davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-02-01
Runaway Oil Truck
Knocks Two Other
Vehicles Into Canal
Coroms OFF Parked
Machine and Shears
OFF Telephone Pole

A light passenger car and heavy
truck were knocked over a 25-foot
embankment to the frozen surface
of the Chesapeake g. Ohio Canal in
Georgetown this morning by heavy.
unattended oil truck which caromed
of two other automobiles and
sheared off a telephone pole in its
course down an ice-covered hill.
No one was injured in the accident.
Seventh Precinct Station police
said the oil truck, operated by Wood
row Wilson Burdette, 811 Forest
drive, Hyattsville, Md, was parked
on Thirty fourth street, north of NJ
street, in Georgetown, to deliver oil.
The brakes apparently did not
hold, and the truck slipped down
the icy hill, crossed M street and
bumped parked passenger car,
knocking it into a parked truck. The
oil truck then glanced off, slid across
Thirty-fourth street and knocked
over telephone pole.
In its final dash, the oil truck
rammcd into another truck and an
automobile parked on loading
platform on the edge of the bank,
humping both vehicles over the edge
to the surface of the canal.
The latter two vehicles were
smashed on the hard surface of the
ice, which did not yield under the
weight of the blow. They were the
property of Henry C. Travis, jr.,
head of a sheet metal fabricating
concern where they were parked.
Thomas Carter, 500 Grosvenor
lane, Bethesda, Md, driver for Mr..
Travis, said he was in the building
preparing to leave in the truck when
the accident occurred.
Police said Charles Eaton, 1855
M street NV, was the owner of the
first car struck. The second car be-
longed to Edward L. Van Ry, 1898
M street NV. The oil truck was
badly damaged but did not go over
the bank.
Evening star., 1940-02-01
Virginia Bunk Robbers
Slug Cashier, Get s., 900
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
MEADOWVIEW, Va, Feb. L.
Charles w. Arnold, cashier of the
Bank of Meadowview, was slugged
unconscious and the bank robbed
of $1,000 or $1,000 this morning.
Mr.. Arnold was treated at George
Ben johnson Hospital at Abingdon
and returned home after regaining
consciousness, but was unable to give
details of the attack.
A patron entering the bank about
$3.50 am. found the vault open and
the cashier lying on the floor.
DR.. G. C. Clendennen, bank presi-
dent, said the exact loss had not
been determined just before noon
nor was it known how many rob-
bers participated In the attack.
Evening star., 1940-02-01
Report
FURNISHED by the

FURNISHED by the United States Weather sureauo
Coumba-Coudy followed light
tonight cloudy COLDER lowest
tonight about 26 degrees gentle southwest winds tonight shifting
northwest
Maryand-Mosty cloudy light
probably
colder tomorrow.
cloudy
tonight tonight followed by colder
portion tomorrow.
vginia-Occasiona tomorrow
tonight; somewhat n portion tomorrow.
Evening star., 1940-02-01
Furor Continues
Over Alleged Attempt
To Halt Dies Group
Fight Centers on Demand
Hook Withdraw Charges
Of PeIIey Tieup
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
A furor over an alleged attempt
to halt the Dies Committee inquiry
showed no signs of abating today,
although committee members con-
tended that authors of the plan
had been thoroughly discredited."
Statements placed in the Con-
gressional Record by Representa-
tive Hook, Democrat, of Michigan
purporting to show that Mr.. Dies
had been in collision with William
Dudley Pelley, leader of the Amer
ican Silver Shirts, started the rum
pus.
After announcing that David
Mayne Of Washington had testi-
fed he forged the documents on
which Mr.. Hook based his charges,
the committee quizzed three other
witnesses in secret sessions yester-
day. Afterward it declared that it
had received corroboration Of much
of Mr.. Mayne's testimony.
These witnesses asserted, the COM
mittee said, that Gardner Jackson,
legislative representative of Labor's
Non-Partisan League. and Harold
Weisberg, dismissed employe of
the Senate Civil Liberties Commit
tee, had co-operated in preparing
statements and articles designed to
discredit Chairman Dies and, If
possible, prevent continuance Of the
committee. Mr.. Mayne testified
Tuesday, the committee said, that
he had sold the forged documents
to Mr.. Weisberg.
Both Mr.. Jackson and Mr.. Weis-
berg told reporters that Mr.. Mayne
had sold the documents to Mr..
weisberg for s105, but they asserted
that they still believed them to be
genuine.
Although committee members said
there was a possibility that Repre-
sentative Hook would appear be-
fore the committee, the controversy
tentered today on bipartisan de-
mands that Mr.. Hook withdraw his
material from the Congressional
Record and apologize to the House
for having inserted it.
Influential Democratic friends of
Mr.. Hook were reported to be try
Ing to induce him to accede to the
demands as the only means of put
ting an end to the row.
Mr.. Hook told reporters, however,
"the fight has just begun" and de-
clared he would not withdraw the
material unless the House forced
him to do so. A resolution to ac-
complish that has been introduced
by Representative Hoffman, Repub-
Gcan, of Michigan.
Evening star., 1940-02-01
Police Chief Is Slain
Interrupting Serenode
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press.
CHIHUAHUA CITY, Mexico, Feb.
1.-Angry words and pistol fire in
terrupted trio's dawn serenade be-
meath a senorita's balcony yesterday
and left this city's police chief and
his assistant dead.
Authorities said the chief, CUTLER
mo Aguirre, and Indio Duran ac-
costed two members of the State
Legislature and a lieutenant of the
military garrison with demand for
their serenading permits.
The lieutenant became angry at
the discordant note, drew his pistol
shot the two policemen and fled.
Evening star., 1940-02-01

A disturbance is moving southeastward
1O2O7 millibars (30.14 inches, followed
by rapidly-rising pressure over the North
ern Plains and north Of the Lake region,
Williston, n: OAK. 1882 millibars 5000
Southeastern States, Asheville, N c.,
1O2s4 millibars (3O37 inches). while
southpest Fssstaf feiSpas Apia and nse San pieHo
Calf, 100S.1 millibars (29.77 inches).
During the last "a hours there have been
som some .ns light .Sao SHOWS in the Northern Plains
light rains In California and the Southern
Plateau region Temperatures have risen
in the Great Lakes region. but they are
falling again over the Northern Plains
Evening star., 1940-02-01
rs Indicted in Inquiry
Into Two Industries
81 the Associated Press.

CHICAGO. Feb. 1.-Twenty-fiv
defendants-17 in the cut stone in
dustry and eight in the plywood in
dustry-were indicted today by a
Federal grand jury which accused
them of violating the Sherman anti
trust Act by allegedly restraining
trade.
Previously Is individuals, IA COM
panies, contractors association and
Q union were indicted In the inves.
hgation Of the tile industry.
Evening star., 1940-02-01
Hurbor Houses Entire Fleet

Only one harbor in Great Britain
can now provide anchorage for the
entire British feet at either high
or low tide, and that Is ct Rosyth,
England.
Evening star., 1940-02-01
Report for Last 24 Hours.

Record for Last ~ Hours.
From noon yesterday to noon today)
Highest. 81. 4 pm. yesterday. Year
ago a.
Lowest. 16, am today. Year ago.
Record Temperature This Year.
Highest, IS, on January IA.
Lowest. z, on January 90.
Humidity for Last "a Heurs.
From noon yesterday to noon today
Highest, 81 per cent. at am. today.
Lowest. 80 per cent. at pm. yester-
day.
Tide Tables.
Furnished BY United States Coast and
6Aodsfie aurvavl
Evening star., 1940-02-01

This sketch shows how oil
truck slipped from parking
place on Thirty-fourth street
NV crossed M street,
smashed into two cars,
swerved across street to shear
off telephone pole and then
crashed into two parked cars,
knocking them into the canal.
Evening star., 1940-02-01

AT CHIEF JUSTICE TAFTS GRAvE-Graves of nine former
Supreme Court members buried in the Capital
rated today occasion the courts 50h anniversary Among
those at Chief Justice William Howard Taf in Arlington
National Cemetery Representative Sol Bloom Qe
Mildred Reeves secretary to Senator Robert A. Taft.
(Storv on Pace A-1J Star Staff Photo
Evening star., 1940-02-01
Lives Reported Lost
In Greek Eurthquuke
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, Feb. IA Reuters
British News Agency dispatch
from Salonika, Greece, today re-
ported some loss of life" in an
earthquake which shook the Mount
Olympus region. Several houses
collapsed.
ROME, Feb. /. R.-Dispatches
from Faenza, Florence and Siena to-
day reported earth shocks yesterday.
Siena reported severe shock at
1882 am, following an earlier
tremor at $50 am, which sent the
inhabitants into the streets in panic.
Light damages but no casualties
were reported.
Evening star., 1940-02-01
River Report.

River Report.
Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers clear
at Harpers Ferry; Potomac clear at Great
Falls today.
The Sun and Moon.
Rises. Sets.
Sun. today ------- 7:16 6.2S
Sun. tomorrow 7:15 5:29
Moon. today 1:29 am. 1908 pm.
Automobile light must be turned on one.
Evening star., 1940-02-01
Precipitation.

Monthly precipitation in inches In the
Capital (current month to date]:
Evening star., 1940-02-01
Eide Tables.

Furnished BY United States Coast a
Geodetic Survey
Evening star., 1940-02-01

BACKGROUND
Administrative authority to
negotiate reciprocal trade agree
ments without congressional
ratification 1Das erteAded to June
IL, 1910, by Congress In 1887.
Opposition to lo1u-tarif aspect OF
agreements manifest last sum-
mer, chiefly In agricultural West.
President Rooseuelt's message to
Congress emphasized need OF
program as fundamental part OF
foundation OF any tDorld peace.
Evening star., 1940-02-01

Meanwhile, Chairman Overton Of
the Senate Subcommittee on District
Appropriations expressed gratif1ca-
ton over the interest shown by Mrs.
Roosevelt in District institutions.
The Louisiana Senator, who was
placed in charge of District ap-
propriations for the Senate last year,
expressed the hope Mrs. Roosevelt
would find 1t possible later on to
Evening star., 1940-02-01

The Sum and Moon,
Evening star., 1940-05-26
Leesburg Clubs
Flower Show
Plans COMPLETED

Final plans have been completed
for the Leesburg Garden Clubs
Flower Show, which will be held
Wednesday, June S, at Belmont,
the home of the former Secretary
of War and Mrs. Patrick j. Hur-
ley. Miss Florence Manning, chair
man Of the Flower Show Commit
tee, has announced two social events
held in connection with the show.
Out-of-town exhibitors will be en-
tertained at a buffet luncheon at
Janelia, the home of Mrs. Robert
s. Pickens. Miss Christine Wildman
Is in charge of the luncheon. Ex-
hibitors are expected from Winches-
ter, Fairfax, Alexandria, Washing
ton, Middleburg and Purcellville.
These exhibitors must have their
flowers in place at the show by
II o'clock in the morning and may
not remove them until the close
of the show. This necessitates a
long day. After placing their ex-
hibits, these people may play bridge,
read, or listen to the radio at Jane
liza. This is a new feature which
the club is initiating this year In
order to make the day a pleasant
one for those who show their
flowers. ./.
Mrs. Robert H. Fletcher, jr., will
be hostess at luncheon for the
judges of the show at her home
Balgrove, near Leesburg. The Judges
include several leading authorities
In the culture and arrangement o1
Evening star., 1940-05-26
General Notes
From Damascus
Nei6hborhood

DAMASCUS. Md. May 25.-Mr.
and Mrs. Roy Klockenbrink Of
Washington have opened their sum-
mer home near Etchison.
The Rev. and Mrs. Raymond
Hunter Brown and their daughters,
Janet and Barbara, were dinner
guests of Mr.. and Mrs. Herbert
Hyatt last evening.
Mrs. Carl Dorenheim entertained
16 guests at luncheon, followed by
cards, in her home Wednesday
Prizes were won by Mrs. Hyatt, Mrs.
Williams and Mrs. Boyer.
Miss Celeste Hawkins, a student
at Blue Ridge College, entertained
at a Sunday night supper party
in the home Of her parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Elgie D. Hawkins. Her
guests included Miss Charlotte Peck
and Mr.. Charles Ginsberg, men,
bers Of the faculty Of Blue Ridge
College
Evening star., 1940-05-26
All.State Society,"
Ball Promises
MANY Attractions

The big Au-State Society benefit
ball which will be held at the May
flower Hotel June 4 will offer an
assortment of entertainments to the
guests attending. Professor x, the
American counterpart of Henry
Higgins Of George Bernard Shaw's
Pygmalion, will be present to iden-
tify the childhood homes Of guests
by means Of their pronunciations.
Stars from local theaters win be
featured on the program, and each
State society, from Maine to Oregon,
Is expected to present something
unusual in honor OF the home State
State songs will be sung.
The most important part of the
entertainment, however, will be the
dancing, which begins at 10 o'clock.
The ball is being given as a bene-
f1t for a rural youth aid project on
which the As State societies in
Washington are uniting. The Coun-
Gil Of State Societies for the Ad.
vancement of Rural Youth, which
has been organized by the State
societies, is affiliated with the ALI
ance for the Guidance of Rural
Youth, headed by Latham Hatcher
OF Richmond, Va. Mrs. Franklin D.
Roosevelt was active in the original
plans for the council, and the First
Lady will be honor guest at the ALL
State Society Ball, and will give a
short talk relative to work which
would be helpful to rural boys and
girls.
Patrons. and patronesses for the
ball include many cabinet members
among them the Secretary of War
and Mrs. Harry Woodring and the
Attorney General and Mrs. Robert
H. Jackson. Others are Senator
Arthur Capper, Representative and
Mrs. Homer D. Angel, Senator and
Mrs. Clyde L. Herring, Senator
Theodore F. Green. Representative
Evening star., 1940-05-26
Garden Party
And Shower
At Tak0na
Margaret Wetmore
Will Be Honored
This Afternoon
This Afternoon

Honoring Miss Margaret Fenwick
Wetmore, daughter of the assistant
secretary of the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition and Mrs. Alexander Wetmore
Of Takoma Park, whose marriage to
Mr.. John Graydon Harlan, jr., will
take place June IS, a garden party
and kitchen shower will be given
this afternoon by Mrs. B. H. Swales
and Mrs. Frederick c. Lincoln at
the formers home on Albemarle
street.
Lending an informal note to the
party and carrying out the kitchen
motif, the hosteses, with Mrs. Wet
more and her daughter, will receive
the more than 100 guests attired In
gingham dresses. Although the
Swales' lovely garden will form the
setting for the party, the garage will
be transformed into kitchen and
here the gifts will be displayed. Red,
white and blue will form the color
scheme for the decorations.
Among the out-of town guests, a
number of whom will come from
Baltimore, will be Miss Eleanor
Marty of Pottsville. Pa, who was
Miss Wetmore's roommate at Hood
College, where she was graduated
last June. Miss Marty is the week
end guest of Dr. and Mrs. Wetmore.
Other parties planned for Miss
Wetmore include a handkerchief
shower, which Mrs. Frank B. Settler
will give Tuesday evening, and a
dinner for the wedding party the
following evening at the Congress
sional Country Club, at which Miss
Ann Harlan, sister of Mr.. Harlan,
jr., will be hostess.
Mr.. and Mrs. Linthicum
Entertain at Supper Party.
Mr.. and Mrs. j. Maynard Linthi-
cum CT Carroll Manor Circle enter
tanned at box supper party and
cocktails last evening in honor of
the latter's sister, Mrs w. H. Peters
Of Roscoe, N. Y, who has been their
| guest for two weeks. The party was
held at the farm Of Mr.. Frank c.
Frisbee, father of Mrs. Linthicum
and Mrs. Peters, at Laurel, Nd.
Mrs. Peters was guest of honor at
a dinner party Thursday evening,
when Mrs Alden Whitney enter
| tanned in Washington.
Mr.. and Mrs. H. A. Axtell also were
among the hosts of the week end.
entertaining at dessert bridge last
| evening and also Thursday evening
at similar affair.
Mrs. c. Leavenworth Elliott and
her daughter, Miss Martha Elliott.
left Thursday for their summer
home in New Market, N. H.
Mr.. and Mrs. Irwin H. Fullmer
have as their guest for several weeks
Mr.. r. H. Bate of Cleveland.
Miss Dollie Duncan Of Albu-
querque. N. Mex, and Evansville.
Ind. is visiting her sister, Mrs. Mill
cent 0. Adams.
Evening star., 1940-05-26
Summer CAMPS
Are Opened
At StauntOn

STAUNTON. Va, May 25.-A
number of summer camps were
opened last week to remain a play
ground and resting place during the
season. Mr.. Wayne Erskine enter
tanned number of guests over the
week end. Miss Sadie Weller is
spending much time at her camp on
the Calf Pasture River. as also are
the Wares at Silver Cliff. Mr.. and
Mrs. Gerald Coville. Mr.. and Mrs.
Harry w. Wilson. Mr.. Robert Line
weaver, Mr.. and Mrs. Charles
Hunter, jr., at Deerfleld, and others,
are enjoying again the beautiful
scenery of the Shenandoah Valley.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Shockley
Gierhart left Wednesday for their
home in Yonkers, N. Y. after visit
ing their son-in-law and daughter,
DR.. and Mrs. Thomas Hamilton
Hogshead
Mr.. and Mrs. Roy E. Whitmore
have as their guests Mrs. Whitmore's s
aunt, Mrs. E. M. Yarnell, Miss Peggy
Yarnell and Miss Emma Gillespie of
Philadelphia and Suitland, Md.
En- route home they will visit in
Washington.
Miss Elizabeth Renshaw of Moro
ton, Conn, arrived Thursday and
is a guest of Mrs. A. Caperton
Braxton at her home Eastwood.
Mrs w. B. w. Howe left Saturday
for her home in Hendersonville
N. c., after visiting her parents,
Judge and Mrs. Joseph A. Glasgow
at Oakenwold With her sister,
Miss Charlotte Glasgow, she motored
to Washington the middle of the
week to see their sister, Mrs. Walter
A. MCGOWAN, take off by plane for
her home in Sherman. Ariz., going
by way of Ell Paso, Tex. =
Evening star., 1940-05-26

and Mrs. Laurence F. Arnold, Rep
resentative and Mrs. Francis j.
Myers, Representative Louis C.
Rabaut, Senator and Mrs. Robert
A. Taft, Representative and Mrs.
Butler B. Hare. Representative and
Mrs. Richard M. Kleberg, Repre-
sentative and Mrs. Emmett O'Neal,
Mrs. Ellen S. Woodward, Rear
Admiral Emory S. Land, Col. and
Mrs. Christopher B. Garnett, Rep
resentative James P. Mccartney,
Senator Joseph F. Guffey, and Sen
ator John G. Townsend, jr.
Evening star., 1940-05-26

MRS. EDWIN c. MAURER (ouaU
The daughter OF Mr.. and Mrs. Dante
Chicca, Mrs. Maurer is the former Miss
Florence Chicca, and her marriage took place
IN April. Mr.. Maurer is the son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Gustav Mdurer. Harris -Eping Photo.
MRS. SAMUEL BLOCK.
Before her recent marriage the bride ,Uas
Miss Bertha Siluer. daughter OF Mr.. and Mrs.
Samuel Siluer OF this city. Mr. and Mrs. Block
are making their home at 1916 Holbrook Ter
race NE. Harris Ewing Photo.
Evening star., 1940-05-26
Miss Margaret Campagna
Engaged to j. F. Chestnut.

Mr.. and Mrs. Michael Campagna
announce the. engagement of their
daughter, Miss Margaret Olive June
Campagna, to MIR. James F. Ches-
mutt. The birde-elect makes her
home in Chicago, and Mr.. Ches-
mutt, who is in the Office of Rep
resentative Graham A. Barden in
this city, is from Clinton, N. G.
The wedding will take place in
Washington the latter part Of June.
Evening star., 1940-05-26

Lee Morgan, to Mr.. Walter NJ
John Lewandowsky of Pennsylvania
John Lewanowsky of Pennsylvania
The wedding will take place July
Is at the First Baptist Church,
Alexandria.
Evening star., 1940-05-26
Wedding POSTPONED

Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Wheelock
Thomas announce that due to ILL
ness the marriage Of their daughter,
Miss Martha Frances Thomas, to
Mr.. Roderick Oden Clay on May 80
has been postponed until . Later
date
Evening star., 1940-05-26
Miss Mildred Hutchinson
And E. ID, Duehring to Wed,

The engagement of Miss Mildred
Hutchinson to Mr.. Edward Dean
Duehring, son of Mr.. and Mrs. Ed
ward r. Duehring of this city, is an
nounced by Miss Hutchinson's par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. Dallas w. Hutch
inson of Rockville, Md The we'd
ding will take place in the early
summer.
Evening star., 1940-05-26
Tau Betu Pi Dinner

The District Alumnae Association
OF Tau Beta ri will hold a dinner
meeting tomorrow at 5:45 pm. at
the Y. w. G. A. to elected officers.
Evening star., 1940-05-26
Miss Mabel Lee Morgan
Will Wed July rs.

Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Morgan of
Alexandria announce the engage
ment Of their daughter, Miss Mabel
Evening star., 1940-05-26
Miss Carol FitzGibbon
Will Be June Bride.

Mr.. and Mrs. David P. FitzGib-
bon of this city, formerly of Os-
wego, N. Y, announce the engage
ment of their daughter, Miss Carol
Louise FitzGibbon, to Mr.. Edward
H. Carroll, son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Charles D. Carroll of Cresco, Iowa.
The wedding will take place June
% in st. Gabriel's Church.
Evening star., 1940-05-26

Japan is feeling the effects of re-
duced imports of wood pulp, ores,
metals and machinery from Scandi-
navian countries.
Evening star., 1940-05-26
Prominent
Engagements
Miss Castanedo
Will Be Among
The Many Brides
Continued From Page D-l.)

engagement Of their daughter, Miss
Helen Webb Pulliam, to Mr.. William
Arthur Reed.
Miss Pulliam is graduate of
Madison College in Harrisonburg,
Va. She is now a member of the
faculty at Bladensburg Grammar
School.
Mr.. Reed is the son of Mr.. and
Mrs. William H. Reed of Eau Claire,
Wis. He is employed in the Depart
ment of Interior.
The wedding will take place in late
summer
Evening star., 1940-05-26
Miss Clara Rosenthal's
Engagement Announced.

Mrs. Alfred Rosenthal announces
the engagement of her daughter,
Miss Clara E. Rosenthal, to Mr..
Melvin Goldberg, son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Nathan Goldberg of Baltimore.
Evening star., 1940-05-26
Miss Eugenia Cuvillier's
ENGAGEMENT Announced.

DR.. and Mrs. Louis M. Cuvillier
of Chevy Chase announce the en-
gagement of their daughter, Miss
Eugenia Cuvillier, to Mr.. Donovan D.
Jones, the son of the Rev. and Mrs.
j. Lytle Jones, of Baxley. Ga. The
wedding will take place June 10 at
the brides home, 4l07 Harrison
street.
Miss Cuvillier was graduated
from George Washington University
with B. S., M. S. and M. D., and
doctor of science from John Hopkins
University, and is a member OF
Sigma Xi and past master of the
local chapter of Kappa Delta So
rority.
She finished her years rotating in
ternship at Jersey City Medical Gen.
ter, has completed one year resi-
dency at Children's Hospital, WASH
ington, and in September will as
sumo a position as resident ply
sican and teacher Of hygiene at
Agnes Scott School at Atlanta, where
she and Mr.. Jones will live.
Evening star., 1940-05-26
Miss Florence Alsop
To Marry j. E. Cash.

Mr.. and Mrs Norman F. Alsop
have announced the engagement
Of their daughter, Miss Florence
Loretta Alsop, to Mr.. j. Edward
Gasch, son of Mr.. and Mrs. Clar-
ence B. Gasch of Bladensburg, Md.
The wedding will take place June 10.
Evening star., 1940-05-26
Hawes PARTY
Is Annual
Reunion
Other News Notes
OF Officials and
Residents
Continued From Page D-1.)

per for late arrivals and those who
were enjoying the hospitality of Mr..
and Mrs. Hawes too much to go
home to dinner. nrs
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-10-30
WAR DEPT. BUILDING
 IN FLAMES
Fire Destroys Secret Files in Munitions Siruc-
 lure, Washington

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30.-A roar ing fire in the War Department Munitions Building on Constitution Avenue destroyed the newly built fourth floor addition during the night and did extensive damage to sections of the building housing a mass of records. some of them secret documents.
 Intelligence officers and fire marshals began an investigation into the cause of the conflagration as soon as the massed fire fighting equipment of the District of Col umbia brought the flames under control in a struggle lasting more than an hour.
 Secretary of War Frank Knox. whose War Department offices were next door. said at his press con- ference that Secretary of Navy Henry Stimson has expressed belief the fire was "unquestionable' as being caused by short circuit or cigaret
 Disregarding the accidental the ory of the fires origin. special in- vestigators continued to comb the charred debris of the structure while at the same time denying search for sabotage evidence"