Evening Star Newspaper, November 15, 1921, Page 1

l Full report on Page 22. - ] Closing New York Stocks, Page 25. No. 28,324. Entered as second-class matter post office Washington, D. C. WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION g WASHINGTON, D. C, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, i921—FIFTY PAGES. APAN PLEDGES SWEEPING CUTS IN' FLEET AS BALFOUR DECLARES FOR U. S. PLAN WITH SLIGHT CHANGE Approval Given by Italy and France Also. BRITAIN POINTS OUT HER PERILS SubmarineQuestion | Arises as Issue to Alter Plan. Lloyd George Cables His Indorsement of American Utterances By the-Associated Press. Premier Lloyd George today cabled the following message to Mr. Balfour, head of the British delegation at the arms conference: “Government roceed have followed ay ident Secretary of State statesmanlike pregnant with in- Nothing wtterances, finite ponsibilities. could augur better for ultimate success of conference. Please convey to both our most sincere eongratulations.” BY N. 0. MESSENGER. ‘With impressive expression of ap- preeifation of the American suggestion for limitation of naval armament, Great Britain and Japan today declared their acceptance of it in principle and in spirit, leaving to technical working out in committee by experts of desired modifications to be set forth hereafter. France and Italy voiced concurrence also, Premier Briand sald that at a later date, in open session of the conference, he would address it upon the subject of land armaments. Secretary Hughes said that he would be given this oppor- tunity. @i Committee Meets Today. Secretary Hughes anmnounced that the committee on naval limitations would meet this afternoon to take up the suggested modifications. The committee on far eastern questions will meet tomorrow. These announcements were made at today’'s session of the conference on limitatioh of armament. Great Brit- ain’s ‘position was stated by the head of the British delegation, Mr. Balfour, and Japan's by Baron Kato, minister of marine. Japan went further than the ac- ceptance of the principle of limita- tion, and declared that Japan never will contemplate a fleet to equal either that of the United States or of Great Britain, and that her navy never will be intended for aggressive action, but for the defense of na- tional safety. Balfour Pays Tribute. Mr. Balfour, in his polished and fin- ished style of>oratory, paid a tribute to the American project and charac- terized the opening day of thisscon- ference as “a landmark in human civi- flzation.” He said it added another anniversary, a date marking the be- ginning of reconstruction from the ef- fects' of war and the taking up of plans which may lessen wars ; America, said Mr. Balfour, “has made idealism a practicality” in this mqye- ment for the limitation of armament. long contemplated by reformers. Lidyd George, prime minister of Great Britain, sent a congratulatory message. which was read by Mr. Bal- four, pralsing the spirit and boldness of the American suggestion. Dicuity Marks Sesslon. Today's session of the conference was marked by greater simplicity, but with more dignity than even the first day's meeting. The audience, which was composed almost entirely of the official set, received the expressions of the dis- tinguished fcreign statesmen who address at today's session of the ar- mament conference follows: TODAY’S ARMS CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS SUMMARIZED. By tae Associated Press. In unison the spokesmen for Great Britain, France, Italy and Japan today accepted the American proposals for limita- tion of naval armament in “spirit and principle,” making only reservations for suggesting modifications of detail. In order, Arthur J. Balfour, speaking for Great Britain; /| Baron Admiral Kato, for Japan; Senator Schanzer, for Italy, and M. Briand, for France, rose in their places, and, praising in highest terms the plan and program suggested by the American government, gave the adherenge of their govern- ments to the general terms.of the proposals. _ Secretary Hughes asked that the committee on arma- ment meet this afternoon, after he could consult with the delegation heads. : Mr. Hughes also proposed that the first meeting of the committee on Pacific and far eastern questions be held to- morrow morning or afternoon. The conference assented to Chairman Hughes’ sugges- tion,and adjourned at 12:44 p.m. to méet again at his call. Official Texts of Balfour and Kato Speeches at Arms Parley By the Assoclated Press.’ By the Associated Press. Following Is the text of Admiral Kato's address as delivered by his interpreter: “Japan deeply appreciates the sincerity of purpose evident in the plan of the American government for the limitation of armament. She is satisfled that the proposed plan will materially relieve the na- tions of wasteful expenditures and cannot fail to make for the peace of the world. “She cannot remain unmoved by the high aims which have actuated the American project.. Gladly ac- cepting, therefore, the proposal in prjnciple, Japan is ready to pro- ceed with determination to a sweeping reduction in her naval armament. Must Keep Secure. “If will be universally admitted that a nation must be provided with such armament as are essen- tial to its security. This require- ment must be fully weighed in the examination of the plan. With this requirement in view. certain modifications will be proposed. “With regard to the tonnage basis for replacement of the various classes of vessels, this -subject should be referred to special con- sideration by naval experts, When such modifications are proj , X know that the American and other delegations will consider them with the same desire to meet our ideas as we have to meet theirs. “Japan has never claimed, nor has intention of claiming. to have s general establishment equal to strength to that of either the TUnited_States or the British em. pire. Her existing plan will show conclusively that she had never in view preparations for offensive ‘war.” The official text of Arthur Balfour's “Mr. Chairman: You have invited those who desired to continue the discussion which began on Satur- day last. 1 think it would be very unfortunate if we were to allow the events of Saturday to pass without some further observation on the part of those to whom you, Mr. chairman, addressed your speech and, it for any reason, which 1 shall venture to explain in & mo- ment, I am the first to take up the challenge, it is because, of all the powers here assembled, the coun- try which I represent is, as every- body knows, the most intimately interested in all naval questions. “Statesmen of all countries are beginning to discover that the la- bors and difficulties of peace are almost as arduous and require al- most reat qualities as those which are demanded for the con- duct of a successful war. “This struggle to restore the world to the condition of equilib- rium, so violently interfered . with by five years of war, .is ope. that taxes and must tax the . efforts of everybody. And I congratulats ydu, if I may, Mr. Chairman, on the fact that you have added the new anniversary which will hence- forth .be celebrated in connection - —— Too Drastic Cut in Submarines Opposed. - U. S. WILL INSIST ON 90,000 TONS n Desire to Discus_g Subsea Craft Is Not Surprise. By the Associated Press. British desire to discuss the figures in the American naval replacement program as to submarines does not surprise American naval officials. It is fully expected that the Japanese also will have something to say on this point. At the same time it may be sald quite definitely that the United States is not prepared to reduce below 90,- 000 tons the proportion of submarines |she would be allowed to maintain In Ithe proposed restriction of fleets. Submarines enter vitally into Ameri- | i@an schemes of naval defense of her wn great coast line. Would Welcome Projibition. As insular powers, both Great | Britain and Japan are exposed to submarine operations to a degree not itrue of the United States, officers say. There is little doubt among naval folk here that Great Britain in particular would welcome absolute prohibition of submarine warfare, or, .taillng that, sharp limitation on the use to be made of underwater craft. That phase of the question, the writ- ing of rules to govern employment of submarines in war, will come before the conference later, at it has a def- inite place on the agenda with other new agencies such as aircraft, air- bombing, raids and gas. As to the proposition of submarines to the capital ship strength of limited proposed by the United States, it be sald that the existing flotilla of submarines in the American Navy is almost wholly composed of purely coast defense types. They would not be available for “operation-with jbut would be invaluable, officers say, in keeping enemy craft at a distance from important points on the coast in the event of war. And they further offer the readiest means of keeping an enemy from setting up a floating fleet base in nearby sheltered waters. Extent of Use Doubtful. | To what extent existing American { submarines could be used overseas as an offensive weapon is doubtful.. New craft of about 2,000 tons and classed as fleet submarines are under construction. Some projected vessels With this movement toward recon- struction in the same - $pirit in which we welcomed the anniver- celebrated only a few hours aFo on the day on whick hostili- ties came to an end. If the 1ith of November, in the minds of the allied and associated powers—in the minds, perhaps, not less of all the neutrals—if that is a date imprint- ed on grateful hearts, I think November 12 will also prove to be an anniversary welcomed and thought of in a grateful spirit by those who, in the future, shall look upon the arduous struggle now be- ing made by the civilized nations of the world, not merely to restore pre-war réonditions, but to see that war conditions shall never again exist. 4 celved precisely what the situa- tion of the British empire is in this connection? 5y Immune From Some Perils. “Most of my audience are citi- zens of the United States. The United States stands solid, im- pregnable, self sufficient, all its lines qf communication protected, doubly Yrotected, completely pro- teCted from any conceivable hos- tile-act. It is not merely that you are 110,000,000 of population; it is not that you are the wealthiest country in the wotld; it is that the whole configuration of your coun- try, the geographical position of your country, is*such that you are Wholly immune from the particular perils to which, from the nature of the case, the British empire is subject. Cites Comparison With U. S. “Supposing, for example, that your western states, for whose safety you are responsible, were suddenly removed 10,000 miles across the sea. Supposing that you found that the very heart of your em- pire. the very heart of this great state, was 2 small, a crowded isl- and depending for oversea trade not merely, not chiefly, for its lux- uries, but depending upon overseas communication for the raw mate- rial of those manufacturés by which_its superabundant popula- tion lives; depending upon the Segret Admirably Kept. Saturday. They were memorable, indeed. The secret was admirably kept. I hope that all the secrets, so long as they ought to be se- crets of our discussions, will be as well kept. In my less sanguine mood I might have doubts. But, however that may be, the secret in this case was most admirably kept, and 1 listened to a speech which I thought eloquent, appro- riate in every way, a fitting pré- Yude to the work of the conference which was about to open or which, indeed, had been opened by the President,” without supposing that anything ve: be ry dramatic lay . be- hind. And suddenly I became spoke with appropriate applause and at the conclusion of especially signifi- cant- declarations arose and stood while applauding. Secretary -Hughes, made reference to the desire for sim- plicity- of procedure, to be marked by absence of formality. hat he - contributed t. atmosphere which he wished to sur- round the meeting by not putting to a vote the adoption of the pro- gram submitted by the committee. Accepts Nods as Approval. “May I ask” recommendations meet with the as- sent of the conference? lnoked about him. Mr. Balfour. sqat- who presided, ob= the It wi he said. “if these ned. i ite ily ope! “Mr. mirable speech, historical event. to with such of profound the :ou of emotions we have when some wholly new event. suddenly springs into view, and we felt that a new chapter in.the history of orld construction had been wan- surprise; aware that they were assisting, not merely at an eloquent and ad- but at a eat It was led u 4 tutal that when the seemed 30 natural that when the blow fell, when the speaker ut- tered the memorable words which have now gone around apd found an echo in every quarter of the civilized world, it came as a shock it excited Britain Profoundly Comcerned. Chairman, the - absolute same oversea communication for the food upon which they subsist, Supposing - it was a familiar thought in your minds that there never were at any moment of the year within the limits of your state ‘more than seven weeks’' food for the population, and that that food had to be replenished by oversea communication. Then, if you will draw that picture, and if you will see all that it implies and all that it carries with it, you will under- atand why it is that every citizen of the British empire, whether he comes from the far dominions of the Pacific or whether he lives in the small island in the North seas, never can forget that it is by sea communication that he lives, and t without sea communications ed on his left, nodded, and Secre- tary Hughes, after a glance around the room, encountering other ap- proving faces, accepted them as equivalent to a vote. Mr. ‘Balfour spoke at some length in English, which was later inter- preted in the French language. on Kato readin Japanese from a com- parativety brief statement,swhich was rendered into English by his interp preter. Urges Ban on Submarines. The only suggestion of ‘modification made: by Mr. Balfour related to sub- marines. He said he thought the Ambrican plan provided too great submarine tonnage. He hoped to se it reduced and suggested that 't might be possible to prohibit the building of large submarines designed for long cruising and agressive war- fare. Other modifications would nrop&led by the naval experts, he udded Baron Kato intimated that modifi- cations might be asked in the Ameri- can plan, for replacement, and _of ~(Continued on Fourth Page) _ - for any reasons of ambition, not for any reason drgwn from his- tory or tradition, hard, brutal necessities of’ clsims and obvious facts. history of the world a great em- empire is. It is a fact, no doubt, tamiliar to everybody whem I am ment, but , everybady whom T T bidreing tmssinately he and the empire to which he be- longs would perish. “Now, Jadies and gentlemen, do simplicity of the procedure, the easy transition and the great dramatic climax, were the perfec- tion of art, which shows that the highest art and the most per- fect simplicity are very often, indeed very commonly, combined 1 N lioned, why S vedture. to was allowed, W rise first today to deal with the subject which is in all our hearts. “As I have hinted, it is because the British empire and Great Brit- ain, these two together, are more profoundly concerned with' all that touches matters naval than it is possible for any other nation to be, and this not, believe me, (Continued on Page 2, Column By the Assoclated Press. Japan would face a rather ex- tensive naval building program even during the ten-year naval holiday period proposed by Secre- tary Hughes, should the American plan_be accepted. She has not but from the Veasels she would be allowed to maintain under the replacement provisions of the plan, it is said. Permission to continue building up to'those' schedules is included in “There never has been' in the pire constituted as the British the proposal. addressing. n:r,: is practically no class ot t the present mo- “I count myselt among the for- tunate of the earth in that I was present and to that extent had a share in the proceedings of last I “con- not suppose that'l am uttering la- .[APAN WOULD BUILD MANY SHIPS DURING PERIOD OF NAVAL HOLIDAY bullt as yet crulsers and”similar - PN g oon irvling caiviar, 1 of this class, however, have not been 1aid down and would be abandoned un- der the proposal. plans for new submarines could not be| executed. There have been indica- ! tions that the Navy Department was preparing for a long step forward in these new plans, but details have never been disclosed. In any case, the Navy list shows some ninety-four first-line submarines built, building or on order; forty-six second-line craft and twelve fleet sub- marines. Acceptance of the American proposal for reductfons would not af- fect more than twenty or so of the new ships, and for-ten years the Amer- ican navy yards would have a heavy preponderence _in under-water crafi, even if Great Britain immediately took advantage of her full 90,000 allowance {and bullt up to that figure. 7 Japan would be allowed to build even during the ten-year holiday up°* to 54,000 tons total. This would repre- sent a eonsiderable new tonnage for her, it is said. —_— FIRE IN SOLON’S HOME. Senator Pittman Extinguishes Blaze—Is Slightly Burned.* Senator Key Pittman of Nevada ex- tinguished a fire on the third floor of his home, at 3145 16th street, early tb- day, sustaining burns and blisters about his feet in fighting the blaze. The senator was dressing when he noticed smoke. A fire had cropped up between the flooring and a heating pipe. He threw rugs on the flames and had the fire extingulshed before arrival of fire apparatus, Firemen tore up a section of the flooring to extinguish smoldering sparks. Dam- age did not exceed $100. EXCHANGE OF COURTESIES Secretary Hughes and Premier Briand Call on Netherlands Leader. Secretary of State Hughes and the French prime minister, M, Briand, paid formal calls yesterday upon Jonkheer van Karnebeek, head of the Netherlands délegation to the con- ference on limitation of armament and far eastérn questions. Both calls were in acknowledge- ment of visits paid formerly by the Netherlands representative. which the United States is not now fully provided and more on the basis of the proposed schedules. It may be said that if the plan is adopted, prompt steps tp supply any deficiency in airplane carriers LEGSLATORS HONT MLK PROFTEERS Promise Support to Force Lower Price in District. Lawyer Rebuked. Promise of support to force the price of milk in Washington down and to squeeze out exorbitant profit taken by distributors was made by several mem- bers of the subcommittee of the House District committee at the hearing on the District milk supply today. “Representative Kunz of Illinois said, “Somebody is profiteering In the Dis- trict. We want to see who it is. We feel that there ought to be a cut.” Representatives Milspough™- ot Mise sourl, Hammer af North Carolina. and o wilitestey and. o statements ot their own, ‘declared r belie? that there Is too wide a spread between the § cents a quart paid to the producer and the 15 cents a quart or more pald by the consumer, The hearing today was enlivened by a lecture to M. E. O'Brien, an at- | torney claiming to represent distrib- utors of 65 per cent of the milk con-| sumed in the District. Representative Hammer of North Carolina took ex- ception to remarks made by Attorney O'Brien, and ‘Chalrman pert of the subcommittee vigorously told Mr. O'Brien that he was out of order: For ten years also| that he was not going to be allowed | to interrupt the hearing with a and that he would speak only when the chairman gave permission. ‘Wants Right by Law. Mr. Carlin said that the ice cream men in the District are anxious for laws and regulations which will guar- antee a pure supply. He asked Dr. Fowler what the matter was with the that there was no law granting the authority to the health office, ‘but a regulation promulgated under the au- thority of the law itself, and that he would like to see such authority spe- cifically written into the law. @ important point was brought out in Yhe examination of Dr. Fowler which Representative Millspaugh thought was an_essential feature of the hearing. This is that the Di trict health office now has no author- resentative Millspaugh is emphatic in stating that he proposes to have this supervision specifically written into the law. DISMISS STOKES CASE. Action in Kansas City Follows In- structions ¥rom Washington. KANSAS CITY, November 15.—The government's case against Mrs: Rose Pastor Stokes, New York socialist, was dismissed here today by W. H. Hallett, assistant United States dis- trict attorney for western Missouri. Mr. Hallett's action was pursuant to instruction from the Attorney Gen- eral's office in Washington. — MILK STRIKE IS BROKEN. NEWARK, N. J., November 16.—The first break in the ranks of striking milk hendlers in the New York met- ropolitan _area came today when it was announced that Local No.. 619 of the Milk Wagon Drivers’ Union votelc‘!_ overwhelmingly to return ‘worl Today’s News In Brief Citizens plead for District representa- tion before Senate committee. Page 2 Problems confronting the arms con- ference will first be discussed in committee, thus indicating_closed doors, Page 3 Secretary and Mrs.' Hughes' reception to arms dele"l.el is brilliant suc- cess. e, Page 4 Takoma Park Citizens’ Association elects officers. - Page 1 Scientlst " discovers stars of magnitude than- the largest hereto- fore reported. Page 13 Piney .Branch Citizens’ Association ater will be taken. No aircraft carriers of the first line are now projected. The_Langley, a converted - colller, of 19,000 tons, will beé commis- sioned next month, but is rated as a second-line ship. Probably ; something could be worked out in salvaging of other types of new craft, if the rican proposal is agreed to, to fu in afr- n:lh the ldlflltlol;ml hmch s fn plane carriers.to w] would be entitled. 5 erics 2 elects officers. and declares opposi- tion to Tuberoular School site. ¢ ‘. Page 16 Fifty-two railroads call wage confer- . ence to conpider readjustments. . 3 .. -Pagel? Proclamation issued: on peace bes " tween U, 8..and Germany. - - PAge 17 John Joy Edson, Jr., dies ‘after opera. tion at Pittsburgh. Page 21 i Soviet leader siggests U.-5. m u“u'm. B DHERS present law, and Dr. Fowler replied; ity to supervise pasteurization. Rep- ! $75,000 FOR ST. ALBAN’S. Sum Provided in Will of Late Lucian Jones. St. Alban's Cathedral is to have $75,- 000 from the estate of Lucian Jones, who died November 5. The fund may be used for construction or decora- tion and is to be a memorial to his { brother, the late Rev. William Marvin i Jones. Mrs. Georgia C. Lea is to have $40.- 000; Mrs. George W. Pierson, $15.000; the Episcopal Home for Children, $5.000; Phoebe Sutliff and _Lydia Brainard, $2,000 each; Mamie Fisher, $2.000. The income from a fund of $20,000 | 18 to be paid to Mrs. Maria S. Dono- van. The remaining estate is to be executors, Mrs. Georgia C. Lea and Attorney Henry P. Blair. I BRIAND IS SEEKING SOVIETRECOGNITION !Reported to Be Eager to En- ter Into Ag_reement With United States. BY HIRAM K. MODERWELL. Special Cable to The Star aud the Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 1921. PARIS, France, November 15— an informal agreement with the United States government regarding the resumption of relations with so- cherin’s recent offer to recognize the czarist debts has not been rejected by France. The tenor of the govern- {ment's informal reply to Russia and jof tbe inspired newspapers is “What guarantees will Russia give?’ mean- ing by that, economic privileges. jLarge interests here hope to obtain important concessions on the best possible terms and to secure an al- liance with American capital. Negotiations Already Made. Though the matter is surrounded by mystery and complicated by cross purposes it seems certain that France used for charitable purposes by the | Premier Briand will attempt to reach; viet Russia, according to trustworthy | | speech whenever he felt so disposed, | information here. Commissar Tchit- 2:-5« of the Associated Press oo WEATHER. . Associated Press is exclusively entitied to » Fair tonight and probably tomor- : the use for republication of all news dispatches e a e AR eits-four houis ; credited to it or not otherwise credited in this O EoL W OnLy o and also the local news published hereis. énded at p.m. today: Highest, -~ e 49, at noon today; lowest, 39, at 4 : Al rights of publication of special ‘ am. today. . dispatches hereln are also reserved. “WHEN THE DEVIL WAS SICK—” STOP 13 MINUTES, SPEEDERS' PENALTY Traffic Engineer Also Would Lock Automobiles Violating Parking Regulations. A novel method of penalizing motor- jists who violate the speed law was recommended to the Commissloners today by Capt. R. Klotz, traffic engl- neer of the Public Utilities Commis- sion, in a report prepared for the guidance of the traffic committee, re- cently appointed by the city heads. Capt. Klotz's plan Is to give the police authority to require speed vio- lators te draw up to the eurb when i i fifteen minutes. says: Theory Explained. “The fifteen minutes’ delay- will not only make ‘up for any time he might have gained by his excess speed, but | will make him arrive at his destina- tion late enough to think serlously over the possibility of allowing and taking plenty of time in future. “A few such delays'and discomfit- ures would be no less effective be- cause they were carried out under the public eye and might make the of- fender the butt of ridicule from his friends and acquaintances who might be passing; would enable the officers | to accomplish much with a very small comparative expenditure of time, and would do more than anything else to increase respect for the law and for its representatives, the last a very much needed conditio; Lock Violator's Mackine. Capt. Klotz tells the Commissioners the most effective means to enforce the parking regulations Is to have the police place a secure lock upon all machines that are parked improperly or overstay the time limit. A motorist finding his machine so locked would be required to go to the has abandoned hope of a forcible overthrow of the soviet regime and has tentatively negotiated with the bolsheviki. For example, the Creusot Company, the largest armament maker in France, recently negotiated with M. Krassin concerning the con- cession of the coal and iron mines in the Donetz basin. But among other dificulties France does not possess sufficient capital for such large-scale operations. This correspondent is re- liably informed that the Creusot and similar firms hope to obtain American capital after an informal accord has been reached with the United States. Last May the Standard Oil Company negotiated for the concession of the oil wells of the Grosnyi corporation in the Caucasus. The negotiations failed, but Frenchmen believe that the rival- ry of the Standard Oil Company with the British-owned Royal Dutch Shell Company will impel the American cor- poration to renew the discussions in which the French affliated company, the Franco-Americaine, would share. Foreign Office Opposed. Despite bitter opposition in tha foreign office, Premier Briand favors in principle the renewal of relations with Russia. The government recent- 1y sent a scout to study the Russian situation and he has reported that the gy conservative policy of the bol- heviki is genuine because it ys based upon necessity. The official French view may be summarized thus: Russia is s0 desperately in need of economic help that she will accept almost any terms, but politically the bolsheviki are stronger than ever, and hence France must come to an agreement with them, exacting the best possible conditions in the expectation that the continued trend toward the right will eventually make Russia indistinguish- able from the western nations. - Meanwhile. M. Litinov has reap- peared ,in Stockholm and is urging capitalists to accept concessions and resume trade. It is a notable fact that his_chief lleutenant, who con- ducted the actual negotiations with the American Relief Administration in Riga, is Vladimir Florinski, who was Russian vice consul in New York at the time of the Kerensky, regime. i Hé knows the English langugge, American mentality and American diplomatic usage. Hence the stage is set for a ‘possible general conference between Russia and the great powers on the basis of Russlan guarantees in the shape of concessions of natural resources.. All that is now needed is = preliminary international ' agree- ment, for which-the Washington con- 'ferénce Provides the opportunity, nearest police station, establish his identity, put up collateral, after which an officer would accompany him back to the machine and unlock it. This, Capt. Klotz belleves, would be easier to carry out than the impound- ing plan of hawng vehicles towed by the police to a pound. Against Pedestrian Rule. The engineer said he is opposed to requiring pedestrians to cross streets only at intersections unless traffic mak- ing the right-hand turn at the inter- section is restricted in such a manner as to make the crossing of the pedes- trian sdfe. In nearly every case, he says, it is safer for the pedestrian %o cross a busy they are caught and remain there for Brplaining his| unique theory, the traffic. englneer| {15 DORMSCS tends to bucrease Yesterday’s Net Circulation, 91,368 TWO CENTS. RECLASSIFYING BIL UP I HOUSE TODAY FOR 3H0UR DEBATE Representative Lehlbach Ex- plains Aims of Measure to l Standardize Positions. iPROPOSES TO ELIMINATE PRESENT INEQUALITIES 1Declares Government Has No Sys- tem to Guide It in Fixing the Pay of Its Employes. Under a special rule the Lehlbach reclassification bill is being considered in the House this afternoon, with three hours determined upon for gen- eral debate. Resort to a special rule | was taken when Representative Blan- ton of Texas objected to unanimous consent, asked by House Leader Mon- dell yesterday, to make this measure order of special business for today. Representative Frederick Lehlbach of New Jersey, chairman of the com- mittee of reform in the civil service and author of this classification bill for civilian positions within the Dis- trict of Columbia and in the field serv ice, explained the need of such legis- lation on the floor today. Represents tive Lehlbach first called the attent ' of the House to ah amendment ur by his committee that the e: of the expenditures and apprs set forth in the budget to b | mitted by the President to Congre: the first day of the regular shall conform to the clas provided in the Lehlbach bill, the rates of salaries and compens: schedules shali 2etin until the first day of the fiscal y¢ estimated for in the budget. Classification Need Emphasized. “The need for a comprehensi. classification of the civilian en ploves of the government for ti- purpose of equalizing and standard izing compensation and providing fo a uniform and equitable system o promotion is universally acknowl edged,” sald Representative Leklb: He quoted to the House the findin i of a joint commission on reclassifica- tion of salaries as follows: “That the salary and wage rates for positions involving like duties and responsibilities and calling for the same qualifications show wide variations and marked inequality. “That the salary and wage rates for positions of the same class are differant In different departments and independent establishments. “That the present system of pay- the inequality in and wage rates for positions of the same class. Ne Uniferm Standard. “That the government has no stand- ard to guide it fixing the pay of its employes and no working plans for | relating the salaries to the character and importance of the work. “That the absence of any uniform plans or system for regulating in- creases in the pay of employes and the lack of any equitable system governing promotions have been fac- | tors in_ causing the disproportion iu | pay and work.” | “The bill under consideration aims to el.ml?late lk;e causes from which ese evils spring,” said Representa- tive Lehlbach. He pointed out that the measure do | not seek to classify by title every pos tion under the government, but divids the personnel in the departments in the District and under the municipai government of the District into suci broad services as: Professional, sub- professfonal, clerical, institutional, cus- { todial, inspectional, police 2 investigations and’ fire serv cl of these services is, in turn, divided into grades averages, six or séven to 4 service, with an approximate salary range for each grade. Heads to Allocate. Representative Lehlbach explained that the task of allocating employes in a department to their proper grade in the services is intrusted to respective s of the departments, but these al- locations subject to revision by the bu- Teau of the budget, and become effective only on approval of the budget bureau The bureau of the budget Repre- sentative Lehlbach said, is directed to report to Congress at the scssio. following the passage of this bill : classification of positions in the field~ analagous to the compensation sched ules provided for employes within th District. In reply to questions, Representa- tive Leblbach made it clear that th. proposed compensation schedules d« not embrace employes in a recogniz ed trade or craft or engaged in skill- ed labor, saying “it was deemed in- ble to fix by statute the com pensation for such services becaus of the periodic fluctuations in thei: market value. Wages of this class street in tho center of the black be- cause there he has on'y to watch traf- fic two ways, whereas at an intersec- tion he, has three groups of machines to watch. Capt. Klotz tells the Commissioners the cighteen-mile speed limit is rea- |sonable on city streets, but that the resttiction to twelve miles an hour at intersections is “inane.” An attempt to obey this restriction at every corner, . ho says, would “devastate the machinery | tically all government establishmen of an automobile in short order." where such workers are employed i ‘The engineer told the city heads|large numbers, such as in the nav: that on the afternoons of Novémber | yards and arsenals. 2 and 3 his men made an actual count “This measure is not intended as o of 7,381 machines parked in the area [general salary increase bill,” said Rep between 5th and 19th streets, B and | resentative Lehlbach, “but is for th. M streets northwest. purpose of bringieg about a systen He says that a study of his figures | of standardized compensation. Suci of employes are to be fixed and re adjusted from time to time by a boar: of three members appointed by th. President, whose findings are ul: subject to revision and approval b the bureau of the budget.” No General Salary Increase. This would be an extension throug out the government service of ti method at present in effect in p) and maps has convincéd him that it would be found inadvisable to as- sume that parking may be materially restricted in the present official con- gested area on the supposition that those now parking within that area may easily find. suitable spaces di- rectly outside thereof. Present Regulations Inadequate. It has been generally conceded, he says, that additional parking re: strictions would be unneccessary if it were possible to enforce the regula- tions now in effect. It alsp has been definitely shown, he contende, that the present.attempt.at enforcement of the parking rules is fiadequate. After making these observation proposed the plan of having the po- lce lock machines that violate' the parking ryles. He says the problem of providing space for all-day parking’ would" be consjderably eased by restoring cen- ter parking on -Pennsylvania avenue between 9th and 1dth stréets, ‘but with different restrictions as to the angle of ‘parking. ' < oy committee appotn: the Commissionerp. will meet l:l‘v.hl;; a few days to consider the mendations of Capt. Klotx. increases 23 may result will fall prin cipally in the classes that are at pres ent admittedly under:: “If the allocations are made fairly and conscientiously and are closely scrutinized by the reviewing author- ity,” he continued, “there will be but a slight percentage of increase in the total cost of the government person- nel, and such increase will be more than balanced by resultant efficiency.” No Opposition Volced. No serious opposition to the meas- ure was voiced in the speeches during the early part of the afternoon. Re resentative Thomas U. Sisson of Mis- sissippi, former chairman of the sub- committee of District appropriations of the House appropriations commit- tee, raised the question however, that this bill might operate to withdraw from the appropriations committee its Jurisdiction over the salary of govern- ment employes. Representative Padgett of Tennes- see also argued that the proposed re- classification, including new compen- sation schedules, does, in effect, ab sorb.and make permanent the $240 bonus which has been paid for sev- eral years to the government worl