Evening Star Newspaper, April 1, 1921, Page 3

i i H ? x LOGAL MERGHANT STUDY U1 5. PRICES Results of General Survey to Be Used to Develop Buy- ing Movement. General survey of price conditions in large cities of the country, particur larly retail prices, is to be made by the committee on retail trade of the Chamber of Commerce, of which Isaac Gans in chairman. Mr. Gans said today that letters are being sent out to the trade organiza- tions, asking them for information re- garding prices and of the return of the public to the buying fleld in other com- munities. Prices have returned to a stable con- dition here, Mr. Gans jointed out, but the retail tradé committee will seek, by gathering and publication of facts, to point out to the people of the city in a convincing way that such is the case. and that they should buy now things which they need. When compiled the information will be presented to the public in an order- ly way by taking each line and showing the conditions as they have been shown to exist through data gath- ered in the survey. Subcommittee Named. Mr. Gans has appointed a subcom- mittee to develop plans for present- ing the information through a pub- licity campaign. It is composed of George S. De Neale, chairman; Julius Lansburgh, Sidney West, H. D. Orms- by. P. B Fletcher. Joseph Dreyfus and S. L. Nye. This _committee will hold a meeting next Tuesday to for- mulate its plans, and it is expected that there will be on hand some of the information, which the commit- tee is seeking from other cities. Washington is better off than any other community, so far as the re- turn to buying is concerned, accord- ing to a veview of the Federal Re serve Board experts. This city is in district No. 5. and the figures show that the volume of sales in this dis- trict increased 8.6 per cent this month as compared with last month. It is the bighest for any district reported by the board, the closest being the Boston_district. with an increase of only 6.5 per cent. goneral tendency throughout the country has been toward an in- crease in the buying movement. Seek Fair Price Moed. t is the purpose of the committee to convince the public that the time is now ripe for driving out of the buyers' voeabularies such words as “profiteering.” “excessive profits. “unusually high prices” and get them back into the fair-price mood. Wwhich meens more buying. Prices now. ac- cording to Mr. Gans, aze as stable as they ever will be, particularly in ‘Washington. Figures of the reserve board show that net sales increased $.5 per cent in Washington during the period from January 1 to date, as compared with the corresponding period of last year. and 8.4 per cent in February, as com- pared with that month last year. Next week is national prosperity week, and it will be celebrated throughout the country. During the week there will be held here a con- ference looking to the continuation of the educational work of the na- tional prosperity bureau, in which several of the foremost publicists and busipess interests will participate. VIVIANI STRESSES MORAL AID OF U. S. - (Continued from First Page.) g o T T | foreign relations committee of the , | this i It ed | that they are en . friendly s since Senator escorted M. ni in the United States Senate 17! when the premier discussed ar problems confronting the al- and the need for American sup- rs with whom M. Viviani had noes today include Secretaries and Mellon. tions te France Discussed. Psoblems affecting the collection by of reparations from Tman; discussed by M. of, the former ‘Freach prémier was said to have expressed opinion that an ultimate sgatisfac- tory settlement of the ™ fons question, depended largely “$u this country’s moral backing. France, notwithstanding her present economic state, sought no_material aid from this country, M. Viviani was said to have stated, but believed that the moral assistance of this country was esential to a just settlement of the problems affecting her relations with Germany. Asks No Remission of Debt. ‘The former premler, it was said, en- - @eavored to set at rest all reports that France intended to ask for any remission of its debt to the United States. In asserting that France ‘would discharge all financial obliga- tions to this country. he took occa- sion also, it was said, to set at rest any presumption that the official viewpoint of France was represented in any way in the recent contention in the French parliament that a debt was due France by America in un- paid loans dating from the revolu- \ tionary war. While not desiring to present an { alarmist view of the situation confront- {ing the French republic. M. Viviani, it was said. pointed out in conversation Wwith certain of those present at the din- Der the depression under which the French people were laboring in the face of many unsolved probiems affecting the Telations of France with Germany. Offers Barrer to Bolshevism. M. Viviani was said to have pointed out the barrier which France offers to the westward spread of bolshevism and -in envisaging the possible renewal of a “bolshevik offcnsive this year to have emphasized the hearty approval with which the recent reply of Secretary H to the Russian soviet govern- ment's invitation to enter upon formal trade arrangements had been received in France. Officials present at the dinner em- phasized that, in his conversation, M. : Vivianl made no suggestion or con- i crete proposal for American aid. It , was said that he had endeavored { merely to present the situation in which France found herself at the moment, without offering any sug- % gestion as to the form or moral as- i sistance which the United States might render. Cites Need of Moral Support. He was understood to have stated merely that France could not proceed to the task confronting her without the moral support of the United States, as well as the allied powers. No attempt was made by the former French premier, it was said, to enter into a discussion of the precise part the United States might take in fu- ture European affairs. So far as was disclosed, the ques- tion of the withdrawal of American troops from the Rhine or the conclu- sjon of a separate peace between the United States and Germany did not enter into the conversation. Others present at the dinner last night and with whom the former French premier discussed, in a gen- «ral way, the reparations and other problems confronting his country, were Vioe President Coolidge and Senators Moses of New Hampshire, pper of Kansas and Pomerene of Chio. QUITS HIGHWAY COUNCIL. James W. Brooks today resigned from the federal highway council to ccome dircctor of the American high ‘The bu lucational bureau. highway educational ensive lines, support- ! aid principle. work ulong irg the fede Former Awstrtan Rulsr | Trying to Regain TPhrone Aecording te reports from Vienna, ex-Emperor Charles has scized West Hungary in a desperate edfort to re- #nin Rhis throne. The West Hungarian army is to have joined the former ruler in his fight. This it 4t of former Empyeror Charles. made during his exile. in Switseriand. HUNGARY WARNED BY ALLIES AGAINST HAPSBURG RETURN (Continued from JYrst Pago.) Horthy, the Hungarian regent, has handed over authority to the former emperor, who has lwsen acclaimed sovereign by several garrisons of troops. CHARLES MAY GO TO SPAIN. Spanish Government {3ilent on How He Would Be Received. MADRID, April 1.—)ewspaper dis- patches received here declare that former Emperor Charles may come to Spain from Hungary, but the Spanish government has not received the slightest hint of such an intention on the part of Charles, and' has not indi- cated whether the hospitality of the country will be extendesl to him. The cabinet council met at the pal- ace vesterday, but although the mem- bers of the body knew af the reports that Charles might come to Spain, the attitude of this_country was not dis- cussed, it is declared. BISEOP URGED THRONE PLOT. Clergyman Insisted Charles Should Return to Hungary. By the Associated Press. BUDAPEST, April 1.—Bishop Rott of the diocese of Bessprem, was, ac- cording to the best information ob- tainable here, the preponderating in fluence in urging former Emperor Charles to attempt to regain the Hua- garian throne. Bishop Rott was In Pranges, Charles’ Swiss refuge, a week ago, to christen the ex-ruler's , new-born daughter. He persuaded the latter to veturn to Hungary immediately, it is alleged, declaring the pro-Haps. burg propaganda could not be effec. opposition of the allies, is declared to have been instanced by the bishop. It is alleged also that the anti- Semitic organization, “Awakening Hungary,” had an important share in the plot.’ Its president, Deputy Szm- rechanyi, has been placed under vir- tual arrest. QUIET IN BUDAPEST. French Charge Fails to Confirm Reports of Troop Movements. By the Associated Press. 5 PARIS, April 1.—The French charge d'affaires in Budapest telegraphed to the foreign office here toddy that he was unable to confirm various press reports of Hungarian troop move- ments, adding that absolute calm pre- vailed in the Hungarian capital. Count Teleky, said the charge’s mes- sage, was at present in conference with ex-Emperor Charles, for whom a safe conduct had been demanded of the Austrian government. The foreign office has failed to re- ceive any confirmation of the reports that Charles was heading an army marching upon Budapest. Its latest dispatches declare that calm prevails at Steinamanger, where the ex-emperor now is, except among a certain portion of the troops. Charles, the advices state, is to be taken some distance from the camp to the castle of Prince Batthyani at Kor- mend. to the south of Steinamanger, with Count Teleky accompanying h COLLEGE WOMEN MERGE TWO ASSOCIATIONS TODAY Collegiate Alumnae Votes Amalgamate With Southern College Women. to The American Association of Uni- versity Women, the first organiza tion for college women of all parts of the country, came into existence today, when the Association of Col legiate Alumnae voted to amalga. mate with the Southern Assoclation of Colleke Women. Both organizations held their last conventions this week at the Wash- ington Hotel. Mrs. Mary Leal Hark- ness, president of the former south- ern association, delivered the eulogy during obituary services for the old organizations. “It_is seldom.” she said, “that a funeral is attended with ' rejoicing. j But we are looking with joy upon the death of the two organizations and upon the birth of the new one. The future looks bright and points to suc- cess The only change in the constitu of the Ansociation of Collegiate Alum nae, which virtually absorbed the southern organization, was in a sece tion providing for the name. It was voted that membership in the general association be not ex- tended to association members of the branches, but only to those fully qualified for active membership. The new organization will number close to 14,000. Every active member becomes a member of the Interna- tional Federation of University Wom- en. a world=wide organization. Discussion of the conduct of the national clubhouse occupied the ses- sion of the new organization this afternoon. It is expected that e plan for its operation during the coming year will be evolved before adjourn- ment late this afternoon. 1t was decided at the morning ses- sion to make the convention an an. nual instead of the previous biennial affair. COMMISSION DISSOLVES. PARIS, April 1.—Dissolution of the Austrian section of the allied repara- tions commission has been decided uj by that body, it was learned here, . N THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTO LLEEN AGQUTTED ONMURDER CHARGE Tried for Shooting of Mrs. Harris in Brawl at Cabin John Hotel. Special Dispatch to The Sta ROCKVILLE, Md., April 1.—At ten minutes after 11 o'clock last night the jury in the case of Edward V. leen of Washington, who was tried in the circuit court here yesterday on an indictment charging him with the murder of Mrs. Deborah A. Harris of Washington, better known as Mrs. Bessie Harris, at Cabin John Bridge Hotel, this county, the evening of January & last, returned a verdict of acquittal. But two ballots were taken by the jury before a decision was reached. Onthe first _eleven voted for acqul tal and one for manslaughter. en the verdict was announced, Mrs. Killeen, who stood by her hus- band from the beginning, threw her arms about her husband and sobbed. He was also embraced by his three sisters, who, with Mrs. Killeen, had eat near him throughout the proceed- ings, and was warmly congratulated by his brothers, who likewise were on hand throughout the trial, and many friends who were in the courtroom. The substance of the testimony was that Killeen and Mrs. Harris were members of different parties which dined at Cabin John Hotel the even- ing of the shooting: that the mem- bers of the two parties struck up an acquaintance during the evening and there was considerable drinking; that about the time preparations were being made to return to the city, Kil- leen and Burnett W. Tanner of Wash- ington, who was of Mrs. Harris' party, became involved in a controversy and that vile language was used. espe- cially by Tanner; that Killeen drew his revolver and that while holding the weapon in the air and just as Mrs. Harris threw herself between the two men the revolver was dis- charged, the bullet piercing the young woman's heart causing instant death. The testimony was concluded at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. when a recess was taken until 7:15 o'clock last evening. The evening session was devoted to arguments of counsel to the jury. Judge Peter's charge was_brief and the case was given to the jury at 10:25 o'clock OVERCOME BY MEDICINE TAKEN FOR NERVOUSNESS Evelyn La Rue, Witness in the Kil- leen Trial, Dies at the Emergency Hospital. MRS. EVELYN J. LA RUE. Evelyn La Rue, one of the witnesses for the defense in the trial yesterday at Rockville of Edward V. Killeen, re- turned to this city shortly after the verdict was reported. She registered at the National Hotel, where she be- came suddenly ill. She was uncon- ‘when a physician reached the y pital at 2:15 o'clock this morning. Appearance as a witness at the trial. it is_stated, resulted in making Mrs. La Rue exceedingly nervous, and she is said to have remarked that she in- tended to take something to relieve her nervousness. When found in her room, desperately i1l according to the police, she sald she had taken a dose by mistake. She soon lapsed iInto unconscious- ness, in which state she died. Death resuited from an attack of acute gas- tritis, due to an Irritant, possibly poison, it was developed at an autopsy son, it was de: at an autopsy told the police she was from Canada, but had resided in & number of cities in the United States. ROBBER TAKES $100. Pistol Used in Hold-Up of Woman Store Owner—Other Thefts. Mrs. Rebecca Wolf, in the grocery business at 526 Kenyon street, was alone in her store about 9:30 o'clock last night, when a young man ap- peared, displayed a revolver and told her he wanted her money. He took more than $100 from the drawer. The police think the man probably is one of two who have committed several similar robberies. The robber was described as being about twenty-two years old, white, medium build and ‘height. He wore 2 dark suit and a black silk cap. A horse and wagon belonging to Charles E. Morgan disappeared from 11th and B streets yesterday after- noon and later was found abandoned. Eight dozen egES, a sack of potatoes, storm cover and blanket were stolen from the wagon. Burglars visited a Piggly Wiggly store at 1506 9th street Wednesday night. They stole $60 from the cash drawer and a piece of meat. FAVORS ST. MARY’S PLAN. Commissioner Rudolph Indorses Bebuilding Move. Commissioner Rudolph has indorsed the $250,000 campaign to rebuild St. Mary's Industrial School, which is to open Tuesday and continue to April 14. Mr. Rudolph said: “I am glad to call attention to the proposed mass meeting of our citizens at Carroll Hall, G street between 9th and 10th streets northwest, Monda; at 8 p.m., when the active work of rais- ing a fund to help rebuild St Industrial School will be planned. am interested in this movement because I know the importance of re- establishing as quickly as possible this institution in proper buildings so that the lglemfld ‘work can go on, and because of my friendship for the late James Cardinal Gibbons, who was president of the board of trustees of the institution for nearly half a cen- tury, and gave generously of his time and means to build the institution u to the high plane of usefulness it ha attained when the disastrous con- flagration destroyed the entire plant. “It must be a matter of deep regret to all that the required funds were not raised before the death of the distin- guished and beloved prelate, and I trust the response to the committee's appeal '"fllkbe"hol:helr!ad lnd’ en- erous. Make it rue memor to Cardinal Gibbona.*” 3 ’ CARPENTERS END STRIKE ON NEW STAR BUILDING Fifty carpenters employed on the new Star building returned to work at noon‘)today, after a three-day strike onfaccount of a jurisdictional dispute with metal workers. The original dispute occurred on a construction job in New Orleans. Work of the Fuller ~company throughout the country was affected. Details of the settiement of the di pute were not available here today. Business Agent Robert Reichard of the Carpenters’ District Council re- ceived a telegram today instructing the men to return. “The international settled the con- troversy.” he said. “We have no de- tails here and are doing nothing further than following orders.’ Three chauffeurs employed by the Fuller company were laid off today when they refused to give a hand at placing tiles on the trucks at the freight depot. The chauffeurs con- tended that their positions were as drivers of trucks and that other la- bor should be employed for the load- ing and unloading of material car- ried by them. ey are not mem- bers of a union. Others will be em- ployed in their places. REFUSES PERMITS 10 AUTO DRIVERS More than a dozen applicants for permits to drive automobiles had been turned down up te noon today by the trafic bureau of the police depart- ment under the new system of issuing these permits. The first few hours of operation under the new system demonstrated clearly to members of the traffic bu- reau the need for the restrictions which became effective today. ‘Three persons were turned down for deafness, according to Capt. Albert J. Headley, head of the traffic bureau. Several failed to answer important questions on the traffic regulations, and were told to give them additional study and apply later. The bureau had under consideration at noon the application of a soldier with one artificial leg. Fifty Applicati Approved. It was roughly estimated at noon that fifty applications had been ap- proved. Under the old regulation, which be- came inoperative this morning, appli- cants went direct to the license office on the first floor of the District build- ing and could obtain a permit upon testifying that they had at least two weeks of experience in driving a car under the care of an experienced op- erator. Under the new system applicants must go first to the traffic bureau on the fifth floor and fill in a blank which is gone over by one of the officers de- tailed there. If the blank shows the applicant to be cighteen years or older he is then questioned as to his knowledge of the new traffic regulations, which take effect tomorrow. May Require Demonstration. Under the new system the trafiic bureau examiner may, if he deems it necessary. require the applicant to give an actual demonstration In oper- ating the automobile. Several dem- tl)nl!tmtions were called for this morn- ng. After the applicant has satisfied the traffic bureau of his ability to drive a machine he is given an order on the superintendent of licenses for a per- mit, which costs $2, and s perpetual. RIDES INTO MAIL TRUCK, BICYCLIST BADLY HURT Nunsio Calabrese, thirty years old, 313 D street southwest, received se- vere injuries about 5 o'clock this morning as a result of his bicycle and a United States mail truck col- liding near Pennsylvania avenue and 18th street. Calabrese was carrying a raised umbrella on his way to work, it is stated, when the accident hap- pened. He was taken to Emergency Hospital, where Drs. Stibbs and Burke treated him for fractures of the skull, right ankle and lower jawbone. Snow was falling when the accident hap- pened. Police of the third precinct inyestigated the affair, but did not de- tain Nathan Robbin, 3441 14th street, driver of the truck. Calabrese was unconscious when he reached the hos- | pits He regained consciousness lat- er, but his condition is critical. Mrs. Eva Coleman, 76 New York avenue, was slightly injured last night asia result of a collision between a tagicab in which she was a passenger and an automobile at Mount Vernon place and 7th street. She was given first aid at Emergency Hospital. Elwood Edwards, nine years old, 1025 Otis place, was run over by a diet wagon at Sherman avenue and Morton street yesterday afternoon. One wheel of the vehicle passed over his body, and physicians at Gerfield Hospital say he may be injured in- ternaily. The police were told that the boy was pushed from the wagon by a companion. Madeline Washington, colored, sev- enteen years old, 1761 Morton street, | was knocked down by an automobile at Florida avenue and 9th street last night. She was taken to Freedmen's Hospital, where physicians said she was not seriously hurt. COUNTERFEIT REVENUE ] STAMPS BRING ARRESTS Lincezo Grimaldi of Newark, N. J., was arrested at the Union station last night by Prohibition Agent Stephen- son charged with having counterfeit revenue stamps for distilled gpirits in his possession. Grimaldi was haled before Commis- sioner Isaac R. Hitt immediately. He made an afdavit certifying that the stamps were intended for delivery to Joe Berodino of 118 D street. Upon learning this, Prohibition Agent Stephenson and Precinct Detective Rone of the sixth precinct visited the Berodino house. The result was the arrest of Bero- dino and Michele Muelli, charged with rectifying spirits. A large quantity of alcohol, some caromel coloring, bot- tles, cork and eight of gin was confiscated. The men appeared for preliminary hearing before Judge Hitt at 2 o'clock today. When procesdings startad it was discovered that they did not speak English and an intorpretor had to be called in to aid in the conduct of the case. The arrest on possession of allaged counterfeit revenue stamps, it is be- lieved, is the first of its kind to occur in this city. A number of alleged coun- terfeit Old Taylor yellow labels, with warnings not to counterfeit them printed upon the face, were also selzed. quarts MRS. NICHOLSON DEAD. Mrs. Elizabeth Nicholson, widow of Walter Lamb Nicholson, for many years toographer of the Post Ofece Mary's | Department, died at her home in the Belgrade apartments yesterday in her ninety-first year. She had been in feeble health for a numbdr of year: but death was hastened by a fall ri sulting from vertigo March 10. Mrs. Nicholson was & native of Eng- land, but had lived in this city for many years. During the civil war she devoted much time to nursing strick- en soldiers in the city. She also gave valued assistance in the conduct of her husband's office. Although crippled by a fall years ago and confined to her rooms, she maintained marked cheerfulness. She leaves two daughters, Miss Midie L. Nicholson of zhis city, with whom she lived, and Mrs. Charles A. Fy Tranafer nike The W Hous® APR 4_-: RAILAGREEMENTS HELD NECESSARY Human Standards Should Be Considered in Rules, Says Lauck. By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, TIil, April 1.—National agreements were declared to be regu- lations for the preservation of human standards in the railroad industry by W. Jett Lauck, consulting economist for the railway unions, before the Railroad Labor Board today. Legal opinions, industrial commi sion reports, executive hearings and economists' writings were cited to show the importance of taking human standards into consideration in fram- ing working rules in industry. “The question of reasomableness of national rules,” Mr. Lauck said, “in- volves certain fundamental consider- ations as to the purpose of industry in general. The railroad industry, in- sofar as it affects human life, is a part of the country's entire industry.” Argues for Human Life. Mr. Lauck explained his application of broad industrial conditions to the rallroad industry, arguing that it was more important to conserve human life than to conserve capital. He traced the development of judicial recognition of child labor, healthful working conditions, old age pensions, hours of labor and similar human standards in an endeavor to show that their recognition also should be given to national agreements on railroads, because such conditions were also fundamental to the principles of na- tional rules. Boards of adjustment, about which much of the testimony of high rall- way executives centered at the hear- ing several weeks ago, were again explained in an exhibit presented by Mr. Lauck, who declared the trans- portation act made appointment of such boards mandatory. No such boards have been named since the act was passed, the law providing for their establishment by mutual agree- ment. Mr. Lauck places the blame for their non-establishment on the railroads. ‘The records and data of the exhibit were intended to show that Congress intended the establishment and func- tioning of such boards. Refers to Pennsy. A lengthy history of industrial rela- tions on American railroads prior to 1917, with especial reference to the Pennsylvania railroad, was introduced to show, Mr. Lauck said, that the railroads had consistently fought na- tional agreements and collective bar- gaining. His testimony was infer- rupted by G. W. W. Hanger, public member of the board, acting as chair- man, who pointed out that such his- tory had little bearing on the ques- tion before the board. The transpor- tation act, Mr. Hanger said, clearly provided for the appearance of either party to a dispute before the board. The act's intent, he said, was to es- tablish reasonable rules based on present conditions, disposing of the employes’ claim that abrogation of the existing agreements would plunge them into the pre-war conditions with which they were dissatisfied. On completion of Mr. Lauck’s testi- mony and presentation of his exhibits, the board adjourned until Monday. when several more rallway execu tives are scheduled to appear on the witness stand. RAIL MEN ASK PARLEY. Proposal Is Laid Before President to Settle Whole Problem. CHICAGO, April 1.—Railroad em- ployes last night laid a proposal before President Harding for a conference be- tween labor and the railroads in an at- tempt to settle the whole transportation problem now confronting the country as far as labor is concerned. In a telegram signed by B. M. Jewell, president of the railway employes' de- partment of the American Federation of r, the chief executive was asked to call a conference between the railway executives and the labor unions “to un- dertake to compose the differences on all points in dispute.” Mr. Jewell declared the unions had “every falth” that such a conference would be *productive of immediate salutary results.” Charges and counter charges of threats and intimidation were tossed back and forth by representatives of St. Louis and Southwestern railroad and the roads before the Railroad La- bor Board. Alleged violations of the board's wage decision and the transportation act met denfal from the carrier, which contended that in employing men on individual contract, regardless of the terms of the wage decision, the road was acting within its rights. Severa] hundred affidavits presented by J. C. Smock, vice president of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way and Laborers, declared that the sign- ers had been compelled to sign con- tracts to work at lower wages or longer hours under threat of losing their jobs. W. A. Webb of Tyler, Tex., general manager for the road, immediately asked permission from the board to file other affidavits, which, he said, would say that the union afdavits were secured by coercion and threats that the employes “would go to the penitentiary for violation of the transportation act if they didn't sign.” Henry T. Hunt, acting chairman for R. M. Barton, who is in Washington conferring with President Harding on the railroad situation, gave per- mission to file the documents. APPEAL TO RAIL HEADS. i Lake Dockmen and Mine Operators Take I. C. C.’s Advice. CLEVELAND, Ohio, April 1.—Act- ing on the suggestion of the Inter- state Commerce Commission, 200 dock operators from the northwest and mine operators from every district in the eastern soft coal field at a conference here decided to appeal to the presidents of elght eastern rail- roads for readjustment of freight rates on coal to lower lake ports to stimulate the movement of bitumi- nous coal from the castern fields to the northwest. Movement of coal from the eastern flelds to the northwest has been prac- tically suspended because of a hand cap of 58 cents a ton in competition with the Illinois fleld, it was con- tended. The eastern roads will be asked to readjust their rates to ab- the several national and international orgaizations in the district, and that the body will serve as an organisa- tion for offensive and defensive pur- poses. “This movement should not be con- sidered in any way as an attempt to organize along the lines of the one big union.” Anthony Spair, presi- dent of the district council of main- tenance-of-way locals in New York, said. ““This action has been approved by all the national officials in charge of the work In this district, includ- ing Grand Vice President William D. Roberts and G. V. Planten and all general chairmen of the several roads running into New York and its tide- waters,” he said. Men Invited to Parley. More than 300 representatives of local unions afiliated with the six- teen international and national rail- road workers' organizations have been fnvited to attend a conference, union leaders said. The New York district is said to be one of the largest and most strategic points in the country and includes all the organized workers in the Greater New York district and the territory extending as far north as Hartford. Conn., and as far west as Phillips- burg, N. J.. and eastern Pennsylvania. This takes in railroad employes in Jersey City, Hoboken, Newark, Tren- ton, Paterson, Kaston. Long lsland points, all Brooklyn. Speaks for Big Four. A. H. Smith, president of the New York Central lines, announces that the road could not recognize “the right or propriety” of the executive committee of the National Associatibn of Owners of Railroad Securities to invite heads of the “big four” rail- road brotherhoods to a proposed con- terence to discuss the railroad labor difficulties. Letters setting forth his stand were sent today to Warren S. Stone, W. G¢ Lee, L. E. Sheppard, W. S. Carter, chiefs of the brotherhoods and to S. Davies Warfleld, president of the se- curities association, which announced yesterday the proposed conference would be held in New York April 4. Would Comsolidate Roada Consolidation of the country's rail- roas into a limited number of larger systems was advocated by Daniel Willard, president of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. and Kdgar Clark, chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission, at a dinner of the Railway Business Association here last night. The work of the Raiiroad Labor Board before the rail roads were taken over by the gov- ernment showed the success of that plan under private ownership, Mr. Willard declared. The board was composed of five railroad presidents and inereased railroad trafic by 127.- 000,000.000-ton miles over the traffic carried two years previous, he added. “The new law contemplates con- solidation of the roads into a limited number of larger systems, under which every reasonable degree of competition of service will be pre- served.” said Mr. Clark. “I wish it were possible to hope for consumma- tion of that purpose at an early date.” PENNSY MEN REJECT. PITTSBURGH. April 1.—The first of a series of wage conferences between executives of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company and representatives of employes ended late vesterday, when the delegates named to present the case of 35000 maintenance of way and structures and unskilled forces refused to accept a,wage reduction ranging from 16 to 25 per cent. The committee of gemeral managers of the road, in charge of the conference, suggested that the workers in ques tion accept the cut. Representatives of the men held a separate meeting late in the afternoon and they de- cided, on behalf of the employes. to reject the proposed reduction. This retusal automatically threw the case intor the hands of the United States Railroad Labor Board. W. S. Burrell of Chicago, chairman of the wage bureau of the road, pre- sented the company’s proposition to the twenty representatives of the sorb part of this handicap, the re- mainder to be handled by northwes ern roads moving the coal from north- ‘west lake ports. Previous conferences with traffic ex. ecutives of the roads resulted in their refusing to make any adjustment, it ‘was reported at the conference. The railroads involved are the Penn- sylvania, New York Central, Erie, Baltimore and Ohio, Norfolk and ‘Western. Chesapeake and Ohio, Hock- ing Valley and Wheeling and Lake Erle. BIG MEETING ON SUNDAY. Workers Plan Amalgamation of All Local Unions. NEW YORK, April 1.—Representa- tives of approximately 175,000 organ- AR 1zed rallway workers In this district will meet here next Sunday to con- sider plans for amalgamation of all local railroad union organizations into one central body for “bffensive and defensive purpose: to be known as New York Raillroad District Council. This announcement was rzade here by officials of the United Brotherhood of Maintenance-of-Way Employes and Railroad 8hop Laborers, which is pro- moting the movement. They said that the amalgamation was planned for the purpose of promoting “a better understanding and closer co-opera- tion among the many local 2o (b % of New York city and. Mixture Suits. popular shades. 1,000 Spring Coats & Wraps '15.00 =4 ‘29,95 SCHOOL ESTIMATES TOBEBEGUN SOON Plan Modified Program to Re- lieve Single Shifts and Basement Classes. { With the Commisisoners on record |as favoring the use of the District government's surplus revenues (o finance a school building project, school officials next week will begin the work of drafiing estimates for' the program which will be submitted | to Congress soon after the convening of the forthcoming session. Three building programs, one calling for an | appropriation of at least $5.000000, | another for about $3.000.000 and the | last. which is said to take $10,000,000 | to carry out. were drafted by schocl authorities last year. The latter has never been presented to the city heads! nor made public, and probably will not be, due to the fact that officials of the school concede that Congress ! will not approve of an appropriation of $10,000,000 for the schools. It is believed in school circles that the estimates for the new building program, which will be a modified form of cither the $5.000,000 or $3.- 000.000 project, will call for between 3,000,000 ‘and 34,000,000. This pro- gram will_include only the most ur- gent needs of the schools, it is stated. which are set by school authorities as a sufficient number of additional rooms to eliminate the part-time classes and to remove classes from basement rooms in buildings where overcrowding is the greatest. No request will be made, it is understood, for extra rooms, so that the flimsy portable buildings can He abandoned. Mermbers of Congress interested in the affairs of the District, it is said, are seriously considering plans to give Washington the best public school system in the United States. Their aim is to make the schools here models for the nation. Ia fact, vir- tually all the new members of the House have pledged themselves to use all their influence to get & pro- gram through the legislative body which will remedy the conditions now existing in the school system. MARINE FLYERS TO LEAVE PARIS ISLAND TODAY Aviators Landed There Late Yes- terday on Way to the Vir- gin Islands. PARIS ISLAND, S. marine planes, en route to Virgin Is. lands, are still at Parris Island Ma rine Field, where they landed yester- day afternoon. They will leave some lume today. WANTS MORE BRANCHES. Dr. Bowerman Urges Extension of Library’s Usefulness. Dr. George F. Bowerman, librarian of the Public Library, appeared be- fore the special committee on library of the Washington Chamber of Com- merce this afternoon, and sought the aid of the committee in enlarging the number of branch libraries through out the District. M. A. Leese, chair- man of the committee, presided at the meeting. 1109-1111 G St Sp GUARDIANS OF MAIL ILL PARLEY HERE Presidential Postmasters to Discuss Means of Bettering National Service. Presidential postmasters of the nation will convene here during July to comsider ways and means to bet- ter tae postal service, as called for by Postmaster Genesal Hays in his various enunciations af policy. This will be the first meeting_of the Axsociation of Presidential Postmas- ters in the National Capital for sev eral years. and will bring here scores of the first, second and third class postmasters of the country. Call for the meeting is to be is- sued shortly by President Porest May, postmaster at Dayton, Ohio, and Postmaster Sikes of Harrisburg. Pa., secretary of the organization. Mr. Hays The convention has the approval of Postmaster Generi cially in relation to being held here at the seat of gov- ernment The new Postmaster Gemeral will get a chance to meet the postmas ters of nine of the largest citles in the country at a conference to be held here Monday, and the conven- tion in July will give him full op- portunity to slk face to face with postmasters of all the large cities and towns of the country. At the July convention various prob- lems now uppermost in the minds of officials of the postal administration will be discussed. Foremost among these is the matter of welfare of postal employes, of whom there : 300,000 throughout the country Features to Be Considered I More employes' restaurants. !rooms, recreation features and other ways and means of improving the morale of the service are to be con- sidered. although it is firmly expected that the ground work for such in- stallations will have been laid befor the meeting of the postmasters. Car- rying out the various features, how - ever. will rest with the individual postmasters of the country, who must see to it that whatever general wel- fare reforms are ordered by the Pon: master General are put into effect at the post offices. The question of proper safeguard- ing of the mails probably will be an item of discussion at the conventior here. “This is a matter in which the new administration is vitally inter- ested. Already the Postmaster Gen- eral has authorized various ewards for the conviction of persons robhlnh: the United States mails. Much can be done, it is rull ized, to make the han- dling of mails more - A xhat‘mere will be as little as possible need for offering & 5. CONFERENCE ON MONDAY. Postmaster General Hays Sets Date to Meet City Postmasters. First of the conferences. of City stmasters with Postmaster Geueral l‘?lnlys will be held Monday at the de- partment. City Postmasters of Wash- ington, New York, Chicago, St. Louk Detroit, mmm;re. Boston and Cleve- land will attend. Otto Praegar of San Antonmio, Tex. second assistant postmaster ral has resigned, it is announced, and will vacate the office tomorrow. His successor has not been named, Post master General ‘H::;' said, in an- cing the resignation. m;::berf M. Aishton of Pasadena. Calif., has been urged for the posi- tion. Just nine days left to close out our entire stock prior to opening our new store—everything reduced. Hundreds of Full Wool and Jersey ort Suits Values Up to $29.95 95 16 These magnificent suits have been priced regard- less of cost for the purpose of effecting immediate clearance. 'All choice new stock. Continental “Full Wool” Fabric Suits, Wool Jersey Sport Suits, Heather In all the new models. In all the most Comparison of styles, materials and workmanship will convince you of a saving of from $15 to $20 on a garment. Sports models, loose, wrappy effects; straightline belted and unbel lined. Al sizes. ted models; all are silk