Evening star. [volume], February 15, 1940, Page A-2, Image 2

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

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
D. C. Employers See
Important Issue in
Jobless Tax Rating
McGehee Bill Delayed
To Work Out Employment
Stabilizer Incentive
By DON 8. WARREN.
The forthcoming decision by Con
gress on the adoption or rejection of
an “employer experience rating” in
the District unemployment compen
sation system is regarded as a factor
of exceptional importance to District
employers who pay the jobless in
surance bills.
Just what is an employer ex
perience rating, how would it work,
and what are its implications, if in
cluded or abandoned? These ques
tions are being asked, and in some
quarters regarded as of equal im
portance with the pay roll tax rate
and the proposed extension of
benefits.
In keeping with the original Fed
eral program, the District law and
those of some 36 States provide for
adoption of an employer experience
rating plan and so far such plans
have been placed in effect in four
States^ Wisconsin, Indiana, Ne
braska* and South Dakota.
What is a rating system? Briefly
stated, it may be described as one
permitting, within certain limits, a
reduction on the pay roll levies on
classes of employers whose record
indicates a steady employment, thus
preventing the inequity which results
from carrying his own share of the
cost of unemployment insurance,
plus the share of others whose busi
ness contributes to unemployment.
The picture as to conditions in
Washington is clearly outlined in a
tabulation released today by the
Washington Board of Trade, based
on reports of the District Unemploy
ment Compensation Board showing
unemployment insurance experiences
by various classes of Washington
employing groups, ft reveals that
some groups who pay relatively little
into the insurance fund draw heavily
against it, while those who pay a
relatively large tax draw little in the
form of benefits.
Case Illustrated.
For instance, one group of em
ployers, who contributed 7.3 per cent
of the total pay roll tax collections
over one full year caused a drain of
27.4 per cent of the total benefits
paid out. And, more significantly,
the workers in this group took out
103.9 per cent of the amount of pay
roll tax monies the employers in this
group had contributed in pay roll
taxes.
On the other hand, another group
of employers paid 31.3 per cent of
total tax collections and caused only
30.4 per cent of the total of benefit
payments. This group caused the use
of but 25.8 per cent ol its own tax
contributions as benefit outlays.
The relation of group tax contri
butions to group benefits paid ranged
from 1 to 103.9 per cent.
The present District act carries a
definite provision for promulgation
of an employer experience rating
system beginning next January 1.
Its provisions appear to be manda
tory on the D. U. C. Board, although
as yet there has been no official
legal ruling on the point. Its pro
visions, dating back to the “pioneer”
days of unemployment compensa
tion, 1935, are not satisfactory to
some employers, since it appears to
require an increase in the tax rate
on some employers with poor em
ployment records in order to provide
a tax reduction to others having
better records of stabilizing pay rolls.
Provided for in 1941.
3 per cent of total pay rolls, this
with the calendar year 1941, the
board shall classify employers on the
basis of their unemployment hazards
and fix rates of contribution by such
classes. The rates are not to be less
than \y, per cent nor more than 4
per cent. It also provides that total
tax collections shall not be less than
3 per cent of total payrolls, this
being the present flat rate, which the
McGehee bill proposes to cut to 2.7
per cent.
There is anything but unanimity
Of opinion at present on the question
of an employer experience rating
system. In fact, the long-range im
portance, nationally and locally, of
the current issue raised over the Dis
trict act on. this point has been
emphasized by a division of views.
Washington business interests, as
represented by spokesmen for 20
organizations, have urged adoption
of a definite new rating plan as a
part of the McGehee bill. They now
are at work on a proposed formula.
This was one of the reasons why they
sought a brief delay in House action,
which was granted. They acted when
they found the present draft of
the bill merely requires that the
D. U. C Board shall study operation
of the act “with a view to determin
ing the advisability” ol establishing
a rating system, stipulating only that
recommendations must be submitted
by January 1. This has been inter
preted in some quarters as a move to
lay the subject on the shelf.
Opposed by Labor.
Thete are indications that some
key Government officials are “back
ing away” from the experience rat
ing system as a basic policy, and
outspoken opposition has been reg
istered by both the American Feder
ation of Labor and by the Congress
of Industrial Organizations in con
vention resolutions dealing with the
national program. The American
Legion, on the other hand, has
urged continuation and perfection
of the rating system idea through
out the country, arguing that diffi
culties encountered in early trials
READY FOR "HOUSEWARMING”—An occupational therapy room for crippled children at Gal
linger Hotpital was equipped by the Twentieth Century Club as a golden jubilee project, and will
be shown to Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, members of Congress, District officials and friends for the
first time at a “housewarming” tomorrow afternoon.
In this cheerful scene, left to right, are Bernard Limerick, 8; Roy Hill, 21, and Leonard
Kolber’ 15‘___ -Star Staff photo
have in no wise discredited the gen
eral principle involved.
District business interests have
urged that the plan be adopted for
use here and that tfie provisions of
the present law be perfected. They
contend that even with the proposed
liberalization of the compensation
plan for both employes and em
ployers nere, as outlined in the Mc
Gehee bill, the District board still
would be collecting annually in pay
roll taxes an amount roughly twice
what would be the expected dis
bursements in jobless benefits.
Stated another way, the District
now has built up a surplus of more
than $16,000,000 in pay roll tax funds
and it is estimated this surplus will
amount to more than $20,000,000 by
next January 1. Last year, pay roll
taxes amounted to $6,763,150.31 well
over four times the Jobless benefit
costs, for the board paid out in
benefits only $1,436,893. If the pres
ently proposed liberalization plans be
approved, it is estimated, the District
will be collecting between $2,000,000
and $3,000 000 per year more than
the estimated benefit disbursements,
enough of an annual margin, these
business interests declare, to war
rant at least some trial here of an
employer rating system.
Questions Raised.
As the issue over experience rat
ing develops, a number of perti
nent questions are being asked:
1. —Should all employers, regard
less of their records in maintain
ing steady employment, pay the
same pay roll rate to the unem
ployment insurance fund?
2. —If so, would this mean that
the employer who succeeds in main
taining stability in his employ
ment, thereby placing' little drain
on the insurance fund, be required
to carry along the employer who
cannot, or does not, stabilize his
employment?
3— If the rate of contribution
were the same, would there remain
any incentive to an employer to
seek to improve the stability of his
pay roll, since he still must pay the
same rate as the "bad risk” em
ployer?
4- —If differential rates were put
into force here, as they have been
in four States so far, would they
tend to put too great a burden on
the small employer. If so, would
this tend to foster monopolies, as
some opponents of the rating sys
tem claim?
Might Build for Cut.
5. —Is the better solution the
adoption of an equal rate for all,
including both good and bad unem
ployment risks, and to continue to
build up surplus insurance funds,
against the day when perhaps some
flat rate might be ordered by Con
gress? Is it true that such a sys
tem would encourage labor leaders
to call for progressive increases in
benefit payments, causing continual
postponement in ariy flat rate tax
cut, as some persons fear?
6. —Is it true that an experience
rating system is "unworkable,” as
is claimed by Director John A. Mar
shall of the D. U. C. Board, or too
difficult of administration, or too
costly to be worth the effort?
The pro and the con of the argu
ment runs through a long list of
resolutions, pamphlets, statistical
studies, and even books.
Certain key officials and labor
leaders argue that experience rat
ing is unworkable or inequitable
particularly because there are busi
nesses or trades which are especially
seasonal. One frequently named is
the building construction Industry.
Some leaders insist the rating
system would prove extremely costly
to this field as opposed to others not
subject to the same seasonal prob
lems.
On the other hand, advocates of
the plan insist that a rating system
should be “weighted” to give con
sideration to such unusual factors,
and1 insist that such problems pres
sent no reason to reject the principle.
One labor group argues that in
their efforts to get the most favor
able differential rates, under the ex
perience rating system, employers
wish benefit payments to be as
small as possible and "therefore are
devising schemes to bar workers
frem benefits.”
On the other hand, one recognised^
expert, who advocates the rating
system, reports that in Wisconsin,
where the plan has had the longest
trial, employers are striving gen
erally to stabilize employment even
in definitely seasonal Industries,
with the result that great benefits
have resulted to workers. "In one
striking instance,” he writes, “a meat
packer who laid off an average of
about 65 per cent of his employes
annually from 1926 to 1935, has been
able to achieve almost complete pay
roll stability. In the last six months
of 1936, after his stabilization plan
went into effect, he laid off fewer
than 40 out of a total pay roll of
1.300. Formerly he would have as
many as 500 layoffs in the first six
months of the year.”
In opposing experience rating, one
labor group has issued a call for a
uniform national unemployment
compensation system, insisting that
benefits shoUld be increased and the*
laws of the States simplified.
On the. other side, the American
Legion, in a convention resolution,
urging adoption, improvement and
continuation of merit rating of em
ployers, registered opposition to
“Federal legislation or rulings by
the Social Security Board, which
would curtail or hamper the full
exercise of merit rating by the sev
eral States.”
Communists Propose
District Improvements
Improvement of. “terrible condi
tions” at the Blue Plains Home for
the Aged and Infirm and of “the
entire welfare situation in the Dis
trict” was urged today in a legis
lative program proposed by the Dis
trict Communist Party.
It was asserted that the so-called
war boom had failed to increase
employment in the District and
pointed out that 2,500 Government
workers had been dismissed and a i
124,000,000 Federal building program
scrapped, meaning unemployment
for thousands of building trades
workers.
The right of suffrage here was up
held. Prosecution by the Justice De
partment of District building trades
unions under the Anti-Trust Act was
condemned. An equal rights bill
prohibiting segregation of the races
on any Government property was
urged.
The party recommended 10-cent
milk, with a price of 5 cents for
the unemployed; restoration of the
$1 weekly streetcar pass and a 5-cent
fare. Municipal ownership of utili
ties and transit lines was urged.
The party opposed any taxes ex
cept those derived from income and
inheritance.
Reorganization of the Alley
Dwelling Authority, with repre
sentation from labor, tenants and
colored people was another recom
mendation. The party also urged
restoration of the $1,000,000 cut in
the District health budget; a District
labor department; better educational
facilities and more playgrounds.
13 Held for Jury Trial
After Baltimore Party
By the Associated Press.
BALTIMORE, Peb. 15.—Approx
imately 70 employes of the Social
Security Board Accounting Division,
arrested Sunday night in a police
raid on a stag party, forfeited col
lateral bonds of $2.70 each last night
in Police Court, but 13 other persons
were held on bond for jury trial.
Bonds for the 13 ranged from
$500 to $1,000. They included four
women, charged with performing in
an indecent show, and nine men,
charged with operating a disorderly
house, conducting an immoral show
and intent to show obscene films.
After the raid, Social Security
Board officiala said about 70 of those
arrested had been identified as
Government workers. Four board
employes, named as participants in
the promotion of the affair, were
suspended pending an investigation
by board officials.
►--—
Unemployment Contributions and Benefits
is
&
Industry. "at
/ »£•}
ssi
» «cS
' fcsi
Total all industries- $209,352,61137
Contract construction_ 14,714,278.62
Manufacturing_ 22.085,607.85
Transportation _ 19,020,851.79
Communication_ * 7306,553.18
Utilities _—_ 7,416301.92
Trade _ 65,835,285.29
Finance___— 3308,421.31
Insurance _ 8,095,494.20
Real estate_ 9,044,610.04
Combination group_ 880,781.91
Administrative offices- 59,524.75
Service _ 38,801,497.07
Professional services- 6,135,478.42
Miscellaneous_ 9,547,444.02
£3 Percent mi per m i
gS Industrial £ gwa
8«j (roup. 'fi "«e
> 8 a «®S
au i s s gBf
5” 5 -= j 5|*
H If 11 I i
$638230631 100 100 $1,67330830 26.6
441,938.70 7.3 27.4 459,322.50 103.9
662,832.43 10.5 7.4 124,098.00 18.7
570357.11 93 7.5 125,385.25 21.9
237,542.19 3 3 0.7 11,69730 4.9
222302.79 3.6 2.3 38,169.00 17.1
1,972,096.87 31.3 30.4 508,867.00 253
114,881.49 1.9 0.4 7,057.00 6.1
182348.47 2.9 0.6 10,6063 0 5.8
271,112.24 3.9 3.58 59,204.00 21.8
' 26,923.10 0.4 0.22 3,771.00 14.0
1,78139 0.02 —> 19.50 1.0
1,108,380.99 17.7 18.0 300,192.75 27.0
183,638.12 2.9 0.9 1431130 8.0
286,770.92 4.58. 0.6 10307.00 3.4
The above table, prepared by tne Board or Trade tram statistics or tne District unemployment com*
pensation Board for the calendar year 1938 (the latest for which full statistics is available), shows to what
extent various classes of District businesses and trades have contributed to the unemployment insurance
fund, the percentage of tax contributions by groups as to the whole receipts, the percentage of total benefits
drawn out for employes of the several classes, arid the percentage (if contributions from mch class which were
withdrawn to pay benefits to the jobless. » m
$200,000 Libel Action
Against N. F. F. E.
Is Given to Jury
A. F. G. E. Suit Grew
Out of Editorial
In the Federal Employe
Nearing a close after two weeks
of testimony, the *200,000 libel ac
tion of the American Federation of
Government Employes against the
National Federation of Federal Em
ployes was submitted to a jury In
District Court shortly before noon
today.
The suit, filed nearly three years
ago, grew out of an editorial in the
Federal Employe, official organ of
the National Federation of Federal
Employes, in March. 1937. The edi
torial attacked the rival group,
which earlier had been beset with
internal troubles that had brought
about a change in leadership and
had resulted also in the expulsion
of a group of lodges that had joined
in picketing demonstrations at
Government establishments because
of trouble between the employes
and administrative officers.
The plaintiff contended the or
ganization had been libeled by being
held responsible for the conditions in
its ranks.
The American Federation of Gov
ernment Employes was set up by the
American Federation of Labor after
the National Federation of Federal
Employes withdrew from the A. F.
of L. in a dispute over classification
legislation.
Officials of the two organizations
occupied different sides of the court
room as Justice T. Alan Goldsbor
ough gave the case to the jury.
Charlton Ogburn and Arthur Rey
man were counsel for the plaintiff,
while William E. Leahy and William
J. Hughes represented the defense.
Bituminous Output
Drops During Week
The National Coal Association,
from incomplete car-loading reports
from the railroads, estimates bitu
minous coal production in the United
States for the week ended February
10 as approximately 9,800,000 net
tons.
Production for the corresponding
week. 1939, 8.690.000 tons; 1938, 6.
866.000 tons. Percentage of change.
1939, increase 12.8 per cent; 1938,
increase 42.7 per cent.
The report of the Bituminous Coal
Division of the Department of the
Interior shows production of 10,
320.000 tons for the week ended Jan
uary 27, and 10,200,000 for the week
ended February 3, 1940.
Lightship
(Continued From First Page.)
the lighthouse service was merged
with the Coast Guard last summer.
Guards Graveyard.
Day in and day out, the Diamond
Lightship strains at her 7-ton
anchor upon the dangerous shoals
15 miles from Cape Hatteras guard
ing “the graveyard of the Atlantic,”
one of the most treacherous stretches
of the seven seas.
Captain and crew know that other
Diamond lightships hav egone down
in howling hurricanes. One even
was sunk by a submarine.
The present lightship of 825 tons
was built in 1922 to take the place
of another which grew old In the
service. Her lights, 65 feet above
sea level, are visible for 14 miles,
except on a stormy night, when
the horn is brought Into play.
Tender Brings Food.
The great fog horn echoes its
blast 15 miles away.
“Old Hundred and Five” warns
of dangers of the deep with her two
high mounted lights and her mighty
voice. She wallows in 174 feet of
water. >
The crews spend 60 full days and
nights aboard this ship that never
sails—except when she’s torn from
her mooring. They have 30-day
leaves. A tender comes out once a
month with fresh vegetables, fruits
and necessities of the lonely life.
Tommies See Image
Of Virgin in Clouds;
Find It Nazi Trick
By the Associated Press.
PARIS, Feb. 15.—Press ac
counts from the front sector oc
cupied by the British today re
ported that Tommies manning
an outpost during the night
suddenly saw an image of the
Virgin Mary appear in the
clouds with 'her arms out
stretched in entreaty.
The commander sent out a
patrol which returned with the
information that the Germans
were projecting the image from
a machine on the ground.
-1
G. 0. P. Committee
Members Discuss
Fund-Raising
Delegates to Select
Convention Date,
City Tomorrow #
By JOHN C. HENBY.
Plans for a financial drive to sup
port what they hope and feel will be
a successful presidential election
campaign were being discussed In
formally today by Republican na
tional committeemen as they trooped
into Washington for tomorrow’s ses
sion and the Important decisions on
convention date and city.
Expecting to do all their current
business in two meetings tomorrow,
the delegates will assemble at the
Willard Hotel at 10 am., with
Chairman John Hamilton scheduled
to deliver a "keynote” address at
10:15.
No Backlog of Funds.
Following Mr. Hamilton’s speech.
It was believed the committee would
go into an executive session for the
rest of the morning, at which time
party finances are scheduled for dis
cussion. At the present time, it was
said today, the party is free of debt
but has no backlog of funds suffi
cient for more than ordinary
“peacetime” operating expenses.
Late last year the debt had reached
$650,000 but two fund drives near
the year end wiped this out and left
a small margin. Since then con
tributions have just about equaled
expenses.
While the financial problems will
be discussed tomorrow, it is believed
by party leaders that no outstand
ingly successful campaign for money
can be made before the convention
and the selection of a presidential
candidate. Potential contributors
are much more likely to "place their
bets” after a candidate is named
than while the party followers are
split up among numerous favorite
sons, it was explained
Already in town and predicting
dire things for Democrats and the
New Deal next fall are Harrison E.
Spangler of Iowa. J. Leonard Rep
logle of Florida, Mrs. Grace B. Rey
nolds of Indiana, and Mrs. Chris
Carlson of Minnesota, committee
members from their respective
States
Midwest Reported Restive.
With nc doubt about his meaning,
Mr. Spangler Issued a statement on
arrival that the Midwest is not sat
isfied with things as they are and
will translate that unhappiness into
Republican votes in November.
"The Midwest is as conscious of
the wasteful, silly and reckless
spending of the New Deal as the rest
of the country.” Mr. Spangler as
serted “and there is no mo^e clear
thinking individual in the Nation
than our farmer. He knows how
hard it is to save money and make
both ends meet. National fecovery
will not come until such Spending
and crack-pot Government as we
have now is thrown out ot Wash
ington.'’ ^
Mrs Reynolds reported that “In
diana’s return to the Republican col
umn is in the bag”; Mr. Replogle de
clared “there is vigorous opposition
to a third term for President Roose
velt in Florida"; Mrs. Carlson com
plained that the New Deal reciprocal
trade treaty program is "a direct slap
in the face of the American farmer.”
Two Cities in Lead.
As the delegates gathered, Chicago
and Philadelphia 'seemed to be in
the lead as convention cities with
the cash factor likely to be a de
termining one in the final decision.
As for the date, talk has ranged j
between June 18 and July 20—per
haps to be timed for an actual
nomination in Philadelphia on In
dependence Day, July 4. San Fran
cisco is an outside possibility if its
sponsors will top the other bids by
an extra $50,000, it was said.
The Democrats are headed for
Chicago, but the question of fixing
the time for their meeting has been
left to National Chairman James A.
Farley. Since the Republicans by
their own rules must set their con
vention date in committee meeting
the G. O. P. decision is assured to
morrow. Presumably Mr. Farley will
then set a date for the Democrats
after the Republican meeting.
Several From Hill Invited.
Republican Chairman Hamilton
announced today he has Invited
Senate Minority Leader McNary.
Senator Townsend of Delaware and
Representative Dltter of Pennsyl
vania to attend tomorrow’s session.
The latter two are chairmen of Re
publican Campaign Committees of
the Senate and House. House Mi
nority Leader Martin of Massa
chusetts is a member of the National
Committee and will be in attendance
as a delegate.
In addition to the convention
Issues, the committee tomorrow will
decide on an Executive Committee
successor to the late Representative
Taylor of Tennessee and will con
firm the nomination of seven new
members to the full national com
mittee.
Funeral Rites Held
For Mrs. Hurley 7
Funeral services were held today
for Mrs. Catherine W. Hurley, a res
ident of Washington for 70 years,
who died Tuesday at her home, 1318
Belmont street N.W., after a short
illness.
Mrs. Hurley was a, native of Ire
land. She was 88 years old.
Surviving are four daughters, Mrs.
Annie E. Hopper, Mrs. Bertie Palmer
and Mrs. Daisy Beaver, all of Wash
ington, and Mrs. Ethel Gearhart of
Baltimore. She also leaves three
grandchildren and two great-grand
children.
Following a requiem mass at St
Paul’s Church, Fifteenth and V
streets N.W.. burial was held in
Rock Creek Cemetery.
*
Wallace Says Farm
Income Must Rise
To Meet War Strain
Certificate System of
Processing Taxes
Held Best Way
Sr the Associated Press.
Secretary Wallace told the House
Agriculture Committee today that
his "income certificate” system of
processing taxes offered the best
possible way to enable farmers to
"withstand the stresses of the
present war.”
Indeed, he said, the national wel
fare requires Congress to increase
farm income.
Secretary Wallace recommended
the certificate plan for boosting the
cash yield for products of such crops
as cotton, wheat, tobacco, rice,
prunes and raisins.
For certain other crops, such as
com, which do not pass through a
centralized manufacturing process,
he recommended increased Govern
ment appropriations for benefit
payments.
Four Alternative Methods.
The Secretary outlined four al
ternative methods for increasing
farm income:
Increased appropriations for sub
sidies, price-fixing, Government
loans that would peg commodity
prices at higher levels and the
marketing certificate plan.
"As 1 have been able to determine,
the marketing certificate approach
is clearly superior.”
Secretary Wallace said some per
sons had believed that the war
would result in a substantial in
crease in farm prices and thereby
produce at least a temporary solu
tion of the farm problem.
"But agriculture is not profiting
from the war in Europe, and is not
likely to profit at any time in the
near future. And for some groups
of producers, the war has been an
economic calamity. • • • The net
effect of the war on agriculture has
been to shut off a large part of the
world market for our farm prod
ucts • • • the war is likely to make
farm programs for the export crops
more necessary rather than less
necessary.”
Administration Held Simple.
A marketing certificate plan. Sec
retary Wallace said, could be ad
ministered simply.
"First we would allot market
ing certificates to farmers who co
operate in production adjustment
and soil conservation, in such
amounts and having such values
as would be necessary to cover their
allotted normal production and as
sure them an income equivalent to
parity prices on the domestically
consumed portion of their crops.
"Second, we would require manu
facturers and importers, upon the
sale of finished products, to acquire
the certificates, in amounts which
would assure a market for the entire
supply, and return them to the
Government. No certificates would
be required from manufacturers on
sales for export.
"And third, we would establish a
Government revolving pool to pur
chase certificates from fanners and
sell them to manufacturers when
ever necessary in order not only to
maintain the market price of the
certificates at their face value but
also to make buying and selling a
convenient operation and to assure
that an adequate supply of certifi
cates would be available for the
needs of manufacturers and im
porters at all times.”
Insurance Bill Approved.
The committee approved legisla
tion yesterday to insure farm tenant
mortgages.
The measure, similar to the Fed
eral Housing Authority program,
was approved by the Senate last
year in a slightly different form.
It would authorize the Secretary
of Agriculture to use the fund for
five years and would require Con
gress to appropriate amounts equal
to any losses the program might
incur.
The committee also approved a bill
making permanent the 3'4 per cent
interest rate on Federal Land Bark
and Land Bank commissioner loans.
The rate might be increased after
next July 1, under present law.
Teachers Put to Work
Nearly 1,000 unemployed teachers j
have been put to work in 347 new
schools in Belostock. Russia, in
which classes are being conducted
in the Russian and Belorussian
languages.
Congress in Brief
TODAY.
Senate:
Takes up $1,032,000,000 Treasury
Post Office bill.
Labor Committee considers nomi
nation of Philip B. Fleming to be
wage-hour administrator.
Monopoly Committee studies in
surance investments in farm areas.
House:
Resumes debate on naval appro
priation bill. *
Secretary Wallace discusses farm
program with Agriculture Commit
tee.
Labor Committee continues hear
ings on Wagner Act amendments.
TOMORROW.
Senate:
Will not meet.
Joint Committee on Forestry holds
hearings, 10 am.
Military Affairs Committee meets
(executive), 10:30 am.
House:
. Continues consideration of naval
appropriation bill.
Labor Committee resumes hear
ings on proposed amendments to
Wagner Act, 10:30 am.
Losses in War at Sea
By the Associated Press.
The following "box score” lists sea warfare losses reported since Sat
urday night, February 10:
flnnfr by_
Baba. Dianes. Other causes Knows
warships. Ulnae, or unknown. Tonnase. dead.
Britain . 3 0 3 31512 *23
Holland _ 1 0 0 6553 0
Sweden - 10 1 5,781 1
Norway - 0 0 2 6517 0
Estonia --- 0 0 1 1513 1
Denmark- 1 0 1 6572 0
Germany- 0 0 1 3,771 0
Totas . 6 8 4 61,010 "t25
Previously reported- 146 113 120 1502,767 3536
Grand totals —..i. 152 113 128 1553,786 3580
•Includes 31 deaths belatedly announced or earlier sinkings
t64 filers missing and believed lost. m
Ferry Service Halts
As Water Is Blown
Out of Harbor
By tha Auoelated Praia.
ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 15.—An
napolis-Matapeake Ferry serv
ice was suspended today by high
winds that blew water out of
Matapeake Harbor.
Ferry officials reported the
combination of a 40-mile off
shore wind and low tide so re
duced the depth of water in
the harbor that an oil barge
grounded in front of the ferry
Slip.
They expected service to be
resumed later today when the
barge is floated.
Civil Liberties Director
To Insist Indictment
Of 16 Be Quashed
Discrimination Charged
In Singling Out Friends
Of Loyalist Spain
Bj tb* Associated Press.
Roger N. Baldwin, director of the
American Civil Liberties Union, said
today he would Insist to the Attor
ney General that the indictment of
16 persons in Detroit in connection
with enlistments In the Spanish
Loyalist Army be dismissed.
"The indictment is dishonest,” he
said in a statement. “It is an at
tempt essentially to punish a po
litical minority for its views under
cover of technical violations of the
law. Most of the defendants are
Communists. Discrimination is evi
dent in singling out friends of Loy
alist Spain when no action is taken
against enlistments for Finland or
the French Foreign Legion. None
was ever taken against the open
recruiting in years past for the Irish
Republic.”
Probe Sought in F. B. I.
‘Gestapo-Like' Arrest
MILWAUKEE, Feb. 15 i/P).—De
nouncing methods used in the arrrest
of Dr. Frederick C. Lendrum as
“Gestapo-like,” the Executive Board
of the Milwaukee Branch of the
American Civil Liberties Union has
demanded an investigation.
Agents of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation arrested Dr. Lendrum
at his Milwaukee home last week
following his indictment in Detroit
on charges of helping recruit Detroit
residents for service with the Span
ish Loyalists in 1938.
The committee alleged that four
F B. I agents forcibly broke into
Dr. Lendrum s apartment at 4 a.m.
on February 6. handcuffed him. took
him to their headquarters and then
ransacked his apartment. They re
fused to tell him the reason for his
arrest the committee said, denied
him permission to call his lawyer and
later refused to tell his counsel the
reason for his detention.
Sheriffs of Arizona
To Compete in Rodeo
Br the Associated Press. ,
PHOENIX, Ariz., Feb. 15— No
candidate for sheriff in Arizona
would think of having a campaign
picture taken without a hat—a big
one.
Somehow a man who wears the
wide headgear of the range im
presses voters as the kind of he-man
peace officer they want.
Arizona sheriffs are just as tough
as they were back in the '80s, and
10 of them came to town today to
prove it at the annual Phoenix
rodeo.
Some of them are going to take
a hand in cowboy sports. A special
team-roping event has been ar
ranged, not only for the entertain
ment of the crowd but to settle a
few personal differences as to rid
ing and roping ability.
Later this month the hell-for
leather officers will come together
again in Tucson in a competition to
decide the sheriff steer-roping cham
pionship of the world.
The Tucson promoters have in
vited every sheriff in the 11 Eastern
States to compete and are trying to
get at least one "dude” sheriff from
back East.
Man Is Sentenced
To 360 Days for
Traffic Fatality
Ernest F. McKay
Convicted Twice in
Homicide Case
Ernest F. McKay, 39, a hospital
attendant, today was sentenced to
serve 360 days in Jail after the sec
ond conviction on a negligent homi
cide charge by Police Court Juries
within the last eight months.
Sentence was Imposed by Judge
John P. McMahon, wno presiaea hu
the second trial last month’ and who
once postponed sentence to grant
defense attorneys additional time
to study questions of law involved
in a motion for a new trial filed
February 5.
McKay was held by the coroner
following the death of Miss Gladys
Karr, 25, of 134 Eleventh street S.E.,
from Injuries received December 18,
1938, in. an automobile accident in
the 4200 block of Alabama avenue
S.E., in which his car was involved.
The tall, bespectacled defendant,
dressed in a gray suit, was accom
panied to court by his attorney. F.
J. Donohue. No comment from
either side was forthcoming as
Judge McMahon reviewed facts of
the longstanding case.
Before passing sentence, the court
remarked:
"On the facts before me, this is
an extremely serious case. A party
of four young people riding in an
automobile on the proper side of the
road became involved in an acci
dent because the defendants car
swerved across and struck them. As
a result, a young woman’s life was
snuffed out Just when it had hardly
begun.
"I recall testimony to the effect
that the defendant had been drink
ing prior to the crash and coupling
that evidence with all other circum
stances involved. I can do nothing
but confine Mr. McKay. I therefore
impose a sentence of 360 days in
Jail.”
Mr. McKay received his sentence
without any show of emotion and
was taken immediately to the cell
block where he conferred with his
attorneys in regard to his release
on an appeal bond of *1,000.
His attorney told the court that
"we will determine subsequently
whether or not the case will be
taken to the United States Court
of Appeals of the District of Co
lumbia.”
McKay first was convicted on the
charge by a jury last July after
numerous continuances. Three days
later a motion for a new trial was
filed, and Judge Edward M. Cur
ran. on July 7. granted the new
trial, which was held before Judge
McMahon last month.
Finn Gifts to Be Taken
In 30 Movie Lobbies
Gifts for the Finnish Relief Fund
will be collected in the lobbies of
more than 30 Washington motion
picture theaters Saturday and Sun
day. the Rev Dr. Edmund A. Walsh,
chairman of the Washington unit
of the fund, announced today.
The collection teams. 116 young
women attired in typical Finnish
costumes, will ask patrons of the
theaters for donations as they enter
and leave the movies.
The volunteer collectors, many of
them members of the Washington
Civic Theater and Finnish-American
Group of Washington, are headed
by Miss Lansing Hall.
Her committee includes Miss
Eleanor Hurwitz. Miss Evelyn Frey
man. Miss Doris Cooper. Miss Janice
Norton, Miss Sara Meigs. Miss Mimi
Norton, Miss Jean Duke Miss Helen
Myer, Miss Claudette Warfe, Miss
Betty Seibert and Miss Edith Sog
nier.
A. J. Brylawski, as president of the
Motion Picture Owners of Washing
ton, will represent the theaters in
the arrangement.
Father Walsli said he had received
word from national headquarters
that $1,600,000 has been donated to
the fund from Nation-wide sources.
The industrial division which only
three weeks ago pledged itself to
raise a million dollars, has already
collected $300,000, Father Walsh re
ported.
Weather Report
(Furnished oy the United States Weather Bureau.)
District of Columbia—Pair and somewhat colder ; lowest temperature
about 18 degrees tonight: tomorrow increasing cloudiness with slowly rising
temperature; diminishing northwest winds becoming variable tomorrow.
Maryland—Pair, colder in east and central portions tonight; tomorrow
increasing cloudiness and slightly warmer. .
Virginia—Pair and colder except in extreme southwest portion
tonight; tomorrow' Increasing cloudiness; slowly rising temperature in the
interior; light snow in southwest portion tonight
, West Virginia—Increasing cloudiness; not so cold in west portion *
tonight; tomorrow cloudy and slightly warmer; light snow by tonight.
The Atlantic storm covers a vide area<
and it is of great intensity and this morn
in* it was apparently centered about 250
mtlea east of Nantucket. Mass. moving
eastward with lowest pressure about 065
millibars <28.50 inches) It is accompanied
by strong winds up to whole gale force over
a wide area. Pressure Is high from the
Lake region southward over the Southeast
ern States. Sault Salnte Marie. Mich..
1.028 1 milllbara (30 30 Inches). A new
disturbance Is moving eastward over the
middle Rockv Mountain region. Grand
Junction Colo. 008 0 millibars <20 47
inches) Durlnr the last 24 hours there
has been general precipitation mostly in
the form of snow, over tne Middle Atlantic
and North Atlantic States. Light rains
occurred in southern Texas, while rather
general precipitation occurred in the Pa
cific States and the Plateau region. Tem
oerature* have fallen conalderablv In the
unper Ohio Valiev and the Middle Atlantic
State*, while thev are rlslne in the west
Gulf gte*ea and the lower Mlaaourl Valley.
Report for Last *4 Haora.
_ . Temperature. Barometer,
yesterday— Degrees. Inches
4 p.m _ 28 29.20
8 p.m. _ 20 29.40
_ Midnight _ 20 29.61
Today—
4 a m. _ 26 20.70
8 am. _ 26 30.02
Noon _,_ 33 30.08
Rooord for Last 24 Hoars.
(From noon yesterday to noon today.)
Highest. 33. noon today. Tear ago. 68.
Lowest. 25. 9 p.m. yesterday. Tear
ago. 35.
Record Temperatwre This Tear.
Highest. 64. on February 12.
Lowest. 7. on January 29.
Hamidity far Last 24 Hoars.
(From noon yesterday to noon today.)
Highest 97 per cent, at 9.30 p.m. yes
terday.
Lowest, 33 per cent, at noon today.
Thy Baa aad Mae a.
gin. today _ *7TU 5t44
Bun. tomorrow ... 7:00 6:4«
Moon today _10:37a.m. _. ...
tUrned «*
Freeipitatlaa.
Monthly precipitation in Inches In the
Capital (currant month to data):
_ Month 1940. Aver.
January - 212 -
February -1.83
March .....
AorQ
May
June
July
lii sa
mil
:• - ---— .
River Revert.
Potomac and Shenandoah Rivera muddy
at Hamer* Ferry; Potomac muddy at
Great Falla today.
Tide Tables.
(Furnished by United States Coast and
Geodetic Survey.) 4
_ . Today. Tomorrow.
High -12:17 a.m. 1:09 a.m.
Low - 8:52 a.m. 7:40 a.m.
Hiih -12:45 p.m. 1:40 p.m.
Low - 7:37 p.m. 8:34 p.m."'
Weather !v Varies* Cities. *
Stations. Bar Hlgh1I>LowBfa3 Weather I
Abilene 29.77 81 42 Cloudy
Albany 29.77 23 44 0.03 Cloudy
Atlanta 30.21 42 30 Cloudy »
Atlantic C. 29.85 41 23 1.18 Cloudy
Baltimore 29.88 40 24 0.88 Cloudy
Blr’lngham 30.31 47 29 Cloudy
Bismarck 29.80 28 24 Cloudy *
Boston 29.38 32 22 1.79 Snow
Buffalo 30.18 21 13 0.27 Clear
Charleston 30.18 49 33 _ Cloud*
Chicago 30.24 30 25 _ Cloudy
Cincinnati 30.38 .33 6 Fog
Cleveland 30.30 28 10 0.i5 Cloudy
Columbia 30.21 47 27 _ Clear "
Denver 29.47 50 27 __ Clear
Detroit 30 33 31 18 _ Cloudy
Des Moines 29.88 32 28 Cloudy
El Paso . 29.82 84 49 ' cloudy
Galveston 30.00 55 47 0.08 Cloudy
Helena 79.83 35 28 Cloudy
Huron 29.83 28 ... Cloudy *
Indian oils 30.27 35 19 _ Cloudy
Jacksonville .30.21 55 37 _ . dear
Kansas C 29 88 49 .38 Cloudy k
L. Angeles 29.97 80 51 0.38 Clear
IxiuUvflle .30.40 34 8 Cloudy *
Miami 30.12 72 42 ... Cloudy
Mvls-St P 30.00 31 21 ... Cloudy
N Orleans 30.16 51 43 Cloudy
New York 29.82 .35 21 1.44 Cloudy
Norfolk 29.88 52 .32 0.10 Clear
Okla City 29.77 59 59 Clear
Omaha . 29.80 35 31 cloudy
PhU* _ 29.77 .38 21 0.M Cloudy
Phoenix 29.77 88 43 Clear
Pittsburgh 30.24 22 11 0.18 Cloudy
£»n<LMe 29.44 28 22 1 21 Cloudy
ETd. Ore* 29.97 47 41 0.20 Cloudy
Raleigh 30.00 50 30 Clear
St. Louis 30.12 38 .30 ' Snow
8. Lake C 29.85 39 31 0.34 Cloudy
S. Antonio 29.91 57 48 0 10 Clear
San Dteso 29.94 82 50 0.20 Clear
S P’nclsco 30.03 57 49 0.09 Cloudy
Seattle 29.91 50 41 0.18 Cloudy
Spokane 28 94 37 28 Cloudy ‘
Tamp* _ 30 1* *« 43 Cloudy
WASH..D.C. 29.94 42 26 0.88 Cloudy
_ FOREIGN STATION8 ”
'Noon. Greenwich time, today.)
_ _ remperatur* Weather
Hoi ta (Paral). Asorea 61 Cloudy -
(Current observations) ,
a ass
Colon. Canal Zone_ 80 cSudy ^