Evening Star Newspaper, December 31, 1922, Page 2

A3, N gt 2 » 5 THE _BUNDAY BTAR, WASHINGTION, D. O, DECEMBER 31, 1922—PART 1. l COMMISSIONERS ISSUE NEW YEAR GREETING TO CITY Expressing the hope that 1923 will be a perlod of “Increased prosperity and happiness to al the Commissioners yesterday is- sued a New Year greeting to tho people of Washington. The mes- sage of the city fathers follows: “The Commissioners of the Dis- trict of Columbia extend to the citizens of the District their sin- cere wishes for a happy and pros- perous new year. The District has enjoyed many blessings during the past year and it is the hope of the Commission that the year on which we are about to enter will be one of increased prosperity and happinese to all.” MER ROUGE PROBE STARTED BY KLAN BETTER TIMES DUE, WALLAGE BELIEVES Secretary, in Review, Says Farm Conditions Have Already Improved. |3 ¥ CROPS REPORTED GOOD Prices Up and Labor Cost Lower, With Credit Strain Eased. Much Yet to Be Done. Rotter times for the farmers of the country are foreseen for 1923 by Secretary Wallace, who, in a state- clewed T s woni Louisiana Branch Seeks to ditions of 1922 Establish the Identity of Lake Murderers and set forth the prospects for the new vear. In his statement Mr. Wwallace “Twelve months ago most of the 5.000.000 farmers of the United States were start- the long. imb By the Associated Press. BASTROP, La.. December 30.—The failure of the state to make further arrests during this week in the More- house kidnaping and murder cases as given the impression that the Wditional arrests promised would not be made before next Friday, the day of the open hearing 1 igations are being extended v and there were reports that Depart- ment_of Justice agents will delve into " the activities of unidentified secret organizations who have con- ducted raids- against the ong the Louisiana-Arkansas bor- der. The Ku Klux Klan of the realm of Louisiana also had agents in the fleld, it was reported, to Investigate the responsibility for the outrage on the Bastrop-Mer Rouge highway on the night of August 24, when flve members of old Morehouse families were kidnaped, two flogged and two murdered. Klan Probe Is Deep. Because of the reports made by the scores of persons returning from the Bastrop celebration and who witnessed the highway episode that the mob was ro and masked— rexalia similar to that worn by Ku ‘Klux Klan—the state klansmen are sending investigators into Mor house to sift the affair and (o re- port their findings. It the klan as a whole Is guilt 4ts charter will be revoked: if fr dividual members were implicated they be left by their fellow klansmen to the fate they deserve. This was the edict of chieftains w! gathered in New Orleans yesterda: Meanwhile it is reported that the membership of the Morehouse klan s dwindling through resignatjons. Capt. J. K. Skipworth, recognized of the Ku Klux in Morehouss h, tonight told the Associated > that the Morehouse klan would MR, WALLACE. attained the heights which tha grateful sunshine of prospe indeed, have fallen by the « arc still in the valley. Never- theless, as we stop a bit and look backward we can see that Very con- siderable ind has been gained by the great majority, and we can enter renewed hope and age which comes from ization that we are really making progress. Better Times Comt ear ago. when spaaking of the ‘s for farming in 1922, I said while there was no reason to t hoom times for the farmer in future, there was promise «f hetter times both for the farmer ind for those whose business is large- upon him. The & fillment_of that pron eraily, than’a v g £ ch better r agriculture better. both bigher. While orresponding ad- < of the thines the farmer must buy. the total sum wkich farmers will receive for the crops of this year is greater by a billion and a half doliars or the pric arm folss will be little on the @rind- y were forced to preceding year. The labor cost of producing the crops of 1922 was stiil further re- duced. There were some Substantial reductions in freight rates. Much helpful legislation has been enacted and more will be this winter. Interest rates ars lower and the credit strain This has made it pos- farmers who were involved to refund and get themselves in_condition to win through. “There ara still some sections conditions were unfavorable and crops were short, and farmers in these sections are having a very hard time of it Freight rates are stlll too high, es- veclally for those who must pay for & long haul to market. “Taxes are high, but this is large! due to the increase in local taxe: aver which farmers themselves must exercise control. Co-Operative Marketing Grows. There has been gratifying growth co-operative marketing . and more of them are % organized on a sound basis. Aside from the help, which has Teen given by legislation and by ad- istration ~activities, strong eco- fomie forces are at work to restore & more normal relation between agri- ghlture and other industries. i “The peril in the agricultural de- ession Is more keenly realized by her groups than ever before, and every hand a sincere desire is be- & evidenced to do what can be done fely to help the farmer better nis condition. {: “Everything considered. we have food reason to expect still better things for agriculture in the year welcome any investigation by other klan authorities of the kidnaping of Watt Daniels and Thomas Richards, masked mob victims. He said he learned of the decision of the state klan to send investigators into More- house only through newspapér di: patches. ‘We welcome investigations,” the klansman asserted. “We have always disowned any implication in the oc- currence and when the day in court comes we will thoroughly disprove any charge that may be made.” ‘ederal investigators who have been active here since September re- turned today after conferences with state officials at New leans. Friends of Dr. B. 3 McKoin, former mayor of Mer Rougé, who is under murder charges at Baltimore, were disturbed over the news that the physician is i1l Some of his friends have advised him not to fight extradition, but to return to Loulsiana, as they are cer- tain he will be vindicated. In the meanwhile they are proceeding with the accumulation of the fund to pay for his defense. Former Judge W. Barnett of Shreveport announced today he has been retained as counsel for T. J. Burnett, former deputy sheriff, also under arrest on a murder charge in connection with the case. He said in the event McKoin was extradited he would represent him also. “I regard the case in no othe: than any other murder case, judge commented. “In the analysis this case will have to be dis- posed of by due process of law in the criminal courts.” Alibt I Claimed. Friends of Burnett and McKoin are authority for statements they will be defended by the best legal talent that monéy can buy. Witnesses to prove that Dr. McKoin was in Monroe at the time the kidnapings occurred have Leen procured, and a positive alibi can be established, it was an- nounced by his friends. Dr. McKoin, who has been charged by Gov. Parker as being a klansma: denied his afiiliation with the organi- zation, but announced today that he was not only a member, but an_or- ganizer of the Loulslana-Arkasas Law League, an organization which, during the summer of this year, was said to have absorbed & number of independent law enforce- ment socleties. The league was reported as having ceased to function, and ft is the gen- eral opinlon it has dissolved. PLANS EXTRADITION FIGHT. MYSTERIOUS TIE-UP OF DRY SHIP LETS IN $7,000,000 RUM (Continued from First Page.) Mquor was placed under customs seizure. . Following the seizure Capt. John H. sart,in command of the Hansen, wa summoned to report before John D. Appleby, zone c! and his crew of pended under charges. A conference was held between Deputy Surveyor H. €. Stuart and Mr.. Appleby; a report was made to E. Yellowley, who ordered the suspension of the crew und an investigation begun at ence. Fart of Salvaged Cargo. The liquor found on board the Han- wen is said by the customs officers 1o have been part of a cargo of sev- enty cases salvaged from the Linnle Bell. a rum-running auxiliary craft which was caught in the storm of December 28. The crew of probably two men was either drownod or aban- doned the boat, which was a motor sloop. The sloop was driven ashore at the mouth of the Shrewsbury river, New Jersey. Life guards from Sandy Hook lo- cated the little vessel and the cutter Hansen was notified. The Hansen went out in the hazy storm in_an attempt to salvage the sloop. This was impossible, but two customs agents on the lansen report that the Hansen did salvage seventy cases of liquor, This liquor was broyght to New York and was ordered transferred in seizure to the customs stores. Only thirty-five cases ever turned up at the customs stores. The search and discovery of the twenty cases hidden in the crew's quarters aboard the Mansen was the result of a check of the stock delivered as against the Inventory of the stock salvaged. JAIL FOR GOTHAM GARGLERS. BALTIMORE, December 30.—Indi- cation that the fight to keep Dr. B. M. McKoin, ex-mayor of Mer Rouge, Ea., from being returned to that state, where he is wanted on a charge of murder, would be continued to the last was given today when ex-United States District Attorney Robert R. Carman, the physician's counsel, said he had mentioned the case to Judge John C. Rose of the United States dis- trict court. Mr. Carman visited Judge Rose concerning another case, but after a consultation, in which t! McKolin case was mentioned, admitted that application for a writ of habeas corpus under federal jurisdiction was a possibility. Dr. McKoin, who was arrested last Tuesda at_the request of Gov. Parker of Louisiana in_connection with the murder of Watt Danlels and Thomas Richards, two of a party of five men kidnaped in Morehouse par- ish last summer by a h mob, spent today on his cot at the hos- pital in the oity jail, sufféring from an attack of bronchi He was re- ported to have spent a restful day and was ex ed to be about again in another day. or s Mr. Carman again_today said that he would make no furt! move t ward obtaining his client's release until after the extradition hearing before Gov. Ritchie. \ the Louisiana officérs are expected here with the necessary papers probably tomorrow, it is not expected that the case will go before the governor until Tuesday, as Monday is & holiday. Dr. J. G. Hawkins, imperial repre- sentative of the Ku Klux Klan for Maryland and Delaware, announced t Dr. McKoin s not and never has been & member of the klan. Dr. Hawkins id his authority for the statement was 'the head of the organisation at Atlanta. Murder Laid to MeKeoin. BIRMINGHAM, Ala.,, December 30.— Efforts are being made by H. H. Thom of Bessemer, Aja., brather of Dr. K. P. Thom, who is alleged to have been killed b; mayor of Mer Rouge, La., at Gallion, La.. in 1916, to enlist the aid of Gov. Parker of Louislana in having an indictment returned against him charging him with this murder. ‘Thom sald tonight he wrote to Gov. Parker récently giving the details of the killing of his brother and asked the governor to cause an Investiga- tion of the ir, ;881 he had not _recel: [} “Enforce the Law,” Watch Word of ‘Watchful Drys New Year Eve. By the Assaciated Press. NEW YORK, December 30.—A jail cell for New Year celebrants who ‘boldly imbibe of cheering spirita In the public places of New York is the threat of State Prohibition Enforpe- ment Director Yellowley, who today announced that his agents. 0o-oper- ating with the police department, would enforce the law. i The efforts of the' enforcement forces will be directed especially. to those parts- of the city where the lights shine brightest. Those gaudily decorated resorts mlong Broadway and near by, where one had been able to pay cover charge, buy ginger ale, “fll in” from hip- pocket flasks and grow dizzy with the jasz bands, are to be the main objectives of the law enforcers. nders will be arrested and taken S§mmediately before feda ©o1 ! sioners, charged with violation of th Volstead act and jailed if unable to Surnish bail, Director ¥/ oy sald. PR ISR Dr. B. M. McKoin, former | Par! EXPRESSING W. FOR HER SPEEDY AND COMPLETE RECOVERY, - LEAVE BOUQUET OF ROSES FOR MRS. HARDING Wilson Warmly Thanks Coolidge For Felicitation Vice President Coolidge yesterday received from former President ‘Woodrow Wilson a letter expressing his pleasure at the receipt of the Vice President’s letter conveying to Mr. Wilson the resolution of the Senate congratulating him upon his birthday and his improved physical condition. Mr. Wilson's letter, under date of December 29, was as follows: “My dear Mr. Vice President: “The very gracious letter with ‘which you are so kind as to accom- pany the resolution of the Senate of the 28th of December has given me. genuine pleasure. It pleases me very greatly to recelvé so generous an expression of your kind, personal sentiment, and I beg to express the hope that the new year will contain for Mrs. Coolidge and you every gen- uine satisfaction and lasting content- ment. “Believe me, my dear Mr. Vice President, with great respect, cord- fally, and sincerely yours, “WOODROW WILSO! FRENCH DISAPPOINTED AT ATTITUDE OF AMERICA (Continued from First Page.) FALL RETCENT ON RESEKTION Refuées to Deny or ‘Affirm Reports Circulated of His Retirement. Returning to Washington last night, after a week spent with his daughter, at Port Conway, Va., near Fredericks- burg, Secretary of the Interior Fall said he did not care to discuss reports that he was contemplating resigning from the cabinet. He did not, how- ever, deny the reports, but indicated ¢ would make a statement as soon as he returns to the department. In connection with the rumors of lecretary Fall's resignation, it was learned on high authority last night that Representative Frank W. Mon- dell, who has been floor leader in _the ouse during the last two Con- is being smeriously consid- ered by President Harding and his advisers as Secretary Fall's succeasor,. shomid he resign. It was stated that Representative Mondell could have gresges, this cabinet berth if he would accept it and that he was one of the first men considered by Mr. Harding when he first took up the task of selecting his cabinet. Others Mentioned. Reports regarding the resignation of Secretary’ Fall mention several other republicans from among whom his successor may be picked, includ- ing Senators Kellogg and New and Carmi Thompson of Ohio. From other support of the enfeebled German finances. In the face of this American pro- nouncement, French resistance to what was frankly referred to as “Anglo-American pressure” stiffened almost to the point of defiance. A round-up of the most responsible French opinion finds the Hughes speech attacked at virtually every point. The American proposal is r¢ garded as one to paralyse France's hand against Germany, without gi' ing any appreciable return. The sug- gestlon for an international commi sion of business men, on which the United States would be ‘included, to inquire into the German capacity to pay, which ordinarlly would be wel- comed here, is being criticized here tonight on the ground that the pre- Togatives granted France by the treaty of Versailles are not brought into play. In this connection, much stress is laid on the recent decision of the reparations commission official- ly holding Germany in default on pay- ments. sources it was learned last night that if Secretary Fall does resign to take over active charge of his immense stock ranch at Three Rivers, N. M. Edwin C. Finney, now first stan secretary of the interior, may be ap- pointed "to the first vacancy in the Harding cabinet. Mr. Finney was appointed assistant secretary from a post as chairman of the board of review on oil and gas leases, in which he has specialized for many years. BOOSTS JULIUS BARNES. By the Associated Press. DULUTH, Minn., December 30.— Following reports that Secretary of the Interior Fall would resign, Rep- resentative Larson of Duluth has sent a letter to President Harding urging that Herbert Hoover be chosen to sucteed him d Julius H. Barnes named for Hoover’s position, according to a copy of the letter re- ceived from Mr. Larson and to be pub- lished tomorrow by the Duluth News. Tribune. The letter follow: President. iew of Secre- Fall's resignation. may I offer a suggestion? ‘Herbert Hoover for ecretary of the Interior and Julius H. Barnes for Secretary of Com- merce.’ I do not know whather Mr. Barnes would accept the appointment, but I know_that his successful busi- __experfence, his great public ice as the president of the United ain Corporation and his tow- ering abilities as a business man and statesman eminently fit him for Group of murses from Garfleld Memorial Hespital, who presented flowers te Mrs, Harding yesterday through Miss Laura Harlan, her secretary, shown in the pieture. | DRY LAW ENFORCEMENT ON HIGH PLANE IN D. C. Force Inadequate, But Still 693 Cases Made in 6 Months. Poincare Faces Test, That France will go into the pre- meriers’ conference Tuesday determin- ed to carry out her program of guar- antee seizures, even at the risk of the displeasure of both the United States and Great Britain, tonight seems certain. For Poincare failure at the January 2 meeting means fall from power. There can be little question on that score. This afternoon Poincare delivered a lrief speech in the chamber of deputies on the subject of anti French sentiment in Germany and the lack of satisfaction obtained by the allies for the recent maltreatment of officers of the control commission in Bavaria, on the subject of which another “ultimatum has already been sent to Germany. He did not refer to the Hughes speech. Resentment Is Felt. ‘With the first French reaction to the: Hughes New Haven speech one of keen resentment and the cabinet ministers officially withholding all comment, Le - Temps, generally re- garded as the government spokes- man. tonight, in rejecting Secretary Hughes' suggestion for an_intern tional expert commission of investi gation, says: “The reparation debts are the re- sult of treaties and accords signed between governments. It is not cus- tomary for a nation to abandon rights s0 acquired and submit them to arbi- tration representing private inter- ests. The United States government certainly would not consent to any abdication of this kind if called on to safeguard the rights of her country. Le Temps also sharply resents Secre- tary Hughes' suggestion that the repa- rations problem is not properly a litical one. When any question strikes 80 intimately the taxpayers of so many countries, says Le Temps. it is im- possible to keep'it from being political. Paper Scents “Plot.” In_discussing the Hughes speech in La Liberte tonight, Jacques Bainville sees in it a powerful Anglo-American plot to overthrow the avowed nch policy on the eve of the premiers’ col ference. He brands the British idea that the German debt should first be reduced and sanctions taken later as “infantile,”” and Secretary Hughes' speech as *absurdity. hypocrisy and nonsense. more favorable to Germany than to France. “The intentions of both Hughes and Bonar Law may be good, but with France it is results that count. mot good intentions.” he says. “The United States government has now come to the aid of the British. It would be difficult to hear weaker words out of the mouth of any statesman than those filling the & of Secretary Hughes yesterday. ere we do not accuse the American government of bad intention: It is all the more serious if the Was] ington government is sincere in this matter. If the United States wants to mix up in the reparations problems and the affairs of Europe at the precise moment when we say there is no other policy than that of selsure of guaran- Total of Convictions| 98 Per Cent—Fines | Reach $70,402. Enforcement of the national prohi- bition act in the District of Columbia is a stupendous undertaking, What is true of this city is aleo Rrue of all other jurisdictions. The enforce- {ment of the law in Washington, de- spite criticisms from certain sources aimed at the courts, taking into con- sideration the limited number of pro- hibition officers and police assigned to that specific work, is as near per- fect as human effort can make it This conclusion is drawn from a carefully prepared stutement of the! operation of the office of Assistant District Attorney Frank J. Kelly, who has charge of handling all cases in- volving the violation of the national prohibition act covering the period of the past six months beginning July 1 and ending December 30. It not only shows that this office is handling cases with as much dis- patch as Is possible, but that the judges sitting in tho United States |branch of the District of Columbia Police Court are co-operating with the district attorney’s office and the police department to put down the violation of the prohibition law. Flagrant Violation Seen. That the law is being flagrantly violated is In evidence on every hand. The bootleggers with almost open defiance ply their unlawful business, selling in some instances in the open. But it must be remember- ed, it was pointed out. that, all told, the prohibition agents and police of- ficers specially assigned to look after the enforcement of the law—less than a dozen men—are inadequate to cope with the situation. If the law is to be rigidly enforced, o.ficials of the courts say, there must be a ma- terial increase in the number of men assigned to ferret out the violators and bring them to justice. When the arrests are made Assistant District appointment would add strength and prestige to your already strong and able cabinet. “This letter is written without Mr. Barnes' knowledge or authorit [ GERMAN PAYMENT PLAN COMPLETE| (Continued from First Page.) MISS RUTH POWDERLEY, 2 League nurse, who was head nurse for former President Wilxon and attended Mru. Harding during her present illness, participated in the presentation. ational Photo. GARFIELD NURSES GIVE ROSES TO MRS. HARDING Delegation Expresses Wish for Restoration of Health and Leaves Building Plans. Twenty trained nurses from Gar- field Hospital called at the White House vesterday and left for Mrs. Hard- ing a large basket of red roses and a written expressidn of thelr gratifi- cation of her recovery and their hope for her complete and permanent restoration to health. At the eame time they left for Mrs. Harding archi- tect's drawing of the proposed nurses’ home and the new central building for Garfield Hospital. - The nurses were attired in white uniforms and wore short blue capes with bright red linings. They were headed by Miss A. E. McWhorter and Miss S. W. Patton. The others in the delegation were Mrs. Waxter and the Misses Zombro, Pierson, Ford, Poole, Talbert, Langley, Miller, Fink, Coiner, Lloyd, Shulteis, Keller, Funk- houser, Gray, Jenson, Fulcomer and Mizzell. Miss Ruth Powderly of the Garfield nursing staff has been onme of Mrs. Harding’s trained nurses Wuring her illness, and with Miss Ruth Harlan, Mrs., Harding’s private secretary, re- ceived the delegation when it arrived at the White House. " Summer White House Offer May Be Put Before Congress the Ruhr, Ort, Luisburg and Duessel- dorf. Should it be impossible now to float the entire international loan which Germany asks, the Cuno gov- ernment suggests that a portion of it be floated five vears hence. It i recommended that the loan carry per cent {nterest, with amortization at 1 per cent. Germany undertakes to raise part of this loan internally. This portion, it is stipulated, would be devoted .to stabilization of the mark. Dr. Theodor Melchior, head of the Warburg banking interests here, is understood to be the chléf author of this plan. Whether the proposals will be pre- sented by Bergman at Paris in the form of a diplomatic note or orally is_not known tonight. The plan has the support of Ger- man industry. The socialists, how- ever, express bitterness over the chancellor's failure to consult them in the formation of it. They express the fear, too, that the sweeping guar- antees offered may entall mortgaging the railways, mines and other na- tional property resources to the pro- posed foreign consortium. Since the granting of such guar- antees must be approved by the reichstag, a union of the soclalists and extreme nationalists there may kill it. even if it proves acceptable to the allies. AUTO RECIPROCITY PLAN GAINS FAVOR (Continued from First Page.) FRANK J. KELLY. Attorney Kelly says that his office is ready to handle all cases and that he has the assurances of both Judges Hardiron and McMahon that the courts will do their fullest duty and give to the enforcement officers their hearty official co-operation in this endeavor. Arrests Are Increasing. During the past six months there have becn 693 cases made and report- cd to the assistant district attorney’s office. The total of the previous six months is not available, but it is a fair assumption, Mr. Kelly says, that the number would be somewhat less. Of that number 53 ci by juries and there tions, with no_acquittals, two juries disagreeing. The number of cases tried by the court on pleas of guilty by defendants totaled 451. There were acquitted by the court 9 cases. For want of prosecution, there were 97 lost. The number of caves dis- missed on motion of the assistant dis- trict_attorney, the arre failing to produce convic evi- dence, was 23, thus disposing of 622, of which there were 9 acquittals by the court, leaving a total of 493 con- victions. ~The percentage of convic- tlons in cases tried for the period was 98 with a percentage of 100 in cases tried by juries. The total amount of moneys paid in as fines for the period in these cases was $70,402. Officlals of the courts expect that the business in this branch of the court for the voming calendar year will_show a heavy increase in the number of cases handled. BRITISH LAUD HUGHES’ REPARATIONS SPEECH (Continued from First Page.) Maryland licenses should be recog- nized in the District. It is unfair for Maryland to discriminate against the District as she does, in my opinion.” Senator Jones agreed with Senator McNary that the Curry amendment would not be subject to a point of order in the Senate. Maryland senators have asked Sena- tor McNary for a hearing on the matter, and he has told them that it 1t policy is to put it mildly. There is not much in the speech of the Sec- retary of State which Great Britain |Senators Believe Official ‘would be gran also o can fail to support. Coming from |tees, it is difficult not.to find this atti- roposes to present his side of the anctio it i tude more favorable to Germany than P26 o the subcommittee. The agri. S n Necessray to -‘“c“t 2 [someee, :x E ""“l“,"- too, to ¢y France. But that the United States cultural appropriation as not yet 5 create a profound Impression in every |should intervene in e reparations e Honse. aitnough thetouse| Acceptance of Gift. e e s aihasms ot fih Ksconcanic nsideration of the Bill sa fhr as amendments are con. ¥ cerned, an only to take a vote SR on its final passage. which probadly |Members Divided As to 4 will be done on Wedn: ay. Th Senate subcommittee, in view of the Wi’dom o! Tflking Ad- vantage of Bequest. has completed equilibrium of the world and then begin declaring that Europe's debt to America is forel, e question and should to th not bo discussed, this is absurdity and hypocrisy. Insists on Word “Rubr.” L/Intransigeant, without mentioning the Hughes speech, replies indirectly by saying that France must insist on the word “Ruhr.” I declares that France wishes to be paid and is aiming not at the German people, but at the great industrialists in any. ‘Everywhere one hears the neceasity of pay from Germany emphasized. and everywhere one hears the need for ad- hering to the sefzure policy more firmly asserted than ever before. —_— KU KLUX VISITS CHUREH. ALEXANDRIA, Va., December 30.—A delegation of members of the Ku Klux Kian, it is announced, last night visited the Del Ray Methodist Church and - "g"::;:l_d $256 to the pastor, Re PR Mr. Hughes should have offered sug- gestions at this time for remedying the perplexed European situation has greatly encouraged the hope today that a solution may be reached. Within the last few days it is known that Secretary Hughes has sounded out French official opinion through Ambassador Jusserand, and the fact that he elected to make the New Haven pronouncement is inter- preted as an indication that he has received encouragement from that 1wurce. fact that the House h: practically completed the bill, has already giv. consideration to its provisions. The subcommittes will resume its consideration of the agricultural bill on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. BRITISH TO DEMAND FINAL REPARATIONS SHOWDOWN IN PARIS |, (Continued from First Page.) overdue ‘which would bring t indebtedness to alone to a total of The bequest of $200.000 for a sum- mer residence for the President of the United States, to be located within fifty miles of Washington, contained in the will of J. Wilson Leakin of Baltimore, could not be accepted by the United States without an act of Congress, according to senators who discussed the proposed summer home yesterday. They pointed out that Cdn- gress would have to provide for the selection of a site and the plans for the erection of the building and for the United States taking title. At the White House it was stated unofficially that the President could not make any statement regarding Leakin offer, as any one of more tl'::‘l.l flfl‘y‘nlll ding offers of “summer hite Houses” have been awaiting the President's preference for the last two years. Bound to Have Effect. That the speech {8 bound to have week almost goes without saying. More than ever, now, the premiers ; have an incentive to come to an un- J. WILSON LEAKIN. derstanding. Should Premier Poin- care still insist upon a French occu- to have a summer home It B fifty|pation of the Ruhr, he will now do miles from Washington. 50 in'full knowledge of the fact that Suggests Alaska Site. he is running counter to American as well as British opinion. “Perhaps it would be well to put 1) 0 | o T outoome at Paris, however, some further action by the Dnited Btates in regard 1o the eco- nomic situation now seems inevitable. Since both British and American bank- ents, Germany's _presen Great Britain £168,000,000. Should no agreement be reached in Paris by January 15 and should Pre- mier Poincare give the word for his troops 4 escort French customs offi- cials an@ engineers inté the Ruhr district, Great Britain would not be but, 1t is thought, to the position of isolation she occupied a century ago and prepare as best she oould to combat the chaotic on government has been placed in an awkand ,position, as Premier Poincare ‘will have a difficult domestic political situation to handie If he abandons his policy of exacting material guaran- tees from Germany. However, the Hughes anaylsis of the Buropean situation is considered as eminent- 1y fair. Great Britain is likewise gratified at Fresident Harding’s suggestion to Congress that the debt funding com- mission be left- unfettered. The British refuse to read too must into this suggestion, but they regard it as a most hopeful gesture in the direction of Stanley Baldwin, chan- cellor of the exchequer, who is about to afrive {n America for conferences sal in favor of the ac- t, which would add | & in the vicinity ressed the ho( The § m“ne buildings ther reparations discussions as use- ashington. He less unless all the powers conocerned are Drepared to take a moderate view. it .seems reasonable to suppose that Secretary Hughes received some as- surances of moderation from France ‘before launching his proposal for s commission of experts Freach is Awkward Pesition. _p.’n-—c.np governments reall: which hold their peoples together are not based upon the technicalities of reparations, but upon their common suffering in the common cause during the great priations. = Senator Smoot of Utah, chairman of War. the public buildings comrhission, said After tho fgnting ended 1n 1918 It |{ne B sired to sen the provisions of out Great Britain picture : these g: before - he commif n allied bonds by refersnces to ———————— 1070 72 MILLION ENOUGH FOR D. . - Oyster Says Sum Would Put Schools, Streets, Sewers Abreast. SURVEY TO BARE DETAIL Proposed Bond Issue Not Yel Definitely Acted Upon by Commissioners. Between $10,000,000 and $12,000.600 spent in & perfod of three or four years should enable the District to make up the time lost during and after the war in building school:, paving streets and carrying on other essential projects, in the opinion of Commissioner Oyster. The Commissioner believes that of the total amount approximately 35,000,000 should go for schools and the balance for street tmprovements, sewer and water main extensions. A detailed survey is now being pre- pared at the District buflding tha will show what the accumulated needs of the National Capital are Until this ecstimate fs the figures given Ly Com Oyster are, of course, ten completed ner tive, The compilation of this estimate follow- ed the action of Capt. Oyster in re- viving the idea of & bond issue as a means of catching up on necessary work, . Ne Boad Issue Action. The present Commissioners, as a board, have not yet taken any defi- nite action on the proposal for # bond issue. The previous board composed of former Commissioners .. Thilman Hendrick, Miss Mabel T. Boardman and Col. Charles W. Kutz recommended a bond Issue to Con Bress in its annual report two years ago, but_ without resulta, © 3 o Commissioner Oyster also declared yesterday that he would like to ses some definite step taken in the near future looking to the improvement of the river front along the Water street side of Washington channe Washington at this time has onl: a nominal bonded debt of less tha $157.000, which will be entirely wiped out by August, 1924. In suggesting « new bond issue Commissioner Oyste: was prompted by the belief that the city will be many years in obtaining the improvements that have accumu lated if only the annual appropria- tion bills are to be relied upon. As each vear goes by the growth of the city will necessitate more schools and more street and sewer work in addition to what is required today 36,500,000 ASKED T0 OVERHAUL NAVY Denby Tells Congress Mod- ernization Ultimately Will Cost $30,000,000. By the Associated Press. In order to keep the first line of the American Navy on a par with the sea {forces of the other great powers President Harding asked Congress yesterday for a specfal appropriation of $6,500,000 as a beginning on battleship-modernization program The plan behind the request mark~ a change of policy resulting direct! from the Washington arms confer ence and was described by Secretar: Denby, in a letter accompanying t President's recommendation “major and vital importance tional defense. Before the confer ence, it had been the practice to build new ships rather than mo: ernize old ones, a policy which longer can be followed becau: construction limitations impose the naval limitation treat: Reports Study by Oficers. Secretary Denby reported that a detailed study of the problem had been made by naval officers and that the $6,500,000 asked for would make it possible to begih work on thi vessels. Ultimately program _would $30,000,000. No detailed information as to what ships will be affected by the fir appropriation, or what work will done on them, was given to Congress by Mr. Denby or made available at the N y Department. It is known however, that, in general, the tenta- tive plans cail for equipment of all the fourteen-inch-gun ships of the fleet with deck protection against torpedo attack, and modernization of the main batteries to give them a range now usable with aircraft spot- tings. British Ships Brought to Date. British ships in n f the same genera! been brought up way, as @ result of lessons learned in the war. The work was begun in British shipyards dur ing the war, and a specific provision permitting it to be completed if not more than 3,000 tons was ded thereby to the displacement of each ship was included in the naval treaty. ‘The new ships, which the United States was building and has agreed to scrap under the treaty, were equipped with all of the devices which it now becomes necessary to add to the older craft. The new ships would have had main batleries with a range of 34,000 yards, and the interfor construction of the hulls was calculated to mini- mize the danger from torpedo attack. Old Ships to Be Retalned. The old 14-inch gun ships which are to be retained under the treaty were designed and bullt before aircraft spotling mnade possible effective fire beyond the limit of vision from the ship. They also were built be- fore the great war proved the effec- tiveness of submarine attack with tor- pedoes. It is doubtful that the modernisa- tion program will include any of the 12-inch gun ships of the American Navy, which, because of their lighter ns ‘and lighter side armor, are not Tegarded by naval experts as ships of the first line of battle. There are six such ships now in the active fleet. and two of them, the North Dakota and Delaware, will be scrapped when the new 16-ine sun ships West Vir- inia_and Colorado are commissioned. ghu British have disposed lll'eld{ ot virtually all of their 12-inch gun ba tle eraft. PEKING CABINET OUT. Resignation of Chang Follows Vote of Approval by Senate. PEKING, December 30.—The cabi- net, of which Gen. Chang Shao-Tseng was premier, resigned tod Only yesterday the senate voted sp- proval of Gen, Chang, who was ap- pointed premier December 19, with the consent of parllament.