Evening Star Newspaper, August 5, 1921, Page 1

WEATHER. Increasing cloudiness, followed by showers late tonight or tomorrow; not much change in temperature. ‘Temperature for twenty-four hours/ ended at 2 am. Y. Closing New York Stocks, Page 11. ‘Entered as second-class matter | post office Washington, D: C. No. 28,222, HOPE TO CUT TAXES AND STILL PROVIDE FORNEEDS OF UL 5. Republicans Consider Ways of Meeting Reduction of Half Billion in Levy. MONDELL STATES TASK FACED BY COMMITTEE Saving Believed by Some to Be Possible in Rail and Shipping Expenditures. To realize their expressed hope of reducing the nation’s tax bill by half a billion dollars, republican leaders of the House of Representatives appear, on the basis of Treasury estimates, to be faced with the task of cutting three-quarters of a billion dollars from estimated government expendi- tures for this fiscal year or else risk- ing a huge federal deficit next July 1. Secretary Mellon has warned that even if more than $250,000,000 should be lopped off the estimated expendi- tures of $4,550,000,000, the tax yleld could not safely be permitted to fall } Dbelow $3,570,000,000, the estimated re- turn under the existing law. Coupled with this warffing. is the declaration that it would be “folly” to reduce revenues without the as- surance of substantial additional re- ductions in expenditure. Mr. Mellon added that in seeking to arrive at an estimate of the cash outgo for the year, the Treasury could not take into account “paper savings or hoped-for reductions in expenditures which can- not reasonably be expected to ma- terialize.” ? Mondell’s Opinion. In a statement published today, how- ever, Representative Mondell of Wy- oming, the republican leader, de- clares that in his judgment it is en- tirely practical to reduce the total tax levy by $500,000,000 and still take care of the essential needs of the government. “I_realize,” he added, “that if all the & bureaus, departments and p.m. today: Highest, 81, at p.m. yesterday: lowest, 60, at Full report on page 7. agencies of the government expend- ed the sums they have heretofore anticipated spending, and in addition to that we were called upon in a va- riety of ways to make large expen= ditures in the actual reduction of the sum total of the public debt, over and above sinking fund expendi- tures, we could not reduce revenues. But neither of these things should happen.” 7 One of the big tasks before the ways and means committee, it has been explained, is determining where cuta in expenditures can made safely and the amounts. e re- publicans 8f the committee have sald that with r financig, in pend legislation” it would be possible to materially cut down the $545,206,000 estimate for peyments to the rail- roads. At the ury, however, it is explained that this estimate is in- dependent of the financing proposed to be done by the War Finance Cor- poration, and represents payments on account of the transportation act and fu'}%ral contrel, e outgo estimate also includes $200,- 000,000 for the Shipping Board, and some leaders say they are determined to trim this total. e outlay for the main- tenance of the government merchant fleet is giving many members of the House concern, and there has been con- siderable private discussion lately of some plan to ‘#mse the drain on the Treasury from that direction. Opposition to New Taxes. Opposition to the new taxes suggested by Treasury officers continues to grow, with Representative Mondell coming out flatly egainst any increased postage and bank check tax. The republican leader also has sald he doubted either the Tecessity or advisability of the automo- * blle levy. He declares for repeal of the trans- portation and soda water taxes, the excess profits tax and the higher in- come surtaxes, with additional reve- nue provided through a 5 per cent increase in the corporation income tax. Aocording to Charles A. Lyman, Be -treasurer of the National Board of Farm Organizations, the as- sociations of farmers over the country are preparing to launch a determined fight against repeal of the excess profits tax. These organizations al- ready have given their views on this question to the ways and means com- mittee, and Mr. Lyman says if the committee reports a bill with a repeal provision the farmers will appeal to the agricultural “bloc” and all other fjrlrendtu ih Congress to work for its efez.t. PHTHISIS SCHOOL FOR 1TH ST SITE The new bullding to replace the Hamilton School, for tubercular chil- dren, will be erected on the Tuber- culosis Hospital grounds at 14th and Upshur streets, it was indicated today by the Commissioners. It was pointed out, however, that no definite site for the institution has been se- lected. In selecting a site for the school the Commissioners . have virtually no choice. The appropriation granted by Congress for the institution provides ! no funds for acquiring property on which to erect it. Consequently the Commissioners claim the school will have to be built on government-owned | property, and they will be almost com- pelled to decide on the Tuberculosis Hospital grounds, which are owned by the government. According to tentative plans the city neads have in mind, the tubercu- losis school will be erected on the grounds close to the Arkansas avenue border, and the proposed .new junior high school on the Iowa avenue boun- dary. These two insitutions, when completed, it is said, will be sepa- rated by 13th street, which will be ,&raded by that time. An appropria- tion for grading 13th street through the hospital grounds already has been granted by Congress. Sketches for the new tuberculosis school are now In the hands of the municipal agehitect. A. L. Harris. The building will be two stories high and will be designed to accommodate more | than 100 children. There will be four classrooms, two restrooms. _dining room, storage room, teachers’ quar- ters, playroom, office and library. The building will cost $150,000, an appro- priation for that amount having al- ready been provided by Congress in the emergency school building pro- gram. 4:20 Hist! Wily Sheriff Stalks Gov. Small In Massachusetts By the Associated Press. SPRINGFIELD, I, August 5. w=—Frank A. Minkler, | letterhead shows hh to be a deputy sheriff - and auctioneer at Great Barrington, Mass.. kas written to SheHff Mester ak- 1ug If a reward has been offer- | ed for a fugitive Govermor of Tllinois named Len Small, Mr. Mester said today. The Great Barrington officer wrote that a suspicious character he d under surveillance resembled the lllinois xovermor, for whom Sheriff Mester holds warrants for lement and com- whose spiracy to defraud the state treasury. g “WHl you teil me if there is a reward offered for Gov. Lem sembles Small's is a man keepl: man d Gov. Small still was in and that mo reward had beem offered for his captu: SERIOUS TAX TALKS BY PRESIDENT SO0N Executive to Give Earnest Attention to Further Reductions. When President Harding gets back to his office after his brief outing and period of recreation he is expected to have some serious talks with Con- gress leaders and heads of the execu- tive departments. The situation dis- closed by Secretary Mellon's state- ment that a further reduction in gov- ernment expenses of $250.000,000 will be necessary to prevent increased tax- ation will command the earnest at- tention of the administration. Secretary Melldp's statement coming at a time when!the taxpayers were counting upon reductions in taxes, although hope in that direction seem- ed not well founded on conditions, is calculated to produce a feeling of de- pression throughout the country, it is said. Congress Is Not Dismayzd. Congress leaders, however, it may be stated, while concerned over, are not dismayed by the outlook and, indeed, are expectant of being able to find a way to do the necessary paring, al- though the details are not at the mo-| ment within_their grasp. House Leader Mondell is very hope- ful that the reductions can be made. Congress members realize the utter impossibility of & situation being al- lowed to exist where increased tax burdens will be imposed. Such a state of affairs is classed as alto- ther out of the question. Bt is thought Tn- admainistration cirs cles_that will be given the tus demand (0% tatien of armaments S the statement of the fiscal condition and 11, while intended to embrace ques- tions relating to the world's peace, will certainly, it is said, proceed to deal in & practical manner with mili- tary expenditures, and the United States will lead to the way under pressure of its own economic neces- fes. .l’}“:.re is no likelihood of the con- ference slighting the issue of cur- tailment of armament or allowing it to be overshadowed by other ques- tions affecting the peace of the world. Pressure on Leaders. Pressure from _political sources will be exerted upon the administra- tion leaders, it is declared, as the poli- ticians view the approach of the con- gressional elections next year and their bearing upon the fortunes of the republican party. The adminis- tration .expects to derive political benefit from the enactment of the pending _legislation devised to_give Increased credit facilities to the farm- ers, but that will cover only one element of the voters, it is pointed out, and it will be necessary to con- serve the interests of the taxpayers at large. ‘The problems ahead of Congre: nd the administration for the enu months are recognized as being dif- ficult, but no feeling of apprehension is entertained by the Congress lead- ers that they cannot be met and solved. —_— SENATE TAKES UP BILL TO EXTEND THE BALL LAW The bill to extend the life of the Ball rert act until May 22, 1922, was taken up for consideration in the Senate this afternoon on motion of Senator Ball of Delaware, chairman of the District committee. When the bill was reached on the Senate calendar objection to its con- sideration was made by Senator King of Utah. Senator Ball promptly moved that the bill be taken up, and his motion carried. Senator Ball explained to the Sen- ate that the pending bill amended the existing rent act in the following par- ticulars: It extends the life of the rent act and the Rent Commission for six months, from October 22 next. It eliminates from the operation of the rent act after October 22 next. all business property, not including hotels and apartment houses. It provides for the appointment of an attorney for the Rent Commission | at a salary of $5.000 a year. The bill also provides that in all cases where the owner of any rental properties, who, prior to April 18, 1921, collected any rent or charge in excess of the amount allowed by the Rent Commission, may within thirty days after the passage of this act return this excess to the tenant. If such return is made the owner will not be liable to pay double the amount as he would be under the original law. It is provided also that where an owner has~ obtained judgment and collected rents from a tenant in ex- cess of the amount fixed by the Rent Commission, the owner must pay the costs as well as the excess obtained from the tenant. Digcussion of the bill continued un- | til 2 o'clock, when the anti-beer bill came up automatically, as the unfin- ished business of the Senate, displac- | ing the rent bill. AMNESTY FOR MEXICANS. By the Associated Press. MEXICO CITY. August 5.—Presi- dent Obregon shortly will issue 3 proclamation of amnesty which will apply - to all adherents of former President Carranza now in the United States who recently signed a mani- festo expressing good -will toward the present Mexican government, accord- ing to Las.Noticias. The newspaper says it has received semi-official in- formation to this effect. ." prospects. e | tha: conference slated to meet November FAMINE IN SOUTH, PLAGUE RESULTING, STOUTLY DENIED Health Officials in Conference on Pellagra Adopt Re- port Unanimously. NO WARRANT GIVEN FOR UNDUE ALARM Cases of the Disease and Deaths Less This Year Than the Annual Average for Seven Years. Denial that there is a ‘“condition ap- proaching a famine or plague in the south” was made today in a report unanimously adopted by health officials from a dozen southern states in con- ference here with Surgeon General Cum- ming of the public health service to dis- cuss the pellegara situation. The re- port held that statements ‘“‘erroneous and misleading” had been made to the public. After brisk discussion a statement, incorporated in the report as prepared by a committee of five health commis- sioners, that “we do not regard the situation in any sense as more serious at the present time than during the past several years,” was eliminated at the | usgestion of Dr. Olin West, Tennessee ! health commissioner. Another clause that “there is no oc- casion for extending charitable meas- jures for the relief of the conditions so far as any state is concerned where pellagra is prevalent” also was stricken out, Dr. W. S. Rankin, health officer of North Carolina, contending that it would be a reflection on the jsouth to rgake any reference to the i possibility “of charitable rellef. The report emphasized the necessity of affording federal, state and local health agencies sufficient fundd to cope with health conditions gener- ally. Text of the Report. As adopted the text of the report was as follows: “State health officers of the southern states, in conference at the request of the surgeon general of the United States public health service, deplore |the fact that an impression has been created that famine conditions exist in the south and as a result that pellagra has increased to an alarming extent. “After making an investigation, using all information available, we do not believe the situation warrants or should occasion any undue alarm. The indfcations are that there will be an increase in pellagra this year in locali- ties in certain states where the disease has been endemic, but datain hand show in an unmistakable way that the numl of cases and deaths from | pellagra during 1921 will still Be‘less n the annual average during the period of 1914 to 1921. “In other words, it is fully substan- tiated by facts in hand that pellagra has steadily decreased in the southern states during previous years. In drawing conclusions relative to the actual control of any -dfisease com- parative statistics are valueless un- less an analysis is made for a period of years, not less than five, and pref- erably ten. Plague or Famine Not Threatemed. “There i8 no condition approaching a famine or plague in the south. It is misinterpretation of terms, an incor- rect analysis, and, as a result, state- ments have been made that are erro- neous and misleading to the public. “We reffige that pellagra requires scientific And aggressive consideration and that the solution of the pellagra problem depends upon sane educa- tional methods. The whole question is one that should be approached as a public health problem and dealt with by a Well defined plan. . “There can be no doubt that there will. be an increase in the prevalence of tuberculosis, pellagra aml other, diseases during the next few years as' a result of the economic depression throughout the entire ountry -unless federal, state and local heaith de- partments are given adequate financial cial support and cooperation in direct- ing intensive public health education and in the establishment and main- tenance of local health organizations which are fundamental in the preven- tion and control of all disease and the promotion of the public health.” Division- of Opinfon. The health officers were evenly di- vided as to the advisability of going on record that the pellagra situation was no worse at the present time than duripg recent years. Dr. West declared that while he-“resented from the end of his toes to the top of his head charges that a veritable condi- tion of famine existed in the south,” health authorities should realize the seriousness of the situation. Dr. C. W. Garrison of Arkansas, tgok a sim- flar position, while Dr. James A. Hayne, South Carolina; Dr. A. T. Mc- i Cormack; Kentucky; 'S. W. Welch, Alabama, and Dr. W. S. Leathers; Mississippl, were among those who contended the situation was no worse than in previous years. Dr. L. L. Lumsden, in charge of ru- ral sanitation for. the public health service, held that the situation was serious and said that a statement that it was not worse than in recent years | was “untrue.” | Health Service Indorsed. A resolution pledging “the support of the health authorities and the peo- ple they represent in the south” to a constructive program for co-ordina- tion of all federal, public health and welfare activities in one department was adopted. The resolution expressed apprecia- tion of the President’s interest in public health and indorsed “the effec- tive administration” of the public health service by Surgeon General Cum- | ming. under whose call Red Cross and state officials are in conference with government doctors. “The conference especially urges,” the resolution continued, “that the public _health service mobilize all other federal health agencies, espe- | cialy the farm and home demonstra- tion agencles of the state agricutural schools and the Department of Agri- culture, in carrying into the rural homes of the country the practical necessity for a better balanced diet, which should always include milk or milk products and fresh vegetables. “The conference requests the Presi- dent and the surgeon general.and all others interested in public health to assist actively in the efforts for the establishment of health departments in ‘all counties or other units of gov- ernment, which shall be able, through a well trained, all-time heaith officer and pubic heaith nurses, to carry the leadership which will insure longer, happier and more productive lives to all the people, whether living in the congested centers or in th re- e _most mote sections of the country.” obvious that this is a clear case of, , BANDITS ESCAPE WITH RICH HAULS Rob B. & 0. Train and Hold Up Paymaster, Get- ting $75,000. GREENVILLE, I, August 5.— Fifty thousand dollars was believed to have been obtained by two bandits who boarded a Baltimore and Ohio passenger train at Beecher City last night, held up the express messenger and escaped at Altamont with all the sealed express packages. “PAYMASTER HELD UP. Bandjts Escape With Company's “Roll of About $15,000. | By the Assoclated Press. | HACKENSACK, N. J.. August 5— The county prosecutor's office was notified today that six armed bandits had held up the paymaster of the Barrett Magpufacturing Company at Shady Side about. 11 o'clock and es- {caped with a payroll of $15,000 to $25,000. The paymaster, accompanied by an armed guard of five aen, was travel- ing in an automobile when the hold- up occurred. — The bandits slowed up the car by | throwing stones at it. Then they: leaped from the bushes and quickly | overpowered the guard. Théir next step was to cut all the wiring on the company’s automobile |and to rell it into a ditch. Then, taking the payroll, they leaped into a large black touring car and dis- | appeared in the direction of Newark. _$46,000 LOOT RECOVERED. Unopened Mail Pouch Carrying Treasure Found in Corn Field. ST. LOUIS, August 5.—An unopened mail pouch containing $46,000 in cur- rency, obtafned by three bandits who early yesterday held up Tommy Feraldo, a post officc messenger at | Northwood _River, Il., was _found laté yesterday in a corn fleld near | Peters, Ill, ten miles from the scene of the robbery. The pouch containing the money was found by Chief of Police Clarke of Granite City, Ill., while he, with a posse, was searching the corn field for trace of the bandits. The pouch ‘was discovered near the spot where the bandits abandoned an automobile in which they fled from Northwood River. Officials of the First State and Sav- ings Bank and the First National Bank at Northwood River, to which the money was being sent by the St. i Louis Federal Reserve Bank, stated that $46,000 was the total of the con- signments which were to be used to pay employes of the Standard Oil {Company refinery at Northwood River. Contents of two rifled pouches found near the abandoned automobile, how- ever, were unknown. The robbery occurred shortly after Feraldo had taken a number of pouches of mul, from a Cincinnati, Chicago, Cleveland and St. Louis train, loaded them into a push cart, and started to the post office three blocks away. Three men jumped from an automobile a short distance from the station and covered him with revolvers, selected three of the mail pouches and drove away in the automobile. Officers say all seven will be booked on charges of highway robbery. The arrests came after Postal Inspec- tor Calvert of Altoona, Pa., learned that the men, all former residents of Cas- {sandra and Galitzen, Pa., had gathered I here after being seen in the vicinity of | Cassandra shortly before the robbery. Only four of the alleged bandits are |declared to have participated in_the actual robbery. The threo others are said by police to have been waiting in an au- tomobile in which the entire gang es- caped. NEW ARCTIC EXPEDITION. Stefansson Party Will Sail From Seattle August 11. VANCOUVER, B. C. August 5.— The advance party of Vilhaljmur Stef- ansson’s new arctic expedition - will announced by the explorer, who fs here conferring with men ‘who will accompany him. * The advance party will take the steamer Victoria from Seattle to Nome, where .the powef schooner Orion is now "beéing outfitted. The; expect to ‘be in the arctic by the end] of August and will wintér on one of the Canadian islands, Mr. Stefansson W. R. E. directors may, meet Wednes- | sail from Seattle August 11, it was| Mefi&dfieMledPren The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for republication of ali news dispatches eredited to it or not otherwise crdited in this paper and also the local news publistied hereln. Al rights of publication of speciel dispatches herein are also reserved. Yesterday’s Net Circulation, 88,000 ¥ , Grasshopper Horde Prefers‘Watery Grave To Shortage of Food QUEBEC, August 5—Count- leas grasshoppers floated down the St. Lawrence river today. \Observers could offer no plausi- ble explanation. At Three Rivers, the Insects covered the river from bank to bank at ome point. NEW YORK, August 5—New York agriculturists advanced the suicide theory in connection with discovery today of myriads of dead grasshoppers floating down the St. Lawrence river. They explained that, haviag | eaten everything behind the: the horde approached the river. failed to megotiate the broad 3 and plunged ahead to their ERRAND OF MERCY CALLS PRESIDENT Drives Twenty-Five Miles to Visit Soldiers at Gor- ham, Me., Hospital. By the Associated Press. LANCASTER, N. H, August 5.— President Harding interrupted his vacation ‘at the top of Mount Pros- pect today to go on an errand of imercy to the Army tubercular hos-jcordigg | pital. at Gorham, twenty-five ‘miles|“Drop employes, regardless of terms; away. Since he entered the presidency Mr. Harding many times has expressed particular interest in the welfare of hospitalized soldlers, and on several occasions he has visited Army hos- pitals to look over conditions and show personally his concern over the care of the ill and disabled, It is understood he planned today's trip before he left New Hampshire. The visit was ex- pected to occupy most of the day. Faith in Conference. Reasserting his confidence that the disarmament conference would ac- complish definite_results toward the abolition of war, President Harding declared, in a public address here yes- terday, that America was following a “God-given destiny” in leading the way to world peace. Nothing in the world, the President asserted, could block the fulfiliment of that destiny. He voiced a prayer that before his administration was over a new order would be established in which American ideals would turn the attention of all the world to the con- structive things of peace and brother- hood. Finds Institutions Sor His experience in the presidency, Mr. Harding added, had convinced him that American institutions at home were on a sounder basis than ever before, and that men of ‘all classes were really at heart doing everything in their power to perpetuate the ideals for which the nation was founded. Some of those most often suspecfed of improper motives, he- said, were actually the readiest to help the gov- ernment in every way. COLLEGE DIRECTOR QUITS. STATE COLLEGE, Pa. August 5.— Dr. Edwin R. Smih, director of the summer session at Pennsylvania State College and for ten years a| member of the liberal ars faculty, has announced his resignation, effective. September 1. He will become head of the department of mathematics at lTowa State Colege, Ames, Iowa. Today’s News in Paragraphs Health officials of southern states adopt- ed-a report today. denying that there was a condition approaching famine or plague in the south. Page 1 President is expected to have serious talks with leaders on further reduc- tions on his return. Page 1 Bandits seize $50,000 payroll guarded by five armed men. Page 1 Bureau of engraving and printing em- ployes complain of unjust dismissals. Page 1 Chairman White to call democratic com- mittee to plan attacks on republican policies. _Page Senator Titton! takes issue with Lord ; Bryce regarding Italy's - claim Tyrol. Page Controller _ Crissinger, in’ address financiers, expresses the view, that i countey is gettingtoo many banks. ¢ age -)’.'d a ntrty of scientists will join dgy to discuss fare cut. . ~.Fege 5 them next year. R ong those who will lccumunle;:c'{;:;‘ml“ 1o be X e N Mr.SBtefansson will be E.” L.. Knight, explorer, of Seattle snd Allen Craw- ford of Torento., . - : The expedition is expected to from three to five years and is for the purpose of studying commercial pos-| sibilities in"the northlands, Discussion -of . British impetjal éonfer ence to conclude today. & lme 4 take |Department of Justice Intimatés: libel againat edings: wiil ‘be Instituted aga proce: o er seized as rum runner. : . ashington for | 3 IBUREAU EMPLOYES CHARGE INUSTICE Declare Dismissals Unwar- ranted in Complaint to Con- troller of Treasury. Charging that an item of instruction regarding selection of employes of the bureau of engraving and printing for discharge last month “is wholly without the pale of law or regulation governing the civil service,” Henry E. Davis, repre- | senting a group of those discharged, has| presented a brief to Controller of the Treasurer D. R. Crissinger requesting their restoration to duty pending inves- tigation of Individual cases. Mr. Cris singer heads a committee of Treasury officlals appointed to hear protests from discharged employes. At the outset the brief staies that a memorandum _was forwarded from the! director of the - to an sssistant ?ot mé.mnrv recit! { ing the of aropping 600 the rolls e m:'b “l'm(-d that, foll mn"‘; i follo e Peit 7. The W i th the chiefs of the divisions in mcebll'l"elu. “certain instructions look- ing toward such a reduction had been issued. 7 * Four' Instructions. Théée -instructions numbered four. ‘but only the first is used for the basis {of protest. This instruction reads, ac- i to the brief, as follows: of service, whose records are poor, in- | { volving Inefficiency, - inattention to| duty, tardiness, excessive loss of lflmz. agitators and trouble-makers.” | In ‘the brief this instruction is called a “sword in the hand of the director. | 1o be let fall upon the victims of his cholee, the objects of his resentment.” This statement is followed by the declaration that “the justice of any removal assignable to the instruction is impugned, and indeed negatived, by the mere fact of its being so as- igned.” SIERT the time of their dismissal” says the brief. “these employes were unaware of the existence of the mem- orandum, and many of .them who had been for varying long periods in service in the bureau were equally| surprised and stung with a sense ofl grave injustice at their summary dis- missal and in many instances depri-} Vation of livelihood: as a result of | which a committee, of which you have the honor to be chairman. was ap- pointed to consider the matter.” i Friction Charged. “Any one having but partial knowl- edge of the administration of the bureau of engraving and printing dur- | ing the past few years’™ adds the brief. “knows that between the direc- tor and a certain favored coterie, on the ong part, and a not insignificantly small humber of his subordinates. on the other, there has existed a state bordering upon friction, and, whether rightly or wrongly, involving convic- tion on the part of many of dis- erimination, favoritism, unfairness and even injustice not greatly removed from vindictiveness.” Turning back to the instruction again, the brief avers that “the first and ‘obvious injuiry is, If the bureau Tas had among its employes those who have been inefficient, inattentive to duty. tardy and excessively losing time, why. have they been retained? Why were they not long since weeded but of the service? And the answer of this is equally obvious: the bureau ‘| has .not. been afflicted with such, and the ‘enumeration .of the classes in- dicated is but a cloak for the real intent and purpose of the instruction, that._namely, to_be found in and be- (Continued on Paee 2. Column &.» WHEN DID WAR END? "DATE IS MADE BASIS OF SUIT FOR RENTAL By the Associated Press. . NEW YORK, August 5.—The question of when the war between ~the TUnited States and Germany ended, or will end, is the moot point in a Buit over wartime liv- ing accommodations in Washing- . ton soon to be tried in the su- ‘preme court here. - Robert B. Roosevelt of Wash- ington and Sayville, N. Y. is suing-.Frederic C. Walcott, rubber ‘company president, $1,750 rentat, for a_Washington house ‘occupied- by the latter when he was serving as a “dollar-a-year” msn with the American Food Ad- ministration. Mr Walcott refuses to-pay, as- . serting his lease containéd a pre- vision that he could cancel on three ‘months’ notice at'the “end of the present war.” He says he gave notice after the jarmistice, which, he contends, ended the war. Mr. ‘Roosevélt maintains that. the war-isn't_ended J (Y ] FOUR CHILDREN BURN WHEN BRONX HOUSES ARE SWEPT BY FLAMES By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, August 5.—Four children were burned to death and Seven other persons were seriously injured in an early morning fire Which swept three tenement houses in the Bronx this morning. The dead are: Victoria Corsine fourteen; Harry Corsine, eigh! Edna Corsine, ten, and William Corsine, five, all children of Julio Corsine, who lived on the top floor of the tenement in which the fire started. Corsine escaped. Andrew Taylor, his wife Cathe- rine, and their four children, who lived on the third floor of the same tenement, suffered severe -burrs. The youngest child, Herbert, is re- ported to be dying in a hospital from inhaled fumes. Rose Fitzpatrick, who lived with her family on the fourth floor of this tenement, also was severely burned. The fire spread quickly from the tenement in which it started to three adjoining tenements and when firemen reached the scene they found more than a score of panic-stricken women and children crowded before the windows cry- ing for aid. Aerial ladders were run up and firemen began bringing the scanti- ly-clad women and children down to safety. AUSTRIA BLAMES U1 5. FOR GONDITION Claims Failure to Get Loans Is Due to America’s With- holding Eredits. By the Associated Press. LONDON, August $S.—Austria will appeal to the allied supreme council, which meets in Paris next Monday, for immediate financial aid. on the ground that the international scheme for rehabilitation of the remnants of the dual monarchy has failed thus far to function. This was learned today coincident with a statement by Dr. Maximilian Bach, Austrian minister in London. that his nation faced a critical sit- uation growing out of the failure to obtain ‘loans, which, e said, was largely resultant from the American policy of granting 1o further credits to Europe which were not authorized by Congress. Dr. Bach said that Austria realized the present delay in obtaining Amer- ica’s consent to the suspension of the ’ general lien on Austria’s assets was i caused by necessities of American constitutional procedure, but he de- clared the delay was leading to catas- trophe. “When in May the financial com- mittee of the league of nations work- ed out the plan for financial recon- struction of Austria,” he said, con- fidently expected that before the plan w carried out an immediate loan ‘would be given to Austria in advance. No bankers are now willing to make any advances until the decisive voice of Ameriea is ra.” Dr. Bich pointed out that whereas the American dollar before the war was worth about five kronen, now it is valued at 1,000 kronen, and the ex- change situation is steadily growing worse. othing can be done,” he continued. ‘without America, and Austria cannot wait. The government must buy abroad for the people and it is a ques- tion of immediate urgency to supply Austria with credits in advance to en- able it to buy food. Austria can but appeal to the friendly feelings of America to find 2 way out of the im- passe.” —_— |OLD NAVAL HOSPITAL’S SALE IS PROPOSED | Building at Ninth Street and the Avenue Southeast Sought for Library Purposes. Authority for the Secretary of War to dispose of by sale or otherwise the old Naval Hospital in the District of Colum- bia s proposed in a bill introduced by Chatrman Butler of the House naval TWO CENTS. MONETARY CREDITS EBB AND FLOW, IS CITED BY HARDING Governor of Federal Reserve Says Board Can Outline Policy, Can’t Press It. DENIES PRICE BREAK | DUE TO RESTRICTIONS | Main Efforts in 1920 Were to Pre- vent Collapse of U. S. Bank- ing System. The ebb and flow of monetary credits through the federal reserve syStem was further described today before a congressional commission by Gov. Harding of the reserve board. “We have twelve reservoirs of money in théreserve banks,” he said, “and we can put a pipe line from one |10 another of them when needs be- come too great for local money sup- |Ply. always remembering that the ;Joans come in and are secured by ‘1ocal member banks. “The Federal Reserve Board can { outline a credit policy, but it is very difficult to enforce it because of this |member bank proposition. There are ! 30.000 of them, and they take the r eponsibility in the first instance. i “Dangerous Extension.™ | “Some of them hold unused lending | power, while others in credit strin- |gency go into the Federal Reserve |Bank and get widely, even danger- lously, extended. That was why we had to gstablish the progressive rate, Ito penalize the heaviest bgrrowers, Ibut we hope we will never have to | put progreesive rates in effect again.” | “There is a prevailing impression that the break in general prices dur- ing 1920 was due to the restriction | of ‘credit, and that the reserve board | was responsible for the restritcion,” Representative Mills, republbican. I N York. said. -~ ‘There is nothing in it,” Gov. Hard- {ing_replied. “Our efforts were de- voted in 1920 to preventing & collapse | of our banking system. | “It is not our duty to enhance or | reduce prices, but credit is based on prices, and in 1920 we had most sig- | nificant signs thit a break was com- ‘Sup ! ose the board had restricted | earlier, | Senator Lenroot said, “would | not the rise in prices been lessened?” i “That's probable.” Gov. Harding said. “I'll be frank with you. Had in- terest rates been put up earlier. the { runaway movement of prices and speculation might have been checked, {and it might have been better.” | . Says Statement Went Out. Representagive Sumners, democrat, Texas, sugiested that “the word had been passed out from the reserve | banks” during 1919 and 1920, telling | bankers to beware of prices and cred- jits on farm products particularly. | ““Nothing went out from the reserve | board that is inconsistent with my - Gov. Harding replied. but I want-you to understand that {in human psyehology & country bank- | er. declining to loan. wants to retain ! the friendship of the customer if he |can. No bank wants to make a per- sonal enemy. The banker passes the | ‘buck,” and says the reserve bank has { called in all foans and he can't-lend. | That lets him,out, but creates that | widespread sentiment you cite.” As to circulars from district reserve | banks, Gov. Harding said the board i had but limited control. Was Ticklish Situation. “Nothing has been sent out from the board which is at variance with the statements 1 have furnished,” Gov. |Harding added. “It wasn't a good time to be talking too much—in 1920." | Gov. Harding observed. it was a very ticklish situation, but we got through it, and we can talk more | boldly now." | Categorically, responding to a series of questions by Senator Harrison, Gov. Herding declared it-had not been the !policy of the reserve board or its | idea, to reduce prices or to spread the iidea they were going to fall. “You must know the pressure which affairs committee, in which a number of | came upon us to issue gemeral state- pieces of property held by the Navy De- partment in_Georgia, Maine, Massachp- setts, New York and Washington state are listed for sale. The old Naval Hospital building and grounds at 9th street and Pennsylvania avenue southeast has been sought for| several years by the Public Library for a branch station which would be of par- | ments,” Gov. Harding said. “but we never issued one unless silence would {have made matters worse. You can't expect the board ever to issue a state- {ment which is not justified by reality jand the logic of events.” i Gov. Harding Testifien. | Gov. Harding. during his testimony {yesterday afternoon. declared that “the ticular value to the cmploves. of the: Federal Reserve Board didn’t create this Washington navy yard. Dr. Bowerman, the librarian, appearing fore the House District committee, testi: fied that the Secretary of the Navy was ! grateful it did George B. be- i financial depression.” He said that the :board “saw it coming and got ready to protect things, and people ought to be so. Now all we need is in sympathy with the proposal for the | cessation of pessimism, which location there of a branch library and |bad times, as foolish omlml:m 'v:.-';‘l:: that the co-operation and financial as- good times. We all know now every- sistance of the Carnegie endowment fund have been promised. ‘The “bill introduced by Representative Butler specifically - provides that this . oquired for naval purposes, property. with .the Iimprovements thereon, are | body was going crazy in the boom @ur- | ing the fall of 1919 “This situation is going to work vut. | There’s no comparison between the con- |dition a year ago and conditions tcday. | Take cotton, with a low yield, and ax- deemed by him_(the Secretary of the |ports picking up. Banks everywher-are Navy) to be no longer required for such | fully justified now in carrying loans. urposes and_are not required by any Sthér branch of the government.” ASKS THREE NEW PARKS. Senator Ball Offers Measure to Ob- > tain Tracts Here. A bill for the purchase of three new parks for the Disrict of Columbia was introduced by Semator Ball of Dele- ‘ware, chairman of the District com- mittee. .~ The tracts. proposed to be purchased are as follows: The Klingle roaq valley tract, 17.21 acres, at $153,400. v The Pinely“halo-lonch valley tract, 19.4 t ,000. A A L eson iract, formerly Camp Meigs. 81.76 acres, at $600,000. The blll has the support of the Board of Trade, Chamber of Com- merce and other organizations in the city, The Pattérson tract is desired paricularly as a site for athletic fields, to be used by. the pupils of the public schools. WINS RACE WITH DEATH. PHILADELPHIA, August 5.—A race with death which began five days 2go at his home in Monticello, Ark. and ended here, was won by nine- year-old ‘Morris Keizer. Morris swallowed a win the admi deep in .his lung, The tack Jolnet i t. The bo.y mistaken belief that he had whisky afin his house was the only solution ?rn chance bis | that the judge could give today as (o ‘bronchoscope | the motive-of the attacks. rted and forceps applied to]a drop of whisky in fay house and 1 threatening to puncture i ‘was rushed across -the country to hospital here on the life might - be saved. ‘was. inse: | _“All we've got to do Is to_get out of | everlasting pessimism and quit saying jeverything is going to the dogs. Why. {a man to put up a good. cheerful | face if he wants credit. You can't talk |to the banker like you do to the tax i assessor. |"“In general, Mr. Harding said, “the at- titude -of the Reserve Board toward {agriculture has been greatly misun- | dérstood and grossly misrepresented.” | _*The whole trouble with the reserve !system in meeting agricultural demands is that reserve banks do not and cannot 1end to individual borrowers,” he added. “The of borrowers must get into hands"of member banks before it gete to the system.” GUNMEN RIDDLE HOME OF KENTUCKY JUDGE NEWPORT, Ky., August 5.—~The home of Police Judge J. W. Burns of Citfton, Ky., south of Newport, was twice last night the target of bands of gunmen. The bullets pierced the front of the dwelling, found lodg- ment in the walls, buried themselves in the doors and splintered the glass in the windows. The residence is lo- cated on Grand View road. in a sparsely settied neighborhood. The pistol practice was but a resumption brass tack to)|of battles that terrorized the town ifation of his playmates. |on Wednesday night. That the gunmen labored under the “1 haven't remove the. tack. No anesthetic was|never have had,” said the judge. administered and %{ the boy was| Three men were arrested in con! declared- perfectly- tion with the shooting.