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Washington News , Society and General WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, JANUABY 4, 1938. PAGE B—1 DIFFERENT VIEWS HELD ON D. C. TAX Arnold of Illinois, Newest Member, Believes Sales Tax Will Solve Problems. INCREASE IN FEDERAL PAYMENT ADVOCATED Chairman Nichols Favors Modi* fled Business Privilege Levy to Increase Revenue. By JAMES E. CHINN. Representative Arnold, Democrat, of Illinois, latest addition to the Fiscal Affairs Subcommittee of the House District Committee—the group that will write the new tax-increase legisla tion—revealed himself today as a staunch advocate of a general sales tax. "A sales tax saved Illinois, and I believe it will save the District," he declared. Mr. Arnold, however, is the only sales tax supporter on the subcommittee. Each of the other members at the present time have a different view as to how the District should raise an additional $4,000,000 or $5,000,000 to balance its budget in the coming fiscal year. For instance, Representative Nich ols, Democrat, of Oklahoma, the chairman, feels the present widely condemned business privilege tax, in a modified form, is superior to a sales tax. Moreover, he does not believe Congress would approve a sales tax, especially after President Roosevelt told the members yesterday that such a levy would place the burden of Government “more on those least able to pay and less on those most able to pay.” Short Is Foe of Sales Tax. Representative Short, Republican, of Missouri, another new addition to the subcommittee, believes the present *1.75 real estate and personal property tax levy should be continued and the Federal payment toward District ex penses increased to meet the antici pated budget deficit. A bitter foe of a sale tax, Short declared: ‘‘I am amazed at the small amount the Federal Government pays toward the support of Washington. I did not reach that conclusion until I had made a survey of the vast amount of property the United States has taken from the District tax rolls. I believe other members of Congress would form the same opinion if they take the trouble to study the fiscal relations situation.” The most ardent income tax sup porter on the subcommittee is Rep resentative Cole, Republican, of New York. He plans to fight all sales tax proposals as well as an increase in the Federal payment until the District has an income tax. The views of Representative Wood, Democrat, of Missouri, the only other member of the subcommittee, are un known. He has not yet returned for the new session of Congress. Favors *5,000,000 Payment. Mr. Arnold, like Cole, favors an income tax for the District and be lieves the Federal Government’s pres ent *5,000.000 payment is fair. Above all, however, he thinks a flat sales tax should be adopted for the period of financial emergency. “The sales tax is working success fully in Illinois,” said Mr. Arnold. "The State would not have survived its financial dilemma growing out of a big relief load and a break-down in real estate taxes without it. "I believe a sales tax is necessary in Washington at this time. It is one method of forcing those who es cape taxation here to pay for some of the benefits they receive.” Mr. Nichols plans to call his sub committee together Thursday for a preliminary meeting, at which ar rangements will be made for an in tensive study of the various proposals for keeping the District out of the red in the coming fiscal year. MODERNIZATION DRIVES HELD AID TO JOBLESS James W. Follin Outlines Value Before Meeting of D. C. Building Congress. The great assistance a drive to mod ernize homes and commercial prop erty can furnish in alleviating unem ployment among construction workers in a community was outlined before members of the Washington Building Congress yesterday by James W. Follin of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. The congress held its regular monthly luncheon meeting at the Lafayette Hotel. Mr. Follin, who conducted success ful “renovize” campaigns in Philadel phia and Rhode Island, declared that stich a drive would be of great help here during the current business slump. He also suggested holding a campaign each winter to furnish em ployment when under normal condi tions building construction has its sea sonal drop. Theodore I. Coe, prominent architect and president of the congress, intro duced the speaker at the luncheon, which brought out nearly a half hun dred members of the organization. BAND CONCERT. . By the Soldiers’ Home Band Orches tra. today at 5:30 p.m. in Stanley Hall; John S. M. Zimmermann, band master; Anton Pointner, assistant. Program. March, “World’s Peace”... Zamecnik Overture Hungarian, ’‘Hka”-.Ropplei Duet for trombone and cornet, “A Night in Venice”-Lucantoni Musicians Robert E. Clark and Frank Bernard. Selection, ‘‘Zlegfleld’s Follies of 1921,’ „ Victor Herbert popular numbers: .“After My Laughter Came Tears,' Turk - “Because You’re Irish” Van Alstyne Waltz suite, “Imortellen” ... Gungl Finale, “When Everything Is Har mony" .....Wenrict “The Star Spangled Banner.” Women Share Spotlight at Opening Congress Session Mrs. Sara Roosevelt, leaving the Capitol yesterday, seems ivell-pleased with the way in which her son ad dressed the opening session of Congress. The wives of four Speakers, past and present. Seated at left, Mrs. John N. Garner, whose husband now is Vice President. Seated at right, Mrs. Bankhead, wife of Speaker William B. Bankhead. Rear, Mrs. Nicholas Longworth, left, and Mrs. Frederick H. Gillette, widows of former Speakers. Mrs. Roosevelt, as she sat in the gallery of the House, listening to her son’s annual message to the joint session. —A. P., Harris-Ewing and Wide World Photos. PROTEST OF 0. C. Hazen Says Legislation and $26,000 Item Anticipated Protest on System. Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen said today that a pending legislative pro gram and a $26,000 item in the Dis trict budget provided the answer ne cessary to charges against the Dis tract’s system of accounting made by Acting Controller General Richard N. Elliott. “We’ve beat him to it this time,” Mr. Hazen remarked by way of ex plaining that similar charges of "ir regularities” had been made by the controller general’s office for the last 10 years. Auditor Daniel J. Donovan had no comment. He said he preferred to leave comment to the Commissioners. As a result of last year's report by the controller general a committee of citizens and Mr. Donovan and Chatham Towers, collector of taxes, was appointed to recommend ways of improving the accounting system. Their recommendations were turned over to the corporation counsel, El wood H. Seal. The program involved certain measures to correct minor defects and the administration of overdue taxes, etc. A $26,000 estimate was included in the budget for the pur chase of necessary equipment in the offices of the collector and assessor of taxes, and a third point involved legislation intended to introduce ef ficiency measures in the two tax offices. Mr. Hazen explained that in years past various recommendations made by the controller general’s office had been adopted and put into practice. “Some others were ignored because there seemed to be no need for them,” he added. D. C. TAX SUBPOENAS PREPARED FOR 2,000 Assessor Warns Full Use Will Be Made of New Powers to Collect Levies. Declaring that full use would be made of the new powers granted at the last session of Congress. Tax As sessor Fred D. Allen today warned that subpoenas are being prepared for service against some 2,000 persons, seeking to compel them to file personal property tax returns. So far 16 subpoenas have been served and many more will follow, he said. Assistant Tax Assessor Charles A. Russell, who has charge of personal property returns, notified Mr. Allen this morning that he has received some 46,000 personal returns for this year and believes that at least 48,000 should have been filed. Real estate assessments have been prepared for the next fiscal year and taxpayers now may examine the books to determine if they wish to make any appeal, Mr. Allen announced. Appeals may be filed with the Board of Equali zation and Review from now to the first Monday in June. Thereafter the books will be closed and bills rendered for the new year. The annual “auction” sale of tax deeds of realty owners who have failed to pay last year’s assessments will be held in the office of Tax Collector Chatham M. Towers from January 11 to 20. About 25,000 delinquent ac counts have been advertised for the sale. TAXI ASSOCIATION SUED FOR $100,000 DAMAGES Passenger Declares Beating by Driver Caused Loss of Sight in One Eye. Charging a taxicab driver struck him in the eye with a hammer, causing him to become blind in one eye, James H. Ashurst, jr., 4550 Connecticut ave nue N.W., filed suit in District Court today against the Independent Taxi Owners’ Association, Inc., for $100,000 damages. Through Attorneys Alvin L. New myer and Buford A. Lynch, Mr. Ashurst told the court the alterca tion occurred about midnight No vember 15 while he was a passenger in the cab. It allegedly was preceded by a dispute over the amount of the fare. . Abner T. Rowe, 2518 Seventeenth street N.W., owner of the cab, also was named defendant. Another man was driving the cab at the time of (^the occurrence. • * UTILITY CHARGES Car Fares and Phone and Fire Insurance Rates Face Scrutiny. Ignoring the 1939 District budget estimates temporarily, a House sub committee on appropriations planned today to delve into the reasonable ness of street car fares, telephone and fire insurance rates. Car fares and telephone rates are to be discussed when members of the Public Utilities Commission ap pear before the subcommittee to de fend 1939 budget estimates. J. Balch Moor, superintendent of insurance, is to be questioned about fire insurance rates when he takes the witness stand for the same purpose. Chairman Collins of the subcom mittee, whose ire was aroused in No vember when the commission granted the Capital Transit Co. an increase in token fares, plans to ask about the justification for the higher fares. He also intends to inquire about tele phone rates—a subject he went into during the budget hearings a year ago. Excessive Fire Rates Charged. Representative Engle, Republican, of Michigan will take the lead in inter rogating Mr. Moor about fire insur ance rates. At the hearings last year he charged that District fire insur ance rates were excessive, and that policyholders were being overcharged nearly $1,000,000 a year. The subcommittee spent most of its initial hearings yesterday considering the financial situation of the District and methods of raising sufficient reve nue in the coming fiscal year to meet an anticipated deficit, estimated to range from $4,000,000 to $5,000,000. In addition, it considered 1939 budget estimates of the tax assessor's office, the office of the collector of taxes, the corporation counsel's office and the coroner’s office. Higher Gas Tax Proposed. Although the subcommittee has no authority to write new tax legisla tion, Chairman Collins suggested that the budget deficit could be met In the coming fiscal year by a 1-cent in crease in the gasoline tax and con tinuing the present $1.75 tax on real estate and personal property. The real and personal property levy is slated to return to $1.50 at the close of the current fiscal year. Mr. Collins also indicated his ap proval of a Budget Bureau recom mendation to transfer an item of $765,000 for street lighting in the new fiscal year from the gasoline tax fund to the general revenues. Such a transfer, he said, would not con stitute diversion of the gas tax reve nues, nor would it jeopardize a pro spective allotment to the District of Federal highway aid funds. "I know of no valid reason why motorists should not pay for street lights,” said Mr. Collins. "Every bit of testimony I have heard shows the lights are necessary to safety.” Even with the transfer, Mr. Col lins explained, the District would have $1,000,000 more for highway improvements in the coming fiscal year than it did for the current fiscal year. TWO BOYS ARE INJURED IN STREET CAR MISHAP One May Have Fractured Skull, Other Suffers Minor Leg Hurt. Two boys were Injured, one perhaps seriously, when they were struck by a street car yesterday while crossing in Richard Henderaon. the 1300 block of Fourteenth street N.W. They were Richard Hender son, 12. of 3218 Georgia avenue N.W., and Dom inic Panzone, 14, of 519 Irving street N.W. At Garfield Hospital it was said Rich ard may have a fractured skull and that Dominic suffered a minor leg injury. route saia me street car was op erated by Edward Widmeyer, 53, of 134* Hamilton street N.W. Badimnton Hatch Tonight. A badminton match between four experienced District players will fea ture an “open house” for adults pro gram tonight at All Souls’ Recreation Center. The players are David Lan ders. Miss Margaret Graham. George Heckert and Miss Eleanor flshbum. Pine Outlines New Program To Speed Criminal Court Cases Acting U. S, Attorney Puts in Effect Plan to Increase Efficiency by Use of New Facilities Allowed by Judiciary. A general administrative tighten- ] ing-up, based on several months of study and aimed at a speedier and more efficient handling of criminal prosecution of all kinds, was effected today by Acting United States At torney David A. Pine. All felony cases now awaiting trial— some 575 in number—were reviewed this morning at a conference between Mr. Pine and his assistants, and each assistant was allotted his proportion ate share of the total. The assistants were instructed to study the cases to day and tonight and be prepared to report tomorrow afternoon on the ap proximate length of time they would require for preparation for trial. Mr. Pine made it clear he was not attempting any long-range planning, but desired to take fullest advantage of the additional facility of a third criminal division of District Court, which was created by order' of the court effective today. Justice Daniel W. O'Donoghue will preside. “These ideas which we intend to put into effect immediately are not wholly new, but the result of study and frequent consultation with Mr. Garnett during the last few months and determined upon before his resig nation.” the chief prosecutor ex plained. Leslie C. Garnett retired from office last Friday and Mr. Pine was designated by the justices of the District Court to act as United States attorney pending a nomination by President Roosevelt for the post. Staff Hears Plans. Details of the projected adminis trative plart were announced and mulled over at a staff conference of Mr. Pine and his assistants late yes terday. Responsibility of each assistant for the cases assigned to him will be emphasized. “Each case, as an indictment is returned, wall be assigned to an as sistant who will remain in charge of that case," Mr. Pine asserted. Staff meetings for an interchange of ideas, the obtaining of instructions, general discussion and report are ex pected to be held at frequent inter vals. In respect of the much-criticized local bail bond procedure, Mr. Pine directed that no bonds set by the Police Court or the United States commissioner are to be changed, and that applications for bond reductions must be submitted to the District Court. This has been the practice for the past several weeks, he declared. Nolle Prosses Channelized. Other high lights decided upon in clude: Co-ordination in the matter of nolle prosses, with a single assistant re quired to approve all that are entered, except those taken in open court. Recordation of all continuances, with the reasons for each. Creation of a "special cases” group to handle cases requiring special prep aration. Close co-ordination of the work in the different criminal divisions of the court. Assignment of assistants for regular work in the three divisions was an nounced. Cecil Heflin will be in charge of criminal division No. 1. and will be assisted by John Jackson: George E. McNeil will be in charge of No. 2, assisted by Arthur B. Caldwell, and Charles B. Murray will be in charge of No. 3, assisted by William Hitz. Mr. McNeil also will be the co-ordi nator of the work of regular court staff. 1*he ‘‘special cases” group will con sist of John J. Wilson, John W. Fihelly. Samuel F. Beach and Roger Robb, with Mr. Wilson acting as co ordinator between the regular and the "special cases” groups. Howard Boyd and Allen J. Krouse were assigned to utility duty in addi tion to their work in civil cases. Eu gene Carusi will handle the grand Jury. GROCER ROBBED OF $163; DOCTORS ALSO VICTIMS Two White Men Hold Up Store Proprietor and Escape Through Bear Door. Two white men held him up in his grocery store at 201 Kennedy street N.W. last night and escaped through a rear door with $163 in cash, Nathan Sugar, 5521 Second street N.W., re ported to police. Three doctors were victims of other robberies. They were Dr. Paul Eanet, 4847 Illinois avenue N.W.; Dr. George W. Lady, 624 East Capitol street, and Dr. William J. Vanee of the Naval Dental School, who lives at 1717 P street N.W. Dr. Eanet’s bag, containing $100 worth of morphine, was stolen from an automobile parked on W street near Thirteenth street N.W. Dr. Lady said some one climbed a ladder to a second-story window of his home and stole a watch and ring valued at $40. Dr. Vanee reported the theft of two naval officers’ uniforms, valued at $100. - COUNTERFEIT $20 BILL IS FOUNO ON SLAIN MAN Taken Off Body of Victim Stabbed to Death Christmas Eve at “Social Club." The Treasury Department was noti fied yesterday by Detective Sergt. Au brey M. Tolson of the homicide squad that a counterfeit $20 bill was found on the body of Joshua W. Collins, 27, colored, 1700 block of Thirteenth street N.W., who was stabbed to death Christmas Eve at a "social club” in the 1800 block of Seventh street N.W. Sergt. Tolson also reported a coun terfeit $5 bill was found in the pockets of Carroll C. Brown, 21, colored, 600 block of 1 street S.E., who was arrested in connection with Collins’ death. Brown told police he had obtained the bill from Collins. Both bills, Sergt. Tolson stated, had been stamped counterfeit in large red letters, but the letters were erased partially, he said. Ex-Convict, Successful Taxi Driver, Protected by Court Authorities today lent a sympathetic ear to the story of a former convict whose new life and family were all but ruined by the inquiries of a cell mate. The former convict was brought into Police Court on a sharge of obtain ing a taxicab driver’s license under false representations. It developed he had given a flctltlons name to get the permit. The defendant did not deny the charge. He told his story to Judge Walter J. Casey, who later verified it. In 1926 the man was convicted of taking a stolen automobile across a State line—a Federal offense. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and served his time at the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta. On leaving prison he went to Newport News, Va., resolved to “go straight." He found a job there and worked for several weeks, until his employer learned of his record and discharged him. Determined to live down his past, the ex-convict came to Washington, where he found a job driving a taxicab. He changed his name under the convic tion that his real name m^it offer a clue to hi§ past and destroy the new opportunity for which he worked. The false name brought seeming se curity. He worked regularly, found a home and married. He told his story to his wife, who agreed that he was justi fied in keeping his real name secret. Two children were born to the cou ple and their family life was a happy one. In the last few weeks, however, an ex-convict who had been the man’s cellmate in Atlanta came to Washing ton, and got wind of the fact his friend was driving a cab here. He went to the hack inspector's office to learn how he could locate his “pal.” The former convict was informed that no person by the* name he gave was driving a cab in Washington. The friend was insistent and photographs were produced. Qoing through the pictures, the ex-convict pointed out his cellmate. The man than was arrested. Judge Casey ordered a thorough in vestigation of the hacker’s story. When he found it was true, he re leased the defendant on his personal bond. The court plans to help the man have his assumed name l^pliaed. DIRKSEN IS BARRED AT WIT PROBE Palmisano Turns Deaf Ear to Proposal to Let Him Finish Work. Representative Dirksen, Republican, of Illinois, vigorous foe of high street car fares and one-man car operations, was definitely barred today by Chair man Palmisano of the House District Committee from taking an active part in the impending renewal of the in vestigation of the Capital Transit Co. Mr. Palmisano announced that the inquiry which Mr. Dirksen initiated at the last regular session of Con gress would have to be included by the newly created standing Commit tee on Public Utilities. The investi gation was started by a special sub committee of which Mr. Dirksen was a member. However, the Illinoisan was not appointed to the Utilities Subcommittee. Representative Randolph. Democrat, of West Virginia, who headed the* spe cial transit investigating subcommit tee, and was named chairman of the new Utilities Subcommittee, had hoped Mr. Palmisano would permit the for mer group to complete its work, so Mr. Dirksen could make use of a mass of data he has collected about the trans portation situation. Mr. Palmisano, however, turned deaf ears to the pro posal. Mr. Dirksen also took an active part in the last regular session of Congress in writing the current tax increase program, but he was not appointed to the Fiscal Affairs Subcommittee which will frame the new tax increase legis lation for the coming fiscal year. “I did not slight Mr. Dirksen,” de clared Mr. Palmisano. "I merely placed members in the same position they held on standing subcommittees before they were abolished by former Chair man Norton. Mr. Dirksen was not a member of the old Public Utilities Sub committee or the old Fiscal Affairs Committee.” As ranking minority member of the District Committee, Mr. Dirksen had planned to make an issue of Mr. Pal mi sano's appointments at a meeting of the full committee tomorrow. He said today, however, a speaking en gagement would prevent him from at tending the meeting. GROUP HEALTH UNIT ADDS 260 MEMBERS Bural Electrification and Security Board Employes Are Accepted. In the midst of a dispute over its legal status, Group Health Association, Inc., desiring to furnish medical care first to employes of the Home Owners' Loan Corp., has taken definite steps to expand by admitting more mem bers from other Government agencies. This action was taken last night by the Board of Trustees of the as sociation when it voted to admit to membership 260 applicants from the Rural Electrification Administration and the Social Security Board. These two agencies had previously been ap proved as eligible to have their em ployes Join G. H. A. The new members bring the mem bership of the G. H. A. to consider ably over 1,000, although the exact membership was not disclosed. Determination to go forward in the midst of the dispute over its legality was taken as an indication today that the trustees of the organization in tend to fight for its life. FRUIT GROWERS START TWO-DAY SESSION HERE More than 100 fruit growers from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware and New Jer sey began a two-day session at the Raleigh Hotel today to make plans for a fruit growers' organization represent ing the industry in their States. Such an organization, G. E. Bryan of Harve De Grace, Md„ chairman of the group, pointed out, hitherto has been unknown in this part of the United States. State associations of fruit growers have long been known, but there has been no larger body to integrate progress in the Industry, he said. The Middle Atlantic group, when organized, will have a permanent sec retary in Washington and hold an nual meetings at which competent speakers on all phases of fruit grow ing will be heard. Also, an annual food show Js planned to stimulate in tom k JOBLESS PAYMENT CLAIMSCHECKEO More Than 7,500 Crowd Employment Service in Single Day. The District Unemployment Com pensation Board today began the task of determining who among the thou sands of jobless workers filing appli cation for jobless insurance payments will actually be eligible to receive bene fits when the first checks become due January 31. The District Employment Service meanwhile carried on its job of Inter viewing unemployed workers at a tem porary office at 928 Fifth street N.W., where more than 7,500 called yester day to file claims for benefits and to register for new jobs. Since it was impossible for the staff of 40 interviewers to talk with all the applicants concerning their qualifica tions for new jobs and their claims for benefits, only about 900 were inter viewed during the first day. The others made appointments for today and later in the week. About 1.600 were ex pected to be accommodated today. Papers to Be Checked. The completed applications were sent to the Compensation Board of fices, where they will be checked against the records compiled since the Unemployment Compensation Act went into effect tw’o years ago. If the workers applying for compen sation are included under the act, these records will show where they have worked in the District during the last two years, number of weeks of employment, wages, etc. From this will be determined the amount of the compensation check each worker will be entitled to, and how long the bene fits can be collected. The maximum amount paid is $15 a week, and no benefits can be collected for more than 16 weeks during the year. Waiting Period Mandatory. The unemployed who are applying for compensation and new jobs today will not receive their checks for at least four weeks. The law' requires a "waiting period” of three weeks, and the first compensable week would not begin until the end of the waiting pe riod. Thus the first checks will be due January 31. Director John A. Marshall of the local Compensation Board said all those whose applications are received this week will be considered as having filed their claims yesterday. Because of the rush yesterday each applicant, instead of being forced to wait in line, was handed an envelope containing instructions and applications for bene fits and new jobs. Each envelope specified at what time the jobless worker should return to file formal application and be interviewed. Benefit checks will be payable at the end of the waiting period only to those who have been unable to find new work. The Employment Service's function will be to locate jobs and as soon as a worker is re-employed the compensation checks are stopped. JOBLESS AID TOPIC Dr. Louis Levine to Address Jew ish Community Center. The weekly institute at the Jewish Community Center will hear the prob lems of paying benefits to the unem ployed discussed by Dr. Louis Levine, Social Security Board economist, at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow at the center. Dr. Levine, in addition to his gov ernmental service, is an instructor in labor and social security problems at the American University and the Uni versity of Maryland. $1^21 Collateral Is Forfeited in Parking Cases An all-time record for collateral posted and forfeited on old parking warrants was set in Police Court yes terday, when $1,921 was received by the financial clerk from 458 cases. These figures do not include yester day’s collections for convictions in court or forfeitures in new cases. Approximately all of the 458 per sons who posted $1,921 did so in order that their cars might be released from liens which were holding up the is suance of license tags. The collateral on these cases was collected at the traffic division and among the precincts during Friday. Saturday and Sunday. Court officials said it was the first time in the history of the Police Court that as many persons posted so much collateral on old cases during a like period of time. * • ME BOARD COOL [0 CHALLENGE ON Fails to Upset Plan of Blan ket Policy for Seven teen Groups. PROCEDURE PROTESTED BY BUILDING OWNERS Real Estate Group Charges No Representation on Committee Speeding Up Scale Fixing. Despite a challenge to the legality of its procedure in blanketing various occupations to speed up the determi nation of the lowest living wages for Washington's women workers, the Minimum Wage Board gave no indica tion today that it would yield to de mands for separate conferences in the case of each occupation or industry. The challenge and demands were made late yesterday at a public hear ing before the board by spokesmen of the building owners, real estate firms, boarding and rooming houses and a few other related businesses. Their protests were aimed at the procedure under which a conference committee of the board is going about the business of fixing the wage for employes in hotels, restaurants and “allied industries.” Altogether, 17 different classifications of occupations and industries are being considered in this connection. Claim Representation Lacking. Rufus 8. Lusk, secretary of the Building Owners and Managers’ Asso ciation, and Charles J. Rush, execu tive secretary of the Washington Real Estate Board, were the principal spokesmen for the 50 or more attend ing the hearing. With others, they protested they were “without repre sentation” on the conference commit tee, which is composed of 12 members representing the public, the employers and the employes. . The two principal spokesmen con tended furthermore that section 10 of the Minimum Wage Act is quite clear in its intention. “It means,” said Mr. Lusk, “that the board shall consider wages by each occupation, one at a time, and not by 17 all at once as it is endeavoring to do now.” The three members of the board, Mrs. William Kittle, chairman; Arthur Schoenthal, representative for the em ployes, and Claude Woodward for the employers withheld a decision. It was apparent from their defense of the board’s procedure that It will decline to conduct separate hearing* for any one of the 17 occupations. Seek Speed on Rate*. Repeatedly, individual members of the board contended it was quite im possible to conduct separate confer ences for each industry because of the urgency of fixing wage scales as speedily as possible. They also con tended that the personnel of the con ference under question would provide equal opportunity for "fair considera tion.” Mr. Lusk said the buildings and apartment houses allied with his asso ciation represent an industry which pays almost $4,000,000 in real estate taxes alone, and which employs about 3,000 “service” women. “If a too-high minimum wage is set for our women workers, most of whom do char work, many such wom en will immediately lose their jobs and be replaced by men,” he said. “Our industry cannot, afford to pay $17 a week, particularly for part-time workers.” • Mrs. Kittle suggested that there is no definite assurance that the wage would be $17 a week. i niraicn 10 mre Men. Spokesmen for several employers threatened to employ men in the place of charwomen if the latter were in cluded in the minimum wage scale. Board officials recalled afterward that the same "threat'’ had been made by some retail trade spokesmen when the board was considering the basic wage to be fixed for retail trade clerks. A. Julian Brylawski of the Warner Bros, realty division insisted that men are better housekeepers than the el derly women who do char work. He added that many of the charwomen had been allowed to retain their jobs because they had been employed so long their employers did not want to let them go. Board officials gave no indication that they would eliminate charwomen from the classifications of workers now considered for the minimum wage. The Minimum Wage Board an nounced after the session that it had obtained information that day from various Government departments in dicaiing that the wages of charwomen in Government buildings averaged from a minimum of $1,080 per year and "some received $1,140.” If the policy demanded at the hear ing is carried out there would possibly be separate conferences to determine the problems presented in each of the following classifications; Restaurants, lunch counters, cafe terias; catering, banquet or box lunch services; curb services; boarding houses offering meals for sale to four or more persons; all other establish ments offering meals; hotels, apart ment houses, rooming houses, automo bile camps, clubs, hospitals, private schools, colleges, any other establish ments offering rooms for rent and women engaged in the care and serv icing of office buildings, retail stores and similar establishments. $400,000 IN JEWELRY SENT HERE FOR EXHIBIT Approximately $400,000 worth of jewelry is scheduled to arrive here from New York today for exhibition at the fashion show forming part of the entertainment at the Velvet Ball, Thursday night, at the Mayflower, for the benefit of the school children's lunch fund. The jewels, a colorful display of diamonds, emeralds and rubies, are being loaned by a New York jewelry firm for the exhibition and will be shown the following day at a local downtown jeweler’s where they will be kept until the exhibition at the Mayflower. *