Evening Star Newspaper, July 18, 1921, Page 1

N WEATHER. Fair tonight and tomorrow; moderate- 1y _warm. Temperature for twenty-fouf hours ended at 2 p.m. today: am. today. Full report on page seven. Closing New York Stocks, Page 18. Highest, 87, at 2:30 p.m. yesterday; lowest, 65, at 4:30 bering Star. WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION credited to it Daper and also Member of the Associated Press The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for repulilication of all news dispatches or mot otherwise credited in this the local mews published herein, All rigits of publication of special dispatches hereln are also reserved. Saturday's Sunday’s Net Circulation, 80,487 Net Circul No. 28204, Entered as second-class matter post office Washington, D. C. WASHINGTON, D. C., MONDAY, JULY 18 1921-TWENTY-TWO PAGES. TWO CENTS. ROBBER HOLDS UP BANK BRANCH AND FLEES WITH §1,000 Cashier of Georgia Avenue Institution, Facing Pistol, Turns Over Cash. BANDIT FORCES MOTORIST | TO SPEED HIM TO SAFETY Escapes Shot Fired by Cashier in Second Bank Robbery in His- tory of District. - A lone robber held up the cashier of a Peopie’s Commercial and . at 3608 Georgia avenue, with about $1,000 ills, effecting mobilist to carry h ¥ Entering the bank at 11:45 o'clock, following a conversation with Pres- ident J. T. Clancy ecarlier in morning. the robber pointed a pistol at Ernest L. Brown, the cashier. “Don’'t move, and pass me over all the ten and twenty-dollar bills you have,” he ordered. Cashier Brown shoved over a roll of bills, which the robber took. back- ing out to the front door. He dropped two twen! tollar bills in his hurry. “Don’t shoot or s ‘the officials behind the counter. “I have a friend on guanl outside who 18 as good a shot as you.” Cashier Fires After Him. No sooner had the robber backed ®ut the bank door, he went, than the cashier seized a re- volver and ran after him. As the robber started south on Georgia_avenue Brown fired at him. and believed at first that he had hit him, but it was developed later that he missed, the traces of the bullet belng found under a steps. Running to Sherman avenue and Park road the robber stopped A. B. Clemmer of 761 Harvard street, who was passing in an automobile. “This is an _emergency casc, cried the man, leveling his revolver at Clemmer. “I want to go to the hos- pikal.” He dropped his gun, but immediately recovered it, and stepped into the car, forcing Mr. Clemmer to drive him awayv. At 1ith street and Columbia road the robber ordered Clemmer to stop the car, and got out, walking away swiftly' up 1ith street. Mr. Clemmer sped to the tenth pre- nd told the officers there of at_had occurred, not knowing at the time of the robbery. Police Take Up Hunt. Rogers of 3600 Georgia Charles Williams, em- tnessed the shot fired robber ‘by Cashier and bélieved the bullet failed the man. sort of the robbery immediately zht Inspector Daniel Sullivan, chief of detectives, and De- Pratt and Darnell to the scene of the robbery. The man was ¢oserited to be between twenty-two ty-five years old. by various 10 saw him, abolt 5 feet 9 p «nder build, sallow complex- jon. dressed in a dark blue suit, dark fedora hat and a black tie e and officers of the tenth Mrs. enue > robbery came in. tting in his automo- nt of the station and rushed with Officers Mohler, ert and Smoot. the robbery ‘today robbery in the itional Capital, the rred about a year Tistors other havinz fro at the Trust_Company. | when man declared to have been weak-m «d attempted to rob that institution, but failed in his attempt. BUREAU HEAD NAMED. Capt. William A. Moffett Nomi- nated for Aeronautics Post. Capt. William Moffett was nomi- nated by President Harding today to be chief of the Navy Department’s bureau of aeronautics, with the rank of rear admiral. Capt. Moffett is at present director of naval aviation in the bureau of operation: He is from South Caro- lina and entered the Navy in 1886. He was made captain in 1916 and his last sea service was as commander of the battleship Mississippi. 50-50 BILL LAID OVER. Senator King Objects to Measure Being Taken Up. When the Jones bill to restore the half-and-half plan of appropriating for the District of Columbia was reached during consideration of the Senate calendar today, Senator King of Utah objected to its being taken up and the bill went over. Senator Jones_gave notice, however, that when the bill was reached the next time the calendar was taken up he would move to take up the bill, and insist upon some action on it. The bill proposing to establish day- 1light saving for the District so far as the government departments and the street railways are concerned also went over on objection by Senator King. —_— CABLE PRIVILEGE ASKED. ‘Western Union Wants Concessions Into Germany. BERLIN, July 17.—In addition to ne- gotiations between the imperial au- thorities and representatives of the Mackay Company regarding the lay- ing of a direct cable between Ger- many and the United States, the Lokal Anzeiger says similar con- cessions have been requested by the ‘Western Union and the Commercial Cable companiea. ‘The newspaper adds that negotia- tions also are proceeding with two American companies for the estab- lishment of an American wireless sta- tion in Germany. 50 FIREMEN OVERCOME. NEW YORK, July 18.—Fifty firemen were overcome today in fighting a $1,000,000 fire in the bullding of the Phoenix Cheess Company, on Green- Wwich street, on the west of lower Fumes from the refrigerating plant out,” he warned | overing Brown as! a quick response when | Shell Shock Revived { By Clap of Thunder Patient Has Aphasia NEW YORK, July 18.—~A sud- den clap of thunder in laxt Fri- day’s storm is believed by phy- siclans to have revived shell- shock symptoms in Lieut. George Hamon of Ardmore, | | Okia., who is being treated in a hospital here today. Lieut. Hamon was found wan- dering in Weehawken, N. J, a | | vietim of aphasia. A letter In | hix pocket nddressed to n rela- tive in Ardmore by the lienten- ant, snid physicions had warned him that a sudden noise might | | bring about a recurrence of his { allment contracted in France. | Uieut. Hamon ix n nephew of the late Jake L. Hamon, repub- Hean national committeeman for Oklahom: 1 FARE CUT PUT LP 10 UTILITIES BODY Ham Says 7 Cents Can Be Withstood if Electric Rate Is 10 Cents. | The proposition to reduce street car fares in the District by increasing | rates for electric current was brought formally to the attention of the pub- i lic utilities commission today, follow- | Ing an unsuccessful effort to have the plan considered Saturday during the | street railway hearings. William F. Ham, president of the | Potomac Electric Power Company, | testifying before the commission to- day on the company's application to continue the existing electric charge of 8% cents per kilowatt hour, told the commission that street car fares could be reduced to 7 cents if the company is permitted to charge 10 | cents for electric current, which is | the price which formerly prevailed. . [Effort was made by William McK. {Clayton, representing the Federation |ot 'Citizens' Associations, to have stricken from the record all refer- ence to a 10-cent charge on the ground that the hearing was called for the purpose of considering con- tinuation of the existing rate pf 81 cents. Chairman Kutz overruled the objection. $2,000,000 Is Impounded. While the Potomac Electric Power | Gompany is collecting the old rate of |10 cents, it is_impounding, under a court order, 11 cents of every 10 cents collected. 'I'he amount impound- ed to date is more than $2,000,000. j Mr. Ham stated that a 10 per cent rate would not be unreasonable, and { insisted that inasmuch as the Wash- ington Railway and Electric Com- pany owns th estock of the Pepso, the commission could, with all legal- ity and propriety, permit the power. i company to charge a fair rate for the | service it renders, which, in the opin- i ion o the witness, would be 10 cents, :and at the same time allow the rail- | way company to meet its difficulties | through the ‘use o the electric com- | pany’s revenues. 2 | The witness stated that the sub- {urban lines of the railway company i are being operated at a loss and that | this condition cannot be kept up in- { definitely. Some way will have to be found, he said, to meet this loss, | and the best way, apparently, would { be to permit the railway company I to use the profits of the power com- | pany. which accrue from the sale of | electric current at reasonable rates. i Clayton Questions Claim. | Mr. Ham’s statement that the sub- {urban railway lines are being op- erated at a loss was questioned by Mr. Clayton, who stated that the | commission should investigate to de- | termine if this is a fact. The attor- | ney for the Federation of Citizens' | Associations frequently challenged | statements by Mr. Ham. | He charged’the company with hav- ing appeared before the commission the | | with the prime object in view of ob- | taining a 10-cent electric rate, al- though its petition would imply that it desires only a continuation of the present §1z-cent rate. At the railway hearing before the commission Saturday Mr. Clayton was successful in preventing consideration of the plan to bolster up the rallway earnings with power company's reve- nues. He blocked consideration of the plan on the ground that the question of power rates was not before the commission at that time. Efforts to Block Fa Today's efforts by Mr. Clayton to definitely block consideration of this vroposal failed, because Chairman Kutz ruled that the petition filed by the Pepco was sufficiently broad in its terms to permit of the introduction of festimony for a ten-cent rate. The petition is so worded that doubt is created as to Wwhether the company had in mind the eight-and-one-half- cent or the ten-cent charge when it referred to the existing rates. But the company, elsewhere in its petition leaves no doubt as to its de- sire for adequate relief by praying the commission to grant it whatever it belleves may be necessary to en- able it to function efficiently. ‘Will Install Storage Battery. When the hearing began today Mr. Ham made an announcement which was received with every satisfaction by representatives of the large num- ber of business houses who were present. He said that the company had placed a contract for a storage battery to cost $100,000, which will be installed before November in its sub- station on 10th street. This improve- ment is expected to go far in prevent- ing Interruptions in the service. The company also is spending $210,000 on improvements to the Benning plant. These improvements, together with the new storage battery, will remove the principal causes of service inter- ruption, Mr. Ham said. Base Plea on Figures. An array of figures presented by Mr. Ham in the early part of his testi- mony formed the backbone of the company’s plea for a continuation of existing rates. These showed net in- come during the year ended May 31. last. to have been $1,311,433.69, which is equivalent to a return on the investment of 7.64 per cent. During this period the present 81- cent electric rate was in effect only between September 15 and May 31, the old rate of 8 cents having been lin effect prior to September 15. Mr. Ham stated that had_the charge of 81% cents applied throudhout the year. the company’s net earnings would have been $1,417,735.37. This would have given a return of 8.16 per cent. ' what situation would have obtained had the former 8-cent charge ap- plied throughout the twelve months ended May 31. The net income would have been $1,027,735.37, or a return on the investment of 5.91 per cent. Discussing operating expenses, Mr. Ham sald it cost thirty-three hun- dredths of a cent per kilowatt to generate power at the Benning plant in 1917. In 1920 the cost had advanced to sixty-three hundredths, and jn 1921 . compelled the firemen to work in re- | to seventy-eight hundredths. The in- mtinued on & 2, Column 5., s X SMUTS 15 FACTOR AS LEADERS SEEK IRISH SETTLEMENT De Valera Again Meets Lloyd George and Craig Will Be Received Tonight. PREMIER ALSO CONFERS WITH CABINET MEMBERS Crowds Await Irish Chief’s Arrival in Whitehall—Cheer Him as He Goes to Meeting. By the Associated Press. LONDON, July 18.—The Irish situation, it was declared im re- sponsible quarters tonight, has developed into virtually dead- lock between Premier L1oyd George and Sir James Craig, the Ulster premier, and the latter has been &iven an opportunity to go to Bel- fast to see if anything can be done in the circumstances. LONDON, July 18—Eamon de Va- lera, the Irish republican leader, in response to an invitation by . the prime minister, Mr. Lloyd George, called at No. 10 Downing street, the prime minister's official residence, at 4:15 o'clock this afternoon to confer with Mr. Lloyd George on the Irish question. Crowds again awaited the arrival of the Irish leader in Whitehall and cheered him as he entereq Downing [ street. Gen. Smuts Again Factor. Gen. Jan C. Smuts, the South Afri- can premier, who had a prominent part in the early informal negotia- tions which brought about the truce in Ireland and the pea¥e conference now in progress, reappeared today as a factor in the Irish negotiations. Mr. Lloyd George. the prime minis- ter, had been at hjs official residence in Downing street only a short time this forenoon, after his return from the country, ‘'when Viscount Fitzalan, the lord lieutenant of Ireland, called at Downing street and had a long tallc with the premier during whicn {they were joined by Gen. Smuts, the | conference “continuing more than an hour. Gen. Smuts had not figured pre- viously in the conversations which have been going on at Downing street since the truce went into ef- fect, his last known active partici- pation in the pourparlers having been on the occasion of his return from Dublin the week before last, when he reported the results of his visit to Mr. Lloyd George and to King | George. It was learned lo_dg{, how - ever, that the . prime ministe# and Gen.' Smuts had a long discussion of the situation yesterday at Chequers Court. It was Gen. Smuts’ Dublin trip_ which is believed to have mmch to do with bringing the Irish dele- gations to London for the peace.con- ferences. Bar Ulster Premier. Any conference at present between de’ Valera and Sir James Craig, the Ulster premier, is declared by Sinn Fein spokesmen to be out of the question. The ‘Sinn Fein leaders declare Mr. de Valera considers the Ulster pre- mier as outside the scope of the pres- clined to indicate even whether" the time might come when he could be regarded by them as a party to the discussions. They were leaving the British government to deal with him, | they declared. At thti conclusion of the conference, participated in by Mr. Lloyd George, Viscount Fitzalan and Gen. Smuts, the prime minister called the cabinet members to meet him in the house of commons_this afternoon, after which Mr. de Valera was asked to call at Downing street at 4:15 o'clock. Sir James Craig, it was stated, had been invited to come to Downing street early this evening. Meanwhile the Ulster premier was continuing his consultations with the members of his cabinet, whom he called here last week. These develop- ments were accepted in well informed quarters as indications that whatever immediate difficulty may exist lies be- tween the prime minister and the Ulsterites, in view of the statement from de Valera's party yesterday that they did not know what Sir James was doing and that the British were dealing with him. Editorial Comment. In view of the secretiveness of all those principally concerned in the { Irish negotiations, this morning’s edi- torial comment generally is_cautious in referring to the outlook, but some writers venture the belief that any definite outcome is not to be expected for some time yet, and intimate that Sinn Fein leaders are not inclined to hasten the deliberations. The Daily Mall, indicating its belief that the negotiations are likely to be protracted, says that Bamonn de Valera has hinted that he will have to return to Dublin this week to consult the Irish republican parliament after hearing from Premier Lloyd George a final exposition of the government's | attitude, and that he will be unable to { meet Sir James Craig, the Ulater lead- er, until after such a consultation. Citing_another reason for delay, the same writer says that a_special treas- ury department report has been or- dered on certain financial aspects that already have been discussed, and adds { that should any definite developments depend upon such a report they must necessarily await its completion, which would consume considerable time. In some quarters, however, there are warnings _ against oversanguineness, because of the many serious difficul- ties which yet remain to be sur- mounted. Another reason for these lese optimistic expressions is found in a dispatch from the Herald’s Dublin {correspondent, who says that Irish republican army training and equip- ping operations, which are no forbid- den_ by the recent armistice, are pro- ceeding vigorously, so that should the London negotiations fail, everything will be in readiness to resume the field. IRISH TRUCE SUCCESSFUL. o ke T 5 e ety v DUBLIN, Ireland, July 18.—The perfect observance of the truce for a week exceeded the expectation, as A statemefit also was presented by | each side doubted the other's power the power company head showing|to control the rank and file. ‘The thing was managed by 'co-operation between the British army and the republican army staffs. Men “on the run” or released from prison reap- peared as military chiefs, workln, equally with the British “brass hats,” and in one case, where a republican leader was delayed, the British com- mander advertiseq for him. ‘The power of the republicans to contral their followers has surprised the military authorities, who had not realized the discipli nd organiza- tion of the Sinn Fein army. N ent negotiations, and they have de- | ,ddlv__[_\ iy L ERIEL7R 5 iy BRITAIN PAY DEBTS to Ex-President’s Reply Lloyd George Goes Into Congressional Record. A letter from former President Wilson to Premier Lloyd George of Britain's indebtedness to this nation United States could riot consider pro- posals to ccncel or exchange Great Britain's indebtedness to this nation, was placed in the Congressnonal Rec- ord today by Senator Lodge of Massa- chusetts, republican leader. Mr. Wilson's letter, dated in Octo- ber, 1920, was submitted to the Senate foreign relations comittee by former Secretary Houston. It said that “suggestions looking to the cancel- lation or exchange” wore made_to the former president in Paris. The communications apparently was the reply to_the British premier's letter made public last week in the Senate communication apparently was the Trged Funding of Debt. Wilson's letter said that the Mr, consent to the remission of any part of the debt of Great Britain to the United States.” Mr. Wilson, it appeared, urged Lioyd George to fund the debt, saying that if this was not done embarrassment of the Treasury would necessitate steps to collect unpaid interest. Predicted Closer Relations. Expressing ‘“confident expectation of the payment in due course,” Mr. Wilson added: “It is felt that the funding of these demand obligations of the British gov- ernment will do more to strengthen | the friendly relatinos between Amer- ica and Great Britain than would any other course of dealing with the same.” CONGRESS AUTHORITY ASKED. Secretary Mellon Urges Sanction for Loan Refunding. Secretary Mellon told the Senate finance committee today he thought it impracticable to begin negotiations for refunding allied loans without congressional authority to conclude them. Reference to Congress for ap- proval of terms of settlement ar- ranged would materially embarrass the government and delay the nego- tiations, he said, continuing his argu- ment for the administration’s bill to give the Treasusy blanket powers. “Review by Congress will make it dificult to come to any kind of a conclusion,” Secretary Mellon _de- clared. “When the debtor government knows the negotiations may be nulli- fied, such negotiations would be in- terminable.” Turkish Bonds Questioned. “Any suggestion of the substitution {of Turkish bonds for French bonds?" asked Senator La Follette, republican, ‘Wisconsin. “We have had no notice of any such iplans,” Assistant Secretary Wads- worth, who accompanied Mr. Mellon, replied “Has there been any correspondence or_neyotiations with reference to our (Contipued on Page 2, Column 1.) Practical police’ com- mon sense .vs. scien= tific criminology. ‘Which wins? Read the answer in this gripping new daily—- serial beginning in - The Star . Thursday, July 21. changed and “it is not prepared to| W"_S[]N DEMANDED ,/ 100 Dormitory Wome'-n Made IlI; Blame Food; 40 Confined to Bed About one hundred, women residing | the government hotels hospital, point- at the government hotels on the Union Station and Senate plazas were token suddenly ill yesterday from the eftects of what is believed to have been bad food. About forty of them are confined to their beds today, the others having recovered sufficiently to return to work. None of the women is in a serious condition. : Crab salad and ice cream. served to the 2,000 women living in the dormi- tories at dinner Friday evening, are believed to have poisoned the one hun- dred to a certain degree. according to health department authorities, who made a_thorough investigation of tne lcase. Th> sickness did not develop urtil yesterday morning, when a num- firmary at the hotels for treatment, while others called in private physi- | ciars. Samples of the food eaten by the sick persons were taken today by Dr. L. A. Newfleld, assistant District heaith officer, and Dr. R. R- Ashworth, { chief food inspector, and were turned ber of the women applied at the in-jdormitories, pointing out that such guer fo the health department labora ory for analysis. The food included’ crab salad, ice -cream, roast pork, liver and plums. Ptomaine Symptom: i department authorities, however, have not definitely established whether the food was poisoned. and will not be able to do so until after a careful analysis is made of the food, which will take several days. Officials in_charge of the govern- ment hotels hospital, stated that the women did not have ptomaine poison- ing. the illness being caused by in- | testinal infections. They that the food served the women Friday was absolutely the direction of an expert dietitian. Miss Mary M. Thomas. one of the PIRATE MYSTERY” * BELIEVED CLEARED Strange Ships Declared to Be Those of Whisky “Block- ade Runners.” By the Associated Press. ATLANTIC CITY, N. I. July 18.— Pirate yarns and reports of mysterious ships seen lurking along the trade lanes of the North Atlantic may be explained by the discovery of “block- ade runners” that have been landing cargoes of contraband liquor on the Jersey coast, in the opinion of revenue agents In this district. In maritime circles stories have been told of strange vessels approaching merchantmen on the open seas, as though prepared to attack, and then dashing off into the darkness without observing the inviolable ruletof an- swering code signals. It was even suggested that these specterlike craft {might. be able to explain the disap- pearance of certain vessels. ‘Whisky Seised. | What revenue agents believe to be the explanation of such unusual valued at $20,000 which is said to have been landed along a cove near Wild- wood, N. ship.’ Several days before the liquor was discovered and confiscated an uniden- tiged steamer was seen maneuvering just outside the three-mile limit off|. ‘Wildwood. Revenue cutters H Virtually all' of the women who|have meals served that would en- position of the United States had notiwere taken ill, it is said, had symp- {9anger the health of the Women liy- toms of ptomaine poisoning. Health |iNg there. also claim | the other hand, he indicated that the pure and prepared under | roast beef, officials in charge of the infirmary at | opinion. actions on the high seas was brought | Whether there had been an excess or about. through the seizure of Whisky |the law it w.”""“m payable. from an alleged “mystery ! were | out as an expert in income tax mat- ed out that some of the women who were ill did not eat dinner at the dormitory dining rooms Friday. She expressed the opinion that if food made the women sick it was eaten by them on picnics and outings attend- ed by them over the week end. She said that the crab salad was served to several of the patients in the hos- pital, who suffered no ill effects from it. from it. Cites Previous Instances. Miss Thomas declared that frequent- 1y many of the women returning from picnics” and outings over the week end during the warm weather have reported at the hospital for treatment for intestinal trouble. She made light of the outbreak of illness at the an incident occurred last summer, al- though not as serious as the present one. The crab salad and ice cream were served at Friday's dinner. The tra- ditional belief that ice cream and crabs when eaten at the same meal would not digest was discounted by Miss Thomas, She- explained that many persons eat clam chowder, fish chowder and other sea foods prepared in milk, with no ill effects. She also ointed out that the dietitian at the otels . is an expert and would not Dr. William C. Fowler, health officer, that the illness of the women was| dde to some condition of the food. He declined, however, to render a definite decision” until after the analysis of the food by the health department chemists. Dr. Fowler sald that some of the germs may have been in the ice cream which caused the fllness. On District crabmeat may have been infected. liver and plums which were served at meals on Saturday did not cause the illness, in his FRAUD IS CHARGED IN TAX RETURNS Conspiracy Alleged in Sup- posed Violation of Con- fidential Information. Hugh B. Sorrells, section unit audi- tor of the trading section of the in- come tax bureau, and George W. Sutton, a Washington lawyer and ex- pert on income matters, were indicted today by the federal grand jury on al charge of conspiracy to defraud the | United States. They are alleged to have entered into an agreement to| violate the confidential character of income tax returns. Sorrells is al- leged to have furnished Sutton with information concerning cases where an excess tax had been paid and Sut- ton, it is charged, would solicit the business of the taxpayer for a per- centage of the amount which he might have returned by the govern- men. The indictment sets forth that it was the duty of Sorrells under the law and tke regulations of the Treas- | ury Department to audit and deter- mine the correctness of returns by | firms and corporations and to decide deficit. in the Under s also his duty to pre- serve and keep inviolate such returns | and all'information gained by him and | not to divulge or publish such infor- | mation in any manner save as stated | in the law and regulations. Conspiracy Charged. Sutton, it is stated, held himself sent to watch it. The vessel disap-|ters, and November 15 Iast, I - peared, but not before, officials think. | leged, conspired with Sorrdils t5 a1 it had discharged a cargo of whisky. | vulge to him the names and addresses Prohibition officers declared todayiof persons who had paid excess taxes they are confident smuggling of in-|and to whom a rebate was due. toxicants on this coast is being con- ducted on a tremendous scale. Car- goes worth vast fortunes are believed to have been brought from foreign countries, transferred to small boats at. night ‘and cached in unfrequented spots. B Transferred at Sea. It is thought. probable that the “blockade runners” also have trans- ferred their illegal cargoes to ves- sels bearing authoritative clearance papers. This, the officers say, would account for the strange actions of the “mystery ships.” Their explanation is this: < . “The captain of the liquor-laden vessel is. instructed to meet another vessel, bound for an American port, at a given point along the coast and transfer his liquor, which can then be landed with a legitimate cargo. When the ‘runner’ reaches the rendezvous it approaches various vessels, and failing to get the proper signal, hur- ries oif 1o prevent discovery. indictment charges that Sutton, w.l;:.'l: the information so obtained, went to | Baitimore November 20 last, and con- ferred with the Wagner Bros. Com- pany and secured employment to ob- :‘aln a rebdte of tax for the corpora- ion. Henry G. Weston, former chief of the personal service section of the income tax bureau, and George E. Dombhart and Charles A: Bondeson, former-employes of the bureau, were Dying Engineer Makes Vain Efjort To Stop His Train ALTOONA, Pa., July 18—Alv. G. Laughlin, fifty-five, of Al toona, engineer of Pennsylva: | train No. 18, Chicago mail eax died with hix hand on the throt- tle as his train wnx passing Wilmore, Cambria county, 7135 o'clock last mnight. E | mineer Laughlin apparently felt himself sinking, as he made a vain effort to shut off the power and bring his train to a stop. Sfreman Theodore Ritchey xaw Laughlin xink back and stretch- | ed over the prostrate engineer to rench the throttle and halt the train. HARDING OILNOTE S READ N HOUSE President’s Plea Against Duty Made Public—Fordney Holds Up Second Letter. President Harding's, letter of June 30 to Chairman Fordney of the House ways and means committee opposing the imposition of a duty on crude petroleum and fuel oil and sug- gesting a bargaining provision “to guard against the levy of duties against us” was presented to the House today by Mr. Fordney. The text differed materially from recently rublished versions of the communi- cation, and in reply to questions Mr. Fordney said there was another letter from the President, which he did not Propose to read. Text of President's Letter. The text of the President's letter of June 30 follows: “I understand that your committee is very soon to decide whether to in- clude a protective duty on crude ofl |in the tariff bill to be reported to the House. 1 cannot refrain from pressing the hope that your commit- tee will take note of the foreign pol- iey to which we are already commit- ted, under which the government is doing every consistent thing to en- courage the participation of American citizens in the development of the oil resources in many foreign lands. This course has been inspired by the growing concern of our country over the supply of crude oil to which we may turn for our future needs, not alone for our domestic commerce, but in meeting the necds of our Navy and our merchant marine. “To levy a protective tariff on crude petroleum now would be at variance with all that has been done to safe- guard our future interests. “I am not unmindful of the oi] in- dustry within our own borders, and most_cordially believe in 1ts proper consideration. “Would it _not be practical to p vide for such protection in some ba gaining - ‘provision which wmay be placed in the hands of the executive 820 that he may guard against the levy of duties against us or the imposition by other nations of export tariffs which are designed to hinder the facilitation of trade which is essential to our welfare? “In the matter of crude oil, as in the ex- expressed the beliefcase of lumber, concerning which we! talked, our position will be the strong- er if the tariff levy is omitted and authority is given the executive to im- pose & duty in appropriately stated circumstances. 1 hope your committee will find it consistent to give consid- eration to these suggestions.” ‘Wants Second Note Read. Referring to the President’s letter, Representative Byrnes. democrat. of | South Carolina, told the House that | i Mr. Fordney advice con munication, inasmuch as certain of the newspapers were able to use it.” He said he believed Mr. Harding's atti- tude truly represented public opinion and that it was supported by a ma- jority of the House. should not deny “the “If this tax is allowed to remain in | the bill” Mr. Byrnes continued, “it will be a great disappointment not only to the President, but to the ship- ping and railroad interests and the users of thousands of motor trucks and the vast industries using cil for fuel. It certainly can be construed in no other way than to mean the ultimate exhaustion of our own sup- plies.” Representative McKenzie, republi- can, Illinois, also opposed the tax. saying he believed that to put a tax on natural resources was carrying protection a step too far. He at- tacked the lumber provisions of the bill for the same reasons and added that be hoped the Senate would re- move all such items from the meas- ure. R Underhill Flays Oll Tax. Represcntative Underhill, republi- can, of Massachusetts, who opened the attack on the oil tariff, declared oil production was largely a gambling proposition, and added that it was “a | poor sporting proposition to demand legislation to aid_gamblers,” He denied that New England alone was leading the fight on the duty, as- serting that it would impose heavy burdens on every section of the coun- try. Mr. Underhill urged the House not to disappoint President Hard- ing,” and to express its- will by a heavy vote against the oil tax. Today’s News in Paragraphs:‘ One thourand five hundred prisoners in Pennsylvania penitentiary in riot trap- ped by fire. Page 1 Text of President's letter fariff read in House; second note it held. Page 1 De Valera again meets premler as Smuts becomes factor. Page 1 Mystery of ‘“pirate ships” believed cleared. Page 1 Woman and clergyman smong victims of tar and feathers; farmer als beaten. Page 3| Gen. Pershing seeks closer co-operation of all U. S. military forces. Page 3 Senate committee’s report divided ‘Sims-Daniels controveray. 3 Official inquiry revived into murder of H. G. Hemming, New York broker. ‘Page 3 Cable boat saves 329 from steamer on rocks in St. Lawrence. Page 8 Haywood in clash with American com- munist delegates at third interna- tionale meeting. Page 9 Four negroes slain in pitched battle with Louisiana posse. Page 10 also indicted today for conspiracy to defraud the United fi;luu.p Dom;- hart and Bondeson were also indicted for bribery of a public official, and ‘Weston, in another indictment, is charged with receiving a bribe to In- lrgu?co his action as a government officer: Leave ent Serviee, Dombliart and Bonderso: i to the indictments, left thl:' emg '3‘: the ivernment in the fall of 1919 (Continued on Page 2, Column 5.) Five hundred more chances for District youths in August training camp. Page 13 Jane Adddms elected president of ‘Women's International Congress. Page 13 District Commissioners explain action in employing architects on_school work. Page 13 ‘President to attend ter-centennial cele- ‘bration at Plymouth. Page 13 Rules_enforced against hoboes in South Dotges 1'W, W Sk = ined in the second com- Page 3 1,300 PRISONERS INRIOT OUTBREAK TRAPPED BY FIRE Ten Buildings Destroyed in Disorders at Pennsylva- nia Penitentiary. INMATES HELD BY FLAMES FACE RIFLES OF GUARDS Shrieks of Men Battling for Safety Heard—Definite Details of Trouble Unavailable. By the Associated Press. PITTSBURGH, July 18.—A reported outbreak of prisoners in the Western | penitentiary on the Ohio river here was followed soon after noon today by fire, which quickly destroyed ten frame factory buildings within the enclosure. Six were severely injured. The cause of today's outbreak was said by one of the guards to have origi- nated in a party of 250 men and thirty | women who were recently sent here from the Eastern penitentiary at Phila- delphia. They complained, he said, that they were not allowed certain privilege which had been accorded them in the east. At 2:30 o'clock the fire companies be- gan leaving and it was apparent that all danger of further trouble from that direction was at an end. The prisoners, t0o, had quieted and the authorities Seemed to have the sit- | uation well in hand. Police and fire lines were drawn tightly around the institution and detailed reports of the outbresk were unavailable. It was known, how- ever, that penitentiary guards, rein- forced by city policenmen and deputy sheriffs, armed with rifles and riot i were holding the prisoners at while a heavy fire-fighting force guished the flam Prisoners Held at Bay. | A peep through one of the priSon gates showed a party of Pittsburgh detectives with drawn revolvers fac- ing a great crowd of prisoners in the vard. The men appeared to be in great terror from the flames which raged back of them. So far as could be seen, none of them w: Meantime, the flames had crept along the Ohio river side and many prison- ers confined in cells there shattered the glass in the windows and shrieked for help. Two watch towers on the waills were attacked by the fire and i quickly consumed. Persons in the street could distinetly hear the shrieks and groans of the imprisoned men and it was reported that a number had been hurt and taken to the f 2 hospital in a section of from where the ! authorities gnd were added to Sheriff | Haddock's e, Medical Ald Rushed. Many prisoners were removed from the south wing. where the fire started. Soon aft@ward the great crowd, which by this time had surrounded three sides of the prison. believed | they heard a series of shots and the shrieks which had come from the panic-striciken prisoners for a time subsided. At 1:45 o'clock it waus announced at the office of John J. McKelvey. Pitts- burgh dircetor of charities, ‘that he had just sent five ci physicians to the penitentiary in response to a eall A number of am- the prison about for medical a bulances reache 1:30 p.m. At that time the guards had been strengthened at the gates of the | prison, and all except policemen and * deputy sheriffs were being rigidly ex- | cluded, so that no statement of what was going on within the walls could be obtained. It appeared, however. that the fire was under control. Five Riot Alarms. Five riot alarms were turned in to {the police and fire departments from i the penitentiary at 1 5 o'clock. The {buildings are located on the Ohio river in the lower part of the old city of Allegheny. Nine fire companies immediately re- | sponded to the alarms and police re- | serves were hurricd to the peniten- tiary. Telephone communication with the institution was temporarily cut off. Fire records show that all the alorms were sent from a fire box in- side the penitentiary. | Col. C. A, Rook, a member of the board of penitentiary managers and 1puhllshor of the Pittsburgh Dis- .‘pa(ch, was notified by telephone from the penitentiary that a riot was in progress and the buildings had been set on fire. Cordon of Police. A cordon of police was quickly thrown around every entrance lead- {ing to the prison, while fire lines were established some distance away. Fire ihose was taken through the Doer street gate, through which fire ap- paratus also was sent. Great volumes ‘of smoke rising from the inclosure | indicated that the broom factory was rapidly being destroyved. Sheriff W. S. Haddock answered a call from the office of John Francies with ten deputies, armed with riot guns. Every avallable policeman was sent by Robert Alderdice, director of public safety, reinforce the men already on duty the penitentiary guards were mobilized withia the walls. The Western penitentiary contains a population of between 1,200 and 1,500 prisoners, some of them sent there by federal courts and the remainder from ]|he western counties of Pennsylvania. | There is a branch, the “farm prison,” {at Bellefonte, Pa., to which men of high | standing in the prison are sent, leaving the most desperate characters in the in- titutions here. ‘Warden Francies announced at 2:15 that he had asked Gov. Sproul to send delflchmenl!g state police from the barracks at Butler and Greenburg to | help guard the penitentiary tonight. J. H. PATTERSON RETIRES. Resigns as Head of Cash Register Company in Favor of Son. DAYTON, Ohio, July 18.—John H. Patterson has resigned as president and general manager of the National Cash Register Company, according to announcement made today at the of- | fices of the company. He is succeeded | as president by his son Frederick and ias general manager by J. H. Bar- ringer. % The retiring president will continue { to direct the affairs and policies of the company as & member of the board of directors. Mr. Patterson has been president of the company for the past thirty-seven years and recently cele- brated his seventy-sixth birthday. PREMIER PACHITCH ILL. VIENNA, July 16.—Premier & P. Pachitch ot Jugoslav! is seriously ill and his life is despaired of, accord- ing to reperts received here froms e. o ‘