Evening star. [volume], December 18, 1935, Image 1

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

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
WEATHER. rjy, .
(U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast) s ill© OTlly GVCniflg pEpCr
Mostly cloudy, lowest temperature to- in Washineton with thp
night about 36 degrees; tomorrow, cloudy \ . W dSXUngtOIl Wltn me
followed by snow flurries and colder. ASSOClatGQ PrCSS NGWS
and Wirephoto Services.
Full report on page B-6.
7 Yesterday’* Circulation, 132,614
Closing N.Y. Markets, Pages 17,18 & 19 Some Returns Not Yet Received.
No. 33,468. ^onsV?fflc“ wfawSgVon^S WASHINGTON, D. C., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1935.—FORTY-EIGHT PAGES. *** <*> Associated Pr„.. TWO CENTS.
BRITAIN FORCED TO DROP
PEACE PLAN AS ETHIOPIA
SPURNS IT AT GENEVA
■ ' •
Eden Sees End
of Proposal
of Powers.
COUNCIL QUITS
AFTER ATTACK
Italian Advances in
Africa Held
Slight.
BACKGROUND—
Suggested as basis for peace
negotiations, Britain and France
proposed that Italo-Ethiopian con
troversy be setHed by cession of
land in north and south to Italy,
that Ethiopia then be granted sea
port with land corridor and rail
road facilities. Proposition brought
political turmoil in England and
France, hurt prestige of both gov
ernments; Mussolini said little, but
government-controlled press finally
called proposal unsatisfactory:
Haile Selassie strongly condemned
suggestion as did small nations of
League who branded it reward to
aggression, threat to their common
security.
(Copyright. 1935, by the Associated Press.)
GENEVA. December 18.—Great Brit
ain practically abandoned the famous
Franco-British peace plan in the
League of Nations Council today and
Ethiopia indicated it would not ac
cept n
Anthony Eden of Great Britain said
his government would not stay with
the plan unless Ethiopia, Italy and the
League all accepted it.
Wolde Mariam, the Ethiopian dele
gate, immediately rose in the packed
Council chamber to attack the plan.
While he carefully refrained from an
nouncing an official reply, he made it
clear the plan was not acceptable to
his nation.
The Council then adjourned in
definitely to await definite replies
from Ethiopia and from Italy. The
latter nation had no representative
present at the session.
No Action Taken.
The Council took no vote on the
subject. It took no definite action of
any kind.
Premier Laval of France pointed out
that the Franco-British action was
taken at the request of the League.
Mariam referred scornfully to the s
Italian army, speaking of the Fascist j
campaign in Ethiopia as a “slight ad- ;
vance" which had taken Premier Mus- \
solini's soldiers 2% months despite the
fact that Italy had the most highly
perfected arms ever taken to the soil
of Africa.
<In Italy today Premier Mussolini
defied Europe to stop his campaign
in Ethiopia. The Fascist Grand
Council was to meet tonight.)
Duce May Quit League.
One member of the League Council
told the Associated Press, “Watch out,
Mussolini may even resign from the
League.”
An Italian spokesman, after an
nouncing his nation would not' be
represented at the Council delibera
tions today, asserted: “Do not jump
at conclusions. The Fascist Grand
Council has yet to speak."
Officials said the Council session
could achieve nothing definite in the
absence of replies from the bellig
erents to the proposals and with Italy
absent from the meeting.
J. Vtu CIUUltiUliHi ----- I
were received by the League from the
belligerents. *
One, from Italy, accused Ethiopian
soldiers of using “explosive” bullets
and cited alleged cases of fatalities
caused by dumdum bullets.
“Violation” Is Denounced.
“Italy solemnly denounces this vio
lation by Ethiopia of a high humani
tarian principle, universally recog
nized and forming part of the moral
heritage of all civilized states,” the
Italian communication said.
A 13-page statement also was re
ceived from Ethiopia which League
officials termed a critical review of
the Franco-British peace project.
The officials asserted, however, that
the Ethiopian note did not specifi
cally or definitely refuse to accept the
plan as a basis for negotiations.
An Ethiopian spokesman said his
government would not reply definitely,
either accepting or rejecting the peace
plan, until the League decided Its
position.
He said Ethiopia trusted the League
and believed the League could not ap
prove the proposals.
MUSSOLINI DEFIANT.
(Copyright, 1935, by the Associated Press.)
ROME, December 18.—Premier
Mussolini, terming Europe "crooked,”
defiantly asserted today that Italy
would “flight to the end” for her
rights.
n Duce delivered this challenge to
“egoism and hypocrisy” In an address
at Pontinia as he dedicated that third
city to be created on land reclaimed
from the Pontine marshes.
Directly from that ceremony he
arranged to go to a session of the
Fascist Grand Council to answer the
proposals of France and Great Britain
for peace with Ethiopia.
Indirectly, II Duce warned of pos
sible strong language at the grand
council session tonight.
HOARE REPORT REVISED.
LONDON, December 18 (IP).—The
British cabinet devoted two hours to
day to a final revision of the report by
81r Samuel Hoare, foreign secretary,
on the Franco-British plan for ending
the war being waged by Italy and
Ethiopia.
It will touch off the government’s
defense in tomorrow's debate In the
House of Commons.
5 *
Italy’s Queen Sadly Surrenders
Wedding Rings to War Cause
Elena Bravely Gives Up Gold Bands to
Fight Sanctions, Leading Nation
in Sacrifice.
B> Radio to The Star.
ROME, Italy, December 18.—Queen
Elena, most popular woman of Italy
today, kept her appointment with the
nation promptly at 8:45 o'clock this
morning, when, after a slow walk up
the wet marble steps to the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier, she sadly kissed
her own and King Victor Emmanuel's
gold wedding rings and with lines of
sorrow and sacrifice on her face,
dropped them into a large bronze urn
at the altkr of the nation, as her con- i
tribution to and sacrifice for the na
tion of her adoption.
Following this noble gesture, which
was greeted with cries of ‘'Elena—
Carissima" (dearest Elena), she con
tinued further up the steps preceeded
by eight members of the royal body
guard, all of them over 6 foot 3 in
height, who bore a huge wreath with
a single palm.
This the Queen placed at the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by
two olive-uniformed Bersaglieri or
sharpshooters. She crossed herself,
remained a moment In silent prayer.
Steel Ring Presented.
A young Fascist girl in a blue suit
then came forward and on a red plush
cushion presented the Queen with an
ugly black steel ring. A major gen
eral, chaplain of the Italian army, in
his colorful ceremonial robe, blessed
this ring and then blessed 20 boxed
similar steel rings held by 20 young
girls standing before the tomb.
A gcld-medaled mother was then
presented to the Queen as the first of
the civilian populace to follow the
Queen's example. After a brief speech
ending with "Happy Christmas,”
which the Queen read in a low voice.
Queen Elena raised her hand in the
Fascist salute and with her face
marked by lines of pain and sadness,
• See ELENA, Page 4.)
BRUM PLAN
Other Delegations Also to
Voice Viewpoints on Pub
licity Proposal.
By the Associated Press.
LONDON, December 18. — Great
Britain's plan for a new naval agree
ment, it was understood today, will be
rejected tomorrow by the Japanese
delegation to the International Naval
Conference.
Other delegations were expected to
express their opinions on the pro
posal tomorrow or Friday.
The British plan involves public!
declaration by each naval power of j
its building program for a period of i
about six years, and suggests that dis
cussion of eventual equality of fleets ;
should be dropped at the present con
ference.
A recess in the sessions until Jan
uary 5 instead of January 2 was con
sidered likely as the result of private
talks among American and Italian
delegates.
Slate to Be Wiped Clean.
It was expected that the confer
ence would have virtually a clean
slate before the planned recess Sat
urday. after expressions have been
made on the British plan. Thus there
would be opportunity for a fortnight
of maneuvering and private discus
sions before resumption of an attempt
to work out other compromise for
mulas.
The Italians’ suggestion for a longer
recess than originally planned was
not explained, but it was presumed
they desired to return to Rome for
the Christmas holidays and possibly
to confer with Premier Mussolini.
They were generally considered to
be maintaining an attitude of listen
ing and observing, awaiting definite
developments before committing them
selves to concrete proposals.
Italians to Voice Views.
Upon their return from Rome, the
Italians were expected to take a more
active part in the deliberations, espe
cially when any question concerning
the Mediterranean arises.
Norman H. Davis, Admiral William
H. Standley and other members of
the American delegation called on
the Italian representatives for a gen
eral exchange of views. It was under
stood no conclusive agreement was
reached on any major aspects of the
naval situation.
The French will complete the cycle
of private talks by conferring with
the Americans later.
OHIOAN TO RUN
Kehrer to Center Campaign on
Townsend Flan, He Says.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, December 18 OP)
—George J. Kehrer of Bucyrus an
nounced his candidacy today for the
Democratic nomination for congress
man from the eighth Ohio district.
He said he would center his cam
paign on a Townsend plan platform.
Brooks Fletcher of Marion, a Demo
crat, is the Incumbent.
I
All-Time Peak Within $168,
000,000 of June 30, 1936,
Forecast.
By the Associated Press.
The national debt reached $30,
555,791,967 today, passing the $30,
000,000,000 mark for the first time
in history.
The new high was caused by mid
December financing operations, which
added $962,639,937 to the debt.
The debt was near the figure esti
mated by President Roosevelt for the
end of the fiscal year next June 30—
$30,723,000,000.
The deficit stood today at $1,606,
711,375, compared with a year-end
estimate of $3,281,000,000. Expendi
tures were $3,307,348,286, compared
with full-year estimates of $7,752,
332.000.
Decrease Slated.
These figures indicated to some the
possibility that the public debt, when
the 1936 fiscal year closes next June,
may exceed the President's September
estimates.
The budget had forecast a $550,
000,000 debt decrease during the year
through retirement of national bank
notes with gold profits. To date these
retirements have amounted to only
$283,0000,000, leaving $267,000,000 yet
to go.
Debt retirement through the sink
ing fund was estimated at $551,000,
000. So far, only $316,456,250 of
this has been achieved, leaving about
$235,000,000.
Receipts $1,700,636,910.
Receipts for the present fiscal year
through December 16 were $1,700,
639,910, compared with $1,663,891,727
in the same period last year, despite
a big lag in processing tax payments
pending court challenges of the
A. A. A. Collections of this tax have
amounted to $65,000,000 this year, as
against $263,000,000 last.
The $3,307,000,000 expenditure fig
ure compared with $3,243,000,000 last
year. “Emergency” spending stood
at $1,411,000,000, compared with $1,
723.000. 000 in 1934.
The December financing pushed the
Treasury cash balance to $2,483,510,
600. The Treasury floated $1,382,
910,700 of securities and retired $418,
291,900.
SENATOR M’CARRAN ILL
Physician Refuses to Comment
on Sudden Ailment.
CHICAGO, December 18 (/P).—Sen
ator Patrick A. McCarran, Democrat,
of Nevada was under treatment today
at Presbyterian Hospital for what
Mrs. McCarran said was a stomach
ailment.
Dr. John Foster, attending the 59
year-old patient, said he would not
comment on the diagnosis until he
conferred with Senator McCarran.
Comment on his condition was re
fused at the hospital.
Senator McCarran became 111 yes
terday whUe bound for Washington.
His home is Reno, Nev.
Italy Claims Three-Day Battle
Victory, Killing 500 Warriors
By the Associated Press.
ROME. December 18.—The Italian
government announced today its North
Ethiopia Army had defeated the
Ethiopians in a three-day battle along
the Takkaze River, .killing 500 war
riors.
The Italian dead In the battle were
announced as 272 officers and men.
The area fought over included the
villages of, Mai Timchet and Dembe
Guina.
Report From Gen. Badoglio.
The communique was based on a
report made to Rome by Gen. Pietro
Badoglio, commander of the Italian
armies in the field. He reported:
“A battle initiated December 15 be
tween Mai Timchet and Dembe Guina
was concluded December 17.
“Our forces attacked an Ethiopian
column wnich had made a flanking
movement to the Dembe Guina pass
and dispersed them after a violent
combat with swords and bayonets.
S
“The enemy’s known losses are
above 500 men.
“On our side, seven officers, 20 non
commissioned officers and national
soldiers, 48 Eritreans and 197 Askarls
were killed. Two officers, two national
soldiers and 25 Askarls were wounded.
Enemy Column Bombed.
“Our airplanes efficaciously bombed
an enemy column southwest of Ma
kale.
"Submissions continue (hi the part
of sub-chieftains presenting them
selves to our Danakil column at Azbi.
“The Somaliland systemization of
newly organized villages has been
completed. Thus there has been in
stituted the royal residency of Buslei,
with Jurisdiction over the Ogaden
tribes which have submitted to us.
“Other provisions for other regions
where the chieftains recently sub
mitted are in course of action."
S '
c WHEN I $AID\
'They’d Never shoot\
Santa Claus* i didn't
think OFAFOSSI8UE /
VyMPTYBWy
Grandfather of Missing Phil
adelphia Youth Denies
Ransom Asked.
BACKGROUND—
In identity of "Dr. Green of
Grade Square” may rest answer Ao
kidnaping mystery surrounding ab
sence of socialite-ador Milne. Older
brother last Sunday found note in
their New York apartment that
Milne had left for Philadelphia
with the doctor; subsequent investi
gation has failed to reveal existence
of any such medico. Later on Sun
day was received special delivery
letter saying Milne had been kid
naped, advising young brother Jo
keep funds on hand, keep in touch.
with grandfather in Philadelphia.
Missing Milne, former brokers
clerk, Jias made stage appearances
with Eva LeGallienne in Reportory
Theater.
By the Associated Press.
PHILADELPHIA. December 18.—
Caleb J. Milne, jr„ well-to-do ex-man
ufacturer, intimated directly today for
the first time that he believes his
missing grandson disappeared invol
untarily and probably is being held
against his will.
He reiterated at the same time his
denial that a specific demand for ran
som has been made of him.
nc o a ja.v> jijuich icuvn —
very much so,” Milne said of his
grandson, Caleb Milne, 4th.
Asked directly whether he believed
the young man is being held against
his will by abductors, the former man- \
ufacturer said, "That's the assump
tion.”
Ransom Report Denied.
He repeated that "ransom has never
been broached to me” and made spe
cific denial of the report that his
grandson's watch and a communica
tion from supposed abductors, de
manding $50,000, reached him. The
only communication he knows of is
the note sent from Poughkeepsie, N.
Y., to New York City a few days ago,
he said. That note mentioned "cash,"
but gave no amount nor instructions
as to the point of delivery.
"I assure you nothing at all has de
veloped as far as I know,” Milne said.
"Of course, the Federal men may
have something they are not telling
us about.”
Milne was at his office in a down
town building he owns. Since his
grandson's disappearance from a New
York apartment he has spent most of
his time at his estate, Scotland, in
the Germantown section.
Government agents and police,
searching two cities, looked for a
“break” today.
Investigators, busy far into the
night on shielded errands, were di
vided on the theory that the youth
who disappeared from his New York
apartment Saturday, was kidnaped.
Federal men sped to and from the
rambling mansion on the fringe of
the Germantown district.
Postman Questioned.
Federal agents talked for some time
with a postman who delivered several
letters to the old house, but he was
warned not to discuss the case.
Eighteen-year-old Frederic Milne,
who lived with his missing brother,
iiwnt twn Vinnrc pnrlv tnHav of
partment of Justice offices in New
York. Agents declined to discuss his
visit, although one operative accom
panied the youth to and from his
apartment.
Miss Anita Smith, aunt of the miss
ing youth, motored from Woodstock,
N. Y., apparently headed for New
York, after announcing that she had
reason to expect a “break” in the case
soon.
She was accompanied by a Govern
ment agent and Aubrey Milne,
younger brother of the boy.
There were two other visitors, one
a man reported to be Caleb Milne, 3d,
father of the missing youth, and a
young woman.
Rhea Whitley, chief of the New
York office of the Department of Jus
tice, said he would investigate a mes
sage addressed to a Mrs. Caleb Milne
delivered to the New York apartment
yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Milne was
not at home.
NOTE REPORTS REITERIATED.
\ _
WOODSTOCK, N. Y„ December 18
iff).—Reports that a ransom note and
a wrist watch belong to the missing
Caleb Milne, 4th, had been sent to
his grandfather in Philadelphia were
reiterated by a reliable source close
to investigators here today.
The grandfather last night denied
receiving the watch and note.
I
Simplified Bible
For Children Is
Work of 15 Years
Arkansas 'Author to Test
Popularity With Sam
ple Copies.
By the Associated Press.
KANSAS CITY, December 18—A
Bible for children—with the big words
and difficult phrases simplified—will
be put to a test next month.
The author, Richard W. Lewis of
Siloam Springs, Ark., said sample
copies would be distributed “to see
if it takes.”
Lewis, identified with child evan
gelism 30 years, said he started work
on the simplified version of the Bible
15 years ago, when his children asked
the meaning of some of the words.
He changed, for example, the verse
"Be not deceived; evil communica
tions corrupt good manners,” to “Be
not fooled; bad company will spoil
good manners.”
Lewis said 5.000 copies of his
revised version of the book of John
will be distributed next month to
ministers, Bible teachers and parents.
If the reaction is favorable, as he
said he had “no doubt it will be,” the
entire New Testament, and later the
Old Testament, also will be simplified.
-.•
VICTORY cun
Republicans Insist, How
ever, Election of Main Was
G. 0. P. Success.
BV G. GOULD LINCOLN.
The victory of Vemer W. Main in
the third Michigan congressional dis
trict yesterday by more than a 2-to-l
vote is widely interpreted as a vic
tory for the Townsend old-age plan.
However, while Townsend leaders
were inclined to assert today that
"as Main goes, so goes the Nation,”
Republicans here insisted that the
Main victory was far more than a
Townsend victory. They said Main's
success was first of all a Republican
victory and a sharp slap at the Roose
velt New Deal.
From the returns in Michigan yes
terday, it is clear, they contend, that
many thousands of Republican voters
did not go to the polls at all. They
interpreted this as a disinclination to
support the Townsend plan, in which
they do not believe. The Republican
nominee, Main, having pledged him
self to this $200-a-month pension plan
for all persons 60 years of age or
more, the alternative of these Re
publicans was to vote for Howard W.
Cavanaugh, Democratic opponent of
the Townsend plan and ardent sup
porter of the Roosevelt New Deal, or
not to vote. They had no desire, ap
parently, to appear to give support
to the Roosevelt New Deal, so they
remained away from the polls.
Vote Compared With 1934.
Compare the vote cast in the special
election yesterday and the election
in the Michigan third district in
1934. Main received a total of 24,837
votes and Cavanaugh 11.631. The total
vote was 35,468. In 1934 the late
Henry M. Kimball. Republican, was
elected to the House with a vote of
41,587 to 32,928 for his Democratic
opponent, a total vote of 74,578. The
fact that the Section yesterday was
a special election, with no other offices
contended for, undoubtedly had some
thing to do with the comparatively
small vote cast. But beyond that, the
Republicans say, was a distaste on the
part of many Republican voters osten
sibly to support the Townsend plan.
The showing made by the Roose
velt New Dealers, supporting Cav
anaugh, was distinctly not impressive.
In 1932 the Republican in the third
Michigan district won by the smallest
kind of a margin in a district which
has for years been strongly Republic
an. He received 49,383 votes to 46,
093 for the Democrat, a margin of lit
tle more than 3,000 votes. '
While Main embraced the Town
send plan and campaigned for it, he
(See MICHIGAN, Page 27)
Paredes Coming to Capital.
MANILA, P. L, December 18 (JP).—
Quintin Paredes, former Speaker of
the now-defunct Philippine House of
Representatives, announced today he
will sail for the United States about
January 1 to become resident com
missioner of the commonwealth at
Washington, D. C.
t
Row Nearly Develops When
Roberts Objects to Com
parison of Fares.
Representatives of Washington’s
civic organizations continued today to
bombard the Public Utilities Commis
sion with a varied assortment of com
plaints about the Capital Transit Co.’s
street car and bus service, the condi
tion of some of its equipment, and the
attitude of its employes toward pas
sengers.
For the second time since the com
mission started the transit hearings,
however, a champion for the company
was permitted to take the witness
stand out of turn, but his testimony
nearly developed a row.
The latest defender of the company
is R. H. Phillips, owner of the old car
line that ran from Chevy Chase Lake
to Kensington and Sandy Spring. Md.,
which was leased by the Capital Trac
tion Co., before the transportation
merger. He also is a stockhoder In
the transit company.
Phillips testified that Washington's
street car and bus service ia the best
in the United States. He complained,
too. about the procedure of the hearing
and that witnesses had not been asked
if they had any favorable suggestions
to make which might add to the rev
enue of the company. In addition, he
argued that the 4 per cent tax on gross
earnings was excessive, and tnat a
zone system of fares should be adopted
so passengers would be required to
pay 5 cents extra at certain points...
By way of comparison, Phillips
started to discuss fares on steam rail
roads, but People's Counsel William A.
Roberts interrupted. He declared he
was willing to aid witnesses to state
their opinions, whether critical or fav
orable, but if the steam railroad ques
tion was to be injected he wanted wit
nesses placed under oath and exam
ined as to their qualifications.
"Is testimony to be restricted here
(See" TRANSIT, Page 2.)
SILVER MARKET
FACES NEW CRISIS
Imported Bar Cut 3 Cents Per
Ounce in Widest Break
Since May.
By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK. December 18.—World
silver markets apparently faced a new
crisis today after 10 days of uninter
rupted declines in various world cen
ters.
Imported bar silver was cut 3 cents
an ounce in New York to 55% cents,
the lowest since February 26 and the
widest break since May 2, this year.
Silver brokers In London, the world’s
largest market, finally fixed a price of
23 pence an ounce, 1% pence lower
than Tuesday’s quotation, after many
hours of bickering. No business was
transacted. News dispatches from the
British capital told of a lack of bids
from the United States Treasury, prin
cipal taker of the white metal for
many months.
The Bullion Exchange Board in
Bombay was reported to have pro
hibited business in silver until Sunday
D. e. SCHOOL TEXTS
PROPAGANDA-FREE
Communism Not Taught or
Advocated, Says Report
to Board.
UNANIMOUS APPROVAL
IS GIVEN TO DOCUMENT
Blanton Again Asserts Ban Will
Stand as Permanent With
out Re-enactment.
BACKGROUND—
"Hereafter no part of any ap
propriation for the public schools
shall be available for the payment
of the salary of any person teach
ing or advocating Commuism.”
Congress, June 14.
In wake of this attachment to
District appropriation bill came
controversy heard throughout Na
tion. On October 16, Board of Edu
cation accepted opinion of Corpora
tion Counsel Prettyman that study
of factual data not under ban.
Subsequently, Controller General
McCarl ruled salaries would be paid
only on signing of pledge that
commuism had not been taught;
pledges later taken and salaries
paid. On November 20, board
named special committee to study
complaint of citizens' group that
certain text-books contained com
munistic propaganda.
The Board of Education's special
committee on textbook review held
today that Communism is neither
taught nor advocated in the public
schools of Washington and that crit
icism of approved textbooks now in
use is unwarranted.
The committee, appointed at the
request of the Federation of Citizens’
Associations, agreed unanimously to
the finding. The conclusions were
drawn after several weeks study of
specific charges of communistic teach
ing or advocacy made by the federa
tion.
The report, a 21-page typewritten
document, was submitted to the
Board of Education today and was
signed by all three members of the
special committee—Robert A. Maurer,
chairman; Mrs. Philip Sidney Smith
and Dr. J. Hayden Johnson.
Meanwhile, Representative Blanton.
(See SCHOOLBOOKS7Page 57)
ROPER DEMANDS
WAR ON ACCIDENTS
—
Says U. S. Toll Is Disgrace.
Roosevelt Pledges Aid
in Fight.
Declaring the toll of preventable
accidents in America “constitutes a
; disgrace to the intelligence of this
Nation,’’ Secretary Roper today called
on delegates from 25 States, meeting
at the request of President Roosevelt
at the Commerce Department, to
declare a national warfare on acci
dents o. all types and pledged the
fullest support of the Federal Gov
ernment “for the duration of the war.”
Man's advancement, Secretary
Roper reminded hundreds of delegates,
including State Governors and safety
directors and heads of national organ
izations, "must be measured by
greater safety in society.” Until the
United States takes greater care for
the safety of Its citizens, he hinted,
it cannot be called an advanced,
civilized nation.
“Fortunately,” Secretary Roper said,
“there has recently entered the public
consciousness of the Nation a keener
realization of the gravity of the na
tional accident situation. Awareness
that this grim foe of mankind was
wiping out annually a population
equal almost to a city the size of
Albany, N. Y„ and injuring more
persons than populate New York City,
made united action imperative.”
Roosevelt to Help.
Just before the conference was
called to order the chairmen of 11
conference subcommittees were re
ceived at the White House by Presi
dent Roosevelt, who pledged them
Federal support in their work.
“I don’t know what the answer
to the accident situation is,” the Presi
dent told them, “but we know that
accidents are increasing and becom
ing a grave national question. You
gentlemen must find the answer and
(Se«TSAFETY7Page 4.)
Hoffman’s Doubt in Lindbergh
Case Centers on Lack of Prints
BACKGROUND
While appeal of Bruno Richard
Hauptmann from conviction of kid
naping Lindbergh baby was pend
ing before United States Supreme
Court, New Jersey’s Gov. Hoffman
revealed he had visited condemned
man in cell last October. Detec
tives admitted new investigations
into case. Important lines of prose
cution attack during trial were
those linking wood in kidnap ladder
with boards in Hauptmann attic
and finding of ransom bills in
Hauptmann garage. Supreme Court
declined review^ of case on Decem
ber 9. Last Friday, Judge Trench
ard, who presided over trial, set
week of January 13 for Hauptmann
electrocution.
By the Associated Press.
TRENTON, N. J., December 18.—
Gov. Harold G. Hoffman’s reasons for
doubting that the Lindbergh kidnap
ing case is completely solved center
around the lack of fingerprint* on the
kidnap ladder and in the nursery
from .which the child ne atote.
%
In Allentown. Pa., last night the
Governor said "rail 16” of the ladder
has not been explained "to my satis
faction” and Indicated he wondered
why no fingerprints were found.
"I have not yet found a person who
feels certain that the last chapter in
the case has been written,” he said,
“nor a person in whom there is no
element of doubt that the entire story
of that crime and its participants has
been brought out.”
Lie Test Up to Court.
He asserted a court order would be
necessary before Bruno Richard
Hauptmann, sentenced to die the week
of January 13 for the kidnap murder,
could be given a lie detector test, as
proposed by the condemned man. It
was understood he had learned Haupt
mann’s defense counsel would have
to apply to Justice Thomas W. Trench
ant. the trial judge, for the order.
Speaking of the fingerprint testi
mony In Hauptmann's trial, the Gov
ernor said:
"Just think of it, 500 fingerprints
on that ladder and not one of them
l (See HOFFMAN. Page 4.)
I
ROOSEVELT MAPS
RELIEF NEEDS IN
SERIESOFPARLEYS
Only New Outlay May Be
$500,000,000 Public
Works Program.
C. C. C. MAY BE CUT
TO PERMANENT BASIS
President Calls in Cabinet Officers
and High Aides to Consider
Fund Requests.
BACKGROUND—
Loudest complaint of administra
tion foes against congressional ap
propriation of 14,880,000,000 for re
lief and public works was that au
thorizing legislation gave insuffi
cient explanation of how money
would be spent, that it placed un
precedented sum in uncontrolled
hands of President and aides. Pres
ent fund, appropriated for two-year
period ending June 30,1937, virtual
ly all allotted at present time.
Many long-time projects given only
enough for first year’s work, creat
ing necessity for subsequent public
works appropriations.
By the Associated Press.
A new round of White House con
ferences on next year's relief demands
aroused speculation today over what
emergency requests may accompany
the newly outlined public works bill.
Lieutenants associated with relief
i and employment were summoned by
President Roosevelt. Also on his busi
ness schedule was a talk with Daniel
Bell, acting director of the budget.
Plans for organizing the Civilian
; Conservation Corps on a smaller, but
! permanent basis, were discussed early
; in the day. Harry L. Hopkins. Works
i Progress administrator, dropped in for
a luncheon conference.
Nearly $500,000,000 Sought.
There was a belief in some informed
quarters that the projected public
works bill—of somewhat less than
$500.000.000—may comprise the only
; relief outlay in the 1937 financial
i budget.
I Those who discussed C. C. C. plans
with the President today included
Robert Pechner. director of emergency
conservation work; Rexford G. Tug
well, Undersecretary of Agriculture;
P. A. Silcox. chief of Forestry Service;
Secretary Ickes, Secretary Perkins,
Secretary Wallace, Prank Welker,
chairman of the National Emergency
Council, and representatives of the
Soil Erosion and National Park Serv
ices.
May Cut to 300.000.
There have been indications that
President Roosevelt would propose
continuation of the C. C. C. as a
permanent organizati^pk with about
300,000 members. During the last
year it has reached a peak enrollment
of between 500.000 and 600.000, but
orders already have been Issued to re
duce the corps by cutting enlistments. -
Most of the $4,880,000,000 has been
allotted to various projects and offi
cials estimate that all but $900,000,000
will be spent by next June 30, the end
of the 1936 fiscal year.
Count on Further Recovery.
By redistributing this unspent
money, they say, it would be pos
sible to care for most of the needy
unemployed until Congress meets
again in January. 1937. Officials are
counting on a further pick-up in
private industry to lighten the relief
rolls by at least several hundred
thousand “employables."
President Roosevelt's disclosure
yesterday about the $500,000,000 plan
appeared to some observers to be a
possible move in the direction of a
permanent public works program as
a means of taking up the unemploy
ment slack. It was recalled that the
j President's National Resources Board
' had urged an annual public works
! program.
eesiaes oeing jess man one-ninm
the size of the mammoth work-relief
appropriation put through at the last
session after a long, strenuous fight,
the new request will be different in
another major respect.
The bill, the President disclosed,
will carry appropriations for specific
projects, and will not be a blanket
request for a lump sum, to be used
much as the administration desires.
The blanket nature of last session's
bill was a chief talking point with the
opposition.
The money, the President indicated,
will be used in large part to continue
(See ROOSEVELT"Page 167)
MARCONI REPORTED ILL
ROME, December 18 UP)—Gug
lielmo Marconi, inventor, was re
ported slightly ill today.
Italian newspapers were asked to
not publish the news. Informed press
circles said Marconi's condition was
not at all serious.
Marconi, 61, was obliged to enter a
nursing home about this time last
year because of exhaustion from over
work.
\
Pages.
Amusements_C-8
Changing World .........A-4
Comics __ C-4
Cross-word Puzzle_C-4
Editorials._..A-10
Finance _A-17-18-19
Lost and Found.A-ll
Philippine Situation_A-G
Radio__C-3
Serial Story_B-7
Short Story_B-G
Society_B-2-3
Sports_C-l-2-3
Washington Wayside.C-8
Women’s Features-B-14
’ § '