Evening Star Newspaper, March 11, 1923, Page 2

r 2 " MONDELL SAYSD.C. NEEDS NEW RULE Present Plan With Congress as Board of Aldermen % “Not Satisfactory.” DISCUSSES LOST BILLS Retired Congress Member, Who Met Stormy Protest, Says Much Time Wasted. “The present legislative plan under Which the Congress ix the board of aldermen for the District of Colum- bia is not u satisfactory one” says Frank W. Mondell, who on Mar left Congress after twenty-six years' service, for the last eight years as House leader, and who is now a di- rector of the War Finance Corpora- tion, In this statement Mr. Mondell in- dorses the contention of The Star and made on the floor of the House by some prominent members espe- clally friendly to the District, notice- ably by Representative R. Walton Moore of Virginia, who introduced : resolution for consideration of T trict matters by a joint committee stead of separaie committees of flouse and Senate. It must be remembered that Mr. Mondell, with Philip P. Campbell. who was chairman of the rules commit- tee, and acting speaker, was held re- sponsible for the failure of District leglslation to pass, particularly the school teachers' salary bill. Both Mondell and Campbell were the storm center of protest by delegations repre- senting the organized women of Washington, because they failed to accord an opportunity for consldera- tion of District legislation, although @ speclal rule had been ordered on the teachers' pay bill. Need of Changing System. In discussing the need for chang- ing the system and the District legi! lation that failed, Mr. Mondell said “The District of Columbia, in comi- mon with the entire country, suffers trom the short session. and therefore has as great an interest as any part of the country in the making of wise and well considered provision for a change in the sessions of the Con- gress. In the present session it was necessary to first pass the appropri- fon bills and then to enact the leglislation of a public character for which there was a ration-wide de- mend, and the legislation without which a special session of the Con- gress would have been likely, if not essential. “In this condition of congestion sev- eral more or less important proposals of legislation affecting the District of Columbla falled to secure considera- tion, among which were the follow- ing: The insurance bill, the street ilwoy consolldation bill, the gaso- line tax bill and the school teachers pay bill. Entitled to Consideration. “I do not pretend to say that all of these proposals should have been en- acted fnto law, but if time had suf- ficed they were entitled to considera- tion. The only one of these bills with regard to which there was any weneral public agitation s the teachers' pay bill, and one time and another those who were insistent upon the immediate consideration of this bill caused enough time to be lost through roll calls to have sufficed for the consideration of all the Dis- trict legislation. The argumentsand efforts that were made on behalf of this pay bill {llustrate the need of some body, voluntary or otherwise. the composed 0f or representing the peo- | ple of the District as a whole, to pass upon legislation. Many of those Who were urging the legislation had no clear idea what the bill provided. While there was much opposition in the Congress and in_Washington tu certain provisions of the bill, this opposition was curiously lacking in a medium to advertise its views, “Perhaps the fact that the federal| government pays a large proportion of the expenses of the District has something to do with the very ap- parent fact that large proposed ex- penditures are mnot carefully scru- tinized by the body of the citizens. The bill in question provided, among other things. for a very con: siderable expenditure for communit center activities which have no essen- tial relation to the work of the echools. The fact that the measure entailed an additional immedlate ex- penditure of several hundred thou- wand dollars and an_eventual addi- tional expenditure of approximately $1.000,000 does not seem to have re- ceived very much consideration. Un- doubtedly there should be a carefully consldered readjustment of the pay of the educational forces of the Dis- trict, but very liberal provision could be made with much less expenditure than is proposed in the bill that failed.” 3 BODIES ON BEACH MYSTIFY FLORIDANS (Continued from First Page.) brotherly resemblance. One paper read: “Please give me 2 ticket to Pitts- | burgh.” while others bore the fol- lowing: “Miss Christien Chirchingiia, East Sth street, New York; Al Ligure and Natalle Plagara, 341 East 48th street, ew York; Gavanna Giaueseppe, 19 Fast 18th street, New York; Bussiglu Francisco, 4206 Harper street, Tampa, Tla., and Barbo Carhorges and Julius Rottenberg. railroad and steamship agents, 260 Hanover street, Authorities consider some of these pa- | pers as evidence of their either having been in this country before, or the list of friends whom they planned to seelk. Sherift Morrison and Deputy Cooper found the first of the bodies as they searched along the beach Thursday night for a reported cargo of thirty aliens. They had been advised by immigration officials at Jacksonville to be on the lookout. Come Upon Second Body. Friday a former deputy came upon the second body and at the same time found Clarence Padgett and Lee Branch, escaped prisoners from Apalachicola, robbing the Branch attempted to escape and was shot through the foot. Franklin county authorities found the third body. County Judge McLeod held inquests over the two bodles in custody of Wakulla _authorities and, with no means of learning from the outsid world about them, local people gave them “Christian burial” nearby where their bodies were found. Crawford- ville, the county seat, occupies a small open space in a thick woodland, Teached only by & winding trail. Some miles west of here the woods taper off until they give way entirely to _the stiring of beaches which practi. “‘3 impossible of ldo?'ult. patrol, ac- cording to officlals, afford frequently ations. e fleld for the smuggling oper- COLUMBIA ENROLLS 36,239. NEW YORK, March 10.—Columbia University’s total student enrollment hae reached 36,239, Registrar Grant announoced today. The number of - resident students is 30,687. Non-resi- & students, registered in unle Boston. | bodies, | New Crater Seen On Eastern Side Of Mount Lassen By the Associated Press. RED BLUFF, Calif, March 10. —A new crater has broken out on the east side of Lassen Peak, ac- ocording to reports received here late today from mountain points. The volcano showed unusual ac- tivity today, emitting dust and smoke which obscured the crater from view early this afternoon. U. 8. Only Active Velcano. SAN FRANCISCO, March 10.— Lassen Peak, the only active vol- cano in the continental United States exclusive of Alaska, is in the extreme northern part of Cal- ifornia. The first eruption was noted May 30. 1814, when a crater 40 by 150 foet was made, More than 100 eruptions took place in 1914 and 1915, and the volcano has belched smoke many times since. On May 21, 1915, a flood of mud from the peak wrecked houses in Hat Creek valley. near base. Residents their homes and many cattle killed. VAST MONARCHIST PLOT PERILS GERMAN REPUBLIC t Page.) ne (Continued from ¥ again been discovered maintaining | illicit relutions with army officers for the ostensible purpose of organizing T nee to France. Their efiorts to maintain_ and solldify their connec- tion with the regular army is in- tcided to obtain its support when they strike. Atmosphere Is Charged. Discussing the situation in Munich the Bavarian socialist leader, Auer, told me that the “reactlfonary atmos- phere is growing increasingly evi- dent in the Bavarian capital. The secret monarchist organizations are led chiefly by former Prussian oflicers under the aegis of the former Bavarian premier, Von Kahr, and are making their_presence felt stronger than ever. Von Kahr, as premler, jwas fully aware of the existence of these organizations, but instead of nghting them gave them encourage- ment. “The Munich police. 3 aware of the Intrigues and plots of these organizations, fail to miove a finger, and instead are devoting all their attention to the socialists. The who are fully show energetic opposition to Hitler and Xyiander and the rest of U wonarchists who are seeking to de- stroy the Berlin government.” Acting on Own Hook. Discussing the plot unearthed this week, which resulted in the arrest of the fifteen alleged conspirators accused of planning the nilitary dictatorship in Munich ana the Sepa- ration of Bavaria from the rest of the reich, Auer sald that the group of separatists involved in this con- spiracy were acting on their own hook and are unimportant “This group,” Auer said, “belongs to ‘the so-called Bavarian royalist party, which apparently was financed with the assisiance of the Krench minister in Munich, M. d'Ard. the big Bavarian parties and th secret military organizations —are agaiust tue group—wuich explains, perhaps, the eagerness with waich i was run down by the Munich police while the bigger and more powerful conspirators were left severely alone. A significant connection of the ar Test of this small group are the I ports that the Krench intend to oc- Ccupy Munich to help the Bavarian separatists to proclaim an independ- rian nonarcay under Kup- Rupprecht, however, in & State- ment especially prei for me, disclaims any connection Wwith this scparatist movement oF an active interest in the monarchist movement as a whole. He said: “}or thé present Germany must confine herself to passive resistance. This is the only weapon at her dis posal. 1 believe that the hope o Mritish or American intervention in the present crisis is futile. England shares the guilt and responsibility of the present French policy as it per- mitted France to develop, undisturbed, a superior military machine, espec- lally & great air fleet. 1 do not beieve that an understanding between Ger- {many and France is possible, no mat- 33 Germans make.” Criticizes Hitler's Attitud He criticized Hilter's attitude to waid the Cuno government, sayin, that all Germans must support government in passive resistance against France. “I believe that Hitler's attitude is wrong, because it endangers Ger- many's unity. Hitler undoubtedly is sincere and believes he is serving the cause of Germany. A great part of his success is due to his oratorical abllities, for he knows well how to stir the’ multitude, but his program, closely _resembling the Marxist one, lacks positive strength and definite economlic substance. Moreover, there are too many fanatics in the Hitler movement as _well as self-seekers, who hope to obtain ministerial posts when e assumes power. Insue Very Existence. _“Neither can I approve of the at- titude of the Xylander group against the Cuno government, which strikes me as tactless. The issue now is not the Cuno government, but the very existence of Germany. All Germans must stand together at the present ™ Residin esiding quietly with his family in Berchtesgaden, keeping in c’l’oae touch with events both in Munich and Berlin, Prince Rupprecht has been carefully avoiding making himself the center of the monarchists’ intrigues or jof some abortive enterprise ~which would only ruln his chances in the | future. Friends declare his chance v rely come, although it is not believed that he is (Lvori‘n‘ the sep- aration of Bavaria from the reich. {Instead his friends are said to be keeping him for the bigger job of {German emperor at the head of the’ | restored Wittelsbach dynasty. | Surrounded by Monarchists. He is currounded principally by monarchists who belioye in restors. tion of the German monarchy on a federal basis which would reserve |to Bavaria a large share of its old isovereignty. These differ from the Ludendorf school, which seeks the re- establishment of the monarchy with a Prussian hegemony over all Ger- man states. Prince Rupprecht is a man of much greater ability and per- sonality than the Hohenzollerns and 15 extremely popular with the Bava- rian peasants and bourgeoise. The only time when Prince Rup- precht might accept the Bavarian crown and asquiesce in the separa- tion from the reich would be in the event that soclalists seize control of the Berlin government. $54,000 TO COVER LOSS BY FIRE AT FORT MYER Maj. Wainwright Says Board Is Still Engaged in Making Minute Check. Maj. J. M. Walnwright, command- ing officer at Fort Myer, reported to the War Department yesterday after- noon that approximately $54.000 would cover the loss as the result of the fire at the reservation Friday nigh regarded by the This figure w: commanding officer as a rough ap- proximation, however, the spe. clal check-up the board appointed for the se o still going on, Maj. Wainwright said the board would not eeveral dage, 1 public several months ago have now present Knilling government fails to ! the | All ter how great the sacrifice is that the | the | THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. U, MARCH Tf, 1923—PART PUSH PLANS FOR GIVING FINANCIAL AID TO FARMERS. of farm ed here yesterday follow- ink conference with congressmen. Left to right: D. G. O’Shea of Spokane, T, F. Davis, New Orleans; D. P. Hogan, Omaka; M. H. Sossett, Houston, Tex.i J. B. Davis, Louisville; H. Paul Hentol, St. Louiss D, A. Husten, Columba, S. S. H. Thompson, Springfield, Mass.; E. E. Jonen, Balti- more, Md., and W. D, Ellis, Berkeley, callt. AD DUE FARMERS ERE 1923 PLANTING U. S. Financed Intermediate Land Banks May Be Ready in Two Weeks. i CO-OPERATION PLANNED Loan Board and Financial Heads Discuss New Credit Machinery. The Federal Farm Loan Boaid, the conclusion yesterday of a three- | day conference with the federal land | bank presidents, gave assurance that | farmers of the country will have the benefit of the government's financlal aid, authorized in the recently enact- ed rural credits legislation, by the time the spring planting begins. | While it appeared that not all of the new credit machinery will be in oper- ation at the time indicated, it was | declared that the government-financed | ntermediate credit banks would be | ready to receive applications for and | to make loans in about two weeks. The land bank heads, together with the loan board, spent part of the day discussing with members of Congress ways and means of geting all federal agencies having to do with farm credits into closer co-operation. Early Announcement Likely. It was indicated that an early an- nouncement might be made by the {Farm Loan Board regarding the methods It will employ in extending {to the farmers the aid contemplated | in the new laws. It was said some | “rough places” might have to be ! smoothed out by new legislation. Commissioner Lobdell of the Farm Loan Board said the board and the 1and banks, which are charged direct- 1y with the administration of the new intermediate credits banks, were| bending every efiort to put the neces- | sary machinery into operation. The legislators present Included Senators Capper. republican, Kansas; Gooding, republican, ldaho, &nd Shep- pard, democrat, Texas, and Repre- sentatives Haugen, republican, Iow: Sinclair, republican, North Dakot. Davis, democrat, Tennessee, and Hud- dleston, democrat, Alabama. The farm land banks will charge of the intermediate credit agencles created under the rural credits act of the last Congress, and the senators and representatives pres- {ent urged the importance of develop- { ing the new system as rapidly as pos- sible. Emphasis was placed on the particular need of the farmers for as- sistance to enable them to not only plant but also to cultivate their crops during the coming season and to hold their products for timely marketing. Preporations Being Pusked. The Farm Loan Board and the dis- trict presidents of the land banks as- sured the congressional group that they were making every possible ef- fort to have the new machinery in working order in two weeks. While it would not be possible to have all de- tails completed within that time, they said, the land banks in each district would be able to take all applications and to extend loans when security of- {fered was adequate. | The new intermediate agencies will function in every way, the commit- tee was told, by the time the new planting season gets under way and long before harvest time. The same group of senators and representatives also conferred yes- terday with Secretary Wallace of the Agriculture Department, and an- nounced that they would talk over farm finances Tuesday with the War Finance Corporation. Mr. Wallace is understood to have given assurances that he would {ssue promptly to farm { organizations throughout the coun- { try such an explanation of the new {1aw as would give them an opportu- | ity to take full advantage of it. i /ENGINE CREW SCALDED IN TRAIN BOLER BLAST Passengers Thrown Into Panic on Run of Virginia Local When North of Ashland. at ! have By the Ascociated Press. » ASHLAND, Va., March 10.—F. E. Vass and H. E. Maher, firemen, were probably fatally injured and pas- sengers on a local Richmond, Fred- ericksburg and Potomac train were severely shaken up tonight when the boiler of the locomotive drawing the train exploded about fifteen miles north of Ashland. ‘The explosion occurred after the train left Penola station. Members of the crew said the engine devel- oped trouble soon after leaving Pen- ola, but it did not seem serious. A short time later the boiler exploded, enveloping the engineer and fireman and shattering the windows of the passenger coaches. The locomotive left the rails, but the passenger cars remained upright. Passengers were thrown into a panic, but none of the hundred or more per- sons aboard the train were seriously injured. Dr. E. C. Levy, director of public welfare in Richmond, was a passen- ger on the train and rendered first Vass and Fireman | Left to right: Representatives George Huddleston of Alabama and James H. Sinclair of North Dakota: Senators Arthur Capper of Kansas and Morris Sheppard of Texas; Representative Edwin L. Davis of Tenne: HOLD-UP IN CENTER OF CITY 1S CHARGED Policeman Assails Party of Detectives by Mistake: Telegrapher Held. Alvery Courtney Selser, twenty- three years old, a telegrapher of Baton Rouge, La. was arrested by headquarters detectives at 14th and I streets last night in connection with a reported hold-up of Edward Smith of 1400 K street. The arrest. which was executed with high speed following a telephone call, took by surprise a policeman on his beat. who attempted to separate the headquarters detectives from the suspect, thinking it was a fight Smith said he had been accosted a stranger, whom he identified at the first precinct as Selser, while stand ing on the corner of 14th and K “I got you covered. ranger exclaimed, according to mith's story to the polige. Smith made a “couple of passes at the guy and hit him in the mouth a couple of times,” he declared. The “guy,” Smith said, meantime was aiming kicke at hfs stomach. Then, Smith declared, his opponent tugged at his pocket and brought forth a revolver. “Then I got away’ concluded Smith. . “How many shots did he fire” mith was asked “One was enough, B was on my way then. The telephone call from 14th and K streets sent the fast headquarters} car, piloted by Chauffeur Nicholson, dashing up 14th street, squirming through gaps In the traffic lanes, with the screeching siren wide open. Arriving on the scene two minutes after the report had been received. Detectives Kelly, Scrivener and Waldron jumped from the car and saw a man standing in front of a del- icatessen store on the corner. He had a suit case with him. The detec- tives grabbed him. Scrivener yank- ed a .22 automatic pistol from his pocket. Detective Denny Murphy by this time had joined the fray A lone policeman in the vestibule of the store saw the scrimmage and started in to separate the partici- pants. He grabbed Murphy by the neck and raised his club to land a blow on Murphy's head when he recognized the voice of Detective Waldron. Selser was taken to the first pre. cinct and questioned. He told "th police he had been in Washington only & few days and was Mopping at the Virginian, a boarding house at 318 3d street. ANNUAL D. . TAX SALE WILL BEGIN TUESDAY! The auctioneer’s red flag will hang at the door of C. M. Towers, collector of taxes, in the District bulldin, Tuesday morning. when the annui sale of real estate on which year's taxes were not paid begins. The sale will continue until Satur- day afternoon. it is probable that. as in former years, most of the property will be ‘bought 1n” by the three or four out- of-town men who make a business of attending tax sales. i As each Flece of prnperl{ is called out, one of these men will pay the: amount of tax due and receive & tax certificate. He is required by law to hold this certificate for two years, during which time the rightful owner may redeem his property by paying the tax plus the penalty that has ac- crued of 1 per cent a month. he replied; ce and Senator Frank R. Gooding of Idaho. Kill ‘Anti’ Bill, Uphold Gossip as Need in Politics JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.. March 10. —The “anti-gossiping bill" so termed by its sponsors, which would have made any person repeating a malici- ous or slanderous statement as guilty as the originator, was defeated in the Missouri senate today. Senator Proctor, opposing the meas- ure, declared that if passed, “it would take all the interest out of political campaigns in Missouri.” U. S. TO GET SHARE IF GERMANY PAYS! (Continued from First Page.) it is expected that Washington's re- will have reached this city by When Roland W. Boyden, Ameri- can observer with the reparations commission, presented the United States demand for relmbursement a vear age, just after the allies had completed division of payment of 1,000.000,000 gold marks by Germany, It was accepted In principle that the United States should be pald. But the allies united then in the state- ment that what had been divided oould not be redivided, and offered regrets that the American bill had not been presented earlier. See No Other Way. When Mr. Wadsworth, in present- ing the present demand, told the allles the United States would not accept goods in payment for thd claim and demanded cash, the various delegates settled upon the offer made today as offering the only hope for a fair ~ method of dealing with the American claims, since Germany is now refusing to make, or is incap- able of making, cash payments. 'No other possible solution of this matter is seen here. SITUATION NEBULOUS. PARIS, March 10.—Allied proposals regarding payment of American claims for maintenance of troops on the Rhine were advanced today, it Wwas sald by those attending the con- ference, with the clear explanation that the present conditions of the reparation situation was nebulous and dependent on the result of the Ruhr occupation. While the optimists assert that Germany is bound to listen to reason 80 as to check the present ruinous conditions and the losses involved in the Franco-Belgian occupation by making overtures not later than early April for a fresh reparation settle- ment, it is generally agreed that this| is only conjecture. Even the most expert observers of the Ruhr compli- cations frankly admit just now that the receipt of future reparation pay- ments is purely speculative, so that whatever propositions the ailles may make to the United States for a share in future rlymenu are based merely on a contingency. The solid fact left, from the Amer- ican point of view, that the allies got a large amount of tangible as- sets from Germany, and if other plans fail it is out of these assets that payment for the American Rhine Army might be made. (The treaty of Versailles in_article 235, after pro- viding for an iInitial payment of twenty billion gold marks from Ger- many says: “Out of this sum the ex- penses of the armies of occupation subsequent to the armistice of N'.ovemher 11, 1918, shall first be met,” e ‘Wadsworth’s effort has been to present the claim in such a manner that its settlement could not be too long postponed, it is understood from followers of the proceeding. Depend Upon the 5:30 Edition of - The Fvening Sfup For the last word in local, It is issued every week da: national and world news. at 5:30—when the day’s activities close—and contains besides the late news— Stock reports, and Sports For Sale finals. newsboys and newsdealers throughout the city. CHARLESF.MILLER SUED FOR 10O Father of Eighteen-Year-0ld Girl Charges Business Man Attacked Her. Special Dispatch to The Star. ROCKVILLE, Md. March 10— Charles F. Miller, well known busi ness man of Bethesda, this county, is the defendant named in a suit for $100,000 damages filed in the circuit | court here today by Elmer G. Decker | of 3114 14th street northwest, Wash- | ington. Decker, who was formerly con- nected with the District of Columbia fire department, and who is now captain of the fire department at Walter Reed Hospital, charges Mil- ler with attacking his daughter, Miss Jeanette Frances Decker. last June, while she was employed as a stenog- rapher in his office at Bethesda. Mi: Decker was eighteen years old last Sunday. Miller, who is reputed to business and social circles of Wash- ington and the lower section of this | county, is married. He is about fifty years old. The family residence is at the Chevy Chase apartments. Says Daughter Was Attacked. In his declaration, Decker charges that on June 21 last. Miller attacked Jeanette Frances Decker, “daughter and servant of the plaintifft.” and that ever since the daughter has been un- @ble to perform necessary affairs and business of the plaintiff, and that he has consequently been’ deprived of her services and been required to pay out much money for her nursing and care, He further charges that as a_ result of Miller's conduct he has been brought into public dis- grace and “suffered and still suffers great mental stress, annovance and suffering in his household and was and is greatly humillated among his neighbors and acquaintances.” Miss Decker, who is described by her father’s attorney, John A. Gar rett of Rockville, 'as ‘vivaclous, auburn-haired. blue-eyed and attra tive,” has given Mr. Garrett a writ- ten statement of Miller's alleged conduct toward her. Went Back to Work. Miss Decker says in her statement that she told no one of the occurrence and went back to work the next day and that Miller never molested her after that. When her condition be- came such it could be hidden no longer, she says, Miller suggested that she consult a physician, and gave her the name of one to see. “I was given two weeks leave,” the statement continues, “and while T was away Miller wrote to my father that my “services would be no longer needed. by him.” Miss Decker is said to be a patient In s sanitarium, e amount of damages claime Decker fs the largest with 4 siagis exception. ever asked in a damage suit in this county. MILLER DENIES CHARGES. Declares He Is Willing to Fight Case Out in Court. Charles F. Miller, who was sued in the Rockville court yesterday for $100,000 damages in connection with the alleged attacks on Miss Jeanette Decker of Washington, when inter- viewed at his apartment in Chevy Chase last night by a representative of The Star, flatly denled the charges filed against him. “There is nothing to the state- ment that they make” he said. “There are absolutely no grounds for the accusation.” Left Last Summer. Mr. Miller said the young woman mentioned in the cass had been in his employ at his office in Bethesda for a time, just how long he could not _exactly ‘remember, but thought it was between a year and a half and two years. She left some time last summer, he said. The defense has been placed by Mr. Miller in the hands of Arthur Feter, his_attorney. Elmer G. Decker, father of the girl, at Walter Reed Hospital last night said he did not care to discuss the merits_ of the case, as he only wished to fight it out in court. Mr. Decker explained, however, that Mr. Miller had come to him about the condition of his daughter and de- clared he was trying to help her. Millor attempted, “aoccording to the father, ‘to “lay the blame on some one else. ldn't want to go to court with this” sald the father, “but it was my last resort. And T intend to fight it through to see that justice is done if it takes the last dollar I have on earth. —_—— ‘Wireless recently played a part In a burial at ses, when the werds of were sent from a freighter which be | wealthy, and who is well known in| Senator Johnson Sails on His First Rest in 20 Years By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, March 10.—Senator Hiram W. Johnson of California today brushed politics and poten- tial presidencies out of his head for the first time In years, and started on his first voyage across the Atlantic. Accompanying Senator Johnson were Mrs. Johnson and their son, Hiram W. jr. And right across from them on the steamship George Washington was Alexan- der P. Moore of Pittsburgh, newly appointed ambassador to Spain. “1 hope I don't get seasic said the senator, eyeing the fruit and smelling the flowers which filled his suite. “I'm a landlubber. Never been to sea before.” Then Ambassador Moore assured him he had voyaged on the George Wash- ington before, and that she rode smoothly. Senator Johnson caid he didn't know how long he would be abroad or w he would go. “I haven't had a rest in twenty years, and I think it's about time I had @ little enfoyment. I'm fifty-six Years old and don't feel so bad. Ambassador Moore said he would make several visits in Europe be- fore going to his post at Madrid. SYME'S RETENTION URGED AT MEETING Mount Pleasant Citizens Talk of Subscriptions to Pay Sal- ary in Power Co. Case. | I i | ‘The retention of Conrad H. Syme, former corporation counsel for the District, to continue the Potomac Electric Power Company valuation case was urged by William Henry ‘White, lawyer and member of the Mount Pleasant Citizens' Assoclation, at a meeting of that organization at the Powell School, Lamont street and Hiatt place northwest, last night. Mr. White pralsed the work done Mr. Syme in connection with the case, in which he represents the Dis- trict, and pointed out that no other man’ in the District would be as [familiar with the whole aspect of the fcase as Mr. Syme. | Several members commented favor- ably on the raising of the nccessary |salary for Mr. Syme by public sub- i»-'r\Plloh. and this matter was turned over to the association’s committee on public utilities. It is expected that at the next meeting the committee will report favorably on the sugges- tion of raising the retainer fee: by jpublic subscription, tokether with a {recommendation that the association appropriate a sum of money toward this purpose. An investigation with a view to the nination of mosquitos prevelent in icinity of Piney branch and creck” will be made by the as- s public health commiittes. Charles B. Campbell, chairm of this committee, discussed the few cases of “sleeping sickness” in the District and declared that he thought there was no danger of an epjidemic of this disease in Washington. He referred to the local health depart- ment as very efficient and_outlined the various methods by which this department handles contagious Jis- eases. C. E. Yetman complained of the number of whooping cough cases in the vicinity of 18th street, betwe Kenyon street and Kilbourne place northwest. Col. William Edgar Rogers address- ed the organization and deplored toe jcutting down of old trees in various sections of the cit PRIEST IS PRISONER, DECLARES BROTHER (Continued from First Page.) the chief of police at St. Louis to “keep it quiet for a few days.” No Religious Bitterne: i Both Catholics and Protestants lfll Virden, excepting a small minority, united in approving the expression |here tonight of Rev. W. W. Henry of the Methodist Church, that there | is no more religious bitterness in | Virden “than hair on a billiard ball,” | thus adding another detall, but shed- | ding 1o light on the mysterlous dis- | appearance of Rev. Father Vraniak.| Tomorrow the highly excited con- gregation of the missing priest will observe a Lenten mass without him, and after church service attempt to ralse $500 to offer as @ reward for information leading to his discovery. It Is a congregation of 500 Slovaks and Itallans, mostly the familles of miners. They showed their affection for him tonight, several of them al- tempting at once to tell newspaper men how he was a “big brother” to them, playing In their foot ball and baskeét ball games. He is thirty years Believed Victim of Foul Play. Father Cyril Orendac of Indianap- olis, who arrived this afternoon, an- nounced that the excitement of the congregation had made inadvisable holding of the Lenten mission, and that after mass tomorrow morning he would go to St. Louis. From all in- dications, he sald, Father Vraniak is a victim of foul play. This belief, coupled with strong fear that he has been killed, seemed to possess the family of the missing man. His mother Is distraught with grief. She says her boy has never strayed away so long without sending her word. His three brothers from Chicago, Joseph, Adolph and Francis, the lat- ter two of whom have returned after two days' search in St. Louls, shake their heads and say their brother dis- appeared “as if the earth had swal- lowed him.’ Discounts Murmurings. Rev. Henry of the Methodist Church are_strong congregations in Virden, he said, about 1,000 “Catholics and 4,000 Protestants, but all attempts to promote bitterness among them have fafled. Last spring, he sald, the Ku Kilux Klan of the vicinity appeared at a union meet- ing of Protestants and made a donation, and shortly after, he said, a curbstone orator of no particular organization made & speech about the oath of the Knights of Columbus, which prominent Catholics, including ~Father = Vraniak, next day denied, in a published state- ment. GOMPERS OUT OF DANGER, IS WORD FROM HOSPITAL Labor Leader Has Passed Crisis of Influenza Attack, Physi- - clans Believe. .NEW YORK, March 10.—Anxiety over the condition of Samuel Gom- ®rs, veteran labor leader, who suffered an attack of influenza and bronchial pneumonia, was removed tonight by physicians at Lenox Hill Hospital, who reported the elderly patient much improved and said he might be con- sidered out of danger. Earller in the day Dr. G. G. Fisch, his personal physician, announced that Mr. Gompers continued to show improvement, and if this improvement continued¢ he would soon be out of d‘#onl.ht 1t was belleved - the crisls been safely paased. discounted the murmurings which have cropped out several times, that religious differences might be possible. There PRESIDENT'S TRIP ROUTS DULL CARE Lines of Worry Rapidly Being' Erased as Summer Sun Bronzes His Face. MRS. HARDING BETTER Party Lands at Palm Beach, But ! Returns to Boat at Night. To Start on After Church. By the Associated Press. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla, March 10.—Declining invitations tendered by the leaders of Palm Beach society, President and Mrs. Harding on arriv ing here today followed the program of recreation and relaxation that has marked their Florida vacation trip throughout. The presidential party arrived st Palm Beach shortly after 3 o'clock this afternoon, a little later than had been anticlpated by reason of the reduced speed at which their house- , boat, the Ploneer, was compelled to steam through the narrow channe! north of here, but yet ahead of the tentative sohedule because of the climination of Hobe Sound as a stop ping point for a morning round golf. Mrs. Harding Lands. Mr. Harding, accompanied by his golfing companions—A. D. Lasker, chairman of the Shipping Boards Charles G. Dawes, former director or’ the budget bureau, and Edward B. McLean, host to the presidenttal party—after responding to & formal welcome extended by Mayor Biggers of West Palm Beach and an informal welcome by the Palm Beach winter colony members, motored to the links of the Palm Beach Country Club. Mrs, Harding also came ashore, being the first time she had left the houseboat, except for a few minutes Thursday at Rockledge, since the cruise down the coastal waters was begun Tuesday at Ormond. She, with Mrs. McLean, went to the McLean cottage here for a rest while the President played golf. ‘Will Attend Church. All of the members of the pres dential party will spend tonight on the houseboat anchored just off the dock at the Royal Poinciana Hotel. The President, with George B. Chris- tian, jr. his secretary; former Budget Director Dawes, and possibly some other members of the party, plans to attend church service tomerrow, and in the afternoon the cruise down the river will be resumed. More golf Monday at Fort Lauder- dale and arrival at Miami Tuesday !s the program as announced tonight The party probably will spend several days at Miami, as two members of the President’s cabinet, Attorney Gen- eral Daugherty and Secretary of La- bor Davis, are there. No definite arrangements as to the length of the stay in Miami, however, have vet been made. The five days of golfing and cruis- ing which the President has spent under the warm Tlorida sun appear- ed today to have benefited him greatly. As with the other men of the party, he has taken on a healthy coat of tan and sunburn which has fairly bronzed his face. The lines that had become increasingly not iceaple during the winter have par- tially disappeared, and his physician Brig. Gen. Charles E. Sawyver, be-| lleves that In another week they will have been wiped out altogether. Attired in Regular Style. The President, when he stepped ashore here today, had abandoned his tweed golfing costume and wore the true Palm Beach sport costume of white shoes, flannel trousers, white shirt, a Norfolk model coat and a Panama hat. The West Palm Beach mayor in welcoming him in the name of the city emphasized that the mu- nicipality had given him a majority , of 400 votes in the 1920 election. The President responded that “it wa gratefully remembered.” Mrs. Harding, as has been the case since the departure from Washington last Monday, recelved equally as much attention as her distinguished husband, She made her appearance on the deck of the Pioneer while the boat was being drawn up to the dock, much interested in those on the crowded pler in the semi-tropical scenery. The Ploneer, it was found, drew too much water to come direct- Iy to the pler, and it was necessary to draw up an improvised gang plani which was rather shaky, but Mrs Harding walked down it with a firm step, showing plainly that she also had derived much benefit already from the vacation cruise. Mrs. Harding in White. The first lady of the land, like tie President, was clothed in the most approved Palm Beach style. She wore white pumps and white stockings, a pleated white outing skirt, a white blouse with a black sllk necktie and a black and_white sport hat. Mem- bers of the President’s party and the Chief Executive heard with regret today the news that Samuel Gom- pers, the “‘grand old man” of Ameri can labor, was seriously ill of bron- chial pneumonia in New York and asked newspaper men to advise them frequently as to Mr. Gompers' condi- tion. 7 ’ —_— SPECTACULAR FIRE ATTRACTS THRONGS (Continued from First Page.) begun. Deputy Chiaf Sullivan, who was, in charge in the rear of the building, stated he had found that it started in the cellar and did not get above the first floor, although it burned through the sashes of the cellar and first floor windows. But the entire building was filled with smoke. Fire Marshal Seib, who responded to the alarm, sald he had not been able at 2:30 o'clock to determine the cause or its origin. So far as could be learned there was no one in the building at the ¢ time the fire was discovered. Could Not Estimate Damage. The fire marshal could not estimate the damage at this time either, al« though he ventured to say that it would be heavy, both to the building and the contents, particularly in view of the fact that when the first companies re+ sponded, it was believed that the fire was in the top floor and several hose lines were run up and water poured down through the bullding. -Most of the damage will result from the water. Dr. Daniel Borden, fire department surgeon, who also responded to the aiarms, said shortly after the firo was out that there were no casualties. In addition to the Heiberger firm, the occupants of the building are: Washing- ton Employment Agency. National School for Secretaries, National School of Commerce and the Duvall Dress q '