Evening Star Newspaper, March 16, 1922, Page 2

2 * SEE N HARDSHI FROMCOAL STRIKE Stocks on Hand and Non- Union Production Will Suf- fice, Is Belief. The threatened bituminous coal strike was regarded today at the Treasury as the only “cloud” on the business Lorizon. Steady improvement has been re- ported in general business conditions, high Treasury officials declared, which probably will continue unin- terruptedly, although the prospect of a coal strike may have some depress- ing effect upon business expansion. The strike should not seriously af- fect business generally unless it should be drawn out to unprecedent- ed length, it was said at the Treasury. Stocks of coal on hand and the con- tinued praduction of non-union bi- tuminous mines, officials here held, should enable tke public to continue its routine actlvities requiring con- sumption of coal. S In this connection high Treasury of- ficials expressed the opinion that the government would take no action in the event of a coal strike unless a hardship were worked upon the pub. lie. Such a hardship, the officials said, would not develop for some time after a strike was called, and they express- ed the opinion that action by the gov- ernment looking to a restoration of the normal coal supply would not be taken until the situation became 8o ?efr‘iou.! that no other alternative was eft. It was indicated at the Treasury that the government was not consid- ering any step to anticipate a coal strike nor believcd there were any measures of an anticipatory nature possible. WILL ANSWER MINERS. By the Assoclated Press. NEW YORK, March 16.—Demands of the anthracite mine workers were presented to the mine owners yester- day, and when the workers' repre- sentatives finished explaining the nineteen demands. an adjournment was taken until tomorrow afternoon. at which time the operators expect to make a response. The miners occupied all of yester- day’'s meeting, and no inkling came from the operators as to what reply they will make. It is understood the operators plan to tell the union men that an increase in wages at this -time is not in_3ccord with the trend of the times. It is expected they will maintain that the present cost of coal is too high and that the miners should share in any deflation if lower prices are to be granted to consumers of coal. After the meeting the operators refused to make any comment on the demands of the men. It has been persistently reported that the opera- tors have not agreed upon a definite percentage of reduction; in fact, there have been unconfirmed reports that several of the coal companies would seek to avoid a contest with the union by renewing the present ‘wage scale. which expires March 31. A suspension of mining is fully ex- pected, it was said by operators and miners. The union leaders, however, have taken no step in that direction, pending a definite answer from the operators. The scale committee of the coal diggers is under Instructions to “perfect arrangements providing for a suspension™ on April 1, in the event that no satisfactory agreement has been reached. 113 at Meeting. There were thirty-nine mine work: ers and seventy-four operators pres- ent when the joint conference was called to erder. X President John L~ Lewis of the United Mine Workers of America read the demands and made an ex- planatory statement. He was follow- ed by District Presidents Thomas Kennedy, Hasleton, Pa.; W. J. Bren- nan, Scranton, and C. J. Golden, Shamokin, and District Vice Presi- dent Andrew Mattey. of Hazleton. After the conference the miners issued a statement .analyzing the principal demands presented. It said, in part: “Demand No. 1 asks for a two- year contract and that the making of individual agreements and contracts in the mining of coal shall be prohib- ited. The fundamental principle in- volved in the latter question seeks to prevent the establishment of the vicious subcontracting system and to eliminate such subcontracts as now exist. “Of - the $1-per-day increase for day men, it was explained by the mine .workers' representatives ‘that the minimum day rate is now §4.20, and in order to enjoy a saving wage and a wage commensurate with the hazard and risk of the industry the miners reiterated that it was nec- essary to apply the increase thus demanded. Have, Gone Steadily in Debt. Since 1917 the wage rates of the anthracite mine workers have actually failed to keep pace with the rising cost of living and as a result losses have saccumulated from month to meonth which have been borne entire- ly by the mine workers, while the operator, the wholesaler and the re- tailer have enjoyed profits in excess of anything they have hitherto known. Five hundred lives are lost each year in the anthracite industry, con- tinued the miners in their argument, and “20,000 persons are injured each ar and these figures for death and accident justify our contention and are two of the important reasons why the wages should be raised to $5.20 minimum, which even then would only be part recompense for the hasard and risks and for the deaths and accidents which are es- tablished facts.” The third demand seeks to have uniformity in rates established in the anthracite region, and the fourth de- mand asks for the extension of the eight-hour working day to cover b classes ' of workmen as are now working on the basis of from nine to fourteen hours per day. The great majority of long-hour men are on the twelve-hour basis and a sit- uation is created where men are com- pelled to go from their bed to their work and from their work to their bed and are denied the common eor- dinary comforts of home life and rec- reation. The mine workers insist that this is one important grievance that must be remedied during the present ne- gotiations. The demand further con- templates that all inside day men shall not ke compelled to stay under ground longer than eight hours. CONSIDER 50 PER CENT CUT. By the Associated Press. KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 16.—A wage reduction of probably 50 per cent in the present scale for miners of the southwest is being considered by members of the newly organized transmissippi dlstrict association of coal operators, according to a state- ment here today by Harry N. Taylor, chairman of the association. No def- inite scale has been decided upon, Mr. Taylor said, “but in order to bring the price of coal down to a peace-time basis the eperators cannot afford to pay the miners war-time The contemplated reduction, he add- ed, would leave the basic wage acale higher than the one in effect before the government took over the mines. COUNT STRIKE BALLOTS. By the Asseciated Press. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., March 16.— Counting of the strike. ballots cast by the union bituminous eoal miners of the United States and Canada was begun today at the international headquarters here of the United Mine Workers of America. Union officials predicted the canvass would show a large majority in favor of a suspen- sion of work on April 1, but an- nounoced that the vote would be made publia only by percentage, &.practice whish will not show the exact mum- ber of votes 1 the walkout. _Although, the oan(rnn;c on s wage | Leading Political Fight Against England's Premier SIR GEORGE YOUNGER, Leader of the unionist party, is stir- ring up opposition to Premier Lieyd Gt eh an extent that he may of the Lloyd Georxe Leaders of all partiea are i be- ition when, it {NOTED “DIVORCE MILL” PRINCIPALS RECALLED BY RENO HOTEL FIRE (Continued from First Page.) nor of New York has resided at the Riverside, as have James Galey of the American Steel Company and P. T. Dodge, president of the International Paper Company. Prominent moving picture stars have made the Riverside their stop- ping place, but in most cases the pub- licity attendant upon such a residence caused them to leave for other cities in the state. Such a case was that of Mary Pickford, when she sought di- vorce from Owen Moore. The legality of her divorce still is a matter of liti- gation in the Nevada courts. Leaves Jewelry for Canary. ‘When the Riverside burned to the ground Wednesday it was the home of many seekers after single blessed- ness. Among them there were thrilling rescues and many amusing incidents. Also there were some heavy losses of jewelry, for it seems to be a Reno tradition that a woman seeking a divorce must not only look her best but dress to the limit of good taste. Mrs. Regina Rich of New York eity, with a divorce pro- ceeding pending, awakened by the cry of 'fire, gathered her jewels in her hand and prepared to leave, when she suddenly thought of her canary. Laying her jewels on the dresser, she opened the window, took the bird from the cage and liberated it. In the meantime the smoke had in- creased to such an extent that she had to beat a hasty retreat, com- pletely forgetting the jewels. Perhaps the pgreatest indjvidual loss was suffered by Mrs. A. Murray, another New Yorker here, who made a hurried departure, leaving behind her $10,000 worth of jewels. Judge A. J. Sanders of the Nevada supreme bench dropped his judicial dignity, and, following a perilous trip down a fire ladder, made a hur- ried trip to the haberdasher. ‘Washington Woman in Fire. Mrs. Maud Wood Park of Washing- ton, D. C., president of the League of Women Voters, registered Tues tired for a good night's rest, prepar- atory to beginning a series of recep- tions and addresses the next three days. A few hours later she found herself shivering in the streets Reno with all her traveling poss sions gone. Bottles of a beverage distinctly pre-Volsteadian, coming in quick suc- cession from a second story window, thrown by a Rochester, N. Y., man drew a willing throng of rescuers in that direction. It was announced today that the Riverside will be rebullt. But the new hotel will never be the same. (Copyright, 1922.) MANY CAUGHT IN NET DURING POLICE RAIDS Sergt. Sullivan and Precinct. De- tectives Poole and Burke led a raid- ing party in search of liquor on the restaurant of James Joseph Hannon, 1939 11th street, last night, and it is alleged that the proprietor emptied a jar of corn whisky in the sink as the officers entered. Sergt. Sullivan pre- vented its escape down the sewer, and 2 sample will be subjected to an analy- sis to determine if it contains more than the allowed alcoholic content. Charges of selling Jamaica ginger for beverage purposes and illegal pos- gession of corn whisky were filled against Hannon, and he furnished bond for his appearance. ~ Revenue agents and fourth precinet policemen yesterday afternoon visit- ed the restaurant of Frank P. Hall, 1000 7th street southwest, and ar- rested the proprietor and Charles H. Cogswell, his bartender, on charges of selling and illegal poasession agrinst the former and selling against the latter. It is charged that the bartender made a eale to & revenue agent a few minutes before the raid was made. Police report the seizure of about fifteen quarts of liquor and several cases of beer. Bond for the appearance of the defendants was|yy physicians today. given. S colored, 1211 South Capitol street, was reported by palice of ‘the fourth pre- cinct as a result of a raid conducted last night. Mays was charged with maintaining a still and illegal posses- sion of liquor. Patrick A. Walsh, 1934 14th street, was arrested last night by police of the eighth precinct and charged with selling. and illegal possession of in- toxicants. The police reported the seizure of two and one-half quarts or rye whisky and three quarts of wine. Z Charles Bentley, colored, 1246 New Jersey avenue, was arrested last night and charged with illegal po: session and_transporting. It is al- leged that Bentley, a waliter in the Pullman service, had six quarts of whisky in his possession. FOUND DEAD IN HOTEL. James A. Daugherty, Bluefleld, W. Va, who served in a machine gun company of the 16th Infantry over- seas, was found dead in & room in the Stag Hotel, 608 9th street, this after- guest since that time. of his arm indicated that he was frightfully wounded during the war. ‘The .night he registered he com: plained of mlerh;s from sore throat, and a bottle of fodine was found on n hig room. Only & small quantity of the fluld had been used. Coroner Nevitt will investigate the death later in the day. scale for the Peansylvanis anthracite flelds is being held in New York, officlals here felt the two sides would bhe so far apart no settlement would reached before April 1, result e TN anthracita minars Joming 1 ke peace until the i T RENT LEGISLATION °KEEPS RATES UP" Mr. Dodge Says Owners 0f- fer Houses for Sale Under Present Situation. “Desirable houses for rent in the District of Columbia have decreased in number probably 50 per. cent dur- ing the last three years, due to the eftect of rent legislation on the real estate and building industry,” it was stated today by Clarence Dodge, mem- ber of the real estate firm of Weaver Brothers. i J “Owners of dwellings occupied by tenants have gradually thrown their holdings on the market for sale until today it is difficult for iznants to find places to rent at reasonable rates,” he added. “That it is but natural, from an investment tandpoint, for these property owners to discontinue renting their houses with a view to dispasing .of them to purchasers is| evidenced by the fact that some in- vestors have increased their incomes 50 per cent by selling rental property and investing the proceeds in some other form of securilies at present rates of return. i Building Many New Hounes. “It is not lack of financing facilities nor a question of costs that is hinder- ing the erection of réntal buildings in Washington, but the handicap im- posed by rent legislation. Washington is building as many new dwellings as workmen can produce, but they are all for sale purposes. FProduction of rental property would proceed simi- larly were there no rent commission, and the housing problem automatical- 1y would solve itself. “Finding it difficult under the pres- ent Ball rent act to secure a reason- able Increase in rents, property own- ers, out of exasperation over pro- Jonged delays in administration of the law and indignation at continued as- saults on their character, have got rid of their investments and diverted thelr money into other channels. Proof Seen at Los Angele: “Proof that lack of finances in the face of building costs has not been responsible for the cessation of con- struction of rental quarters is seen in Los Angeles, Calif., where, although the money market is tighter and la- bor and material costs higher, build- ing activity, as it affects dwelling houses and’ business properties, is Drogressing in an extraordinary man- ner. There the law of supply and de- mand has been allowed to work it- self out without interference from legislative sources. "I Los Angeles was inflicted with rent laws, there would be no building boom there as at present. ‘'The Ball rent act is not relleving the housing situation in the District of Columbia as far as the federal and private employes are concerned. It is forcing some persons of limited means to buy houses they cannot af- ford and is depriving those who can only afford to rent of homes they desire. | i i Food Prices During Wa ing and other commodities to drop after the war? They went so high that consumption was curtatled and soon merchants were begging fo: customers. This conditlon resulted in .curtailed production and the only Temedy was a drop in prices to regain lost trade. Rents would work out their own solution in a similar way l day night at the Riverslde, and re-|mozos Representative Suffers Frac- eizure of a still and quantity of ., liquor at the home of Madison ,mays, lat the base of the skull. if let alone. “So long as there is a rent com- mission which delays reasonable in- creases in rent, there will be a delay in the operation of this fundamental 1aw of supply and demand, Is it fair to the property owner to kéep prop- erty at old rentals when values are increased?” 2 —_—— PARRISH HAS CHANCE. tured Skull in Auto Crash. By the Associated Press. $ i ABILENE, Tex.. March® 11.—1‘1..' condition of Lucien Walton Parri;h,' representative in Congress from the thirteenth Texas district, and candi- date for the democratic nomination to the United States Senate, who was in- LUCIEN W. PARRISH. jured in an automobile aceldent here last night, was reported as favorable 'Mr. Parrish recelved a compound frac- ure of the lower jaw and a fnctural The accident happened while Mr. Parrish was en route to- Roby to make an address qulhe interest,of his candidacy for the United States sena- torial nomination. He was accom- panied by Judge Walter Pope of An. son, Tex., who was driving the car. Judge Pope Wwas nét injured. Mr. Parrish was taken to a hospital at Stamford, forty miles away. NOONDAY LENTEN SERVICES | B. F. KEITH'S THEATER ’ 12:30 to 1 o'clock s Speaker Tomorrow Conducted by “What enabled prices of food, cloth-| > HE EVENING?STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C PROGRESS IN GIGANTIC TASK Examining 1200 Papers Submitted - by School Children in Competition for The Star’s $1.000 Prizes. The gigantic task of examining the 1,200 essays submitted by the school chlldren of Washington in The Star's | gy $1,000 prize contest is progressing, according to reports’ received today from the board of judges. It probably will be two weeks more or longer, however, before the winners will be determined. 4 4 The essays have been divided equally among the five judges for ex- amination. After determining the merits of the first quota of essays, each judge exchanged them with one of his colleagues. This method of otation enables the judges to work simultaneously in their examinations, with a view to an early decision, When the judges received their first quota of essays at The Star office they were amazed at the number of chil- | dren who entered the contest and| SOLDIER BONUS BILL AGAIN INTRODUCED WITH NEW CHANGES (Continued from First Page.) be received from any except those; who had service in the recent war, An Old Objection. “A common argument made against the bill in its present form is that the country is not financially situated 80 as to carry out any plan for ad- justed compensation at this time. The same objection was made two years ago, and the inquiry naturally arises as to when the country wiil be ready to do anything if it is not| ready now. “The majority of the committee believe that there is no question ag to the ability of this country to meet the requirements of this bill without; in any way affecting jbusiness con-{ ditions injuriously. Profited in First Part of War. “The United States profited largely by the European war for two years. After it entered the war many large fortunes were made, many greatly in- creased and an immense number of people profited largely by the war. While this country, by far the richest and best situated financially of all the natlons on the globe, has been hesitating and delaying the matter of giving additional compensation to its soldiers, other countries, and among them some of those which suf- fered most by the war and are now the poorest, have acted promptly in this respect.” A petition for a conference of re- publican House members for next Monday night to consider the com- promise soldlers’ bonus bill was put in circulation today by Representative Lineberger of California, a former service man, and received a number signatures within a short time. Fifty signatures would be necessary for the calling of the conference. The action taken by the conference would ot be binding on the members when he measure came up for considera- tion on the floor. Signatures Being Obtaimed. Several former service men, mem- bers of the House. have signed the petition, and in addition other mem- | bers who have been counseling de-| lay in taking up the bonus bill have attached their signatures. Representative Lineberger is not satisfled with the form of the sol- diers’ bonus bill, and in a speech In the House early in the week he urged that the ways and means committee give the House an opportunity to vote on President Harding's proposal that the bonus be finanred by means of a sales tax. Banks Could Make Le: Despite advice of Controller of the Currency Crissinger to the con- trary, of high Treasury officials, could make loans upon adjusted service certifi- cates In the event of enactment by Corgress of the new compromise bonus bill. Should- the new bonus bill become a law and national banks ask the controller of the currency as to the advisability of making loans upon the adjusted service certificates, Treasury officials said today the banks could !awfully do so even in the face of an_unfavorable reply. | Treasury officials, however, ex- pressed doubt as to the situation which might arise in the event na- tional bank examiners were in- structed against adjusted service certificate loans made by national banks regardiess of the controller's udvice. GILLET TO CONFER. Will Take Up 'Procedure ’l‘m‘h! With Fordney. | By the Associated Press. ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla, March 16.— Speaker Gillett sald today that he ‘would confer with Chairman Fordney of the ways and means committee in Washington Saturday over the par- liamentary situation brought about as a result of the expressed wish of certain Tepublican leaders to bring the soldier bonus bill up Monday in the House under suspension of the rules. The Speaker expects to arrive in ‘Washington on the special train with President Harding early Saturday morning and to see republican House leaders before going to Massachu- setts, where he will speak’ Sunday on the arms conference . treatiea. Mr. Gillett: appeared intefested when told the Washington reports of the de-- velopments of a dlfference of opinion among republican House leaders as to the method of bringing up the bonus hulkr. Gillett had already indicated that he would rule adversely on a motion to bring up the bonus leg lation Monday under suspension o the rules. He pointed out, however, | that there was nothing to prevent the | rules committee- from -bringing in a; | special rule umder which the legisla- tion would have precedence and, could be brought up at any time the House desires. The Speaker appeared undisturbed by the situation and left the impres- sion that he thought handling the matter through a special rule was th best procedure. Mr. Gillett had al ready said that he thought the bonu bill a thost {mportant one and -that | the House should have time to con- sider it ang entertain amendments, it leaders probably will see the Spesker. Saturday and talk over the situation., Some of -the administration officials with the President’s party do not ap- pear to. attach .much importance .to h calation in Washington as to ipeaker Gillett will rule on Mon- day,. and le matter as an effort ‘the whol r “te shift reaponaibility. —— ject h 15—Mise| will tnform the ofl!fl‘:fl“n.ofl.m Mary ' Miles: L e L e desired. Chairman Campbell of the pe rules committes and other House |, tibn ploture |House about them, S a.‘.%_:_u_..sa;'fl.z. manifested much interest in the com- positions with artistic covers. All of the contestants at the Shaw Junior igh School had their essays inclosed In beautifully designed folders, while a number of the compositions from the other schools had pasted on them newspaper pictures of the leading figures at the international confer- ence on the limitation of armament. “The judges of the contest, who will soon announce .the names. of the eighty-eight children who are to re- celve” the_ cash prizes for the most meritorious essays in The Star's con- test, mre: - . “8enator Arthur Capper of Kansas, Alexande® T, Stuart, director of in- termediate’ instruction of the public Sehools and’ former superintendent; Mra Lyman B. Swormstedt, president of Women's City Club;~ Justice Wendell P. Stafford of the District Supreme Court and Prof. Kelly Miller of Howard University. LOAN SHARK BILLS HELD DIFFERENT Erroneous Impression Con- cerning Measures Cleared by Citizens’ Committee. Seeking to correct what Is believed to be an erroneous impression con- cerning the bill known as H. R. 6309, relating to pawnbroking in the Dis- tirct, the citizens’ committee on reme- dial loan law lssued a statement to- day, In which it is brought out that this bill Introduced by Chairman Focht of the House District com- mittee differs from the Commis- sioners’ bill, also introduced by Mr. Focht, and known as H. R. 5015, In that it does not bear the indorsement of the Commissioner: The text of the statement follow Text of Statement. “The District Commissioners sent their blll, increasing the rate in the District loan law from 1 per cent to 2 per cent per month. to Mr. Focht as chairman of the House District com- mittee for introduction on April 12, 1921: “On April 20, 1921, Mr. Focht intro- duced his bill, H. R. 4587, relating only to pawnbrokers. “Mr. Focht's bill was practically identical with the pawnbrokers' bill, H. R. 3164, introduced in the previo Congress by Mr. Dyer, with the addl tion of seven sections, which were said to have been taken from the Pennsylvania law. Of these seven, two were penalty sections, so that there are three sec tions in the bill whioh prescribe dif- ferent penalties; and they were put in with such utter disreganl of con- ditions in the District on which Mr. Focht was imposing them that one of them provides for “imprisonment in_the county prison,” and another forbids concecalment from “any con- stable or sheriff." Bill Reintroduced. “Some one seems to have called Mr. Focht's attention to these slips, for they were corrected when, on Ma: | 18, he reintroduced the h);lll l:' H. R. 6309, which is the one now before the House; and although, on April 25, he introduced_the Cominis- sioners' bill as H. R. 5015, his remarks on the floor last Monday indicate that he is trying to put his bill through without ‘regard to the other. “When Mr. Browne asked him Wwhether the Commissioners’ bill, H. R. national banks, in the opinion {5013, did not have the indorsement of { the Commissioners, plied Mr. Focht re- 'l do not know anything about It." mlz‘n‘l‘:ne‘::u{r of lhei District Com- , transmitting the bill Mr. Focht, called his alfention to !l:g fAot that the existing law regulates the business of making small loans and of pawnbroking; that when passed the rate allowed had been re- duced by Congress from 2 per cent per month to 1 per cent; that the ef- fect of this reduction had been to stop loans by pawnbrokers and cther money lenders. and that the present law, which had been sustained hy numerous court decisions, was in all other respects sufficient to regulate the business of pawnbroking und to prohibit illegal loans. The Commis- sioners, therefore, requested the. in. tl;laalducuon and the enactment of the Vote for Reduction. “When the present law Mr. Focht, after the Dlwnbwr:;:el::!::: been taken In, voted to reduce the rate from 2 per cent to which has s S ninens Sdes ‘When Mr. Browne said f: 3 he understood that the Cemun sioners' bill, H. R. 5015, which Mr. Focht admitted he had Introduced, had the indorsement of the District Commissioners, Mr. Focht replied: Mr. Focht-—Yes, if they indorse that bill (the Commissioners’ bill) they will indorse this (the Focht bill) be. cause of the added feature of prote tion to the on e o ! e who puts up the Mr. Brown of Wisconsin—I stand that they do not indor bill. I understand they o (the Focht bill), but indorse that Col'!nrml.l‘!lo:“" bill). . Focht—I do not thin think this (the Focht bill) has & uni. versal indorsement. There might be a thousand people ll(shut it where t. there are 250, “What are the facts about this? ADril 26, 1921, in response to i o quiry the District Comimissieners 1 pbjecting -to- the under- this thi €th ‘wrote_Senator .:.Jnalcuzu:nt of 8. y the same as Mr. Focht's o brokers’ bill, as unlunn‘;‘? lhov’:‘;: cause, they thought the rate of.3 per cent unnecessary, and saw: no reason why the present law, which has sustained by the courts, should. yg'r’;;:od by a'new law on the law mon R. 5015 by mak| P ith. present & the rate 2 per cent per Statement Makes Deaial. “Although this letter was published on April 27, 1921, it was r.g:rtad in the papers t on May 1921, the House District committes’ had been told that the District Commissioners desired the enactment of the Focht bill, which waa then in the H. R. 4587 stage. The cititens® committee made d Tmbers of ihe Houss on Siaed ¥ n_ al ntio the District Q)Inml:ll:na thfi'ldhl:f approved of his pawnbrokers bill. “These are all matters .of. record, which any one can verify who takes the trouble; and o aub; comes up that they can ‘want: to pass, lb&:: s ‘whe! 984, which is practi-- o THURSDAY, "MARCH: 16, 1922, ' 'ESSAY CO_NTEST JUDGES MAKE TWOREPORTS LIST - DISASTER CAUSES Theater Crash Laid to Bad Practice hy Architect and Contractor. Strikingly similar, although inde- pendently complled, reports on the cayses and responsibility of the Knickerbocker disaster were made public today by the investigating committee of the American Associa- tion of Engineers and of the Asso- ciated General Contractors. The .engineers’ report blames the disaster on “bad practice on the part of the architect and the contractor,” and declares that “the design specifi- cations and <construction of - this building violated_ flagrantly the building laws of the District of Co- lumbia in many respect: The contractors’ report fixes re- sponsibility *“upon the architect, who accepted a faulty design from a fab- ricator.” "It also followed up with this statement:- “The contractor is not held respousible by reason of the quallty of his work or by any non- compliance with the design, specific: tions and contract, nor for the alte: nate design, but is held jointly r sponsible with the building depart- ment of the District for failure to apprehend the violations of the build- ing code in detecting that the design did not provide for anchoring trusses to the walls to prevent their slipping from their bearings.” It is only in this major point that the reports show variance as to re- sponsibility. Enginecrs List Nine Causes. The investigating committee of the engineers, headed by Nolan D. Mit- chell, lists nine causes for the dis- aster. The committee of the associ- ated contractors lists seven causes which are In eomplete accord. The investigating committee of the engineer association was composed of Mr. Mitchell as chairman, W. G. oll, W. A. Slater, J. A. Cliff and L. M. Neel. The committee investigating on be- half of the Associated General Con- tractors consisted of Rudolph P. M ler, chairman; James Baird and Guy Mason. W. P. Christie, research engineer of the organization, served as secretary and technical assistant to_the committee. The engineers' committee listed fifteen points of violation of the building Jaw in the design, specifica- tions and construction of the Knick- erbocker Theater, to maintain the | statement that the law has been “vio- |lated flagrantly.” Here are the fifteen charges of vio- lations (cpposite them in the report the page and section of the building code of 1913 are quoted to support the statements): ‘Concrete reinforcement left to. the judgment of contractor. “Roof slab much underreinforced. “Truss T-11 fabricated shallower than approved strain sheet. (Faulty inspection.) H overstressed up to 345 per cent. “Column C2, supporting the main truss, overstressed 33 per cent. “Column C2, bracing at top of doubtful value. “Absence of bracing between sec- ondary roof trusses. “Lack of stiffness of Columbia road wall. Height of wall exceeds allow- able limit—forty feet. “Absence of wall anchors. Plans filed with the inspector of buildings not adhered to. l “Purlin B4l overstressed 54 per eent, namely, to 24500 pounds per square inch. “Rfvets in truss. members over- stressed up to 58 per cent. “Hollow tile walls too thin for height. “Bolts instead of rivets used for field connections for trusses. “Building not fireproof. “The provisions which governed are those “of the 1913 code. Whercver changes have been made they are so indicated in the 1917-code.” 2 The engineers' committee lists hine cases of faults in the structure. They include the lack of solidity and mass in the main truss support; the fail- ure to anchor trusses and hea beams tc the walls; scant bearings at the walls: inadequate column brac- ing: absence of dlagonal bracing and lateral support for the trusss, and inadequate strength of the roof siab. “Truss T-11 compression member: i State Department Employes Selected for Foreign Posts d Washington fa nited States em- transferred to the baxsy at Buénos Afres. weeretary of the embasay. Lower: FERDINAND L. MAYER. Who has been appointed consul gen- eral at Tangler. MEN OUTSIDE LAW SAFE IN PAYING TAX (Continued from First Page.) a return because he had received his money through handbook making. He thought that if he told the source of his income the state authorities might possibly find it out and prose- cute him. He was assured that unless the state made such a request the federal government was not bound to call the matter to the attention of the state in question. He still hesitated. The govarnment learned that his deposits aggregated $500,000 and proceeded to make out his Income tax return for him and invited him to make such deduction as he felt he was entitled to have. The government submitted its bill for taxes due and the individual in question paid it without a whimper— and that's the last heard of the case. Action Deemed Improbable. Incidentally, the states of the Union imay inspect federal income tax re- turns, but for the purpose only of checking up income taxes due *hem. It is not considered likely that the income tax divisions of any stats would seek information for one pur- pose and use it for another, though this Is within the realm of possibility. Contractors’ Report. The contractors’ committee charges faulty design in most of these par- ticulars, emphasizing overstressing of steel roof members and the design- ing of the main truss bearing so that the center of stresses fell on the edge of the wall. It also called attention to non-anchored trusses and the fail ures of reinforcing certain points of the structural design. ‘Whereas the engineers' report ends with the conclusions reached and comments, the contractors list four recommendations for the avoidance of such a calamity in the future. The recommendations include the charging of sufficient fees for bullding permits to make possible a% adequate force for checking and ‘Inspecting | new construction; provision by the 1owner for adequate plans and speci- fications and inspection on the part of the architect; a revision of the jbuilding codes to give a standardized {Eroup of regulations, and registration of architects, engineers and contrac- tors to insure adequate skill and re- sponsibility. |MRS. W. P. HEPBURN DIES. Widow of Former Representative Il for Past Year. Mrs. William Peters Hepburn, widow of Col, W. P. Hepburn, former mem- ber of Congress from Iowa, died this morning at her residence, 1124 East Capitol street. She’ was eighty-four years old and had been In ill-health for the past year. 7 Mrs. Hepburn was born in Cantala, Jowa. "She-came to this city in 1831, when her husband was elected for the first time to the House of Representa- tives. He served eleven terms and died six years ago. . Mrs. Hepburn was & member of the Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Intérment will be in | 1 r_are two children, Capt. Charles B. H U, 8. A, re- tired, and Mrs. Margaret H. Chamber- lain, both of this oity. = ~ 1D. C. OFFICIALS MUST CUT LETTER WRITING TO JULY 1 FOR POSTAGE IS SHORT Offcials of the District govern- : ment will have to curtail thetr Jet- _ter writing-activities from now un- “ti1.July 1 or they will run out of postage stamps, M. C. Hargrove, purchasing agent, informed Com. ] " missioner Rudolph today. All department heads have been _instructed to make thelr eplatles to:citisens. few .and far betweenw -“for the balance of the fiscal yagr. * - Even with a: deficiency appro- .pristion: of = $1,600, the —amount available for postage |z $325 pe month, less ‘thap' the amount the . city has been: spending for this purpose during the first eight months of the fiscal year. ;3 .- The _nmn ration for telephone- service also is.running low q:ml of- - fichals” and 3! 2 ¢l O AR The fact is the internal revenue agents want all the income they can collect. Other agencies of th: law are obligated to detect and prosecate fraud and lawbreaking. There is no legal compulsion upon a federal officer to_report violations of a iaw in an- other division or department of the government—no more than rests upon the conscience of any citizen outside the government. (Copsright, 1922.) PACT -OPPONENTS TO KEEP UP FIGHT| | (Continued from First Page.) by administration leaders as a cer- tain indication that ratification is as- sured, was proposed by Senator Bran- éegee of Connecticut on the floor after a series of conferences among the various Senate elements and was accepted virtually without debate, It provides that no further reserva- tions or amendments shall be voted on until next Tuesday, that speech: on the treaty shall be limited to on hour and those on reservations to thirty minutes each, beginning on ‘Wednesday, and that final vote shall be taken without debate as soon as the Senate convenes on the following Friday. Negotiations to bring the ratifica- tion fight to an end began after the Senate had refused for the third time to amend the treaty so that outside powers would be called into consul- tation when any Pacific controversy touches their interests. An amend- ment for that purpose, in a form dif- fering slightly from the two voted down yesterday, was presented by Senator Pittman, democrat, Nevada, and was defeated, twenty-eight to ififty, with the division of strength virtually_coinciding with pu;ly lines. Senator Spencer, republican, Missouri, ‘a treaty supporter, stirred up a cross- discussion by iling the “no alllance” reservation of the foreign relations committee. In the course of the day ratification was urged by Senmator Ransdell, democrat, Loulsi- ana; & charge of “propaganda” in favor of the treaty was made by Sen- ator Pittman, and an attack on “Irigsh-American influence against the four-power pact” Was-made by Sen- ator Willlams, democrdt, Mississippi. Two new reservations and one mos amendment were offered for la consideration. One of the reserva- tions was put in by Senator Johnson, republican, California, and embodied the language of the reservation which had been presented by Senator Bran- degee, republican, Connecticut, in the foreli relations commfittee, but apdoned by him after a conference ith President Harding. The other reservation was by Senator Shields, democrat, Tennessee, and would de- the treaty meant mo interfer- P 5“ quarrels. The amend- ment oftered by Senator Robipson, democrat, Arkansas, would pledge the four “""‘5' against secret treaties or standings. U onsidered probable that in their campaign to secure reservations the opposition now would center a tention on the question of admitting outside powers to the Pacific confer- ences. Alth in the form of an amendment, pre ponents of the proposal still believe that if embodied In the right kind of a reservation it mi, support of many who had hesitated tn amend- the treaty text itself becau hod w. requirs reopenin: | i He will be! He asked for no deductions. | iroof. ia burning structure and ISURE INCENDIARY STARTED BIG FIRE Chicago Continues Several Investigations—Loss Now Put at $8,000,000 By the Asdciated Press, CHICAGO, March 16.—Several sepe arate Investigations of yesterday morning’s disastrous fire, which ewept 2 city block and burned bulldings in two others, with a loss placed by insur ance and proparty experts at $8,000,- 000, were contiriwed today. Shirley T. High, city fire attorney, expressed conviction that the conflagration, the most gerfous since that of 1871, which virtually destroyed Chicago, was of incendiary origin. A negro employe of a concern which was among the first to go up in flames was sought. He was named by a fellow worker who was arrested, but denied connec- tion with starting the fire. Costly Paintings Destroyed. Included in the tabulation of lossed in the fire was that of ninety paint- ings by Henry Arthur Elkins, valued at $250,000. Among them was “Shift- ing Lights,” a painting of a Califor- nia sunset, valued at $75.000. Jugoslavia and the United Serbian, foreign language newspapers, wers burned out. The Austim building, formerly known as the Springer building, at 310 South Canal street, bad a sensa- |tional twenty-yaar history. Its de- struction ended a frequent recurrence of damage suits, indictments and are rests. Several serious accidents oo- curred in the building. and once five men were killed in it by a boiler ex- plosion. It recently was sold for $1,500,000. Fail to Reach Skyscrapers. Officials of the board of under writers declared that the fire, the most disastrous since the great fire of 1871, revealed many problems which would have to be met by fire- men before they could hope to cope successfully with fire in great mod- lern skyscrapers. The effect of the {fire on the Burlington building was declared to show that no skyscrapers are free from fire danger, and trat the modern fire department is prao- tically helpless against a blaze that Zets a full headway in the upper floors of a tall building. Insurance men, underwriters and firemen declared that methods would have to be devised to enable fire- fighters to get more water to the top of high buildinge. The use of water towers, such as are_ said to have proved effective in New York. by means of which streams of water can be poured into the upper floors of a building, also was advocated by the insurance men, wko pointed out that the Chicago department lacked such apparatus. TOWERS FALL SHORT. New York Skyscrapers Adopt JWater Curtain.” NEW YORK, March 16.—Water towers, which have been used by the New York fire department for more than twenty years, would be of no great assistance to fire fighters con- tending with a conflagration such as that which destroved a section of Chicago's business district, officials of ithe New York department said. The towers, it was said, are not ef- fective above the tenth floor and can be supported only from a compara- tively wide street, permitting them to establish a proper angle with rela- tion to the building's upper floors and In fighting office bullding fire: it was said, the greatest menace the huge, funnel-shaped heat wave which arises from the upper part of threatens other high buildings several hundred feet away. Augmented by Sun. The heat wave is frequently aug- mented by radiation, or sun rays, playing through it and striking the upper floors of a bullding a consid- erable distance away, causing it to burst into flames while fire fighters are concentrating on the building actually on fire. Fireproof buildings. it was said, are possible, but their contents can- not be made proof against the highly charged heat weaves, which will set fire to rugs and furniture behind { windows facing a burning building { hundreds of feet away. The greatest - aid to fire fighting noted by the New York authorities, has been modern improvements within the great offics and factory buildings themselves - Among these are standpipes, re- quired by law on all new construc-- tion here, which extend from .suh- basement to roof and are capable of ! delivering water to the highest point at high pressure. Another device® consists of a water curtain, which can be thrown completely around. a building from open nozzles extend- ing from a pipe circling the outer edge of the roof. ight command the |- —_— TAKES UP BANKING LAW. House Committee Hears Crissinger and McKee on D. C. Measure. Controller of the Currency Crissin- ger and H. H. McKee, chairman of the District of Columbia clearing house, have been invited to testify this aft- ernoon at 2 hearing in the District of Columbia committee room in the House office building on the bill rec- ommended by the District Com: sloners, to establish a new general banking law for the District. e Representative Millspaugh of Mis souri is chairman of a special sub- committee which will conduct this hearing, the other members being Representative Brown of Tennessee and Representative Gilbert of Ken- tucky. The measure under considera- tion is designed to protect the peo- ple of the District against so-called mushroom banks which started here: under state charters without any. | cal control over their assets. KISSES ARE MEASURED, ALL KINDS OF ’EM, T0O, - BY NEW INSTRUMENT. By the Associated Press. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., March 16.—Kisses, some of them, kick up your blood pressure. 8o says J. V. Breitweiser of the University of Californ! depart- ment of education. He has meas- ured the “kick.” . s Given one man and one woman. who will kiss, Breitwelser the San Francisco tising Club he would measure the linear ex- tent and millimeters of blood pres- sure resulting from The mistletoe kiss. ‘The stolen kiss. "l‘"ha expert kiss of the finished The soul kisa. Breltweiser sald the instrument he uses is so Mnalfl\'n "éh'l" reg- s, the degree- kisses one womin