davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-01-03
Socialist Leader Faces
Berlin Treason Court
By thc. Associated Press.

BERLIN, Jan. 3.-Ernst Niekisch,
old-time Socialist and anti-Nazi
!. propagandist. was arraigned for
trial today with two other persons
before Berlin's dread "Volksgericht-
shof' peoples CourD which deals
with cases of high treason or at
tempted treason.
Details of charges against the
three. the reasons for their trial at
this time and their recent anteced-
ents were hidden in the usual
secrecy which surrounds the court S
proceedings.
The court was conducted behind
closed doors and officials declined to
give any information.
A terse press release said Niekisch
was concerned with setting up Soviet
councils in Munich's troublous post
war days of 1888, when Kurt
Eisner, chief of the independent
Socialist party, deposed the last Ba-
varian King, Ludwig III, and erected
a Bavarian free state"
Eisner was shot February q, 1919,
by Count Arco-Valley. Adolf Hit
lers subsequent attempt to seize
power proved premature in 1928.
Niekisch was born May g. 1889,
at Trebnitz, Silesia. Besides pub
fishing the revolutionary periodical
Understand in 1926, he was at one
time chief editor of Volksstaat, a
Socialist party organ of Dresden.
Evening star., 1939-01-03
Maryland u. Instructor
Found Dead in Gor0oe
Body Found SIumped
Against Door, Motor
OfCor Running

Robert B. Criswell, 48, instructor
in fire service extension of the Uni
versity of Maryland, was found dead
at 7 am today in the garage of his
home. at Is Grove street, Hyattsville,
Md. Police said the motor of his
car was still running.
Justice of the Peace Fred c. Lutz
of Riverdale issued a certificate of
death from a heart attack, pos
sibly superinduced by monoxide
gas fumes" after an examination
by Dr. w. E. Malin of Riverdale.
Dr. Malin and Judge Lutz ex-
pressed the belief that Mr.. Criswell
had been overcome by a heart at
tack as he alighted from his car
and fell against a basement door,
striking his head.
The body was discovered by the
professor wife. Mrs. Elizabeth Ann
Criswell, who went to the garage
when she heard the motor running.
She found her husband slumped
against the door. She called the
county police and Ohicer Richard
A. Pearson responded. &
Police said Mr.. Criswell had at
tended firemen's banquet at Fred
erick last night in company with
Irving w. johnson Of Takoma Park,
chairman Of publicity of the Mary
land State Firemen's Association,
and Karl Young, president of the
Mount Rainier Fire Department.
According to the two men, Mr.. Cris-
well complained of feeling badly
before they left Frederick.
Mr.. Young told Omcer Pearson
Evening star., 1939-01-03
Car Ferry Is Overdue
In Michigan Blizzard
BY the Associated Press.

by the ASSOCIATED Press.
ST. IGNACE. Mich, Jan. 3.-The
railroad car ferry Chief Wawatam
was 6 hours overdue from Macki-
nav City today on its 7-mile trip
across the blizzard swept Straits
OF Mackinac, separating Michigan's
two peninsulas. The crossing nor
mally requires So minutes.
Marine officials expressed belief
the ice-crushing Wawatam, with
her crew of 40, probably could ride
out the storm unless high wind
should drive her aground. They
said the Wawatam may have found
shelter in the lee of Round or
Mackinac Islands. She carried no
wireless
The driving snow reduced visi-
bility on the straits at times to 100
yards.
A northbound Michigan Central
passenger train was waiting at Mac
kinaw for the Wawatam to ferry it
across the straits.
A State ferry chartered to carry
automobiles across the straits was
stormbound at Mackinaw City.
Evening star., 1939-01-03
Bonkheod Reelected Speaker;
New Members Sworn In
Roosevelt to Deliver Message Tomorrow
At Meeting of Both Houses

Vice President Garner in the Sen
ate and the clerk of the House in
the House raped the respective
houses to order and the formal busi-
ness of organization was under way.
Within a few minutes, Speaker
Bankhead was overwhelmingly re-
elected over the Republican nomi-
nee, Representative Martin of Mas
sachusetts, who automatically be-
came the minority leader of the
House. The organization of the
House was completed with the
swearing in first of the Speaker
and then of all members, and the
election of other House officers
all Democrats.
In the Senate, one-th third of its
membership took the oath of office,
those Senators who had been elected
in November. The Senate being a
continuing body and there being no
(See CONGRESS, Page A-3J
Evening star., 1939-01-03

that Mr.. Criswell had arranged to
start class in fire prevention at
the Mount Rainier High School
tonight
Besides his widow, Mr.. Criswell
is survived by a son, Robert B. Cris-
well, jr, and two daughters, Ann
Elizabeth and Jean.
Mr.. Criswell had been at the Uni
versity Of Maryland for more than a
year, coming to that institution from
West Virginia where he was engaged
in fire extension work. according to
university officials. His work con-
sisted largely of organizing and
teaching classes in fire prevention
throughout tho State.
Evening star., 1939-01-03
Italians in Tunis
Demand Larger
Share in Rule
Notice Timed to Coincide
With TriumphoI
Entry Of DoIodier
Ey the Associated Press.

TUN1S, Tunisia. Jan. 3.-Revived
Italian demands for larger share in
the rule of Tunis conceded TODAY
with French Premier Daladier's
triumphal entry into this city and
his warning that France was ready
to fight if necessary to keep the
tricolor flying over her Tunisian
protectorate.
At the moment Premier Daladier
was being welcomed to Tunis with
martial pomp, local Italian Fascist
leaders circulated a notice demand
ing equal rights for italian nationals
under Tunis rule.
The notice came shortly after
Premier Daladier told Bey Sidi
Ahmed, Tunisia's ruler, that all the
French empires military might
would be used to maintain the
present status of the country.
Gives Two Solutions.
The Fascist notice declared one
OF two solutions was possible for
Italian claims in Tunisia now that
Mussolini's government has de-
nounced the 1885 Franco Italian
accord.
Either the 1896 convention giving
Italians equal rights in Tunisia with
an opportunity to share in the gov
ernment must be maintained, the
notice said, without preceding vio-
lation by France" or if the two ma
tions fail to reach an understanding
Evening star., 1939-01-03
Judge Harris Denies,
Gov. Stark's Charqe
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
KANSAS CITY, Jan. "a flat
denial of Gov. Lloyd c. Stark's
charges that law enforcement con-
ditions in Kansas City smell to
the high heavens and merit inves-
tigation by the State attorney gen.
eral was made today by Circuit
Judge Brown Harris.
Judge Harris did not mention the
Governors name during his instruc-
ton of a new jackson County
(Kansas City grand jury.
Gov. Stark, in ordering the attor-
ney general to clean up" the city
and even oust recalcitrant officials
If need be, said gambling, prostitu-
tion and gangster activities were ex-
tensiye here.
II have yet in my IL years of
service to have one individual come
to me and complain that any prose-
cutting attorney we have had has
refused to act upon complaint"
Judge Harris said.
He said he called the grand jury
merely to conform with legal re-
quirements.
Evening star., 1939-01-03
Elliott Asks frightened
Law on At(ountinq;
Claims Irregularities
1,2l2-Poge Report Hits
Farm Credit Agency and
National Guard

Submitting what probably is his
final report as head of the General
Accounting Office. Acting Controller
General Elliott today told Congress
that the lack of strict accounting
practices in the Government lis
fundamentally unsound": repeated
his declaration of year ago that
millions of dollars are handled
without an adequate check and
urged again that the law be tight
ened to require accountability by
all Offices to the controller general
under such regulations as he may
prescribe"
Reports have been current for
several days that controller gen.
eral is to be named. The name of
Senator Brown. Democrat. of New
Hampshire. has been prominently
mentioned.
/ The report. a 1.2l2-page affair of
ledger size, dealt exhaustively with
Government activities involving use
of appropriated funds. and was
high lighted by charges that officials
OF the Department of Commerce
and their friends had used a de-
partment motor vessel for joy-rid-
ing and that there had been pur-
chasing irregularities in the Farm
Credit Administration that "ap-
peared to constitute a criminal Of
fense" and are under inquiry by the
Justice Department.
Charges also were made of Ma
tional Guard Irregularities in both
Maryland and Virginia, improper
disbursements of Federal funds of
s23,700.44 in the former organiza-
ton already having been disclosed
by check it was said is still in
progress.
Accounting practices in the Dis
trict government came in for criti-
ciSm.
Largest Report.
The report was the largest ever
gotten out by the General Account
ing Office, being of such size that it
was not printed because of the cost.
So far as was possible, a balance
sheet of every agency was presented
as of June 30, last.
In this connection, the acting con-
troller general said that the Recon-
struction Finance Corp. had refused
access to its books on the ground
that its act provides the directors
shall determine and prescribe the
manner in which its obligations shall
be incurred and its expenses allowed
and paid"
The report added that it was not
believed Congress intended to pre-
clude an audit by the General Ac-
counting Office.
Mr.. Elliott also recalled briefly
that the Tennessee Valley Authority
also had challenged the right of the
General Accounting Office to go into
its affairs
He told Congress that manv
(See q A q REPORT pooe As1
Evening star., 1939-01-03

(Tert of Speaker Bankhead's
Radio Forum address on Page
B-8.)
The Seventy sixth Congress, the
first to come into Office after New
Deal defeats at the polls, convened
at noon today
Grave problems of national de-
fense and the improvement of relief
administration and farm manage
ment and labor relations are due
to come before the legislators for
consideration. The prospects for Sc
rious tests of New Deal strength are
in the immediate offing.
While the Democrats retain heavy
majorities in both Senate and House,
Republican gains have kindled new
spirit in the minority party. Alli-
ance of the G. o. P. with anti-NeW
Deal Democrats threatens to disrupt
the administrations efforts to hold
the New Deal line.
Evening star., 1939-01-03
BoImy Weather Due
To Continue Here

Continuation of balmy weather
which came to Washington with the
new year was forecast today by the
Weather Bureau-for the next 36
hours at least.
Yesterdays average temperature
was 16 degrees above normal, with
a high of 62 reported at 1890 pm.
The mercury dropped to 81 at 4 am.
today and then began a steady
climb A low of A. degrees is ex-
pected tonight.
Intermittent light rains are ex-
pected to follow cloudy and slightly
warmer weather tonight and to-
morrow.
Evening star., 1939-01-03
Ruling Gives States
Broad Power 10
Bar Liquor Sales
Supreme Court Sustoins
Laws Governing
Imports
BY the Associated Press.


The Supreme Court gave broao
power today to States to prevent the
sale OF intoxicating liquor.
1t sustained Michigan and Mis-.
souri, statutes barring the importa-
ton OF alcoholic beverages from
other States which enact discrimi-
natory legislation.
Justice Brandeis, who delivered
the decisions, said the substantive
power of the State to prevent the
sale OF intoxicating liquor is un-
doubted
NO dissent was announced.
The case was one of many pend
ing before the court. They included
"a challenge by IA private power
companies of the constitutionality
OF the Tennessee Valley Authority
power program. on which a decision
had been looked for today.
&c. c. Order Sustained.
The court sustained an Interstate
Commerce Commission order which
prohibited seven railroads from fur
nishing commercial warehousing
space to interstate shippers in the
port of New York district at less
than cost.
The railroads had told the high
tribunal that the I. c. C. order
would have a most vital and revo-
lutionary effect upon all railroads
throughout the United States in
connection with their right to make
leases for reasonable market rentals" :"
Bid for Trade Claimed.
Justice Reed delivered the opinion
that affirmed a decision by three
judge Federal Court in Southern
New York sustaining the order. No
dissent was announced.
The I. C. c. contended the rail-
roads furnished the warehousing
space at below cost lin order to in
duce the movement of traffic over
their respective lines The loss. it
said was recouped from transpor-
tation revenues.
This practice, the order said, dis
eliminated against other shippers
who were charged the full tariff
rates undiminished by below cost
warehousing."
Evening star., 1939-01-03
Nozi Couple Beheoded
For Murders in 1882
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
COLOGNE. Jan. 3.-Otto Schoene-
wald. 81, and his 28-year-old wife
Gerda were beheaded today for two
murders committed at Cologne in
1882.
Schoenewald was convicted of kill
ing postman and stealing his
money pouch a few minutes after he
had killed the landlady of the house
where he had taken lodgings to
commit the other crime.
Schoenewald's wife was accused of
helping him plan both killings. A
Cologne court sentenced them both
to death last June "a.
Evening star., 1939-01-03
B uII etin

AS he was leaving an apartment
house this afternoon at l114 F.
street NE, Charles D. Sager, jr.,
1896 Cathedral avenue NV, was
robbed at the point of gun of
$500 in rent receipts by 35-year-
old white Mali. he reported to
police. The thief made his escape
down an alley.
Evening star., 1939-01-03
| Nations Fail
To Greet Hitler
Ion New Year
BY the Associated Press.

BERLIN, Jan. 3.-Only two coun-
tries in the Western Hemisphere
Mexico and Guatamala-were in
cluded in the German chancellery's
published list of nations whose chief
executives exchanged telegraphic
New Year fluctuations with Chan
cellor Hitler
Somewhat surprising is the alb
sence of message from the EN-
peror OF Japan. Moreover. Presi-
dent Lebrun of France, despite the
recent French-German accord. ap-
pears not to have exchanged mes
sages with Hitler. while King George
vi of Great Britain did.
President Hacha sent the greet
lngs Of the Czecho- -Slovak people.
Evening star., 1939-01-03
Two Sought in $720
HoIdup in RossIyn
BACKGROUND

Arlington County Wa) police to-
day were looking for two colored
men who Sunday morning held up
and robbed M. w. Berry, cashier of
the Independent Oil Co. in Rosslyn,
Va, Of $720.
Mr.. Berry told police he was at his
desk in the company oflces when
the two men, one of them armed
with a., pistol. forced him to turn
over themoney.
Evening star., 1939-01-03
Measure Reintrodu(ed
For District Vote
And Home Rule
Randolph Assures
Full Cooperation
In locoI Affairs

Representative Jennings Randolph
Democrat, of West Virginia, who
this week will take over the helm
OF the District Committee, today
relntroduced resolution he spon-
sored in the last Congress to give
the disfranchised residents of the
District both home rule and ma
tional representation.
At the same time, he isued a
prepared statement announcing his
intention as chairman of the COM
mittee to cooperate at all times
with the people of Washington in
seeking enactment of legislation
beneficial to them.
The text of the new resolution is
identical with the one which died
in the last Congress. 1t proposes an
amendment to the Constitution "to
provide for a republican form of
government and representation in
Congress for the District of Colum-
bia.'
Text of Resolution.
Section l of the resolution reads: ::
The Congress shall have power
to establish a republican form of
government for the District consti-
tuting the seat of government of
the United States. The government
so established shall have such leg
islative. executive and judicial Of
ficers to be selected in such manner
as the Congress shall by law pro-
vide. and such government shall
exercise such legislative, executive
and judicial powers over the said
District as Congress shall by law
provide"
The second section reads:
The residents of the said Dis
trict shall be entitled to elect Repre-
sentatives in the House of Repre-
sentativeS of the United States, the
lSaa n q N0TE pana a o.
Evening star., 1939-01-03
By G. GOULD LINCOLN.

A fiat charge that "unjustifiable
political activity" occurred in con-
nection with the work of the w. P
A. is made in a voluminous report
of the Senate Campaign Expendi-
lures Committee, submitted to the
Senate today by Chairman Morris
Sheppard. .
BY implication the report reflects
seriously upon the administration
of the relief organization by Harry
L. Hopkins, until recently w. P. A.
head and now Secretary of Com
merce. No personal attack is made,
however, on Mr. Hopkins.
The committee report sharply
contradicts reports made by MI.
Hopkins in which the administrator
minimized the use of w. P. A. for
political purposes. particularly in
Kentucky during the. primary cam
paign of Senator Alben B. Barkley,
Democratic leader of the Senate,
for denomination against Gov.
Happy" Chandler.
No suggestion is contained, how
ever. that Senator Barkley. or any
of the other Senators elected in No.
vember, be denied seats in the
Senate.
Sees Funds Diverted.
In its recommendations the COM
mittee said:
THE committee believes that
funds appropriated by the Congress
tor the relief of those in need and
distress have been in many in
stances diverted from these high
purposes to political ends.
The committee condemns this
conduct and recommends to the
Senate that legislation be prepared
to make impossible, so far as legis-
.ation can do SO, further offenses Of
this character"
The committee report, dealing as
1t does with the relief agency of the
Federal Government which has ex-
pended billions of dollars, may have
far-reaching effect on the commit
tees of Congress which are to con-
slider new appropriations for the
W. P. A., for which the President
may recommend as much as S875,-
500 900 to carry on for the remainder
of the present fiscal year
Also the report will be scanned
ey members of the Senate before
they act upon the nomination of
Mr. Hopkins to be Secretary of
Commerce
All Concur in Report.
The report is concurred in by all
five members of the Special Cam
paign Expenditures Committee -
Senator Sheppard of Texas, chair
man; Senators Harrison of Missis-
sippi, Walsh of Massachusetts,,
OMahoney of Wyoming. Democrats,
and Senator White of Maine. Re-
publican.
The committee makes l6 recon-
mendations which it deems neces-
sary and advisable to correct ex-
listing conditions and to strengthen
the present Corrupt Practices Act
Among the recommendations for
legislation by the committee are
the following:
l. To prohibit contributions for
political purposes by any person who
IS the beneficiary of Federal relief
funds or who is engaged in the ad-
ministration of relief laws.
2. To prohibit any person engaged
in administration of Federal relief
laws from using his official authority
Continued on Page A-8, Column II
Evening star., 1939-01-03
$50 i. ). BahIeships
Moving Out for
War Maneuvers
Vessels Will Converge
On 3,O0-MiIe Front
To Defend ConoI
BY the Associated Press.

I~Ds SAe nsSoNidlCu EtcSS.
NEW YORK. Jan. 3.-Uncle Sam S
naval might, numbering l60 ships,
began leaving various bases Carib-
bean-bound today for war man.
euvers.
Starting the parade from New
York. the new l.850-ton destroyer
Warrington weighed anchor at
Brooklyn Navy Yard and headed
southwark. Before the week is
ended, all 16O ships of the fleet. in
cluding dreadnaughts. destroyers,
cruisers and auxiliaries, will be con-
verging on a front covering more
than 5000 miles with defense of the
Panama Canal the objective.
The war maneuvers will last 10
weeks and $4,000 enlisted men and
1000 officers will participate.
New types of naval craft, launched
during the past year, will be put to
rigid tests under simulated war con-
ditions. Speed, mobility and vul-
nerability of the new vessels in at
tack and on the defensive will be
studied by naval engineers and battle
commanders.
Thoughts on New Ships.
These strategists will have their
thoughts focused on some 10 new
ships already under construction
and several hundred more planned
under the administration re-arma-
ment program.
The war games will cover a front
from Norfolk. Va, to the Equator
and will reach from the Canal TO a
line approximately 1000 miles east
OF the Atlantic coastkne and prob
ably as far as the Azores.
The tactical problem is known as
Xxx" or "20''-the defense of the
Canal.
Also leaving the navy yard here
today and tomorrow will be the new
destroyer Somers and five cruisers.
The old type 7.050-ton light cruiser
Cincinnati weighs anchor shortly
after noon with her sister ship, Te
Concord. nosing out into the lower
channel Is minutes later.
Rear Admiral Harold R. Stark
will be in command of the cruiser
division in the maneuvers, hoisting
his flag on the Honolulu. This
convoy will make for Hampton
Roads Va, to join other vessels in
the Atlantic squadron. which will
leave en- masse Friday under COM
mand of Rear Admiral A. w. john
son.
Target practice and tactical ma
neuvers in Cubas Guantanamo area
will be held before this division joins
the Pacific fleet at Colon the last
week in January.
When the maneuvers are ended,
about April Is, lib of the naval craft
will steam to New York to greet the
opening of the New York Worlds
Fair.
The feet will disband about Nav
% when the Pacific Squadron steams
back through the Panama Canal to
reach San Francisco in time to salute
its exposition.
The maneuvers will be under COM
.mand of Admiral Claude C. Bloch,
commander in chief of the combined
fleet.
Evening star., 1939-01-03
'Uniustifiob|e W. P. A. Politics
Charged in Sheppard Report;
Congress Opens, Facing Fights
Senate Committee
Urges Remedial
Legislation
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND-
Election campaigns of 1898 pre-
cipitated barrage OF charges that
W. P. 4. funds and influence 1Das
being used to support Ne1p Deal
tauorites. Although uested ,0ith
jurisdiction only oDer senatorial
contests, Senate Campaign Com
nittee has made intensiue in
pestigation OF ,Ohole question OF
relief and politics and releases
comprehensive report and recon-
menddtiOnS TO-DAY.
Evening star., 1939-01-03
Storms Beech Is Ships

ISTANBUL, Jan. 3 P).-Storms
sweeping over the Black Sea drove
l3 large cargo ships ashore today
and smashed hundreds of smaller
craft. Many seamen were missing
In addition to % drowned yester-'
day.