Evening star. [volume], January 04, 1925, Image 1

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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WEATHER.
(!'. S. IW*th#r Bureau Forccaat.)
Unsettled today, probably showers
in the morning: tomorrow fair. Tem
perature for 22 hours ended at 10 p.m.
last night: Highest, 34, at 6 p.m.
yesterday; lowest, 50, at 2 a.m. yester
day. Full report on page 7.
No. 1.032. —No. 29,408. „ILV !re ti a8 second cIMS matt « r
' ’ ’ post Office Washington, D. C.
HERRICK CONTINUES
NEGOTIATIONS WITH
TRENCH ON DEBTS
Regarded as Having Been
Given Impetus That Can
not Be Stopped.
INFORMAL PARIS NOTE
MAY NOT BE FORWARDED
Officials. However, Continue to
Hope for Early Action on
Loan Funding.
) i lie Associated Tress.
I’AKI.S. January 3. —Although the j
fvmi'ranilum of Finance Minister
Clementel concerning the funding of
Hie French debt to the United States]
s considered by the government as i
entirely unbinding, unofficial and a
i 1 rsonal statement of French public
( pinion, it has. nevertheless, in the view
« f political leaders, posed the ques
tion of French war debts in such a
Vav that negotiations must continue.
The suggestions of M. Clementel,
which were handed to American Ambas
t= d< r Herrick in the form of a memo
jandum, it is now indicated in well-j
Informed although unofficial French j
eeiiroes, are probably insufficient to form !
the basis of a serious conversation. The !
American ambassador is holding up these '
suggestions pending further personal
folks with French officials. It is even
thought in political circles that they j
>nay never be cabled to Washington in
Iheir present form.
Sets Question Moving.
tt is recognized by the French press,
however, that contact between the
French minister of Finance and ’
America's representative in Paris has
set moving the question of funding war ;
debts and it is felt that something must I
come out of it. The Temps, which for j
tlie moment is no longer the semi-official j
organ of the government, but which ;
still often reflects the views of the !
foreign office, says :
“The question of interallied debts j
has now been posed in all its ampli- j
tude. It was thought for a long |
time that the best way of wearing;
out the interallied debt question was I
not to speak of it and let it gently
fall into oblivion. But the misfor
tune is that each year the weight of
the debts grows heavier through the
accumulation of Interest, and the
more they grow the more anxiety
the creditors show."
The same newspaper reveals the
lingering feeling in French minds
that the cancellation of wtr debts
would have been just. It realizes,
though, that the time has come to
“r!**arly define the French attitude, j
■which must not lend itself to any j
misunderstanding." The Temps con- j
linues: “France does not repudiate i
her obligations. She wants to pay,
hut only what she really owes, and
she can not pay unless she is paid
h.v Germany the reparations owing
lu=r. Clear political logic, general
financial interest and most elemen
tary justice require that France
profit by the revision of interallied
debts, corresponding, at least, to the
revision of reparations.’’
Attitude Representative.
The Temps article Is declared to
represent the general attitude of the
press and the opinion of the govern
ment as repeatedly expressed to those
coming into contact with It since and
before Premier Herrlot took power.
M. Herriot's ambitions is known to be
to settle all outstanding problems, in
cluding debts, but it is said he finds j
difficulty in applying to money mat- !
t- rs ihe liberal policies from which |
c.ermany has benefited on account of j
tlm financial difficulties with which!
France is struggling.
The first effort of the French, it is !
anticipated in political circles, will i
be to obtain larger percentages of ]
reparations than provided in the Spa !
agreement which gave them 52 per
cent.
Minister Clementel has pledged him
self to the Socialists to raise this
question at the coming meeting of
the allied finance ministers here. If
he succeeds in obtaining an increase,
the debt settlement will be easier.
May Ask Revision.
It is understood that the French
will ask the finance ministers’ con
f.-rence to revise the allotment of
reparations on the basis of material
damages sustained in the war. not
counting pensions. This would as
s- 1 t the British particularly, since
•the bulk of their share of reparations
i- made up by pensions claims. The
issue thus raised is expected to pro
voke a sharp conflict in the coming
conference, with Great Britain resist
ing a revision of percentages and
France standing on the principle that
she cannot reduce her share of the
allied claims on Germany and at the
same time pay in full the debts she
contracted in order to win the war.
NOTE STILL WAITED.
Officials Here Anxious for Text of
French Plan.
The French suggestion regarding
p yment of the war debt of France
to the United States still was awaited
anxiously last night by the Wash
ington Government.
No answer to Secretary Hughes’ ca
blegram requesting Ambassador Her
rick to forward the text of the
French communication placed in his
hands had been received when the
work day ended, and Mr. Hughes left
bis office, not to return until tomor
row.
-Meanwhile officials here could only
mark time and hope that the delayed
memorandum would arrive Monday
and would contain something that
would justify this Government in
making It the basis for negotiations
looking to an ultimate arrangement
lor actual debt funding. There was
n ihing more than an expression of
ii *pe. however, that the memorandum
'.uld give the debt funding commis
- 'on, headed by Secretary Mellon,
anything like a concrete plan of set
t lament. ...
Helny Causes Pessimism.
This semi-pessimistic attitude was
explained in part by Ambassador
Herrick's delay in delivering the
memorandum. It was felt that had
ihe document included a suggestion
of such importance the Ambassador
hi all probability would have cabled
ii several days ago.
Coincident with the receipt here of
Condon reports that the British gov
(Continued on Cage 1, Column l.j
Mussolini Threatens Enemies
With Destruction in 48 Hours
Chamber Thrown Into Wild Excitement
by Fiery Speech of Premier—Fascists
to Keep Within Laiv in Course.
B.r th* Associated Press.
ROME, January 3.—Premier Mus
solini demonstrated in the Chamber
of Deputies today that he has in no
wise lost his magnetic power of
stirring the imagination of his audi
ence. Assuming the confident fight
ing attitude of the palmy first days
of Fascism, he staged a dramatic
scene which threw the chamber into
volleys of applause. So great was
ihe enthusiasm that at the conclu
sion of his speech the Fascist! depu
ties shouted, jumped over benches
and embraced one another.
He made a profound impression by
his declaration that the situation
would be cleared up within 48 hours,
and that the government had the
strength to .destroy the aventine
opposition—those deputies who have
refused to participate in the work
of Parliament.
There were many conjectures to
night as to Just what the premier
meant by this declaration.
It is semi-ofllcially announced that
all measures against the opposition
deputies, to which Premier Musso
lini referred will be perfectly legal,
according to existing laws.
The offices of Mondo and other op
position papers are protected by
troops to prevent any Fascist at
tempts. and stringent orders have
been dispatched throughout Italy
with the purpose of avoiding any
excesses.
Somo of the leaders were of the
opinion that it is Mussolini's inten-
COOEIDOE SHELVES
PUN TO DISPOSE
OF SHOALS AS UNIT
Nitrate Plants and Power
Property to Be Handled on
Respective Merits.
Editor’s note: This is the second of
three article* bj Mr. Kennedy dealing
with the problem of Muscle Bho*ls. The
concluding article. Indicating what Presi
dent Coolldge's advisers and other in
formed students believe to be the only
practical aolution, will be published t>-
• marrow.
BY WILL P. KRBJXEDY.
The $150,000,000 nitrate and power
properties covered by the name
Muscle Shoals have been a “white
elephant" on the Government's
hands only because Congress got too
much set on the false notion that
the nitrate plants and the hydro
plants must necessarily- be disposed
of as a unit, instead of handling them
semi-independently.
This idea probably originated from
the desire that in case the nitrate
plant* cannot be operated commer
cially so as to reduce the cost of
fertilizers below the price at which
they can be produced by other
methods, the loss might be charged
against the profits which it is pretty
certain can be made from sale of the
electric power.
IlropM Former Idea.
The administration Is convinced
that that is economically unsound,
and now desires to see the power
property and the nitrate plant dis
posed of separately, each on its own
merits.
The deals that Congress has been
considering to lump the Muscle Shoals
properties are economically unsound
for two reasons: First, it Is not good
economic policy to attempt to pro
duce fertilizers at Muscle Shoals and
sell them for less than cost or to
attempt to produce them at Muscle
Shoals at a cost greater than they
can be produced elsewhere. Second,
It is not good policy to subsidize one
group of individuals in a community
at the expense of another group, azid
that Is just what you would be doing
if you produced and sold fertilizers
at less than cost and made up the
loss on the price of power. Because
the people who got the power would
lie obliged to pay. in order to do that,
a greater price than they need other
wise pay.
But Is is to accomplish that very
thing. In the opinion of those who
have been advising with the Presi
dent, that the Ford offer and the Un
derwood proposal have been support
ed. In order to make the accomplish
ment of such a purpose possible un
der private operation, both the Ford
offer and the Underwood bill as origi
nally presented would have turned
the power erd of the undertaking
over to any bidder or lessee practi
cally without restriction concerning
the use of surplus power in excess of
the requirements for fertilizer pro
duction. and practically free from
any public regulation.
The Ford proposal left the question
(Continued on Page 4, Column 1.)
Auditorium Roof Crashes Under Snow
Burden Feiv Hours Before 500 Gather
By the Aseoeieted Pre»«.
BALTIMORE, January 3.—Rep
etition of the Knickerbocker The
ater disaster in "Washington three
years ago was missed by a miracle
when the roof of the big auditor
ium at Camp- Holabird collapsed
and crushed the seats in the cen
tral section of the building. A few
hours later, upward of 500 per
sons were to have attended a
movie show in the big hall.
Only 10 minutes before the roof
collapsed under its weight of hun
dreds of tons of snow members of
the camp basket ball team, who
had been practicing on the court
of the auditorium, left the build
ing. Had they been on the court
when the roof crashed at 6:25 p.m.,
all would have been crushed.
A moving picture was scheduled
for the auditorium at 8 p.m., the.
same evening. From 400 to s('o
©he Pumfccu ikt
' WITH DAILY EVENING EDITION
tion to order a state of siege, thus
carrying out to its conclusion his
proposed relentless policy, which has
already involved the virtual suppres
sion of the opposition press. It is
recalled in this connection, however,
that the last time a state of siege
was suggested, the proposal came
from Luigi Facta, the premier im
mediately preceding the advent of
Fascism. On that occasion the King
refused to sign the declaration, ex
plaining that lie would not sign a
document which might mean blood
shed among his subjects.
But nobody protends to know defi
nitely the meaning implied by Mus
solini's declaration of today, although
it is not doubted that he is strong
in his determination to keep his word.
In the course of his speech Mus
ssollnt took upon himself the polit
ical. moral and historical responsi
bility for what the Fasclsti have done.
His newspaper, Popolo D'ltalia, which
alone comments tonight on his speech,
says that Mussolini has emphasized
anew the sanction of the revolution
of the Black Shirts, consecrated by
the august consent of the King, while
his assumption of full responsibility
for what Fascism has done IS “an
act of superhuman beauty and cour
age, unsurpassed even in the annals
of ancient Rome.”
The Popouo D'ltalia adds that Mus
solini has inexorably fixed a limit of
48 hours to show the world that the
national government is victorious
over ail opposition.
“January 3," it continues, "will be
(Continued on Page 2, Column 5.)
Billion Shaved
From U. S. Debt ,
Record of 1924
The Treasury has shaved almost
a billion dollars off the vast pub
lic debt in the past 12 months, and
by so doing has cut the obligations
of the United States more than
one-fifth since they reached their
peak of $28,596,068,847 In August,
1919. The Government started the
new year wtth a public debt of
$20,978,632,700.
First official figures on the ac
complishments in the calendar
year 1924, made public yesterday,
showed that $935,434,706 was lop
ped off the debt. The reduction in
the calendar year 1923 was $1,072,-
250,610.
A reduction of $234,422,256 was
made In the debt in the December
fiscal operations alone, and a fur
ther reduction Is expected when
the Treasury completes Its March
financing.
MARX WILL FORM
NON-PARTY CABINET!
I
Only Feasible Plan Left to Get
Working Support in Reichs
tag, Ebert Holds.
By the Associated Press.
BERLIN, January 3.—Chancellor
Marx this evening accepted a com
mission from President Ebert to form
a non-party cabinet.
Chancellor Marx’s efforts to find a
parliamentary basis on which he
could construct a cabinet that would
command working support in the
Reichstag definitely failed, and the
only solution at the disposal of Presi
dent Ebert was the formation of a
so-called non-partisan officiating
cabinet, headed by Herr Marx.
This would include Dr. Stresemann,
Dr. Otto Gessler and several other
present members of the cabinet.
Four Vacancies Now.
Four vacancies due to the retire
ment of the vice chancellor, Dr. Karl
Jarres; Herr Hamm, minister of eco
nomics, and Rudolph Oeser, minister
of transport, together with the post
of minister of justice, which is un
occupied, would he filled with selec
tions from the Reichstag parties or
non-partisan experts.
Such J ministry would be equipped
with special emergency authorization
to protect it in situations where it
could not rely on a working ma
jority in the Reichstag. It is hardly
probable that Dr. Marx will be able
to complete his negotiations in time
to permit the new cabinet to present
itself at Monday's opening session
of the Reichstag. ,
FEAR POTOMAC FLOOD.
Special Dispatch to The Star.
CUMBERLAND, Md., January 3.
Rain v hich has followed heavy snow
in the mountains is expected to bring
high water, and preliminary arrange
ments have been made by railroad
companies and others for protection
in the emergency of a heavy thaw
and the consequent rising of the Po
tomac and other streams.
A heavy thaw caused the flood of
March 29, last.
persons were expected to attend
the show. Yesterday the sections
in which they would have been
seated were ground into the floor
by tons of debris from the fallen
roof.
Responsibility for the collapse
of the roof has not yet been
placed, but Col. Gambrill, camp
commander, yesterday appointed a
board of officers to make an in
vestigation. The board consists of
Capt. Roy C. L. Graham, Capt.
Louis E. Hunt and Lieut. Charles
L. Carpenter.
The auditorium was a frame
building of flimsy construction. It
was completed In 1919 at a cost of
$48,000. The money for the struc
ture was raised among the camp
personnel and the Baltimore pub
lic. The building was not a part
of the general plan of tile War
Department when Cftinp liollabird
was laid out.
WASHINGTON, D. C., SUNDAY MORNING, JANUARY 4, 1925. NINETY-TWO PAGES. *
BILL WOULD MAKE
MERCHANT FLEET
INDEPENDENT UNIT
Administration Measure De
signed to End Shipping
Board Control of Craft.
STATES DETERMINATION
TO KEEP FLAG ON SEAS
I
Proposed Legislation Expressing
Policy of President Ready
for Presentation.
BV (i. (iOI'LD MSifOLM.
Recommendations of I’resdient Cool
idge that the operation of the Gov
ernment-cwned merchant fled shall
he transferred absolutely to the
Emergency Fleet Corporation Is em
bodied In a bill which will be intro
duced In the Senate tomorrow by
Senator Wesley I* Jenrs of Washlng
ton, chairman of the Senate com
mittee.
eln the House, the same bill will he
Introduced by Representative Lehl
bach of New Jersey, a member of the
House committee on merchant marine :
a.’d fisheries and of the special House i
committee which Is Investigating the |
Shipping Board and the merchant j
marine problem generally.
■Will Continue Operation.
Included in the Jones bill are a I
number of recommendations of the 1
Shipping Board, contained In the \
board's last annual report. Most im- J
portant is an affirmative declaration
that the Government of the United
States intends to maintain an Amer
ican merchant marine. While It Is
hoped that the merchant vessels op
erating in the overseas trade may
eventually come Into private owner
ship and operation, the new bill
states unequivocally that the Govern
ment will continue to operate a mer
chant marine until this hope Is real
ised. If it Is not realized, then the
Government will continue the opera
tion of a merchant fleet.
Te»t of Menanre.
Here is the language of the new
bill:
“It is hereby declared to be the In
tention of the Government of the
United States to establish and main
tain such shipping routes and provide
such merchant fleet as may be neces
sary "to promote the foreign trade of
the United States and to make avail
able adequate merchant shipping for
national defense, and that such
routes and merchant fleet will be
provided and maintained by the Gov
ernment until the same Is taken over
to be maintained by private enter
prise.”
In the opinion of Senator Jones no
affirmation of the determination to
keep the American flag on the seven
seas can be made too strong. The
declaration that the American mer
chant marine is here to stay and to
develop further is calculated to give
confidence to American, and other
shippers who desire to use Amer
ican vessels, but fear that the serv
ices may be discontinued. It Is cal
culated also to give confidence to
operating forces of the American
ships. Too long has there been the
fear that the merchant marine might
be abandoned. And this fear has had
a tendency to retard the growth of
the business done by the fleet.
To add to the Idea of permanence
of the American merchant marine,
the bill provides that hereafter the
Emergency Fleet Corporation shall
be known as the “t_'nlted States Fleet
Corporation," removing the adverse
psychological effect of the word
"emergency" in this connection.
Stock Goes to President.
Carrying out the intention to
separate the operation, and in fact,
the fleet Itself from the control of
the Shipping Board, the stock of the
Kmergency Fleet Corporation now
held by the United States Shipping
Board Is to be transferred under the
terms of the bill to the President of
the United States, who shall vote
these shares of stock on behalf of the
United States.
All vessels, equipment and supplies
and other property, except docks,
piers, warehouses and other terminal
facilities, now under the control of
the board, are to be transferred to
and placed under-the control of the
Fleet Corporation.
The Fleet Corporation Is to have
all power and authority—now vested
In the Shipping Board —for the cus
tody, maintenance, repair, employ
ment, insurance and disposal of the
vessels and other property.
The bill cuts ofT absolutely all pow
ers of operation of the fleet now
(Continued on Page 5, Column 2.)
WHITE TERROR GRIPS
SLAV BORDER LANDS
I Young and Old, Arrested as Reds,
Killed or Thrown Into Prison
by Smaller Nations.
By Cable to The Star and New Tork World
BERLIN, January 3.—The white
terror has gripped the Russian bor
der countries and Is spreading
through the Balkans. The fear of
bolshevism, revived by the unsuccess
ful revolution In Esthonla, has caused
wholesale arrests and Imprisoning
and shooting of Communists In Lat
via, Lithuania, Poland. Esthonla, Ru
mania, Serbia, Bulgaria. From each
of these countries dispatches report
summary executions of known "red*.’'
In Lithuania two Communist girls
of 18 and 20 are said to have been
shot after a scanty trial. Esthonian
! jails hold more than 1,000 Commu
i nists, suspected of complicity in the
| ill-fated revolution. Latvia, always
in the forefront In the suppression of
reds, has instituted wholesale raids,
and the possession of a red card is a
criminal offense. Rumania. Serbia
and Bulgaria have reached "a united
front” to fight bolshevist activity.
These countries, which have lived
under tire shadow of Russia for cen
turies, are adopting the time-tried
Russian methods of ridding them
selves v of the red danger. Travelers
report little choice between the hor
n>r of the Soviet ehecka and bour
geois repression of Soviet enemies.
(Ceryrlfbt, 1923.)
LOOK WHO’S HERE!
CAPITAL FUND BILL
BEST EVER DRAWN
Subcommittee Shows Liberal
Feeling for Schools, Streets
and Other Needs.
The best District appropriation bill
ever drafted is expected to result
from the hearings now In progress,
in the opinion of District officials
who have been called upon to testify.
The subcommittee of the House ap
propriations committee has through
out the hearings shown a disposition
to be liberal in making appropria
tions all along the line.
While the House appropriations
committee probably will report the
District bill on a lump-sum basis in
stead of the definite proportion fixed
in substantive law, the subcommittee
is earnestly striving to determine
the real needs of the District and
their relative Importance, and to
meet these with the most liberal
allocation of funds possible. It is
certain that the bill when reported
will be well balanced, and that prac
tically all of the most urgently need
ed developments will be provided for.
_ School Hearings Fnlshed.
Hearings on the public school pro
gram were completed yesterday, and
assurances were practically given
that appropriations considerably in
excess of the $9,185,271 recommended
by the Budget Bureau will be ap
proved w-hen the subcommittee marks
up the bill. Each member expressed
his intention to be “extremely liberal”
to meet school needs. The over
crowded condition in several sections
was emphasized by the school author
ities and recognized by the members
of the subcommittee. The District
school officials were led to believe
that additional school buildings will
be authorized, beyond those approved
by the Budget Bureau.
Strong plea will be made when the
hearings are resumed tomorrow aft
ernoon for appropriation of $1,000,000
for acquiring land for park purposes
and to conserve the forest lands and
water courses around the Capital.
Lieut. Col. Clarence O. Sherrill, engi
neer officer in charge of public build
ings and grounds, has not completed
his testimony. He is a member of
the National Capital Park Commis
sion authorized by the act approved
June 6 last, which authorized that a
million dollars a year be made avail
able for extension of the parkway
system.
Representatives Fred X. Zlhiman of
(Continued on Page 4, Column 5.)
AGREEMENT IS REACHED
ON NOTE FOR GERMANY
British and French Smooth Differ
ences on Statement Befusing
to Quit Cologne.
n.T Ctble to The Star and Sew York World.
LONDON, January 3. —English and
French differences regarding the text
of the interallied note refusing the
evacuation of Cologne have been com
posed. The note will be handed Ger
many by the ambassadors in Berlin,
probably on Monday.
From a well informed allied diplo
matic source, it is 'learned that one
reason for the delay in presenting the
note until almost the eve of the treaty
date for evacuation was the fear that
the Germans would retort that time still
remained in which they could carry
out- any orders given by the allied
military control committee. This, it is
stated, is not desired, because the
German infringements of the disarm
ament clauses are the pretext and not
the reason for the continued occupa
tion by the allies after the evacuation
date.
(Copyright, 1025.)
CHILD, 6, KILLS MOTHER.
Pulls Trigger of Bifle He Thought
Was Unloaded.
MADISONVILLE, Ky„ January 3. —
Mrs. Jahnetta Patton, 23, a miner's
wife, was shot through the heart and
instantly killed today, when her son,
Fritz, aged six, pulled the trigger of
a rifle which he thought was unload
ed. Mrs. Patton collapsed near an
open grate and her body was badly
burned before assistance arrived.
HIGH POINT, N. C., January 3. —
Perry Alexander, 17 years of age,
was shot and perhaps fatally wound
ed by Melvin Roach, a six-year-old
boy, here late today. The shooting
vrae eald to be accidental.
TODAY’S STAR
PART ONE—36 PAGES.
General News—Local, National, Foreign. |
News of the Clubs—Page 20.
D. A. R. Activities—Page 21.
National Guard News—Page 22.
Veterans of the Great War —Page 23. j
News of the Community Centers— ;
Page 23.
Notes of Art and Artiats—Page 24.
Schools and Colleges—Page 26.
Current News Events —Page 26.
Bey Scout News—Page 26.
Army and Navy News—Page 27.
Parent-Teacher Activities—Page 27.
Radio Programs and News—Pages 30 ,
and 31.
Fraternal News —Page 31.
Serial, “The Ark of the Covenant,”
Page 32.
Financial News—Pages 32 and 33.
Aroueid the City—Page 34.
Y. W. C. A. News—Page 34.
W. C. T. U. News—Page 34.
PART TWO—I 6 PAGES.
Editorials and Editorial Features.
Washington and Other Society.
PART THREE—IO PAGES.
Amusements—Theaters and the Photo
play.
Music in Washington—Page 5.
Motor* and Motoring—Pages 6,7, 8
and 9.
Reviews of New Books—Page 9.
The Civilian Army—Page 9.
PART FOlR—4 PAGES.
Pink Sports Section.
PART FIVE—B PAGES.
Magazine Section —Fiction and Features.
The Ramblor —Page 3.
PART SIX—6 PAGES.
Classified Advertising.
Spanish War Veterans —Page 6.
GRAPHIC SECTION—* PAGES.
World Events in Pictures.
COMIC SECTION—I PAGES.
Mr. Straphanger: Reg’lar Fellers; Mr.
and Mrs.; Mutt and Jeff.
COURT MAY ADVANCE
INCOME NEWS TEST
Case of Kansas City Paper Involv
ing Tax Publication First to
Reach Supreme Court.
The Government asked the Supreme
Court yesterday to advance the hear
ing of the case against Walter S.
Dickey, owner, and Ralph Ellis, man
aging editor, of the Kansas City
Journal-Post, involving the right of
newspapers to publish the name and
amount of income tax paid by indi
viduals. The case is the first of that
character to reach the Supreme Court.
The Federal District Court for West
ern Missouri, which tried the case, held
that should it be assumed section
3167 of the Revised Statutes, making it
unlawful "for any person to print or
publish in any manner whatever not
provided by law any income return
or any part thereof or source of In
come,’’ condemned the publication in
question, as claimed by the Govern
ment, it -would be necessary to hold
that section invalid as not properly
incidental or germane to the power of
Congress to tax, and also as in
fringing upon the first amendment to
the Constitution, which forbids Con-'
gross to make any law abridging the
freedom of speech or of the press.
The court dec’ared, however, that It
,vas of the opinion that the publication
Jid not offend against that section,
which comprehends only a publication
of the Income tax returns, or some
part thereof, taking the view that
the information published had been
gathered merely from lists which had
been made available by Congress for
public Inspection, and Its publication
was lawful.
Youthful Bandits Hold Up Two. Stores;
Tie One Proprietor to Seize Cash
While unsuspecting pedestrians
streamed by the front door of the
paint store of Solomon Edlavitch
at 906 Ninth street last night at
five minutes to 8 o'clock Solomon
was being tied up by two young
men In the first of two of the
neatest hold-up maneuvers coming
to the attention of the police In
recent months.
The two young men walked into
the store as though prospective
purchasers of paint. One of them
locked the door and the second
produced a line. Then
tho first pointed a pistol at Solo
p»on Ml th* oth*r tied hi* hands
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SEEKS TO ADVANCE
POSTAL PAY BILL
| Moses Asks Action on Admin
istration Measure Ahead
of Test Vote.
I
Failing to obtain immediate Senate
action yesterday on the administration
measure to increase postal salaries and
tates Senator Moses, Republican, New
Hampshire, in charge of the bill, gave
notice that he would press for action
tomorrow before there is opportunity
for consideration of President Cool
idge's veto of the salary bill passed
last session.
■With many Senators favoring a
straightout test Brat on the Executive’s
veto, some leaders were doubtful that
the majority required (o bring up the
new administration measure could be
obtained.
When Senator Moses, after explain
ing in detail the provisions for rate
increases, asked unanimous consent
yesterday for Immediate consideration
of the bill, Senator Norris, Republican,
Nebraska, objected. He previously had
asked the reasons for action on this
measure before the veto was voted
upon.
Oddle to Fight Increase.
Meanwhile Senator Oddie, Repub
lican, Nevada, a member of the post
office committee, served notice he
would make a fight against the pro
posed 1 cent a pound increase on ad
vertising matter in publications sub
ject to first and second zone rates.
Publishers have protested vigorously
against this rate change.
Readjustments of second - class
rates ordered by the committee will
yield an additional $5.500.000 in rev
enue annually as against $10.000.000
proposed by the administration. Sen
ator Moses said in explaining the
bill. The readjustments affecting
first, third and fourth class mail
schedules as proposed by the Post
Office Department are satisfactory to
President Coolidge. Sir. Moses said,
after a visit to the White House. •
Under a previous agreement the
Senate will take up President Cool
idge's veto on the pay bill on Mon
day not later than 2 o'clock and vote
on It by Tuesday not later than 4
o'clock.
Race for Consideration.
Thus if the double-barreled admin
istration bill, increasing rates as well
as salaries, is taken up Monday It
must be passed within two hours or
the veto automatically will come up
for consideration.
Should the new measure be ap
proved it is considered doubtful that
a vote will be taken on the veto. Dis
cussing this vote yesterday, Senator
Moses declared his faith that the veto
would be sustained. If it was not, he
announced he would press for early
action on the rate increase measure.
Otherwise, he also favored action on
the pay and rate increase bill w r ith
the provision for hearings on rate in
creases to be held in the Summer.
Senator Norris suggested that the
postal pay bill be passed over the
veto and that the committee then con
tinue hearings Immediately on the
rate increases, to be considered later.
Seeks to Recover Dosses.
Explaining provisions of the new'
bill. Senator Moses said changes In
zones on portions of publications de
voted to advertising were made In an
effort to bring back into the mails a
large class that Went out when sec
ond-class postage rates were Increas
ed as a war measure. Hearings on
the bill developed that large publish
ers were sending their periodicals by
freight to distant points for re-entry
In post offices there so 1 as to take ad
vantage of the lower postal toning
rates.
Senator Moses said It was difficult
(Continued on Page 3, Column 5.)
behind him. Then they took SBO
from the safe. S6O from the cash
register and $22 from Solomon and
walked out.
Solomon backed to the counter
where he knew a pair of scissors
was placed, grabbed the scissors,
cot the thongs and notified the
police.
A half hour later two young
men tallying with the description
of the paint store robbers, drove
up In an automobile to the delica
tessen store of Steve Loukldes, at
worth place and D street
southwest, and ordered him into a
back room. One kept him there
while the second rifled the cash
register off 65. They escaped.
FIVE CENTS.
FAILURE 10 CLEAR
STREETS OF SNOW
EVOKES CRITICISM
Officials “Pass Buck” as
Pedestrians Wade Slush
and Autos Are Periled.
RAIN PROMISED TODAY,
OFFERING SOLE RELIEF
Conditions. Attacked in Senate. Are
Defended by Commis
sioner Bell.
Pedestrians wading through ankle
ileei> slush and automobill.sts bumping
over foot-deen ruts in the middle of
the principal streets of Washington
united yesterday in cursing Congress,
the District authorities and the snow.
And meanwhile, an exciting game
sometimes known as "passing the buck"
started, with Congress on one side and
the District authorities on the other.
From his high post in the observa
tion tower of the United States
Weather Bureau, the weather man
looked down on the puny efforts of
400 pick-and-shovel men valiantly but
impotentl v trying to clean 400 miles
of paved highway in the District of
Columbia, and relenting, predicted a
warm rain for today which will help
the situation more than all the money
Congress will appropriate for the pur
pose within the next geological epoch
Street Department Scored.
The decision of Morris Hacker, su
perintendent of street cleaning in the
District, that a bird in the hand is
worth two in the bush, and that money
which might be expended for extraordi
nary methods in removing the snow
today. will be needed next Spring in
cleaning dust of Summer from the
Capital's streets aroused the indigna
tion of Senator William H. King of
Utah, who delivered a scathing speech
in the Senate against what he termed
the "incompetency” of the District
Commissioners and the street cleaning
department for their failure to make
more headway in clearing the snow
i from the streets 24 hours after it had
I ceased to fail.
Senator King was also unable to
understand why Mr. Hacker wasn't
using the fine snow plows for which
Congress appropriated good, hard
cash two years ago. It developed
last night that the seventeen plows
attached to as many trucks, are di
\ ided as follows: Nine plows for the
suburban districts, eight plows for
the city. The plows were in use on
the first day of the snow, but ye»-
terday they were not used at alt.
The trouble was, Mr. Hacker said.
; that the enowr was packed too hard
for the plows to perforiVi efficiently,
tn fa<i. all they did the first day
was to "push the snow to one side."
The trucks, however, were on hand
without the plows yesterday, and
i obligingly carried away the snow re
moved by the 400 valiant snow re
movers. If they accomplished any
thing it was not visible to the naked
eye.
Says Money In iVecded.
At the same time. Engineer Com
missioner Bell, under whose ju ris
dlction falls the street cleaning de
partment, gently reminded all con
cerned that “if a majority of the
members of Congress feel that the
city government should spend the
amount of money necessary to get
the snow off the streets, they have
an opportunity now to indicate that
desire by making an appropriation.”
He recalled at the same time that
the current appropriation for the
street cleaning department was cal
culated to cover the normal opera -
i tions of that department twelve
months, and that the Commissioners
would be creating a deficiency if they
expended a large part of the allot
ment on one snowstorm.
Mr. Hacker, while admitting that
$9,871 had been turned back last year
unused out of his annual appropria
tion. pointed to the fact that out of
$410,000 appropriated by Congress for
cleaning the streets this year, only
$lBl,BBl remains to carry on this
work until next June. The result of
his two days’ fight against the storm
he sadly gave as follows: Eight
blocks of paved streets cleaned—F
street from Ninth to Fifteenth; New'
York avenue between Fourteenth and
Fifteenth streets: one block, or part
of it. on Pennsylvania avenue in front
of the Treasury building, and the
; sweeping of the majority of the street
j car tracks.
Declared \o Excuse.
Senator King, however, met Mr.
Hacker's arguments of why more had
not been done, as follows:
"That's no excuse at all," he assert
ed. "The street department could
have anticipated appropriations to
make up any deficit for the proper
carrying out of its duty."
When told by Senator D. Heialer
Ball of Delaware, chairman of the
Senate District committee, that ap
propriations had been made two
years ago for snow-cleaning ap
paratus and that the apparatus was
now supposed to be in Washington
and in use Senator King expressed
amazement.
"Why hasn't it been put to some
use? 1 am very glad that the Sena
tor from Delaware has made tills
statement. It fortifies me In the
stand I have taken. I remember now
that these machines were asked for
and provided.
"Congress has certainly been gen
erous in appropriations with Wash
ington. It should be. because this is
the National Capital. The adminis
tration as a whole of the Commis
sioners of the District should be com
mended, but in allowing conditions
where traffic is practically at a stand
still. and where motorists venture
forth at considerable peril not only
to themselves, but to their automo
biles, tkey should be criticised.
No Provisions Made.
“Experience with past storms
should have made them realize thai
adequate preparedness along with
prompt and efficient action was nec
essary in the event of a heavy snow.
It is obvious in this case that no
provisions for removal of snow have
been made.”
Representative Zihlman of Mary
land, pointing out that all the road
between Washington and Cumber
land. Md., was cleared of snow an 3
open to traffic, a distance of about
150 miles, was unable to understand
the paralysis which now exists in
Washington.
At the same time some unkind psr
~(Contiiiued on l’age 3, Column li