davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1937-06-24
GROCER SHOT BY BANDIT
FIGHTS FOR HIS LIFE
Max Dichter, Who Thwarted
Gunman, IL Placed in
Oxygen Tent.

Max Dichter, 50, shot Tuesday night
by a bandit in his grocery store at
l27 street, was placed in an oxygen
tent at Sibley Hospital today in an
effort to save his life,
The grocer was wounded below the
heart when he answered a command
to put 'em up" by hurting the
porcelain scales top at his assailant.
The bandit fled IN an automobile
driven by an accomplice.
Dichter's condition became worse
last night after he had spent a fair"
day, hospital attaches said,
Evening star., 1937-12-16
ROBINSON COUPLE.
BELIEVED JAILED.
Izvestia Statement Inter-
preted to Mean Soviet
Police Have Seized Pair.
Ry the Associated Press.

MOSCOW, Dec. 16-Izvestia, organ
of the Soviet government, said today
that Soviet authorities have taken
measures to seek out an darrest" the
missing couple known as "Mr. and
Mrs Donald L. Robinson"
This was interpreted in foreign
circles to mean that the couple, who
professed to be Americans. have been
under arrest since their strange and
unexplained disappearance last week.
although the newspaper refrained
from any such statement.
After publishing the announcement
by the American State Department
that the "Robinsons" entered Russia
under passports obtained fraudulently,
Izvestia said:
According to information received
by the editor, the Soviet authorities
have taken measures to seek out and
arrest the persons mentioned in the
telegram (from the State Depart
ment)."
The most puzzling question seemed
to be the real identity of the couple
and whether they actually were Amer
ican citizens
Federal agents in New York in
vestigating for the United States
State Department the issuance of fall
sified American passports to the Rob
insons" pursued theory the couple
were espionage agents allied with an
American Communist group opposed
to the present regime in Russia.)
Referring to the New York in
vestigation, Izvestia said:
"The declaration of the State De-
partment leaves little doubt we are
dealing with some kind of suspicious
persons who attempted to pose as
Americans.
Attention is drawn to the fact that
American Trotzkyites are connected
somehow with the affair, and now the
Trotzkyites are Fastening to pull out
of it."
U. s. Is ONLY CURIOUS"
Evening star., 1937-12-16
z CLOSED BANKS
WILL PAY $4,000
North Capitol Savings and
Departmental to Give
Dividends Soon.

Payment, probably before Christ
mas. of about $4,000 in additional
dividends to depositors of two closed
banks-North Capitol Savings Bank
and the Departmental Bank-was au-
thorized today by Controller Of the
Currency j. F. T. O'Connor.
In making formal announcement
the controller said actual distribution
to creditors Of dividend funds involved
will be made as soon as possible. al
though due to the time required for
preparation Of dividend checks the
exact date of distribution cannot be
stated at this time"
The receiver of both banks, John F..
Moran, whose offices are In the old
closed Park Savings Bank on Four
teenth street NV, was authorized by
the controller to proceed with pay
ment.
In the North Capitol Savings Bank
there will be third dividend amount
ing to 6.25 per cent to creditors. This
dividend will effect a distribution of
$57,700 to 5,857 claimants As this re-
ceivership already has paid dividends
of IS per cent, the total payments will
now aggregate 31.25 per cent. De-
positors of this bank have filed claim
against the institution for a total of
$4,000.
Receiver Moran will pay to de-
positors of the Departmental Bank a
sixth dividend of per cent. This will
amount to $4,000 to 4,029 claimants
who have proved claims aggregating
s772,000 As this receivership has paid
dividends of 80 per cent already, the
Christmas dividend will bring the
total up to IS per cent.
Controller O'Connor explained that
Receiver Moran will announce later
by publication or by postal card the
exact date when dividend checks will
be made available.
I'm the meantime" said Mr.. O'Con-
nor in his statement, 1T is requested
that depositors of the banks involved
do not communicate with Receiver
Moran by phone or otherwise concern
(see BANKS, Page A-3.)
Evening star., 1937-12-16
Government Now Only Wants to Know
Identity.

Government Now Only Wants to Know
Identity.
BY the Associated Press:
The reported arrest in Moscow Of
the mysterious "Mr. and Mrs. Donald
Louis Robinson" evoked a statement
in a high official quarter today that
the United States Governments in
terest in the couple now Is confined
solely to curiosity" as to their real
identity and nationality.
Since their American passports were
obtained fraudulently, this Govern
ment assumes the pair are not Amer
ican citizens. There is no occasion
therefore. it was said, for any oflcial
action here in connection with arrest
In Russia Of the young couple.
This attitude will prevail, 1t was
emphasized by a high source, unless
and until the "Robinsons" are able to
prove they are American citizens.
Sworn to in Marrinelli's Oh1ce.
NEW YORK, Dec. 16 R.-Inquiry
disclosed today that afidavits upon
which the couple obtained American
passports to Russia were sworn to in
the ofiice Of Albert ]. Marinelli, for
mer county clerk.
Marinelli, Tammany district lead
er. resigned recently after Prosecutor
elect Thomas e. Dewey iiled charges
with Gov. Herbert Lehman that the
county clerk was . political ally" OF
,ex.conyicts and rscketeers.
Evening star., 1937-12-16
FIRE AT NAVY YARD
CAUSES $500 LOSS
Short -Circuiting Of 2,200-Volt
Current Starts Blaze-Work
Delayed Two Hours.

Short-circuiting Of 2,20o-volt elec-
tic current started fire in an oil
operated compensation in the central
power plant of the Navy Yard today,
causing damage estimated at about
$500.
The compensation Is operated as
printing device for direct-current gen.
orators at the yard. and the fire dam
age prevented use Of considerable
amount Of the machine equipment in
the east end of the plant. Opera
tons we're suspended about two hours.
Efforts were being made to deter
mine the cause Of the short circuit
before current was switched over to
N auxiliary generator.
n Although the intense fame Of .
few moments charred the wood near
the damaged machine, the blaze was
quickly brought under control.
Capt. G. s. Rowan, captain Of the
yard. who was investigating the Incl
dent, said there was no indication Of
sabotage.
Evening star., 1937-12-16
You Are Santa Claus Is Theme
Of Toy Campaign Radio Sho,o
Music to Lure St. Nick Into Euery Home
mWashngton this Christmas
To Be Heard Tonight.

Mllsic to guide Santa Claus into
every home In Washington this
Christmas will float along the sound
waves tonight from the biggest radio
show on the air-the Warner Bros
musical invitation to the Capital to
attend . toy matinee Saturday
morning.
From the moment at 10:30 pm.
when the inspiring strains Of the
ave Maria, !" played by the Earle The
ater Band, open the program until it,
close half an hour later, you can hear,
by tuning In Station WMAIl, joyful
band music, the skits Of Monte Blue,
old-time screen star. and Mary Dees,
the girl who took Jean Harlow's place
In "Sarstosa, and the singing and
Evening star., 1937-12-16
P0STAL'S T|E-UP
ENDED BY ACCORD
Contract Concessions Won
by Workers in Strike
Lasting 3 Hours.

Members of the American Radio
Telegraphers' Association ended q
three hour tie-up of the entire Postal
Telegraph & Gable Co. system at 20
pm. today. Ofhcers of the union. an
affiliate of the c. I. O., announced here
that company representatives in New
York had promised certain concessions
in connection with contract negotia-
tiations which have been under way
for some time.
Called simultaneously at 1920 am.
today in six key cities of the Postal
system, including Washington, the
work stoppage resulted in complete
paralysis Of one Of the Nations major
communications agencies. AS the
effectiveness Of the movement became
evident through the company's inabil-
ity to move traffic through the key
ofices. employees of at least four others
were reported to have joined in the
demonstration.
In addition to Washington, the Of
fees affected initially were those in
Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York,
Detroit and Buffalo. Before the three
hours were up union officers here re-
ceived word that employees in Boston,
Pittsburgh, Milwaukee and st. Louis
had followed suit.
Although no disorders occurred
here, the Associated Press reported
the arrest Of two union organizers
in New York on complaints Of ma
lic.ous mischief A New York spokes-
man of the company announced
shortly afterward that the arrests
had been made without their knowl-
edge and against their wishes. He
said steps would be taken to have
the charges withdrawn and the men
released.
Prior to termination of the demon
stration here, it was announced that
the company had given verbal as
surance in New York that a closed
shop provision would be included in
whatever final agreement is reached.
Displaying Strength.
The entire tie-up, it was announced
by Mervyn Rathborne, international
president of the union, was for the
purpose of displaying the strength Of
the association and its determination
to force the company to grant wage
increases and the closed shop for its
employees.
Union officers here announced that
further demonstrations would be
staged if company oncials show fur
ther unwillingness to include the closed
shop and wage provisions in any
agreement made.
The Washington demonstration be-
gan in the headquarters ONCE at 1920
New York avenue N. w. with about
IS men and women operators and
other employees stopping work shortly
before 1920 am At the same time
union ofdcials issued q strike call to
branch Offices throughout the city
and messenger boys and other en-
ployes began pouring into the head
quarters office shortly after IL o'clock
All activities in connection with the
strike were centered there.
Giving verbal orders to all strikers
that no property was to be damaged
the union officials organized the DEM
onstration into an orderly procedure
(Saa pOSTAY poon A1sI
Evening star., 1937-12-16
Bluejackets to Pay Tribute at Site of
Panay Bombing.

TOXIC, Dec. Is (P.-Ihe japanese
navy ministry announced today that
. company of bluejackets will be de-
tailed to honor the victims of the
Panay bombing at the spot on the
Yantgtze River where they were killed.
The formal naval salute will be an
unprecedented gesture which, authori-
ties said, was the highest possible vol
untary tribute of one nation to an
other.
Authoritative sources said the PLAN
ned salute was not connected with the
American protest against the attack.
The admiralty issued a statement
reiterating japanese regret over the
incident, adding that the navy has
decided to detail company OF blue
Jackets to the spot to honor the dead. !"
It was announced also that sailors
OF the Japanese Third Fleet were COL
Letting 5000 yen ($1,450) to be con-
tributed to the United States Navy.
Hirota Seeks Settlement.
Foreign Minister Koki Hirota mean
while announced to the japanese cab
met council that the foreign ministry
was trying to devise Satisfactory
settlement" OF the Panay incident.
The adjutant at the navy Office an
$50 rOYT0 poro 40
Evening star., 1937-12-16
BY ARTHUR MENKEN.

NANKING, BY Radio From Gum
boat Oahu, Dec. 16 (R.-The once
proud capital OF ancient China was
strewn today with the blood -splotched
corpses Of its soldier defenders and
civilians killed in the bombing. she'll
ing and fierce fighting to which the
city was subjected.
Scattered through the city were
hundreds of uniforms discarded by
fleeing Chinese soldiers who had tried
to escape death at the hands of the
Japanese by substituting civilian garb.
During the Chinese retreat from
Marking, after their defense had been
smashed by the terrific japanese on
slauehts, I saw some disorganized loot
ing by fleeing Chinese soldiers, anc
when they had gone some Japanese
carried on the looting.
Safety Zone Respected.
The japanese refrained from she'll
ing and bombing the safety zone which
was set aside under sponsorship of
American and German residents of
Marking. More than 100 900 Chinese
sought refuge in the zone.
Despite the fact that Chinese troops
were slow in withdrawing from the
(See BATTLE, Page A-4.)
Evening star., 1937-12-16

accordion playing Of the Donatella
Brothers and Carmen.
In the absence Of Director Freddy
Clark, who Is Ill, Alex Podnis will lead
the orchestra, and Audrey Sibour, the
golden-voiced mistress OF ceremonies
at the Earle, will introduce the stars
over the air. The appearance Of the
Earle Theater Orchestra is through
the courtesy Of the Musicians Pro-
tective Union, Washington Local 161,
A. c. Hayden, president.
This gigantic entertainment has
Just one end In view-to remind you:
You are Santa Claus.
Thousands Of families will have no
Christmas unless you help them
through the Christmas campaign Of
(ees TOY CAMPAIGN, Page A.e.)
Evening star., 1937-12-16
Chairman SteagaI| Sees
Passage Before End of
Special Session.
FEW MAJOR CHANGES
ARE MADE IN MEASURE
Insurance on Mortgages Extended
to Include Property of Value
Up to $500.
BY J. A. OLEARY.

The administrations new housing
bill to encourage investment of private
capital in home construction pro-
gram by liberalizing the Federal Hous-
ing Administration mortgage insurance
plan was reported favorably by the
House Banking Committee today with
few major changes.
Chairman Steagall announced steps
would be taken to get it before the
House following the wage-hour meas
ure, and predicted passage before the
end OF the special session next week.
The bill broadens the base for in
surance mortgages on owner-occupied
homes, revives F. H. A. insurance for
home repairs in the hope of creating
employment and seeks to bring about
the formation of national mortgage
associations. with the aid of Recon-
struction Finance Corp. financing, to
provide capital for building construc-
ton.
Insurance Limit Extended.
AS introduced two weeks ago, the
measure would have allowed F. H A..
to insure mortgages at 80 per cent
OF the value up to $5,4O0, instead of
the 80 per cent insurance limit under
existing law, thereby reducing the
home-buyer's down payment to 10 per
cent.
The House committee extended this
feature by providing that on mort
cages up to $500, F. H. A. could
insure 80 per cent of the first s5,400,
and 80 per cent of the balance.
Another important committee change
was to provide that, in addition to
reviving F. H. A. insurance for repairs,
thas agency could insure the full
amount OF loans up to S2,500 for con-
struction of small, new houses. either
rural or urban.
Senators Debate Changes.
Meanwhile. a subcommittee Of the
Senate Banking Committee continued
to debate changes it may make in the
measure. with indications the House
VIII b the first to pass II. It ap-
peared doubtful today whether both
houses would be able to complete the
housing measure before the Christmas
recess.
The F. H. A. repair and moderniza-
ton program expired last April. The
House bill would revive it until July
l, 1889, and make available the re-
mainder Of the sl00. .00O,O 900 limitation
on the amount for this purpose. There
is $4,000 limit on repair loans that
may be insured. Repair loans may
be insured up to 10 per cent.
In addition to reducing the home
buyers down payment by insuring 90
per cent of the value, the bill seeks
(See HOUSING Pare A-ll
Evening star., 1937-12-16
Previous Reports
Are Officially
Confirmed.
TOXIC TO GIVE
VICTIMS SALUTE
Bluejackets to Pay
Tribute at Spot
of Bombing.
ly the Associated Press.

1y the Associated Press.
Secretary Hull announced today that
official reports had confirmed that
Japanese surface vessels machine
gunned Panay after it had been
bombed from the air by japanese
naval flyers.
In making this announcement at his
press conference the Secretary Of
State said this information had been
transmitted to the American Ambas-
eador at Toxic for presentation to the
Japanese foreign office in the form OF
representations to supplement facts
already set forth in this Governments
formal note of protest on the bombing.
Details Not Complete.
Mr. Hull gave no complete details OF
the information received by the State
Department concerning the machine
gun attack.
He merely stated that partial Off
cial information already received from
American Government representatives
In the Far East confirmed press re-
ports of the incident as dispatched
yesterday by newspaper correspondents
quoting eyewitnesses at the scene.
Expects Further Reports.
Mr.. Hull added that he was expect
ing further official reports at any time
which may give more deteil1,
He said that as additional facts
come in they also would be presented
to the japanese government to support
the information already set FORTH in
American demands for full satisfac-
ton.
Planes Dived at Survivors.
Although Hull withheld details of
the information in the hands Of the
State Department, officials asserted
1t confirmed that while the Panay
survivors were escaping from the sink
ing ship in small boats, Japanese air.
planes dived and machine-gunned the
boats at low attitudes.
Bullet holes were said to have been
found in the Panay's outboard motor
Sampan.
japanese Boarded Panay..
The State Department official ad-
vises, it was added, confirm also that
before the Panay sank two Japanese
Army motor boats approached the
ship and machine-gunned it. Some
Of the japanese, it was said, boarded
the Panay and remained on it about
s minutes. although the American
colors were flying and were easily dis
cernable.
The Secretary of State, indicating
that this information makes the
Panay incident even more serious than
it appeared at first, said he still was
awaiting reply from the japanese
government to the formal American
protest dispatched Tuesday.
JAPANESE PLAN SALUTE.
Evening star., 1937-12-16
Fire Alarm Charge Dropped
On Mans Story of Dying Aunt
Health Officials Deny Ambulance
Driuer Refused to Take Woman to
HOsDitUl. as Stated.

Assistant Corporation Counsel Mil
ton Norman today refused to issue
papers against John Jordan, q, COL
ored bus boy. on charge of turning in
false fire alarm after Jordon declared
he called flremen in an effort to save
his dying aunt when he could not get
Public Health Service ambulance to
remove her to hospital.
Jordon ran from his home at 9O6
Twenty-seventh street NV yesterday
afternoon and turned in the alarm
when he became convinced his aunt,
Florence Wright, was dying. He met
Evening star., 1937-12-16
JAPANESE RECALL
NAVAL AIR CHIEF
Rear Admr. Mitsunami Is
Withdrawn as Result
Of Panay Case.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
SHANGHAI, Dec. 16.-Rear Ad-
miral Teiso Mitsunami chief Of
japanese naval aerial operations, was
relieved Of his post today as a result
of the bombing of the United States
gunboat Panay.
Domei Japanese news agency
which carried the announcement of
his removal. declared the Japanese
government was acting swiftly to carry
out its pledge to America to punish
officers responsible for the attack.
1t was explained that Mitsunami
was recalled because most lombard
ments in China had neen carried out
by naval planes.
The rear admiral was ordered to 60
to Toxic, but japanese authorities
here did not know what other action
he faced.
Planes Attack Interior.
During the day Japanese Army
planes carried the warfare into the
&AOSA AVA W4tAA q cCA4VC Va dtVoIhSs AIA &C
columns of Japanese shock troops ad-
vancing northward from point be-
tween Shanghai and Marking entered
heretofore quiet countryside.
+ One column advancing along the
ancient Grand Canal threatened a
number of rich, populous towns.
Foreign military and naval observ-
ers in Shanghai said they believed the
Panay bombing and other attacks may
have been made by young officers who
had disregarded efforts of command
ers to control their actions.
A miniature fleet of American and
British naval vessels bearing the three
dead and most of the survivors Of the
Panay incident was expected to reach
Shanghai some time tomorrow. The
boats spent last night at anchor on
the mine-strewn lower Yangtze and
were to anchor again tonight.
Plan Triumphal Entry.
japanese forces, meanwhile, planned
formal triumphal entry into fallen
Marking for tomorrow afternoon, while
other japanese columns continued
their push into the interior.
Vice Admiral Kiyoshi Hasegawa was
to lead naval forces in parade from
the Yangtze river front and Gen
Iwane Matsui was scheduled to enter
the city at the head Of an army parade
through Chungshan gate.
Two hundred japanese planes were
to roar over the fallen capital in cele-
bration Of the "epochal achievement
Of Japanese armed forces"
japanese oficials announced that
the American Embassy Building and
other embassy and legation headquar-
ters at Nanking were not damaged in
the siege of the city. All Americans
and foreigners who remained there
were reported safe.
Cameraman Reports Conditions.
First American report on conditions
at Nanking was received from Ar
thur Menken, Paramount newsreel
cameraman who went through the
siege.
Mr.. Menken wirelessed from the
American gunboat Oahu that MAN
king is shambles"
Except for The efforts of three
American missionaries, he said, "the
wounded were not cared for" He re-
ferred to Miss Ivy Hynds, Los An
geles; DR.. G. T. Trimmer, Long Val
ley, N. j., and DR.. Robert o. Wilson
Santee, Calf.
Mr.. Menken said japanese troops
first reached the center Of the city
by making = breach in the southern
walls and using scaling ladders. A
bombardment Of the eastern gate
made 1t = virtual staircase Of shell
holes, he said.
Evening star., 1937-12-16

outS'de japanese occupdtonJ
o Star. ~ - - -
1ANKING, the u days hell would
| VI Nanking
have just boarded gunboat of
foreigners to leave the capital
as we left the city executed
eoe the wall near the water front where already
deep
- l
The story of Markings fall
fusion the
by the conqung which
' - " -
While the behavior Of
force
All foreigners in Marking
japanese brutality Marking golden opportunity
the sympathy of the Chinese population friendship
be seeking " -
After the complete collapse panic which
feeling that the behavior possibly
han that OF their defeated
Anough the Japanese could
remainder OF the city almost without
trapped Chese soldiers most of whom
SURRENDER hey chose the course of systematic
ocut 10 estmae but
Streets throughout the civilians and
Chinese
ooas across the river eaped the
Japanese oung made Chinese lootng which
residence OF the American Ambassador r.
IN the University
"atche ana money They stole
m nags invaded stripping
OF the few dollars they - ' p
remaining in Marking throughout siege.
Evening star., 1937-12-16
The Evening Star
IS Years Old Today

This is The Stars S5th BIRTH
day anniversary.
Eighty-five years ago this
afternoon, on Thursday, Decem-
Der 16, 1852, No. of Vol. l of
The Daily Evening Star made its
appearance on the streets of
Washington, a city Of about
10000 population.
The first edition contained four
pages, 1872 by II inches. Part
OF the type was set in an office
at Eighth and D streets NV, part
OF it in an office on Sixth Street
NV. between Missouri and Penn
sylvania avenue, and the print
ing was done on a small press on
Sixth street NV, just south of
Pennsylvania avenue.
Today's Star, No. 34,197, con-
tanning 68 pages, will be dis
tributed to about 145,OO0 persons
and read by many more.
Evening star., 1937-12-16

the flremen at the box and told him
what he had done The firemen went
to his home, found the woman either
dead or dying, and summoned an am
bulance.
The woman was pronounced deac
after the Public Health ambulance ar
rived. Jordon asserted an ambulance
driver refused to take his aunt to the
hospital yesterday morning on the
ground she was not i'll enough for
disqualification, but this was denied
by DR.. Daniel L. Seckinger, assistant
lSee AMBULANCE. PAGE Ally
Evening star., 1937-12-16
CHINESE SOLDIERS.
D|SCARDUN|FO FORMS.
Seek Civilian Garb to Avoid
Death IN FAN Of
$50
Marking.

1.-THE tolloiDing description of the
siege and capture OF Ndnktng By the
japanese iDds 1rirelessed to the As
soctdted Press from the United
States Gunbodt Oahu by Arthur
Menken, Paramount neUsreel
camera man,