davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-04-11
Auto Lien RECORDING
Bill Promises New
Fight on Shift
Measure by Kennedy
Would Prevent Change
To Traffic Department

The House District Committee to-
day faced another battle over legis-
lation pending before it to transfer
from the Office OF the recorder OF
deeds to TRAFFIC Director Van Du-
zer's department the duty of re-
cording and releasing liens and en-
cumbrances on motor vehicles.
Action of Representative Ken
nedy, Democrat, Of Maryland in in
Producing a bill late yesterday to
prevent the change has made an
other clash virtually inevitable.
Several times in recent weeks ef-
forts were made to have the Dis
trict Committee approve legislation
providing for the shift. Each time
the committee sidestepped action
after lengthy debate.
The transfer has been approved by
the Washington Board of Trade, the
Federation of Citizens Associations
and a number of other organizations
Mr. Kennedy's bill would retain in
the Office of the recorder of deeds
the Job of recording and releasing
liens but would require the setting
UP a separate department for that
purpose. In addition, the record
er's Office. would be required to GER
tify daily to the traffic director all
liens and encumbrances on automo-
biles filed in his Office.
Evening star., 1940-04-11
Washington Census I oking
Job Reaches Halfway Mark

The big job of taking the census
in Washington is about half done,
according to Garnett r. Brown, area
manager for the Census Bureau in
the National Capital.
No estimate" can be disclosed
from now on, Mr.. Brown said, as
to the number of persons enumer-
ated. The official report on WASH
ington's 1910 decennial census will
be released formally when the final
calculation is completed. No def
mite prediction could be made as to
when this announcement will be
forthcoming from the Bureau of
the Census.
Many features of the census con-
ttinue to pop up throughout the
city. Among them is singing EMU
merator, Carl Toronto, who was dis
covered by his supervisor, Edward
Voigt, jr., in the Southeast section.
Toronto entertairls the households
where he calls with his songs.
To help obtain proper census in
formation among the residents Of
Wastington's Chinatown the census
organisation has had to resort to
Evening star., 1940-04-11
Three Filling Station
hoIdups Net $65

Police today were investigating q
new wave of armed robberies last
night, when bandits held up three
filling stations and took q total
of $65.
The first holdup occurred at
Twentieth street and New York ave-
nue at ll:15 pm. Two colored men,
one armed with a revolver, forced
Herbert M. King of Arlington, Va,
the attendant, to hand over $40.
One Of the bandits struck Mr.. King,
fracturing his nose.
About an hour later, Charles Dill.
niger, 27, Of 1908 H street NE, oper-
ating q station at Eleventh street
and Potomac avenues Sc, was rob-
bed Of $23 and . penknife.
Clarence Knisley, working at
North Capitol street and New York
avenue, lost $22, Of which he said
Sl4 was personal property. This
robbery occurred ct 1:l5 am.
Evening star., 1940-04-11
ParIey Called
Tonight on
Reorganization
Subcommittee Invites
D. 6. Commissioners
To Sit In on TuIks

A subcommittee Of the House
District Committee in charge Of
legislation to reorganize the mu-
nicipal government will hold a spe-
ctal meeting tonight at 7:30 o'clock
In an effort to reach q decision on
. definite plan.
The extraordinary session was
called by Representative Kennedy,
Democrat, of Maryland, the sub
committee chairman, with a view
toward expediting proposed reorgan-
ization legislation. He is hopeful
the subcommittee will agree on a
dnal program tonight so it will be
IN shape to present to the full Dis
trict Committee at it's regular weekly
meeting Monday.
Mr.. Kennedy hopes the reorgani-
zation legislation be ready for House
consideration on the next so-called
District day, April %.
Commissioners Invited to Attend,
Commissioners Allen and Nc
Coach and their Kitchen cabinet"
have been invited to sit with the
subcommittee during it's survey and
analysis Of various plans for mod
ernizing the municipal machine.
The subcommittee, at an exclu-
tive meeting yesterday, tentatively
approved some of the proposals in
the long dormant plans for stream
lining the District government, CALL
ing for either consolidation or q
reshufhing of municipal departments
and agencies. However, the major
question as to what change should
should be made in the top setup
Of the municipal government was
sidestepped for later consideration.
The subcommittee has two pro-
posals before it for revamping the
top organization. One, embodied in
bill sponsored by Mr.. Kennedy,
would retain the Board of Commits
sioners as the governing body, but
provide for. a city manager to serve
as the administrative or executive
head of the government. The other,
recommended by the Commissioners,
would not disturb the existing ar.
rangement under which they act
as both the administrative heads
and the governing body of the Dis
trict, but calls for creation of an
appointed council of nine citizens
to advise them on legislative, budget
and tax problems.
Favors Local Suffrage Plank.
Mr.. Kennedy said before final
action is taken he would make an
effort to have the subcommittee
write into the proposed legislation
a plank that would allow the dis
franchised residents of the District
to elect the Commissioners. He is
one of the members of the District
committee in favor of local suffrage
Although details of the shifts and
consultations in municipal depart
ments already tentatively approved
were not revealed, subcommittee
members said no action had yet
been taken on proposals that would
continue the autonomous status of
the Board of Education and the
Board of Public Library Trustees.
Indications are, however, both
boards will be allowed to continue
to function as independent agencies
under the plan finally approved by
the subcommittee.
Evening star., 1940-04-11
Court Orders Dispersal
OF Pack Of BARKING Doqs

Mrs. Helen E. Burche Of 2027 H
street NV. was under court order
today to dispose of all but one of
her dogs, which the neighbors EMU
merated at five and described as
making the night unsuitable for
sleeping.
Mrs. Burche was hailed before
Judge John p. McMahon in Police
Court yesterday. Two of the neigh
bors-Mrs. Hannah Seaquist, 2025
H street NV, and Mrs. Theresa
Parrish, 2029 H street-charged Mrs.
Burche with harboring dogs that
violated police regulations by bark
ing at all hours.
Policeman E. H. Ring, who walks
beat thereabouts, said Mrs. Burche
had five dogs and that they were
not friendly. He added that she was
in the habit of taking them for
walks at night.
Mrs. Burche denied she had five
dogs. She said a black dog named
Peaches had wandered away Tues
day night and had not returned.
She had two puppies once, she added,
but one was poisoned. She listed
her present canine assets as a dog
named Ranger, which she credited
with saving her entire household,
including several dodgers, when a
small fire broke out in the basement
recently Snow White, collie and
shepherd female, and one puppy.
They wouldn't harm the fleas on
their own backs, judge" she insisted.
A friend has promised to take the
puppy, which would leave her with
only two dogs, she said. She asked
to be allowed to keep Snow White.
Judge Mcmahon consented, but
directed her to get rid of the others.
He continued the case until April II
for final disposition,
Evening star., 1940-04-11
Lucas E. Howard Found
Slain by Shotgun BIust

Lucas e. Howard, colored, 25-year-
old son Of Perry w. Howard, Re-
publican national committeeman
from Mississippi and former presi-
dent of the National Negro Bar
Association, was found shot to death
in his room at the Howard home,
1929 S street NV, last night. A
shotgun lay beside the body. Cor
oner A. Magruder Macdonald issued
certificate of suicide.
The parents said that young
Howard, formerly q clerk In the
Census Bureau, had been In III
health and had been unemployed
for two years.
Evening star., 1940-04-11
Symphony Group
Calls Closed Meetino
To Discuss Crisis
Compromise Refused
By Musieions' Union;
All Plans May Fail

Members of the National Sym
phony Orchestra Association were to
meet behind closed doors at pm.
today to discuss the critical situa-
ton confronting the orchestra as a
result of the deadlock between the
associations Board of Directors and
the Musicians Protective Union over
next seasons contract.
Because the union refused to ac-
cept the latest compromise, pro-
posed by a representative of the
Labor Departments conciliation
service, the association directors have
recommended that no plans be made
for the 1901 season.
4 Under the bylaws Of the orches-
-tra association tha members can vote
today only 10 accept or reject the
directors report and recommends
ton, Any proposal to 60 ahead with
a sustaining fund campaign or to re-
open negotiations must be present.
ed in the form of q petition signed
by at least Is members, according to
L. Corrin Strong, president. The
petition then would be considered
at another special meeting or at the
next monthly meeting, Mr.. Strong
said.
One other recommendation to be
considered today calls for a months
extension of the associations fiscal
year, scheduled to end April 10. Mr..
Strong said the extension is being
sought to give the association addi-
tional time to wind up its affairs.
The compromise proposal of the
Labor Department conciliator, ac-
cepted by the orchestra association,
but rejected by the union, called for
a $5-per-week increase in the musi-
clans minimum base pay. Under it
the Orchestra Board would agree to
put on a sustaining fund campaign
to raise a fund sufficient to employ
80 musicians for q weeks. In the
event larger amount were raised,
the first 5000 would be used for a
summer concert series. In addition,
amounts raised above this sum would
be used to 'lengthen the winter sea-
son to "a or Is weeks. However,
should the campaign fall short of its
goal, the union would agree to
shorten the season to %, 81 or 20
weeks at the minimum $55-per- week
rate for 80 men. The union refused
to agree to this latter provision.
Negotiations for an. agreement
with the union for the 1940-41 sea-
son have been in progress for more
than five months.
Evening star., 1940-04-11

Oehmann testified. There was a
"slip-up" in his office, he said, and
the inspector IN the area was not
notified that the Job was being
done.
The bricklayer said he assumed
that his employers would see that
the job was inspected and approved
and so he said nothing, even though
he did not believe 1t was being done
properly.
There the matter rested when
Coroner A. Magruder Macdonald
recessed the inquest yesterday. He
said he expected to finish up tomor-
row after hearing testimony from
the apartment janitor some of those
who rebuilt the place in 1925 and
from others.
Evening star., 1940-04-11
Child Labor Bill
Action Delayed
By House Group
Organizations Soy
They Want More Time
To Study Measure

The Judiciary Subcommittee Of
the House District Committee agreed
today to delay action for q week on
. revised bill to amend the child
labor law to permit children over
IA years of age to take part in pro-
fessional concerts or theatrical pro-
auctions.
The decision was made in re-
sponse to plea by representatives
of number of organizations vitality
interested in social welfare legisla-
ton. They told the subcommittee
at a public hearing that sufficient
time had not been allowed for their
respective groups to consider the
modified bill. These organizations
had opposed the original bill, which
placed no age limit on children who
would participate in professional
concerts or shows.
Mrs. Louis Gutenberg, chairman
OF the Legislative Committee of the
Welfare Council, who led the move
for delayed action on the bill, point
ed out the revised measure was in
troduced only few days ago.
Support Request.
Those who supported Mrs. Often
bergs request included Mrs. Harvey
w. Wiley, representing the Kalo-
rama Citizens Association: Mrs. Err
nest Howard of the District Fedora
ton of Women's Clubs, Mrs. Walter
S. Ufford of the Neighborhood Coun-
cils and Leifur Magnusson of the
Monday Evening Club.
DR.. Frank w. Ballou, superintend-
ent OF schools, told the subcommittee
the Board OF Education had ap-
proved the changes in the original
bill and that both he and the board
believed the new legislation would
prevent the exploitation of children.
The revision of the bill, he said,
represented compromise" with
those who oppose any change in the
existing child labor law and those
who want to safeguard children
against possible exploitation.
Aside from fixing the minimum
U6S Va AAAAOAS VoA4AA6 pal All
fessional shows at IA, the modified
billA also restricts their activities to
two performances a day and six
days in one week and forbids their
appearance on stage after II pm.
Plohn IndOrses Bill.
Edmund Plohn, who said he rep
resented Washingtons sole surviv-
ing legitimate theater without men,
tioning the National Theater by
name, testified:
The bill in its present form. is
all we can wish for. It will solve
some of our difficulties and relieve
us of some embarrassing moments"
However, A. Julian Brylawski,
representing the Motion Picture
Theater Owners, voiced objection
to certain features of the new bill.
He pointed out the provision to re-
strict child performers to six
day work week could be used to
prevent Sunday shows.
Evening star., 1940-04-11
Lawrie Statue Model
OF Jefferson Chosen
For Memorial
Commission Requests,
However, Certain
Notifications

The Thomas Jefferson Commits
sion announced today it has selected
the model Of a statue of Thomas
Jefferson by Lee Lawrie, New York
sculptor, for the shrine on the Tidal
Basin. It has requested him, how
ever, to submit a revised sketch
within three months, embodying
certain notifications recommended
by the jury in the recent COMPETE
tionS.
The sculptor should strive to en-
phasize the mental rather than the
physical characteristics of Jefferson,
the commission stated. If the re-
vised model is approved, it will be
submitted to the Fine Arts Commis-
sion. "a
The jury Of experts appointed to
select sculpture had recommended
six models from more than 100 sub
mitted. However, the Memorial
Commission exercised its authority
in rejecting all OF them on March %.
The jury had recommended one
model, later identified as submitted
by Mr.. Lawrie, as most likely. to
meet with the ideas they had for
the statue. They recommended Ger
tain changes and these changes, con-
sidered by the commission. were ap-
proved and passed on to Mr.. Lawrie.
Mental Characteristics Stressed.
The jury had suggested that JET
ferson was not an orator, neither
was he a man of great physical ac-
ton. On the contrary, he was q
thinker and philosopher"
Therefore, the fury pointed out,
the first step in modelling the 16-
foot statue should indicate these
characteristics more positively than
did the head and the body of the
model.
The Lawrie model did not suit be-
cause of the inadequacy of the like
ness, the detail form in the legs and
hands, and the emasciation of the
figure, it was pointed out, but the
jury believed that when these points
are remedied the statue will look
very imposing, silhouetted through
four openings against the sky, q
most important point.
Cost to BE $4,000.
The 16-foot statue and pedestal,
including $1,000 payment to each Of
the six models singled out by the
jury, will cost $4,000, for which
there is existing authorization. The
work is expected to require three
years and should be dedicated on
April 13, 1913, the 200th anniver-
sary Of Jeferson's birth.
The other five sculptors men,
toned were Rudolph Evans, Raoul
Josef, Sidney Waugh, A. A. Wein-
man and William Zorach. Mr.. Law
rie will receive extra compensation
for revising his model.
Evening star., 1940-04-11

Three bicycle riders and three Pc
deStrians were injured in traffic
accidents here last night and early
today.
The cyclists, all on one bicycle.
were en- route to the Taft Junior
High School, where they are stu
dents, when they collided with a
Capital Transit Co. bus at Twen-
tieth and Monroe streets NE.
James Fletcher, IL, of 2015 Jack
son street NE, received a serious
groin injury, police said, while STAN
ley Reddings. IS, of 1884 Vista street
NE, and Raymond Daniels, IA. of
2045 jackson street NE, were cut
and bruised.
The bus. operated by Charles r.
Snouher, 30, of 1902 Quarles street
NE, was headed west on Monroe
street when it collided with the BIZ
cycle going north on Twentieth
street, police said.
Pedestrians Hurt.
Mrs. D. M. Corcoran. So, Of 1910
Kalorama road NV. is being treat
ed at Garfield Hospital for head cuts
and a fractured left leg, received
when she was hit by an automo-
bile while crossing Thirteenth street
at w street NV.
Rufus Whiting, 66-year-old COL
ored resident of 5025 Ames place
NE, was struck by a car at Eleventh
and I streets NV. He suffered q
fractured left leg and a brain con-
cussion.
The third pedestrian, Paul Acton,
Is, of 1913 U street Sc, received cuts
and bruises when he was struck in
crossing U street at Nichols avenue
Sc.
Woman, 63, Hurt.
Mrs. Linda Freeman, So, of Brent
wood, Nd, was in Sibley Hospital
with undetermined injuries suffered
In a three car collision at Burtons-
vile, Md, last night.
Montgomery County police said
Mrs. Freeman was riding in an au-
tomobile driven by a relative, Will
liam A. Ray. 81. of GA Sligo ave-
nue.. Silver Spring, when the &C
cident occurred.
Mr.. Rays car, they reported, was
In collision with two others operated
by Harry L. Imam, AZ, of Lodge For
est, Baltimore County, and Lawrence
ID, s., Hoover. AZ. of 3701 Connecti.
cut avenue NV.
Mrs. Freeman was the only occu-
pant Of any of the cars who was
hurt. Police took no action.
Evening star., 1940-04-11
Death Sentence Commuted

RICHMOND. Va, April II R.-
Gov. Price, acting on report of his
Advisory Board on Mental Hygiene
that Richard Rosser "is not sane"
commuted Rosser's death sentence
to life imprisonment. Rosser, sem
fenced by the Campbell County
Court In May, 1889, for the killing of
Norman Thompson during the at
tempted robbery of Concord depot
store, was scheduled to die Friday.
Evening star., 1940-04-11
2District Measures
Passed, +, 9 Going
To White House =
Final Action Is Given
Bill Extending Rights
In Federal Courts

Nine local bills are ready to 90 to
the President for signature today,
following Senate passage yesterday,
while three others also approved by
that branch now await House action.
Included in the nine on which the
Senate completed congressional ac-
ton is the measure To give District
residents the right to sue in Federal
courts throughout the country on
the same basis as citizens of the
States.
The bill removes a legal handicap
which has applied to local residents
for many years. In a decision
handed down in the days of Chief
Justice Marshall, the Supreme Court
held that a citizen of the District
could not maintain an action against
a citizen of Virginia in the Federal
courts of that State, because Dis
trict resident was not citizen of a
State within the meaning of the
Constitution. The pending bill also
applies to residents of Hawaii and
Alaska.
Affects ~ Policemen.
The other eight Senate-approved
bills that go to the White House to
be signed are:
Authorizing an increase of 20 in
the permanent size of the White
House police force, which will enable
the Metropolitan Police Department
to replace 20 of its men who have
been on temporary detail at the
White House.
To require residential property to
be connected with sewer mains,
wherever these facilities are avail
able.
To authorize $4,000 for public
order arrangements for the presi-
Dental inaugural ceremonies next
January.
70 authorize Government agencies
to grant permits for platforms and
other temporary facilities during the
inaugural celebration.
To authorize the Commissioners to
accept a police memorial fountain,
to be erected in the Municipal Center
area.
To exempt from the local Unem-
ployment Compensation Act news
boys under 18 engaged in delivering
papers.
Changes Name of Street.
To change the name of a short
section of Twenty-fourth street NV
to Williamsburg lane.
To authorize the Capital Transit
Co. to erect comfort station In
Commodore Barney Circle.
The three bills which still require
House approval are:
Amending the District Code to give
garages a prior lien on automobiles
for the collection of repair bills.
Making minor amendment to the
life insurance code.
Authorizing Government agencies
to arrange for the quartering of
troops brought mere for the presi-
Dental inaugural parade.
The Tydings bill, to sanction con-
tracts between manufacturers and
distributors, fixing the minimum re-
sale price Of trade marked articles,
was postponed when several Senators
objected to its consideration.
Evening star., 1940-04-11
Increased Liquor Sales
In Virginia Reported
By the Associated Press.

4y the Associated Press.
RICHMOND, Va, April 1l.-Jan-
uary and February sales OF alcoholic
beverages in Virginia A. B. G. stores
increased 26 per cent over sales In
January and February, 1889, figures
of the Alcoholic Beverage Control
Board showed today.
For the first eight months OF
the fiscal year the increase has
amounted to 1895 per cent, Of
flcials reported, declining to offer
any reason for the sales climb.
Evening star., 1940-04-11
Inquest to Get More Testimony
From Chimney BHckIoyer
Mason Says He Did Not Approve Of Way
Stack in Apartment Was Built

The inquest into the deaths Of
three persons in the fire that ragged
through the White Court Apart
ments at 2131 o street NV. on
April l will resume at Ii am. to-
morrow. with further testimony
from the bricklayer who remodeled
the chimney which is blamed for
starting the fire.
The bricklayer is Alonzo Neil of
Pill Georgia avenue NV, who was
on the stand when the inquest re-
cessed yesterday.
The jury, following the strange
trail of mistakes and oversights
which have been blamed for the
blaze, finally reached the bricklayer
late in the afternoon. The way for
his testimony had been prepared by
statements from District officials and
others who had knowledge Of con-
ditions, in the building.
III, Story of Events.
The story of events leading up to
the four-alarm blaze was brought
out during the two days of the in
quest somewhat as follows:
The cause OF the fire, according
to Fire Department investigators,
was defective chimney. The ra-
pidity with which it spread and its
severity, it was indicated, were due
to use of materials in the building
which violated regulations.
Chief interest was centered on
the chimney. It was testified that
brick was missing from the CHM
ney near the place where the fire
is believed to have started. It also
was brought out that the chimney
had been constructed in a manner
which was termed by expert after
expert as poor"
The chimney had been rebuilt in
the summer of 1887, on the orders
of the smoke inspector. This Office
informed H. G. Smithy Co., rental
agents for the building. that the
chimney would have to be made
larger.
Official Drew Sketch.
Stephen M. Montgomery, rental
manager for the company, testified
yesterday that he undertook to get
the work done. He said he talked
to an official in the smoke in
spector's Office and that this official
drew a sketch for him of the man
ner in which the rebuilding should
be done.
Mr.. Montgomery took this sketch
down to the building inspector S
Office, presented it as a plan, and
obtained a building permit. He
then got in touch, he said, with a
"Mr. Grifath," a Philadelphia con-
tractor who was putting a new
boiler in the building.
"Mr. Griffith" agreed to see that
the chimney was rebuilt and asked
Mr.. Montgomery to get workman
to do the JOB. Mr.. Montgomery
hired Neil, an experienced brick
layer.
Neil completed the job, and was
paid $45 for enlarging the CHM
ney. He testified he followed out
the instructions of Mr.. Griffith,
who was following instructions from
Mr.. Montgomery, who was following
the smoke inspectors plans.
But Neil, in testimony yesterday
said he had never built a chimney in
such fashion before.
No Inspection Made.
No inspection was made of the
work, Building Inspector John w.