FREEDOM OF PRESS
IS SEEN AT STAKE
Black Committee’s Wire
Tactics Visioned as Pro
found Threat.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Irrespective of party and irrespec
tive of personalities, the issue raised
by a few members of the United States
Senate as to whether the freedom of
the press shall be maintained in
America transcends in importance
any other aspect of public policy to
day, for if the encroachment is not
repudiated then the rights of the citl
ren to other constitutional guarantees
Will be similarly impaired.
In its simplest form the question
has been raised Three publishers of
newspapers in widely separated parts
of the country have had their private
messages seized by what is plainly an
unlawful method, Judging by Supreme
Court precedents. The privacy which
has for so long a time attached to
telegrams has been cast aside by a
Senate committee.
The Federal communications act
and other law’s make it a Federal
offense to disclose the contents of
messages except “on lawful authority.”
Employes of the Federal Communica
tions Commission, acting on orders
from members of the commission,
surrendered private messages without
questioning the legality of the request
of a Senate committee.
12,000 Messages Copied.
But even though some 12,000 tele
grams were copied by Senate com
mittee representatives with the co
operation of the Federal Communica
tions Commission, the question arises
whether the Senate committee had a
right to turn over any message so
obtained to any person outside the
Senate committee. It appears that
& copy of one of these private mes
sages was transmitted to a member
of the House of Representatives.
Elisha Hanson, general counsel for
various newspaper publishers, insists
In a motion filed in the District Su
preme Court that the Senate commit
tee violated the law and so did the
Federal Communications Commission
employes in turning over private
messages to outside oersons.
It is not a Question of what the
messages contained because in one
instance the telegram was a com
munication between a publisher and
his Washington correspondent. As
subsequently disclosed, the member ot
the House who was mentioned in the
telegram took offense at the charges
and made a speech about it, thus
making the telegram public. Had this
not been done, the public would not
have been aware that this particular
attack had been made on the mem
ber. So the issue now turns on what
right the Senate committee had in
transmitting to an outside person a
copy of a telegram it had obtained in
its own inquiry.
There is, moreover, the point that
a judge in the District Supreme Court
had a week ago ruled that the sub
poena under which the Senate com
mittee had obtained copies of its tele
grams was unlawful. In the face
of this opinion from the bench, the
Senate committee went ahead with
the transmission of the copy of the
message to a member of th^ House.
This means the beginning of con
siderable litigation of importance to
all the people who believe in the con
stitutional guarantee of the freedom
of the press. Senator Black of Ala
bama, chairman of the Senate Lobby
Committee, told the Senate on Friday
that if injunctions were going to be
granted against Senate committees, it
would mean they could be enjoined
against getting evidence. But that is
precisely what the Supreme Court nas
said again and again, that no suen
unlimited right to seek evidence nas
been granted. The judicial power,
the right to enforce Federal statutes
and conduct investigations into viola
tions of existing laws, is not vested in
either house of Congress but In the
courts, where action is to be taken
following the presentation of evidence
secured in the usual way through the
offices of the United States district
attorneys.
Usage Makes No Law.
It has been contended in the Senate
that the subpoena used by the Lobby
Committee is virtually the same as
has been used for many years. But
this does not make it lawful or con
stitutional. Chief Justice Taft once
said, with reference to this point, that
the fact that a law had not been
challenged in the courta was not to
be taken as a confirmation of its
Validity.
ire cmei oimcuuy wun me oeiiaie
Lobby Committee’s subpoenas is that
they have not particularized or shown
how the Information sought is per
tinent to an inquiry or how the pro
posed legislation on which information
Is sought comes within the constitu
tional power of the Senate. Thus
there is no power in the Senate or
In the House, or in both together, to
pass any laws abridging or curtailing
the freedom of the press. Interfer
ence in the communication between
publisher and correspondent and the
making public of private messages
relating to the editorial conferences
of newspaper men is plainly an at
tempt at abridgement of the freedom
of the press.
The prospects are that an issue of
real magnitude will come out of the
seizure of the telegrams. It is ru
mored that President Roosevelt is not
In sympathy with what the Senate
Lobby Committee has done but. on
the other hand, he has not manifested
any Interest so far as Is publicly
known in the alleged violations of
Federal law by members or employes
of the Federal Communications Com
mission.
It would seem probable that the
controversy over the right of privacy
of telegraphic messages would engage
the interest of citizens generally,
especially when, in the face of a
Federal court decision, use is made
by members of the Senate of tele
grams which have been obtained by
means of the same subpoena that was
declared by a court In another in
stance to be faulty.
(Copyright. 1936.)
% m
PLANS I. V. N. S. MEETING
Special Committee Named to Ar
range for Annual Session.
Mrs. Harlan Fiske Stone, president
ef the Instructive Visiting Nurses’
Society, has appointed the following
special committee on arrangements
for the annual meeting of the society;
Miss Janet B. Houtz, chairman; Mrs.
John W. Davidge, Mrs. Emory Scott
Land, Mrs. R. M. Kauffmann and Mrs.
Charles F. Wilson.
The tentative date for this affair
Is April 1. This will mark the re
sumption of these large meetings, to
which friends of the organization gen
erally are Invited, after a lapse of
several years.
I
What’s What
Behind News
in
Return of Peter Grimm
Marks Blow-up of
Federal Housing.
BY PAUL MALLON.
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT said
he had high hopes that his
housing advisers would have a
plan ready when he returned
from his trip to Florida. This was
merely a polite cover-up for the fact,
which will be evident shortly, that the
housing plan has blown up.
What Mr. Roosevelt would have
said, if he had spoken his mind, is
something like this:
The inability of any two of his
housing experts to agree on
anything has convinced him that
nothing important can be attempted
along that line. Futhermore, he
has wasted so much time on the
subject that he hopes that no one
will mention it to him soon again.
And as for the experts-.
It is generally understood within
the White House coterie that the
President will play a new game, called
■'housing-expert,” on his Florida fish
ing trip. He will name each hooked
sailfish after one of his experts and
club It lustily on the head as it is
hauled into the boat.
Suspicions Soar.
The experts cannot even agree on
why they cannot agree. They seem
to think it is a matter of personalities.
Each one suspects all the others of
working for subversive Influences.
That is, they suspect each other of
working for mortgage bankers trying
to block the program, or for certain
building groups with political influ
ence trying to promote certain phases
of it selfishly.
The basic reason for the futility of
the idea, although they will deny it,
seems to be this:
All schemes which have been
analyzed and considered contain
such, rank discriminations against
■property holders that they are
economically hazardous.
The foremost effect of any kind of
housing, public or private, is the
shifting of real estate values. These
cannot be avoided. If you build
homes, you take tenants away from
localities where they are now paying
rent. You deprive property owners
and mortgage holders there of their
values. By your choice of a new
housing locality, you may boost the
value of property owners there.
It is all right for private realtors
to do such things constantly, but when
the Government starts doing it on a
national scale, a constitutional as
well as an economic question arises.
There is also some question whether
the cheaply - constructed low - cost
homes would last as long as their
mortgages. Likewise, some doubt
whether persons attracted to such
homes would be good long-term risks.
Program Good Ballyhoo.
At least these were the whispered
considerations which dominated Mr.
Roosevelt's recent series of ineffec
tive housing conferences. They ex
plain why the New Dealers cannot
have & program, although they con
sider one highly desirable as campaign
ballyhoo.
What they will probably do now is
this: Continue the existing law with
reference to renovations for six
months with some liberalization. Con
tinue the Government guaranteed
mortgage system indefinitely without
any further liberalization.
Some renewed effort may be
made in reference to low cost
housing and slum clearance, but
the jig has been up, as far as they
are concerned, since Mr. Mor
genthau's real estate mortgage ally,
Peter Grimm, tossed his hand in
the air and returned to New York
last week.
How the railroad Issue is going to
break is not yet clear. The man who
started Mr. Roosevelt writing letters
to rail executives was the so-called
rail co-ordinator, Eastman. He be
came excited because of the Wheeler
Crosser bill In Congress, proposing
strict restrictions agalnsi. rail econ
omies. Eastman is trying to work
out a voluntary agreement po the bill
will not be passed. Unless he does,
it will.
With that bill hanging over them,
you would suspect that the roads
would be willing to enter a voluntary
agreement, but that is by no means
certain.
A. T. A T. Grand Fishing.
One good campaign ballyhoo which
did not fail is the A. T. & T. in
vestigation. The smattering of news
which you have heard from it so far
is only the beginning. Investigators
are arranging with feature writers to
play it up and hit it hard.
The idea behind the inquiry Is only
to expose the ramifications of the
gigantic monopoly in control of tele
phones. Investigators do not tell
their friends that A. T. & T. has
done anything scandalous. Neither
do they have any concrete intention
of trying to cut off the octopus’ ten
tacles in the end.
Their job is to fish and expose the
results of their fishing in order to
promote public sentiment against big
ness. That, of course, will please
every one except the A. T. dt T.
One of the investigators dropped a
hint to a pal the other day that a
million dollars more would be needed
to complete the inquiry as soon as
the existing (750,000 runs out.
(Copyright. 1930.)
\a/iiu dmt uuniu’T naioc
ii ill mw ■ if wii a wnnwiM
Students Lift 78-Tear Ban, but
Interest Lags.
BALDWIN, Kins., March 21 OP).—
Students at Baker University finally
won a long fight to permit school
dances, banned since the university
was founded in 1858.
But it was necessary to call off the
inaugural dance because of the
student’s lack of interest. Advance
sales were not sufficient to hire fen
irchestra.
noun paid
Receipts in First Twenty
Days Are 28 Per Cent
Above Last Year.
BACKGROUND—
President Roosevelt hat sug
gested that tS20,000,000 additional
revenue be provided to finance new
farm program, and added cost of
prepayment of bonus; his sugges
tion was for tax on undistributed
corporation profits, with accom
panying levy on individual income
from corporation dividends.
At the same time, he proposed
repeal of taxes on corporate income,
capital stock and excess profits.
By the Associated Press.
Income tax collections of $389,694,
381 for the first 20 days of March
were reported by the Treasury today,
representing an Increase of 28 per
cent over the comparable period of
last year.
“Receipts are conforming very
closely with the department's esti
mates,” was the only comment from
Treasury officials.
The statistics were telegraphed
from collectors in various districts.
All the money in the total has not
yet been paid into Treasury vaults.
Collections for the calendar year
1936, through March 20, have
amounted to $469,365,339, an in
crease of 30 per cent over the same
period of last year.
The Treasury comment that collec
tions were holding close to estimates
was considered by some observers a
notice that President Roosevelt's $792,
000.000 tax program should not be
curtailed.
M I UK cv:uji urtirs v/j/jnmru,
There have been expressions of op
position in congressional quarters to
levying processing taxes in an election
year.
Mr. Roosevelt proposed increasing
revenue by $620,000,000 through tax
ing undivided corporate income and
dividends. He also suggested process
ing taxes and a "windfall” tax to re
gain unpaid and impounded A. A. A.
processing taxes. The revenue was
requested to meet costs of the new
farm program and payment of the
bonus.
Discovery of a joker in Treasury
calculations for the new tax on undis
tributed profits of corporations mean
while forced the House Ways and
Means Subcommittee considering the
legislation to start again from scratch.
The joker is the circumstance that
reserves held back by corporations for
use in actually paying the new tax
would themselves be taxed; in other
words, a tax would be assessed against
a tax.
Opposition to the whole proposal
came yesterday from the United States
Chamber of Commerce on the grounds
that no new taxes should be enacted
until plans are developed to cut Gov
ernment spending.
Spending Gains in Year.
| The daily Treasury statement as
1 of March 18 disclosed yesterday that
the Government had spent $5,082,000.
000 since July 1, as compared with
■ $4,905,000,000 in the comparable period
a year ago.
GEORGE U. ROSE, 93,
CLAIMED BY DEATH
George Ullshoeffer Rose, Civil War
veteran and retired Government em
ploye, who served as secretary to
James A. Garfield prior to the latter’s
election to the presidency, died in Sol
diers’ Home yesterday at 93.
Mr. Rose enlisted as a hospital
orderly during the Civil War and later
was assigned as record cleric on the
staff of Gen. Otis at Washington.
For 13 years preceding Mr. Garfield’s
election as President, Mr. Rose served
as his secretary.
Mr. Rose later became assistant ap
pointment cleric at the Treasury, and
filled this office until his retirement.
He was a member of Burnside Post,
G. A. R„ and Lafayette Lodge, No. 19,
Masonic Order.
Funeral services will be held at 5
p.m. Monday from Tabler funeral
home. 4217 Ninth street. Interment
will be in Rock Creek Cemetery.
■ ■ »
RAILROAD CONDUCTOR
KILLED BY AUTOMOBILE
William W. Thrift, 50, veteran con
ductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad,
was killed yesterday when struck by
an automobile as he was crossing the
road to a lunch stand near Kearny,
N. J., it was learned today at his
home, 615 G street southeast. Details
of the accident were not known here.
Two daughters, Mrs. Violet Reed
and Mrs. Burdell Reed, left Immedi
ately for Kearny. Mr. Thrift had
been in the service of the railroad
for nearly 30 years, relatives said.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Nora
Thrift, and two other children, Em
ilee, 13, and Marion, 7. Funeral ar
rangements have not been completed.
i ~ ii .
THE WEATHER
District of Columbia—Pair and cold
er, with lowest temperature tonight
about 34 degrees; tomorrow fair and
slightly warmer In afternoon; mod
erate to fresh northwest winds, dimin
ishing late tonight.
Maryland—Generally fair and cold
er in east, snow flurries and colder in
west portion tonight; tomorrow fair
and slightly warmer in afternoon.
Virginia—Snow flurries in extreme
west and fair and colder in east and
central portions tonight; tomorrow
fair and slightly warmer in afternoon.
West Virginia—Generally fair to
night and tomorrow, except snow
flurries in east portion tonight; warm
er tomorrow.
Tide Table*.
(Furnished by United States Coast and
Geodetic Survey.)
Today. Tomorrow
High -_6:18 a.m. 7:00 a m.
Low _ 2:30 a.m. 1:28 a.m.
High__. 6:48 p.m. 7:40 p.m.
Low ._ 1:04 p.m. 1:57 p.m.
Tbt tan and Mean.
Rises. Sets.
Sun. today_... 0:11 6:21
Sun. tomorrow_... 6:00 6:22
Moon, today_4:55 a.m. 4:52 p.m.
Automobile light! must be turned on
one-ball hour altar sunset.
Precipitation.
Monthly precipitation In inches in the
Capital (current month to date):
Month. 1936. Average. Record.
January_ 6.87 3.55 7.09 '82
February_ 3.83 3.27 6.84 '84
March_ 3.54 3.75 8.84 .01
April_ ... 3.27 9.13 89
May ___ 3.70 10.69 ’89
June___ 4.13 10.94 00
July _._ 4.71 10.63 ,86
::: :||
October ....... ... 2.84 8.57 85
ESSiS .:™ =; Ifi W *
‘
- ■ .—.—..' - -
Flo%od Stiuts Off Gas at Richmond
The 200,000 inhabitants of Richmond, Va., were left without gas when this plant on the banks
of the James River was flooded by rapidly rising waters. —A. P. Photo.
Relief
(Continued From First Page.)
trades, thus accelerating their return
to a self-supporting status.
Necessary furniture, clothing and
other essential articles will be given
the flood victims to enable them to
rehabilitate themselves. Emergency
shelter was provided in two boys’
clubs and a colored church here.
Red Cross headquarters reported
prompt response to the President's ap
peal for contributions to a national
fund, and said the money was being
received at 3,700 local chapters In
greater amounts than usual for most
national disasters.
The first report yesterday came from
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Itself a victim of
the roaring Susquehanna, where the
local chapter said It expected to raise a
total of $25,000 by tonight.
Officials will not be able to tabulate
the national total for another week,
but meanwhile they will advance what
ever funds are needed immediately In
the distressed areas.
Residents of Jersey Shores. Pa., late
yesterday sent a request for typhoid
vaccine and a motor boat to be used
in rounding up marooned families.
They also reported that there was only
about one day’s food supplies left In
the town. Assistance was being sent
them last night and this morning.
Workers reached Williamsport, Pa.,
for the first time yesterday. They
reported that between 4,000 and 5,000
families would need help there. Six
medical units were sent from New York
City and other points In Pennsylvania
In addition. 200 cots and 500 blankets
were sent from Philadelphia.
Supplies are being furnished flood vic
tims in Sunbury, Pa., from Shamokin,
where sufficient stores are on hand.
Reports from Sunbury indicated the
scarlet fever ' epidemic” was well under
controL
Great Need in Cumberland.
Mrs. Margaret Lewis, director of Red
Cross work In Maryland, reported relief i
plans were working smoothly in Cum
berland. Approximately 1,500 families
would need help, she said.
Mrs. Dorothy Johnston, supervising
relief in Southern New York State,
reported yesterday from Binghamton
that 1,000 persons were being fed
uany.
Approximately 1,500 families had'
applied for Red Cross assistance in
Maine, the families for the most part
residing in Rumford. Saco, Water
ville, Hollywell, Brunswick and other
small towns and villages. Reports
received late yesterday said that Can
ton, Dixfield and Mexico were iso
lated.
The Red Cross says nobody in the
flood areas of Johnstown and Pitts
burgh needs truckloads of bonbons
and ginger ale.
Rear Admiral Cary T. Grayson,
chairman, issued an appeal to the
public to refrain from sending sup
plies into the stricken areas unless
they are secifically requested. He ex
pressed appreciation of motives be
hind the shipments but said money is
what Is most needed.
Shipments of unnecessary supplies,
the Red Cross said, hamper the move
ment of much-needed goods along the
few open highways.
The District of Columbia Chapter
announced a number of larger dona
tions, as follows:
Navy Cafeteria Association, $100;
Mrs. S. W. Van Slyke, $100; Mrs. B. H.
Buckingham, f 100; Mrs. Charles
Isham, $100; anonymous, $200; Mrs.
Louise C. Ely, $115, and Insurance
Division, Veterans’ Administration,
$154.
HAS 33D TRANSFUSION
Man Has Lived on Borrowed
Blood for Two Years.
ST. LOUIS. March 21 (&).—James
Hedley, 23, who has lived on borrowed
blood for two years, received his thirty
third transfusion yesterday, this time
from a volunteer donor.
Attending physicians said a score
of persons offered blood today after
an appeal was made publicly.
NEW NAVAL PACT
IS READY TO SIGN
« _
IT. S. Reserves Right to Reject
Large Cruiser Holiday
Conditions.
By the Assodited Press.
LONDON, March 21.—The London
Naval Conference approved the final
draft of a new six-year treaty and
announced the document would be
signed by the United States, Great
Britain and France next Wednesday.
Norman H. Davis, chief of the
American delegation, registered an
official reservation that the United
States would consider herself released
from the large-cruiser holiday stipu
lation if Great Britain should build
more than 70 cruisers.
The treaty provides that no 10,000
ton cruisers shall be constructed
during the six-year period.
The three nations which will sign
the treaty are the only remaining
members of the original Big Five
powers which Joined in the 1922 agree
ment at Washington. Japan ieft the
conference during its early stages
when her demands for equality were
refused and Italy has declined to par
ticipate in the treaty because of ex
isting sanctions for her aggression in
East Africa.
The American delegation will sail
for home on Thursday after four
months of negotiations.
National
(Continued From First PRge)
section of the city resembled Venice,
with row boats floating through the
streets."
The threatened milk shortage In
Boston was averted when 30 trucks
arrived early this morning from the
New York dairy area. Others were
nearing the metropolitan area.
To help relieve the suffering In
Massachusetts the State Senate passed
a bill providing for an appropriation
of $750,000 for flood relief purposes.
The money will be spent for food,
clothing and shelter.
Haverhill Cut Off.
Haverhill, one of the hardest hit
of the Massachusetts industrial cities
in the rampage of the Merrimack,
was cut off today. The town was in
undated by the river as Its crest neared
the sea and more than 1,000 persons
were homeless.
With rivers on the seaboard pour
ing their flood torrents into the At
lantic, the Weather Bureau hoisted
storm warnings from Nantucket to
Eastport, Me.
A survey showed the following death
list for the affected States:
Pennsylvania, 113; West Virginia,
17; Massachusetts, 8; Maine, 5; Ver
mont, 5; Maryland, 4; Virginia, 4;
Connecticut, 3; New York. 2; North
Carolina, 2; Georgia, 2; New Hamp
shire, 1; Ohio, 1.
In Maine many communities were
wholly or partially isolated. Rum
ford, under martial law after being
marooned for two days, sent word that
food supplies were limited and there
was no drinking water.
Northampton, Mass., reported the
Connecticut receding. Electric power
was resumed. Mayor Charles L. Dunn
asked the National Guard to continue
on patrol.
Paul G. Kirk, Massachusetts com
missioner of public safety, said a food
shortage threatened.
Springfield, in darkness last night,
also reported the Connecticut falling.
The city’s main business section was
impassable, however. Mayor Henry
Martens said it was probable all refu
gees would be inoculated to prevent
typhoid.
All Maine streams except the
Peliobscot were declining.
Gov. Louis J. Brann said damage
would reach at least $15,000,000.
Maine counted 10,000 homeless, with 16
communities wholly or partially iso
lated. The National Guard patrolled
nine municipalities. Emergency relief
agencies sheltered refugees In ar
mories, town halls and lodge rooms.
Nine of the State's major bridges
and scores of smaller spans fell before
the surging rivers.
Horst Calamity.
Gov. H. styles Bridges of New
Hampshire called upon citizens to
limit their use of highways, curtail
consumption of gasoline and save
food.
"We are Just emerging from the
worst calamity which has befallen
New Hampshire in its history,” he
said.
Manchester was isolated as the
Merrimac streamed through its streets.
One-third of Concord was under
water, but reported the Merrimac fall
ing. Electricity and gas services were
disrupted. National Guardsmen
patrolled the city.
Franklin and Hooksett were without
electric lights.
The Connecticut receded from the
Cheshire County farm, at Westmore
land, where 200 inmates, some insane,
were isolated for many hours.
In Vermont the Connecticut and
other streams were receding slowly.
The main line of the Central Ver
mont Railway was reopened between
St. Johns, Quebec and White River
Junction. Restricted temporary pas
senger service was inaugurated from
Montreal through Vermont.
Proctorville. an Ohio village of 1.000.
was Isolated when the waters covered
its streets. Seven Coast Guard cutters
at Huntington, W. Va.. were ready
to give quick aid if conditions be
came worse.
Thousands of residents fled before
the onrushing waters, and relief work
ers believed others would have to be
removed before the peak was reached.
An unidentified man drowned at
Powhatan, Ohio. Steel mills, pottery
plants and coal mines in the upper
valley were damaged. Many com- !
munities reported shortages of food ,
and drinking water. As many persons '
«» Hwwiwic wwc uiui.Uifticu a^diUdl '
disease.
A 3-mile river wall plus a layer of
sandbags protected Portsmouth, Ohio,
where a 58-foot flood peak was ex
pected Sunday noon. A Kentucky
! National Ouard unit moved into Au- :
1 gusta after the river overflowed into
portions of the city.
The waters had receded at Wheel
ing. W. Va.. but 10.000 persons re
mained in emergency quarters. Only
a few hundred were permitted to go
back to the island—center of the
city—which had been swept by the
flood.
Food centers were established and
utilities were operating once more.
Families which had returned to the
island, however, were not permitted to
use gas because of fire danger.
Pennsylvania:
Danger of epidemics combined with
shortages of food and water to bring
new anxiety to many flood-belea
guered cities in Pennsylvania. Relief
forces were working at top speed to
give aid to 80.00 homeless in the face
of weather reports forcasting snow
for the wek end.
The situation in Pittsburgh and Its
suburbs showed considerable improve
ment, with adequate food and medical
supplies and partial restoration of
public utility service. Threats of a
water famine increased, although en
gineers hoped to start a key pumping
station Sunday.
Thousands of workmen cleared away
flood debris from the business district,
and some stores announced they
would operate today.
Rehabilitation went forward at
Johntown, where 16 were dead and
1.000 were still homeless. Mayor
Daniel Shields sought $10,000,000 from
the Federal Government to restore
buildings and aid merchants in set
ting up new stocks.
D. C. Flood
(Continued From First Page.)
cottages, houseboats and yachts, evi
dently found temporary homes with
friends, for Gen. Keefer reported only
six families sought admission to the
Red Cross relief headquarters for
white persons at the Georgetown Boys'
Club, and only 20 colored families at
the Baptist Church on Nichols avenue
southeast.
Commissioner George E. Allen
called the emergency flood relief ques
tion "a very serious problem.” He
planned to discuss its solution today
with other District officials.
The greatest volume in water In
Potomac River history poured past
Washington Thursday and Friday as
the flood rolled down the swollen
stream from the mountains of Penn
sylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and
Virginia.
C. C. C. Workers Patrol Dike.
Thirty C. C. C. boys from a camp
near Theodore Roosevelt Island and
six building guards today patrolled the
half-mile length of the sandbag dike
from the Monument to Twenty-third
street behind the Navy and Munitions
Buildings to protect it from souvenir
hunters.
The levee, licked by the Potomac
Thursday and early Friday when the
waters rolled up Seventeenth street, is
to stand until Monday, when the dirt
in the 80,000 bags used to build the
wall will be heaped in mounds to raise
the general level of the area around
the reflecting pools. Col. Sultan has
suggested later erection of a perma
nent dike.
Overflow from Roaches Run still
blocked Memorial Highway to traffic
this morning, but Alexandria was
easily accessible by River road. All
routes from other points into the Dis
trict were open.
The Washington Airport was still
doied to pluai, '
A
LOOMS ON WIRES
Right of Lobby Committee
to Use Private Messages
Is Pivotal Point.
BACKGROUND—
Senatorial investigation of lobby
ing has run into unprecedented
legal opposition as interests under
suspicion have sought protection
through courts.
Issue raised on revelation that
probers had reviewed telegraph files,
with aid of Communications Com
mission, of groups opposed to con
troversial utility holding company
legislation.
Chicago law firm and Publisher
Hearst have been leaders to court
fight, but other publishers also
have threatened proceedings.
Br the Associated Press.
A finish fight which probably will
end in the United States Supreme
Court appeared likely today over the
issue of a congressional committee's
legal right to delve Into operations of
private Industry through confiscation
of records.
Revolving around the Senate Lobby
Committee and Publisher W. R.
Hearst's efforts to block the commit
tee's use of telegrams of editorial in
struction, two major developments oc
curred yesterday.
In the Senate approval was given a
request of Senator Black, Democrat, of
Alabama, for $10,000 counsel fees by
which the committee might carry on
its legal defense. In District Supreme
Court Hearst counsel filed a motion
for a preliminary injunction to keep
the committee from making any use
of the publisher's telegrams while the
question is in litigation.
Black Assails “Interests.’*
The Senate’s action followed a two
hour speech by Chairman Black in
which he charged an effort by special
interests to hamper Congressional in
vestigating committees, forecast an
effort to tie up the coming activities
of the Campaign Funds Committee
with injunctions and predicted the
Hearst suit would ultimately go to the
Supreme Court.
His address followed a speech by
Senator Steiwer, Republican, of Ore
gon, assailing the committee for is
suing what he termed unconstitutional
blanket subpoenas for telegrams, and
asserting that the courts “had almost
universally’’ condemned “fishing ex
peditions" in the private affairs and
efforts of citizens as illegal.
Black's resolution authorizing the
employment of counsel was so drawn
that it must have the approval of the
House and the signature of the Presi
dent before it can become effective.
This was done because of an existing
law limiting committee counsel fees to
$300 a month.
Freedom of Press Urged.
Hearst first asked an injunction re
straining the Western Union from de
livering a particular telegram sub
poenaed by the committee, claiming
an infringement of the right of free
dom of the press was involved. Al
ready equipped with a copy of that
message, the committee sidestepped
the suit by withdrawing the subpoena.
Meanwhile, a second Hearst suit,
that involved in yesterday’s court
move, had been filed, asking an in
junction requiring the committee to
return all Hearst telegrams in its
possession to the publisher, to make
no use of them and to refrain from
further efforts to obtain such messages.
The motion gave the committee and
the Federal Communications Commis
sion, also named as a defendant, five
days in which to reply to Hearst’s
allegations.
Fund
(Continued From First Page )
May, E. S.__.. 5.00
Ada. B. S_ 1.00
Sophie H. Clark_._ 5.00
Robert H. Turner_ 5 00
B. L. W. 5.00
Fannie A. MacAllister_ 5.00
Cash... i.oo
Mr. Louis T. Miller, jr..._ 1.00
Cash- 2.00
F. C. Stuhmann_ 5.00
H. G. Barber.. 5.00
Oliver E. Sweet__ 5.00
Mrs. Thomas____ 1.00
Hugh Brewster__ 1.00
A friend. 5.00
Anonymous. 10.OO
V. A. M.. 1.00
Mrs. E. M. Hyam_ 5.00
F. F. Woods..... 10.00
Harriette L. Mohun_ 3.00
Anonymous _ 10.00
Florence Preterre Murray.... 5.00
E. J. J.. 1.00
Anonymous_..... 2.00
Mrs. R. J. Mickey__ 2.00
A friend_ .50
Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Steffens.. 10.00
N. G. L__ 1.00
Miss Alice Grimes_ 1,00
R. L. Jones_ 5.00
M. A. Dillow_..._ 10.00
H. T. Brinker_ 5.00
F. W. Atkinson_ 10.00
Minnie J. Richards_ 75.00
Jennie Cooper Calnet.. 5.00
Benson B. Moore_ 2.00
Annie W. Chieves___ 5 00
Homer J. Brown_ 2.00
Janice F. Oppenhelmer__ 5.00
A. B. G- 1.00
Anonymous_ 5.00
Elizabeth M. Knee.. 5.00
Miss Laura Osterhout__ 1.00
Miss E. Cuningham_ 1.00
Cash_ 1.50
Cash __ 2.00
Cash_....... .... 2.00
Miss A. Richter___ 5.00
Little Jean Gross_ 1.00
Total .$304.50
TODAY.
Senate:
In recess.
Commerce Committee investigates
air disasters.
Honse:
In recess.
Appropriations Committee meets on
deficiency bill.
Ways and Means Subcommittee
meets on tax legislation.
MONDAY.
Senate:
Resumes debate on War Depart
ment appropriation bill. .
Subcommittee starts executive hear
ings on District appropriation bill,
10:30 a m.
Interstate Commerce Committee con
tinues hearing at 10:30 a.m. on anti
basing point bill.
Honse:
Considers District legislation.
C. C. C. IS PRAISED!
Men Saved Industrial Area
of Richmond, Commander
Is Informed.
By the Associated Pres*.
BALTIMORE. March 21.—MaJ. Gen.
A. J. Bowley, commander of the 3d
Corps Army Area, was Informed yes
terday that the ‘‘fine work by the
C. C. C. men saved the industrial
area” of Richmond, Va.
The message was received from Ss.
William E. Persons, who is in charge
of the Civilian Conservation Corps
work there in turning back the flood
waters from overflowing into the city.
The report came after Gov. George «
C. Peery of Virginia and Gov. George
H. Earle of Pennsylvania had tele
graphed Gen. Bowley their apprecia
tions of the work done by the C. C. C.
men during the recent floods.
"I am deeply grateful to you for
your offer to help in connection with
the floods which has been brought to *
me by Col. Persons,” Gov. Peery wired.
“Your men are rendering fine service
now in Richmond.”
Col. Persons reported that 1,200 en
rollees from eight C. C. C. companies
yesterday strengthened a recently con
structed 700-yard dike, "which in my
opinion saved about 35 acres of
wholesale and industrial property
from inundation and serious property
loss.”
List of Dead
Many Unidentified Among
Flood Victims in Several
States.
By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, March 20 —The tabu
lation of dead by towns and States:
West Virginia (17).
Follansbee—Charles Campain, un
identified man.
Wheeling—John Harris, Mrs. John
Harris, Buddy Harris, 2; Mrs. Benja
min Little, 62: Mrs. Little’s grandchild,
identified as “Hackathom”: man iden
tified only as “David,” Mrs. W. F.
Reed, Mr. - Dailey.
South Wheeling—One unidentified.
Wellsburg—Elmer Leonard, Mr.
Deneen, three unidentified.
Keyser—Unidentified elderly man.
Vermont (5).
Hancock—Donald Rattee, 5; Eliza
beth Rattee, 7.
Newport—Byron Herrick, 24, W. P,
A. surveyor.
Williamstown — Mrs. Hiram S.
Drury.
Windham—Harold L. Smith, 42.
Massachusetts (8).
Farley—J. L. Moylan.
Hadley—William McGrath.
Leominster—Harry R. Willard, rail
way freight agent.
Boston—Lawrence McCarthy.
Lowell—Bernard Grant.
North Adams—Mrs. Jessie L. Smi!
75; two unidentified.
Connecticut.
Stamford—One unidentified.
Hartford—John Vritis, one unidu.t ■
fied.
New York (2).
Elmira—Robert Michalke, 44.
Salem—Nancy McMorris, 3.
Maine (S).
Waterville—Harry H. Neal. 73.
Searsport—Unidentified man.
Brunswick—Robert Coolen, Donald
McCabe,-Bradford.
Virgina (4).
Lynchburg—Kenith Patterson.
Richmond—C. M. Boston.
Saltville—Edward Worley.
Stanton—Lewis Wells (Negro).
Maryland (2).
Cumberland—A. M. Lickenstein.
Williamsport—Samuel S. Caddik, 65.
North Carolina (2).
Hot Springs—William B. Paris.
Winston-Salem—Leon Hunter, 8
(Negro).
Georgia (2).
St. Marys—C. H. Monroe, Mrs. C.
H. Monroe.
mw mmpsmrt U).
Unidentified man.
Ohio (1).
Powhatan—Unidentified.
Pennsylvania (97).
Pittsburgh (.metropolitan areal—
Jane Shriba, 11, McKees Rocks;
John Kuse, 45, McKees Rocks; Wil
liam Lang, 22, found drowned in
office; Christian Braun, farmer, West
Elizabeth; Albert Fallen, 21; Infanta
Sherrard, Neville Island; Mrs. Lydia
Fogel. 66, Northside, burns; Edward
Broadbeck, Northside: Florence Wis
lowski, Northside; John Beck, 45,
Northside; Lawrence Lacey, 36, Negro,
Lawrenceville; Joseph Korytkowski,
30, Sharpsburg; Violet Varovic, 6,
Etna; Rose Marie Metzer, 3, Etna;
Charles Metzer, 6, Etna; Catherine
Metzer, 9, Etna; Barbara Metzer, 14,
Etna; Mary Ann Verlokovic, 3, Etna;
Mrs. Catherine Verlokovic, 26, Etna:
five unidentified, drowned at McKees
Rocks; six others, unidentified; Albert
Gill, 45; Mrs. Jane Conn, 64; Frank
Strothers, 56; colored person; Walter
Janowskl, 20.
Johnstown—Walter Bilenti, 18,
Beaverdale; Faber Eckenrode, Loretto;
Louis S. Ansman, Loretto; Daniel
Gallagher, S. W. Buchanuon, Peter
Kostof, James-, S. W. Buchannon,
Peter Kostof, James Langham, aged
10; Mrs. Cecelia Wehn; an unidenti
fied man of Patton, Pa.; Mrs. Murray
Engleheart, 59; Mrs. Anna KrLstof, 44;
an unidentified woman believed to be
Mrs. Laura Clark: Anthony Galardo,
5; Joseph Yemovich, 19; Samuel
Isaacson, 58.
Bellefonte—Charles Emenhizer, 51.
Bristol—James Moock, 32.
East Freedom—Shayes Crltchfleld.
42.
Clearfield—Edward Leitzinger; one
unidentified.
Connellsville—Harry Landymore, 28.
Corapolis—Ralph Keefer.
Cresson—Faber Eckenrode, 43; LouU
Anaman, 43.
McKeesport—John Fellman, 38.
Milton—Charles Haupt, 52.
Petersburg—George Bell and Floyd
Haun.
Plainsville—Stanley Karboski, 36.
Pottsville—Joseph Hagerty.
Freeport—An unidentified man.
Granville—Roy Scoyoc, Wilbur Rees,
James Miller.
Greensburg—C. H. Beborek, 56.
Herndon—Donald Smith, 18.
Huntingdon—D. C. Johnson.
Leechburg—Charles W. Bedgnt of
Milton, Ky.
Rossiter—Russell Sayre, 35; Mrs.
Russell Sayre, their two children.
Stuibury—George Wagner, 25; boy
named McCarthy; three unidentified.
Towanda—Five unidentified.
Tyrone—Two men unidentified;
June Bell.
Vandergrlft—Edward Renwick, 26;
Mrs. Effle Lauer, 60.
Wilkes-Barre—John Kulowski, Vis
Smetro.
Williamsport—Jay Undauer, I. _
A A
The National Scene
BY ALICE ROOSEVELT LONGWORTH
THE President had a lot of fun in his relief message. He took
another jab at the Supreme Court, this time it is to blame for
unemployment. That, of course, is Quite absurd. N. R. A.
had a two-year run, was on the rocks before the
court killed it. had made hardlv a dent in linem
I ployment, and even if it had been upheld the
budget would have been juat aa much out of
balance.
He put a clothespin on the nose of the
gasping and nearly forgotten “breathing spell,”
tossing the unemployment problem into the lap
of business.
Business will employ all it can. Just as it
Swill sell all it can. To lecture it on its duty to
use shorter hours and so to employ additional
workers is a silly way of trying to slide out of
SPt Kffl all responsibility for the new relief billions, and
Alice Lonewerth. ought not to tool anybody.
He also hinted at the policy of again relaxing the anti-trust
laws. A juicy sop to make big corporations happy and open-handed
for the campaign.
(Copyright, 1836J
I A