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WEATHER. Fair tonight and probably tomor row; colder tonight, freezing tem perature. Temperature for twenty four hours ended at 2 p.m. today: Highest, 40. at noon today; lowest, 30. at 2 a.m. today. Full'report on page 7. Closing N. Y. Stocks and Bonds, Page 26' N- <>o rr-Q Entered as second-class matter O. —O, IDD. p os t office Washington, D. C. RUHR TRAINS PARALYZED; FRENCH DECIDE ON STERN STEPS TO END DEFIANCE Germans Make Good Threat to Strike. GEN. WEYGAND : AT THE FRONT Railroad Workers lo Be Imported f From Poland. TV' the Associated Pres*. The Germans seem to have made t/ood their threat to tie up the Ruhr valley railways. Duesseldorf advices report traffic throughout the valley and the ad jacent occupied territory paralyzed by the railway men’s strike. The Fr<~ch are making prepara tions to operate the roads with out side railway workers. Reports from various sources indicate the process of collecting these men from differ ent parts of France is well under way. It is also reported that rail road men, miners and other workers are to be imported from Czecho slovakia ami Poland. Gen. Weygand, Marshal Foch's chief of staff, and Minister of Fro lic Works Le Trocquer are in the Ruhr to consider sterner military measures and the putting of the oc cupation on a systematic basis. It is assumed in Paris that Gen. Wey gand will take chief command of the occupation. The, German mine owners have promised the Ruhr miners full pay in case of a strike or a shutdown forced by circumstances. Everything was quiet in Mayence today following last night's demon stration over the court-martial ver dict fitting Fritz Thysscn and his fellow magnates. The French mili tary has taken over the supervision of the German police there. „ By the Associated Press. DUESSELDORF, January 25.—Gen. ■Weygand, Marshal Foch’s chief of staff, arrived here froip Paris today and Immediately went Into conference with Gen. Degoutte to consider the application of sterner military meas ures against the Germans. "France is here to stay until she gets complete satisfaction from Ger many,” said M. Le Trocquer, minister ©f public works, who accompanied lien. Weygand. The measures were to be considered In view of a “lengthy occupation of the Ruhr,” it was said. “If Germany thinks her policy of resistance and sabotage will make France deviate one jot from her resolution to bring the German gov ernment to terms and collect repara tions she is sadly mistaken.” said M. Le Trocquer to the correspondent on his arrival. So Desire to Retreat. “There can be no desire on our part to retreat. If Germany can stand this situation, created by herself, we like wise can.” M. Guillaume, an expert of the min istry of commerce in Paris, has arrived here to assist M. Coste, French head of the control commission. Virtually the entire railway system of the Ruhr valley and the occupied territory immediately adjoining was paralyzed today by a strike of the railway men. The disorganization of public utili ties. which has been slowly spreading throughout the Ruhr since- the begin ning of the Franco-Belgian occupation, thus received a great Impetus. Tied Ip for Fifty Miles. The main rail lines on both the right and left banks of the Rhine are tied up along a stretch of nearly fifty miles between Wesel, to the north of Dues seldorf, and Cologne, south of this city. The Paris-Berlin and Warsaw-Paris expresses are stalled in the Duessel dorf station. Two trains of foodstuffs from Holland represented the only movement by rail into the interior of the Ruhr during the morning. In addition the telegraph and tele phone employes of the postal service informed Gen. Denvignee today that the operators would strike at mid night. The French commander re plied with a threat that the leaders would be sent to jail. Mobile Crew on Hand. The mobile crew of telegraphers, which customarily follows President Millerand on his official tours, has ar rived in Duesseldorf, and is ready to take over the service in the event of & strike. During the forenoon the French .be gan organizing a train crew to take the Warsaw-Paris express on to Paris. No attempt was being made to move the Paris-Berlin train. Disappointment was the chief emotion ■that found expression in German cir cles over the verdict of the Mayence court-martial in imposing comparative ly small fines upon Fritz Thyssen and his fellow magnates for their disobeyal vs French orders to deliver coal. The Germans had hoped for jail sentences that would raise strike enthusiasm to fever heat among the Ruhr workers, fend the lenient sentences came as a dis tinct shock. Strikers Promised Fall Pay. Despite the tragic situation here many of the Germans caught the humor of the situation created by the most lenient sentence of all being imposed upon Thyssen, whom they were ready to put forward as a popular hero had ho been sent to Jail. “It will be hard for Fritz to find 6,000 francs In his Impoverished condition,” was the remark of one waggish banker. The mine owners, at a meeting held In Essen last night, promised the miners full pay In the event of a strike or the cessation of work through force of I Continued on Page 2, Column 3.> Subduing of Ruhr Weygand’ sTask ' til^^^\ SD. TURKS TO BE GIVEN ULTIMATUM PACT Lausanne Parley to Adjourn February 2 Whether or Not Treaty Is Signed. MOSUL APPEAL NOTED Lord Curzon Writes League to Place Disputed Oil Territory on Agenda. By thp Associated Press. LAUSANNE, January 25. —What ia practically an ultimatum treaty will be presented to the Turks next Wed nesday. and on February 2 the near east conference will be adjourned, whether or not the Turks have signed the pact. In making this decision known to day the allied delegation denied that It meant a rupture of the conference, and declared their readiness to re turn to Lausanne later if the Turks expressed willingness to subscribe to the treaty. The French government has fully indorsed the plan, Prenjier Poin care telegraphing his approval to M. Bompard, head of the French delegation. The dispute over the Mosul oil territory was appealed to the league of nations Lord Curzon, as a matter menacing to peace, and the Earl of Balfour will argue the British case before the council of the league next week ki Paris. C'urzon’a Letter. The Curzon letter reads; “I desire amicably to take advant age of the right conferred by article XI of the covenant to call attention at the earliest meeting of the council of the league to the divergencies ex isting on the subject of the fron tiers of the Turkish dominions. In Asia Minor and the territory of Irak under mandate. “At the meeting on January 23 of the conference in Lausanne, I publicly announced the-lntention of Great Brit ain calling this affair to the atten- , tion of the league of nations. It af fects international relations and un fortunately menaces and disturbs peace as well as the good relations between nations on which peace de pends. “I beg of you to be good enough to enter the subject on the agenda of the Paris meeting of the council, when It will be more fully explained by the representative of his majes ty’s government.” Opposed by Italians. The decision to present the treaty practically in the form of an ulti matum was not reached without serious difficulties. The Italian dele gation stood strongly against the step on the ground that it would im (Continued on Page 2, Column 8.) .SENATE MAY PROBE TRAFFIC CCS Robinson Resolution Would Au thorize District Committee to Make Investigation. An Investigation of traffic, condi tions in Washington by the Senate District committee or any subcom mittee thereof Is proposed In a reso lution Introduced today by Senator Robinson of Arkansas. Senator Robinson called attention to the fact that Senator Lodge, Senator Fletcher-and others had vigorously criticized traffic conditions in Wash ington on the floor of the Senate re cently. His resolution provides that the District committee or a subcom mittee be directed to “investigate traffic conditions Injthe city ot, Wash ington, particularly'wlth reference to accidents and damages to persons and property, and the most reliable and practicable means and measures for protecting the public from danger and Injury arising from negligence and other cause's of accident and in jury; in traffic. Said committee shall report Its findings and recommenda tions to the Senate within thirty days,” ®he Mtmim W&f. V / J V y WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION WASHINGTON, D. C., THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1923—THIRTY-EIGHT PAGES. •• Poincare Under Fire for His Mild Moves. FRANCE FIRMER ON HARSH ACTS Occupying Troops Concentrating on Ruhr Frontiers. BV PA IT, SCOTT MOWRKR. By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 1923. PARIS. January 25.—The French government’s policy of moderation in the Ruhr district has failed. The French parliament buzzes with criticism of Premier Poincare for not having taken stronger measures. Provoked by German resistance and spurred by parliamentary criticism, the government therefore is planning within a few days to cut off the Ruhr area and probably also the Rhineland from the rest of Germany, expelling the Prussian officials, taking over the entire administration, establishing a new currency and stopping all ship ments of whatever nature to unoccu pied Germany except as may be oth erwise decided.. Public Opinion Firmer. Public opinion, after a few days of nervousness, is now growing firmer. It is now considered that everything which has happened in Germany In the last fortnight merely tends to prove that Germany was only biding her time to resume the war against France, with the assistance of a reconstructed Russia, and that there fore the issue must be fought out now once for all without waiting for Germany and Russia to recover their strength. "Victorious France,” says President Millerand today, "demands that the vanquished shall respect and apply the treaties—nothing more. We are determined that this shall be done. Our tenacity and calm will overcome all resistance.” Attitude of Press. Considerable publicity has been given here to the following extract from a recent issue of the Deutsch Zeitung over the signature of Dr Maurenbrecher, a German: “W e must not be disconcerted, but (Continued on Page 2, Column 3.) BELGIANS PRAISE DEPARTIVANKS People of Antwerp Give Rous ing Welcome as Troops Board Transport. SAD SCENES AT COBLENZ Frauleins in Tears as - Train Leaves—Reception Planned at' Savannah. By the Associated Press. ANTWERP, January 25.—A half dozen German women claiming to be wives of American soldiers were found hidden at the pier today as the transport St. Mlhiel prepared to sail with the American forces which have been on duty at Coblenz. Officers were set at work scouting for any other women who had not been reg istered by tlfceir soldier-husbands. The wives of the soldiers were as signed quarters on the second after deck of the transport, while the men will bunk forward. The afterdeck this afternoon was beginning to look like a co-operative household, while the dock alongside was strewn with pianos, sewing machines and other family belongings piled there await ing other transportation, as the St. Mihlel ia unable to take everything aboard. Troop* Board Vessel. The last of the American troops arrived in Antwerp today. The men, largely of the Bth Infantry, were transferred from their special trains directly. -to the vessel. Two men were absent without leave, while three missed their train, having sup* posedly overlooked the fact that their furloughs had expired. Capt. Oliver, commander of the transport, hopes to start at 6 p.m. Col. Walter T. Bates, commander of the Bth Infantry, visited the Antwerp city hall this morning In company with the American consul to thank the burgomaster, Dr. Franz Van Cauwelaert, for his efforts to facili tate the embarkment of the troops, and the burgomaster this afternoon paid the colonel a return visit on board the St. Mlhiel. Col. Bates also called on Gen. Cabra, governor of Antwerp, who recalled, feelingly the comradeship between the American and Belgian troops. Praise for Yanks. A hearty welcome from the Belgian natiogi awaited the homeward-bound American troops upon their arrival here this morning to board the trans port St. Mihlel. M. Deveze, the minister of war. paid a glowlry? tribute to America’s part In the great conflict. “Thanks to the American boys,” he said, “the unjust aggression of which Belgium was the victim did not re main unpunished. Belgium coujd not. (Continued on Page 2, Column 2.j IN BOYDEN DIRECTED TO SIMONS Hughes, In Instructions to Envoy, Repudiates Lat ter’s Memorandum. MUST AWAIT APPROVAL Letter to Senate Committee Says Remarks Did Not Have Approval. Secretary Hughes revealed today that he had instructed Roland W. Boyden, American observer with the reparation commission, not to express any opinion regarding a reparations settlement in the commission's dis cussions. and to refrain “from urging the consideration of his suggestions in the absence of instructions from the department.” In a letter sent to the Senate for eign relations committee, the Secre tary said that the "memorandum” submitted by Mr. Boyden to the com mission some weeks ago, and inter preted In some quarters abroad as a plan for a reparations settlement, had In no sense received the approval of i the department.” No Further Action. “I understand that no further ac tion has been taken with respect to the memorandum,” the Secretary said. Along with the Secretary’s letter was a previous communication sent to the committee, saying that in the opinion of the Secretary it is “of the greatest importance” that the Amer ican government keep itself in a posi tion to be informed as to the pro ceedings of the commission. A list of a large number of subjects was given, In which Mr. Boyden and his associates have interested them selves. and which Mr. Hughes said he regarded as of great concern to the United States. Letter Sent to Committee. The letter was sent to the commit tee in response to a request for in- that might be in considering the Robinson resolution to authorize official participation of the United States in the reparations commission. On that subject Mr. Hughes expressed no definite opinron, although he said that the purposes requiring the presence of an Amer ican representative at the commis sion’s discussions “have been served by the contact with the commission which we have been able to maintain through the present arrangements." The only action taken by the com mittee today was to make public the data transmitted by Mr. Hughes and furnish each senator with copies. Another meeting of the committee will be held tomorrow. Attached to Mr. Hughes’ second letter were copies of Boyden’s "memorandum”-and of various reports of the committee on guarantees of the reparation commission and copies of notes presented by French and British representatives on that com mittee. Mr. Hughes stipulated, however, that these should “remain in the con fidence of the committee on foreign relations and not be made public.” Rehearsed “Misleading Reports.” Mr. Hughes’ letter rehearsed the "misleading reports” that been published to the effect that an Amer ican reparations plan had been sub- the reparation commission, adding that the Boyden memorandum was the only communication whlclf could possibly have led ,to such a story. "This memorandum, however.” Mr. Hughes said, ‘lavas not In any sense a plan for the settlement of reparations, nor was It authorised by the depart ment.” The Last Word —from the money market; from the sports; and of the events from all over the world will be found in The 5:30 Edition f » Sharing N —together with what the courts will consider at tomorrow’s sessions. For s*le by newsboys and newsdealers all over town. Debt Negotiations May Be Resumed Early Next Week Negotiations for the refunding of Great Britain’s $4,000,000,000 debt to this country will probably be • resumed early next week, it was said at the Treasury Depart ment today. » The British debt commission, which left Washington about a week ago, after conducting pre liminary negotiations with the American commission, is expected to arrive in London tomorrow night. A meeting of the British cabinet, unless interrupted by the disturbed European situation, prob ably will he called Saturday. Telegraphic communication be tween the government at London and Ambassador Geddes at Wash ington will take up the problem early next week, it is expected, and Ambassador Geddes, according to the present plans, will meet with the American commission. No definite date has been set for meeting here of the commission, it was explained. D. c. taxHasks FULL VALUE BASIS Chairman Focht Introduces Measure in House—Semi- Annual Payments Provided. Chairman Focht of the House District committee today submitted lo the House an amendment which he pro poses should be made in the act making appropriation for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia as passed by the Senate September 11, 1922. Principal among Mr. Focht’s propo sals are that hereafter all real estate and personal property in the District subject to taxation shall be listed and assessed at not less than the full and true value thereof in lawful money. That all taxes of whatever nature as provided for in the act of July 1, 1902, and all real estate taxes shall hereafter be payable semi-annually in equal installments in the months of November and May. and if either of these installments shall not be paid within the month when due, there shall be added a penalty of 1 per cent per month and whole shall constitute a delinquent tax to be collected in the manner now provided by law. That the return of all personal property provided in the act of July 1, 1902, shall be made during the month of May In the fiscal year pre ceding the one under which assess ment is to be levied, and the value of tangible and Intangible property shall be taken as of May 1 for a basis of assessment for the'next fiscal year. That the assessors of the District shall deliver to the collector of taxes tax ledgers kept in the numerical system and to be finished or com pleted at such time as will allow preparation of the tax bills for col lection purposes. Chairman Focht inserts a paragraph that hereafter the board of personal tax appeals for the District shall con vene on the first Monday of August of each year and continue in session to and including the first Monday in January or until hearings are com pleted. All appeals to this board are to be made within thirty days after notice of fixing an assessment. This amended bill has been referred to the House District committee. OFFERS HOME FOR i VICE PRESIDENTS s Mrs. John B. Henderson Would Present 16th Street House to Government. INTENDED AS MEMORIAL Believes High. Official's Usefulness i Will Be Increased by Ac- i ceptance of Gift. -Mrs. John B. Henderson, widow of \ the late Senator Henderson of Mis- j souri. has offered to the United States j government as an official home for its j Vice President the imposing: white 1 •stone residence at the northeast cor- ! ner of ISth and Fuller streets, near j Columbia road. The gift was made as a memorial to her husband and } to her son. John Brooks Henderson, j 2d, scientist, who died recently. It* a letter to Senator Francis K. j Warren of Wyoming: Mrs. Henderson | explains offer as follows: •T am feeling' that the usefulness of ! the Vice President for better estab- I lishing and understanding an entente : cordiale between the President and • Congress, also for the more intimate i entrtainment of foreigners who will i meet here oftener than ever before ! for the making of international I treaties, will be facilitated by the use 1 of a private residence commensurate with the dignity and Importance of i such possible service; also that a rea sonable maintenance fund for such' service secured by Congress will be ; considered of public benefit.” Memorial to Husband. The late Senator Henderson served ! eight year* during and after the j civil war. As second on the commit- | lee of finance he, along with Senator ; Sherman, wa* a principal factor in j conducting national finance during j that period. As chairman of Indian { affairs he visited the various Indian I tribes and made treaties, which have j proved efficient to the present day. He also was an adviser to the com- I mittee on foreign affairs and served I on the District of Columbia commit- ! tee. thus beginning an active inter- ! est in the civic affairs of Washing- j ton that never ceased during his life. As a senator from a border state he became a frequent adviser to President Lincoln. “In thus presenting a permanent residence for the Vice President.” Mrs. Henderson wrote, "I feel that in a small nay my husband will still become of public service.” Mrs. Henderson’s son was a regent 1 of the Smithsonian Institution and a ! writer scientific and diplomatic i subjects. Visited by Officials. The residence which Mrs. Hender son would turn over to the govern ment is one of the showplaces of upper 16th street. When originally projected many months ago it was announced that it was designed to serve as an embassy. Prom time to time since it took shape there have been rumors that officials were con sidering it as a possible "little White House for housing the Vice President 1 of the United States. It was said that l officials vlsltecl it a« the time of agitation for providing a home for i the Vice President, but no legislative ! action resulted. The structure could not be dupli- | cated for under $400,000 or $500,000, it is said. The first floor comprises a ! large entrance hall and coatroom, 1 library, dining room, large salon or i ballroom and a “winter garden,” into ! which both the library and dining : room look. The second and third , floors afford ample bed chamber facil ities arid servants’ quarters. There is a garden in the rear, and a garage located on 15th street. PRESIDENT AT DESK ; AFTER WEEK OF .GRIP President Harding returned to his desk today for the first tim'e since he was taken isl with grip more than a week ago. During his absence from his of fice he was confined to his bed tor several days and subsequently re mained in his -fopm under orders of the W r hlte House physician, Brig. Gen. C. E. Sawyer. The past few days, however, he has virtually been in normal condition, according to Dr. Sawyer, but has been kept from work because it was desired that he take a rest after a strenuous year -without a vacation. D. C. FINANCE BILL CARRYING $24,469,985. PASSED BY SENATE I / Increase of $2,225,500 Over House Proposals for Conduct ing Local Affairs Is Granted. APPROPRIATIONS GENEROUSLY CARE FOR SCHOOLS AND PARKS Court Buildings Provided by Amend ments—Five-Cent Car Fare Pro posal Is Defeated. The District appropriation bill was passed by the Senate to day carrying approximately $24,469,985. It now goes hack to the House, where the Senate amendment will be considered and the bill will then be sent to conference. The bill as reported to the Senate by the appropriations com mittee carried $22,244,485. which was an increase over the House bill of $165,878. The Senate committee, however, recommended additional amendments offered from the floor increasing the ap propriations by approximately $2,225,500. These amendments offered b} r the committee were all adopted. The only amendment to the bill, outside of the committee amend ments. adopted by the Senate was that offered by Senator Ball of Delaware increasing- the appropriations for Americanization work in the schools, from $6,450 to $9.950, an increase of 13.500. Generous Provisions Made. The increases in the bill made by the Senate provide generously for the public schools, for parks and play grounds. for new buildings to house the office of recorder of deeds, the Juvenile Court and the Municipal Court, and for other District activi ties. The Senate today adopted the com mittee amendment providing for the purchase of seventy acres of the Pat terson tract for park purposes. Yesterday it had adopted committee amendment providing for the pur chase of the Klingle valley and Piney branch tracts for park purposes. A proposal by Senator McKellar of Tennessee that the appropriations for the Public Utilities Commission be not payable until the commission should compel the street car com panies to live up to old contracts calling for 5-cent fares was held out by order of the Senate afte» a sharp debate, in which Senator McKellar charged that the Public Utilities Com- ARCHIVES BUILDING FACESNEW PERIL Provision Meets Opposition in House as Part of Ap propriation Bill. The proposed archives building at a limit cost of $2,500,000, with $500,000 immediately available, which is now in conference between the managers on the part of the House and the Sen ate, will probably not be approved by the House. The archives building is provided for by a Senate amendment in the in dependent offices appropriation bill. While Representative Will R. Wood of Indiana, who is chairman of the House conferees, protests that he is in favor of prompt action in pro i vidlng for an archives building to safeguard the countless and inval uable papers of the government, in i eluding vouchers for claims against the government aggregating billions I of dollars, from the fire hazard in i which they are now placed, it is known that Chairman Madden of the House appropriations committee is emphatically of the opinion that now is not the time to make appropria tions for this building. An archives building was authorized Ibv act of Congress in 1913, which placed a limit of cost of $1,500,000 upon such structure. It is now brought forward that an adequate building could not be provided at such a figure. , Chairman Madden is not hostile to the archives building and says that before long Congress must provide such a facility for housing the valua ble papers of the government. Representative John W. Dangley, I chairman of the House committee on 1 public buildings and grounds, will I oppose the archives building as an i amendment to any appropriation bill at this time, he announced today. At the same time. Mr. Langl%y reaffirmed the opinion which he has expressed several times within recent months. | that the government should promptly ■ erect an archives building. . I He explained his position today as being that any large amount of mon ey like $500,000 should not be appro priated for a public building here un til hundreds of small cities through out the country are included in a general public building program. His action in opposing the archives build ing. if the conferees on the part of the House bring this matter back to the House for a vote, will really be in protest because the leaders in Con gress have refused to allow his om nibus public buildings bill consldera- I tion at this time. CHARGE VIOLATION - TO SIX COAL DEALERS The inspectors in the office of weights and measures have filed in formations with the police force against six coal dealers for alleged violation of the new weights and measures law. The informations charge that the dealers sold small quantities of coal in a manner other than by weight. It is expected that warrants for the arrest of the persons complained of will be turned over to the police to day or tomortow to be served. “From Press to Home Within the Hour 99 The Star’s carrier system covers every city block and the regular edition is delivered to Washington homes as fast as the papers are printed. Yesterday’s Net Circulation, 93,664 TWO CENTS. mission was “virtually a part of the street car companies.’’ McKellar Plan Defeated. The efforts qf Senator McKellar also to prevent appropriations for passen ger automobiles for the use of Dis trict officials were defeated. The Sen ate committee amendment regarding passenger automobiles was adopted by a vote of 40 to 20. An amendment offered by Senator Curtis for beginning construction of a new McKinley manual training school on land north of Taylor street and east of 14th street, now owned by the District, was defeated on a viva voce vote. Blames “Lame Ducks." The votes of six “lame-duck” senators. Senator Heflin of Alabama declared on the floor of the Senate, following the passage of the District appropriation bill, had prevented the Senate from having an opportunity to vote on the McKellar proposal to bring about a return to flve-cent fares on the street railways of Washington. The Alabama senator was cut off I from addressing the Senate before I the passage of the District bill by the unanimous consent agreement to end [ debate at 1 o’clock and vote. When he obtained the flour. after the passage of the bill, he insisted that the ruling of the Vice President hold ing In order the McKellar amendment to cut off the funds of the Public Utilities Commission until the com mission had compelled the street car companies to return to * flve-cent fare had been correct. He likened the street car companies here to "leeches sucking the life's blood of the traveling public.” He called atention to the fact that Mayor Hylan of New York had made a suc cessful fight to maintain five-cent street oar fares in that city. Yet, hft said, the two New York senators, Calder and Wadsworth, were found voting to overrule the decision of the Vice President and to prevent the Senate from voting directly on the question of flve-cent fares for Wash j ington. Senator Heflin insisted that the Senate would have agreed to the Mc- Kellar amendment if it had been di rectly before it. In looking over the roll-call. Senator Heflin said, he found that six of those who voted to over ride the Vice President were senators who had been defeated for re-elec tion. They were Senator Calder, New York; Freiinghuysen, New Jersey; Kellogg, Minnesota; McCumber. North Dakota; New. Indiana, and Poindex- - ter, Washington. The effect of their vote, he said, would be to compel the people of the District to continue to pay an eight cent fare. He said this was par ticularly hard on families who had children to send to the public schools. Those who own stock in the street railways here, Senator Heflin declared, had done their ut most to prevent a vote on the Mc- Kellar amendment. McKellar Calls Up Amendment, Senator McKellar of Tennessee as soon as the Senate met called up his amendment, offered late last evening, providing that the appropriations for the Public Utilities Commission “shall not become available until the Public Utilities Commission shall fix rates of fare for the street railway compa nies in the District of Columbia at rates not in excess of the rates of fare fixed in existing charters or con tracts heretofore entered into be tween said companies and the Con gress. and. on or after February 1, 1923, said companies shall receive a rate of fare not exceeding 5 cents per passenger, and six tickets shall be sold for 25 cents.” Senator Phipps, in charge of the bill, made a point of order against the amendment, declaring that it was clearly new and general legisla tion on an appropriation bill. Senator Harrison of Mississippi pointed out that when the District bill was before, the Senate a year ago. he had offered a similar amend ment and that the chair had ruled it in order on the ground that it was a limitation on an appropriation. The Senate at that time voted on the amendment and defeated it. Coolldge Overrules Point. Senator Dodge of Massachusetts and Senator Jones of Washington argued that the amendment was not in order, but Vice President Coolidge overruled the point of order. Senator McKellar, arguing in sup port of his amendment, said that the Capital Traction Company last year had paid dividends of 7 per cent on. its capital stock, and that with other earnings made the net earnings of the company about 13 per cent. "Does the Public Utilities Commis sion think that we are going to per mit it to put a’ tax of $1.50 a month on all the residents of Washington who .use street cars7" demanded Sen ator McKellar. . He declared that the company was violating its former contract, which provided for 6-cent fares. Attacks W. It. A K. Lines. Turning to the Washington Rail way and Electric Company. Senator McKellar charged the common stock, amounting to $6,500,000. was “wa tered stock,” and yet the company was insisting that it had a right to earn a dividend on it. Referring to a published report that the public utilities commission ers said that Congress had given the commission the right to fix rates of fare for thp. street car companies , (Continued on Page 2, Column 6^ A J