Evening Star Newspaper, September 12, 1921, Page 1

2 pm. today: Highest, p.m today. Full report on pags 4. WEATHER. Fair“tonight and tomorrow; cooler. Temperature for 24 hours ended at yesterday; lowest, 70, at 6 86, at Closing New York Stocks, Page 19. - No. 28,260. PRESIDENT BOARDS YACHT TONIGHT FR " SHORT SEAVOYAGE Plays Golf at Atiantic City + ' Before Starting for New York . . for Evening at Theater. PLEDGES HIS SUPPORT { TO WOUNDED SOLDIERS Given Big Ovation by Ex-Service Men and Crowds During Sun- day Stroll on Boardwalk. By the iated Press. ATLANTIC CITY, N. J.. September 12.—An early morning golf game to- day was the closing event in Presi- dent Harding's seashore vacation. After a round on the Sea View Club s, the President planned to motor to New York for an evening at a theater, and to board the presidential Yacht Mayflower for a cruise en route to_Washington. With a long automobile trip before him, the President arose early today to say good-bye to Atlantic City. Motoring to the zolf club for a foui some with Henry P. Fletcher, under- secretary of state; United States Sen- ator Frelinghi n of New Jersey and Clarence Geist, the executive was to lunch at the golf club and leave imme- diately for New York, which he did early this afternoon. Goes on Mayflower Tonight. Dinner was planned in a New York hotel, and later the President and were to attend a popular musical comedy, boarding Mayflower after the theater. The lent had not determined today tent of his yachting cruise. It believed probable that, leaving York harbor early Tuesday morn- he would proceed direct to Wash- n, but a stop on the coast was among the possibilities. 1f he should sail direct to Washington he would ar- Tive there Thursday morning. The President and Mrs. Harding to- Mrs. Hardin Broadw the day expressed their pleasure over their visit here. which, it was said, had greatly refreshed the executive. He was said t0 be pleased over the re cption_given him here since his ar- rival Saturday night, especially in his stroll Sunday afternoon on the Board- walk and the reception of several hundred former service men of the Bth Division, A. E. F. = Promises Ald to Veterans. After returning from church Sunday “morning the President, addressing the veterans, expressed the hope for their aid in peace as well as war endeavors of the nation. He also said that the United States had sustained the morale of the allies in the war, ‘but disclaimed that its forces had won the war.' The President pledged himself to aid wounded and disabled Veterans. After attending the Chelsea Baptist Church Sunday morning with Mrs. Harding and his other guests, the President found several hundred 5t! Division veterans assembled “in- fron of his beach hetel when he returmed: Standing on_a chalr, the President urged that former service men aid _ In solving the problems of peace as ’1 those of war. “There is nothing too good in America for its veteran defenders,” said the President. “All America is proud of what you and your division did at the Meuse. All America is proud of what our soldiers did in the critical days of the war.” Apparently referring to the soldiers” bonus legislation, President Harding declared that the nation would spare no efforts to care for its wounded and its disabled defenders. Mont Interested in Wounded. “The man who came back wounded &nd impaired in abiljity to earry on the ocation of his life deserves the full- est aid in our power to give, and I propose to use all influence I have to see that he gzets it,” he said. “But I am not so much concerned with those who came out of the war unimpaired. They have the compensation of su- preme service and experience. You may be disappointed with matters of Jegislation, but 1 want you to_know that we are interested in youf wel- are. 2 31§ am not unmindful of the job yoir did over there. 1 am not unmindful of the service you rendered to the country under your former command- er, and 1 ask that you will render me the same faithful service during the years I am in office. There is still greater service to be rendered in es- tablishing national lines of peace. It s up to you to help solve the problem that has beem thrust upon us by the enemy from within. “I want_ this to continue as an America of opportunity and service, @nd as an America of grateful appre- elation.” — Shakes Hands With Hundreds. The President shook hands with geveral hundred of the war veterans, who were presented, accompanied by a band and_a color standard, by Maj. Philip J. McCook, justice of the New York supreme court and president of the 5th Division orsanization. He also shook hands with hundreds of itors, who crowded about him and ost mobbed him as he passed into his hotel. Mayor Bader of Atlantic City pre- sented the President with a key to the city, and Mr. Harding told the 5th Division men he wanted them to share in the welcome. At 5 o'clock in the afternoon, de- spite a light drizzle, President Hard- ing tramped a mile on the Board walk and was given enthusiastic re- ceptions. With difficulty he waded through crowds, which pressed from il sides. He shook hands with hun- dreds, mostly children; was_bom- barded with flowers, and finally the crush became so great he was forced into a side street. Circling around through the city amid applause from crowds on cottage and hotel porches the President returned to the Board- walk and finished his stroll to hi: hotel. He was accompanied on'the walk by George Christian, his private sccretary, and Alexander P. Moore of Pittsburgh. Says Candy Makes Him Fat. One boy offered him a piece of salt water taffy g “Thank you for your thoughtful- ness, but candy makes me fat,” said the President. From the hotel balcony many per- sons .waved greetings. Several flow- ers were thrown, some of which the President picked up. During his walk he was followed by hundreds and was kept continually waving his cane and doffing his hat. He greeted the bath- ers, who ran along the beach and be- stowed his greetings on all sides. En route on the wooden walk, the president met Mrs. J. L. Livermore of New: York, who asked to accompany im on ‘the remainder of his walk. A ittlé boy gave the President a flag, whigh Mr. Harding carried for a while' they have (Continued on Page 2, Column 8.) . N Entered as second-class matter / post office Washington, D. C. I ELIMINATION OF WASTE IS URGED BY ENGLAND TO IMPROVE FINANCES BY EDWARD PRICE BELL. By Cable to The Star and Chicago Dally News. Copyright, 1921. LONDON, September 12.—Every day seems to find the British more determined to improve their finances by the avoidance of waste. ] Both public and private extrav. gance is under fire.-All purchas- ers are urged to buy discriminately and sde to it that they get the benefit _of the lowest prevailing prices. “The Geddes economy com- mittee recommends the abolition of labor exchanges, which have proved costly and cumbrous. There is to be saved £35.000,000, now spent annually in Palestins and Mesopotamia. David Brown- lie, an authority in science and a great engineer, claims to have dis- covered that the country is wast- ing £40,000,000 a year on wasteful methods of steam production. SENATORS RETAIN 3 PERCENT RATE . -5 Finance Committee Also Votes to Increase Married Men’s Exemption to $2,500. The Senate finance committee voted | today to retain the 32 per cent max- imum income surtax rates as fixed in the House bill. It has under con- sideration a proposal to change thej percentage in the different brackets S0 as to effect a reduction of about 1 per cent on incomes in each bracket. The committee also approved pro- visions in the House bill increasing from $2,000 to $2,500 the exemptions to heads of tamilics havink annual net incomes of $5,000 or less and also in- creasing the exemptions on account of dependents from $200 to $400. Minor amendments to the bill such as those affecting the transportation tax will not be taken up until after the committee has fixed the effective date for the repeal of the profits tax, as the lesser changes proposed artl i dependent upon this question. The question of the effective date of the proposed repeal of the excessive profits tax will be voted on tomorrow morning. it was announced. Sentiment in_the committee now is to accept the House provision mak- ing elimination of this tax effective as of next January 1, instead of retro- active to last January 1. as recom- mended by Secretary Mellon. Chair- man Penrose announced that the committee had decided to vote on the bill and all amendments and all ques- tions _relating to it not later than next Friday, so as to give the drafts- men and experts ample time to get the measure in_shape for a report to the Senate on Wednesday, September 21. He sald the committee would sit ch day and if necessary would hold fight sessions. EXPLOSIONS SPREAD TERROR IN HALIFAX People Fear Repetition of 1917 Disaster as Oil Tanks Blow Up. By the Associated Press. HALIFAX, N. S, September 12.— Explosion of five tanks of the Im- perial Oil Company’'s plant at Dart- mouth, on the east side of Halifax harbor, early today, with rumblings that were felt in this city, caused the evacuation of half the homes in Hali- fax. Those who had gone throush the explosion of December, 1917, when the munitions ship Mont Blanc blew up and wrecked a third of Halifax with loss of 1,200 lives, thought it was another such disaster. Indica- tions were that there had been neither loss of life nor serious injury in to- day’'s explosion. It was a little after 3 o'clock that Halifax was shaken by the first ex- plosion. A blaze in the refining stills caused the blast, which was succeeded by a second and a third explosion within a few seconds. Glass was shattered in windows here with each shock. Dartmouth, Woodside and Eastern Passage also felt them in varying degrees. Telephone service was disorganized. Aroused from sleep, people rushed to windows and saw the sky alight with the flames of burning oil, and there was a rush to the streets. The east slopes of Citadel Hill were crowded with people within a short time. ‘There were seven men on the night shift working in the vicinity of the refining stills when the fire started. They fled and all are believed to be safe. The steamer Victolite, a British tanker, was lying at the oil docks when the fire started. Blasts from her siren were sounded as an alarm before the first of the explosions. The steamer then pulled out from the docks to midstream. —_— U. S. AGENT TAKES LIFE. OGDENSBURG, N. Y., September 12. —Oliver P. Robinson, fifty years old, chief immigration inspector of this port, committed suicide yesterday by shooting himself through gthe head. The act was attributed to Worry over his duties. Mr. Robinson was born in Indiana, and was a graduate of Syra- cuse Untversity. ‘CADETS TO FORM | any tongua other. SPIRITED POLITICS 1 MARKS SELECTION OF WORLD JUDGES Assembly of League Makes Effort o Clear Decks for Voting Wednesday. COLOMBIAN DELEGATE URGES WIDER PUBLICITY —_— Leon Bourgeois Speaks of Effect of Washington Conference and American Interest. | GENEVA, September 12.—Members of the assembly of the league of na- tions gathered a half hour earlier this morning in an effort to finish debate on the report of the secretariat of the council of the league. It was hoped that the discussion might be com- pleted by tomorrow; so that the agenda might be cleared for the elec- tion on Wednesday of judges of the international court. Ten delegates were to speak today. Among them was Sefor Gimeno of Spain, who was expected to be the first merfiber of the assembly to use the Spanish language under last Y€ar's ruling of the assembly provid- ing that members were free to use than French or glish if they supplied their own interpreters. Vilna District Dixpute. The council of the league met today and heard .delegations from Poland and Lithuania argue the contentions of their respective countries regard- Ing the dispute over the Vilna district, which is claimed by both nations. The meeting of the delegates this morning took on the aspects of a na- tional ~political convention in the United States, the election of judges of the international court being a theme of universal interest. The delegates assembled in small groups, or hurried from one gathering to another to canvass the situation. These animated conferences delayed today's session fifteen minutes, de- spite President Van Karnebeek's ar- dent desire that the assembly should get to work promptly. Praives Work of Counell. ‘When the day’s proceedings opened, Delegate Urrutia of Colombia spoke in continuation of the general debate, praising highly the work of the league's’ council. He declared the league's act in instituting the inter- national court afforded striking evi- dence of the Jeague's vitality and ef- ficiency. In-the course of his remarks Senor Urrutia urged a larger degree of pub- lcity for the league’s doings. “The news of what is going on in the lelfi'ue must not continue to be, now; the property of "a few elgct Spirits,” he. said. g Leon Bourgeois of France, contin ing the debate, declared there was na reason for the league to be alarmed by the coming conference at Wash- ington. “The league respects mational sentf- ments,” he satd, “and recognizes that those who are outside as well as those who are inside the league have the right to occupy themselves with the great question of disarmament. “It was not to be expected,” added M. Bourgeois, “that a country which sent 2.000.000 men across the Atlantic to fight for liberty would afterward renounce a part in future affairs. Amerfcan Intereat. M. Bourgeols cited the presence Tn Geneva of the numerous correspond- ents of the American press as evi- dence of the interest the United States has in the league. “I am sure,” he.continued, “that the dispatches they send across the sea will convince the Americans that the good work we are doing here can only augment the efficacy of such good work as may be Hone in Washington.” Referring to the dissatisfaction of Sweden with the Aland islands award, made under the league’s jurisdictlo M. Bourgeois akreed with the senti- ment previously expressed by A. J. Balfour of Great Britain, that it was impossible to please both 'sides in such controversies. The French delegate mentioned the increasing numbers of demands for the intervention of the league in various situations as evidence that confidence in it had not been shaken by the - discontent of unsugcessful parties in the cages that had been de- ed. Predicts Open Sessions. M. Bourgeois said that “long range preparation for preservation of the peace as well as immediate action for the prevention of war when it threat- ened to break out” was one of the objects of .the league, which the pub- lic ought to-comprehend. The league council; he intimated, intends to open its sessions to the public to a greater extent, as had been demanded by the leading advocates of greater pub- licity, Lord Robert Cecil and Hjalmar Branting. “Those who pretend that the league seeks to-extend its authority over any state have not read the covenant and have not followed a single one of our deliberations,” M. Bourgeols exclaimed in conclusion, amid the applause of the entire assembly. The first speech in Spanish ta be delivered in_the assembly followed the address of M. Bourgeois, when Senor Gimeno of Spain took the platform. His remarks were applauded on sev- eral occasions by the Spanish speak- (Continued on Page 2, Column 3.) 40-PIECE BAND UNDER EXPERT ARMY MUSICIAN For the first time in its history, the Washington High School Cadet Brigade, composed of companies at Eastern, Tech, Business, Central, Western and the Columbia Junior High School, will have a band dur- ing the coming school year. Defi nite steps to create a cadet mu- sical unit were taken today by Lieut. Col. Wallace M. Craigle, U. S. A, retired, who is in charge. of the soldier-student body. ‘With the announcement of ghe in- tention to form cadet ' band, school authorities advertised for a retired Army indmaster who ‘will be charged w] its organiza- tion. _Applications for the posi- tion should be filed with Stephen E. Kramer, assistant superintend- ent of schools, at the Franklin School, 13th and K streets north- ‘west. re will be a minfmum of forty musfcians in the ' proposed | et x5 a sufficient number of cadets with musical inclinations can be found, he said the t organized and tioned at Central High School. .In proposing the organisation of - one band at Central, Lieut. Col.) Craigie said he hoped to form an entire regiment at this institution at the beginning of the new term. next Monday. He pointed out that there were nine cadet companies at Central last year and the belief that twelve companies could be recruited there this year. School military authorities have realized for some years that the cadets ne a band for the com. petitive drill, regimental reviews and other public functions. First action looki toward.the forma- tion of the nd was. taken last year when a fife and drum corps was organized under the léadership of W. A. Driggers. 3 It also was announced today zhat the War Department will detail to the cadet corps two rétired ord- nance l;rg;lnu. ‘who ‘wl‘}l h‘i;a charge of the orduance &nd equip- ment of - the high sehool lnmury, wrganization, ‘| Gen. Wood and other members of mi e N XX COMPLAINT SWORN IN ARBUCKLE CASE| Formal Charge of Murder, Made by Friend of Dead Actress. ifd l./!: f : \\{\l\i\!\“vi‘léla'ftz.kl”lg U= ATLANTIC CITY. One Killed, Nine Hurt As Pastor’s Auto Runs Down Churchgoers PETERSBURG, Va., Septem- | ber 1Z2.—One person was killed and nine injured, two seriously, when an_automobile driven by the Rev. R. L. Matthews, a min- ixter of thix ecity, ran down a party of Colonial Helghts per- sons on their way to church last ght on the Richmond-Peters- rg turnpike, about two miles eity. headlights on a car bound in the opposite direction eauxed the accident. | SAN FRANCISCO, September 12. A formal complaint charging murder was sworn to before Police Judge Daniel O'Brien today against Roscoe C. (Fatty) Arbuckle, in connection with the death of Miss Virginia Rappe, a motion picture actress. The com- plaint, was signed by Mrs. -Bambina Maude Delmont, a friend of the dead actress. Miss Rappe's death followed her at- tendance at a party given in Ar- buckle’s suite at a local hotel a week ago. She died of injuries which, Dis- trict Attorney Matthew Brady of San Francisco and other authorities allege, were inflicted by Arbuckle. Held Without Bail. Arbuckle is held without bail in the of here. ‘wag grrested night on his arrival geles, and was booked bn a charge 6f murder. He is confined in'a small cell, No. 12, on the Hall of Justice tier known as “felony row. * The Arbuckle case is scheduled to be brought: before the San Francisco couhty grand jury tonight. A coroner's inquest into Miss Rappe’s death has been called for next Thursday. Refase to Discuss Case. Arbuckle has requested that none but his attorney be allowed to see him at the Hall of Justice. He de- clined yesterday, on the advice of counsel, to make any statement. His lawyers also refused to make a state- ment or discuss the case in any way. Police yesterday were busy examin- ing witpesses, who, they say, will be presented to the grand jury tonight. These witnesses number lwenty-!wo,' and are being guarded by police de- tectives. . Prisoner Sleeps Soundly. = Arbuckle went to bed on his narrow cell couch at 9 o'clock last night and apparently slept soundly. When tlie prison watch shouted “Everybody up” at the usual rising time today he awakened, but rolled over on the bed and tried to go to sleep again. He was told he must get up, however, so he rose smilingly. ‘While he did not take advantage of the prison showers, he dressed with the greatest care. He ordered his breakfast from the outside and when the walter came, held a long, secret conference with him. The waiter brought back a carefully covered tray which Arbuckle attacked with all of the secrecy possible. He continued to decline to see vis- itors other than his attorneys. Measurements Taken. Captain of Detectives Matheson ordered that Arbuckle be placed in the regular momming line-up of pris- oners which is held for the police detectives each morning, and that he be photographed for the rogues’ gal- lery and his finger prints and Ber- tillon measurements be taken. Representatives of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, distribu- tors of the films in which Roscoe C. (Fatty) Arbuckle is featured, said to- day that there had been_some can- cellations of Arbuckle’s pictures as a result of the scandal involving.the actor. Any declaration of policy in regard to the corporation’s future at- (Continued on Page 2, Column 5.) Today’s News in Paragraphs Maj. M. C. Tyler, engineer officer in © charge of local river improvements, denounces the appearance of the river nt. Page 1 Spirited politics marks preparations for electing world judges. Page 1 First degree murder = charge today against Arbuckle expected. Page 1 President blames dishonest ship agents for alien hardships. Page 0il explosions spread terror in Hali- fax. Page 1 Testimony opens in Matewan niine trial. & Page 1 Public service men and utilities' board take up depreciation rules. Page City ‘Surveyor Hazen attacks D. C. al- leys K‘anxm‘l report. , Page Physiclan Dr. Hadley confessed he killed found in Los Angeles. Page 3 President deplores tendency of -local ‘ovarnmenuplm lean on federal govern- ment in minor matters. Page 4 Cuban leader criticises American Con- gress. = “Page 13 is- sion sall for Hongkong. Page 13 Greek offensiveiagainst Turks, declared failure. Page 13 Government demands Bergdol “pot of gold.” Page 13 Agreements between U. 8. railroads and 1 oy shippi! firms blamed ll.;r lorélgn ng Shipping m’ 'tv 1idle T - ot Attt R AR I A R e il e Page 13 c:atnll:uuwwr to tan::;;nse all (:: t;.lna ‘head, | utilities to inves r depreciation s " bearing on bl foi1money 1n the plant. i & t control of ar . 1f the street car companies are per: - £ RIGHT OF UTILITES | - BODY QUESTIONED, }w. R. & E. Disputes Fixing Rules Governing Its De- ““ preciation Fund. ISCORES CONDITION - OF RVER FRONT Maj. M. C. Tyler in Annual Report Declares Appearance of Wharves Is Unsightly. Terminal and transfer facilities at ‘Washington are considered inade- quate and “present a most dilapidated and unsightly appearance,” accord- ing to the annual report of Maj. M. C. Tyler, engineer officer in charge of local river improvements, which has Just been submitted to the chief of engineers. “As a rule” the report says, “the wharves are in very poor condition, oxcept those operated by the munici- pal or federal government.” The re- jport further declares that “the irrele- vant use of the water front for stor- age yards and junk heaps should be discontinued and the water front cleaned up, ding that suitable be -pro- vi Investigations of Virginia and Washington channels June 30 last, The Washington Railway and Elec- | Maj. Tyler said, showed 2 controlling tric Company today filed with the Public Utilities Commission a petition in which the company denied the right of the commission to fix rules to gov- ern the handling of its depreciation fund. The petition asks that the Washington Railway and Electric Company be dropped from considera- tion under the new rules for depre- ciation now being prepared by the commission. S. R. Bowen of counsel for the com- pany took the commission by sur- prise when he presented the petition at a hearing held at the District build- ing today for the purpoge of consider- ing the tentative rules of depreciation n'h!:ch the commission plans to estab- ish. L C. C. Jurisdiction. The petition states: “That the In- terstate Commerce Commission has sole and exclusive jurlsdiction over the matter of adoption of rates of de- preciation of the several classes of property of the Washington Railway and Electric and its affiliated rail- ways and rules, regulations and methods of accounting therefor and involved in this proceeding, and the company respectfully deny the juris- diction ‘of this honorable commission upon that ground, and respectfully move that the preceeding herein be dismissed as to the Washington Rail- way and Electric and affiliated com- panies. Mr. Bowen explained after the hear- ing that the Washington Rallway and Electric Company, being an inter- state carrier, is now required to fol- low the rules of accounting laid down by the Interstate Commerce Commis- sion. He said the proposed rules of the local commission are in conflict with those of the Interstate Com- merce Commission. Action Later. The commission adjourned for lunch and will act later on Mr. Bowen’s motion. The same contentton was raised at a previous hearing by the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company and the commision has for the present omitted the telephone company from consideration under the proposed rule. Representatives of the various pub- lic service corporations of the city met with the Public Utilities Com- mission at the District building to- day to discuss the tentative rules drawn up by the commission to gov- ern the handling of depreciation fipds of the companies. Col. Charles: W. Kutz, chalrman of the commission, announced that the ‘meeting was called to enablé the com- panies to suggest changes which they believe should be made in the tenta- tive ‘rules before they ‘are finally adopted. The Capital Traction Company was invited to take the stand first, with John H. Hanna, vice president, as spokesman. Suggests Conference. Mr. Hanna said there were a num- r of details not clear from a street flway standpoint. e suggested that a conference between the com- | mission and representatives of the two street car companies be held. He voiced the belief that at such a con- ference the differences of opinion as to the meaning of certain rules could be ironed out. Chairman Kutz seemed to favor the suggéstion, but asked Mr. Hanna to explain at today’s hearing his vln'q on the broad phakes of the new rules. Mr. Hanna then stated that one rule to which he takes exception is that which provides !h%‘lh‘ depreciation reserve shall be kept on a 4 per cent sinking fund basis. He sald he re- gards that rate as too high. q Kuts Explains Plan, . Chairman Kuts explained that the commission’s idea in fixing a 4 per idepth ‘of “twenty’ feet. extreme high tide of the year—plus 58 feet, occurred May 1§ last_and was at- tributed to a freshet. The-commerce for “the calendar year 1920 was re- ported as 993.264 tons, valued at $16,- 197,054, a slight decrease compared with the preceding year. The princi- pal articles of commerce were sand and gravel, coal, petroleum products, brick, oyster shells. forest products and general merchandise. In addition the commerce of the Anacostia river was 156,333 tons, valued at $4,942424. Arriving and departing passengers dur- ing the year numbered 557.741. The fine arts commission and Col. iC. O. Sherrill, the engineer officer in charge of the public buildings and grounds, favor the general improve- iment of the water front by the re- moval of all dilapidated and unsightly buildings and the eventual construc- tion of a boulevard along the line of Water street connecting Potomac Fark with the projected Anacostia Park. The wharf area under federal jyrisdiction, _extending from the ounds of Washington barracks to 2 point near N street, already has been improved. Buildings have been repaired and painted, the wharves themselves put in good condition and all decayed piles and the rubbish ac- cumulation of years have been re- moved. Most of the remaining area extending to 14th street is controlled by the District Commissioners and future improvements there are sub- ject to the ‘decision of tha body.- The project of the fine arts commission involves the removal of many of the existing wharf structures, and is based on the McMillan plan of 1901. Its execution is subject to the ap- proval of Congress, and it is sald that an effort will be made to have the District authorities join the fine arts commission-in seeking the necessary legislation. RATLWAY VETERAN DEAD. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., September 12.—George A. Barnes, eighty. form- erly local agent of the Southern railway and dean of the Southern Freight Agents' Association, died here . this morning. He was agent of the Southern thirty-four years and was one of the best known rail- road men in the south. By the Associated Press. PEKING, September 12.—China will refuse tp entertain Japan's proposals relative to' settlement of the Shan- tung, controversy, it is declared by a person in the confidence of the ad- ministration. She will base her ac- - tion on the ground that the award of Shantung to Japan by the treaty of ‘Versailles was illegal, and that Japan has no-right to the privileges in Shantung which were conferred by concession upon - Germany, which were turned over to Japan at thé peace ‘conference. 1t is pointed out that the Japanese proposals make no mention of the rights reserved to China under the German agreement relative to the re- demption of the railways in Shan- tung. The Chino-German agreement pro- ‘ vided Germany could not transfer ts ceded to her. to any other na- and tion of lines X as a re- has decided to resign because of " of the new and the the muddled financial and political restitution to China of the port of | state of. the country. Tsing-Tao and . Dr. John Ferguson, who has; By the Assocls been acting as_councilor for “the PEKING, September 12.—There is, hf"".{;. lgd 9? be an: ambiguous clause- e Japanese ‘proposals Fegarding upkéep -of oo e it o it e Saturday’s Sunday’s Gen. Gibson, 100 Yeau‘l Old, This Week Gets Message of President HUNTINGTON W. Va., Sep- tember 12~John T. Gibson, re- tired from the Army, who wi celebrate mext Saturday the 100th anmiversary of hix birtl day, yesterday received a col gratnlatory message from Presi dent Harding. It follows: do remember very well the old gentleman who sat next to me at the Huntington meeting tighted congr: lved eventful and important, spre, in the world’s histor: I'hope you will huve many more years vouchnafed to you in what 1. believe will be a yet more im- portant and fruitful time.” The centenarinn alne hns Tre- ceived mewsages from Ad W. §. Sims and Gov. Henry = LAYSD. . ALEYS ASHEALTH NENAE AND CRIVE SOTS City Surveyor Hazen Urges Changes in Law to Allow 30-Foot Minor Streets. The inhabited alleys of the District were characterized as a menace to health and breeding places for crime by Melvin C. Hazen, surveyor, in his annual report submitted today to En- gineer Commissioner Kutz. The survevor called the attention {of the Comm the law closing alley dwellings will become effective one year after the peace treaty with Germany is pro- claimed by the President. The law provides that alleys may be converted into minor streets if they can be given a width of forty feet. Mr. Hazen in the past has pro- posed certain amendments to the law, one of which is that the city be per- mitted to create 30-foot minor streets where alleys now exist. Summing up the alley situation, the surveyor said: Urges Commissioners to Act. “The law which provides for the elimination of aliey dwellings was suspended for one year after the signing of the peace_treaty. Since the close of the fiscal year it has be- come general knowledge that the peace treaty has been signed and, therefore, the alley law will soon be- come effective. This office has already made recommendations for certain changes which are believed to be Ce- sirable. It would seem to be highly important that the Commissioners take some action in regard to this law. “Now that things are returning to normal, this alley problem as to ailey dwelliggs should be prosecuted vig- of these ailevs- insanitary and a ¥ o a full century, the most 1 densely crowded, rhenace to the health and welfare of the community. They are breeding places for crime where policemen dare not venture without endanger- ing their lives. They harbor “boo leggers” and criminals of all class: and, on account of their inaccessibil- ity, form splendid hiding places for all' who are engaged in the violation of the law. Makes Plea for More Parks. The surveyor again directs atten- tion to the necessity for asking Con- gress immediately to purchase addi- tional parks before the available sites are used for home-building. On the park situation the surveyor re- ported as follows: ““The original federal city is fa- mous for its street plan and for its beautiful parks. Outside of the orig- imal city we have a highway plan for the entire District of Columbia, and all property which is subdivided must_conform to this plan. The en- tire District of Columbia is, there- fore, being developed in accordance with a comprehensive and orderly street plan, but there is no provi- sion for parks outside of the federal city, except such as are acquired from time to time by special acts of Con- gress. This is usually not done, how- ever, in accordance with any plan that has been adopted. “It is true that the McMillan park plan was submitted tq Congress in 1902, which provides fo* a park plan’ outside of the cities of Washing- ton and Georgetown. but there is no provision for executing it, and land is being subdivided and improved with no consideration for this or any other plan. If this condition is permitted to continue over the entire District, many of the beauty spots of the Dis- trict will be destroyed. and the Dis- trict will be developed without any provision for parks. Much of this Tand is sparsely settled, and is com- paratively cheap. These should be preserved so that the citizens can walk and ride through them and the children play in the open and breathe the fresh air, to promote the health and happiness of our people. Beauty Spots Destroyed. “Many magnificent trees and beauty spots are being destroved by subdi- visions and improvements, thus cre- ating the newer Washington swithout the liberality of the park spaces as provided in the older city. It is a re- flection to say that the original ge- (Continued pn Page 2, Column 2.) CHINA TO REFUSE JAPAN'S TERMS FOR SETTLING SHANTUNG DISPUTE buildings at Tsingho. It is learned in ‘other sources that additional objection to opening negotiations has been found in the fact that conversations thus begun would continue beyond the date of the conference on limitation of arma- ments and far eastern questions to be held in Washington, and that the fact that such parleys were in_progress would effectual- ly bar China from bringing them up at’ the Washington meeting, Furthermore, if eventually induced to ept the proffered terms China prefers the adjustment to be made at the conference table in such a mananer that the participat- ing powers which are jointly in- . terested would become responsible - for fulfillment of the agreement by Japan. ‘There is some question®regard- ing the attendance of Dr. . W. Yen, minister of foreign affairs, at the Washington conference. ‘Whether he will go to the United States is said to depend upon the permanency of the present China cabinet, relative to which there is a growing doubt. Newspapers here are indulging freely in ru- mors_that Premier Chin Yunpeng ministry communications here, will leave soon for Washington, _ where he will adviser to the ioners to ihe fact that | Net Circulation, 78541 Net Circulation, 86,910 TWO CENTS. TWO NATIONS BACK PLAN TO ASK DUTCH AND BELGIANS HERE Acquiesce in Suggestion They Be Invited to Armament Conference. {HOLLAND WELL INFORMED ~ ON FAR EAST PROBLEMS French Delegation to Stay at New Willard—Citizens to Con- sider Pageant. Two of the nations participating in the coming conference on far east- ern questions and limitation of arma- mente, in addition to the United States, have acquiesced in the sug- gestion of this government that Hol- land and Belgium be invited to at- tend the sessions of the conference at which far eastern problems are considered. Which of the nations have replied favorably to the suggestion was not revealed by the State Department to- day. It was said, however, that it is expected all nations will agree to the plan. As soon as the replies from all the nations are in, formal invitations will be extended to the Belgian and | Dutch governments. whose participa- i tion is desired because of their inter- csts in the far cast. Great Power in Eant. For upward of 200 years Holland has been a great power in the far east. Her colonies there have an area about three and a half times the area of France and more than sever times the area of Holland itself. The native | population of “these possessions is | @bout 46.000.000 souls. Included among these possessions, generally known the Dutch East Indies, are Ja Sumatra, Borneo, ete. The Dutch are particularly well in- formed regarding far eastern prob- lems. It is said that they have main- tained @n excellent colonial system in the east. Japan has recognized The Hague as one of the principal diplomatic posts and has sent there some of her foremost statesmen. - Considered Very Important. The governor general of the Dutch | East Indies, Count Van Linburg Stirum. last week passed through this country on his way to Holland, having relinquished his post. He is well posted upon the questions that will be discussed at the coming con- ference, and it may be that he will be named as one of Holland's representa- tives to the conference here. Belgium, while not having large | holdings in the far east such as Hol- {1and has, nevertheless has large eco- nomic interests there, including rail- road interests in China. idered highly important, in 9r0blis of the far east, to have these two fiations represented about the conference board. FRENCH TO STAY AT HOTEL. Japanese and British Also Expected to Take Similar Quarters. French delegates to the conference on limitation of armaments will be quartered as a group at the New ‘Willard Hotel, it was learned toda: It is understood that the British and Japanese delegations also will be housed in local hoteis. Because of the lack of definite in- formation as to the number of per- sons composing the French party the management of the Willard has set aside no specific number of rooms for the foreign guests, it was stated. It is understood, however. that the hotel has made special arrangements to take care of any reasonable num- ber of persons. $ A representative of the French em- bassy has gone to France to obtain data as to the personnel of the French group of conferees, and as soon as word is received from him at the local embassy, it is expected that an announcement of the acquisi- tion of rooms in the Willard will be forthcoming. Japanese May Also Plck Hotel. Officials of the Japanese embassy are known to have been discussing the housing of their envoys with the managers of several large hotels here. There is a well defined rumor_th these delegates will be assigned two floors of living quarters in the Wash- ington Hotel, and credence is given this story by the fact that the man- agement of this hotel in the past has had experience in caring for groups of Japanese diplomatis and official rep- Tesentatives on the occasion of for- mer visits in Washington. The Japa- nese delegation is likely to number about 200 persons, according to pres- indication. el;: is algo believed by those in touch with the situation-that the British embassy has decided to take ad- vantage of an offer of the Shoreham Hotel to accommodate the envo: from Great Britain. At the Britis embassy it was stated today that no definite arrangements in this connec- tion have been made. The hotel proprietors of Washing- ton, in response to a request of Under- gecretary Fletcher of the States De- partment, have readily agreed to as- sist in caring for the nation’s’ guests during the conference and the nego- tiations between the various em- bassies and the local hotel men have progressed rapidly. The embas officials realize the advantage of hou: ing the delegations in a group, in- stead of scattering the members of the parties in different locations. ‘Will Consider Pageant. staging of a peace pageant in w:ryfmg:fl during the conference on the limitation of armaments probably Will be considered by the citizens® Committee which is to be organized in the office of Commissioner Rudolph tomorrow affernoon to provide for the comfort and entertainment of the it diplomats. ":A d’:gplay of fireworks dn the Mon- ument grounds also has been sug- gested to the temporary committee as another method of enlivening the visit of the foreign statesmen. The temporary committee, of which Commissioner Rudolph is chairman, has not considered the question of what form the entertainment for the egates should take, however. All of these details will be left to the permanent committee, which will grow out of the meeting in the Com- missioner’s office at 3 o'clock tomor- row afternoon. All of the suggestions that haw been made will be discussed by thi temporary committee when it col venes tomorrow. < CHESTER MORRILL NAMED. Chester Morrill of t‘h:e Department 2 g