Evening Star Newspaper, January 30, 1921, Page 1

i i WEATHER. Rain today; tomodrow fair and much colder. Temperature for twenty-two hours ended at 10 p.m., last night: Highest, 50; lowest, 28, Full report on page 18. No. 827—No. 28,035. BERLIN WILL: FIGHT REPARATIONS PLAN OF ALLIED COUNCIL German Delegate in Paris Says Tax Provision Would Cripple Nation. LEAVES NO FUNDS FOR PAYING THE ANNUITIES Exports Levy Would Yield Allies . Additional 63,000,000,000 Marks, Is Report. (By Cable to The Star and Chicago Tribune. Copyright, 1921.) PARIS, January 29.—Germany will fight against the allies’ reparation plan as adopted by the supreme coun- cil this morning. Chief Bergmann of the German reparations delegation declared today his government would contest the allies’ proposals because the exports tax would cripple Ger- many from earning emough to pay the annuities. “I cannot say I am pleased with the reparations plan,” Herr Bergmann said; “but I cannot dispute the mat- ter now. I first must forward the plan to the government at Berlin and let Wilhelmstrasse decide what action should follow and instruct me what to do.” Germany will be invited to attend the conference in London on Febru- ary 28 to give its consent to the plan and sign the protocol, covering it. Through French pressure the al- lies will embody two military guar- antees in the protocol. -The first provides for the occupation of the Rubr district. and the second an ex- tension of the time limit for the oc- cupation of the Rhine district, so it will be protected if the reparations are not executed. Warn of New Memace. The French demand that allied con- trol commissions be established in every German port and every frontier railway station, to check bills of lading and invoices to make sure of the collection of the 12 per cent export tax. Although the French continue to assert this tax is based on the dif- ferences between German exports and imports, it is dearned authoritatively 1he tax is basédl o J¥ORY ExpoFta; ihil is estimated to praduce §3.000,000,000 £01d marks in ;fiun,’ Austria was diseqssed et the final meeting of the suprevte pouncil this afternoon when the committee of ex- perts reported thé desperate situation existing in country and warned the premi that Austria and Ger- many may gnite to smash the Ver- sailles afid 8t. Germein treaties, un- less s taken to prevent this contifigency. Premier Lloyd George pointed out that Great Britain has already ad- vanced 10,000,000 pounds to Austria (normally, about $50,000,000) and Premier Briand stated that France was unable to help financially now. It is expected that Austria will be unofficially advised to seek help from the United States and that the Aus- trian reparations commission will be instructed to permit the Vienna gov- ernment to raise funds through pawning the entire state, if neces- sary. Five Months te Disarm. Heretofore the reparations commis- sion, which controls everything of value in Austria, has barred the Vienna government from pawning heirlooms, such as Gobelin tapestries, palaces, chateaus and < museums, to American millionaires. The Italians, Entered as second-class matter post office Washington, D. C. JAPANESE DECLARE OWNSENTRYGUILTY IN LANGDON CASE By the Associated Press. TOKIO, January 28.—The pre- liminary report of the Japanese gendarmes to the court-martial in the case of the sentry who recently shot and killed Lieut. W. H. Lang- don of the United States cru Albany, has found the sentry's action contrary to the regulations and gnjustifiable, according to a Vladivostok dispatch to the Jiji Shimpo. printed in a Tokio newspaper that the court-martial hearing the case of the Japanese sentry who early in January shot and killed Lieut. W. H. Langdon of the United States cruiser Albany at Vladi- vostok has found him guilty could not be confirmed at the war de- partmient today. FIX GERMAN DEBT AT3BILLION AND ATAX ON EXPORTS Occupation of Ruhr One of Four Penalties for Non- Compliance. By the Associated Press. PARIS, January 29.—Full agreement on reparations, German disarmament and all other important questions was reached by the supreme council of the allies when it adjourned at 5:40 o'clock this evening, to meet again in London February 21. The greatest result obtained was, as Premier Briand expressed after the closing session, “maintenance by the allies of a front as united in making peace as it was in making war.” Count Sforza, the Italian foreign minister, and M. Briand said the conference had ended satisfactorily to everybody con- cerned. A protocol was signed approving the reparations scheme as agreed by the special committee appointed by the couneil to consider the subject, and also the report on the disarmament of Germany as presented by the milltary committee. Under the latter arrange- ment Germany must disarm by July 1, disbanding all civic guards not pro- vided for in the Versailles treaty. /A Protection. Neighbors. Germary will be called upon to pay in. forty-two annuities, on a siiding scale, 326,000,000,800. gold marks, or approximately $56,000,000,000. Her ex- ports will, in addition, bear an export duty of 12 per cent, that will go to the aliies. This would give the allies about 1,250,000,000 gold marks, or 12 per cent of whatever money in which the exports are paid for. Thue, it is estimated, the first payment made by Germany will be 3,250,000,000 gold marks, the export tax being paid en- tirely in cash. It is pointed out that, besides being a sure method of collection of the reparations, it will act as a protective tariff in countries that are neighbors of Germany, which are likely to be flooded with goods made in Germany at a very low cost of production, be- cause of the relatively low value of the mark and which consequently can be offered in foreign markets at vesy low prices in foreign money. The penalties agreed upon by the council for violations by Germany will apply to all the agreements alike— reparations, disarmament and coal de- livéries. A strong feature of the reparations plan, from the French point of view, is that it associates the allies in the benefits of Germany’'s prosperity. i Seizure of German customs was added as fourth on the list of penal- ties adopted by the council. The who are the principal Austrian cred- 5 three are: Extensio: 24 Rere. o raas v Ropeessnes | ihes o = Eienon f e s ever collecting anything and they have egreed to let Austria try to pledge its assets. * A five-month extension has been granted to Germany to disarm by Marshal Foch, and Field Marshal ‘Wilson’s report has been adopted. All arms must be collected and destroyed and all policing organizations must be disbanded by July 1, under threats of increased occupation. , All artillery, aviation and similar war material must be destroyed, ac- cording to the treaty terms, by April 1. A three-month extension of time will be allowed for searching the population for firearms. The United States will not protest against the allies levying a 12 per cent tax on German exports, Roland Boyden, American member of the reparations commission, believes. HS ! declares the United States may find the tax irksome a few years hence aistrict; refusal to admit Germany to the league of nations. The proposal to apply penalties to the reparations and other agreements was presented by Premier Lloyd George. According to_the terms of the ar- WASHINGTON, D. C, RAIL UNION CHIEFS ASSERT REDUCTION Proposed Cut in Pay " Is Unwarranted. By the Associated Press. 3 CLEVELAND, Ohio, January Heads of three big railroad brother- hoods in formal statements here tc night, said the railroad men of th country “will not peacefully submit” 29.— dispatche from the United States Railway Labor Board in a petition to be presented Monday. W. G. Lee, president of the Brother- hood of Railroad Trainmen; W. S. Carter, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engine. men, and L. E. Sheppard, president of the Order of Railway Conductors, made this declaration in formal statements. A similar declaration was made Thursday by Warren S. Stone, grand chief of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. All the brotherhood executives de- clare that reports of decreases in the cost of living are not borme out by actual conditions, but are the result of propaganda; that the wages of rail- way employes did not increase as rapidly as did the cost of living or as much, and that railway men are not now receiving as high a standard of wages as are paid in many other in- dustries. Mr. Lee asserted that, in his opinion, ¢some, it not the gredter portion, of the business depression has been brought about solely for the purpose of prejudicing the public in the in- terest of a reduction in wages gen- erally.” Mr. Carter declared that “notwith- standing all the wage increases made either by the railroad administration or the labor board, it can be shown that because of the great increase in the efficiency of railroad employes there has been practically no increase in wage costs compared with products.” Mr. Sheppard asserted that “to ad- mit that in this country of ours it is necessary to make an onslaught on labor at this time, after all the coun- try has done for the railroads, is ab- solutely un-American.” Messrs. Lee, Carter and Sheppard also poipted out that the railroad employes are piece-workers, laid off and not pald when railroad traffic is light. . They also took “the position that before the railroads could pre- &ent a ‘request for ‘wage reductions to the board, they would first have to present them to the men and, nego- tiations failing, then appeal to/ the board. $500,000,000 CUT URGED. Rail Executives See Possible Re- duction in Employes. By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, January 29.—Railroad executives, after a two-day conference behind closed doors, tonight had out- lined a tentative plan of action de- signed to make such readjustments as the railroads consider necessary for efficient and economical operation. The labor committee of the American Association of Railway Executives was still conferring tonight on a program involving the association’s 171 member roads. No announcement was forthcoming from any member of the committee. Executives in close touch with the eonlel_'ance, however, declared that faflure of the roads to gain expected earnings and the present decline in business had forced them to take im- mediate action. An officer, who re- fused to be quoted, stated that the ‘whole railroad ‘action was aimed at the present national agreements be- tween the roads and their employes. It was indicated that the first step proposed by the railroads in reducing operating expenses would be im- mediate abrogation of the national agreements. The agreements now are under fire before the United States Rallroad Labor (Continued on Page 2, Column 2.) By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, January 29.—Every man, woman and child in the world would receive $13.58 from an equal distribution of all the money on deposit in mutual, stock and postal savings banks of the globe, it was estimated today. by ‘when the exchange is normal and the economic crisis has passed. MAY INVITE UPHEAVALS. Fear Expressed Here Over Effort of Paris Council Scheme. ‘Without question the justice of the enormous burden placed upon Germany by the allied premiers, American ex- perts who have considered the question of reparations were inclined yesterday to yegard the agreement as a possible basis for political upheavals whose disturbing effects may be far-reaching. The Americans at Paris held out for fixing a definite amount Germany should pay, but they did not favor making that amount greater than she could pay. Whether the 220,000,000,000 gold narks, plus the annual payment of 12 per cent on her exports will prove an unbearable burden ‘was for the former American_advisors only a_speculative 4konunned-on-Page-2, Column 1) the Savings Banks Association of the State of New York. There are 146,277,394 holders of small savings accounts in the world, the association’s estimate shows, who have on deposit $23,- 123,285,677, a sum greater than the combined Wealth of Germany, Austria, Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria. "The average deposit account the world over is $158.08. Of the total amount of world savings, inhabitants of the United States possess more than one- quarter, according to the figures. In this country, aside from de- posits in postal savings, there are 11,427,558 depostitors in mutusl and stock savings banws, with total deposits of $6,536,470,000, or 2 per cent of the country’s wealth. This marks & gain of approximately $634,000,000 in mutual and stock savings banks in 1920, The average deposit account in the mutual and stock savings ‘panks in the United States i3 | i ! Y. (Continued on Page 4, Column 2.) World Saving Bank Deposits Would Give Every Soul $13.5 $571.99, and the average deposit per inhabitant $61.85. According to the figures of the association more than one-tenth of the people in this country have accounts in stock or ' postal either mutual, savings banks. In the twenty- ree foreign countries reporting, with a combined population. of 993,280,000, the average deposit ac- count in savings banks is $122.3¢ and the average deposit per inhab- itant is $17.60. Germany leads the world in point of numbers of savers in any one country. There, 27,000,000, or 40 per cent of the inhabitants, have savings in public or corporate say- ings banks. Japan stands second, with more than 25,000,000 de- positors in postal and private sav- ings banks. Great Britain is third, with 17,000,000, or 40 per cent of the population savers in trustee and postal saving banks, Fourth in volume of ‘depositors s Russia, where, according to the last official figures, there are 13,488,000 savers, repreaenting almost 7 per cent of the total population of 178,905,800. The United States, which stands fifth in the volume of savings de- positors, leads the world (except- ing Tunis, a French province) in_ ithe average deposit account, MEANS WAGE FIGHT Brotherhood Heads Declare | to the wage reductions which Chicago | ay the railways will seek | SUNDAY DENANDS GERMANY GIVEUPU.S. AGENTS Army Judge Advocate Claims Bergdoll Pursuers lllegally Held. By the Associated Press. , EBERBACH, Baden, January 29.— Judge Advocate Maj. Kyle Rucker of the American forces on the Rhine to- day called on the prosecuting attorney and the police authorities and de- manded the release of Carl Neuf and Frank Zimmer, who are being held here for attempting to kidnap Grover C. Bergdoll, the American draft evader, and his chauffeur, Eugene (Ike) Stecher. The surrender of the men was re- fused by the German authorities, and Maj: Baoker then announced that the American authorities at Coblens would make a formal demand on the Berlin foreign office for their release. The major informed the authorities here that Neuf and Zimmer were en- gaged in the legitimate pursuit of deserters and fugitives from justice and that their detention was illegal. German citizenship papers for Grover Cleveland Bergdoll, American draft evader, for which he applied a number of days ago, have been made out and are ready to be issued as soon as the technical state of war between the United States and Germany has been ended. His chauffeur,> Isaac Stecher has already been granted citizenship papers. DODGER BOASTS OF ESCAPE. PHILADELPHIA, January 29. — Grover Bergdoll sent a telegram to his mother yesterday to inform her of his latest spectacular attempt to “put it over on America.” The cablegram was similar to the one the Philadel- phia draft dodger dispatched to the editor of the Public Ledger. With ‘bravado and pride it fiippantly stated: “We captured® six department of justice agents and threw them into prison. We are safe and sound. See the Associated Press report.” At the Bergdoll home this morning Mrs. Emma C. Bergdoll refused to comment on the cable or on the spec- tacular revelation of Grover's move- ments since he slipped through the fingers of American justice by feeding military authorities at Governor's Island, near New York, a fanciful lit- tle story about searching for a “pot of gold” The fact that Grover's “pot of gold,” after a silence of eight months, turn- ed out to be the little town of Eber- bach, in Germany, does not particu- larly fill the buxom mistress of the Bergdoll “castle,” on Wynnefield ave- nue with glee. In fact, the mother of Grover and Erwin seemed more or less worried this morning. Frau Bergdoll was up and busy in her kitchen. At 7 the coffee pot was clattering and there was an outward semblance of cheer emanating with the tempting aroma. But that was as far as it went. I have nothing at all to say,” said the mistress of the coffee pot and the kitchen, and summarily the blue- aproned figure would betake herself back into the safe sanctum of the Kitchen. where réporters were not. On the back door were idly penciled the words, “Gott Hilf Uns,” and it was a fateful motto for this particular kitchen door. Things are not what they used to be .in in-the castle on Wynnefleld avenue. Grover is in Eberbach, Erwin is in prison and’ Mamma Bergdoll cannot get to Germany herself, authentical- 1y stated, because she is loath to trust her real estate interests to any one in America. Protest Tariff Delay. SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, January 29.—The National Wool Growers' As- sociation and the Utah State Wool Growers' Assoclation today tele- graphed protests to Senator William King of Utah -against-his reported action in delaying the wote on the Fordney tariff bill, e S e e e e MORNING, JANUARY > HUNDRED Yo ONE AGNF R BiLL BRYAN %47 [TALIAN SHIP BURNS, SURVIVORS PICKED UP By the Ansociated Press. NEWPORT NEWS, Va., January 29. —Wireless advices received here to- night were to the effect that the Italian steamship Nettuno was burn- ed at sea today with a probable loss of life. The Belgian steamship Krem- lin, bound for Hampton Roads, is bringing the surviving members of the crew, several of whom are said to have been badly burned. Quarantine officials at Old Point Comfort have been asked to meet the ship with doctors and nurses. The position of | the Nettuno at the time she burned was not stated in the first advices nor was the time of the Glimmar's prob- able arrival at quarantine. Two quarantine doctors were at Old Point tonight awaiting the arrival of the Glimmar. No- further wireless messages were sent out by the ship, which officiala believe will arrive early Sunday. BATILESHP TESTS SHOW BOMBS LACK POWERTODESTROY Bombing experiments conducted recently against the old battleship Indiana have demonstrated the im- probability of a modern battleship being either destroyed or completely put out of action, according to a re- port just made public by the Navy Department. The report is from Capt. W. D. Leahy, director of gunnery exercises. The department has accurate infor- mation, held as confidential, regard- ing the number of hits that may be expected against a vessel at sea by aerial bombs, the report said. 3 In the Indiana experiment no effort was made to drop live bombs on the vessel, but bombs of different designs and weights were placed about the decks to determine the amount of damage that-might be expected from an aerial bomb, the statement said. Dummy bombs were dropped from air- craft to determine the percentage of hits. Naval officers were much exercised yesterday over the testimony of Brig. Gen. Willlam Mitchell, director of training operations of the Army air service, before the House appropria- tions committee, to the effect that the airplane had made the navy virtually useless. Secretary Daniels sald he knew of no development of the world war or experiment since that would Justify such a conclusion. Gen. Mitchell used the Indiana ex- periment as an example to illustrate | his contention before the committee and drew from the Navy Department the statement that the Indiana data were referred to the War Department as confidential and were not intended for such use as Gen. Mitchell made of them. : Naval officers’ point out 'that.'on previous occasions the Navy Depart- ment “ had made representations to Secretary Baker regarding statements of Gen. Mitchell before congressional committees. In December, 1919, Sec- retary Daniels wrote Secretary Baker, in reference to statements made. by Gen. Mitchell, that “the impropriety of submittinig as’ evidence to our legis- lators statements which are not cor- rect or which ‘are incomplete is self- evident. When such tend to discredit another department of the . govern- ment than that to which the findi- vidual making them bélongs it ‘would seem ' particularly trpe that such should not pass unnotfced,” o After an earlier and similar protést in October, 1919, Secretary Baker wrote ‘Secretary Danlels, it' was’ sald tonight, that “Gen. Mitchell was not justified in the conclusion which he reached.” The reference, it was ex- plained, was to testimony of Gen. Mitchell before the military- affairs committee of the Senate e 30, 1921. U. . NAVY IGNORES. RIGHTS T0 U-BOAT Noted German Inventor Of- fered New and Nearly Indestructible Vessel. (By Cable to The Star and Chicago- Tribune. Copyright,” 1921.) BERLIN, January 29.—The German inventor who bullt the first fighting submarines during the war, and whose pupils built the commercial submarine Deutchland, which reached America during the war, declaredito- day that he has offered the American government a set of plans on the newest type of submersibles. The affer was made to Rear Ad- miral Taylor, in Washington, through the Beslip #American mission. Receiv- ing 5o reply from Reat Admiral Tay- lor, the German offeréd tlie submarine to" the British government. ‘The British responded immediately. In the correspondence which followed one of the major points under discus- sion was the question of world rights, which the British shipbuilding firm wanted. Meanwhile Japanese interests learned of the invention' and approached the inventor. NG offet has yet been ac- cepted and there still is a chance for the 'American Navy to obtain' the rights. The British offer expires ‘in forty days. The plans offered are for submarines carrying fifteen centimeter guns in the turrets and a deck torpedo ap- paratus, which enables the submarine to fire without maneuvering into posi- tion. The inventor claims to have solved the vexing problem of armament, giving the craft protection against depth charges and direct hits from small guns such as are carried on merchantmen. He claims the sub- matine will'not overturn, which has been the fate of all armored models heretofore. The inventor lived in America for some years and avows that his friend- ship for the United States prompted his offering the United States the first option. o THREE BURNED TO DEATH. HOBOKEN, N. J., January 29.—Three persqns, were burned to death in a fire which destroyed the upper floors of the Palace-Colonial Hotel here early today. The flames cut off escape of many pat- rons. Thirty persons were rescued by firemen, who brought them down on lad- On the top floor searchers found the unidentified bodies of a man and two womel Member of the Associated Press ‘The Associated Press is exclusively eatitled to the uee for republication of il news dispniches credited to it or not otherwise credited in this paper and ‘also the local news pubii<iid herein. All rights of publication of wpecial [ e Aot Yy dispatches herein are also reserved. SMUGGLING TIDE ATHIGHEST CREST, SAYS U.S.OFFICIAL NEW YORK, January 29 — Smuggling of goods into the Unit- ed States is being carried on to a greater extent than ever before, declared a statement today from the collector of customs for the port of New York, Byron R. New- ton. Customs officials seized $1.- * 000,000: worth of commodities last year, much of which was found to be smuggled. he said. Collusion between crews of steamships and professional smug- /glers here has intensified the evil, which has become so widespread "that the collector had little hope 1of dealing satisfactorily with the )situation until some new method ..of collecting import taxes is put into operation. Prohibition also was blamed by Collector Newton as a contribut- ing cause. Those successful in evading the dry laws—he said. are inclined to broaden the scope of theit activity and attempt to smuggle anything they think may evade inspectors. ¥ SLITTLE GIRLS DIE IN FLAMES GAUSED BY OIL EXPLOSION Two Others Are Burned in Seat Pleasant Tragedy. Victims Brought Here. Explosion of an oil stove and kero- sene can, which was placed upon it, cost the lives of three children and serious injury of one other yesterday afternoon at the home of Leslie Wat- kins, Seat Pleasant, Md. The dead are Ethel Roberts, eight years old, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James M. Roberts; Alice Watkini five years old, and Mary Watkins, nine years old. Earl Watkins, aged two, was in a critical condition late last night at the Children's Hospital, in this city, suffering from severe burns. Thelma Roberts, nine years of age, @lso was burned about the body, but not seriously. Arthur L. Ward, a motorman on the Washington, Balti- more and Annapolis line, who oc- cuples.-the lower floer of the house, was badly burne§ sbout the hiends in attempting to save the children. is under eare of a physician at his home. Ohlidren Alone at Time. fhe Roberts children were visiting the Watkins children and had been left alone in the upper part of the house early in the afternoon. Mrs. Watkins was absent and Mrs. Ward, downstairs, had gone out on a short errand. Mr. Ward was sitting on the rear lower porch ‘when he heard the explosion. = He ran upstairs and found the children in flames. Their clothing had ignited and Alice Watkins was suffocated almost instantly by inhal- ifig flames. Mr. Ward rolled blankets about the children and extinguished flames in their clothing. In the meantime, Sam Fowler, who was in the neighborhood and heard the explosion, notified the local voi- unteer fire department. Within a short time the blase in the room was extinguished. Fowler placed the children in an automobile and rushed them to Casu- alty Hospital, where first aid was glven. They were immediately transferred to Children's Hospital for specialized treatment. Ethel Roberts and Mary Watkins dled there before 7:30 'o’clock last night. Coroner Nevitt issued certificates of accidental death. The bodies are in the hospital morgue, awaiting orders from the parents for disposition. The body of Alice Watkins was re- moved to the Gasch undertaking es- tablishment at Hyattsville. Judge John E. Weast of the Seat Pleasant aistrict, acting as coroner, summoned a jury in the case of the Watkins girl. A verdict was rendered late in the afternoon ascribing death to ac- cident. “I tried my best to save the chil- dren,” Mr. Ward sald last night. “T would gladly have had both hands (Continued on Page 2, Column 6). King Albert Offers Yacht Cup For Race Ac_ross the Atlantic NEW YORK, January 29.—King Albert of Belgium has offered a cup for an ocean race from Sandy Hook to Ostend, Belgium, open to sailing yachts of the world, Baron de Cartier, Belgian ambassador to the United States, anhounced here today. The race, under the pro- .visions laid down by .the king, is to start July 4 next. The race will be without handi- cap, Baron de Carfer :announced, as the king- desires an open con- test for the championship of the high seas. All sizes’ and types of sailing yachts, 'with .any rig and from all nations,'are eligible, are also auxiliary yachts, pro- vided the propelling .machinery is properly sealed. or.neutralized. - The start is to be at noon, with- out postponement, regardless of wind or weather conditions, and the starting point :is to be be- _tween Ambrose:Lightship and the committee yacht,’ to be named A warning signal is to be before noon, \and ‘the starting signal will be \ven at noon sharp.., Yachts un- le,” by remson_of _calm, fof. 3 l will be-pl’eleunudbto each of the storm or other cause, to reach the starting line will be penalized by the time lost. - “His maajesty desires that this race be ‘an actual championship race for the supremacy of the high seas,” said Baron de Cartler, “and therefore the arbitrary con- ditions of the start have been decided on. Particulars regard- ing the finishing line oft Ostend will be announced later. King Albett’s cup will become the per- manent property of the victor, and a suitable commemorative medal contestants. Baron de Carier will' ask one member of the New York Yacht Club, one member of the Atlantic Yacht Club’ and one member of the Larchmont Yacht Club to serve on the starting committee. Each' of the members chosen will represent his ‘club exelusively. The duty of the committee will be to conduct the actual starting of the race and consider all protests or fouls that may irise up to the at time ,of the starting signal, . which tifne ita duties He FIVE CENTS. MEASURE TO MAKE U.3.PAY FORWATER . HERE INTRODUCED |Zihiman’s Joint Resolution in House Will Be Indorsed by Commissioners. MARKS EPOCH IN FIGHT FOR ADEQUATE SUPPLY Tyler Declaration That Situation Is Serious Causes Confidence Congress Will Act. Representative Zihlman of Mar:- land. introduced in the House late vesterday a joint resolution to re- quire the federal government to pay for the water it uses in the District His action, exclusively forecast in Friday's Star, is designed to prevent millions of gallons of water wastage daily by federal departments. He pro- poses the United States bureau of standards shall determine the rate to be paid by the government The Zihlman measure is certain to receive the enthusiastic indorsement of the Commissioners if they are asked to report on it, it was indicated at the District building. Yepterday, it is believed, marks an epoch n the fight that has been made by officials and private citi- zens to obtain asradequate water sup- ply for Washington. Produce Optimism. Maj. Tyler's Great Falls report, urging that immediate steps be taken tc guard the city against a water famine, and that this project be sepa- rated from the Great Falls power development scheme, followed by Mr. Zihiman’s resolution seeking to con- serve water while an additional “up- ply is being provided, gave rise to general optimism last night that Con- gress would act favorably on both prop- ositions. » The Army engineer's observations regarding the water supply situation emphasige its seriousness as no other official statement or report has. Hc says: 8 “Additional facilities for supplying water to the District are an impera- tive necessity as insurance agalnst interruption of service. 1f mew con- struction is deferred it snould be ‘with full knowledge of the risks involved.” It was conllderg likely last might that when the” power com- mission convenes & public hearing in the Interior Department building Tuesday, to take up the Tyler repor:. effort will be made by many of the interests represdnted to have the water supply Dproject considered in advance of the power development plan. This would be in line with Maj. Tyler's recommendations in the report. View of Commissioners. Engineer Commissioner Kutz, ang probably other members of the board of District Commissioners, will at- tend the hearing, which will be pre- sided over by Secretary of War Baker. It is known that the Commissioners incline strongly to the Tyler view. that the obtaining of an increased water supply for the District is of greater importance than the develop- ment of power, and should be taken up as a separate mattgr with the least delay possible. Representative Zihlman and other members of Congress, members of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, the Public Utilities Com- missions of Maryland and Virginia, lo- cal public utility corporations, busi- ness and civic organizations of the District and private citizens are plan- ning to attend the hearing, at which a drive is expected to be launched to get the District's pressing water needs presented to Congress as an emer- gency proposition. The Tyler plan for increased water supply contemplates the building of a conduit from Great Falls to Dale- carlia reservoir reservation and the construction of an additional filtra- tion plant on this reservation, the total cost to be $9,523,000. Declared a Necessity. In commenting upon the urgency of the situation, his report states: “The time has passed when an ex- pansion of the system would be sim- ply. a wise provision to care for a growing population., It is now more than that. It is a necessity as in- surance against interruption of serv- jce altogether. If the project for ex- pansion which can be most speedily completed be authorized, additional water cannot be delivered inside of two and one-half years. Other proj- ects will take five years or more. This means that if new work is begun this coming spring the existing sys- tem must continue several years without proper repairs to supply the ! Distriot of Columbia with water. The longer the new work is postponed the I‘r!ller will be the risk. “It should be ‘cleanly understood, therefore, that new works are recom- mended in this report not only to provide an adequate water supply for the increasing population of the Dis- trict of Columbia, but because such works are an urgent necessity for the protection ‘of the District against an interruption of its water service.” The Tyler report, covering both the proposed wate: supply and power de- velopment projects, cor.cains 110 type- written ~ pages, besides numerous charts and 1s by far the most ex- haus study thai has yet been made of the possibilities of harnése- ing Great Falls. Conclunions ‘ax to Power. With respect to power, its conclusions are that by means of two dams in the river, at.Chain Bridge and Great Falls, i tinued on Page 3..Column 34 s s