th' 'ction of a
gymnasium et N Junior High
Evening star., 1934-04-11
Plane Routes Short.

Commercial airplanes in Switzer-
land fly over only 3.1o7 miles Of
scheduled routes.
Evening star., 1934-10-14
Benefit Gard Party
At St. Peter S Church

Mrs. Herbert F. Ludam is chair
man of large committee of parish
oners Of st. Peters Church, who have
completed arrangements for a. bingo
party, to be held for the benefit of
the convent building fund of the
parish.
The party will be held tomorrow
evening at o'clock in the basement
Of the church at Second and c streets
southeast, where seating arrangements
have been made for more than 500
persons.
Many handsome prizes have been
secured, including several door awards.
Refreshments will be served.
Right Rev. Msgr. Eugene ]. Con-
nelly, pastor of st. Peters Church,
is honorary chairman of the Commit
tee on Arrangements. Other members
Of the committee include, Herbert F.
Ludlam, Vernon A. Parker, Miss Flea
nor Walker, John R. Ludlam, Miss
Gertrude Cotter, Miss N. Francis Lud-
lam, Mr.. and Mrs c. j. Walker, Misses
Jennie, Teresa and Eugene O'Reilly,
Mr.. and Mrs. J. F. williams, Mrs. L.
GoldSborough, George Harbin, Mr..
Laycock, Mr.. Langley, Miss Lillian
Jones, Miss Regina Dillon, Miss Jane
Keller, Paul Repetti, Mr.. San Felpo
and Francis McGarraghy.
Evening star., 1934-10-14
Mrs. Roosevelt Sponsor
For Children's s Plays

Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt again
heads the list Of patronesses for the
children's play series, which the Chill
dren's Theater of New York is to give
at the National Theater this Winter.
"Pocahontas" will inaugurate the
season on Saturday morning, Novem-
ber 3, at 10:30. 1t will be followed
by five plays, all on Saturday morn
ings with the exception of the one
during Christmas week, which will be
given at the same hour on Friday
the 28th. The plays will be NO
body's Girl" on December g.; "Dick
Wilmington and his Cat" December
%; The Princes Secret" February
Is; Under the Lilacs," March 16; and
Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp"
April 20.
Additional patronesses for the
Washington season are: Nine. r. j
Alfaro, Miss Moira Archbold, Mrs. P.
Landon Banf1eld, Mrs. John CaSwell,
jr.; Mrs. Dwight Clark, Mrs. Anne
Roosevelt Dali, Mrs. James Clement
Dunn, Mrs. Edward R. Finkenstaedt,
Miss Mary L. Gildersleeve, Mrs. Leland
Harrison, Mrs. Christian Heurich, ST.;
Mrs. Jessie Moon Holton, Mrs. Alan
son B. Houghton, Mrs. Reginald s.
Huidekoper, Mrs. Harold L. Ickes, Mrs
C. Oliver Iselin, jr.; Mrs. Rudolph Max
Kaufman, Mrs. John C. Let's, Miss
Louise Maret. Miss Marthe Maret,
Mrs. Harold N. Marsh, Mrs. Donald
H. McKnew, Mrs. Keith Merreill and
Mrs. John Minor.
Evening star., 1934-10-14
Bridal Pairs of Summer
Feted With Evening Party

A Halloween party was given
Mr.. and Mrs. william H. Exner, Mr..
and Mrs. Benjamin r. Swami, Mr..
and Mrs. Richard F. Cooke and Mr..
and Mrs. Joseph Swami by num-
Der of their friends in Knights of
Columbus Hall last Saturday even
ing, the four couples having been
married during the past Summer.
The hall was decorated in Hal
loween colors, with the tables ar
ranged around the floor, giving a
night club effect. A delightful en-
tertainment was enjoyed, in which
the following took part: Mr.. John
L. Donnelly, tenor selections; Mr..
James O'Connell, recitations; Miss
Fabiola Marx, soprano selections; Miss
Helen Herbeck, recitations; Miss Mil
dred Mattimore, piano selections; Miss
Gretchen Baden, soprano selections;
Mr.. Arthur McGreevy, songs; Mr..
John Harrington, songs; Mr.. Frank
Gillian, dance specialties; Mr.. William
Sheehan. vocal and ukulele selections.
The program opened and closeo with
the entire group singing popular
selections, with Miss Gretchen Baden
accompanying on the piano. Several
one-act sketches were given under
direction of Luke O'Reilly. Rev. Fran
els j. Kelly of st. Patrick's Church
extended the heartiest congratulations
and best wishes of the many friends
present to the newly-married couples.
Mr.. William j. Boyd presided.
A buffet supper was served. and
dancing continued until midnight.
Mr.. and Mrs. William H. Exner,
the latter formerly Miss Edna Dyer.
were married in Our Lady of Victory
Church on July % by Rev. Louis
Vaeth. Mr.. and Mrs. Benjamin r.
Swami, the latter formerly Miss
Amelia Cecilia Vitiello, were married
by Rev. Joseph v. Buckley in St.
Francis Xavier Church, September 3.
Mr.. and Mrs. Richard F. Cooke, the
latter formerly Miss Margaret Finn,
were married by Rev. Patrick J. Con-
roy in St AnthonyS Church, Septem-
ber 6, and Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph
Swami, the latter formerly Miss Anna
Wolff, were married by Rev. Joseph
V. Buckley in st. Francis XAVIER
Church, September 20.
Evening star., 1934-10-14

Teddy bear" Is looking in big hat
for the others that are to follow.
Those taking part in the program
include, besides Mr.. O'Connor, Miss
Helen Howison, Miss Jessie Werner,
Miss Priska Kaspar, Mr.. Thomas Bra
hany, Mr.. Fred East, Mr.. Bernhard
Fitzgerald, Mr.. Anton Kaspar. Mr..
William r. Raymond, Mr.. Edwin
Steffe, Mr.. Charles Trowbridge Tit
man, Mr.. Matt Horne and Mr.. George
Wilson.
The program will be presented in
the lounge following the usual large
list Of dinner parties that have be-
come q custom preceding entertain
ments. The dining rooms, bright with
their new decorations, will be deco
rated throughout with Autumn flowers.
Mr.. Lewis Lotion Moneyway, chair
man Of the Entertainment Committee,
will act as host at a buffet supper
later in the evening, to which men,
bers of the cast. have been invited as
guests of honor. Others on the COM
mittee include Mr.. James oliver Muir
dock, Mr.. Clifford K. Bergman and
Mr.. Albert E. Stephan.
Evening star., 1934-10-14
Loudoun County Hunt
And Ball Armistice Day

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va, October
13.-The Loudoun Hunt will formally
open the 1884 season on Armistice
day, November IL, with a hunt and
ball. Hounds will probably meet at
the kennels on the estate Of Mr.. D.
N. Rust.
The ball will be held at Goose Greek
Taverns and the committee arranging
for the ball includes Miss Anna He'd
rick of Washington, Mr.. James Di
Zerega and Mr.. r. T. Corbell OF
LeeSburg.
Mrs. J. Armistead Melbourne OF
Leesburg was hostess at tea Friday
afternoon in honor Of her guest, Mrs.
Edwin S. Niver of Baltimore. The
Rev. J. Armistead Melbourne, county
chairman of American Red Cross:
Mr.. and Mrs. Shirley Carter, and
Miss Alice Davis, all of Leesburg,
attended the regional conference at
Harpers Ferry Tuesday and the
luncheon which followed the con-
ference.
Miss Mary Simpson entertained at
bridge in her home near Round Hill
this afternoon.
DR.. and Mrs. j. Russell Smith and
their family have closed their Sum-
mer home on the Blue Ridge Noun
tain near Round Hill, and have re-
turned to their home in Swarthmore,
Pa. DR.. Smith will resume his work
as a member of the faculty in Colum-
bia University.
Miss .Jnlia Whiting has returned IN
her home in Middleburg for the hunt
ing season, from her Summer home in
Bar Harbor, Me.
Evening star., 1934-10-14
University Club Set
For First Ladies' Mich"

The University Club has issued an
nouncements foretelling a gala ladies
night" to be held at its newly deco
rated club house on Thursday evening
of this week at 8:15 o'clock. The pro-
gram is the first of a number of in
teresting entertainments scheduled for
the Winter season by the Entertain
ment Committee. George O'Connor
and his troupe of popular artists will
be the feature of the evening. Mr..
O'Connor has for a number of years
delighted the members of the club and
their guests with his unique programs
when he officially opens the clubs
Winter season.
The announcement Of this OPEN
ing entertainment is in the form Of
an unusually clever cartoon by Mr..
Clifford K. Bergman, famous car
toonist, who is member of the En-
tertainment Committee. Mr.. Berry
man has depicted Mr.. O'Connor as a
Snowman juggling the heads of a
number of the popular entertainers on
his program, while the celebrated
Evening star., 1934-10-14
Mrs. Stotesbury Arriving
For Col. DODGE Dinner

Mrs. z. T. Stotesbury Of Philadel-
phia, is coming to Washington to at
tend the testimonial dinner to be
given Saturday at the Mayflower for
Col. Harrison Dodge in celebration of
his fiftieth anniversary as superin-
tendent of Mount Vernon.
Vice Admiral William L. Rodgers
and his sister, Mrs. Hobert Giles, have
also made reservations for the dinner.
Among other guests who will attend
are Mrs. James Parmelee, former
Senator and Mrs. Harry B. Halves,
Mrs. John J. Hemphill, Mrs. Ar
thur Macarthur, Mr.. and Mrs. John
L. Proctor, Mr.. Charles ]. Livingood,
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles H. Burke, Mr..
C. C. Wall, DR. and Mrs. G. B Tribe
and Mr.. Herbert Putnam. Old-fash-
ioned melodies played by the United
States Marine Band during the din
ner will include Garry Me Back to
Old Virginny," "Auld Lang Syne. "
Evening star., 1934-10-14
Maryland Church Plans
Benefit Card PARTY

There will be card party in the
parish hall of ST. Barnabas' Church
at Iceland, Md, Saturday afternoon,
October 20, at 2:30 o'clock.
st. Ba1nabas' Church is one of the
Oldest Colonial churches in Southern
Maryland. In 17C4 the new parish of
Queen Anne was created, of which
this is the parish church, and in 1903,
by subscription Of both money and
tobacco, the furnishings were brought
from England. The present structure
was begun in 1772 and completed in
1776.
A belfry was erected in 1880 in
memory of John Contee Fairfax,
eleventh Baron of Cameron, and of
Mary Kirby Fairfax, his wife, and
Caroline Snowden Sanders, his moth
er. Lord Fairfax was a vestryman
of this church.
Buses will leave the Mayfiower
Hotel sharply at 1870 o'clock. Mrs.
Herbert Plummer at South Cathedral
Mansions is in charge of tickets. Re-
freshments will be served by the guild,
and there will be sale of homemade
cakes and candy.