Evening Star Newspaper, January 2, 1921, Page 1

. “WEATHER. Clowdy, occasional rains and moder- ate” temperature todays tomorrow. fair ,and cooler. ‘Pemperature for twenty-four hours ending at 10 p.m. last night—Highest, 7 47; lowest, 31. Full report on page 5. r;To. 823—No. 28,007. jo omee Washingion To & WASHINGEON, D. C., SUNDAY MORNING, JANUA DE VALERA IN ERIN, AY FRIENDS, WHILE| BRITISH SEARCH ON “Enjoyed His Share of Christ- mas Goose,” Is Claim. Ship From N. Y. Scanned. MRS. MACSWINEY SAILS FROM NEW YORK| Carries Message of Encouragement | to President of Irish Republic. By the Associated Press. LONDON, January 1.—Eamonn de Valera is in Ireland, where he en- joyed his share of the. Christmas “goode,” it was declared today at a meeting of the Irish Vigilance Society by Tim McNulty, who presided. The Evening News says that word of de Valera’s arrival in Ireland caused a sensation in Dublin. His intimate po- litical friends, however, be induced to admit even the prob- ability of his having landed, the newspaper adds. DUBLIN, January l—Leafling Sian Feiners and government offici altke deny knowledge of the arrival here of Eamonn de Valera. They assert that he did not arrive on board the steamer Portia from New York, and teléphonic inquiry at sev- eral Irish ports fsiled to reveal that the “president of the Irish republic” has made his entry .into Ireland. The dock workers have declined to unload the Poatia while the soldiers remain on board. If the troops leave | the steamer the dockers will dil- charge the cargo, which the military can then search ashore. . The crew has been carefully ex- amined. It is considered that ‘was no possibility that De - bonrd the, vessel when she. blin. It is suggested that" ht Rave got ashore during the u-n- ‘0 vessel was belng pl‘lotod to “thy m Valera hu W be intérviewed. It is stated that there 'Olu 't no Tneed to arrest De: /the "old having i i® the desire of the gave: rnufij; ascertain the responsibflity f¢ alleged employment of rep funds on ambuscades and other tiows involving the loss<of the lives troops, and it is said’ this desire ht include De Valera as the al- leged source of the 1 There wquld be-no d jculty In De Valera remaining Nidden here as long - as he chooses, as there are many per- sons’ who would not harboring the average suspect whp would give him asylum. The expeciation is that if De Valera is in Dublin he first will consult his intimates and then make known his presence and await ar- rest. MRES. MACSWINEY SAILS. NEW YORK, January Muriel MacSwiney, widow of the late lord mayor of Cork, sailed away from America today, carrying to Bamonn de Valera, “president of the Irish repub- lie” a message that “all is well” among the sympathizers with his cause in this country. This message to the Sinn Fein leader was sent by his secretary, Harry Boland, who anmounced yesterday that the could not | 1.—Mrs. | “American at Heart By the Associated Press. ATHENS, December 31.—Princess Anastasia, the American - born wife of Prince Christopher of Greece, says she remains an Amer- ican at heart. She denies that her money purchased back the throne of Greece for King Constantine, and also that she is working to re- store former Emperor William of Germany. She hates the Germans, she declared, as also does King Constantine, who, she declares, has “no relation with Willlam. “I am still an American at heart,” said Princess Anastasia to the Associated Press today. “I did not marry to get a title. The fact that my husband is a prince is against him. T had known him ever since 1912, and when it was a question of marriage I waited to see if Greece would be against the allies, in which case I would not have mgr- ried Christopher.” Anastasia was seen in the palace of Nicholas in the west suite on the second floor. She appearéd to ‘be calm and contented. “Today,” Anastasid continued, “T regard the king and his family as pro-ally. He told me that he three timess trigd to put Greece in the war on the side of the allies, and *that' the last time he received no answer. “It is nonsense, these reports that my money bought back the throne. In the first place, I cannot take the principal of my fortune from the United States. I enjoy only the in- come. “Also it is nonsense that I am KEEP SWORD SHA PLEA T0 GERMANS New Army Will Rival Old, Says Gen. von Seecht. ' Bmofl(alser'sl'lopes wholly. to their calling. “'fvfll keep our sword lh-rp ouf “ahield untarnished,” says the message. “Inspired by such a-true conception of honor and of patriotism and by this feeling of responsibility, the new army will be able to frival the old in efficiéncy. As an agtive, 1iving member of the whole body of the nation it will show itself worthy amd will gain and keep the esteem and affection of all. Even after the abolition of general conscription the army must and will thus remain a real national army.” | Kaiser’s Dream of Returniiig to Throne Not Built Upon Sand. By Cale’ts The Star. 3 -BERLIN, Janusry 1.—That the ex- | kaiser's hopes of the return of the Hohenzollern dynasty are not bullt on sand, but on the rock that for more than half a century has been |the very keystone of Germany—the German army—was quite plainly in- dicated by Herr Scheidemann, when he_accused Herr Gessler. minister of defense, of being nothing but a mere his “chief” had landed in Erin to dlrect'shxdow. ‘while the real power was in the Irish fight for independence, after|the hands of the chief of the general apending fifteen months in this country. Several hundred Irish sympathizers surrounded Mrs. MacSwiney as she en- ! tered the pier to go on board the steam- | ship Panhandie State, bearing aloft the three striped banners of Ireland’s “re- public”* New York's “fighting Sixty- Ninth" Regiment Band serenaded her, and the crowd sang Irish airs. Nine little giris costumed in green, orange and white escorted Mrs. Mac- | Swiney up the gangplank and into her steamer suite, fragrant with roses sent by many admirers. The widow of Terence MacSwiney, | who starved himself to .death jn Brixton prison, London, came to the United States several weeks ago to| testity before the committee of one| bundred fnvestigating affairs in Ire- land. Today she said the expressions of sympathy she had received in America had carried sunshine “into the very depths of the sorrow” brought by her husband’'s death. In-a farewell message, she called | wpon America “speedily to relieve the devastation of Ireland, and help it to stand by your side, a free and inde- | pendent nation.” She pictured Ireland as the victim | time the German national party is the “of such cruelty and crime that even only one to voice it openly, but it lies its tormenters condemn themselves | dormant even in the most radical so- as they strike, where no home is safe frod the firebrand and ravisher, and no person is sure of his life from day to day—all this because she Seeks to walk in the path of liberty, which | the United States first made.” ENFORCE WEAPON LAW. LONDONDERRY, January 1.—The rigor with which the authorities are enforcing the law against the posses- sion of firearms was shown here today when a court-martial sentenced a man to seven years' penal servitude for possessing a revolver and seventy- five rounds of cartridges. A solicitor | was sentenced to six months’ im- prisonment u!or possessing five rounds on. | staff, Gen. von Seecht. Great Danger to Peace. . While apparently wiped out by the | treaty of Versailles, the German army | { today still remains a state within the | state, whiclt does-not submit to the | ordinary laws nor even pretend to rec- | ognize the German republic. The ex- | planation of this fact, which contains {the greatest danger to the future i peace of the world, lies in the peculiar character of the German mind and the | knowledge of the German people of | the history of their country. Once before, only a little more than a century ago, after the battle of { Jena, Prussia passed through a crisis which in many ways resembles the present situation. At that time the | resurrection frem the country’s deep- est degradation came wihin seven years of the battle of Leipzig, and the {hope that history will repeat itself jand in the same manner—through the | German army—is deeply embedded in the German breast. Think of Vindication. | The thought of vindication through | torce of arms is to be found in practi- h.ny every German. At the present clalist. The growth of this thought for re- venge for the defeat suffered in 1918 {may be measured through an infinite multitude of little details. The passive | resistance shown against the attempts {of the present government loyally to | carry out the conditions of the peace | treaty is only made possible through the co-operation of the will of millions © | of fndividuals, and in a number M cases the resistance already has passed from Ilhe passive to the active stage. signature of its government and the the treaty signifies nothing to the av- “erage German jesuitic mind. % That the German people, through the | ratification of the treaty by its elected assembly, has bound itself to live up to DENIES BUYING THRONE FOR KI/VG CONSTANTINE Princess Anastasia, Formerly Mrs. Leeds, Declares She Is Not Working for Kaiser, She “Heting. Germans.” working to restore the kaiser. I hate the Germans, as also does the king, who has no relations with the kaiser’ Queen Sophie is bowed down with sorrow. She is a broken woman because of the death of Alexander, her favorite son. “I am determined to keep out of politics. 1 do not wish to meddle in this dreadful mess: 1 am lead- ing my own life and going where 1 please. My son” (Willlam B. Leeds, jr.. son of the late American “tin plate kiog’ and Anastasia) “will remain in Americd, where his father made a great mame which he must carry on. My son should now be in school-in England, but he is trav- eling with my sister because he his asthma. If he were not asth- matic I would try to put him in the American Navy, but he would be unable to pass the medical ex- aminations. For the same reason he cannot enter the Army. Despite his handicap of being a rich man's son, he is a bright boy, and I am sure that he will make a name for himself, possibly in a diplomatic career. “My life here is a simple one. I frequently meet at mcals the rest of the family, all of whom are kind, religious people. “The Greks are most pleasant to me, the soldiers and peasants send- ing me flowers and trinkets. It is my plan to get a house here for winters and keep up in England during the summers. Also I shall visit my own country, 1 probably Wwill go there next winter.” FAMOUS ‘COAL OIL 1| JOHNNY’ IS DEAD IN OMAHA NEB. OMAHA, Neb., January 1.—John - Steele.. known widely in: the half a century ago as “Coal Oil Johnny,” reputed-then £o-hs spent a comiortable fortune' il was disco vered on his Pennsyl- nlh h-fi s Botn In Shak. leyville, Pa.: in 1843, when & young ‘man is sald to bave attfacted con- slderable_sttention in New York, by throwing awzy money to%boy, and men on the street, a ty because he 'liked to see . .them scramble for .it. He came west forty-five years ago, and had been in “the Burlington's employ for thirty-seven years, Eight years ago Steele worked as a truckman at Fort Crook, but later became agent for the -rail- road. His wife says that after the discovery of oil on his Pennsyl> vania land years ago, the money flowed fn as a royalty. They were married at the time. The publicity which the newspapers gave his newly acquired' wealth and the manner in which he enjoyed spend. ing it made him an objew v( in- terest wherever he went. When he came west and the days of royalties were over, he flatly refused: to tell of his experiences and regarded that part of his ca- reer as a closed book. A The _storles about “Coal Oil Johnny” never represented him as gambling or making a profligate use of his. wealth, but rather as enjoying the sight of others get- ting what was so difficult to ob- tain. Attending a theater in Pitts- burgh one day, the story is that he stepped out of his box when a black-faced comedian finished a song and handed the man a $1,000 bill and asked him to sing it again. The family lived in the station house in four tiny rooms. SEAPLANE N C-5 MAKES NEW NON-STOP RECORD Flies With Pilot and Five Passen- gers From San Diego to Magaa- lena Bay in 9 Hrs. 15 Mins, SAN DIEGO. January 1.—Estab- lishing a new American non-stop du- rl!lol\ record for pilot and five pas- lenxet for seaplanes, the United States naval seaplane NC-5 flew from San Diego, Calif., to Magdalena bay, Lower California, in the remarkable time of nine hours and fifteen min- utes today. PORTUGAL SEEKING AID. / American Bankers ‘ Negotiating With Government. MADRID, January l.—Representa- tives of an important:American finan- cial group are reported to be negoti- ating with the Portuguese govern- ment with reference to monetary ana material assistance for Portugal. The group is saild to be prepared to furnish all the necessary aid for re- storing Portugal’'s economic condi- tions, recelving in weturn conces- sions in the Porlu‘\nle colony of Angola, in_Africa. / Some Spanish financiers also are participating 11 the, Wggotiations, which the Portnsuca =-%inst wijl discuss during the conirgiweek. “convention. 2, 1921.* (xETTlNG ADJUSTED TO THE - NEW_ YEAR .RESOLUTIONS. {POLICE HALT 177 * INLICENSE BRIV Motorists Told to" Deposit c'ollatera! or Meet Officer in ccymoom. There. are at least 177 motorists in Washington today who are satisfied the police department was not “bluff- ing” when it announced that car own- ers would be Mable to arrest if they ventured out of thélr garages Yester- day without 1§21 license tags. That t:::w“ ‘flie-r- were halted by policemen. and fold g¥tker to go to a station hotise -And ‘depdsit- §5 col- lateral or 6 et the oMicer in court accommodate = persoas d-fo get tags during Decem- 1 is the beltef of District t there are still scores of hige, fwnes who have not ob- tained m ‘plat: ll .ly ot these u tunate opes shoula attempt o go driving today the tou’ of arresfs will run higher. q -lly May Forfeit. JUGOSLAVTROOPS AWE COMMUNISTS DURING STRIKE BELGRADE, Jugoslavia, Decem- ber 31.—Government troops today occupied the headquarters of the communist party throughout Jugo- slavia to prevent disorders during a twenty-four hour strike called in’ sympathy with the communist agi- tation, which is alleged by the government to be designed to in- cite uprisings in several towns. The communist newspaper in Belgrade has been lupprelled. Eighty persons alleged to have had ‘weapons in their homes have been arrested. NEWD. . CARLINES LIKELY NOW Utiities Board Not Expected| “to Order More Tracks Laid at the Present Time. The Public Utilities Commission; it is expected, will render a decision within two or three weeks on the question of Atonldu&ble number of those who | whether Washington needs additional were halted yesterday left collatéral | street car lines at this time. at_station houses, and many of them Bellef prevails in some quarters that no Mbt ‘will charge up their deposit|the commission will not insist upon the ta experience and forfeit the money. It is expected; however, that scores of others will appear in Police Court fomorrow in an effort to save the pay- méent of a penalty”and if they do it will be & busy day for that tribunal. The fact that a holiday apd a Sun- asy came together will in_itself cre- ate a big Police Court docket, and when the “tagless motorists” are addéd to the other defendants it | probably will k¢ necessary for: the court to ings. If @ large number or the motorists charged with not having 1921 tags appear in court it will furnish a striking example of the need for a traffic court, Many Albis Heard Policemen are well trained in the art of listening to alibis, but yes- terday they heard many -mew ones from the forgetful motorists who al- lowed the new year to creép up and catch thegh ‘Without a new liceiise | tag. Last yed? the Commissioners ex- tended the time limit for obtaining tags until January 15, but in dofng so they were prompted by the fact that the tags did not arrive until the middle of December. This year the tags. were ready for distribu- tion on December 1 and car owners were warned not to wajt until the end of the month and be caught in the jam. Wade H. Coombs, superintendent of licenses; Chatham M. Towers, col- lector of taxes, and about thirty emi- ployes of the tax and license offices volunteered to work from 10 ito 2 o'clock yesterday, and approximately 1,000 tags were issued. Here is how the motorists were caught yesterday in _the different parts of the city: First” precinct, sixty-five; third, tbree; fourth, nine; fifth, three; sixth, .six; seventh, four; eighth, forty-six; ninth, twenty-five; tenth, fifteen, and Tenleytown sub- station, one. ’ \pomnolle some of the hear- LABOR MEN TO MEXICO Will Attend Convention There 'rhk' Month; Gompers May Go. - SAN ANTONIO, Texas, January 1.— A delegation of prominent labor leaders of ithe United States 1s expected . to arrive here January “6,” en route to the Oty of Mexico, where they “will‘attend a labor congress, according to informa- tion received-here today by F. L. Orr, district passenger agent of the Interna- tional and’ Great Northern rafiroad. _ Dispatches from the -City of Mexico the eally part of” the week: reported that Samuel Gamnen ‘would attend-the ) immediate laying of new lines, even if they .are found to necessary. This belief is based on the hope that rails, cement and other materials en- tering Into track Work will decline in '| price in the near future. An official of one of the street railway companies said he has received no in- dication, yet of reductions in the cost of track ‘materials, but the present trend toward an industrial readjustment may be reflected in the cost of :rgck sup- plies. Three Projects Before Bo-rd. ‘There are three projects before the { veto, setting forth his reasous for re- WAR FINANCE BILL VETO 1S EXPECTED President to Return It to Con- gress This Week, It Is ' Rumored. President ‘Wilsom, -according to in- formation obtained from reliable sources last night, will send to Con- gress early this week a veto of tife Gronna joint resolution .calling for the re-establishment of the War Finance Corporation. ‘In fact, it was rumored that the President has pre- pared a message to accompany the fusing his” approval of tne" ‘The veto may be sent in tpnormw u was said. . The Gronna regolution was put through in an effort to aid the farm- ers of the country, who have bgen hard hit'by falling prices, TRe re- establishment of the War Finance Corporation, with {ts authofity to finance exportations of foodstuffs as well as other goods destined fpr for- eign trade, would give the farmers an opportunity to dispose/ of stock: which they are now having a hard time marketing, it was sajd. If the President vetoes the resolu- tion, undoubtedly an_effort will be made to pass the measure over the veto. In neither house was 2 record vote taken'on the passage of the resolution, but the members of Con- gress from the western and southern agricultural states stood strongly in favor of - the Imeasure, republicans a8d democrats alike. Supporters of the measure are confident they can muster’ votes .enough’ to pass - the resolution .over the veto, if it comes. ‘Senator Gronna of North Dakota, chairman of the Senate committee on agriculture, whose name is attached to the resolution, last night ex- commission for determination, namely: | pressed the hope that the report that Shoyld a north and south line be built | the President intended to veto the west of 14th street to relieve conges- tion on the 14th street tracks -of the Capital Traction Company. Should an east and west line be con- structed on M street, from 7th street southwest to 8th or 1lth-streets south- east for .the benefit of navy yard em- ployes, and. also to afford-direct com- munication between the southeast and ° | southwest sections. Should tracks be built on New Jersey | resolution was unfounded. Only Burden, Says Houston. He said that the people of the coun- try were watching with great in- terest to see what was done with the measure, believing that it would result in relieving the present Bitua- tion. He fnsisted that it would not embarrass the Treasury. Secretary Houston of the Treasury avenue southeast, from I street to the has been opposed to the proposal that proposed new line on M istreet. ‘When the commission held hearings on these propositions in November there was an abundance of evidence to show the need for a new line to relieve con- gestion on the 14th street tracks. Extension Most Likely. “There 18 believed to be more proba- bility . of the ' commission ordering a north and south line west of 14th street than there 'is for tho other - two ex- tensions. The Capifal Traction: Company may be directed,- however. to extend its tracks several blocks westward on M slreet loufllell! from the 8th atreet. barn_for the accommodation of hun- dreds of navy yard workers who must enter the yard at the 4th street gate. Before, ordering any track exten- sions the commission, it is understood, will, consider carefully whether the proposed new lines would prove use- ful if the two companies were con- solidated. They will look ‘into this phase of the situation because of the hope that at-some time a merger will be brought about. Request by President Ham. At-the tfack extension_hearing Wii- lam F. Ham, presidert.of’the W..R. amd E., asked the commission to-con- sider carefully thé effect which a line on 17th street from U stréet to Penn- sylvania gvenue would have on the service of the W. R. & E. on H street between 14th and 17th ‘streets. With the rate of fare disposed of and the hearings before congressional committees on the District appropri- ation bill. practically over, the Com- missioners are mow free to reach a conclusion “on . the _track extension fluutlon. | the War Finance Corporation be re- established, however, on the ground that it could not give the relief that is expected, and that it would merely add to the financial burdens now car- ried by the government. The passage of the Gronna resolu- tion is the only concrete step so far taken by Congress to-meet the de- OPLE STARVING; STOPS BANQUET IN OWN HONOR By the Associated Press. BALTIMORE, Md., January 1— Rev. Charles B. Schrantz, presidant emeritus of St. Charles College, & Catholic institution near here, has refused to join in a celebratidn und banquet in his honor pre- pared by the Sulpician priests on the occasion of“the fiftieth anni- versary of his ordination, because he said: “I will not join in any celebra- tion as long ‘as there are starving people”in Europe.” Because of his attitude the cele- bration was abandoned. aithough priests and bishops were expected from all over the country. and 1,000 priests who had been under his instruction wished to make a formal avowal of their gratitude. Father Schrantz said the times were “too bad and too sad” for the celebration of even a golden jubi- lee. The money which would be required, he said, “could be so much better employed for the re- lief of the heart-rending distress of thousands upon thousands of our fellow men who are literally dying from cold, hunger and despair.” DEFINITE DECISIONS FOR CABINET STILL -HANG IN BALANCE Political Conferences Lead to Further Shifting or Slate. By the Associated Press. * MARION, Ohio, January 1.—Althous President-elect Harding has about macue up his mind on several of the most ia- portant appointments to his cabinet, it was indicated today that hé Mad not yet committed himself to a definite de- cision in regard to any of the ten places in his official family. During the past few days he has reviewed the entire field of availables In conference with his closest political advisers, and al- ther shifting about of tentatively ar- ranged cabinet seats, no development of a positive character has been re- vealed. In circles close to the Pn.ldam-ele« Charles Evans Hughes of New York con- tinues the most-talked<of man for Sec- retary of State, and G. Dawes of Illinois ‘o~ favesite for. Secvetary of the | Treasury, although for the latter post _| Charles D. Hilles of New York and John W. Weeks of Massachusétts still are mentioned as possibjfities. Mr. Weeks, however, is more generally regarded as a likely Secretary of the Navy. Others In Gossip. Qthers who keep to the fromt in cabinet spegulation are Harry M. Daugherty of Ohio, moul fréquently mentioned for Attorney General; Will H. Hays of Indiana, discussed for Postmaster General or Secretary_ of the Interior; Henry Wallace of Jowa, put forward for Secretary of Agri- | culture, and Herbert Hoover of Cali- 1fornia, whose name frequently has been coupled with the portfolio of labor, but who has been regarded in the light of recent developments as a more likely. choice for Secretary of Commerce. Regarding the secretaryship of war speculation has'taken a less definite trend. Dufring. the past few days A. T. Hert of Kentucky has been men- tioned conspicuously for the place, but everything has indicated - that Mr. ‘Harding is far from a decision on the point. Like Mr. Weeks, Mr. Hert is considered by many as cer- tain to have some position in the cabinet. TUndeeided On Two Posts. The President-elect is said to be entircly undecided in regard to sec- retaryships of the interior and com- mérce, which may be filled at the last moment by meén prominently considered for other 'cabinet posts, but displaced in the final allotment of the portfolios of higher rank. There has been some talk of George Sutherland of Utah for Secretary of Interior, but some of his close friends say he fs mere likely to, regeive a place on the Supreme bench. It is understood that no positive ac- tion-has been taken in regard to the appointment of a secretary .to the President, but the general belief is that the position will go to George B. Christian, who has been Mr. Harding's (Continued on Page 3, Column 4.) (Continued on Page 3, Column 5.) 2| Cardinal I Cheered Greatly ‘By Message From President By the Associated Press. BALTIMORE, January 1,—Cardi- nal Gibbons was cheered. greatly tomight by a message of sympathy received from President Wilson, and it was reported at the home of Robert T. Shriver, at Union Mills, where he has been confined during _his {liness, that he was much im- proved over his condition yester- day, . message sent by the Presi- dent’s ‘secretary, Joseph P. umulty, to Bishop Owen B. Corri- gan, was as follows: ; “The President has Jearned with sympathy and distress of the cardinal's illness, and hopes that he“may vefy Soon hear of a de- clded turn for the better.” The bishop had the message phoned to the cardinal's secretary, the Rev. Albert E. Smith, at Mr. Shriver's home, who transmitted it to the ¢ardinal. NG | | The cardinal awoke this morn- ing from a refreshing sleep, “feel- ing like a new man,” according to Father Smith. He spent the day quietly but pleasantly, no alarm- ing sinking -peg and with poth- ing to excite him. ~No visitors were allowed to-see him. It wi able to sleep well tonight aj and those in attendance on Mim were greatly encouraged, although they realized that his condition ptill was dangerous and liable te another sudden turn for the worse, as yesterday. The President late last.night re- ceived a telegram in reply from ‘Cardinal Gibbons, m said: “From my sick bed T send you my heartfelt thanks for your solicitude in my regard, and T ‘God mdy hfln:wnmm this new year.” Bl B LN though the discussions have led to. fur<| hopeéd that he would be | - FIVE CENTS. FSTINATES WOULD PROVIE 128 NEW .. SCHOOLROONS Statement hv Balleu an Simon kewalsfl)efails Sent to Senate. \COMMISSIONERS LAUDED FOR C::RDIAL SUPPORT Provision for Buildings as Indi- cated I Toward Total of 183 8:w Rooms Needed. Suppiimentary estimates for new 5choo’ suildings recently sent to the {Senaw» subcommittee on appropria- tioiw by the District Commissioners will provide 128 of the 153 additional claserooms indicated as needed to relieve overcrowded conditions. This wes revealed last might in a joint Statement by Supt. of Schools Frank W. Ballou and Dr. Abram Simen, Evesident of the board of education. _The statement followed a confer- ehce yesterday between the superin- vndent and the board presideat. Th declaration of the school of- !flcltll lauded the Commissioners for their “cordial and sympathetic” sup- {port in the development of the build- < ing _project. F_ It has been previously stated that the school board, in its additfonal building budget, asked for approxi- mately $3,500.000 to begin work im- mediately on the proposed school- house program. About $1.600,000 was cut from the $3,500.000 by the Com- missioners when they sent their sup- plementary estimates to .the sub- committee on appropriations of the Senate. Statement by Oficinls. The statement made public by Dr. Ballou and Dr. Simon follows: “At the close of the hearings on the estimates for the public schools held y the committee on appropriations of the Senate the Commissioners of the District and the board of educa- tion were {nvited by the committee to present estimates for additiona! schoolhouse construction. According- ly the building program as presented to the representatives of civic organi- zations and- approved on December 8 was forwarded by the board of edu- cation to the District Commissioners. “Recently the Supery of schools was requested- to i in the building program of the board of education those items which ghould, be “preferred” in case the whole pro- couldl not be undertaken gt this: time. In compliance with this reguest the superintendent transmiltted such information to the Commissioners on December 27. “An analysis of the Commissioners' estimates shows that, with a few ex- ceptions “prferred items” were in- cluded. The Commissioners, found it | possible to reduce the board's aggre- gate estimates by $251,000. They elim- inated one four-room addition; they changzed one sixteen-room addition to an efght-room addition; and they added an item of $50,000 for artificial lightiug of buildings. Out of the $74.- 600 requested for additions to school- yards the Commissioners included one item 0? $14,000 for the Peabody School. It is gratifying to school officials that the estimates of the Commissioners make provisions for 128 classrooms. Need All Those Listed. “The superintendent of schools and the president of the board of educa- tlon desire to state that in their |judgment the need for all of the schoolhouses listed in the board of education’s building program fs so urgent that all those officially re- sponsible in any way for educational conditions in the District of Columbia may feel fully justified in supporting that program with aH the resources at_ their command. 3 “The superintendent and the board of edutation believe that at this time the paramount need in the school sys- tem is better schoolhouse accommo- | dations for the children. Other edu- cational improvements must await the |satisfying of this need. The total building program of the board of edu- |cation was estimated to cost about $5,000,000. In viewtof the present cost of construction, of the ever-increasing number of pupils to be accommodated, and of the impossibility of construc- tion of the usual number of buildings {during the past five or more years, ithis sum ought not to appear ex- travagant. It is to bring schoolhouse construction up to date. Fraise for “In the development of its building program the Commissioners of the District have rendered invaluable as- sistance to the board of education, They also reviewed the other. esti- {mates of the board of education with | sympathetic ~ consideration. They | have, at all times, taken a keen inter- est in the educational needs. The re- |1ations of the Commissioners and the board of education blive, 1 svery wey, been most cordial and sympathetie.: “The school authorities believe, of course, that they understand the peéds of the schools. They do mot pretemd to be equally well informed about other needs. - The school officials gladly accede t97the judgment of the Commissioners’,in their attempt to' provide for the" edppw ve needs of the whole District Commis- sioners.are best able 'tt Judge what those comparative needs are. School officials do Dot ask or expect the District Commissioners té give school needs a compapative place higher than, in, their opinion, the public re- gard for sound education would justly title them.” ! Commixsioners.