Evening Star Newspaper, December 30, 1922, Page 1

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WEATHER. Increasing cloudiness tonight, prob- ably followed by rain or snow tomor- row: slowly rising temperature. Temperature for twenty-four hours ended at 2 p.m. today: Highest, 38, at 2:30 p.m. yesterday; lowest, 24, at 0 a.m, today. Full report on page 4. ;| tlosing N. Y. Stocks _al_ld Bords, Page 18 28,733. 0. Entered as second-class matter post cfice Washington, D. h £ 1) et WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION q WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1922—_TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. U. S. AID FOR WORLD ILLS WILL BE EXTENDED ONLY BY REPARATIONS ADVICE Definite Course to Be Pursued Mapped Out. VEIL OF SECRECY IS RIPPED ASIDE| Next Move Is Up to! Allied Premiers, Is View. The veil of secrecy which for weeks has shrouded the administration’s at- titude toward helping stricken Europe out of her difficultics was lifted ye terday with dramatic suddenne when, from three separate sour definite statements replaced W heretofore hus been confined to slen- derly-woven conjectur In the Senate, Senator Watson of Indiana, an administration spokesman aks with authority, said that had been made by this gov- ernment to determine whether over- tures for an economic conference would be “weicome” in Europe. At the White House it was stated that Fresi- contem- o- on the highest authority dent Harding was not now plating the calling of a general € nomic conference, but at present was considering American ticipation in conference on German Next Move Up to Premlers. Addressing a New Haven, Conn. audience last nig cretary of State Hughes advocated an intern tional commission of financiers, in- cluding which would be called to recommend a settlement for the reparations isls. This suggestion—which generally was interpreted as reflecting the ;dm::; event thut the prem s in their Paris meeting next Tuesday fail to find a or adjustment “among them- selves. As a result of Senator ‘Watson's t Senator Borah of Idaho Ndrew his amendment to the Navy bill providing “for the calling of a general economic conference, and the view generally taken here w that the nex Ilied premiers. °rslc.~‘:~er tary Hughes stressed the view lement by the premlers was A Thoped for. He pointed out that failing such an agreement, the world might be facing the employment ol forcible means to collect reparations from Germany. and outlined the danger to world peace the American government foresaw in that course. Relterates W arning. The plain warning to allied states- men that the United States could not look with favor on attempted forcible collection was reiterated. by Mr Hughes in his address, and the finan- cial commission plan put forward as an alternative that would “open hope- fully” the way for American help- fulness. As a first condition of appoint- ment of an economic commission, } however, Mr. Hughes specified that the whole question of Germany's capacity to pay and methods of pay- ment must be “taken out of politics. He emphasized that the distinguished financiers assigned to recommend not only a financial plan of payment but the amount to be pald must be freed of the domination of foreign offices and the necessity of obeying political instructions. The problem must be squared with economic facts alone, he sald, and relieved of all the questions of sentiment and clash- ing political opinion. recriminations and counter charges which have blocked recuperation of Europe up to this time. Afr Considerably Cleared. It was this method alone, the Secretary’s statements plainly in- dicated, which in the view of the American government would make possible American economic ald to Europe. He dismissed both proposals for a general economic conference and discussion of allied debt can- ion as impracticable proposals. e retary Hughes address and Senator Borah's withdrawal of his Navy bill amendment combined to clear the air considerably with regard o the effort of the American govern- nent to be helpful in the reparations tangle. It had been made plain that the administration saw no present hope of accomplishing good results through the method proposed by Senator Borah. The two-day Senate debate had served, however, to make officials both here and abroad aware of the desire in this country that American help should be given toward ‘European recuperation if a way to make it available can be found. There was nothing here today to indicate that the American govern- ment had it now in mind to take any other initiative than to suggest in- formally, as Mr. Hughes has done, a way in which the allled premiers themselves might seek the ald of American economic strength in re- storing Europe. Hope for Acceptance. Neither the White House nor the State Department would give any definite information as to what atti- tude the sounding-out process may have developed in European capitals. At the same time, however, there were indications that so far the plan had encountered no actual opposition on 1he part of any foreign government and that the administration had high hopes of its final acceptance. So far as Germany is concerned, it has been plainly indicated heretofore that the commission plan would be entirely acceptable. A definite state- ment to that effect was contained in A" cablegram recently received from the German Industrie-und Handel- atag, an organization of German in- dustrial leaders, to the Chamber of «‘ommerce of the United States, whose officlals have had the proposal for a (Continued on Page 2, Column 2.) | method of | Says Berlin Frowns On Stable Finances | If Debt Is to Be Paid By the Associated Press. PARIS, December 30—France has made an intensive study of the reparations question for the past four years and is convinced that Germanv does not want to restore her financial stability if such a step means payment in full of a reasonable war in- demnity. Such s the authoritative, though unofficial the wspeech of the American Secretary of State at | Haven last nigh! | CABINET 9PROVES BONAR LAV PLAN BUTLOOKSTOU.S. Hughes’ Statement May Go Far in Aiding Paris Repara- tions Conference. By December 30.—Prime Min- Bonar Law will take to the Paris conference of premiers a com- i plete plan upon which the British | cabinet passed judgment yesterday in the hope of obtaining a French agreement for a final settlement of! I the reparations problem. it was an-’ | nounced in British offictal auarters| i today. | Detalls of Mr. Bonar Law’s repara- tions plan were not available, but it is belleved it will set down Germany’s total obligations at approximately | one-third the Versailles treaty figures. The British desire that the French | give Germany a fair trial under the { new scheme, which, If it is not-pro- | ductive of the desired results, would | be supplemented by French Schemes ! | I | | ister 1 Senators Favor Plan Outlined by Hughes. 'BORAH BELIEVES IT “FIRST STEP” {Only Practical Way to Proceed, Say Harding Men. The plan outlined by Secretary Hughes in° his New Haven epeech to deal with the economic problems of Europe was the subject of favor- able comment by many senators to- day. Senator Borah of Idaho, Sena- tor Capper of Kansas and others who have supported the Borah plan for an international economic conference took the position that the Hughes suggestion was a step in the right direction and that the proposed con- ference of economic experts on the | question of German reparations &ven- tually would lead to an international economic conference. “The financial condition today is the most complicated that the world has ever known. If any solution is to be found it can be found only by most highly developed financial minds and not upon the fiat of premiers and those in administrative authority. The world is critically fll in the region of its pocketbook and it would appear to be the part of wisdom to! submit its case to the best qualified speclalists for advice and treatment.” In “First Step.” Senator Borah maid he assumed that the proposal of Mr. Hughes was the first step toward an adjustment of economic problems, and that it was important to have experts as- sembled and give their opinions in regard to the problems confronting the world. He sald he considered the ! creation of such a commission would | be @ step toward a general tional economic conference. Here and there was to be found. interna- involving coercive methods. | however, a senator who did not look t move lies in the hlnd!' b Hughes’ Speech Helpful. It was stated in official circles this forenoon that it was belleved the speach delivered by Secretary of State Hughes in New Haven last night would be helpful to the Paris conference. Public opinion here is not very sanguine of the success of the Parls gathering, more especially since it is Seen the French government is dis-! posed to take advantage of Ger- many's timber default to press for military sanctions, which it is a fore- igone conclusion the British govern. ment will not countenance. The b lief is that Germany's timber default only amounts to a matter of about £100,000, which it is considered Ger- many could settle by a cash payment and that, therefore, France is seizing on a small technical defult for action. The attention of the British public really is much more centered on the outcome of the mission of Chancellor of the Exchequer Baldwin to the United States and the growing pros- pects of the United States taking an active share in Europe’s economic difficulties. I Lauds Borah. The Weekly Natlon, discussing American developments, says: “Even now the declding factor at Paris may not be London, but Washington.” Commenting on the proceedings in the Senate at Washington, the Nation thinks it a great misfortune that Senator Borah has not visited Europe, “for his courage. his moral force and his unchallenged sincerity would make him a singularly convincin exponent of American foreign policy. This newspaper believes that Mr. Baldwin on reaching Washington wili find_the ground favorably prepared for him. PARIS LOOKS TO U. S. Hope Still Persists Harding May Tend Aid-to Premiers. By the Assoctated Press. PARIS, December 30.—Persistent reports that the United States would participate in some form in next week’s conference of the interallled premiers have been definitely elim- with favor on the Hughes suggestion. | Senator King of Utah (democrat) in- sisted it would be far better to have an international economic conference held in the open rather than to leave the discussion of these problems to & group which did not officially repre- sent the nation Involved. Senator Hiram Johnson of California, who vigorously assailed the Borah pro- posal on the ground that it would mean the involvement of the United States in European affairs, declined to comment on the administration pro- posal. Plan Considered Practical Administration leaders in the Sen- ate took the position that Secretary Hughes had proposed a really practl- cal method of dealing with the Ger- man reparations problem, which they consider at the bottom of the eco- nomic ills of the world. Senator Harry New of Indiana, re- publican member of the foreign rela- tions committee, said: “To my way of thinking the plan submitted by Secretary Hughes is the most practical suggestion—in fact, the only practical suggestion—that =~ has been made. It would have behind it the im- pelling force of world opinion to in- sure the acceptance of its recom- mendations if it were composed of men of such high standing as would command general confildence, as Mr. Hughes suggested.” Senator Capper, head of the farm bl said: 1 am in favor of anything prac- tical that will.tend to bring about a solution of the economic problems confronting the world. I was in fa- vor of the adoption of the Borah amendment to the Navy bill. A con- ference on German reparations by economic experts would be beneficial.” Senator Lenroot, republican, Wis- consin, sald: “I am sure Secretary Hughes' speech will find a favorabie responss. I believe the proposed economic com- mission offers a sound and practical method of arriving at a fair basis of reparations. 2 Senator King Caustie. Senator King of Utah, democrat, said: “Mr. Hughes' idea of an economic commission is not new. The Germans themselves only recently suggested it to the United States Chamber of Com- merce. “In my opinion, the Secretary of State sought to camouflage with foreign distinction the economic conference (Continued on Page 2, Column 3.) (Continued on Page 2, Column 1.) Voice of U. S. Held to Be Vital In Parleys BY HAL OFLAHERTY. | (By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 1922.) LONDON, December 30.—Great Brit- ain looks forward to the first weeks of the New Year with the deepest anxiety. ‘The first month of 1923 must wit- ness decisions of the most fateful character, not only for Great Britain, but for the entire world. Proceeding simultaneously are three conferences, each of vital importance to the British empire’s welfare and holding possibilities that are beyond' conception. Britain's prime ministe will go to Paris soon to thresh out with France and Italy the matter of German reparations.. He is already at Lausanne, where he is'facing the obstinate Turks, and with the barest chance of winning them over to a rea. sonable settlement of the near east roblem. The British chancellor is en route to Washington, where he will attempt to negotiate one of the most delicate problems that international finance has ever presented to the world pow- e l rs. If all of the nations involved in this problem take the right turning, an- other era of prosperity looms on the horizon, but if the wrong road is taken, civilization must falter along 1 1 to Save Europe under the darkly threatening clouds. Here in London, the heart of the British empire, attention is centered upon Chancellor Baldwin’s mission to Washington as being the key to the whole European situation. If America shows a willingness to grant Britain terms as to payment of the huge debt so lenient, fair and rea. sonable that it ceases to be a threat of financial ruin, then the other prob- lems of European finance can be talked without fear. But Britain is asking more than an easement of the financial debt from America. She wants America’'s advice on the question of German reparations and her active co-opera- tion in a complete reorganization of present methods of commerce and trade. British statesmen feel confident that America’s terms will be satis. factory, but they await with nervous tension some word of w further steps the United States intends ing. Recelving the gllblhh.d statements of Britain’s public men, it appears certain that they want Amer| to help make an impartial inquiry ‘into Germany’s ability to pay and to propose a method of payment and then help Bonar Law and his colleagues to convince France that such a plan is.necessary and rea- sonable. In Lausanne, Lord Curzon has pre- pared a complete treaty for peace in the near east. It will presented to the Turkish delega for signa- ture the latter part.of.next-Wepks THERE'S NOTHIN' IN =~ THAT Coue | | URGE §20,000,000 ARMENIAN HOME, U. S. Delegates at Lausanne | Present Plan Calling for i United Action. SEEK FUNDS IN AMERICA Private Loan or Aid From Con- gress Suggested—Conference Ask- ed to Provide Territory. | By the Associated Press. H LAUSANNE, December 30.—Plans fo an Armenian national home. i financed by & possible $20,000,000 ap- propriatian by the United States Con- 1 greas or a popular loan in America in wddition to funds from other coun- tries, were presented to the near east conference toflay by the American delegation. ! 1 It is suggested in the American plan | that the Armenian home be located in Cllicia just north of the Gulf of Alex- | andretta, In territory contalning about 18,000 square miles. The plan I8 the work of Dr. George R. Montgomery, director of the Ar- | menia-American Soclety, who an- nounced he had just received a mes- | sage from the United States saying a resolution was being introduced in the House of Representatives author- izing President Harding to lend $20,000,000 for this project If the Lausanne confercnce made adequate territorial provision for the home. Ends Sixth Week. The conference completes its sixth week today with a solution of the near eastern question still in the making and with the allied and ‘Turkish delegations still at odds over the important issues. As Ismet Pasha and his associates awaited further instructions from their government at Angora, whither they recently reported the impasse in which the negotiations find them- selves, it seemed certain that a settle- ment of even one of the troublesome problems on the agenda could not take place this year. It is belleved that Ismet in his report to his gov- ernment called special attention to the declaration of Lord Curzon that the British government insisted upon recognition of its mandate over the Mosul vilayet. U. 8. Pleads for Refugees. Action by the allles on the Arme- nian plea for a national home in Turkey was expected today. The subcommis- sion on minorities. which is wrestling with this difficult Ymblem. listened yesterday to an appeal by the American observers that refugees in Turkey be allowed to return to their native lands and that thelr property be restored to them. No progress was made by the subcom- mission on minorities, before which the American appeal was presented, when general questions of amnesty were under discussion. The jurists to whom the amnesty clause of the proposed treaty ‘was submitted reported they were un- able to agree, as both the Turks and Greeks had interjected too many con- troversaial political considerations. Must Wait Upon Angora. “Tonfronted by persistent Turkish ob- fections, the subcommission voted to drop the British amendment stipulating the appointment of a league of nations representative to supervise Turkey's treatment of minorities. Apsu.ren!ly Angora must speak before the Ottoman delegates can make con- cessions of a nature to ease the present delicate position of the peace nego- tiations. ‘WAIT PREMIERS’ PARLEY. Some of Lausanne Delegation Plan to Go to Paris. By ‘cable to The Star and_ Chicago Daily & News., Copyright, 1022.) LAUSANNE, December * °30.—The Lausanne conference is marking time. The delay in making peace seems closely conected with the meeting of Premiers in Paris. The Lausanne con- ference being involved in Europe's old reparations allment, it is unlikely that a settlement will be approached before the Paris conversation is well under way. rdy some of the Lau- sanne delegates are planning to be in Paris before the negotiations there begin. 1t is significant that a session of the first commission on military and terri- torial questions has not been called since December 20, for this body has in share the difficult questions of the straits and frontiers. In the subcommittees, on minoritics, Friday, Harry Dwight of Washington, D. C., read the following Amerizan deglaration on amnesty, £ Turkish Troops | Are Sent Moving Toward Mosul| ciated Press December 20.—The | Turks are sending reinforcements in the direction of Mosul, the rich oil district the ownership of which is in dispute at the Lausanne con- ference, according to advices to the Central News from a reliable source. A division of troops, it ie stated, left Van for Mosul. ANS TOWIPE OUT P. 0. DEFICTIN 1924 Work Says Continuance of Present Business Conditions Alone Needed. 6,000 has Turkish already NO RAISING OF RATES Innovations Planned Include Fast Parcel Post Freight, Con- gress Is Told. i The Post Office Department expects to wipe out the postal deficit in 1924, if business conditions hold good throughout the country, it was learned today. Postmaster General Work expects to reduce the postal deficit of $60,- 815,400.36 in 1922 to $31,750,000 during the coming year and to entirely ab- sorb the deficit in 1924. He has made this statement before the hearings on the postal appropriations bill and the entire department is working be- hind him to make it come true. This great step will be accom- plished, if busineds conditions hold good, without raising the postal rates in any particular, it is expected. It logically follows, according to the officials, that nc rates must be re- duced, either. Fast Parcel Post Freight. Fast parcel post freight may be one of the novelties introduced in the effort to cut down the deficit. Han- dling of parcel post is becoming such a problem that two classes of such postal matter may be drawn up— parcels that may go In cars, much as fast freight, taking their time, and parcels that must receive the swiftest transportation. Saving of money can be affected by such a step, it is belleved by some officials, as well a8 betterment of the parcel post service. Officials feel that efficiency of service is more to be de- sired than a derease in the deficlt, as desirable as the latter ia Betterment of the efficiency of the motor vehicle service of the depart- ment_is_another. aim of officials, it was learned today. $50,000,000 Work a Year. Nearly $50,000,000 worth of work is done by the postal service each year for various government agents with- out pay, officials stated, this large sum being considered as a normal sort or deficit. Franking privileges cost the postal service about $20,000,000. This free matter sent out by Congress and the departments costs the postal service that sum of money to carry and handle. The postal service constantly uses its men and resources to do work for other branches of the government Among such work is the aid given the Treasury Department, in selling sav- ings ‘certificates, and the aid given the Department of Agriculture in taking the annual hog census, which is done by rural carriers. RELIEF WORKER WEDS. mractor of Orphanage and U. 8. Official Marry in' Turkey. CONSTANTINOPLE, December 30.— Miss Katherine Glllespie of New Rochelle, N. Y, director of the Near Eastern Relief Orphanage, and Robert Baitimore, State De) Benedictine yesterday. They be- gan their honeymoon.at ra, where they first met during the height of the ‘Turco-Greek campaign, T MASSING EVIDENGE N LAKE MURDERS State Ready-to Lay Cards on Table in Mer Rouge Case Hearing. 'McKOIN ILL IN BALTIMORE | Klan Starts Probe to Find Out if He Is a Mem- ber. By tiie Associated Press. BASTROP, Ga., December 30.—An- other day of marking time while awaiting the return of federal and state investigators, who have been in New Orleans and Baton Rouge con- ferring with Gov. Parker and other state oMicials, today served only to in- crease the air of expéctancy in trou- bled Morehouse parish, “scene of ac- tion” in what men directing the in- quiry declare will prove one of the most sensational exposes of masked band operations ever unfolded in the south. The investigators were ex- pected to return here within the next forty-eight hours. Civil and military officials would not predict today what further arrests would be made in addition to the de- tentfon here of J. T. Burnett, former deputy sheriff, and employe of a local carbon plant, and of Dr. B. M. Mc- Koin, former mayor of Mer Rouge, in Baltimore, in advance of the open hearing to be conducted here next week by Attorney General Coco be- fore Judge Fred L. Odom of the sixth judicial district. Positive denial was made at the office of the parish sheriff and county court clerk of reports that jadditional affidavits or warrants had been issued. Papers on Way. Deputy Sheriff Calhoun of More- house parish and Captain of Detectives James P. Glynn of the New Orleans police department were on their way today to Baltimore to bring back to Louisiana Dr. McKoin, held there on “From Press to Home Within the Hour” The Star’s carrier system covers every city block and the regular edition is delivered to Washington homes as fast as the papers are printed. Yesterday’s Net Circulation, 88,815 New Year Calls Suspended Again At White House There will not be a New Year re- ception at the White House on Monday. The White House today officially announced that this popular tradi- tion, which was abandoned by President Wilson and was revived by President Harding last year, would be again discontinued be- cause of Mrs. Harding's illness. o/rs. Harding several days ago, en the matter was being dis- cussed with her, expressed deep regret because she was not yet strong _enough physically to_Te- ceive with the President on New Year day. She stood at the head of the receiving line last New Year day for more than five hours and personally shook hands with more than 8,000 men, women and ‘chil- dren. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harding enjoyed the event, and had looked forward to its repetition this year. New Year day will be observed simply and quietly at the White House. The President, it is under- stood, will spend the day with Mrs. Harding, and it is expected that a few close friends will call during the day. TWO DIE TO SAVE - D.G.GIRLINGRASH !Miss Elizabeth M. Price and Philadelphia Friend Hurt in New Jersey. MALE COMPANIONS DEAD Prominent Young Folk in Sedan | When Struck by Electric Special Disps i to The Star. WOODBURY, N. J., December Two men sacrificed their lives to save two girls in an automobile-train crash at North Woodbury last night. | C. Alexander Wray, jr., and Loui: A. Brunner, both twenty-four year: of age and both of Philadelphia, are dead as a result of their actions last night in thrusting Miss Catherine Johnstone, twenty-three, of Philadel-, TWO CENTS. SEVEN INDICTED IN§11,000,000 WAR CONTRACT FRAUDS Benedict Crowell, Assistant War Secretary Under Wil- son, Among Named. CONTRACTORS FAVORED {ON ARMY CAMPS, CHARGE Starrett, Tuttle, Lundoff, Foster, MacGibbons and Mears, Defendants. i Seven men are charged with con- khnh‘ac)‘ to defraud the United Statew {in connection with the letting of con- tracts for Army cantonments in in- | dictments returned today by the spe- {clal war frauds grand jury. It is alleged that through them $11,000, | 000 was received by favored contrac- tors. Those accused are Benedict Crowell, assistant Secretary of War in Presi- dent Wilson's administration and president of the construction firm of Crowell-Lundoff-Little Company; Wil- llam A. Starrett, an engineer and architect of the firm of Starrett and | Van Vleck; Morton C. Tuttle, general | manager of the Averthaw Construc- tion Company and acting chairman of the emergency construction com- mittee of the War Department. Clemens W. Lundoff, vice president and general manager of the Crowell- Lundoff-Little Co. and general man- |ager of the Cleveland Construction | company. also a chairman of the emergency construction committee; | Clair Foster, formerly associated with | the Thompson Starrett Company and !lhe George A. Fuller Company and then holding the rank of major, Engi- neer Corps, United States Army; John { H. McGibbons, representative of a | bonding compan; and who was as- sociated with the emergency commit- Le and James A. Mears, general | manager of Fred T. Ley & Co. and secretary of the emergency construc- tion committee. Contractors Recommended. It is alleged as one of the overt acts of the supposed conspiracy that in phia, the latfer's fiancee, and Miss| Washington on Armistice day, Novem- Elizabeth M. Price, eighteen, promi-|per 11, 1918, and thereafter up to nent Washington society subdebu- July 1, 1919, the defendants recom- tante, from the sedan automobile in|mended contractors for and procured which they were riding, while they | themselves were trapped inside the car as the electric train smashed into it at an unprotected grade crossing at Edith avenue and the State plke here. The tragedy was enacted in & ma i tef of seconds. The last acts these men must have been intuitive, s0 quickly did they save the young women. scdan swung directly on the track in front of a fast approaching elec- {tric train. As Wray, who wae driv- ing. realized that an accident was | unavoidable, he velled to his coni- | panion to save the girls. Both men | then hurled the young women from the car. Wray was @ brother of the famed “Lud” Wray, foot ball player extraor- | dinary, while Brunner was the broth- ier of “Bots” Brunner, an all-American | gridiron star, who carved a niche in | foot ball's hall of fame for himself on | the Lafayette and Pennsylvania elev- {ens. In addition, both were foot ball players of no mean ability themselves, The group was en route to a party being siven by Judge Lewis Starr at Woodbury Country Club, in honor of his daughter. Miss Catherine Starr. | The party was to be the “coming out” party for Miss Starr. MISS PRICE WELL KNOWN. Washington Girl in Three Acci- dents Within a Year. Miss Elizabeth M. Price is daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar th A 7l ed Arter rounding a curve which hid ' the grade-crossing from view their | i the United States to be obligated for ! extensive new war and military con- i struction in excess of §80,000,000. Of | this amount, it {s said, more than 4311.00&090 went to contractors select- by “said conspirators,” who were | given such work under a cost-plus { form of contract. | Another overt act {s the alleged election of Fred T. Lev Co. to construct Camp Devens, at Aver, Mass., for the procurement of which contract James A. Mears is alleged to have received a commission of $10.000. | The indictment charges that the ac- { cused conceived a fraudulent scheme {and plan for their own gain and for | the profit and benefit of their past {and future clients, employers and friends to secure controi of the ad- ministration of the immense emer- | Bency construction program of the United States during the war, includ- ing the selection of contractors and | the letting of more than 500 separate i contracts including the construction | of the sixteen National Army canto; i ments; sixteen National Guard cam; ! terminals, warehouses and fortifica- | tions. Decelt and Money Wante. It is alleged that some of the de- fendants, in furtherance of the al- leged conspiracy. secured appointment {as members of ‘the emergency con- ! struction committee, and through d |ceit practiced upon and through the | misleading and overriding of respon- sible officers of the United States by | usurping functions of regularly con- tituted departments of the govern- | ment, caused great waste of moneys. appropriated by Congress, und secured a charge of murder in connection | FTice, 1841 Lamont street, and is “"“iunjuulflzbh‘ profit and benefit to Fred with the kidnaping and killing of ‘Watt Daniels and Thomas Richards, in the event his extradition is granted. State troops, on duty here and at Mer Rouge, are temporarily under the command of Lieut. Col. R. A. Young of Monroe, who has relfeved Col. Louis F. Guerre, granted leave of absence over the week end. Col. Guerre left for New Orleans yester- day, but will return next week to resume command. Maj. Roland B. Howell of New Orleans has arrived here to act as legal adviser to the troops’ commander. State officials were busily engaged today in whipping into shape the mass of evidence to be presented at the opening hearing, one week from today. “The state will lay its cards upon the table when the hearing begins,” said one of the attorneys, who will take an active part in the handling of state’'s case. “I do not see how any grand jury can refuse to indict.” Denies Klan Gullt. By the Associated Press. NEW ORLEANS, La., December 30. —The Louisiana organization of the Ku Klux Klan will send its own sgents to Morehouse parish to Inves- tigate the kidnaping and killing of ‘Watt Danlels and Thomas Richards last August, according to an an- nouncement by a high state official of the klan. This action, he said, was decided on at a conference here yesterday of heads of the state or- ganization. It was stated that the investigation probably would bé started within the next forty-eight hours. “I recently returned from More- house parish, where I discussed the outrage with many folks who knew their community well “I know that the klan is not “We have no idea of setting up any defense at public hearings for any one, and reports that the-klan is in- terested in obtaining brilliant attor- neys for the defense of those arrested are not true. We are interested in clearing the klan of any connectionq in the public mind with these out- ri The klan officlals stated if it should develop that any individual members of the klan in Morehouse parish had anything to do with the kidnaping and murders of Danfels and Richards, they would be outlawed and the klan would assist in obtaining their con- t | Victions before the criminal courts of the state. ' Gov. John M. Parker, who ordered the public hearings into the More- (Continued on Page 3, Coluron 1) { | known by the younger society set of Washington, although.she i8 a sub- debutante. Mr. Price was assistant director general of rallroads under McAdoo throughout the war, and ac- companied Mr. McAdoo on all trips from Washington in connection with the operation of the roads. In official clrc]eg he was called “McAdoo's right- hand man.” Mrs. Price. at her home here. today received news from her daughter in Philadelphia, telling that although she was not seriously injured and that her girl friend, Miss Catherine Johnstone of Philadelphia, also es- caped serious injury, both were suf- fering severely from the effects of the tragedy. ¢ “I am all broken up,” declared Mrs. Price, “becausa this is the third ac- cident that Elizabeth has been in in a year. st . in Pennsylvania, she was severely injured in an acci- dent. Those two boys who were killed were the finest type of American young men and their death has un- nerved me. “§ think that Mr. Price, who is in New York, engaged in legal prac- tice, has heard from my daughter. She was coming home today, if she ‘were able, but it has been thought better to postpone her trip to Wash- ngton until tomorrow. ‘Esne left here last Thursday, and was on her way to a coming-out party of Miss bury, N. J., when the accident took place. Miss Starr is the daughter of Judge Starr, who is a prominent jurist of his state. -My daughter is now at Judge Starr's home in Woodbury. She intended. to visit a number of friends in the vicinity of New York before returning home when she planned her holiday trip, and was to_spend her New Year eve in New York at a party. All these plans have been dis- carded now and she Is coming back tomorrow.”* Miss Price is eighteen years of age and is attending the exclusive Co- lonial School for Girls, at 18th and Q streets. Last year she was a mem. ber of the Junjor League of Wash. ington. BANDITS GET $20,000. CLEVELAND, Ohio, December 30.— Armed bandits this morning held up the paymaster of the Ferry Cap and Screw Company and escaped with the $20,000 weekly pay roll. The rob- bers entered the offices of the com- pany with pistols drawn. The pay- master, just returned from a bank with the money, and heavily guarded by an armed escort, was caught off bis guard by the sudden raid, $ Catherine Starr at Wood- | | T. Ley & Co., George A. Fuller Com- | pany, | Thompson-Starrett Company. Stonie & Webster, Cleveland Construc- tion Company and others. Ultimate and unjustifiable financial loss to the United States resulted, it is alieged, from the alleged conspiracy During the year 1917, the indictment charges, the defendants recklessly. fraudulently and in disregard of the interests of the government hindered and delayed the Initiation, progress and completion of the government's can- tonments and camp construction pro- gram, with the inevitable great ex- pense and loss in efficiency therefrom and with resulting sickness and death to its soidiers. The defendants are also alleged to have disregarded an act of Congre: {dated May 12, 1917, forbidding any | expenditure of more than $5,000 for any building or military post without the approval of the Secretary of War, and it is alleged the accused caused expenditures running into millions of dollars without the approval of the Secretary Competition Abolished. During April and May, 1917, the indictment charges, the defendants induced. the responsible officers of the { government to reject the long-estab- lished system of letting work under jcompetitive bids under contract. {which adequately safeguarded the {government, and induced these offi- icers, it is charged, to adopt a wide- open cost-plus system, which was largely administered by themselves. The alleged conspirators, it is claimed, refused to consider various ofters made by rellable contractors to do any required work for the government at less than the scale of fee and compensation procured by the alleged conspirators to be written (Continued on Page 2, Column 7.) §6.500,000 REQUESTED | FORWORK ON WARSHIPS A supplemental appropriation of $6,500,000 for modernization of battle- ships was requested of Congress to- day by President Harding, who trans- mitted a letter from Secretary Denby, declaring that as a result of the arms conference decisions the nation must adopt a new policy regarding its capital ships if they are *“‘to maintained at a standard of efli- ciency comparable to that of similar Vessels of foreign powersa.”

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