The St. Louis Star and Times du lieu suivant : St. Louis, Missouri • Page 3

WEDNESDAY EVEN I NO, DECEMHEU If, 1910. ST. LOUIS STAR-TIMES THREE ST. LOUIS STAR-TIMES WOMAN ENDS LIFE Laval's Daughter At His Side AUTO DEATHS IN ST. LOUIS EXPECTS LENGTHY DELAY ON BILL FOR SCHOOL REVISIONS KNOTTY PAY-HOUR QUERIES ANSWERED BY U.

S. OFFICIAL WITH GAS, YOUNG OUSTER TRIAL OF UNION ELECTRIC TO START TODAY PEDESTRIAN KILLED BY AUTO; TOLL OE YEAR REACHES 101! 150- DAUGHTER ESCAPES 101 84 '41 Auto Tags to Be Yellow and Red, Black and White The new 1941 city auto license tags which will be placed on sale January 13 will have a yellow background, trimmed with a red border, the license collector's office announced today. A white panel in which the license number in black will be inserted, is to be placed in the center of the yellow field. Prices range from $2.50 to $12.50 depending on the horsepower of the automobile with a tag for an average-sized car casting $5.50. Tags will be on sale at City Hall.

Board Man Returns Home to Find Wife Member Sullivan, 75- ever. Begins Inquiry Merits of Unit Plan. Cost Accountants Put Questions To Division Counsel at Meeting Here. Knottv ouestions crowlnz out of business men's experience with the Both Sides Plan to Announce Ready When Case Is Called At St. Charles.

Trial of the ouster suit against the Union Electric Co. of Missouri was scheduled to start today in Circuit Judge Edgar B. Woolfolk's court at St. Charles. Robert Keefe, attorney for the company, told reporters he will announce ready when the case is called, and Prosecuting Attorney David A.

Dyer of St. Charles County, who filed the suit, said the prosecution also will be ready. Calling of the ca.se to trial was delayed temporarily while attorneys The state automobile licenses for Dr. Francis C. Sullivan, dentist-member of the Board of Education and chairman of the Important legislative committee, indicated in an interview today that it will be several months before his committee gets to the much-disputed school reorganization bill.

Unswerving loe of the so-called unit plan which would lodge greater authority in the hands of a su 1939 I9 INJURIES 1933 3,595 1940 3,670 ACCIDENTS 1939 7,399 1940 7,437 fair labor standards wage-hour act were discussed by Norman S. Alt-man of Washington, senior attorney for the wage and hour division. Department of Labor, in a meeting at the Jefferson Hotel last night. Alt-man spoke before the St. Louis chapter of the National Association of Cost Accountants, which submitted the questions to him.

The speaker reviewed briefly the major Drovisions of the act. em 1941 will be white numerals on a black background, the reverse of tills year's plates. The prices will run from $8.50 to $25. depending on a machine's horsepower. The average price is $11.

Plates will go on sale December 27. Dead and Child III From Fumes. Andrew Obergfell, 46 years old, returned to his home at 7516 Rellly avenue last night to find his wife, Eleanor, 41, dead on the floor of the gas-filled house and his daughter. Rose Evelyne. 4.

beside the body, conscious but ill from the effects of gas poisoning. A rubber hose led from a jet of a gas stove to the neck of Mrs. Obergfell's dress. Obergfell told a reporter his wife was despondent over her health. He said she recently had told friends that an operation she underwent last June had failed to do her any good.

Monday night, he said, his wife informed him that she and the child were going Christmas shopping the next day and might not be home when he returned from work. Obergfell said he arrived home at 5:15 p. m. and found the house locked, but suspected noth perintendent of schools. Dr.

Sullivan disclosed that he has begun an inquiry to determine the merits of the proposal. His first action will be to phasizing its restriction to emnloves Deaths Now Are 20 Pet. Abore Total for Same Period In 1939. Another automobile accident fatality had been recorded In St. Louis today, raihlng the toll for 1940 to 101.

This is seventeen more than the eighty-four deaths recorded at this time last year, an increase of 20.23 per cent. Latest victim was Joseph Zoertis, 54-year-old laborer residing at 1205A Emmet street, who died in City Hospital at 7:30 o'clock last night, an hour and a half after he was struck by a northbound automobile as he crossed the street in front of 1824 South Twelfth street. Zoertis, who suffered a skull injury, broken right ankle and eight broken ribs, was taken to the hospital In the car which struck him. The driver of the machine, according to police, was Walter J. Koberg.

23. of Belleville. 111., who said he saw Zoertis standing In the middle of the street, apparently waiting for traffic to pass. After another machine had passed Zoertis. Koberg was quoted as saying.

Zoertis suddenly stepped into the path of Koberg's car. Five witnesses corroborated Koberg's story, police said. He was placed under bond pending an inquest. ZoertLs Is survived by his wife. Julia, who resides in Jugo-Slavia.

determine what cities in the nation of firms engaged in interstate com operate under the unit rule and the merce and its standards of a minimum rate of oav of 30 cents an hour and a maximum work week Countess de Chambrun, the former Josie Laval, daughter of the ousted vice-premier of the Vichy government in France, who was with her father today at his Chaterdon chateau where Laval had been in custody before Adolf Hitler obtained his release. of 40 hours at the usual rate of pay, before payment at the rate of time end one-half aDDlies. He Dointed out that the act makes many ex ceptions, such as for apprentices learning a trade. Taking up the problem of a meat company which purchased from a Sullivan said. "I feel it is my duty large packer but sold its products wholly to restaurants within the as a public officer to hear them." "How do you nandie requests iur favors?" he was asked.

"I refer them to officers in charge in contact with the American Airlines ground radio stations at Chicago and St. Louis, with the latter station furnishing information on weather conditions ahead. The pilots also have access to weather information furnished by government weather stations. CAB Official Is Witness. The next witness was Jerome Lederer, director of the safety bureau of the CAB, who said he was notified by Smith shortly after the accident.

After conferring with Frank C. Caldwell, chief of the CAB investigation division, Lederer sent R. P. (Jack) Parshall. safety division Inspector, to the scene of the accident.

The third witness was Dr. C. G. Buell of Winston Park. N.

chief meteorologist for American Airlines. Other witnesses are expected to Include Capt. Herbert H. Susott. pilot of the plane; First Officer Earl Phillips, ro-pllot; pilots who were aloft at the time and others who saw the plane land on the wet ground and roll into Coldwater Creek before it could be stopped.

CAB officials would not state whether the inquiry will cover the hazard created by twelve sixty-foot light poles around the construction site of the new Curtlss-Wrlght plant. state, Altman said the case clearly came under the act If the company got any of its supplies outside the Hate. When asked if the fact that the company bought 90 per cent inside the state, and onlv 10 nr rmt. of the department of the school sys tem in which they are interested. "Have you ever recommended a argued a motion by Dyer to strike out the answer to the suit filed by the St.

Louis Union Trust Co. The trust company was granted permission by Judge Woolfolk to intervene in the suit as a party defendant last Monday. The company declared it has an interest in the case because it holds 11,000 shares of $5 preferred stock of the Union Electric Co. and Is the trustee of the first mortgage and collateral trust bond issue of the electric company. Dyer is being assisted in the prosecution of the ouster suit by Lee B.

Ewing of Nevada. a former assistant attorney general of Missouri. The ouster suit, which would cancel the charter of the Union Electric Co. to do business in Missouri, was filed by Dyer April 20, 1939. In the petition.

Dyer alleged the company violated the state corrupt practices act by contributing to the campaign fund of several candidates in the St. Charles municipal elections of April, 1937, and April. 1S38; by paying the salary of Leslie B. Harrison during the time he was a member of the staff of the St. Charles Cosmos-Monitor and was wilting articles opposing a proposal for munlclpally-owned electric plant, and by paying the cost of preparing a card index system of voters in the April, 1938, election.

The candidates alleged to have been backed by the electric company were opponents of the municipal ownership proposal. outside it, made any difference. candidate for a job?" "I have recommended persons if Altman said no, that decisions of the supreme court would indicate that the act applied. thev are Qualified, but I have never lecommended any one candidate for a particular job." Seasonal Enterprises. He pointed out.

however, that If Some Employe Are 1'atlrnU. Dr. Sullivan pulled from the file a company engaged in intrastate commerce all but one week of thi a tvDical letter asking his help in ARKANSAS WRECK KILLS GREENUP, ILL, WOMAN FOR REST CITY. Dec. 18, (U.

Mrs. Florida Jeffries Oreen. 40. of Greenup, 111, was killed instantly yesterday and he husband, J. D.

Green. 73, was ln Jured seriously when their automobile crashed into the rear of a dairy truck right miles east of here. They had been vacationing in De-fun luk Springs, and Galveston, Tex. year, when it took up interstate obtaining a school job, then added: business, it would come under the act only durine that week. A sea I had twenty-five or more persons, employes of the board, who were patients of mine before I became a board member.

I probably have that sonal enterprise, he said, came under the act when it was not in operation, and was under the necessity of paying its watchmen and many now. But to show you wnat giving its employes Thanksgiving Day off. with pay, would it have to pay overtime if it required them to work a full forty hours during that week? "No." Altman said, "you can't count hours which you haven't worked as hours which you have." "I'm assuming. of course," he added, "that there's no union agreement or contract applying specifically to the case." if it is the policy of the firm," asked an accountant, "to allow its employes days off for sickness, grandma's funeral, or even a good baseball game? Can the firm credit such unworked time against overtime accrued, say. during the following week?" "It all depends on the nature of the relationship between employer and employe." Altman said.

"Bulletin No. 4 covers that." "I didn't think so." the man remarked, "but our lawyers said so." "Well." snld Altman. "that's what makes lawsuits." Altman believed, however, that "such a practice may be all right so long as the employe is on a monthly or semi-monthly basis, and not on a regular weekly salary at a fixed of hours." Must Keep Iteconls. Failure to keep individual time records, Altman said, "is a violation of the statute, besides being an employer's defense. Failure to keep them immediately gives the impression that something is wrong, while records scrupulously kept are evidence of good faith.

After all, the records required are no more than any employer should keep without regard to the act." "It sometimes seems harsh," said a man in the audience. "Take the case of a business which pays considerably more than the minimum, and works its employes less than the maximum. The records wouldn't show anything." "No matter how meritorious the case," said Altman. "the employer has failed to keep records. The administrator of the act has taken a very strong attitude about this." "Is an employe's penciled account of hours worked always considered the best evidence?" asked another man.

"It's persuasive." Altman replied, "but not always determinative. I've heard of employers who've hinted to employes making out their time slips, "You'd better put down 40 rather than 53 or look for another job. The employe' handwriting wouldn't count for much in such a case." Influence I have, some of those who repairmen accordingly. A plant which had been shut down for some were patients of mine have since ing was amiss and went to a neighborhood store, where he remained until 6 p. m.

Found Door Locked. Finding the house still locked, he looked through the glass in the kitchen door and saw his wife lying on the floor of a hallway between the kitchen and another room. The gas stove was in the hallway. He saw his child climbing down from two chairs on which pillows had been placed to form a bed in front of the stove. Obergfell called to Rose Evelyne to open the door, but he called, "I can't.

Look, Mama won't get up off the floor." The child then staggered Into the kitchen and Obergfell again told her to unlock the door, but she cried, "I can't; I'm too cold." He then broke the glass in the door and unlocked it, carrying the child to the home of neighbors after determining that his wife was dead. The child later was removed to City Hoslptal. A fire department lnhalator crew was summoned to the home and worked over Mrs. Obergfell for fifteen minutes, but was unable to revive her. Gas Jets Turned Off.

Police said the gas stove had been turned off and that the child, who told them her mother had tried to place the hose in Rose Evelyne's mouth, said, "Mama turned it off." Two envelopes were found in the kitchen, on one of which was written, "Goodby Andrew; God bless you." Inside was a piece of paper on which a poem had been copied. Obergfell said his wife had been fond of poetry and clipped and saved many bits of verse. The second envelope was addressed to Mrs. Obergfell's sister, Mrs. Dolly Theurer of 141 East Vel-ma avenue, Lemay, and also contained a poem.

Obergfell said his wife had never threatened to end her life. time, and was being put into shape lost their jobs as board employes. If a board member uses the board to get business he should resign." lor reopening, would not fall within the scope of the act. Altman declined to rule on snmA Plain-speaking and with an open manner. Dr.

Sullivan makes friends specific problems brought up, say easily. His petitions placing him on the ballot in school board election ing mat tney were borderline cases involving special factors. He referred the accountants to cprtnin always have had many signers and his advice to candidates for the job LAMBERT HELD department bulletins or asked them is contained neatly in these words: to write to Washington. Only on clearcut issues did he give an "A person is a chump to run for the board if he doesn't get some organization behind him and some Asked if. in a' businse uhin civic leaders." found it necessary to change the type of work done by its employes during the year, it was permissible to change the rate of tav.

Altman Man Pardoned After said yes, providing no union agree Six Years in Prison Continued From Page One. was controlled by the flight superintendent at Chicago. All information concerning flight and weather conditions was assembled in Chicago under supervision of the flight superintendent, he said. The flight plan was prepared in advance by the pilot, the flight superintendent and the meteorologist at the Chicago station before the plane took off, he explained. On the Chicago-St.

Louis route, Smith went on, the pilots remain ment or working contract inter-1 vened. He Dointed out that em financial condition of these school systems. An old committee, headed by James J. Fitzgerald, undertaker, made a ten-month study of the matter, and the Strayer survey ol the school system, completed at a cost of $50,000, advocated the unit plan, but Dr. Sullivan feels that -at least sixty to ninety days.

of study will be required." Along witn a proposed merit system, the reorganization bill was. received at the last meeting of the board and filed. Any member of the board can bring it to life, but Dr. Sullivan shows no Inclination to take the initiative. list of Cities Asked.

However, at the dentist's instructions. Philip J. Hickey, secretary-treasurer of the board, today wrote to Frank M. Hubbard, associate-director of research of the National Education Association, Washington, D. asking for "a list of cities operating under the so-called unit plan of organization in which the superintendent actually operates as a superintendent of schools rather than simply as a superintendent of instruction and for the record of the financial -condition of the systems involved." Meanwhile.

Dr. Sullivan said, his committee will not be marking time as it will meet for the first time late this afternoon to consider the report of actuaries on a retirement bill for employes of the board. -Only after this program has gone to the legislature which convenes next month will we be able to get to the reorganization and merit bills," the committee chairman said. Serving with Dr. Sullivan on the committee which was appointed by Board President Max G.

Baron are: John A. Fleischli, Edward A. Fer-renbacn. Dr. Rudolph Hofmeister and John J.

Sheehan. Brother of Building Chief. Now in his second, six-year term on the board. Dr. Sullivan is a brother of Joseph Sullivan, -year building commissioner of the school system.

Under the present school charter, th? building commissioner is an independent officer reporting only to the board. Under the proposed reorganization he would be subordinate to the superintendent of schools. "This factor never entered my mind," 'Dr. Sullivan said. "I will always oppose putting power in the hands of one man such as the reorganization bill proposes.

I will make my views known at length at a meeting of the board of education." Dr. Sullivan, who is also head of the important committee on finance, can see little merit in the merit plan, object of which was to do away with patronage for school board members. -Present rules of the board contain ample merit rastrictions," he said. "All we have to do is enforce them." "Has the board done this?" he was asked. "It's up to the board officers." he replied.

He meant by this the superintendent, building and supply commissioners, and auditor. Keeps Complete Record. A red-haired, vigorous man of 44, Dr. Sullivan goes about his board duties in a systematic manner. On Us desk in his offices on the eighteenth floor of the Railway Exchange Building are the names and telephone numbers of the other eleven members of the board.

He knows how to find the men he wants quickly. Also in the room is a file containing complete records of his activities on the board. Saturday mornings he devotes entirely to receiving persons coming to him on school business. On occasions these have numbered twenty to twenty-five In a day. "They come with complaints, requests for favors, everything," Dr.

Gift She Adores! LINGERIE GOWNS! SLIPS! PAJAMAS! ployers may avoid Section 18 of the act, providing reduction of wages, remarking: "That section hasn't any teeth, but you'd better look out for youH violate Section 7. which has plenty of teeth." $498 "Boiling it down," asked a man in the audience, "isn't the intention of the act to bring all employers whatsover wi thing its reach?" Altman said there was nothing in the act to indicate this. Dr. Rosi to Direct Pneumonia Control Each Most of the discussion hineed on the question of overtime. If a man JEFFERSON CITY, Dec.

18. (U. After six years in state prison, Harold Ransdell received an unconditional pardon yesterday because the alleged slaying of his wife apparently was an accidental shooting. 1 Gov. Lloyd C.

Stark pardoned Ransdell upon the recommendation of the State Pardon end Parole Board. Ransdell was convicted of murder in Marion County in April. 1936, and sentenced to twenty-five years in prison. The board said the shooting occurred when Ransdell tried to speak to his wife while she was dancing with another man. The other man shoved Ransdell away.

Ransdell drew a pistol, apparently trying to shoot the other man, but shot his wife instead. had been paid $150 a month and woricea nours a week, prior to the act, was it proper to figure his overtime on the basis of that rate Daniel Griffiths Dies. SPRINGFIELD, Dec. 18. (I.

N. Daniel Griffiths, 55. Dl-vernon, doorkeeper of the Illinois House of Representatives, is dead today after a nine weeks' illness. Pretty thins! Shimmering, rayon satins and crepes in daintiest lace-trimmed or tailored styles. Cut to fit beautifully, in white, tea-rose, blue.

ALL SIZES so choose sifts for several Hers! Lingerie Mezzanine of pay, although his work week had been decreased to 40 hours?" "No," said Altman, "all overtime must be calculated on the basis of the em SPRINGFIELD. Dec. 18. (U. Appointment of Dr.

Reni Rosi, Chicago, to replace Dr. H. A. Lindberg, resigned, as pneumonia control officer of the State Department of Health, was announced here yesterday by State Health Director R. R.

Cross. Rosi's appointment. Cross said, followed civil service examination. Rosi will serve on the staff of the division of communicable diseases, and Cross said headquarters of the pneumonia control program will be moved from Chicago to Springfield. Also announced by Cross is the creation of a division of social hygiene with Dr.

Herman Solway in charge. Principal function of the division, he said, is control of venereal diseases. IV Gotham Gold-Stripe HOSIERY -JAV HOSIERY 1 -T-r- for the UOttt Inquiry Planned Into Mine Blast Fatal to 7 ploye's present rate of pay there's nothing magic about what he used to be paid." For a piece worker, Altman pointed out. it is necessary to base pay for overtime on total compensation received for hours worked, each week being taken separately. In the case of an employe working a varying number of hours for a fixed weekly salary, he said, "It Is necessary to strike some sort of average, based on his past work record, to determine overtime pay." Holiday Question.

Suppose, Altman was asked, a company had been in the habit ofi fi ii i fx r.imps 3 Prs. in Gift Boi Kv i mm Furniture Mitr0rs 1 $2.85 ft 6 SENTENCE FOR TRYING TO '919 locust Stittt I Hoie and can't have Mil 11 5 I too manv! Theie Gold- 1 iriSf Hose and can't have too many! These 'v. AMP tiw for at nte Certainty she loves to get Gold-Stripes are wonders beauty and service $1.00. 2. 3 and 4-thrcad Chiffons in slowing colors.

Hosiery Main floor fT i BECKLEY, W. Dec. 18. (U. Inspectors equipped with oxygen masks entered the No.

6 coal mine tipple of the Raleigh Coal Coke Corp. today to repair damage and restore ventilation preparatory to an investigation of an explosion which took seven lives yesterday. N. P. Rhinehart, State Mines Department chief, said he would begin a state inquiry into the blast tomorrow after the mine is cleared of fumes.

Within five hours after the blast, rescue workers recovered the bodies of the seven victims and rescued sixty-six other men in the mine workings. Five were injured. Ellsworth Shriver, mine superintendent, was unable to ascribe a cause for the explosion. SELL U. S.

JOB IS REDUCED SPRINGFIELD, Dec. 18. (U. United States District Judge Charles G. Briggle yesterday reduced a one-year sentence against Roy Barnes, Bushnell, to 182 days and dismissed payment of a $1,000 fine.

Barnes was convicted of a charge of attempting to sell a position In the United States Department of Agriculture to Robert M. Gittings, La Harpe, for $350. Under Briggle's order, granted on the plea of Barnes' wife, Barnes will be released from the Quincy House of Correction on Monday. He is a former state representative. DtOtf BEE Tt)Q Gaodp Cootot of t.

loafs DAGS 98 Yuletide Special Bags like these arc best bets for gifts! Styles, shapes, and trimmings look much more expensive than $1.98. Suedes, fabrics, leathcrsl Bags Main Floor til GENTLEMEN'S INITIAL AND CAMEO RINGS Give him a handsome ring for Christmas itvill constantly remind him of your thoughtfulness. SELLE 'S have a tremendous selection ofsfine quality rings for men, in every style imaginable. There is a complete price range, beginning at so you're sure to find the right ring for the amount your budget has allotted you. Buy on the divided monthly payment plan.

2Vl Pounds Expect great things. Set your taste for the thrill of a lifetime. Milk and dark chocolates with assorted centers, pecan jumbles and other delicious sweets combine to make this the outstanding Christmas special of the town. 2'2 pounds of luscious delicacies that will make an ideal gift. See it today.

sports; soop-gifts! w' -rio- OiTISTE BLOUSES Special $498 whW) CHRISTMAS COOKIES Cinnamon Rings, Sprintfcles, Anise Drops, Fruit Slice and other tempting sweets, etc. Packed in Christmas wrapped box lb. 50o SUPREME FRUIT CAKE Finest quality fruits and nuts saturated in fine wines and brandies from our 50-year-old recipe. CANDY NOVELETIES Chocolate Santa Claus 10c, 15c, 25c, 50c, $1.00... Snowman, each 15c Reindeer Santa, each 30c Christmas Tree, each 25c Marihmallow Santa Lollipop, each 5c Molasses Santa Face Lollipop, each 5c Red and White Striped Candy Canes, each 5c to 50c Red and White Striped Candy Canes, 2 dozen to a box, each Crisp, dainty ones she wants! Tucked or with lacy frills.

32 to 38. STRING SETS hp By $98 Big Candy Canes to order lb. 60c 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10-lb. sizes lb. 75c 50c Renart! Collegienncs love 'cm! Shetland blend sweater, socks with hair-bow and shoe strings! White, Orders fur out-of-town shipments should be placed immrJiatcly.

Be Sure to Include Phone or Write jor our Christmas Circular CE. 2033 A. TlKer eye cameo, net in a heavy gold mounting, 42 00 with 2 largo SELLB 58 facet diamonds B. Man's heavy gold tiger eye cameo ring, set with 40 00 one large SELLE 68 facet diamond. C.

Heavy gold ring, with genuine onyx center, artistic raised gold initial and two large SELLE 58 facet ia fift Diamonds Where every round diamond hns r.R facet. Selle's will hold any article until Christmas. blue, yellow, natural. A ND I Sport, Shop M' Only One Store Downtown 417 North Seventh 6517 Delmar 6713 Clayton Road 341 De Baliviere 240 No. Euclid 3819 S.

Kingshighway 8 No. Central, Clayton 356 Skinker Road PARK SHOP SERVICE JEWELRV compflnv 808 OLIVE OPEN EVENINGS.