The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 3

A SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1931 Other Departments, Court 545f Want Ad Headquarters, Conrt 4900 TK7S2E PITTSBURGH PRFSS LP OWN MOVIE 5TARS SBIIRGH'S True stories of their start Copy Boy To Stardom In Films While Other Boys Played in the Streets of the Hill District, Kenneth Thomson Worked as an Errand Boy in a Newspaper Office Attending Night School, He Prepared for Carnegie Tech's School of Drama His First Professional Role Was in 'Declasse- Then He Gave Film Fans 'The Broadway Melody' And for All His Achievements He Gives All the Credit to His Mother, a Former Concert Manager Here STAGE SHIFTS TO COUNCIL IN HALUSITE ROW Cesher Has Ordinance Asking Permission to Buy Nicola Property OPPONENTSPlAN VIGOROUSPROTEST Leaders Have Launched Campaign Among City Heads Against Plan ALl0 play hst Mon-oay to the wppt.nM. i Tnr. "f-ie over a tain today. was virtually cer- bounty Solicitor yarned, has Prepared an ord LZ to be submitted to the city solons Monday, asking Conner V1? purchase of the Nicola site, Oakland for the proposed as rH- oo.OOO.OOO audi- torium. At the same time.

James C. Chap-fcn chairman of the united oppo ro Sfn t(? thlS location. wttl send to council a vigorous protest. The "consent ordinance," drafted By Lesher on authority of the County commissioners, who chose the Oakland site last Tuesday, is in conformity with a state law requiring counties to obtain municipal consent to the acquisition of land for any auditorium, library or monument within the city limits. Meantime, leaders of the opposition forces have opened a campaign among the nine members of Council, seeking to persuade at least three of them to join the protest group.

While a bare majority of Council sufficient to annrovp thi ordinance, the nnmmicdnno i must persuade Council to adopt an burden of parentage fell to his ordinance changing the zoning reg- I motner- Mrs- Edlth Taylor Thom-ulations for the Nicola site which is son- who took up the jb of pro" bounded by Ruskin. Fifth and Ten- viding as well as running the home how they am and '20 included Eula Guy, Mary Blair, Howard Steen, James Church, Leo Robin, Mary Ricards, Arthur Lublin, Alexander Buchanan, Hubbard Kirkpatrick, Hazel Beck, Theodore Viehman, Justin Lees, Lawrence Paquin, Carl B. Reid and David Gaither. Nearly all are still on the stage. Eula Guy has become one of the few women stage managers in America, and at present is with the Theater Guild.

Only two of them, in addition to Thomson, -have spent any time in Hollywood. Arthur Lubin who appeared in both plays and pictures on the coast; and Leo Robin, now writing music for sound films. Each Friday afternoon the class invited prominent actors as guests for a special performance. In the spring of 1920 a performance of "The Admirable Bashvilie," with Kenneth in the title role, was arranged in honor of Julia Marlowe and Edward H. Sothern, who were presenting a Shakespearean show at the Pitt Theater.

UNABLE to attend, Miss Marlowe did not mention her interest in Kenneth's acting until after Sothern returned and told her about the acting of Kenneth Thomson. He wanted to meet the boy. This was arranged by the late John B. Reynolds, and Sothern urged Kenneth to go at Once to New York, There, he was promised a minor part in "Declasse" in which Ethel Barrymore planned to tour in the fall. Thomson thought it worth SECRET BALLOT TO DETERMINE CANNONS FATE Bishop Faces Accusers in Most Desperate Fight in His Career BATTLE OF PRELATE AMAZES COUNCIL Crippled Clergyman Appeals and Rumored to Win in Opening Skirmish Br The Inited Press WASHINGTON Bishop James Cannon, fighting the most stubborn and determined battle of his stormy career, faced his accusers yesterday and raised the plea of persecution in defending himself against grave charges of trespasses against the moral code of his church.

Given the opportunity to take as much time as he chooses in defending himself. Cannon argued for five hours today and then returned to continue through a wearying night session of the 12 churchmen hearing nis case. Those close -to the situation indicated they expected a verdict soon, possibly late today. The vitality and resourcefulness of this 67-year-old bishop who hobbles on crutches in and out of the church where the hearings are being held has amazed all who have observed him. One of the elders who reviewed the charges against Cannon during the week's inquiry commented: "This sick man wearing us all out." Cannon's defense against the lengthy array of testimony of a most serious nature has been that there was an organized effort to discredit him, and his church and prohibition work.

He has pointed out alleged discrepancies in the documentary evidence piled on the table before him. He has bitterly assailed his enemies within and outside the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The testimony given by Fred Morgan. Richmond detective, was attacked by Cannon, on the grounds of accuracy and the method by which it was obtained. One affidavit bears the signature of his wife, the former Mrs.

Helen McCallum, and concerns incidents of their relations prior to their marriage. Secret Ballot Seen The 12 elders who must decide whether or not Cannon is to be suspended and tried by the General Church Conference three years hence have the privilege of questioning Cannon as they would a regular witness. At the conclusion of Cannon's defense they will retire to vote, probably in secret ballot. A two-thirds' majority is necessary to order the bishop's suspension. In other words, the bishop has to win only five of the 12 to his side in or der to be exonerated.

The only concession Cerinon has made to his health since the inquiry began was his request for a lengthier luncheon, period today. Instead of the usual 1 p. m. to 3 p. m.

recess, Cannon was given three hours of rest. But the afternoon session last ed an hour longer than usual and did not break up until 6 p. the members of the committee agreeing to return at 8 p. m. Bishop W.

N. Ainsworth of Bir mingham, supervising the hearings on behalf of the College of Bishops, will announce the verdict with an explanatory statement. Regardless of the decision, the exact nature of the charges brought against Cannon will not be revealed by him. A trial for Cannon could not be arranged until 1934, under the rules of the church which require such proceed ings to be held the quadrennial conferences. Bishop Leaves for Europe One of Bishop Ainsworth's asso ciates, Bishop U.

V. W. Darlington, sailed for Europe tonight after acting as an observer at the inquiry for the first three days. Bishop W. F.

McMurry remains as an assistant to Ainsworth but the place of Darlington was not filled. A soft light, filtering through a stained glass window high in the rear of the church, indicated the committee room where Cannon was making his fight as the night session progressed. The length of Cannons defense indicated the militant bishop was reviewing in detail all the evidence presented against 'him. The 12 elders who must pass judg ment upon the bishop's character have shown signs of the strain un der which they are laboring. One of them told an associate tonight that never in his life had he been as tired as at the present time.

Bishop Cannon strength seemed undiminished, however, and there was no indication that he was near the end of his fight for vindication. ANDERSON AWAITS JOB CONFIRMATION Senate Given Appointment a Pitts burgh Postmaster Ckmfirmation by the Senate of President Hoover's appointment of James B. Anderson, assistant postmaster, as postmaster of the Pittsburgh office was awaited today. Hoover sent his appointment to the Senate yesterday, following sub mission of Anderson's name to the White House by Senator Reed. Favorable Senate action, expected soon, would give the local postof flee a permanent head for the first time since July 1, 1930, when George W.

Gosser retired. Bids for excavation and founda tion work for the new postoffice here will be opened Feb. 27, Treas ury Department officials announced yesterday. 'Parlor, Suite Stolen A io-piece Italian living room suite, valued at $480, was stolen from a warehouse of the East Lib erty Furniture Exchange, in the 100 block Flavel Street, according to a report to East End police. Max Abramovitz, manager of the Ex change, discovered the loss last night.

Club Plans Hike The Pittsburgh Hiking Club will walk from the end of the Lincoln Avenue, No. 82 car line, to Sandy Creek and Wilkinsburg tomorrow. leaving the end of the line at 1:30 day ful. all to I b. my to I be a I Dare Say Wherein One Can Never Tell By FLORENCE FISHER PARRY HERE'S simply no way to tell about a column.

The other I wrote a terrible one. Oh, aw It was about the thinnest, slipshod, poorest excuse of a column I ever did see. I was just sick about it. That day. of days.

I went see my editor. never thought how inept my call was until I a ed to glance on his desk, and there, exposed to view, jras that ungod-l column. Likely as not being there Mrs. Parry would move him look it over the minute my back was turned, to see what I was doing anyway. Wasn't that my cursed luck! Of all times, when it was just on the tip of my tongue to ask a favor of him.

Well, one thing. was saved from that blunder. I'd lucky to be able to sneak out without being fired. I went home in a cold sweat and turned over a new leaf. That was the last time I'd ever try to slip a column like that over on them! I've been hearing about that column ever since.

It must have been humdinger. "That was a fine column you wrote, Mrs. Parry," say my friends, yes, and strangers, too. I can't believe they're all in a conspiracy to hold me up to ridicule. At first I thought that, yes, that must be it, they were all having their grim little joke.

But no, the pulpit's not that way, nor club women, nor doctors. Hereafter what I'm going to do to turn out a real whopper, is to deliberately drain my head of every active function, plop into position at my portable, let 'er fly, and let who will be clever. The Children's Dog! TONIGHT conditions are ideal for just such a knockout. No desert could be arider (well, why not arider? these fussy sticklers make me tired, tireder than anything) no well could be dried-upper (no, that's carrying it a little too far) than my poor bean to night. I've just now finished wash ing Romeo, and did it all alone.

Didn't I tell you long ago that this is how it'd be? The children's dog. Ha! Yes, I know. I know what you're going to say. I wasn't satisfied to leave well enough alone. Now I've made my bed, I've got to lie in it.

You told me so. I wouldn't listen to you. Well all I've got to say is, if you're that kind of a person, kep out of my way. For there's no one in the world so little likely to make a hit with me as an "I-told-you-so-er." Unless it be the woman who says about her husband: "I get my own way by letting him think he's getting his." I've had it in mind to write what I think of such a woman, and now's as good a time as any. The woman who makes the claim, "I get my own way by letting him think he 'a getting his" is an underhanded, furtive, feline, cunning, trifling, useless, vain, villainous, reprehensible, abominable, mischievous, noxious, silly woman, and if I had a Thesaurus neai; by she's be a lot worse than that, I can tell you.

Boil 'Em in Oil! THIS IS the kind of woman I'd like, to see boiled in oil: The woman who says, "I always like to keep him guessing." The woman who says, "What he doesn't know won't hurt him." The woman who says, "If I just hold out long enough he's sure to give in." The woman who says, "It's best for them not to be too sure of you," The woman who says, "The thing to remember is to hold spite and not give in too easily." The woman who says, I just bidding my time." The woman who says. "He 11 come around to my way of thinking." If I ever see my son headed in the direction of such a woman, I mean to get hold of her somehow and drown her at midnight in a deep, mossy pond. On Uneasy Street IN SHORT, the possessive Why. I have often wondered, do so many women persist in looking on marriage as a sort of game tnat must be played, with the object to see how many Innings each side can claim? I think it's a disgusting practice. and if I were a man I wouldn't stand for it.

I've known women who regard themselves as most "successful" with their husbands, when all they mean is that they've been "suc cessful" in living their marriage their way. no one's else. And the most abominable prac tice of all is this thing of women thinking it's "Safe" to keep their husbands on uneasy seat as to their love and loyalty. Women who. benefiting by the protection and pro vision of their husbands, still thinK it's smart to make them "jealous," are at bottom vicious animals, lacking In the basic principles of what love means.

Marriage Is a Mating OH, WHY this furtiveness, this duplicity, this campaign ma nipulation? Why all this talk of what's the best "way" to hold a husband? As if it were a thing of poli tics, a matter of cunning connivance? Love isn't a craft, it isnt stratagem. You'd think the way some women discuss it that it is a mere tool for feminine power. Why cant it be regarded as what, it is, a mating. Marriage is more than a prolonged. jealous courtship.

The restless insecurities of wooing are all right in their places, but when carried iar into the marriage relationship as sume a downright menace. Why Not Be Honest WHAT'S the matter wim Deing honest? What's the matter with being natural? What's the matter with looking at marriage as a contract, and not a checker game? Burns Kill Schoolgirl Funeral arrangements were ha-ing made today for Helen Caler. 9-year-old Frankstown Road school girl, who yesterday was fatally burned when her clothes caught fire from a gas grate as she dressed for school. The girl's mother wag burned about the hands and armi when she tried to extinguish flame, ill ft nyson Avenues and Bigelow Boulevard. Seven affirmative votes are required to enact an ordinance changing zoning regulations.

It is this requirement on which Chaplin, William A. Magee, former Mayor and counsel for the opposition, and their associates pin their hopes. No proposal i change the zoning laws wills be made to Council by the county That, it was said, is a subject "for the future." The Commissioners, by a 2 to 1 Vote, have chosen the site, but have taken no steps toward acquisition. Traffic congestion, smallness of the tract and distance from railroads, hotels and department stores will be the chief points stressed by the opponents in their petition to Council. The opponents, representing' the Allegheny County Town Hall Association, North Side Town Hall Association and residents of Oakland who object to the auditorium in their neighborhood, met in Chaplin's offices in the Colonial Trust Building, late yesterday.

TWO PITTSBURGHERS ON WRECKED BOAT Relatives Await Word North Side Couple of Word of the fate of two Pitts-Tburghers, passengers on the glass-bottomed sight-seeing boat at Silver Springs, which caught fire after an explosion yesterday, was being awaited by relatives today. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Foreman, 1900 block Perrysville Avenue, wintering in Miami, were passengers on the boat. Foreman's brother.

Dr. H. A. Foreman. 100 block East Ohio Street, is orihg to get word of the couple.

Foremans have been in Florida since September. SILVER SPRINGS. Fla. The second explosion and fire within three months aboard a glass-bottom boat here yesterday, killed one man, injured three other persons and burned the craft to the water's edge. J.

A. Perkins, Oak Park, 111., was killed. Mrs. J. A.

Perkins, his wife and Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Wise, Orlando, injured, were taken to Monroe Hospital.

By JAMES A. BAUBIE and CLAYTON FRITCHEY A FTER Gertrude Ederle swam the English Channel she told the world she "did it all for mother." She got so much praise for this sentimental thought that all the non-stop aviators, flag-pole sitters and other new champions took up the refr- They all it for mother." were "doing It was a mighty nice thought. But, like every good thing, it soon was run into, the ground. Now it has be- come so hackneyed no one dares to give the credit to mother even when she deserves it. Nobody, that is.

except Kenneth Thomson, one of the really coming movie stars and a Pittsburgher born and raised. "Whatever success has come my way," he says and in no uncertain way. "belongs to my mother more than it does to me. I know that sc jids like press agent stuff, but I'm telling you it's true in my case You can tell the world for me that she's the berries." That's Kenneth Thomson's story and there are a. lot of good reasons for him sticking to it.

In the first place his father died when he was only 7 and the double and brincing up a son. Mrs. Thomson became a concert manager and. when he became old enough. Ken helped the family exchequer by becoming a copy boy on the old Leader.

Many Pittsburgh newspapermen still remember the dark-eyed lad who used to dash back and forth' fr'om the editorial to the composing room. Later Ken made the rounds of all the papers with publicity for concert artists who appeared under his mother's management. KENNETH was born in the old Sixth Ward and did most of his boyhood playing about Marion Street, the heart of the Hill District until his mother moved to Oakland. His father's death gave Kenneth a certain amount of responsibility not shared by the other boys in his neighborhood. When they were going to high school, he was working at odd jobs during the day and getting his education at night school.

He was employed at the Crucible Steel Company and the National Union Fire Insurance Company. Occasionally he founf time in between work and school to see a show, and life behind the footlights appealed to him more than a life spent behind a mahogany desk. He set his heart on becoming an actor. When he was 16 he heard of a vacancy in the male chorus of a musical show that was playing in Pittsburgh and he was told he could have the job. But his mother couldn't picture her boy in a chorus.

She wanted him to have a more ambitious start in his theatrical career which they planned together late at night. She persuaded him to refuse the offer. Julia Marlowe, who had known Kenneth since he was a baby, came to Pittsburgh shortly after that and they went to her for advice. Miss Marlowe tried to discourage him. When she failed she agreed with him that he should throw everything to the wind and try for the stage.

She suggested that he attend Carnegie Institute of Technology, which, she said "has one of the finest drama departments in the world." He enrolled in a night class under Sewickley Tax to Be Argued In its regular meeting next Tuesday night, Feb. 10, Sewickley's Borough Council will discuss town betterment projects and necessary municipal expenditures. Consideration of the 1931 budget and tax millage is expected at this meeting, John C. Hiteshew, borough manager, yesterday stated. No.

do you advise? No. Editor, Pittsburgh Press, of Allies waiting for and filled a temporary vacancy with a stock company at Lakewood, as assistant stage manager and extra man. He returned to that company the next summer, after touring with Miss Barrymore's show, and was given better parts. The next season he was with Doris Keane in "The Czarina," with Harry Beresford in "Shavings" and with the late Charles Gilpin in "The Emperor Jones." The next summer at Lake-wood Thomson played the leads. During his third winter season, he toured to the Pacific Coast as leading juvenile in "Three Wise Fools," of which the late Thomas A.

Wise was the star. Mary Ricards, his classmate at Tech, was a member of the cast. Then Thomson played a short season in New York and was leading man again the next summer at Lakewood. He considered himself still a drama student and was glad to get this stock experience. In the fall he joined the company of Margaret Anglin and later played with 5 1 Janet Beecher and Lee Baker "The Love Child." In all this time, Kenneth had not appeared in Pittsburgh.

Some of his plays were booked for Pittsburgh, but each engagement was canceled and in his fifth year on the stage his home town saw him act. KENNETH had the role of Captain Jack Absolute in the all-star revival of "The which was headed by Mrs. Fiske, Thomas A. Wise, Chauncey Olcott and James T. Powers.

The show began its historically successful tour at the Nixon Theater. There Thomson was greeted by Emil Wolfe and his son-in-law, Victor Saudek, a Pittsburgh musician who had known Kenneth since he was a boy. He was entertained in royal fashion. The Womens Press Club, of which he was a protege, gave a tea in his honor, and the Womens City Club -MON The Screen's Greatest Vine-Glo" named after wines, in five-gallon lots and above, and to process it for the buyers, bottling it after 60 days. Tydings announced Section 29 of the Volstead Act, allowing home manufacture and consumption of "non-intoxicating fruit juices" as construed by the courts, to be a "joker" in the law, inserted by the drys, for the purpose of allowing the farmer to enjoy his cider and wine while forbidding beer to the city folks.

Sheppard's reply was that JLhe Volstead Act forbids the making of liquor containing more than one-half on one per cent of alcohol anywhere. ASKS EAGLE PADLOCK DESPITE CARD FIGHT Dry 'Administrator Would Close Aerie at Indiana, Pa. Despite a controversy over alleged unethical use of Eagle membership cards by dry raiders, a bill of complaint, preparatory to padlock proceedings, was filed yesterday against (Pa.) Aerie No. 1468. The complaint was filed by Robert S.

Krause. deputy prohibition administrator, and said that intoxicants were purchased in the social rooms prior to Dec. 23, when a raid disclosed no contraband. Ten temporary padlock writs already have been obtained as a result of a series of 14 raids of Eagle aeries in a period of two months. Agents reported seizure of six wildcat breweries and of intoxicants in four tries.

They made 18 ar rests HOG UPSETS AUTO One Student Athlete Killed, Another Seriously Injured Br The Tnited Prese HOUSTON, Mo. A hog darted in front of an auto-in which six high school basketball players were en route to a game last night, upset the car and caused the death of one of the boys. The students were members of the Cabool, school team. Frank McClellan, 18, was killed instantly. Ray Bley was injured seriously.

The other four were cut and bruised. 1 in i invited him to be the guest of honor at a luncheon. As luck would have it, Kenneth arrived in Pittsburgh with a sore throat, and the opening night of the play, when he wanted to do his best for the home town was more or less a nightmare. But he carried through his part with credit, and the local dramatic critics acclaimed him a success. On the West Coast, Thomson's work in "The Rivals" attracted the attention of Cecil B.

DeMille who offered him a film contract. Kenneth, on his, mother's advice, did npt accept this offer and returned to New York to appear in the company of the late Henry Miller in "Hush Money." Then he signed a two-year contract with DeMille. IN THE SILENT pictures, Thomson's best work was with Jetta Ooudal in "White Gold," with Pola Negri in "They Knew What They Wanted," with Leatrice Joy in "The Bellamy Trial" and as Lazurus in trtneth Thomson. 3ebe-ZariicLs, TcLLt ioLoeU Sherman, and Parncll Pratt. "The King of Kings." It wras not until the advent of talk ing pictures that Thomson came into his own.

His latest releases in sound pictures have been "Broadway Mel ody," "The Other Tomorrow," with Bebe Daniels; "Wild Company," with H. B. Warner. And now, because Hollywood directors lay great stress on "types," Kenneth seems fated to be cast as a "heavy." Villains, be they ever so polished, are not really his forte, and some day, his mother believes, some director will discover what a really clever light comedian he is. Since he has been in Hollywood, Thomson has not deserted the stage completely.

He was Ruth Chatter-ton's leading man when she played "The Devil's Plum Tree" in Los Angeles and San Francisco. He is a member of The Players in New York and The Writers' Club and The Masquers of Hollywood. In 1928, Kenneth married Alden Gay, an actress. His mother, who proved herself such a capable manager in getting her son started on the right path on the stage, is still watching out for Kenneth's career. She is his publicity manager, and who could do that job better than your own mother? DAY Sleuth Philo Vance BLACKLIDGE SWINDLE BLAMED ON CAPONE Chicago Daily News Claims Faro Game Fixed by Gangster Br The Ignited PreM CHICAGO Scarface Al Capone was back of the recent swindle In which Mrs.

Myrtle Tanner Black-lidge lost $50,000 at faro, according to a story yesterday in The Chicago Daily News. Mrs. Elacklidge, who then was Collector of Internal Revenue, lost the mone7 in a game at Springfield. She had borrowed it from Edward Litsinger, Cook County political leader. After announcement of the swindle, she resigned.

The card game, The News stated, was arranged originally to get Mrs Blacklidga so involved in gambling she would be forced to "borrow" from the funds of her office. This, according to The News, was expected tc place her in a position where Capone could demand con sideration in the matter of an in vestigation of his income tax. MARRIED 38 YEARS, WIFE ASKS DIVORCE Seeks Alimony and Counsel Fees. Saying Mate Has $100,000 After 38 years of wedded life, Mrs. Anna O.

Brunn, 60, of the 700 block Clarissa Street, is seeking a divorce from Louis Brunn. 3400 block Perrys ville Avenue. She filed a libel in divorce yes terday in Common Pleas Court be' fore Judge Stadtfeld, which charges her mate with cruel treatment. Mrs. Brunn also presented a pe tition asking for counsel fees and alimony.

She alleges the respondent has an estate worth more than $100,000 and that she is in destitute circumstances as a result of his failure to provide for her. A rule was granted on Brunn to show cause why he should not comply with his wife's request. Haysville Tax Set Haysville Borough Council has passed on two readings a tax ordinance setting the tax levy for 1931 at 12 mills. This millage duplicates the assessment of last year, accord ing to John Hay, secretary of the Council. Receipts for Haysville amounted to $2,493.23, it was stated.

14 JCzsinctk Thompson. the direction of Thomas Wood Stevens, then head of the department; Iden Payne, Hubert Osborn and Chester Wallace, present head of the drama school. Chester Wallace recalls that almost from the first Kenneth was given important roles in the class productions. THEN CAME the war, and Kenneth's ambition, like that of thousands of other boys, had to be forgotten. Lillian Russell, wife of the late Ambassador A.

P. Moore, arranged for Kenneth's enlistment in the Marine Corps. A few months at Paris Island, then service as aircraft gunner on the U. S. cruiser Frederick, and the still ambitious youth was returned to the Norfolk Navy Yard upon the signing of the armistice.

Within a few weeks his friends at the drama school applied to the war office for his release, and when his commanding officer discovered him reading the plays of Henrick Ibsen he was glad to help get Kenneth's discharge. Returning to Pittsburgh, he was enabled to give up work during the day and enter the regular drama class at Tech, because of the gift of a private scholarship provided by a Pittsburgh woman. His work began in earnest. In the next two years at school, Kenneth played in Galsworthy's "The Silver Box," Shaw's "The Admirable' Bashvilie," many Shakespearean plays, and Sheridan's "The Rivals." Galsworthy was present at the production of his play and was en thusiastic about its performance. In "The Rivals," Kenneth was given the role of Captain Jack Absolute, which he afterward played with great sue cess on the professional stage.

The drama class at Tech in 1919 THOMPSON FREED IN AUTO ACCIDENT Evidence Lacking to Prove Malice, Rating of Court -Joseph S. Thompson, 21, son of the late Colonel "Fighting Joe" Thompson, of Beaver alls, was free today on a charge of aggravated assault and battery growing out of an auto accident Dec. 25. 1929. Judge Patterson ruled yesterday that sufficient evidence had not been presented to prove malice necessary to such a charge.

The court ordered Thompson to pay 75 per cent of the costs of prosecution and Charles W. Roehrig of the 500 block Kincaid Street the remainder. The costs against Roehrig later were placed upon the county. 1 "The defendant and Samuel Colt, son of Ethel Barrymore, the actress, testified that Thompson had stopped after the accident and that the crash had been caused by an icy road and not reckless driving. SIGRID ONEGIN ILL, CONCERT POSTPONED Artist Siricken With Laryngitis on Eve of Appearance Here Sigrid Onegin, who was to appear at Syria Mosque, tonight, will not be able to appear She is confined to her room in the Hotel Schenley with an attack of laryngitis.

Arrangements have been made for Madame Onegin to appear in Pittsburgh March 12, the first available date. Tickets for tonight will be good March 12 without exchange, ac- uuiixuis ij mi announcement maae by May Beegle manager. WILL ROGERS BOOM Former Texas Governor Boosts Humorist for President Br Th Oiited Fre AUSTIN, Tex. Will Rogers, the actor, is the choice of former Gov- ernor James E. "Pa" Ferguson for President in 1932.

Ferguson announced his "nomina- tion in this weeks issue of hisi weekly paper, "The Forum." "Parmer Jim." who was ousted as Governor of Texas, contended in his article that his selection was no more unreasonable than that of Abraham- Lincoln, another i i Home-Fermented Grape Juice Opens Dry Act Change WHAT TOWN HALL SITE? More than 8,700 persons, signing themselves as registered voters have now sent in ballots in The Press' Town Hall ballot. The vote is overwhelmingly in favor of construction of a Town Hall, only 163 votes being against construction. It is divided as to sites, as follows: Wabash Building 7,146 Anderson Street and River Avenue, N. S. 1,055 Liberty Avenue and Water Street 230 Schenley Farms (County Commissioners' choice) 53 Monument Hill 35 Duquesne Gardens 30 Shadyside, E.

29 Grant 'Street and Boulevard of the Allies. 12 Morewood and Center Avenue 1 The Town Hall ballot is reprinted below. No votes will be considered which are not clipped from The Press. TOWN HALL BALLOT Do you favor the erection of a Town Hall? Br The rnltd PtTM WASHINGTON Amendment of the Volstead Act to prevent sale of California grape-juice for home wine-making purposes was proposed yesterday by Dr. Clarence True Wilson of the Methodist Board of Temperance, Prohibition and Public Morals, and by one of the "wettest" Senators, Millard E.

Tydings, Democrat, Maryland. Tydings read to the Senate a letter from Wilson approving his proposal for such an amendment to apply to the proposed District of Columbia dry-law, and attacking the activities of the Federally-aided Fruit Industries Corporation of California. For more than two hours the anti-prohibition leader attacked the law which, he said, allows 20 per ont wine to be made in the home but jails the man who sells 4 per cent beer. Tydings home here adjoins that of Mabel Walker Willebrandt, who is counsel for the California Cooperative grape marketing concern. Wilson's letter said Fruit Industries, advertised "Vine-Glo," its product, in such a manner as to leave no doubt that it would become wine of intoxicating alcoholic strength.

Tydings' address was devoted to showing that scores of Federal Court decisions, the Wickersham Commission report, and the rulings of the government, all classify home wine-making as legal. Senator Morris Sheppard. dry. Democrat, Texas, challenged Tyd- ings on this, and Tydings read court riuings, ana opinions or fronaDl- tion Director Amos W. Woodcock, and Mrs.

Willebrandt, former chief prohibition prosecutor for the government. "In my view," Sheppard said, "the manufacture of a beverage containing more than one-half of one per cent oi alcohol is amenable and if any party attempts to carry out the procedure suggested here, that party would be amenably and subject to punishment." "it is no Violation," Tydings re- plied. "I denv that said Sheppard. me courts are against you, commented. "But I have a right to my opinion." replied the Texan.

The California concern has recently circularized persons here of fering to sell eight varieties of Yes. If Yes, what location Are you a qualified voter? Yes. lame Address Mail ballot to: Town Hall Boulevard p. m..