Evening Star Newspaper, November 5, 1922, Page 1

“From Press to Home Within the Hour” The Star’s carrier system covers every city block and the regular ed: . tion is delivered to Washington homes as fast as the papers are printed. WEATHER. Cloudy today; tomorrow showers and warmer. Temperature for twenty-two hours ended at 10 p.m. last night: Highest, 61.1; lowest, 5%.9. Full report on page 14. The Sundy Star, No. 919.—No. 28,679. Entared as sscond-class matter post office Washington, D. C. WASHINGTON, D. C, SUNDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 5, 1922 —NINETY-TWO P AGES. VOTERS TUESDAY 0 PASS JUDGMENT ONADMINISTRATION Smith-Miller Gubernatorial Race Crux of Fightsin Eastern States. OHIO, PRESIDENT’S HOME, ALSO HOTLY CONTESTED | Prohibition, Soldiers’ Bonus and Ku Klux Klan Featured as Local Issues. The voters of the United States 9o to the polls Tuesday, approval or dis- approval of the administration and Us policies hanging in the balance. On the eve of election, the cam- paign to all intents and purposes is virtually at an end, although there will be a final durst of activity on the part of the party workers toror- row. From many parts of the country comes the assurance that the repub- licans will retain control of both the Senate and House, though the ma- Jority in the latter house will prob- ably be cut to a considerable Democratic leaders, however, that when the ballots are all counted, their party will have made unez- pected gains in many of the stat:s. FINAL DRIVE LAUNCHED. Strenuous Senate and Gubernato- rial Fights Waged to Bitter End. Ry the Associated Pre NEW YORK, November 4.—Con- sressional and state candidates in the cast concentrated their oratorical campaligns In a final drive tonight. The close of the political campaign. the contest between Nathan L. Miller and Alfred E. Smith for Governor of New York, taking the center of the stage with the vigorous battle each has waged during the last week in the metropolis. Republicans and democrats alike in New York state were fully confl- dent that the declarations of thelr candidates for governor, chiefly in the debates of the last week, In which every concelvable issue of state gov- ernment had been thrashed out and comparisons made of the administra- tion of as governor, had aw»* 442,000,000 or more voters in the state an opportunity to judge their qualifications. The transit issue and the G-cent fare, to which party leaders attached much significance, was liberally discussed. Equal confidence was expressed re- garding the chances of United States Senator Calder and his democratic op- ponent, Dr. Royal S. Copeland, both of whom conducted an intensive state cam- paign. Upstate G. O. P. Hope. In the governorship fight the republi- cans are basing their hope of victory on 2 heavy upstate vote to overcome the vote Smith is expected to receive in New York, his home city, while the dem- ocrats look for an unusually large vote for the former governor upstate as well. New Jersey's campaign was featured by the contest between United States Senator Frelinghuysen and Gov. Ed- wards, who seeks to snatch the toga from President Harding’s friend. The fight brought Vice President Collidge and two cabinet members—Secretary of State Hughes and Secretary of Commerce Hoover—to Senator Freiinghuysen's aid, all speaking in the state in his be- half. The senator upheld the national administration, while his opponent made issues ‘of the tariff and his wet plank. State Semator William N. Runyon, re- publican, and Judge George S. Silzer, democrat, rivals for the governorship, fought it out on public vtility control. G Fights Lodge. ‘The Massachusetts campaign has been enlivened by the efforts of William Gas- ton, democrat and Boston banker, to defeat Henry Cabot Lodge, republican leader of the Senate, for re-clection, mak- ing the tariff his chief issue. The contest in Rhode Island be- tween United States Senator Peter Goelet Gerry, democrat seeking re- election, and former Gov. R. Living- ston Beeckman, republican, also has been stirring. Senator Gerry main- tained that the Harding administra- tion is reactionary, while his oppo- nent defended it. Pennsylvania Is engrossed in the gubernatorial fight between Gifford Pinchot, republican, and John A. Mc- Sparran, democrat, both having wag- ed active campaigns. Pinchot prom- ised a business administration and his opponent efficiency and economy. G. W. Pepper and D. A. Reed, re- publicans, and Fred B. Kerr and Samnuel E. Shull, democrats, are nom- inees for the unexpired terms of the late United States Senators Knox and renrose. Delaware Campaign Quiet. Delaware's campaign has been quiet, Coleman du Pont, republican, and Thomas F. Bayard are opponents for the unexpired term of J. O. Wol- cott in the United States Senate. Vermont is interested in the efforts of William B. Mayo, democrat, to de- feat Representative Frank L. Greene, republican, as successor to Senator Carol S. Page. New Hampshire does not elect a senator this year, chief interest being in the gubernatorial fight be- {ween Winsor H. Goodnow, repub- lican, and Fred H. Brown, democwat. In Maryland, William Cabell Bruce of Baltimore, democrat, is opposing the return of Joseph Irwin France to the United States Senate on his in- ternational attitude. Senator Howard Sutherland and West Virginia's six ""(Continued ou Pags 2, CojumnZ) BATTLE STORM 11 HOURS IN LONGEST PLANE TRIP Army Flyers Land Safely in Indiana on California to New York Trip, Covering 2,060 Miles Without Stop. By the Associated Pre: DAYTON, Ohlo, November 4.—After thundering their way three-fourths of the distance across the United States, from San Diego to Indian- apolls, through storms and calms, Garkness and light, aboard the mono- plane T-2, Lieutf John A. MacReady and Oakley G. Kelley relaxed tonight and related incidents of their record- breaking, non-stop flight of 2,060 miles. The aviators were forced to land their ship at Indfanapolis at 9:4 o'clock this morning after they had | exhausted their water supply, owing to a broken line. They borrowed & plane and flew to Dayton early this afternoon. Had they traveled ap- proximately would have succeeded tempt to cross the continent without stopping. MacReardy and Kelley, how- ever, are not entirely disappointed, | for their flight demonstrated that a coast-to-coast flight is possible, they declared. Wenther Interference. Bad weather hindered progress of the flight in early stages and for more than eleven hours the aviators were forced to battls their way through a thunderstorm, low clouds and heavy cross-winds. For a time, they said, they held little hope that i they would be able to get across New Mexico, because weather conditions were sa bad. Darkness overtook them in New Mexico, and the first ray of sunshine was sighted at St. Louis this morn- ing, MacReady said. Neither pilot suffered any ill effects from the trip, 1DEAD IN STORMS THAT SWEEP WEST Tornado Hits Near Drum- right, Okla., With Wide Damage on Oil Leases. HEAVY SNOW IN COLORADO Wire Breakages Delay Full Story of Losses, Extending to Kan- sas and Nebraska, By the Associated Press. DRUMRIGHT, Okla., November 4.— Four persons are known to have been killed, fifty were injured, some seri- ously, and many are missing, as the result of a tornado which struck in the ofl fields just southeast of here early tonight. The storm came in a northeasterly direction. It missed the town of Drumright. All the damage reported was to houses and property on the oil leases. The known dead: Mr. and Mrs, Joe Jennings and fourteen-year-old son. Dobbs, a boy fifteen years old. Lifts and Hits Again. After striking southeast of Drum- right the tornado raised and descend- ed near Mannseord, about twenty-five miles northeast of here. An oil worker named Wall, aged about thirty, was killed on an oil lease near Manneford. 2 Several automobiles, fillled with physicians, departed at once for the storm area from here and Oilton. The total darkness which covered the oil fleld as a result of the destruc- tion of electric lighting equipment is hindering the work of rescue parties. More than thirty houses of oll workers on the Roxana, Prarie and Fue and Gypsy leases were wrecked, land oil-rig and pumping machines strewn about for miles. House Gone Completely. The Jennings famlly was living on the Roxana lease. No trace of their house has been found. Their bodies were picked up a quarter of a mile away. A heavy downpour set in imme- diately after the tornado passed and is continuing, adding to the diffi- culty of bringing in the injured. Two of the injured brought here were identified as Frank Hurst and Mrs. Fannie Hurst, both of whom lived in 2 grocery ftore in the Rox- ana lease, where the storm first struck. TWO DEAD IN COLORADO. DENVER, Col., November 4.—Two persons dead, two missing, several in- jured and property damage upward of $50,000 was the toll reported tonight in the wake of a series of tornadoes and thunderstorms, which crippled southeastern Colorado today. The damaged area was the center of a sleet and snow storm which hit the Rocky mountain states last night and reached the height of its sever- ity late today. Blizsardy conditions prevail in most western states to- night, and heavy snowfalls, with low- er temperatures, were reported almost generally. ‘Wire communication south and | west of Denver was demoralized to- night. Definite information was not avallable concerning the extent of tornadoes reported to have struck near Rockford, Limon, Ordway and Sugar City and a few other isolated Colorado points. Two lives we! City. Sug! -—_WEWPFTKAI:' 700 miles farther they | in their at-| but both were greatly fatigued. Evi- dence of their calm nerves was shown in their ability to take an entirely different type of plane at Indlanapo- | lis and fly it to Dayton, where an offi- |clal report was made to Maj. T. H. | Bane, commandant of McCook Field, | where both the flyers are regularly | stationed. “We are feeling fine,” MacReady | said tonight, “and I would be willing | to take another shot at it tomorrow if we were ordered by the depart- | ment.” Neither pilot considers the fact that they broke a world record as much ‘of a feat, but they regard valuable in- | formation gleaned from the trip for | the future of aviation as foremost. Feared Death in Storm. | In making their report to Maj. Bane | the fiyers sald: | “The takeoff was perfect, and every- thing was working well until we en- | tered New Mexico. The weather was | glving us some trouble, however. | “The wind was so bad at times I | told MacReady we would meet our | end within a short time,” Kelley told | Maj. Bane. “I can safely say no two | men ever encountered such conditions before. | At one time we were flying at | 6,800 feet, when a high clift suddenly |loomed up in front of us. I steered | the ship to avoid hitting it and was | successful in passing over the top of the precipice about three feet to spare and at a speed of sixty-four miles an hour. | "High winds in the canyons also | Bave us much trouble, but the first lr’fll uiuble occurred over Kansas, (Continued on Page olumn 3.) HALL WIDOW MAY DENAND HEARING Would Waive Immunity in Order to Appear Before Grand Jury. NEXT STEP THURSDAY Prosecutor to Consult Foreman on Status of Long Inves- tigation. By the Assoclated Press. .—If Special Prosecutor Wilbur A. Mott goes through with his plan to lay the Hall-Mills murder case before the Som- erset county grand jury next week, Mrs. Frances Noel Stevens Hall, widow of the slain rector, will sign a waiver of immunity and demand that the grand Jury hear her story. This decision, announced by one fully authorized to speak for Mrs. Hall, was reached today. Under the New Jersey law, it was stated. her demand could be denied in only one way—by withhold- ing the case from the grand jury until after arrests had been made on affi- davits. And in that eventuality Mrs. Hall, if she were one of those arrested, would be in a position to force a show- down of all evidence In the case by means of a habeas corpus proceeding. Can Ins t on Hearing. The New Jersey law, it was pointed out, provides that any person under suspicion in connection with the crime may insist on being heard by the grand jury considering the case. Mrs. Hall, it was said, regards herself as having been put under suspicion by Mrs. Jane | Gibson’s so-called eyewitness story of the slaying of the Rev. Edward W. Hall and Mrs. Eleanor R. Mills and by va- | rious questionings to which she has been subjected. ‘Whether Mr. Mott would consent to have her appear before the grand jury could not be ascertained. He announc- ed today, however, that he would con- sult with the foreman of the Somer- set grand jury next Thursday as to when the case would be submitted. This announcement coming on the heels of an interview at Newark with Chief Justice Guthere of the supreme court, was taken to indicate that Mr. Mott felt he had his case in hand and this presumption was confirmed by per- sons who have worked with him. Case Well Rounded. Mr. Mott, it was declared in these quarters, has an extremely well rounded case, built around the story of Mrs. Gibson. “semi-eyewitnesses''—persons who were near the scene and saw the murder party, though they did not actually witness the slaying of Dr. Hall and Mrs. Mills. He also was paid to be in posses- sion of a pistol important to the case, and to know where he could put his hands on the automobile used by the slayers. In addition there are said to be other witnesses never Interviewed by newspaper men who will be able to shed much light o the motive for the slaying. Among these are sev- eral said to have observed a woman watching the Phillips farm, where the minister and Mrs. Mills frequent- ly met and where they were slain. Mrs. Hall, it was learned today, suf- fered a severe nervous reaction after her interview with newspaper men Wednesday. She wept continuously Thursday, but was improved Satur- day and wes able to-work In Rer garden. b NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J. November | It was Teported that he had two EXKAISER TODAY WEDS PRINCESS IN DOORN CASTLE Virtually All Wilhelm’s Kin Will Attend Ceremony by Burgomaster. BASKETS OF FLOWERS SENT BY DUTCH QUEEN Clinging to Lost Titles, “Court” of “Empergr” Plans to Give Reception. By the Associated Press. DOORN, November 4.—The former German emperor and Princess Her- mine of Reuss will be pronounced man and wife tomorrow morning by the burgomaster of Doorn, Baron Schimmel-Pennik, in the presence of six witnesses, two of them Germans domiciled in Holland, and soon after- ward Court Chaplain Vogel will give the benediction of the Lutheran rite to the union. The wedding. which is vfcially de- scribed as being celebrated in the close family circle, will take plac: in Willlam's rural retreat, Doorn House, amid charming woodland scenery. Wwhich is resplendent in autumn glory. Princess Hermine arrived at Doorn House by automobile tonight from Amersfoort. There was a wild mo- tor chase all day over muddy coun- try roads in lashing hailstorms after the elusive princess, who was report- ed at a half dozen places simultane- ously throughout the day and who ended her journey at the bridegroom's castle about 8:30 o'clock. Few See Princess Arrive. A few watchers huddled ir. the cold rain at the entrance of the gate to the lodge witnessed the arrival of the princess. Her car was escorted by three other cars, preceding or fol- lowing hers. The lodge building was brightly lighted, warranting the assumption that she would spend the night there. The war lord, who despite his abdi- catlon still clings to the empty titles jof emperor and king. will be sur- rounded on his wedding day by the principal members of his family and ‘old and trusty friends. His eldest son, Frederick William, who likewise is in exile in Holland, abandoned his first opposition to his father's second mar- {riage on being satisfied that the mar- rlage contract would stipulate a strict division of the property of the contracting parties, and the former emperor's brother, Prince Henry, is known to have advocated for a long time remarriage on the ground that continued loneliness after the death of the former empress, nineteen months ago, would inevitably tend to affect him mentally. The bridegroom's daughter-in-law, Princess Cecelle, is almost alone In maintaining a distinctly hostile atti- tude to the new matrimonial venture of the ex-emperor, and she Is not among the guests at Doorn. Until this evening William had been adamant in withholding all informa- tion concerning his marriage, all re- quests for an interview with those jwithin the castle being denied. Writ- ten application elicited a typewritten reply on paper embossed “court mar- shal's office of his majesty Emperor and King Willlam IL" stating “his majesty, on a point of principle, has decided no journalists or photogra- phers shall be admitted to the castle in connection with his majesty’s mar- rlage.” Later the “court” officlals at the castle took the public into their confidence as to the general program, Count von Moltke, the marshal, issu- ing an official statement as to the hours and places of the ceremonies, with other details. “Simple Repast” to Be Given. The statement, which refers to Wil- liam as “His Majesty,” and to Her- mine as “Her Serene Highness,” sets forth that the civil marriage will occurr at 11:30 o'clock in the lodge gate bullding, at the entrance to Doorn house, and the religious cere- mony at noon in the hall of the castl the latter event to be followed by “a simple repast.” .The announcement further states that the marriage will be attended by the bridegroom’s brother, Prince Henry; sisters, Princess Largareta and Princess Adolph of Schaumburg- Lippe, and his two eldeat sons, the former crown prince and Prince Friedrich; also by the bride's sister, Princess Ida of Stolberg-Rossla, with her husband, and Prince Heinrich of Reuss, representing the Reuss family. Other wedding guests include | Prince Feurstenberg, Vice Admiral Von Rebeur-Paschwitz, formerly the kaiser’s adjutant; Privy Councilor (Continued on Fage 2, Column 7.) HELD FOR WIFE MURDER. Negro Charged With Slaying With e Knife. Charles Marrow, aged thirty-five, is | held at the third precinct police sta- tion on a charge of murder, follow- ing the death of his wife, Mary, from knife wounds early this morning. The couple is said to have quarreled at their home, 2424 Virginia avenue northwest, last night. Responding to & call the police found the woman suffering from knife. wounds. She was rushed to Emergency Hospital, where she an; ssveral hours lster. \ \ RapyBLican Wae, i G EE S LUDENDORFF SEES GERMAN COLLAPE Bolshevism Will Sweep Country, He Says—Repara- tions Plans Hopeless. DENIES PART IN PLOTS Has No Interest in Return of Monarchy, He Says, in Statement. By Cable to The Star and New York Tribue. (Copyright, 1922.) BERLIN, November 4.—Germany's collapse may come at any moment. The reparation negotiations are now said to be regarded as futile of prog- ress. A Franco-German understand- ing fs impossible, and bolshevism will, in the none too distant future, sweep Germany. These are some of the statements made by Gen. Erich Ludendorff today in a statement specially prepared for The Star and the New York Tribune. Gen. Ludendorft denied emphatical- ly the intentions attributed to him by the soclalist and radical press of taking a leading part in a new mon- archist revolt, saying that he has re- tired finally to the villa of Prince Ludwigschoche, near Munich, and is devoting his time to writing a story of the war. The Red Me “I see no way out of the present sit- uation in the negotiations now under way In Berlin between the German government and the reparation com- mission,” said Ludendorff. “I fully share Bonar Law's view, recently stated, to the effect that the repara- tion problem appears hopeless. “Germany is completely powerless and impoverished, and she can no more pay than she can resist the de- mands or assaults of the entente. Germany Is daily surrendering part of her sovereignty. France is drivin us into the arms of bolshevism, and this means the destruction of the whole of Europe, which will have repercussions throughout the whole world. Bolshevism will inevitably sweep Germany, for the ever-growing economic crisis is driving party pas- sions to the greatest extremes. “I see no hope of a Franco-German understanding. The gulf separating the two nations cannot be bridged so long as France continues to maintain her present attitude.” REVOLT IS FEARED. ce. Ex-Kaiser’s Wedding May Be Sig- nal for Uprising. By the Associated Press. MUNICH, November 4.—The wed- ding bells at Doorn tomorrow may prove the signal for the monarchists of Bavaria to stage their long her- alded “putsch” or rising, according to bellef in some quarters here. The chief factors in the Barvarian state’s strained political situation de- clare that the current rumors are (Continued on Page 2, Column 7.) CHILE DEMANDS FLAT ACCEPTANCE BY PERU Washington Agreement Must Be Taken in Whole, Says Reso- lution of Cabinet. By the Asseciated Presa. SANTIAGO, Chile, November 4.—The Chilean government has now made 1t clear that it is unwilling to accept anything less than a flat acceptance of the Washington agreement with Peru by the Chilean congress. A resolution taking this firm stand was adopted yesterday at a meeting of the cabinet after considering a proposal by a group of deputies that the Tacna-Arica protocol be approved in the form of a resolution with certain considerations appended. This proposal, which emanated from & minority, will be put to a vate in the chamber, ‘where the majority group favors the policy taken by, the cablnet, o Seventeen Nutrition Centers ‘Barking Frogs With Pig Squeal Found in Wilds By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, November 4.—Frogs that bark like foxhounds and squeal like frightened plgs, accord- ing to the American Museum of Natural History, are among the more than 200 living and pre- served specimens of reptile life ! brought to it by an expedition just returned from a year in the wilds of Santo Domingo. Capture of the barking frogs was thus described by members of the expedition: “Hunting was carried on chiefly at night and it was a weird ex- perience to penetrate the black- ness of these tropical forests and to hear, as one would suppose, dogs barking high over one's head in the treetops. The first bark- ing frog that was captured startled the members of the party consid- erably. lnstead of wriggling like & frog, or even growling like a dog, it opened its mouth wide and gave a terrific squeal such as a pig in agony might make. “Later it was discovered that this treetop frog left the trees in the breeding season and laid its eggs on the ground. The eggs, which were very large and about thirty in number, did not hatch out, as i3 the general rule among our northern frogs, into tadpoles, but instead into tiny froglets of the same form as their parents.” The first giant tree frog was found taking a mist bath beside a mountain torrent. Its capture was not without hazard, as when touched it exuded a milky secre- tion which inflamed the hands and filied the air with a pungent and irritating vapor. CLNGS TORESUNE INPUBLISEHDOLS I [ | Will Be Opened in D. C. Tomorrow. Active resumption of the health crusade by the Washington Tuber- culosig Association tomorrow will be marked by the opening in various sections of the city of seventeen nu- trition clinics, where determined cf- forts will be made to nurse back to normal undernourished and under- welght children. Two of the clinics will be operated at the Children’s Hospital and onc at the headquarters of the Tuberculosis Association at 923 H street. The others will be conducted in the fol- lowing publie schools: Dennison, S. J. Bowen, Ketcham, Carbery, Wheat- ley, Blake, Wilson Normal, Miner Normal, Harrison, Stevens, Bell, Mott, Hamilton and Henry. Success of the nutrition clinics for the past two years has convinced those in charge that they are a vital necessity in the communizy. Mrs. Grant in Charge. It is contended that this work should be adequately provided for by the regular public school appropria- tions, but until such provision can be made the tuberculosis society will continue the constructive education in health and body. Mrs. Brnest R. Grant, who has con- ducted the work during the previous two years, will continue this year. As- soclated with her will be Dr. Willlam C. Fowler, District health officers, and Dr. Joseph A. Murphy, supervising medical inspector of the public schools. Last year sixteen of these classes in nutrition were conducted each week over a period of twenty weeks, with a school physician, a nurse and a tralned nutrition worker in attend- ance at each clasa. In all 344 children were enrolled in these special classes, befhg selected because found to be at least 10 per cent underweight in re- lation to their height. The combined underweight of these children was 3,804 pounds, or an average of 3.1 pounds child. The total gain ex- (Con on Page 3, Column &) ‘; Z » £ JUSTICE FOR ALL NATINS, ..M Hughes Says No New Ter- ritory or Special Spheres Are Coveted. PEACE STEPS LAUDED| Many Disputes Adjusted in “Friendly Washington Atmosphere.” By the Associated Press. CLEVELAND, Ofiio, November 4.— Principles of American foreign policy were described as “simple and read- ily stated” here tonight by Secretary Hughes, speaking before an election | mass meeting in support of the can- didacy of Representative Fess for the Senate. “We do not covet any territory anywhere on God's broad earth,” Mr. Hughes declared. “We are not seek- ing a sphere of special economic in- fluence and endeavoring to control others for our aggrandizement. We are not seeking special privileges anywhere at the expense of others. We wish to protect the just and equal rights of Americans everywhere in the world. We wish to maintain equality of commercial opportunity; as we call it, the open door. That is not a derogation of anybody else, the door is just as open to others as it is to us. Equality means equality. It doesn’t mean privilege. We desire to see peaceful settlements. We are most desirous to see the world start- ing again on a sound economic basis, with every people inspired by hope and girded to the highest achieve- ments in the interest of their pros- perity. Wherever we have had a chance to promote peaceful settle- ments in this troubled werld we have taken it.” “Friendly Washington.” Mr. Hughes called attention to the arbitral agjustment between Panama and Costa Rica; the ratification of the treaty with Colombia; the Chile and Peru negotiations “in the friend- (Continued on Page 8, Column 3.) CIRCULATION ADVERTISING In few cities in the country can an advertiser reach prac- tically the entire buying com- munity by using one news- paper as can the Washington merchants by using The Star. That the Washington mer- chants appreciate this fact is shown by the following fig- ures: Total Advertising Month of October Lines. Star &40 Sk 5L P 21087.828 2d newspaper.......1,163,862 3d newspaper....... 879,515 4th newspaper...... 526,685 S5th newspaper...... 80,074 Circulation Month of October Average, Evening Star, 83,828 Last year..............86,800 Gain, 2,028 Average, Sunday Star, 89,884 Last year.............88,650 Gain, 1,234 The latest newspaper cen- sus shows that the circulation of The Star, daily and Sun- day, in the Homes of Wash- ington is practically ‘double that of its nearest cotempo- ‘rary. * FIVE CENTS. 21500 W, R.E.CO. SHARES ARE SOLD:; D. C. BANKS IN DEAL $1,800,000 May Be Involved in Negotiation—Buyérs’ Names Withheld. TRANSACTION IS CALLED AN “INVESTMENT” MOVE Huge Block of Stock Was Col- lateral for Note of $1,500,000. BY L A. FLEMIN/ Negotiations were closed yesterday for the sale of a block of 27,500 shar of the common stock of the Washing- ton Railway and Electric Company, “for investment purposes only,” with no explanation as to the buyers or the price paid. Crane, Parris & Co., investment bankers, through Eugene E. Thomp- son, a member of the firm, represented the buyers. The transaction has been under consideration for many days. It is possible that close to $1.800,000 | was involved M the transaction and | that New York capital, with perhaps some local capital, will be employed. Banks Real Sellers. Mr. Thompson, who closed the tran- saction for the purchase, has also ‘been a very heavy buyer of the com- | mon stock on the local exchange for ma days, although there is no knowledge that he has represented the “investors” in the exchange transac- tions. Two other interests were after this stock and would have taken it had it not been bought by the interests represented by Crane, Parris & Co. The Capital Traction Company, it is author- itatively stated, is in no wise concerncd in the transaction. The real sellers of the large block of stock are Washington banks, that | assumed title to the property in protecting loans made to the de- funct Washington Utilities Company, through forecloging on the stock, which was up as collateral back of a note for $1,500,000 for one year. This company, formed in 1913 as the vehicle for the unification of the traction systems of the city, and per- {haps of the eiectric and gas light- {ing corporations as well, found itselt | choked off by the La Follette law pre- ! venting one corporation owniog 20 !nur of another corporation’s | stock | i | | cent The 27,500 shares of Railway and Slectric common stock had been {taken over at all kinds of prices. | the highest being $100 a share for 6,500 shares from Kuhn, Loeb & Co. of New York. So long as the Utllities Company re- | ceived dividends from its holdings | in the Washington Railway and Elec- itric Company it was in a position to piy its way; when they stopped the company was in troubl The note for whi Company put up the 500 shares of stock was disposed of largely to | local bankers, %0 per cent at least, with Baltimore and New York banks holding the balance. From time to time the notes were extended, and in 1919, the company | being in default as to interest and principle, a protective committee wWas named, with R. N. Harper as chair- | man. Foreclosure resulted and Mr. Harper bid in the stock in the auc- tion at New York city. Directors May Retire. | the Utilities Following the acquisition of the stock the protective committee se- cured the election of its members, | practically all of them, on the board of directors of the Washington Rail- way and Electric Company. Now having disposed of the blook of stock they will probably retire, {but it remains to be seen whether they will go nmow or wait until the annual election in January. It is also a matter for future answering whether the new “invest- ment interests” will obtain represen- tation on the board of directors with Messers. Ailes, Norment, Bell, Gar- finkle, Blair and others not directly interested Wwith the noteholding { banks. In the latter group are R N. Harper, George W. White, Johu Poole, W. T. Gallther, C. W. Warden and W. E. Cadwallader of this clty, and Harry B. Thorne of New York city, and Judge Henry D. Harland of Baltimore, Md., each representing & bank. A few weeks ago it was reported that negotiations had opened for the purchase of the stock, through a query for a price, but the effort, con- summated vesterday, failed at this tim It is understood that this large block of stock will be kept intact. The rumored price on former negotiations was somewhere around $60 a share. Market value has been close to that figure, 80 it is probable, $65 or there- about was the selling price. No Loss to Banks. The price will give the banks the full amount of their original loan on the notes and interest in so far as in gefault to date. Many of the banks have written the notes down to a low valuation on their books and some have -probably wiped them out altogether. Just what the advent of the new group of owners of such a large block of stock in the Washington Raflway Company will mean to the company and to the District remains to be seen. T1intil they are known one can- not even speculate. But the new money, $1,600,000 or more, is welcome to Washington