Evening Star Newspaper, March 5, 1923, Page 1

~—Cloudy tonight, followed by rain late tonight or tomorrow; not. much chinge in temperature. Temperature for twenty-feur hours ended at 2 p.m. today: at § .m. yesterday; lowest, 42, a.m. today, Full report on page Closing N. Y. Stocks and Bonds, Page 22 Highe: WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION The Star’s deliverea to Saturday’s city block and the regular edition is as the papers are pri Sunday’s Circulati “From Press to Home Within the Hour” carrier ‘Washis homes as fast ed. 93,855 98,405 Net Circulation, on, BALLRENT LW MAYBLOCKB. &0 N PLAZA DSPUTE Effort of Railroad to Regain Government Hotel Site Likely to Be Foiled. . U. S. HAS RIGHT ALSO TO REFUSE TO BE SUED Many Technicalities Involved. Corperation Believed Barred From Eviction at Least Until 1924. Despite the failure of Congress to authorize the President to negotiate with the Baltimore and Ohlo Rallroad Company for use of the government hotels site on the Union station plaza for another year, presént rent laws of the District may operate to prevent the railroad company from obtaining possession of the hotels site, with re- sulting eviction of hundreds of wom-. en employed in federal departments, it was learned from authoritative sources today. According to informal opinion ex- pressed by A. LettWwich Sinclair, chairman of the District Rent Com- mission, the United States govern- ment apparently is in a position to block effectually any attempt of the Baltimore and Ohio officlals to regain possession of the land leased to the government, merely by refusing to glve -consent to being sued in the courts over the matter. U. S. Can Refuse. Under the law, Ghairman Sinclair ®aid, the government cannot be ‘brought into court as a party in such & proceeding without its consent. Possibility, he pointed out, of its giv- ing ‘consent appears remote, in view of the unbroken record of the past against being haled into court. The Rent Commiss he sald, some months ago, was forced to dismiss several petitions for .rent reduction, brought against the Interior iDepart. ment by tenants of government-ow! od houses on New Jersey avenue, be- cause the government exercised its Prerogill\'s of refusing to be brought nto the proceedings. Even though the government should break precedent and consent to being made a party to a landlord-and tenant action in the Municipal Court, .the Baltimore ‘and Ohio company ' may have to buck up against the rigld pro- vsions of the Ball rent ae¥, Mr. Sin- clair believes. Rent Law May. Step In. The company, in order to gain pos- session under this act, Whigh, expires by limitation in 1924, would have’to show that it wanted the property far its own occupancy or that it desired to make materfal repairs or aitera- tions to the property or that it in- tends to raze the buildings to make way for other structures. Unless there exists a specific contract be- tween the company and the govern- ment giving the latter the right to remove the hotel buildings, the bufld- ings would be construed under the law as being part of the real estate owned by the raijroad company. 1t is the general understanding that the railroad company does not con- template eccupying the property, re- pairing the buildings or erecting new ones in their place. . Status of Hetels in D " There are a number of technical legal problems involved in the matter which only can be decided in the courts, it appears. For example, the raliroad company may clalm that the government hotels are, in fact, bona-fide hotels, and as such exempt from the provisions of the Ball act. The. goverrment, on the contrary, may contend that they are apart- ments, apartment-hotels or boarding houses, and not, within the meaning of the Ball luw, transient hotels. Further, the railfoad company may claim that the- dormitories are .not operated by the United States gov- ernment, but by a_corporation, viz. the United States Housing Corpora. tion. The government’s answer to this probably would be that the hou ing corporation is a part of the D partment of Labor and, therefore, ac- tually & part of the United States government. The railroad company, it was point- ed out today by Chairman Sinclair of the Rent Commission, could not institute eviction proceedings direct- 1y against the women occupying the hotels. The tenant of the company, under the Ball law, is the party to whom property is ‘leased and from whom rent is recelved. The women are subtenants, and_their landlord, (Continued on Page 2, Column % REFORM BODIES MERGE FOR GREAT-CAMPAIGN Three Organizations Said to Be.il League Aguinst Dry Law Re- By the Assoctated Press. 15 NEW YORK, March 5.—Three of the country's oldest and most substantial reform . organizations hawe .pooled their financial resources and mapped a plan of campaign agalnst prohibi- tlon repea), . race track gambling, prize fights, salacious literature, Sun- day theatrical performances and traf- fic In narcoties, the'New York World declared. today. The new organization, according to the newspaper, is to be known as the International Reform ‘Bureau- of the World Temperance. Foundation. The affiliated bodleg are said to be the International Reform Bureau, founded more ‘than thifty years ago, by the Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts; the World Prohibition . Foundation' and the National Temperance Society. Headquarters are said to be planned in Washington. The organization, ac- cording to the World, will have more than‘$3060,000 with which to begin its L Virgil G. Hinshaw, on time president of the World Prohib tion gonndulol, 1s sald to have been elected general secretary. _“Eftered as sscord post _office Washington, -class matter D. " WASHINGTON, D. C, Germans Threaten Expulsions In Reprisal for Itiquers’ Acts Cuno r Pressure to Warn France and Belgium Diplomatic Relations May Be Severed—Reichstag Fight Looms. BY GRORGE WITTE. By Wireless to The Star and Chicago Dally “News. Cbpyright, 1923. BERLIN, March b6.—Strong pres- sure is being brought to bear on Chancellor Cuno -to issue a warning to France and Belglum that Germany wlill sever diplomatic relations with them if they commit another “un- friendly act,” such as the occupation, without notice, of Karlsruhe and Mannheim. It is expected that the chancellor, if he ylelds to this outside influence which has as its backbone the natlonalists and industrialists, {will include in his reichstag speech tomorrow a frank notice to all the Interested powers that Germany's patience is exhausted and that.the government will have to take counter measures in retaliation for France's “overt acts of hostility,” while at peace with Germany. May Expel Fremch. It“is surmised here that the first steps Germany will take in this direc- tion will be the expulsion of all French and Belgian subjects in ad- dition to handing passports to the French and Belgian ambassador and minister and the French and Belgian members of the interallled control commission. Gen. Nollet would be asked to leave | NARY DECLINES GONTROLLER POST Banker Refuses President’s | Recess Appointment After Adverse Senate Vote. James G. McNary, southwestern banker, whose nomination as con-. troller of the currency failed of con- | firmation by the Senate, ¥as person-| |ally .tendered a recess appointment: to the position today by President Harding, but declined. Controller of/the Currency Crissin- i ger, whose nomination to be. gov- {ernor of the Federal Reserve Boartl has been confirmed by the Senate, {will be continued as controflar untth after Ptesident Harding’s return {from the Florida-trip, it was said {at the White House today, in order | that Mg, ~Crissinger may put into offect ~ extensive reorganization of the ‘currency bureau in connection | With the new farm credits act. This will be accomplished, it was ex- | i plained, by withholding Mr.” Cris- | singer's commission as governor of the Federal Reserve Board until the President’'s return. . Did Not Seek Ofce. The death of Senior Deputy Con- troller Phomas P. Kane,“during the week was partly responsible for the President’s decisioh, it was sald, as it left the currency bureau short of personnel. Mr. Crissinger also, it was| understood, had hoped to sees the re- organization put into effect before leaving office. Mr. McNary never had sought the nomination, ‘it was explained by a White House #pokesman, but had been chosen as Tepresentative of | 4 1 the country, and, as he is the head of this commission, it would put the remaining members, including sev- eral British generals, in’ an awkward position. French newspaper cors respondents are sure to be among the first to go. In brief, such a course of action on the part of the Cuno cabinet would be equivalent to a state of war between Germany and France and Belglum, except that there probably would be no open fighting. Moderation Is Advised. “In the more moderate circles in Ber- ln it s feared that the severance of diplomatic relations between these countries would be almost tanta- mount to an invitation to the French to march right on tp the capital. For that reason there is a great desire among the social democrats to pre- vent any hasty announcements by the government which might be inter- preted as an ultimatum by France and other powers. Soclalist leaders held a meeting last night, in which a decision was reached to warn Chancellor Cuno that in case he should make any rash statements at tomorrow's reichstag meeting the social democratic party not only would not support him, but would adopt drastic measures to foil his plans. It was also decided to send a dele- gation to the chancellor today to dis- cuss the situation with him. ESSEN DISORDERS BLAMED ON ALLIES Expulsion of Police. Left City Exposed to Mob Rule, Say Rubr Residents. By the Associated Press. DUESSELDORF, March 5. — The Germans hold the Ruhr allies indi- rectly responsible for the disorders in Essen early yesterday when sev- eral hundred patrons of a large cab- aret were robbed of their cash by fifteen or twenty armed men. Armed mebs, said to be unemployed, caused disturbances in various parts of the city by looting food stores. The expulsion of themeturity police. the Germans say, has left the city practically without protection, and the marauders took advantsge of this dituation. The municipal poliee force, Which is to replace the security po- ice, is not yet completely organized. Sunday morning’s disorders brought home to the allies the fact that un- employment-in parts of the Ruhr is increasing, especially in view of the vacat{ons given to the mine workers. Meanwhile, the production of coal, it s expected, will be reduced to be- tween 15 and 20 per cent of the pre- occupation output. DISORDER GRIPS CITY. By the Associated Pres: ESSEN, March 6.—This city is vir- tually without police protection and many of the citizens, in fear of other robberies.or violence by bands in the streets, are arming themselves as best they can for their own protec- tion. Early yesterday a_German work- man was shot and killed by a southern banking interests for- the place. Mr, McNary presented to the *Presi- dent a letter expressing his appre- clation of the offer, and his reasons for not accepting, as follows: “I beg to express my great appre- clation of the high honor you have again conferred upon me by rea; pointing me with a recess ‘appoint- ment. for the office of controller of the currene: “I am most grateful to you for your continued confidence and friendship and for your unfailing suppoért dur- ing the contest to prevent my confir- mation. f “No one knows as well as you that 1 did not seek the office. To take this office oath means not only severing all present banking connections, but debars me from renewing them for two years after leaying the office. Also,” the acceptance of the office means a very considerable financial sacrifice to me, as well as the sex rifice of the comfort and happine of my family. Signs Campbell Commission. “After careful consideration, I have been unable to convince myself that 1 should take up the ‘responsibility of the office without the full author- ity which goes with a confirmation which was prevented by: unfair tac- tics, which a large majority of the Benate stood ready to give, and with- out which no man is in a position to render his best service. . “I beg, therefore, that you will pe; ‘| mit me to decline the recess appeint- | ment with my most sincere expression of gratitude and also most profound ‘which the incident has caused Yo ‘The President today ed the commission of Milo D. Campbell to be farmer member of the Federal Reserve Board. . TABLESPOON OF WHISKY Raid Produces Only Few Dregs in Broken Bottle, But Court Proyes Stern. ' By the Associated Press. . PITTSBURGH, March 6.—One hun- dred dollars. was the price paid in po- lice.court here today for a tablespoon- ful of whisky: - Peter Maliadie, pro- prietor of a North Sfde hotel, footed the bill. When & woman complained that Maliadie was selling liquor to ber hus band police raided his estabiishment. They found only a » Ju ’v.:.ol- option of serving -thi COSTS HOTEL MAN $100; French sentry, and another Ger- man was wounded while in the rall- road yards near the main passenger station in the center of the city. The French assert that the sentry ordered the Germans to halt and when they did not reply he shot to kill, in_com: pliance with orders. They charg the Germans with attempting sabot age, but the German authorities main- tain that the men did not realize they were encroaching on ground under military control. This station wi occupied by the French yesterda and all the rolling stock in the Essen yards was conflscated. . Marks to the amount of 1,000,000,000 from the Berlin Reichsbank, which were being transported to banks in Duisburgh, were seized by the Bel- glans. This money will be applied to payment of the cost of the Rhine- land army of occupation, on which account Germany is in arrears. French Keep Seized Money. By the Associated Press. COLOGNE, March 5.—Gen, Degoutte, the French' commander, has notified the Relchsbank that he will not re- turn any portion of the 12,000,800,000 marks recently seized by the French at Cologne. It was added by Gen. Degoutte, if the Reichsbank desired to avoid further similar losses the German government must meet the demands of the French for money for the requirements of the .armies- of occupation, The money seized by the French at Cologne late in February iy said by the German government to have been for use in the British oeollvwd sone and part of it for the payment of the British forces of occupation. In ad- aiti to the money, a number of :ll for printing money were taken y the French. 3 Many Germans Arrested. DUESSELDORF, March 5—The French yesterday arrested the sta- tion masters at Bueir and Westerholt and the director of the Rhine customs fce at Duisburgh on charges ot sabotag o Twelve officers and 270 men of the security Yollct have been arrested and expelied from Gélsenkirchen. Forblds Aid to Fremch. By the Assoclated Press. BERLIN, March 6-—Président Ebert has decreed as esplonage’ any aid rendered, with regard to 'political, ‘économic or military matters, om behalf, of any forelgn Power which has occupled German territory in peace time and also for sheltering or_otherwise assisting .or harborin persons accused of giving such ‘-u. 44 MONDAY, [HARDINGS ARE BF FOR VAGATION TRIP IN FLORIDA WATERS President, \&ife and Parly Leave Here for an Ex- tended Stay. FIRST LADY CHATS GAYLY AS SHE LEAVES MANSION Attorney General Daugherty, Weak From Illness, Begins Trip in Bad: President and Mrs. Harding and a Dparty of feiends left Union station by special train at 12:05 today for- their Florida trip. The train is scheduled to run spe- clal and to arrive at Ormond, Fla., at noon tomorrow, where the party will embark for a cruise as guests of Edward B. McLean. No definite date has been set, it is understood, for their return. - Included in the party was Attorney General Daugherty, who has been con- fined to bed by a-long iliness. Before he went to the train he visited the, Department of Justice for the first time since January 27, and signed a number of important papers, includ- ing the commisslons of various fed- eral judges appolinted just before the adjournment of Congress. He still was visibly weak, however, and as soon as he reached Union station he entered the President's private. car and went to bed. Mrs. Harding Seems Improved. While no offictal announcement has been made of the plans on the con- clusion of the Florida trip it has been freely rumored among those close to the President and Mrs. Harding that they. have under consideration the pos- sibility, If Mrs. Harding’'s health im- proves, as expected, of a trip through the Panama canal and later on through Alaska. This, however, it is understood, by no means has been determined and as late as this morning it was ind}- cated by White House spokesmen that the President expected to take up cer- tain specific matters upon his “retyrn from Florida.” 7 A majority of the Harding paty sembled at the station and rded special train early, although a few late arrivals followed the President and Mrs. Harding. - . The appearance of Mrs. Harding on the occasion of her leaving the White House for the traln was her first in public since she became ill. Leaving the front door of the White House sortly after 11:30 with the dent, she paused for several m and accommodated the lonk row of cdmera mén who were easgr fof first pictures of the first lady oY the land since her recovery. In the opinion of the assembled crowd, Mrs. Harding appeared to be (Continued on Page 2, Column 5.) VALUABLE PAERS * G0 P N SMOKE Valuable government reports to the value of several thousand dollars ‘were destroyed when fire broke out at 8 o'clack this morning In the gov- ernment printing office annex, H MARCH 5, 1923—THIRTY PAGES. . AU REVOIR! Births Decrease WORK AND NEW ASSUME: OFFICES New Secretary of Interior Will Continue Well Known “Open-Door Policy.” A decline in the birth rate and an increase in the deatlv rate dur- ing the first nine months of 1922 was shown In provisional census bureau figures made public today by_the Department of Commerce. The mortality rate ranged from 7.8 in Idaho. to 14.3 In Maine, and averaged 11.7 in the states from which statistics were taken for each 1,000 of population in the period, as compared with an 11.6 average in the first nine months of Births, on the other hand, ranged from 183 per 1,000 of population in the state of Washington to 30 in North Carolina, and averaged 328 in the first nine months of 1922, as compared with an average of 25 in the same period in 1921, MAKES SEVERAL CHANGES Postal Chief Has No Announce- ments—Davis Now Assist- ant War Secretary. Two members of the President's cabinet, one of them,a newcomer to the group of advisers to the chief executive, and an‘assistamt secretary in+ another government department ‘weft “Yoftnally ~inducted into thefr new offices today. Harry 8 New, who yesterday com- pleted a six-year term as United States senator from Indiana, took the oath of office today as forty-ninth Postmaster General of the United States. Pr. Hubert Work of Colorado, who was named by President Harding to pany Asks Right to Sub- ‘- stitute Bus Route. be Secretary of the Interior in place of Albert D. Fall of New Mexico, re- signed, took the oath of office at the Interior Departmeént as the twenty- eighth Secretary of the Interfor. Davis Takes Ofiice. ! At the War Department Dwight F. Davis of St. Louis, formerly a member of the War Finance Corpofation, was formally inducted into office as assistant secretary a short time before Secretary Utilities Commission. filed today by the Washington-Inter- urban Railway Company. In a letter to Col. Keller, chairman of the commission, Willlam F. Ham, he must abandon the rails because the cost of reconstructing the tracks ‘Weeks left for a vacation of two or street between North Capitol and 1st streets northwest. George Reynolds, an electrician in the printing office, was overcome by smoke and had to be taken' from the building. He stuck to his post whén the blaze was discovered and assisted firemen " under Battalion Chlef Gill to haul the first hose line to the burning part of the bullding. The annex in which the fire occurred is a seven-story brick struc- ture, filled with important congres- sional and departmental documents. Taking Inventery. Public Printer Carter, who reached the scene before the firemen had fin- ished their battle, is having an in- ventory taken to determine just what documents were burned and how vals' able they were. While he had no definite inYormation at noon, he said that the office probably would be un- able to replace all of them. One thing which helped ‘to pre- vent a serious conflagration'was the fact that the floors of this docuthent bullding are of fireproof hollow-tile construction. : One phase of the fire that is ling officials of the printing office is that apparently there were flames on the second and third floors at about This led firemen-to look to the electric wiring ‘aq & pos. sible cause, but no definite gonclu. sions ‘have been reached. - Find Two Blases. Mechanics working in the buildin, told officials they came upon a small blase on. the second floor aboyt § o'clock and promptly attacked it with an extinguisher. They were satisfled they had put it out and started up- stairs to do some work on the fourth floor. When they reached the third story they found a’fire burning th they sald. An alarm then was -ou:rd’-' ‘When firemen reached the scene the burning books and paper were causing a thick white smoke to pour from all of the 'H street windows. At first glance it appeared that the fire had gained considerable headway., Ldnes of hose were hoisted to the third floor-and within & few moments the fire Wwas under control, : Hundreds of employes in the old ‘white brick building which was the original Government Printing Omce ‘watched the firqmen. Fire Marshal Seldb and De Nl st 55, Simaneisd 43 tigatios n Bl i dreds of e ‘were §00,000 -orxm three weeks at St. Augustine, Fla. Rep- resentative J. Mayhew Wainwright of the line could afford- Mr. Ham offers to issue free trans- New York, Mr. Davis' predecessor, will in with the new assistant secretary ::1"“‘: few days to ald him in lining up the governmental affairs. Postmaster General New wad sworn in by Willlam M. Mooney, chief clerk of the Post Office Department. The ceremony was witnessed by Dr. Work, all the assistant postmasters general and the bureau heads of the depart- ment, in addition to many friends of the new cabinet officer. Mr. New did not announce any changes in the office force at the Post Office Department. Dr. Work Takes Oath. Selretary Work was sworn into office by W. B. Acker, asistant chief clerk of the Interior Department and an assistant attorney_of the depart- ment. -Postmaster General New, Sen- ator Richard P. Ernst of Kentucky, Albert B. Fall, the retiring Secretary. several officials of the Post Office De- partment and ‘all the bureau chiefs and division heads of the Interior Department witnessed the formal taking over of ‘the office by Secre- tary Work. ~ * E Dr. Work announced the appoint- ment of E. K. Burley, formerly his secretary at the Post Office Depart- administrative assistant to = of the Interio: A pointment o 5, mer; blicity director at the Post s Department, to be assistant to the Secretary :ofthe Interior - was also un?unnd‘ H. C. Brock, whe has been'acting as assistant to Sec- retary Fall, will become administra- tive assistant to the director of the bureau of mines. Work Issues Statement, Following his formal induction into he says, he will be able to tell wheth- er the company can afford to oper- transfer, paving to the District line. practically rebuilt. Estimated Cost, $152,000. work would be $152,000. This expen- diture, he continues, “is entirely be- yond the means of this which, as you know, is not now meet- ing operating’ expenses. circumstanees, we belli ten to the commission. transfer at 15th and H streets, Mr. 2-cent charge hould be made for this transfer, as done at other intersect, he is willing to make an experiment with a free transfer for ninety day: - The Washington-Interurban com- pany is a ‘subsidiary of the Wash- ington Railway and Electric Company ‘Washington Railway and Electric Company took lfi ove A decision will have to be made by the commission prompyly, since the contract for the paving of office, Becretary Work issued the fol- | Bladensburg ‘:ou will be let within lowing statement regafding the pol-,a Wweek ortwo. I | There will be & public hearing on the ter, the commission an- nolinced today. icy to be obseryed in theiconduct of IETmtInu;E on' Page :v Column 3) . What was the Result? Look in the 5:30 EDITION OF THE EVENING STAR—not only for sports results and.late financial news—but also the latest world news—and the- court - calendar for next day. It's the last word—reliable and readable. Fér sale by newsboys and . ‘ As Deaths Gain in 9 Months of 1922 WANTS T0 ABANDON BLADENSBURG LINE Washington-Interurban Com- Authority to tear up its tracks on the Bladensburg road and establish a bus line is sought from the Public in a petition president of the company, states that in connection with .the paving of Bladensburg road would be more than fers from the street cars to the busses at 15th and H streets northeast for a Deriod of three months, atter. which, ate the busses permanently on a free In the new appropriation act Con- gress made funds available for the paving of Bladensburg road with concrete from the end of the present ‘The tracks of the car company are s situated that they would have to be Mr. .Ham _tells Col. Keller that he has. estimated the cost of the track company, Under the L it desir- able ,to entirely , abandon 'our- road within the District.and have so writ- In discussing the question of the s that, while he belleves a points where busses and. street cars and has never made money since the WOMAN SECRETARY HELD IN CHECK CASE Secret Service Charges Mrs. Buchanan, in Representatiye Kendall’s Office, Is Forger. DEMANDS QUICK HEARING Three Treasury Drafts to Colored Mother for Death of Son in War Involved. Representative Kendall of Pennsylva- nia, was arrested today on charges of having violated two sections of the United States criminal code by having forged, it is alleged, indorsements on three checks drawn to the order of a colored woman whose son had been killed in the war. The value of the checks totaled $1,500. Mrs. Buchanan was taken before United States Commissioner George H. MacDonald, pleaded not gullty to the charges and demanded a _hearing at the earliest possible date. Hear- ing of the case was set for March 15 and Mrs. Buchanan was released un- der $3,000 bail. It is reported that part of the money obtained through the checks has been returned to the Veteran's Bureau. Three Checks Involved. 4 cording to the authorities, three checks are supposed to have been drawn on the Treasury to the order of Martha Warfleld, colored, whose son was either killed in action or dled while still in the service. The money represented an accumulation of pay- ments for compensation owed the woman through the Veterans' Bureau. It is alleged Mrs. Buchanan ob- tained the checks from some person whose identity is unknown to the government at this time. She then, according to the authorities, is sup- to have forged the negress’ name and obtained the money. Secret Service Wroked Case. When the alleged forgery was dis- covered the case was turned over to the secret service. A warrant for Mrs. Buchanan's arrest was issued was taken {nto custody by Deputy United States Marshals Clarkson and Weaver. She was arrested this morning in room 405 of .the House office build. ing, where she worked as secretary to Representative Kendall. Representative Kendall said that he knew, nothing of the charges against Mrs. Buchanan until this morning. Mrs. Buchanan ha$ worked in hi office for about two years, She lives in’ Georgetown' and came from Rich- mond, Va. 20 HURT WHEN TRAIN IS WRECKED IN GEORGIA Number Taken to Columbus, Where They Are Treated, Rail Officials Declare. By the Associated Press. COLUMBUS, Ga., March 6.—Twen- ty peoplé were injured this morning in a wreck of passenger train No. 3’ on the Central of Georgia rallroad bound from Macon to Birmingham, Ala,, at Mizell's station, about forty miles from Columbus. It wi where their injuries are being treated. NEW FARM LOAN MEMBERS | The President today appointed El- mer 8. Landes of Ohfo, republican, and | [ Merton L. Corey of Neébraska, demo- crat, to the new directorships ‘in the federal farm loan board. The Presi- dent.made these appointments at oncé in order to permit the board to fune- tion with a quorum required by the enlarged membership. One vacarcy remalns unfilled. . LEIPZIG FAIR OPENS. LEIPZIG, March §—The spring fair 100,000 via- opened today, attracting itors. The exhibitors number 14,00 :r'l whom 700 are from foreign coun- es, « Mrs. M. B. Buchanan, secretary to| by Commissioner MacDonald, and she | TWO CENTS. CLASSIFYING BODY ADOPTS PROGRAM AND STARTS WORK Gen. Lord, Chairman of - Board, Holds Conference to Outline Procedure. MASS OF DETAIL MUST BE SIFTED AND FILED RBeclassification in District Com- plete, But 200,000 Others Must Be Graded. , BY WILL v\ KENNEDY. ‘Work necesary ‘o carry into effect the reclassificatior of more than a quarter of a milllun human beings employed by the United States gove ernment, both as to employment and statutory salary, as provided by act of Congress in the closing rush hours, was started today. Bri€. Gen. H. M. Lord, budget ofe ficer of the government, who is chair= man of the special board provided to work out the reclassifirution and care Ty it into effect on July 1, 1924, called the board together tod-y for organe {zation and conference g« the program to be followed. The other members of the board are George R. Wales, representing the Civil Service Come mission, and Herbert D. Brown, rep- resenting the United Sta of efficiency. e e Magnitude of Work. It was.made clear toda: magnitude of the work 1o be dons oat der personal supervision of this board before the new law can e carried Mto eflect is greater than members of Con- gress, Bovernment officialk or the pub.- HopSenerally has had eny concep- The reclassification law covers mot only about 65,000 persond em%lo)’ed by the government in Washington, but also approximately 200,000 persons Scattered all over continental United States and the insular possessions. Gratification was expressed today that the classification required under the law is the sam. : by the United State ncy under the executive October 24,1921, so that the rerlagt Sification is alréady made as far as the District of Columbia is concerfied. Work for District Done. In fact, the reclassification for gov- ernment’workers in the District could have gone into effect without any trouble on July 1 next. The delay {to July 1, 1924, was ordered because of the strong sentiment in Congres against allowing the classification of }dobs and advanced salaries to take | effect in“the National Capital until it I:g“t’l?el:l:)aw:'a flpp‘lged simultaneousl: <ol oSty nstituents in the flel The grades a; nd- salaries were all Kflefl?lslri?! so ‘that a glance what it meant heré.. The figures w’::: available, showing what the cost would be—$2,500,000 more thas the present salaries plus the $240 bofius— 80 that the appropriation could ehsily have been made to carry out reclgmsi- flc;(lonhhere ut the board at its meeting t faced the’ task not only of ia.'.'n'.i upon the classification of jobs and fixing of salaries as recommended by the bureau of efficiency, pursuant to the exeutive order, for 65000 em- ployes in the District, but also the overwhelming task of getting infor- mation on which to base reclassifi- cation of jobs and salaries for . 200,- 000 government employes scattered all over the country. ‘Work Complicated. One thing that complicates the work very much is that living condi- tions vary greatly. For example, in the agricultural service the cost of housing, food, etc., fluctuates with localities, and is much less than here in the District of Columbia. Then, too, a complication arises in that the government furnishes such items as light, heat, quarters and commissary privileges 'to some employes. So, there are many differences be- tween the fleld service and service here in the District. It 1§ not a ques- tion of making one schedule that will , cover all services, but of making va-' rious schedules that will cover tl peculiarities of the different services, taking into account what the govern- ment already furnishes. For examsple, in the Indian service the government frequently and even generally fur- nishes shelter and food, or at least commissary privileges. The new reclassification board faces the problem of fixing a salary, say of $1,200 for certain work in the District of Columbia which would not fit the same work In Muskogee, Okla., or in New York city. Meet Again Tomorrow. > The reclassification board will meet again tomorrow morning with Gen. Lord and set the whepls going. It 18 hoped at that meeting to complete the program of work and actually tart gathering the data on which -to se reclassification of the fleld service. 2 The task s at least three times as larg the work already done of reclassifying the employes in the Dis- trict. The bureau of effciency, in actually appraising, allocating and tabulating 66,000 jobs in Washingte during the last year, employed twen- ty persons regularly, ‘While here in the District, if the: ‘was any question about the descrip= tion of any job, information could - be gotten over the telephone, this will not be 80 easy with respect to the fleld service, which is scattered from Nome, Alaska, to the Philip- pines. May Visit States. Sb the question has arisen whether the work can be done here in Wash- ington or whether the reclassification board will have to send out its agents into_every state. The probabilities are that men will have to be sent out to cover the states by services of the government. Here n empha~ sized the magnitude of the task, for there are 220 headquarter offices in Washington, although there are only some fifty major service: ol a8 customs, internal revenue, f Interstate Commerce Commission Indian ice. The law which set this reclassifica- tion board to work failed to provide any funds with which to carry on the work, 80 that the working force must come by temporary detafi from the budget bureau, the United States b reau of efficiency, the Civil Bervice Commission and from the various government departments. EMPLOYES GRATIFIED. ‘Federation Chief Says Classifying Bill Will Ald Workers. Gratification at the passage of the reclassification bill was expressed to- « ‘on Page