davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-12-27
Firetratker Causes
Blast Injuring -Four
By tie Associated Press.


LYNCHBURG, Va, Dec. 27.-Four
persons were injured In q spectacu-
lar explosion and flre yesterday
when a bystander lit penny fire.
cracker and dropped 1t to the floor
of fireworks storage building.
None of the four was seriously
hurt The explosion and fire, how
ever, destroyed the storage room,
containing about $400 worth Of fire.
works; an adjoining garage and an
automobile. The buildings were val
ued at nearly 5000.
Horace White, 30, colored, who
was among those hurt, said he had
stopped with his wife to buy some
fireworks and was sitting in his car
in front of the building when the
explosion occurred.
Just as we started to leave" he
said, "a man standing at the door
told us to wait a minute, that he
wanted to show us something. He
lit squib and started to throw it
across the road.
1T fell out of his hand into the
building. There was an awful noise
and then it looked like fire was
everywhere"
The other injured were L. B. Tay-
lor, 81, owner of the building; Eliza
beth White, q, wife of Horace, and
Fred Gottschall. about so, who
crawled from the blazing building
with his ear drums burst and a
severe wound in the back.
Parts of the building were hurled
into the James River. Children
scrambled to pick up unexploded
fireworks.
Evening star., 1938-12-27
Attorney Dist|oses
Crater Left a Note
Before Disappearing
Indicates Justice Was in
Depressed Mood;
Widow on Honeymoon
By the Associated Press,


NEW YORK, Dec. 27.-Emil K.
Ellis. New York attorney, disclosed
today that never-before- -men-
toned note was left by Supreme
Court Justice Joseph Force Crater
shortly before he disappeared on
August 6. 1880.
Mr.. Ellis said the note consisted
of two pages addressed to Mrs
Crater, ending with the words
YEARLY, joe"
"It indicated Justice Crater was
in very depressed mood" the at
torney said. 1T gave no indication,
however, that he intended to take
his own life or go away"
Mr.. Ellis simultaneously disclosed
that the missing jurists widow,
now Mrs. Stella Crater Kunz, sailed
secretly with her second husband,
Carl Kunz, on the liner Normandie
yesterday for Germany.
The lawyer said part of the con-
tents of the note would be made
public later today when he filed JUS
tice Crater's will for probate.
The lawyer said Craters former
wife sailed with her husband ON a
honeymoon trip delayed by an au-
tomobile accident last summer,
shortly after their marriage, in
which Mr.. Kunz suffered injuries
that kept him in the hospital for
several months.
Their names were omitted from
the Normandie's passenger list and
steamship officials declined to verify
their presence on board.
Mr.. Ellis said the couple planned
to return to the United States in
March after visiting Mr.. Kunz's
relatives in Germany.
The petition for probate was de-
scribed by Mr.. Ellis as being de-
signed to establish the legal pre-
sumption of Justice Crater's death
under the so-called "Enoch Arden
or seven-year absence law and also
to pave the way for the collection
OF s15,500 in insurance policies on
the jurists life.
Evening star., 1938-12-27
Director Of Opera House
To Speak THURSDAY

Edward johnson, director general
Of the Metropolitan Opera House,
New York, will be the main speaker
at the 6oth annual banquet of the
Music Teachers National Associa-
tion here Thursday in the Mayfower
Hotel. He will substitute for Law
renee Tibbett, who is forced to re-
main in New York to appear in
Aida"
Realizing the widespread interest
which the announcement of Mr..
T1bbett as guest of honor and
speaker has already aroused, and in
view Of the Importance Of the occa-
sion, Mr.. johnson has offered to
come to Washington In Mr.. Tibbett's
place. Mr.. johnson will speak on
opportunities for native talent In
american operatic performances and
the growth of appreciation for opera
In America" Edwin Hughes, presi-
dent OF the association, said today.
DR.. Walter Damrosch also will be
guest of honor at the banquet.
He will discuss his proposed bill for
al bureau OF Ilne arCS which
he expects to have introduced at the
next session of Congress.
More than 1000 delegates are
expected to attend the meetings
which begin tomorrow. The Ma
tional Association of Schools of Mu-
sic is meeting in conjunction with
the teachers association.
Burnet c. Tuthill, American COM
poser, will be honored tomorrow
night BY the National Symphony
Orchestra. The orchestra, directed
by DR.. Hans Kinder. will play Tut
hills pastorale, Bethlehem" in
Constitution Hall. Mr.. Tuthill is
director Of music at Southwestern
College, Memphis. Tenn.
Evening star., 1938-12-27
D. c. Group Attends
Scientific PurIeys

Five Washington men are at
tending today's joint meeting Of
the Archaeological Institute of Amer
lea. the American Pathological As
ISOLATION and the Division of Physi-
cal Chemistry of the American
Chemical Society at Brown Univer-
sity, Providence. r. I. More than
600 leaders in science and education
are attending tho conference.
The local GROUP includes Prof.
George F. Latimer, Of George WASH
ington University; DR.. Leicester B.
Holland, Of the Library of Con-
gress; DR.. r. E. Gibson and DR.. o.
H. Lener, OF Carnegie Institute, and
Lester K. Born, Of the Works
Progress Administration.
Evening star., 1938-12-27
Central High Alumni
Arrange Busy
Reunion Program
Business, Athletics and
Dance to Be Features
On January z

Athletic events, a business meet
ing and dance will feature the
thirtieth annual reunion of the Gen.
trail High School alumni, who will
meet in the school building Janu-
ary 2.
The program will begin with
basket ball game and a swimming
meet between alumni and Central
High varsity teams at 2 pm.
The alumni meeting, election of
omcers and awards of certificates
of distinction are escheduled for
$3.50 pm. and will be followed by
dancing until 7 pm.
Raymond E. Gable, retiring presi-
dent Of the alumni group, will pre-
side at the reunion, at which mem
bers of the schools championship
football team will be guests of
honor. The Awards Committee is
composed of Miss Bessie Whitford,
chairman: Lawrence v. Lampson,
George w. Hodgkins and Miss Helen
COOllQge.
Awards of distinction made by
the association since 1882 have in
cluded honors to j. Edgar Hoover,
1t. Norman S. Ives, DR.. Percival D.
Lowell, John Boehne, jr.;; DR.. Sao-
Ike Alfred SEE, Marcy L. Sperry,
DR.. Carl G. Speidel, E. Claude Bab-
cock. Mrs. Harvey W. Wiley, Frank
B. Noyes, DR.. Luther H. Reichel-
derfer, George L. Wilkinson, Gen.
William Edward Horton, Stephen
Elliott Kramer, Hayden johnson,
Conway P. Coe, Gen. Henry C..
Fisher, Charles Henry Bates, Allan
Davis, DR.. Charles F. Geschickter,
Gideon A. Lyon. DR.. Arthur c. Will
lard, DR.. Harold Wheeler, Col. Will
liam r. Dear, DR.. Custis Lee Hall,
DR.. Lois H. Meek, James Elton
Bragg and DR.. Kenneth Fuller
Maxey.
Evening star., 1938-12-27
Sass(er Supported
By 0'Conor in Bid
For Seat in House
His Candidacy Is Very
Pleasing to Me- Says
Governor-eIect
Fl the Associated Press,

F. the Associated Press.
BALTIMORE, Dec. 27.-Retiring
State Senate President Lansdale G..
Sasscer received the unqualified
support Of Gov.-elect Herbert r..
O'Conor yesterday in his bid for the
5th district congressional seat va
Gated by the death of Represent
ative Stephen w. Gambrill.
With the Sasscer candidacy an
nouncement barely "a hours old, Mr..
O'Conor issued a holiday indorse-
ment asserting:
His candidacy is very pleasing to
me. His election would insure the
very finest representation Southern
Maryland and the rest of the State
could have. I am very gratified
that he has seen his way clear to
rum"
Neither Mr.. Sasscer's announce
ment nor Mr.. O'Conor's support
were unexpected by political leaders.
It was Mr.. Sasscer, defeated by
Mr.. O'Conor in the gubernatorial
primaries, who assured Mr.. O'Con-
or's nomination in the Democratic
convention after an uncertain 10
day period when Mr.. O'Conor and
Mayor Howard w. Jackson were
neck and neck in convention votes.
Mr.. Sasscer, controlling the seven
issue deciding Prince Georges
County votes, announced he would
throw his support to Mr.. O'Conor.
Although the Democratic State
Central Committee must name the
party's candidate in the special con-
gressional election to be held next
month, leaders said there was no
doubt but that Mr.. Sasscer would
be the choice.
No candidate has been named as
yet by the Republican Committee,
although David Elliott, Baltimore
attorney, announced he would seek
the committees backing. Southern
Maryland Republican leaders have
stated Mr.. Sasscer's candidacy
would be too strong for any organ
lied G. o. P. opposition.
Evening star., 1938-12-27
Byrd 10 Demand Data
On U. 5. Lending Units
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Senator Byrd, Democrat, of Vir-
ginia. who has opposed many ad-
ministration policies, said today he
would demand that Congress obtain
full information on activities Of
Government lending corporations.
Describing these corporations as
"the invisible part of our Govern
ment," Senator Byrd told reporters
they have independent power to Gre
ate Federal Indebtedness totaling
$4,000, 100000. About $4,000, 600, 900
of this authorization already has
been utilized, he declared.
Senator Byrd said the agencies,
which include the Reconstruction
Finance Corp, the Home Owners
Loan Corp. and the Federal Housing
Administration, operate without di-
rect accountability to Congress or
the Budget Bureau. He said he had
found 1t virtually impossible to get
an accurate check on their oper-
ations.
Evening star., 1938-12-27
Mrs. Roosevelt Says
Women Don't Back
Women for Office
Need Something to
Jolt Them Out of
Inertia, She Says

Women don't back women for elec-
tive offices, Mrs. Franklin D. Roose-
velt told her press conference today
in commenting on the decreased
number Of women holding office In
State Legislatures.
The women of America, she de-
clared, haven't suffered sufficiently
to get to the point where they feel
something must be done.
She attributed the decline in the
number Of women among elective
ofnce-holders to the apathy of
women, and said they needed some
thing to jolt them out Of their
inertia.
There are plenty Of capable women,
she said. who are willing to run for
office, but there is little demand for
them at the present time
She quoted a French visitor at
the White House as saying he was
appalled, at the lack of interest
shown by American women in social
problems.
In commenting on the question,
she referred to recent report Of
the National League of Women
Voters in which 1t was stated that
there are at present only 130 women
in % State Legislatures as compared
to the 1929 peak of 149 women in
38 Legislatures,
Asked at her press conference If
she had received much reaction from
her statement last week in defense
Of her right to continue her activ-
tiles despite her position as the
wife of g. President, she said the
only adverse reaction she had re-
ceived- was a statement that no
family could possibly divorce itself
from its position in the White House.
In answer to that, she said, the
Presidents family should do its
work as weel as possible. refusing to
take advantage Of special privileges
accruing from its position.
Evening star., 1938-12-27
Jim Crow Cars Urged
For Jews in Reich
By the Associated Press,

BERLIN, Dec. 27.-"Jim Grow"
cars for the segregation of travel
ling Jews we're demanded today by
Das Schwarze Korps, organ of Adolf
Hitler's elite guard, which pointed
to the example of Southern sections
Of the United States, where Negroes
and whites are thus separated.
If the state railways, because of
well-considered financial grounds,
cannot decide to forbid Jews COM
pletely the use of railroad sleepers
then at least they should assign
Jews special sections" the weekly
publication said.
Reservations were recommended
two days In advance so rail officials
would know how much space to as
sign.
In ordinary cars, it said, special
compartments should be labelled for
Jews only "just as travellers with
dogs may use only those sections
assigned them '. BY that We
do not mean to say anything against
gentlemen with dogs"
Evening star., 1938-12-27
Only Is Customers
Linked 10 Musi(a
Prior 10 1926
Accountant Who Audited
Books Testifies at
States Inquiry
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Dec. 27.-Assistant
State Attorney General Ambrose v.
Mccall indicated today that Girard
& Co., the drug concern operated
by the late F. Donald Coster- Musica
before he got control of McKesson &
Robbins, Inc, had only Is customers.
Mr.. Mccall suggested this while
questioning John H. McGloon of
Fairfield. Conn, vice president in
charge Of accounting for McKesson
& Robbins, in the States investiga-
ton of the financial affairs of the
corporation.
Federal and New York County au-
thorities also are investigating the
corporations affairs as a result of
disclosures that about 5000 900 in
crude drug assets were missing or
never existed.
Met Coster in 1926.
Before he joined the giant drug
corporation, Mr.. McGloon said, he
was an accountant with Price,
Waterhouse g. Co., the firm which
handled McKesson & Robbins au-
diting. He met Coster- -Musica in
1925 when he went over the books
OF the Girard company.
Mr.. Mccall expressed concern
over the methods Of the audit of
Girard g. Co.. asserting the "ac-
counts receivable" represented more
than one-third of the firms $3.50 900
assets. Mr.. McGloon conceded the
sum was exceedingly large"
He said he could not recall how
he "test checked" the accounts re-
ceivable.
isn't 1t true that Girard & Co.
had only Is customers?" Asked Mr..
Mccall.
Mr.. McGloon said he didn't know.
Not Customary.
II there were only Is customers"
Mr.. Mccall continued, wouldn't it
have been best to circularize them
and to have checked these accounts
receivable?"
mo, 1t was not customary thing"
Mr.. McGloon replied.
Mr.. McGloon said he had made
checks on the inventories "only in
sofar as to SATISFY me personally that
the transcript was all right by re-
viewing the inventory sheets and
getting veriflcation from a respon-
sible officer"
He looked over Photographic
copies OF his 1925 audit and conceded
the inventory of the stock on hand
was only $150000 and that the total
OF the inventory and accounts re-
ceivable represented only half of
the total assets.
Special Grand Jury.
Coster- Musica, who got control of
McKesson & Robbins through a mil
Ion-dollar loan in 1926, committed
suicide December 16 in his Fairfield,
Conn, home when he was unmasked
as the arch-swindler of 1918 and
q former informer in the New York
County district attorneys office.
At the Federal Building it was an
nounced that a special grand Jury
would be impanelled next Tuesday
to take over the investigation into
the financial affairs of the corpora
ton and the activities of Coster-
Musica and the three brothers who
Joined him in the concern.
Katherine Sykora, who was Sec
retary to Robert Dietrich-Musica.
youngest of the brothers, was ques-
toned today by Gregory F. Noonan,
acting United States attorney,
Evening star., 1938-12-27
Senator Mead
Urges Merit System

Extension of the merit system to
all permanent ofilces of the Federal
Government and also to State and
local agencies supported in part by
Federal funds was urged today by
Senator ELECT Mead, Democrat, Of
New York.
Wherever Federal funds are
used, and whenever the agency be-
comes permanent, a proper merit
system should be required" the new
Senator said.
Legislation will be introduced this
winter making the establishment of
civil service rules by State and local
agencies a condition to the granting
of Federal aid, such as highway
construction, social security and
agricultural rehabilitation.
"Permanency Of employment and
independence in political matters
will be given to such employees as are
brought under the merit system" I"
Senator Mead added.
Evening star., 1938-12-27
Drive Is Mapped 10 End
Highway Tax Diversion

A campaign to insure that 81 5OO,-
100000 paid annually in highway
taxes be used exclusively to i'm
provement of highways was planned
yesterday by the National Highway
Users Conference with headquarters
In the National Press Building.
1t was pointed out that surveys
for future highway needs are being
completed in Al States for the early
consideration of legislatures. The
conference called attention to the
growing need for long-range plan
ming and for intermediate rural
roads as we'll as arterial routes
through cities.
The conference, which represents
farm, industrial and business groups,
urged the creation of roads suitable
for the movement of modern traffic
with safety, economy and facility. !"
1t was suggested that highway
Improvement programs be limited,
however, to the ability Of the COM
munity to pay highway taxes.
Evening star., 1938-12-27
Horse Protective Association
Refuses to Disbund

and c. Kirk Wilkinson. Sherwood
Hall, treasurer.
Even though the original intent
of the organization is outlined. the
six members present voted down a
suggestion that the association dis
solve. Instead they laid plans for
the celebration of the associations
18th anniversary December 26, 1899.
The association dates back to the
days of the reconstruction, when
property was only as safe as the
owners ability to protect 1t. 1t is
said to be the Oldest civic asso-
citation in Virginia.
Treasurer Wilkinson was author
lied by the society to spend the
necessary funds" for welfare In
the Mount Vernon district Of Fair
fax county. The amount was left
undetermined.
Evening star., 1938-12-27
Returning Members
Of Congress in Dark
On Legislation
Stroteey Of Leaders
Will Ploy Important
Port During Session

Senators and Representatives are
drifting quietly into Washington
this week to join the vanguard
awaiting opening Of the Seventy
sixth Congress next Tuesday.
Aware of several major legislative
tasks facing them early in the win
ter, but still in the dark as to the
broad course to be charted by ad-
ministration leaders, the returning
members do know that the following
major tasks are slated to be brought
before them:
1. An expanded national defense
program.
2. Extension Of the social security
program.
3. Railroad aid legislation, prob
ably.
4. A public health program, prob
ably.
5. A deficiency appropriation for
continuance of w. P. A.
6. Departmental reorganizatioa
legislation.
7. Revision of the labor relations
law, If opponents of the present g. :
can get legislation on the floor.
Must Consider Hopkins.
In addition, the Senate will hs
the job OF considering the appoint
ment OF Harry l.. Hopkins as Secre-
tary OF Commerce, and Of passing
on successors not yet named to
Attorney General Cummings and
Supreme Court Justice Cardozo.
Rumors Of other cabinet changes,
non confirmed and most Of them
denied, may result in further con-
f1rmation worries for the Senate.
Some part Of a legislative out.
line for the new Congress is expected
IN President Roosevelt's annual mes
sage to be submitted in person on
January 4. More specific informa-
ton Is to be forthcoming in special
messages expected later in the ses-
sion, with indications Of financial
policy presumably to be contained in
the budget message early in the
session.
Strategy of Importance.
With the Republicans measurably
stronger in both House and Senate
and the majority party split along
the vague borders of nberality
versus conservatism, the strategy
of administration leaders will be
OF greater importance in the new
Congress than during the time when
there was a prepondrant New Deal
majority.
Preliminary conferences undoubt.
edly dealing with such strategy al
ready have been held at the White
House with Vice President Garner
and Speaker Bankhead seeing Mr..
Roosevelt.
Reallocation Of committee menu
berships and chairmanships will
have important bearings also on the
course Of legislation and admins
tration influence on Capital Hill.
In the fact that the relatively con-
servative Southern Democrats hold
the bulk of committee chairman
ships, and that Mr.. Garner and Mr..
Bankhead among administration
leaders are generally considered on
the conservative side, many feel
that there will be compromises
within the majority party for the
purpose Of resisting Republican
gains.
Evening star., 1938-12-27

Six members Of the Woodlawn,
(Va.) Horse Protective Association,
organized "a years ago to hunt
down horse thieves, yesterday re-
fused to disband-despite the fact
that they had to hold their annual
meeting in their automobiles to
elect officers.
The meeting was scheduled to
have been held in the old school
house at Woodlawn, but the group
found the building was too cold
for comfort. They pulled their two
cars close together and transacted
their business through opened win
dows.
Most important business Of the
annual meeting was the election Of
officers. A. Harmon Roberts Of Col
chester was elected president; A.
r. Harrison. 0roveton, secretary.
Evening star., 1938-12-27

Car|in Takes Oath
As Montgomery
Sheriff
Announces Remaining
Of Present Deputies;
Office Being Prepared
B. a Stan Correspondent of The Star.

BY Stan correspondent OF The Star.
ROCKVILLE, Nd, Dec. 27.-H.
Leslie Carlin, Democrat, of Boyd,
Nd, was sworn in this morning by
Clayton K. Watkins, clerk of the
Circuit Court, as sheriff of Mont
gomery County, succeeding G. Ed
ington Bell. who has served for the
past four years.
After being sworn In, Sheriff Car
lin announced the reappointment Of
Charles M. Orme as chief deputy
and Zachariah Maccubbin Waters
and Earl Ulysses Stearn as deputies.
Meanwhile, workmen started to
remodel the third floor Of the new
Courthouse Building to provide an
ofdce for Judge-elect Stedman Pres
colt, who will be sworn In next Tues
day as associate justice Of the sixth
judicial circuit. He will occupy the
ONCE formerly used by the States
attorney.
Offices Being Remodeled.
The Offices formerly occupied by
the supervisor Of county aid and the
Board Of Supervisors of Elections
are being remodeled to accommodate
the new States attorney, Ben G.
Wilkinson, jr, who also will be
sworn in next Tuesday. The changes
will bring all the court activities of
the county together on the third
floor of the courthouse except the
Police Court, which will remain on
the second floor Of the old Court
house Building. The office Of Judge
Thomas M. Anderson Of the Juvenile
Court will be moved from the old
building to the third floor of the new
building.
The new Board OF County Com
missioners will not meet until
Thursday of this week, but no
wholesale changes in personnel are
expected at that time. Two appoint
ments which may be made are the
county aditor, to fill the post of
E. Vaughan Darby, who resigned,
effective December 81, and superin-
tendent of the county home to
replace D. w. Nicholson. who re-
signed, effective December 81.
Await Legislative Session.
However, the board is expected to
wait until the Legislature convenes
next month and the present merit
system bill passed at the 1887 ses-
sion can be repealed before re-
moving the Republican appointees,
most of whom were appointed four
years ago when the Fusionists gained
control Of the county board. The
merit bill is now in litigation, and
rather than engage in a court fight
to oust the Republicans, Democratic
leaders are expected to repeal the
bill.
Whether the appointment of
counsel to the board and the board
clerk would come under the merit
bill was a question the Democratic
board is not expected to solve in
the absence of designations from the
present board counsel, F. Barnard
Welsh, and Clerk Ira c. Whitacre.
The board is expected to permit
them to continue in Office until the
merit bill can be repealed. Former
Commissioner Richard H. Lansdale
Is slated for the clerks post, while
the firm Of Simpson & Simpson is
expected to receive the appointment
as board counsel.