Evening Star Newspaper, April 12, 1921, Page 1

WEATHER. Fair and warmer tonight and to- morrow; moderate northwest, shifting to southwest winds. Temperature for twenty-four hours ended at 2 p.m. today: Hi; oda 7, 5 Closing New York Stocks, Page 25. Entered as second-class matter post office Washingtom, D. C. ' No. 28,107. ighest, 58, at 2 - Che Zn WASHINGTON, D. 'WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION C, TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1921-THIRTY PAGES. ening Star, credited to 1t paper and aiso All rights of publication of specist dispatches herein are also res-: —_— Member of the Assoclated Press || The Amociated Press o exclusively entitied to || the use for republication of all news dlspatchrs or not otherwise c:ndited in this | | the local news published herels. | Yesterday's Net Circulation, 96,074 TWO CENTS. PRESIDENT TURNS BACK ON LEAGUE; NO SEPARATE PEACE WITH GERMANY URGES RAIL RATE AND COST CUTS; .WOULD CURB ARMAMENT BURDENS TARIFF REFORMS - ASKS TAX AND Message Is Read || PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDATIONS THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. separate peace with Germany. helpful society of mations cam be founded until peace is es- To Congress by Executive. GETS AT HEART OF GREATISSUES UnprecedentedCrowds Assemble to Hear Policy Revelation. President Harding in his first ad- dress to Congress.today announced thag he would approve a “declaratory resolution” by Congress “with quali- fications essential to protect all our righis” which would end the “techni- ‘cal state of war against the central ! powers of Europe.” The President added, however, that it would be idlé to declare for sep- arate treaties of peace Wwith the cen- tral powers on the assumption alone that these would b~ adcquate, because .the situation is : . involved that our; i peace engagements cannot ignore the old world relationships and the sel'-' tlements already effected, nor is it desirable to do so in preserving our ,own rights and contracting our future pelationships.” Stapd Upon League. Although declaring unreservedly against “the existing league of na- tions,” the President said: *The wiser course would seem to be | the acceptance of the confirmation of our rights and interests as already prowided and to engage under the ex- i treaty, assuming, of course, that gnis can be satisfactorily a com| i tions and modifications a: re our absolute fréedom from inadvis- able commitments and safeguard all our essential interests.” ‘An association of nations, the Pres- jdent said, could not be founded until the world was at peace. Delivers His Message. Following a custom inaugurated by George Wabhington,' abandoned by Thomas Jefferson and revived by ‘Woodrow Wilson, President Harding delivered his first message to Con- gress in person. The two houses assembled in joint session in the House chamber to hear the executive outline his views with regard to the many dol c and foreign problems pressing for so- lution. Crowds Assemble Early. Seldom in the memory of the oldest habitue about the Capitol has there been such a rush to obtain admission 1o the galleries as there was today to Bear President Harding. Before 9 o'clock this morning the crowds began to gather, and within an hour all of the corridors around the House chamber and the House gallery were crowded with people who had been fortunate enough to secure tick- ets of admission. In the House and Senate office buildings the corridors were thick with small groups of men and women, not only from the District and surrounding country, but many from states as far north as Maine and as far west as California. Each member of the House and Senate was allowed but one ticket, and some me: bers said that they had received mo: than 500 applications for each of those tickets. All Gallery Space Takes. The House galleries were crowded with ticket holders who had been fortunate enough to get in line early, but the galleries were mnot large enough to hold all of those who had secured tickets. During President Harding’s speech the corridors and stairways were crowded, with others waiting in line to crowd into the gal- leries as soon as those who had got- ten seats came out. Al of the galleries open to the pub- lic were filled within an hour, only the executive and diplomatic gaileries and the Speaker's row in the mem- bers' gallery being reserved for the wives of high officials in the govern- ment service. On every aisle in the gallery was a large camera, which gave the crowded galleries the appearance of being guarded with machine guns trained upon the Speaker's rostrum, where President Harding delivered his first ‘message to Congres: Prominent Pernons Present. Occupying the row in the Speaker's gallery specially reserved for ,the Speaker’s wife and friends were Mrs. Frederick H. Gillett. Mrs. Marshal Field. Mrs: Nicholas Longworth, Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt, jr.; Mrs. Frank | B. Noyes, Mrs. Wesley Merritt, Mrs. Minot,” granddaughter of Senator Lodge, and Woodbury Blajr. In the diplomatic gallery Repre- sentative Stevens: Porter of Pennsyl- vania, chairman of the foreign affairs committee, welcomed the official rep- resentatives of the foreign nations. The first to arrive were Senor Don Yederico Alfonso Pezet. ambassador from Peru, and the minister from Sweden. J. Warren Keifer, former Speaker of the House, was a conspicuous fig- ure on_the floor of the House. where L served from Ohio forty years ago. He wore his customary blue suit of evening clothes. The rule of the House. which al- lows members to bring onto the floor during the time that the House is in session, only children under ten years of age, was ignored today by several membérs, who were unable to get heir relatives and friends into the gallery. Representative Strong of Kansax had_ sitting beside him his daughter, whose engagement was re- cently announced. There was a_spirited round of ap- plause when Mrs Harding, accom- panied by Mre. E. B. McLean and Jud- son Welliver, took her place in fhe front row in the President’s gallery. Occupying another front seat across e aisle of the President’s ga ~ eeniuucd va Page 4 Columa 7. i tablished. Covenant of existing league of nations canmnot be accepted. Readjustment of intermal taxes. Instant tariff enactment for the emergency omly. Railroad rates and costs of operation must be reduced. Strengthening of laws governing federal aid for good roads. Establishment and maintenance of a great merchant marime. Encouragement for civil and military development of aviation. Immediate extension of government hospital facilities for former service men. Congress must wipe the stain of barbaric lynching from the ban- mers of a free and orderly representative democracy. nited States ix i sympathy with movements for peace, it must not discard agencies to defend until there is removed the meed ‘While tl to defend. Enactment of a national budget system. Less govermment in business—more business ia government. Suitable inquiry by Congress witl profiteering might speed price readjustment. ut haste in accusation of \'TEXT OF PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE WHICH CITES GREAT U. S. ISSUES Members of the Congress: You have been called in extraor- dinary session to give your conside eration to national problems far too pressing to be long neglected. We face our tasks of legislation and administration amid conditions as difficult as our government has ever contemplated. Under our po- litical system the people of the United States have charged the new Congress snd the new admin- jstration with the solution—the re- adjustments, reconstriiction and restoration which must follow in the wake of war. 1t may be regretted that we were so0- fily>*Prepared for War's after- math, so little made ready to return to the ways of peaces, but we are not té be discouraged. Indeed, we must be the more firmly resolved to undertake our work with high hope, and invite every factor in our citizenship to join in the effort to ' find our normal, onward way again. The American people have ap- praised the situation, and with that tolerance and patience which go . with understanding they will give to us the influence of deliberate public opinion which ultimately be- comes the edict of any popular gov- ernment. They are measuring some of the stern necessities, and will join in the give and take which is 50 easential to firm re-es- tablishment. Home Rroblems First. First in mind must be the solu- tion of our problems at home, even though some phases of them are inseparably linked with our for- eign relations. The surest pro- cedure in every government s to put its own house in order. I know of no more pressing problem at home than to restrict our national expenditures within the limits of qur natfonal income, and at the same time measurably lift the burdens of war taxation from the shoulders of the Ameri- can people. One can not be unmindful that economy is a much-employed cry, most frequently stressed in pre- clection appeals, but it is ours to make it an outstanding and ever- impelling purpose in both leg!sla- tion and administration. The un- restrained tendency to heedless expenditure and the attending growth of public indebtedness, ex- tending from federal authority to that of state and municipality and including the smallest political subdivision, constitute the most dangerous phase of government today. The nation can not res strain except in its own activities, but it can be exemplar in & whole- some reversal. s 4 The staggering load of war debt must be cared for in orderly fund- ing and” gradual liquidation. We shall hasten the solution and aid effectively in lifting the tax bur- dens if we strike resolutely at ex- penditure. It is far more easily than done. In the fever of war our expenditures were so little questioned, the emergency was so impelling, appropriation was so un- impeded that we little noted mil- * \ns and counted the Treasury in- . jaustible. It will strengthen ou.) resolution if we ever keep in mind that a continuation of such a course means inevitable disaster. Heavy Bardea of Debt. Our current expenditures are run- ning at the rate of approximately five billions a year, and the bur- den is unbearable. There are two agencies to be employed in cor- rection: One is rigid resistance in appropriation and the other is the utmost economy in administration. Let us have both. I have already charged department heads with this necessity. I am sure Congress will agree; and both Congress and the administration may safely count on the support of all right- minded citizens, because the bur- den is theirs. The pressure for ex- Readiture, swelling the flaw, in oge ¥ | i | locality, while draining another, is sure to defeat the imposition of Jjust burdens, and the effect of our citizenship protesting outlay will ‘be wholesome and helpful. I wish it might find its reflex in economy and thrift among the people them- selves, because therein lies quicker recovery and added security for the future. The estimates of receipts and ex- penditures and the statements as to the condition of the Treasury which the Secretary of the Treas- ury is prepared to present to you will indicate what revenues must be provided im order to carry on £ m!cm‘l business and meet. i requirements. and fixed- debt charges. Unless there-are striking cuts in thé imporfant flelds of expenditure, receipts from internal taxes cannot safely be per- mitted to fall below $4,000,000,000 in the fiscal years 1922 and 1923. This would faean total Internal tax collections of about one billion less than in 1930 and one-half bil- lion less than in 1921. Must Readfust Taxes. The most substantial relief from the tax burdens must come for the present from the readjustment of internal taxes, and the revision or repeal of those taxes which have become unproductive and are so artificial and burdensome as to de- feat their own purpose. A prompt and thoroughgoing revision of the internal tax laws, made with due regard to the protection of the revenues, is, by my judgment, a requisite to the revival of business activity in this country. It is earnestly hoped. therefore, that the Congress will be able to enact without delay a revision of the revenue laws and such emergency tariff measures as are necessary to protect American trade and in- dustry. It is of less concern whether in- ternal tazation or tariff revision shall come first than has been pop- ularly imagined, because we must do both, but the practical course for earliest accomplishment will read- ily suggest itself to the Congres: We are committed to the repeal of the excess-profits tax and the aboli-" tion of inequities and unjustifiable exasperations in the present sys- tem. The country does not expect and will not approve a shifting of bur- dens. It is more interested in wip- ing out the necessity for imposing them and eliminating confusion and cost in the collection. Instant Tariff Law Asked. The urgency for an instant tariff enactment, emergency in character and understood by our people that it is for the emergency only, can- not be too much emphasized. I be- lieve in the protection of American industry, and it is our purpose to prosper America first. The privi- leges of the American market to the foreign producer are offered too cheaply today, and the effect on much of our own productivity is the destruction of our self-reliance, which is the foundation of the in- dependence and good fortune of our people. Moreover, imports should pay their fair share of our cost of government. One who values American pros- perity and maintained American standards of wage and living can have no sympathy with the proposal that easy entry and the flood of imports will cheapen our costs of lving. It is more likely to destroy our capacity to buy. Today Ameri- can agriculture is menaced, and its products are down to pre-war nor- mals, yet we are endangering our fundamental industry through the high cost of transportation from farm to market and through the influx of foreign farm products, be- cause we offer, essentially unpro- tected, the best market in the world. It would be better %o err in protecting our basic food industry ", (Contlnued on Fuge 4, Column iJ ! \Senators Meet President in Parley. CONFERENCEHELD AT WHITE HOUSE Foreign Relations Members First Ap- prove Message. Republican members of the Senate foreign relations committee were called into conference this morning by President Harding while he was reading the final proof on his first mes- sage, which he read to Congress in person at 1 p.m. The call for the senators to visit the White House went out unexpect- edly. It was understood that the President desired to present to the senators his statement in his mes- sage regarding foreign relations. No Correction Made. ‘The senators began arriving at the White House soon after 10 o'clock and the conference began half an hour later. The proof of the address as cor- rected by the President was given to the public printer at that time. It any corrections were to be made ter the conference it was assumed they would be telephonel to the govern- ment printing office. After the decision to summon the re- publican members of the foreign re- lations committee to the White House, the President canceled the regular Tuesday meeting of the cabinet, which had been scheduled for 11 o'clock. The White House conference lasted an hour and none of the senators par- ticipating would discuss what had transpired. It-was learned, howevyer, that no corrections were made in the President's message after the final proof went back to the printer. Semators In Conference. Opponents among the senators who conversed with the President appeared satisfled with what the message con- tained on the subject of .foreign affairs. One senator declared that the mes- sage was “pre-eminently satisfactory” to all senators who attended the con- ference. Republican leaders said Senator Knox of Pennsylvania, would offer in a day or two hfs peace resolution amended to include a declaration of policy that the United States, if the world's peace should be again threat- ened, would act as it had in the world war. Those senators who attended the conference were: Lodge, Massachu- setts; McCumber, North Dakota; Borah, 1daho; Brandegee, Connecticut: Johnson, Californi: ew, Indiana: Moses, New Hampshire, and Kellogg, Minnesota. < BUREAU OF ATHLETICS IN DEPARTMENT. IN VIEW Creation of a bureau of athletics, to be a part of the Department of Labor and to have general charge and supervision over athletics in the United States, is under considerat by Secretary Davis of the Labor o partment, he announced today. Sec- retary Davis will partially ~ outline his views on the proposed bureau of athletics in a speech before the Loyal Order of Moose in Chicago tonight. The proposed bureau will have a sort of paternal interest in all of athletics, it was explained, al- though the Labor Secretary's final views on its organization have not entirely crystallized. _Co-operation with colleges and private athletic clubs in their athletic program is one of the aims of the proposed bureau, the Secretary said. He added that ultimately a standardized athletic program might be put forward by the director of the bureau. The Secre- tary, half seriously, suggested that some man of the caiiber of Judge K. M. Landis of Chicago might be select- ed to head the new bureau. ! Mr, Davis has had & prominent part {in fosterind athletics among the ' boys' and girls' clubs organized by the Loyal Order of Moose, of which he is the head. iToday’s News in Paragraphs ] Japanese government may send mission to United States to discuss disputed Pacific problems. Page 1 Voluntary traction merger discussed at conference of railway officials and District Commissioners. Page Viviani asks moral solidarity among al- lies to solve post-war problems. 3 Page 3 Air service during war spent only half of appropriations. Page “Pussyfogt” Johnson escorted from ‘Windsor, Ont., to Detroit by *“‘wets.” Page & Williams, -three sons and negro indicted for murder in peonage case. Page 11 D. C. public school needs nearly four million for building program, accord- | ing to Commissioners® report in 1908, Page 12 Greeks fall back and start fortifying Brusa against Turks. Page 13 Miss Peggy Hopkins, actress, sued for separation by millionaire husband. i e BILL RECLASSIFIES ALL U. S, WORKERS Senator Sterling Introduces Measure in Part Duplicat- ing Lehlbach Plan. | Complete reclassification of the goy- ernment employes is proposed in a bill introduced today by Senator sterling of South Dakota, chairman of the civil servicd committee of the the Senate. The Sterling bill is much shorter and more simple in form than the ‘Lehlbach bill introduced in the | House at the last session of Congress. { Senator Sterling has discussed the ! matter with Mr. Lehlbach, and while | no definite arrangement has been |made, it is his hoe *hat Mr. Lehl- i bach, who is chairman of the ecivil service committee of the House, will i {ntroduce a simila= bill in that body. In the main the Sterling bill fol- lows the Lehlbach bill in the rates of compensation to be paid the govern- ment employes. There are fewer classifications, however, than in the old Lehlbach measure. Contest Over Jurisdicti When Senator Sterling ‘introduced his bill he asked that it go to the civil service committee. Senator Smoot of Utah, a member of the appropriations committee, an- nounced that he had prepared a re- classification bill which he proposed to Introduce tomorrow. He said that he thought both bills' should go_to the committee on appropriations. For that reason he asked that the Sterling Bill lie over until tomorrow without erence. e tontest over the furisdiction of the two committees so far as reclassi- fication bills are concerned probably will come to a head tomorrow. In the professional and scientific services, according to the Sterling bill, there are six grades, with different salaries for each grade, and in each grade, minimum, intermediate, and maximum rates of pay. In the clerical and administrative services, there are SOTts | geven grades, with different salaries for each grade, and with minimum, intermediate and maximum salaries. The “ranges” of salaries in each grade provided under the Lehlbach bill have been eliminated. ° Duty of Classifying Agencies. classifying and allocating agencies will be the Civil Service Commission and the heads of the va- rious departments. It shall be the business of the classifying agencies to record the duties of the positions in the classified service, and also to establish additional classes from time to time. The agencies shall also have the power to abolish classes. The department heads are to report to the classifying agency the duties and responsibilities of the new posi- tions created by law, and the classi- fying agency, after consultation with the department heads, shall allocate the new positions to the various classes the law provides, and all similar positions are to be placed in the same class. Subject to the approval of the Sec- retary of the Treasury, the classify- ing agency, after consultation with the department heads, shall specify for each class under which of the 1|standard compensation schedules as contained in section 10, or under which portion of such schedule the salaries of employes holding positions in such class shall be determined and shall prescribe for each class a class sched- ule of minimum and maximum and in- termediate rates coming within the range of the standard schedule thus specified. In determining the compensation which an employe shall receive the principle of equal compensation for equal work, irrespective of sex, shall be followed. S ——— ADMIRAL DECKER TO WED. Engagement to Mrs. Alice K. Cross- Page 15 Important changes in pastorates an- nounced at conferences of Methodist churches. Page 17 D. C. welfare experts urge changes in proposed child labor and compulsory education bill for District. Bage 17 Piney Branch citizens urge repeal of Borland law. Page 17 Northeast Citizens’ Assoclation peti- tions for lower D. C. tax rate. Page 17 League of Women Voters open second annual conyention with progressive platform. Page 17 P, | man Becomes Known. NEWTON, Mass., April 12.—Mar- riage intentions -by Rear Admiral Benton C. Decker, U. S. N, and Mrs. Alice K. Crossman of this city, flled with the city clerk here, became known today. Admirel Decker gave his age as fifty-three and Mrs. Cross- man as fifty-one. Each has been mar- ried and divorced. No date has been set for the marriage. Mrs. Crossman is a_daughter of former Mayor James ‘W. M. Hall of Cambridge. LLT AS PROMPTLY AS PoSSIBL IT'LLS Congress Sets Record l With 2,504 New Bills Introduced Yesterday | i 1 | Weary House filing clerks were xilll at work today try- ing to catalogue 2,504 bills in- troduced yesterday. It was a record-breaking firat-day floed of new measures. the lot were elose to a thousand hills- allotting ~can- eaptured B} e during the war to fowms amd cities in all sections of the coumntry. | | | i | QUTLOOK N STRKE HELD UNFAVORABLE By the Associated Press. ~~ - and coal ) last week, were received by Premier mediately after the conclusion of his conversation with the owners. Representatives of the miners will later in the day as to whether the prospects of a settlement are suffi- { ciently favorable to justify the post- ponement of the strike of the National tional Federation of Transport Work- ers, members of which are prepared to walk out at 12 o'clock tonight. Breakdown Means Strike. It was declared here today that there would be no strike of these two or- ganizations unless negotiations to be carried out today broke down. Prospects were generally held out to be unfavorable, although a member of the miners’ executive committee said last night: “We have not come to grips as yet on counter-proposals.” Yesterday's proceedings barely passed the preliminary stages of the state- ment of the respective cases of those directly involved in the miners’ strike, and, says the London Times, “nothing emerged from them but a presentation of the problem in all its naked dif- flculty.” Ready for Reduction. It was stated in various quarters to- day that the mimers were prepared to accept a wage reduction by the estab- lishment of a sliding scale schedule based on the cost ofliving. It was pointed out that, in event the most unfavorable circumstances, the trans- port strike canpot begin until. Friday, as seamen and firemen, whose union is affiliated with the Transpart Workers | By the Associated Press. { the mines from floods of water are ernment is considering plans to send proceeding without hindrance in most|a distinguished Japanese to Federation, insisted on a ballot before walking out. This vote began today, and will take four days to be cast. Operations to insure the safety of of the coal fields ini the United King- dom. The only éxception is’found in Fifeshire, where only two of sixty- four pits are being pumped. SHIP FOUNDERS IN GULF; NINETEEN STILL MISSING BEAUMONT, Tex., April 12—The Bowle Line Steamship Col. Bowie, with twenty-two mem om Dboard, foundered im the Gulf of Mexico Monday night, according to wire- _less advices received today. Three men were picked up by the British steamer Cissy. Nineteen men are still missing. HOUSE SEATS CONTESTED. Seats of four representatives who were sworn in yesterday are chal- lenged by contestants who have filed with the clerk of the House testimony in support of their claim. The elec- tion of L. R. Rainey, democrat, seventh Alabama_district, is being_contested by C. B. Kennemar; that of T. W, Har-| rison, democrat, seventh Virginia, by| John'Paul; of B. Hawes, demo- crat, eleventh Missouri, by Bernard P. Bogy, and of Guy L. Shaw, republican, twentieth Illinois, by former Repre- sentative Henry T. Rainey, a demo- crat Clerk Page said there were indica- tions of contests shaping up for sev- eral other congressional seats. . Tnion of Railwaymen and the Na-|was held e RO, Q?HAR~ CAREFULLY CoMPOUNDED ITRACTION MERGER CONFERENGE HELD Railway Officials Meet Dis- trict Commissioners to Dis- |JAPANESE MISSION MAY VISIT AMERICA TOALLAY DANGERS {Delicacy of Disputed Pacific Problems Declared to Urge Understanding. HUGHES’ NOTE IMPRESSES NECESSITY FOR SOLUTION Empire’s Political Situation Adds to Anxiety Over International Aspect and Demands Im- provement. BY the Associated Press TOKIO. April 11.—Plans for send- ing to Washington a distinguished Japanese, who would take up the en- tire range of the so-called Pacific ! problems. including mandates, Cali- ;romi-. China, Siberia, immigration jand armaments, are understood to be lin the pfocess of formulation by the Japenese government. Official announcement of the in- tention of this country to send such a delegate, who would act in a ca- Ppacity similar to that of former Pre- mier Viviani of France, who is at Dresent in the United States, has not as yet been made, but it is said that the subject is receiving serious at- tention. The note from Charles E. Hughes, American Secretary of State. to the allies, declaring America does not abandon her rights in the peace set- tiement, especially concerning Ger- 'nun overseas possessions, not only created a profound impression in Japan, blit has served in addition to crystallize the conviction that the time has arrived to bring about a solution of all problems Japan and America before the rela- tions of those countries reach a crit- ical stage. “Important” Comment on Note. K involving Authorities at the Japanese foreign office confine themselves to a state- Efforts to bring about a voluntary | ment to the Associated Press that the merger of Washington's street car|Hughes note §8 “so important that systems passed the initial test today hes rese! it is receiving the most serious con- sideration from the Japanese govern- ction | ment, which is anxious to do every- when rep: ntatives of the tra e interests and of the Public Utilities|thing possible to establish friemdly Commission; after a conference last- ing nearly three hours, adjourned to meet again next week. Engineer Commissioner Kutz, in whose office the conference was held, LONDON, April 12—Both sides in|Wa8 elected chairman of the meeting | the controversy between mine owners anu designated as spokesman for the diggers, which brought | Sonferees. {about the strike of British miners|, co-operation with the new adminis- tration in Washington.” It is learned from other influential Sources that the opinon mrevails among prominent Japanese, especiall; those familiar with the United Slllel)t that the general situation bas gone so far that it requires heroic treatment | to prevent the two nations from furth- er drifting apart. There is, therefore, an inclination to permit the problem “We have decided to make only the|involved in the disposition of the Is- rief announcement at this time,” said| 1and of Yap to sink into comparative Col. Kutz, “that we have organized,|Unimportance before a discussion of | Lloyd-George today. The mine own-|discussed ‘the general principles of a|all the questions centering al i ers conferred with Mr. Lloyd George| . erger and outlined certain informa- ion which is to be collected and sub- at 11 o'clock, and the miners were|mitted at the next meeting, to be held ready to talk with the premier im-|3t 1 o'clock next Tuesday marn- Asked if this statement could be in- terpreted as indicating that progress has been made toward getting the merger under way, Col. Kutz replied report to the “triple alliance of labor” | that the statement spoke for itself. Representatives Preseat. The conferees went into session at 10:30 o'clock. Their deliberations were conducted in secret, not even a stenog- rapher being admitted, although one in readiness outside the room. The Capital Traction Company had but a single representative pres- ent, George E. Hamilton, its presi- dent. Illness prevented the attend- ance of Vice President Hanna, its other designated representative. For the Washington Railway and Electric Company President .-William F. Ham and Milton E. Ailes, a member of the board of directors, appeared. The com- mission’s representatives were Col. Kutz and James F. Oyster. In many respects today’s conference is considered as probably the most important one that will be held, inas- much as there was to be a meeting of the minds on 'the question of basic principles of a merger. It had been conceded that unless the interests represented could agree as to these ic considerations the merger move- ment might not proceed beyond to- day’s meeting. It is apparent that the conferences are to be highly informal and that they will be given a minimum of pub- lecity. —_— 'U. S. OFFICIALS SILENT. Refuse to Comment on Proposed Japanese Mission. Administration officers decline to comment for the present on reports from Tokio that the Japanese gov- ‘Wash- ington to take up the entire range of subjects at issue between that country and the United States. Thus far the negotiations between Washington and Tokio regarding the Island of Yap and several other sub- jects before the two governments have been carried on at long range and in some diplomatic quarters here, at least, the view is held that more satisfactory results probably could be obtained by direct negotiation. _ This plan was adopted in dealing with the question growing out of the adoption of the new anti-alien land law in California, the negotia- tions being conducted here by bassador Shidehara and Roland S. Morris, the American ambassador to Japan. Their reports are now be- fore the two governments for action. —_— ut the Pacific regarding which Japan and America have serious differences. Internal Situation Disturbing. The plan to send a representative JY the Japanese government to Wash- ington is not unconnected with the internal situation in this country. It is understood an influential group is insisting that Japanese foreign policies be remodeled with the particular view to securing a settlement of Pacific problems, and a general understand- ing, permanent in nature, with Amer- ica. The basis of this understanding would be friendly co-operation. Attainment of this program may involve a change in the Japanese | ministry. Maj. Gen. Giiuchi Tanaka, minister of war, has already placed | his resignation in the hands of Pre- mier Hara. It is apparent the political situa- tion in Japan is complicated by dif- ferences over purely internal ques- tions, including the one relative to the betrothal of the crown prince, which came to light recently, and which seems not to have been set- tled in some important aspects. Everything here. however, tends to show that the highest circles of the empire are concentrating their-atten- tion on relations with America, which responsible Japanese openly declare “must be improved.” * Declare Japan Embarrassed. Leading newspapers, in their com- ment on the Hughes note, declare it is “There are two ways of preventing ing position, as the allies may find difficulty in supporting Japan's claims in the face of insistence upon Ameri- can demands from Washington. ‘The Yomi-Uri Shimbun of this city, which is many times apparently in- spired, in commenting on interna- tional questions, emphasizes the deli- cate nature of the problems discussed by the Hughes note. It expresses the opinion that the question of mandates is "certain to cause an increase of excitement, both in Japan and in {America, until it becomes a matter of more intense interest than either the California or Shantung problems.” “It may,” the newspaper continues, “force Japan and America to take blind action.” ““There are two ways of preventing a possible collision,” the article goes on. “First, to minimize the Yap prob- lem as a technical matter regarding communications, and settle it by mu- tual concessions. Second, to magnify it so that it will represent the Pacific problems of Japan and America in their entirety, and attempt to se- cure, at once, the solution of all of them.” Naval Program Contentions. The Teikoku News Agency quotes Admiral Sakamoto, & member of the house of peers. as saying that re- cent statements bv Minister of Ma- DEMAND FOR INQUIRY. Resolution In House On Charges Against Justice Officials. Investigation of the activities of certain officials of the Department of Justice stationed at Jacksonville, Fla., was asked today in a resolution introduced in the House by Repre- sentative Mason, republican, Illinois. The resolution says that Gabriel Roth has filed complaints against the officers in question, charging brutal- ity and robbery. He claims also that the officials have refused to restore to him certain property seized. came at a highly opportune time, “when the world regards Japan with suspicion.” “It may be feared,™ Admiral Sal moto is said to have declared, “that the declaration, which was in the nature of a pledge Lo the powers, may restrict Japan's freedom of ac- tion in case America should propose curtailment of armament however, is asserted conviction that the minister of marine did not mean to approve of indiscriminate reduc- tions of armament, but to have added Japan munl.enler into s curullm‘;l\t agreement. in ber own interests, “for the ‘maval n&u be won by wealthiest nation—America.” o rine Kato, in which he said he would - not insist upon the carrying out of the present Japanese naval program, .