Evening Star Newspaper, January 27, 1922, Page 1

WEATHER. Snow tonight and probably to- morrow; lowest temperature tonight about 2¢ degrees. Temperature for 24 nours ended at 2 p.m. today. Highest, 30, at 3 p.m. yesterday; lowest, 18, at 3 a.m, today. Closing New York Stocks, Page 27. Entered as second-class matter post office Washington, D. C. No. RENT ACT REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS URGES 7 GHANGES Would Limit Law’s Extension to Year and Half and Give Equal Voice. 28,397. BARS APPEAL ON RENT AFTER LEASE IS SIGNED Removes Ban on Substitution of Business for Residential Build- ings—Provides Inspectors. Seven changes should be made in the Ball rent law before it is ex- tended, the District Commissioners told Congress today in a report sent to Senator Ball, chairman of the District committee. The resolution now before Con- &ress provides for an extension of the rent law for two yvears from next May. The Commissioners recom- mend that it be extended eighteen months, or until October, 1923. Here are the amendments which the city heads believe should be made: “1. The rent commission should consist of a representative of the property owners, a representative of the renting class and of one who should be neither the owner of prop- erty for renting purposes nor a renter. “2. The attorney of the commission should represent the public as a whole, and not merely the renting class. Should Have' Inspectors. “3. The rent commission should have an inspection force sufficient to view the property involved in any case before it, as it seems impracti- cable thdt the commission itself should \do this work. “4. The law should be so amended as to make it practicable and inex- pensive for a bona fide purchaser of property for dwelling purposes to get possession of said property with- out delay. To avoid the possibility of mischance, the law should provide that in such cases the apparent pur- chaser will, in good faith, occupy the property, and machinery should be provided to verify this fact. “5. There should be a provision to enable the owner of property to get rid of objectionable tenants or of those who use the property in.an ob- .jectionable way. “6. There should be a provision to prevent a tenant who has signed a lease from appealing to the commis- sion to break the terms of the lease relating to the amount of the agreed rent. . Section 109 of the law prohibits the tearing down or razing of any rental property used for residential purposes, unless new rental property for residential purposes is construct- ed. The Commissioners believe that this provision is detrimental to the proper development of the District and that it should be stricken from the act.” ‘Would Protect Both Sides. The Commissioners tell Congress that there are two sides to the rent question in Washjngton and in their report they have endeavored to sug- gest ways of protecting the rights of both the tenant and landlord. Dis- cussing the law in general, the report reads: he Commissioners of the District of Columbia realize the importance of the bill under consideration and held a public hearing on January 18, to which all persons interested were invited. This hearing was well at- tended and the sentiment was large- Jy in favor of the extension of the rent act, as provided for by this bill. “It is true that those appearing at the hearing were principally tenants and that property owners were in the minority. It is natural, of course, that those paying rent should favor any legislation to protect them from paying increased rent. ‘That there are two sides to the question, how- ever, there is no doubt, and the Com- missioners feel that in makinga re- port on this measure they should consider the ends of justice and the rights of all. “If justice can be done to all con- cerned under the provisions of the rent law, there is no doubt that they ehould be extended for a time. The law is, however, unusual and in fits interpretation and operation it ap- pears that some injustice may have ‘been done. Handicapped in Working. “The rent law is administered by | & commission with power to ascer- | tain the facts in any cases through! court process, and there is no doubt this commission has attempted to act | equably. It might perhaps be stated, however, that with the large number | of cases it was compelled to handle and the lack of an adequate force of investigators, got all of the facts could be ascertained. Until a recent date it was not provided with an at- torney, so that it was compelled to act as prosecutor as well as judge. “Ta relieve the rent situation where the demand for homes is in excess of the supply it is necessary eitner to reduce the demand or increase the supply. It is not believed that the demand can be very materially re- duced. In fact, with reasonably ac- tive business conditions, it is likely that the demand will gfow in a healthy way. As to the increase in supply, it seems well ostablished that as long as the rent act remains it will diminish the incentive to capjtal adequately to meet the situation. "To extend the provisions of this act will therefore merely postpone the time l PITTSBURGH, Pa., January 27.— T0AD IAsks Various Government De- C/ASHIER IS KILLED, ~ AND $65,000 STOLEN BY BANK BANDITS By the Associated Press. Five bandits today robbed the First National Bank of Crafton, a suburb, of $15,000 in money and $80,000 in liberty bonds, after killlng Harold | Moss, assistant cashier, who tried to defend the institution. The men escaped in an automobile, ut were intercepted on the north- side by a party of city detectives on their way of the scene of the rob- bery. After a spectcular pistol battle the men abandoned their car and sought shelter in a house on Pennsylvania avenue not far from the Fort Wayne yards of the Penn- sylvania railroad. The house was surrounded, but the bandits escaped. George McCandless, director of public safety, threw a cordon of police around that entire section of the city, with instructions to guard every street and search all houses. Three Taken Into Custody. Soon after noon the director re- ported that two men and a woman located in the restricted area had been taken and were being detained for examination. While some of the officers followed the fleeing robbers, who were an- swering their firing shot for zhot, others took charge of the car, and found what they believe to be all of the loot stolen from the bank. Meantime the bandits had run through the buildings facing the street and out of the back doors into byways and alleys. They were so closely followed by the police, now reinforced by all the available reserves on the north side and motor- cycle men from down town districts, that they took refuge in the house on Pennsylvania avenue. Open Fire From House. Stationing themselves at mdvan- tageously located windows, they opened fire on the police, who pre- pared to rush the building. A great crowd, attracted by the fir- ing, “gathered in the vicinity and watched the battle. After an exchange | of shots between the house and police- men in the street, firing from the house slackened and finally ceased. The sus- picion grew that the bandits had es- caped, and made their way through the yards of the Pennsylvania railroad nearby. A cordon of police was thrown around the entire section. Clues Found in Auto. The automobile used in the robbery was taken to central police station, where it was found that the rear had been riddled with bullets. It contained two pistols of heavy caliber, and a package, believed to be the loot from the bank, but the contents of which the police refused to make public. Also in the car were found four over- coats, three of which bore the mark of an Erie, Pa., tailor. The other had been bought in Pittsburgh. PRESIDENTMOVES UNEMPLOYED partments to Provide Winter Work. Aid of the War, Navy, Agriculture, Treasury, Interior and Commerce de- partments in providing work for the unemployed was requested by Presi- dent Harding today in a letter ad- | dressed to the heads of those depart- ments. The executive suggested that in those six departments there might be repair and construction work whic] could be undertaken now when “the most difficult period of the winter is still before us,” rather than later in the year. Notes Gratifying Respon: “The response of employing inter- ests throughout the country to the ap- peal for-special efforts to afford em- ployment to the greatest possible ex- tent during the winter has produced highly gratifying results,” the Presi- dent said. “Thanks-to this fine co-| operation, the situation has been much | less difficult during the winter thus| far than it might otherwise have been. & &°® “States and cities as well as private companies and individuals have taken more comprehensive and effective] measures than probably have ever been taken before in such a situation. The natural selfreliance of the American citizen has been supple- mented in these times by neighborly | help, by part-time work, by odd jobs; employers have, to a marked degree, exerted themselves to find work for | employes and have anticipated repair and construction operations which otherwise would have remained to be taken up later. Action in All States. “City and state authorities gene- rally have organized to provide work and prevent or alleviate distress due to lack of employment. In substanti- ally every city where the need has appeared the mayor has appointed emergency committees to lead the community's action. “‘Municipal "bonds have been sold to an unprecedented degree, to provide for construction as early as possible of needed municipal work: In this way much winter work has been provided. * ® © “The response of the general public to appeals for the widest possible employment has been 80 generous and effective that I think we should be the more concerned to have the agencles of the federal government do their very utmost share in this hu- mane effort.”” _ —_—_— when the present stringency will be corrected. “Undoubtedly, if the act fs not ex- tended~ for a comparatively short time, unwise and unscrupulous prop- owners will seek to take advan- and will demand exorbitant rents. This very tendency will serve as an inducement to engage in the profitable business of erecting prop- OVERRULE NAVY YARD BID. Point Won to Recondition Eevi- athen at Boston. Members of the House who want the steamship Leviathan recondition- ed at the Boston navy yard won the erty for renting. Without being able | first round of their fight today when 10 predict just when a condition of|a point of order to an amendment stability will be reached, probably|to the independent offices appropria- the period will be short and then/ tion bill giving navy yards an op- WASHINGTON, BOOKMAKERS ROW ALONG T4TH STREET DOES BIG BUSINESS Thousands of Dollars Change Hands Daily in Unlaw- ful Betting. RACE-TRACK GAMBLERS THOROUGHLY ORGANIZED Lines Reach Out All Over Wash- ington Taking in Money Played by Public. “Bookmakers' row.” Along 14th street from New York avenue to Thomas Circle, an appar- ently innocent looking stretch of thoroughfare, thousands of dollars change hands daily by plays on the “ponies.” Saying “money changes hands,” is stating it figuratively, for practically all bets are made by tefe- phone. In this section the ‘“big bookies” operate. A “big bookie” is the fel- low who will stand to lose $25,000 or more a day and just smile, remarking, “I will get ’em yet. Tomorrow they will come back with doubled bets, and lose.” * Winnings Overbalance Losings. Yes, there have been quite a few days in the history of bookmaking in this city where one or more “bookies” have been “hit" for as much as $25,000 each in a day. The “bookie” does not win every day. If he did everybody would be making books. But in the long run he gets the money, providing he has enough cash to back the bets through days | of reverses. His days of winning are for Repeal of Adam- feminine volce anmounce, “I've much more numerous than his days been attacked by a bull” of losing. Why Eihe big bet takers should| son Law. .“Wl“;dlre mean, bullt” asked have chosen to establish themselves e el ke velen: we along lower 14th street, or just a few doors off it in this neighborhood, is not quite clear. Perhaps it just happened: or one started and “the others followed. There is no known reason why the ‘“bookies” should segregate. On the contrary, they or- dinarily prefer to scatter and hide to escape _police detection. The “bookies’ ” business is under cover and not dependent upon an attractive and convenient location and adver- tising for success. Fixtures in “Offices.” The working room or “office” of the bookmaker is simple in arrange- ment, with telephones the most con- spicuous fixture. Often such an “of- fice” is one room of the living quar- ters of the “bookie,” or it may just Le “this place of .business” where he can be found from post tishe .to post time. Next to the telephone the greatest adjunct is the “chart.” This is about a two by four foot diagram show- ing the horses entered in the day’s races, the scratches and the track (Continued on Page 2, Column 5.} LIGHT PENALTIES FORBOOTLEGGERS Nominal Fines, Nolle Prosses, Probation Orders Stir Dry Law Squad. Bootleggers are faring well in the Police Court these days in the matter of the disposition of their cases. - Yes- terday’s record of “bootleg” cases in the court show several nolle prossed, others in which only nominal fines were imposed and still others in which de- fendants were placed on probation— none in which a defendant was sent to jail. These cases are not those where the evidence is heard by the judge or a jury, but where the matter is handled by the court on recommendations made +lo_w1.ng the bankers, implement manu- by Assistant United States, Attorney Bernard D. Heffernan. - Here 1s the record of such cases in the United States branch of the court yesterday: Case of William Greem. Willlam Green, who was arrested in Octobers on a charge of having in, his possession intoxicating liquor and sell~ ing it, was sentenced to pay a fine of $1,000, or in the alternative to serve 360 days in jail, on the first count, and to pay $500 or serve 360 days in jail on the second count, was placed on| probation. When Green was first ar- raigned in court he entered a plea of not guilty and demanded a jury trial The case was continued five times, and finally yesterday he was brought into court, and following a plea of guilty and withdrawing his demand for a jury. trial, upon recommendation of Mr, Heffernan, was placed on probation. $25 Fine in Ench Case. Howard Anderson was arrested 1gst| month on charges of selling and trans- porting intoxicating liquor. He entered a plea of not guilty and demanded a jury trial. These cases were continued three times, until yesterday, when he appeared at court and changed his to guilty. Upon recommendation of Mr. Hefternan he was allowed to pay:a fine of $26 in each case. Abraham Levitt was placed on pro- bation upon recommendation of thef assistant district attorney yesterday. He pleaded gulilty to a charge of pos- sessing and selling intoxicating there will once more be, as there has | portunity to submit a big was over- been, a larger supply of renting prop- erty than the demand, and then rents will tend to decline. “The Commissioners feel that it is inadvisable to extend the provisions of the Ball rent act for a period of two years. They do feel, however, that ‘an extension of about one and one-half years—that is, until October 1. 1923—may be advisable in order 1hat the effect of the law under "the changed conditions likely “to exist Juay be further studied.” sy ® rul BUYS THIRTY WARSHIPS. BERLIN, January 26.—A big German firm, according to the Acht Uhr Abend- biatt, has purchased about thirty Brit- ish wmhi%l for demolition. its ob- Ject is to provide raw erial for Ger- man industries. . The is reported have liquor. He was fined $256 on - first charge and sentenced to ‘ni: days on the second. He paid the fine;|: and on the second charge was placed |? on probation. Levitt December 19, and the case was con ;I’nuadllwl:.e. .lf:“ ha l':ul entered ea of not gullty and had “m.n“g a jury trial. 2 Nolle Prosses Ordered. - John Gardner, who was arrested i November on a charge of selling. ~ @he Foenin WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION D. C, / i LABOR VITORILS AT FARM NEETNG I(:onference Refuses to Vote Union labor won a victory in the | rational agricultural conference to-; | day when that body by a vote of| {83 to 64 struck out of a committee | | report a recommendation for repeal ! !of the Adamson eight-hour law. | The conference also struck out the | committee report recommendation for | | repeal of the commonly-termed guar- | anty clause of the transportation act, which fixes 6 per cent as a proper | return for railroads, and voted down| {an indorsement of the Great Lakes- St. Lawrence waterway. This action was taken after a bitter debate, in which Samuel Gompers, president of the American Pederation of Labor, denounced a resolution in- troduced by W. H. Stackhouse, presi- Vehicle Association, calling for re- duction of miners and railway union labor wages, and also the committee report on repeal of the Adamson law. | Mr. Gompers warned the farmers that| after they had become thoroughly organized they might in the future face a similar fight by interests which he said now were making a drive on union labor. See Wedge Belng Driven. The sentiment of the conference asj voiced by several speakers, seemed to ibe that the whole matter of trans-} portation, Including wages paid to union labor and the railway ques- tion generally had better be left to Congress and not passed on by the conference. Several of the delegates joined witk. Mr. Gompers in denounc- ing the proposals as an attempt to drive a wedge between labor and the farmers. . The railroad labor question, however, is expected to come again before the conference when the report of the com- mittee on transportation is received. Mr. Gompers in a vehement speech declared he had faced ‘“this same stereotyped antagonism” to labor in the unemployment conference as manifested itself in the attempt to put the agri- culture conference on record as favoring repeal of the Adamson law: “You repeal,the Adamson law and you will not take the eight-hour day away from the railroad men,” he de- clared. “Good Boys Now.” ‘The labor leader asserted the farmers were “good boys now” and were “al- facturers” and their like monkey shines with you.” “But go on and organize,” he told the farmers, “and you will face the criticism as labor has done. The in- terests will drive you as they have driven labor. Adopt Mr. Stackhouse's resolution and you will ally yourselves with the *greatest exploiters of the ime. Labor is ready and wants to help the farmers, but adopt either the Stackhouse resolution or the report of the committee, and we can't help but feel you are allying yourselves with our enemies.” ‘W. C. Lansdon of the Kansas Farm- ers’ Union, opposing the resolution, said the farmers of his state did not want to take advantage of labor in readjusting matters. Adjust Prices Upward. “Let's adjust the, prices of farm productg upward,” He said, “and not throw anybody down. Millions of men are living in industrial slavery “to play dent of the National Implement and|’ CUTTIN’ ————— “Kind of Horned Cow” Terrifies Woman, Who Calls New York Police By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, January 27— Dismay and other emotions swayed the sergeant on duty at police headquarters here yes- terday when he picked up the phone and heard a hysterical UP. [2 of a cow with wan sen The disturbing caped from a boat I CURB UPON EASY - DNVORCE PROVDED Bill-Introduced ‘in duced -in - Virginia' Legislature—Sentiment Backs Measure. Special Dispatch to The Star. RICHMOND, Va., Januery 27.—A bill seeking to correct and prevent the easy divorce evil in Virginia has been introduced in the house here by Delegate Wilbur C. Hall. It is understood that full opportunity for hearing will be given all who desire it. The bill has been sent to the committee for courts of justice. Sentiment is growing very strong against the practice of granting di- vorces in this state as carried on at some places. ‘The bill declares, after a consider- able preamble deprecating the preva- lence of divorce, that the safety and sanctity of the home are dependent on the marriage relation, that the welfare of the people of any com- munity is affected by divorce, and then proceeds to say that in every divorce case tnere shall be, if the judge so decrees, a representative of the people, who shall be an attorney and who shall have the right t‘:h nl.c’l for and in ‘behalf of the people of the state on moral grounds, to see that there is no collusion or con- nivance at the granting of divorces and that the facts in connection shall decree that decency demands privacy dn_hearing. 'a!;.nl‘l:ll nldtt?: M’ll came to him reques! at it be and this has been done. S Under the bill the lawyer repre- senting the people must not be re- lated to any of the parties. Thorough Invéstigation - of Alexandria Divorce . Evil Is Now Assured By a Staft Correspondent. ALEXANDRIA, Va, January 27.— There is a growing sentiment in this city to have a thoroughgoing in- vestigation of the divorce evil. This was made plain here today by promi- nent citizens, who, aside from any personal views they may have on the matter, are heartily in favor of such investigation, and are determined to see it pushed through. The special committee of the Alex- andria Bar Association, appointed to formulate a permanent organisation of the association to present a defi- nite plan to be pursued in ‘the asso- ~(Continued on Page 2, Column 5.) f By the Associated Press. FORT WILLIAM, Ont, January 27.—Six little Indiangghildren who. left ‘the frozen bodies of their father and mother in the northern trapping wilderness today reach-. ed Watcomb on the Canadian gov- ernment railway after a fortnight of tramping over snow-covered ground. The five younger children ranging upward from a baby of a few months, were brought back by their fourteen year-old brother and a neighbor. 2 Their father Atchimo Nan Tuchees, trapper, and their mother both died of‘influensza in the fam- ut g’gcm-l!. Jane " (Continued on Page 2, Column 8.) FIVE TOTS QUIT FROZEN PARENTS, TRAMP FORTNIGHT OVER SNOW the end was near, “of his for bedside, told him gave him $1,200, the fruits: of trapping, and bade him ¢are his brothers and sist 4 and given medical \m):" e i ia;feered the. i REHE n Jacked Hingoosh and ttle Members tell of'advantages received 1 from ¥, A Page 5 |radio stations established in China with- g Star. FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1922.-THIRTY-FOUR PAGES. ~N WILLSTRIVE TOSAVE PRETTY ROCK CREEK Immediate Steps Must Be Taken to Prevent | Drying Up. That Rock creek is drying up Is not a new discovery, for Col. Sher-! 1ill, aide to President Harding and superintendent of public buildings | and grounds, who is now making-a thorough survey of the situation.| says that it is a fact that has been! known for many years. However, | the time has come, he believes, when drastic measures should be taken to check this drying-up process, and | taken immediately, or the beautiful ! little stream, which is such a de-| light to hundreds of Washingtonians | on hot summer days, will be a thing of the past. AT the present rate at which the watgr, is diminishing in. the. -creek] from -which® Rock Creek Park gets its name it will be a question of only a few years before the gurgling stream is nothing but a trickle, ac- cording to Col. Sherrill, and he| speaks the sentiments of many when | he_ says that a_ dried-up creek bed will be worse than had there never been any flowing water there at all Timber Cut Off. 5 The reasons given for the gradual; loss of water in the creek are per- fectly natural and logical ones. In| the first place, much wooded land in | the vicinity of Rock Creek Park has been ‘cleared in the last few vears as the city has spread and suburbs have been built up off Connecticut avenue, along 16th street and east of Chevy Chase. Forests naturally collect and | retain rainwater. With the clearing | has come a slow diminishing of the! springs that feed the tributaries that flow into Rock creek. In the building of houses and roads! adjacent to the park, springs that | formerly swelled the creek have been; diverted into the sewers. Taose de-| Jeloping the property have been asked by the city officials and have taken spe- cial care to preserve these springs, but in many cases this has proved im- possible. - As a solution of this problem that threatens to dlestrgy one of the chief assets of one of Washington's main beguty spots, Col. Sherrill has indicated a line of action looking toward the pres- ervation of wooded country sprround- ing the malin tributaries of the creek wherever pessible and measures to check building along these smaller streams. His plans.are clear and distinct and he intends pushing them to the utmost of { his ability. D. C.-Baltimore Park. ‘Within the last few days, the For- estry Assoclation of Maryland has held @ meeting in Baltimore to formu- late measures for the preservation of the forests in that state. Some of the lands it is most anxlous to keep intact lie between Washington and Balti- more. Some of the more important tributaries of Rock creek have their source in Montgomery county, ‘and it is Col. 8herrill's intention to urge on the Maryland officials that if any of the forests in Montgomery county are o be preserved, those surrounding the | sources of Rock creek should be Imonll em. Recently Representative Focht of | the House District committee has in- (Continued on Page 2, Column 2.) Today’s News In Bri Light -penalties imposed in Police Court on leggers displease dry enforcement squad. Page President Harding suggests depart- ments provide winter work for un- employed. Page 1 Senator Kenyon proposes code and tribunal in coal industry. Page 3 Appropriation cuts hinder fight on disease in District. Fm 2 The dental clinic and personnel of public health dispensary to be taken | over by Veterans’ Bureau. Page 2 French admiral holds his nation has agreed to cut navy to limit olpnluy. age ‘Weeks m g;e friendly indorsement tq Muscle Shoals contract. Page 7 rather than tariff e Page 9 Dyer anti-lynch! passed b ouse, vote 230 to 119. Page l"l Bullock may stay in Canada, cabinet decides. Page 13 Young woman acquitted of murder charge now held as % !nw collapse of U. S. scouted. Bdge ury work tn‘. hlu':'fl\lllllmu Mlegal use e fEia s o Member of the Associated Press The Associated Press is exclusively entitled to the use for repablication of all news dispatches credited to 1t or not otherwise credited in this Paper and also the local mews published berein. All rights of publication of special dispatches herein are also reserved. | forward to as an amelioration of Yesterday’s NEW U.S. BUILDING IN VIEW Home for Accounting Officers and Controller General Planned. Prospects for a new government building in Washington, to be used by the controller general and the force in the accounting offices of the gov- ernment, were advanced today when the House committee on public build- ings and grounds in executive ses- slon considered a bill proposing such a new bullding. A subcommittee of flve members ‘was appointed to consider and inves- tigate the needs for such a building and to report back to the full com- mittee. The bill as introduced calls for the appointment of a commission to prepare plans and estimates for a building for the office of the con- troller general. The committee ap- pointed to investigate consists of Representatives Elliott, Indiana; An drews, Nebraska; Reed, Ne®% York; Rucker, Missouri, and Lanham, Texas. CHINESE IN FINAL EFFORT 10 SETTLE SHANTUNG DISPUTE Appeal to President Harding Held as Master Stroke on Far East Issue. BY G. GOULD LINCOLN. The Chinese delegation to the Wash- ington conference, in its appeal to President Harding for advice on the Shantung settlement and his good offices in dealing with Japan made through Minister Sze, has taken what 1s coneidered the last step in its effort to obtain concessions from Japan in the matter of Shantung and, mbre particularly, the Shantung railroad. The delegation can, and undoubtedly has, informed its government that it has used every avenue of .approach. The Chinese have been in a large measure successful in the discussions over the Shantung railroad. The Jap- anese delegates have made conces- sions in regard to the matter of pa: ment for the railroad, have given over their first proposal that the road should be a joint Chinese and Jap- anese concern. The Japanese also have made many concessions in re- gard to the return of the leased ter- ritory in Shantung and the various properties therein. China, under the treaty which delegates of Japan and China will begin drafting tomorrew will have the promise of full ultimate control of these properties, even where Japan retains for the time being some measure of control. The drafting_committee will be composed of one Chinese and one Japanese del- egate, each accompanied by two sec- retaries. The matter of Shantung, however, still hangs on a settlement of the rallroad question. Ome Other Step Possible. ‘There is one other step which the Chinese delegates might attempt in regard to Shantung. They might seek to have the full Washington conference take the matter up and discuss it. There have been sugges- tions from the Chinese that they would attempt this, particularly if the Japanese did not yield to some of their requests. But if they took such a course, it is said, they would not be successful, for the reason that an objection by Japan would block it. Seven of the nine powers as- sembled here are signatories to the Versailles treaty, under which Japan was handed the former German con- cessions in Shantung. Having bound ! themselves by this treaty. is hard- 1y likely, it is said, that they would support China in an effort to have the Shantung question opened up at the present conference. The Chinese delegation, of course, must have the approval of its home government in making a settlement of the Shantung issue. If the dele- gates fail to receive it, then it would be idle for them to make an agree- ment. So the conference still waits. Suggestions have been made in the past that in the end China would re- fuse the Shantung settlement, and would decline to sign the proposed nine-power tregty on the far east. China's Futare Course. But if China took this course what alternative faces her? She would be in the same position that she was prior to the Washington conference. only that there would be no long®w! any Washington conference to look her ills. China would have to deal with Japan alone In reaching a set- Tiement. of the Shantung -matter. There would be no negotiations at which American and British repre- sentatives would sit as observers ready to extend their good offices. Only Railway Issue Remains. All the issues involved in the re- turn of the former German leasehold in Shantung to China have been set- ed by the Japanese and Chinese delegates, except the important Tsinanfu-Kiaochow _railroad. The delegates at a meeting yesterday aft- ernoon cleared away the last of the collateral matters. In conference circles the belief to- day fe that the Shantung matter will | be settled finally in a few days at| most. i Differences Very Small. There is no doubt but what much hinges upon the Shantung settlement and Chinese acceptance of the nine- power treaty. The work of the ‘Washington conference might be im- periled, for there is strong sentiment in this country for Cnina. This very sentiment and the fact that the United States has backed China has been largely responsible for China’s ob- taining many things of real benefit which she is getting out of this con- ference. The far east committee of the Washington conference is to meet this afternoon. It will have before it a report of the drafting committee on the subject of wireless stations in China. The committee on draft will_recommend that the resolution of ember 7, providing that all out authority of the Chinesc government be turned over to China on receipt of fair compensation and that other radio stations be operated in con- formity with their charters, etc. Other Preposals Up. Net Circulation, 92,483 TWO CENTS. D.C. GETS NO SHARE OF §75,0000000. . GIVES FOR ROADS Yet $18,934,969 Was Paid in Federal Taxes by Local Taxpayers During Year. BUT $113,600 NOW IN BILL FOR STREET WORK HERE Figures for Sixteen States Show How Uncle Sam Has Divided Up Funds for Aid Elsewhere. Uncle Sam will hand out $75,000,000 for road improvements throughout the country during the present year. Sixteen states which, individually, paid less cash into the United States Treasury in federal taxes during the past fiscal year than did the Dis- trict of Columbia, will get more than one fifth of the amount authorized for distribution In federal ald high- way projects, or a bit more than $15.000,000 in all. The District of Columbia gets noth- ing. The average amount available for each of these sixteen states is $961,- ®90. This is federal cash which will be added to state funds for road im- provement. District Is Ignored. The District of Columbia, in its own appropriation bill for the fisca] year of 1 was limited to $144,840 for highway improvements, and in 1923 the amount provided for this purpose by the House committee, which has just reported the appropriation bill out, is $113,000. This last amount just happens to be about 12 per cent of the average sum of $961,000 which is to be handed out to each of the six- teen states aforementioned. Not a cent of federal aid money is available for the District out of the $75,000,000 riads appropriation. 1t is to be noted, too, that half of the cost of street paving, as provided for in the District appropriation bill, is paid for, through asscssments, by the abut- ting property owners. Of the remaining kalf, the federal government pays 40 per eent and that on an entirely different basis and for entirely different reasons than the government contributes money for roadbuilding in the states. First of all, the federal highway act amendment approved by the President on November 9, 1921, places the $75.- 000,000 appropriation for federal aid on roadways under the supervision of the Secretary of Agriculture, under whose jurisdiction comes the bureau of pubiic roads. An allotment of $25,000,000 was made immediately available and the Secre- tary of Agriculture apportioned this amount to the various states within ten daye. The remaining $50,000,000 became available the first of the year under the same apportionment. Forty- eight states were listed for various amounts. The District’s name did not figure in the list. $18,934,069 Collected in D. C As to the Treasury Department cash from which this sum will be extracted, the annual report of the commissioner of internal revenue for the past fiscal year brings out the following facts: The total amount of federal taxes collected from the District of Columbia taxpayers amounted to $18,934,969.90. This included income and profits taxes, the amusements tax and all the other miscellaneous taxes levied for internal revenue. The District’s total of almost $19,000,000 was placed in the column which, when added up with the totals for the rest of the states, gave the grand total of internal revenue of $4,595,000,765.74. Alabama was only $500,000 behind the District_in_federal taxes—with a_total of $18.429,531.41. But Alabama wili get back more than one and one-half mil- lions of dollars from the federal gov- ernment for her roads—$1553,420.67 to be exact—while the District street im- provemer.s are being handled during the fiscal year of 1922 on one-tenth of this (Continued on Psge 2, Column 4.) —_— GAS FLAMES CLAIM - LIFEOF ANOTHER Woman Sought to Extinguish Fire When Curtain Touched Stove. Two women burned to death in as many days by fire involving small gas stoves and heaters led Fire Chief Watson to further consideration to- day to ways of reducing such trage- dies. The latest victim is Mrs. Margaret Street, seventy-nine years old, who was .fatally burned last njght at her home, 1005 East Capitol street. Accroding to the fire marshal’s ne- port, Mrs. Street was heating water on a small gas stove placed on & table in the kitchen. A lace curtain on the kitchen window came in con- tact with the stove and caught fire. She attempted to extinguish the fire with a piece of carpet, the firemen reported, when her clothing clught fire. Miss Agnes Handquist, twenty- five years old, was badly burned on the hands and arms when she went to the assistance of the older woman. From this report it would appesy that the woman not catch fire by coming in dir ithe stove. But all guch cases sérve {to demonstrate, Chief Watson “sald. | that too much care-cannot be exer- cised in using gas & Chief Watson doesiBot believe there are a sufficient nu in which persons ber of casualties ave caught fire reguldtion requiring the placing of Several other/proposals were before guards or screens ;;ound such heat- the draft committee in regard to|ers. wireless, but no agreement could be reached on them and it was finally He believes, however, that the pub-' lic can protect itself by purchasing only those heaters in which the decided to recommend that the va-|burners are so placed that the flames : Page 24 | rious recommendations contianed in|will not easily co: of federa] ' these additional resolutions be car. S Pags 3 vhd 4o e PYZTE e S in contact with he wear{ng apparél “of women -1 walking g the rools contact with from open gas heaters to warrant a ‘o