Evening Star Newspaper, April 13, 1923, Page 1

WEATHER. Rain tonight and to chahge in temperature; east wids. Temperature four hours ended at 2 Highest, morrow: no fresh south- for twenty- p.m. today! 61.3, at 4:40 p.m. yesterday: lowest, 45, at 6:30 a.m. today. Full ‘report on page 7. Late N. Y. Stocks and Bonds, Page 2 f—— No. 28,837.. Entered as second-class matter post office Washington, D. C. EW FRENCH PLAN HINTS GONCESSIONS Upon Communists UPON REPARATINS Rewelding of Interallied Front Expected to Result From Premiers’ Parley. WOULD PROVIDE BRITAIN INTEREST ON U. S. LOAN Total of Indebtedness Not to Be Lowered, But Burden of Payment Lessened. By the Ancoclated Press. PARIS, April 13.—The premlers of France and Belgium, with their prin- cipal ministerial advisers, met here today in an important conference on the reparations question. A rewelding of the inter-allied front is expected to result from to- Gay’s meeting of the Franco-Belgian ministers here, at which a repara- tions plan drafted by the French ex- perts will be compared to one drawn up by the Belgians. It is understood that the two differ only slightly, Inasmuch as Premier Polncare, through Louis Loucheur, and the Belglan government, through its representatives in London, have sounded the British government as to its attitude toward the question. It is believed, therefore, that the dis- cussions today should prove fruitful. Total Not Reduced. The French plan was prepared by the foreign office experts in close col- laboratlon with the reparation com- mission. Le Matin, which prints a resume of the draft, says it leaves the total German indebtedness 132,000.000,000 gold marks, but pro- vides for a method of payment which would lessen the burden of the debt and at the same time accelerate the installments during the next few years. It France in that perlod is able, through international credit opera- tions to get 26,000,000,000 gold marks, representing the “A and B" German bonds as well as her past and future expenditure for the devasted re- gions, she is ready to make conce: sions for the remainder, says the newspaper. Rhine Army Costs Included. Part of the German debt, mobiliza- tion of which is declared to be urgent, corresponds to the sums required for | the reparation of devastated France, Italy, Jugoslavia, Rumania, with prior- ity for Belgiumi plus the money spent by that country on the same account. Also included are the costs of the American and allied armies of occups- tion, reimbursement for the premiums | paid’ to German miners and various esser items. The remainder of the first 50,000,- 000,000 marks, adds Le Matin, may either be canceled or postponed, but | England, which would be called upon to make a serious sacrifice if this plan is decided upon, must receive a gua antee that her annual interest pa: ments to the United States will be | made up to her out of the German pay- ments at suitable intervals. Would Divide Bonds. | The essence of the new project, the | newspaper continues, is to divide the German “A and B" bonds into two parts, one of which, amounting to | about 40.000,000,000 gold marks, would | be mobilized within ten years by means of loans. The other part would be split up into annual payments, ac- cording to the need of the British! treasury. | The series of “C" bonds would be | used in furnishing France with a/ means for paying off her foreign cred- itors; that fs, to say, principally American, since England, relieved of | her annual interest payments to the | United States, might be ready to| make substantial concessions. This| arrangement would also be highly advantageous to Italy. “C* Bond Sum to Be Held. ; There would remain to France a| sum In “C" bonds which might be| used to negotlate a concesslion in cer- | taln coal mines. Territorial pledges under this plan, Le Matin continues, might gradually | be relinquished during the first ten, years and then given up altogether | on the condition that the- forty; bil- | lions needed as fmmediate.reparation | had been covered by loans, and pro- vided also that a new regime had been instituted with a mixed occupation sufficient to satisfy the requirements of French safety. Certaln strategic points only would remain in the hands of the allles under conditions to be determined later. The league of na- tions would be asked to undertake the management of the rest of the occupled territory with the aid of an international police force and an in- ternational railroad board. Not Opposed in Britain, Such are said to be the broad lines of the plaan and, with the’ exception of certain points more particulgrly of interest to Great Britain, con- cludes Le Matin, it does not appear to have aroused the opposition of Mr. Bonar Law and his colleagues. There seems to be no reason, the newspaper says, why it will not meet the approval of the Belgian ministers, One of the main objects of the conference is the devising of new measures to make the Ruhr occupa- tion productive. 1t is contended that as long as the Ruhr is unpro- ductive of coal it wliil be difficult to persuade the Germans to accept the Franco-Belglanr viewpoints eon the situation. ~ Just now while the French and the Belgians are issuing | figures to show that since the Brus- sels conference the daily coal snd coke production -has increased from 3,000 tons daily to 5,000 tons, the German reparations delegates in Paris declare that-after three months of occupation the two allies are of taining less than 1,000 tons daily. Germans Stand Firm. Those here who are In touch with the official German viewpoint of rep- aration issue declare that Germany will not negotiate so long as the al- lies occupy the Ruhr, and they con- tend the two allled powers are “kill- ng_the goose that laid the golden AContinued on Page 3, Column 4.) at| | gave Father McCullough a phial con- | which followed the tragedy. { man,” Father Dillon was quoted as | want to go to Jackson \Bulgarians Will IForceCommunism SOFIA, April 13.—The practice of communism by avowed com- munists themselves would be made compulsory by a measure which the government is soon to present to parliament. Premier Stamboulisky, In an- nouncing the prospective law, said it would provide for the expro- priation of communists’ property in each locality in which there are at least ten persons profess- ing the communistie creed. These would be compelled to live In colonles established by the government. Each member would be forced to share equa'ly in the labor of production, as well as its fruits. . PRIEST N RAGE SLAYS SUPERIR |“He Treated Me as Czar,” Says Father Dillon, After Michigan Tragedy. By the Associated Press. KALAMAZOO, Mich., April 13.—Sixe| bullets from a revolver brought tragedy to the priest house of St. Augustine’s parish last night when { pastor of and member of the Car- | thusian Fathers order, shot and killed ! his superior, Rev. Father | O'Neill, pastor of the parish, who had jordered him from the house. The killing of Father O'Nefll culmi- nated what Father Dillon told police was “thirteen months of 1l treat- | O'Neill “treated me like a little boy, of a czar.” Father Dillon, who police that the tragedy was the cli- max of the evening meal. Father O'Neill, his assistant, and Father Mc- | Cullough were at the table, he sald. Father O'Nelll ordered Dillon to go up- | stairs and “pack his grip.” Instead, Dillon went to his rcom, obtained a re volver and returned to the dining room. Says He Fired Twice. “I intended to give him a chance to confess and repent before I killed him.,” police report Dillon as saying, “but as I advanced into the room. | with the revolver extended, I saw him grab a salt cellar to throw at me, and {1 fired.” floor, Dillon, according to his story, taining holy ofls and told him to ad- minister the sacrament of extreme unction at once. Father O'Nelll, who was about fifty- six years old, succeeded to the St. Augustine pastorate in November, 1921, following the death of Rev. Mgr. F. A. Brien. Dillon, following his ex- pulsion as a member of the Carthu- slan order from France, traveled in many countries as a missionary, coming here from Battle Creek thir- teen months ago. Rev. Father Willlam Murphy of De- | troit is in_temporary charge of parish affairs. Father McCullough was re- covering today from his collapse Wants Death in Chatr. “I knelt before God and prayed that | something would happen to that saying in a statement made to Prose- cutor Stephen H. Wattles. He was| belng questioned in the presence of a stenographer. The statement at| times was disconnected and contalned | numerous repetitions. “I had no right to kill Father O'Nelll; not one right in the world,” | the statement said.’ “I took that in| my own hands and I.killed him. 1| (the state son.) I'd rather have the chair. I never did any harm in my life; never took a cent from anybody. The gentle little children all over Michi- gan will tell you. they love me.” Asked how long he had possessed the revolver, Father Dillon said “Not | very long." “Did you purchase it for the pur- pose?” asked the prosecutor. “Yes, for the purpose,” replied the | priest, “conditlonally for the purpose. | Not absolutely to say It was going to | happen; 1 hoped it would not. : Asked who was at-the dinner table | at the time of the shooting, Father Dillon replied that Father McCul- ugh was present, but countered: What do you want of witnesses? I'li | tell the truth. We were eating. He | told me to get out. The last thing he'l sald was, ‘Pack up and go. I sald| ‘All right, I will go.’ I did go and pack up, and he didn't like the pack- ing in my hand. ‘I puiled the gun out and ‘Bing, bing’; he got it right here (Indicating the lower abdomen). He said, ‘’'m shot, father; I'm shot.” Right in the midst of that he seized the sal cellar to throw at me. Bing. bing. He dropped against the window.” Father Dillon, according to the prosecutor, admitted he had been drinking during the day. Prosecuting Attorney Stephen H. Wattles announced today that he w. preparing to Issue ar. order for a warrant charging Father Dillon with murder. * “Under Father Dillon's own sworn statement I can do nothing byt charge him with murder,” the prose- cutor said. . Police Chief Taffee announced th! morning that Father Dillon, who fs held at police headquarters, had reft- erated the confession iaade last night that he had shot Father O'Neill, = A post-mortem examination of the body of Father O'Neill otddy disclosed six bullet wounds. ————— FREER ART GALLERY . TO BE OPENED MAY 2 Charles D. Walcott, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, called at the White House today to notify Presi- dent Harding that, the Freer gallery will be formally opened May 2. Mr. Walcott intimated that the President was asked “to attend the opening. He said that prominent men from all over the United States have signified their intention of be- ing present on that occasion. OPERATE ON MRS. OYSTER. Mrs. James F. Oyster, wife of Rev. Father Charles Dillon, assistant | Henry | ment,” during which, he sald, Father| and assumed toward me the attitude | Is being held, | As the priest's body slipped to the | | the Zh WASHINGTON, D. PROPOSE A LARGER BOTANIC GARDEN OF OVER 30 ACRES Extending Grounds to the Barracks and to the Sta- tion, Is Plan. SENATOR PEPPER HELPS BRING ABOUT HARMONY Conferences Agree on Many Im- provements to Be Laid Be- fore Congress. A comprehensive plan for the fur- ther beautification of Washington, the settlement of the controversy over the future location of the Bo- tanic Garden and the extension of the Mall development has been work- ed out In conference between Senator Pepper of Pennsylvanla of the Sen- ate library committee, the Commis- slon of Fine Arts, the Engineer Com- { missioners' office, Elllott Woods, ar- | chitect of the Capitol, and George W. | Hess, director of the Botanic Gar- | den. | The conferences, brought about i through the good offices of Senator Pepper, who Is taking a keen interest in the plans for the Caplital city, It is sald, have at last brought together the four conflicting interests in the settlement of these problems with every prospect that all will get to- gether behind a measure to be press- led at the next session of Congress. | This measure will provide: . 1. For the removal of the Botanic Garden from its present site and its location on a tract much larger, bounded by Canal and 3d streets southwest and extending from Mary- land avenue on the north to the Washington barracks on the south 2. For the extension of the Mall through to the Capitol, leaving un- obstructed the area immediately at the foot of the Capitol. 3. The eventual construction of “Capitol Gardens.” under the super- vision of Elliot! Woods, extending north of the Capitol to the Union station plaza and south of the Cap- itol to E street. 4. The removal of the District stables and other structures ysed by the District government, in the area which will be used for the Botanic Garden, to other sites owned by the government of the District of Columbla. Senator Fernald of Representative John W. Kentucky, chairmen of the Senate {and House committees on buildings and grounds, respectivaly, have given their approval to the plan for the new location of the Botanic Garden, and the legisiation fogr acquisition of the necessary ‘land will be handled by their committees in all probability. Work Already Began. The last Congress turned over to the Botanlc Garden for its use the area now included in Canal street, the bed of the old James Creek canal Already Mr. Hess, director of the garden, has begun work looking to the utilization of this tract for green- houses, etc. The buildings occupled by the District government which extend along this tract for a very considerable distance are being re- moved to other sites, so that all of this land -eventually will be In use by the Botanlc Garden. This land was merely loaned by the federal government to the District govern- ment. While Senator Pepper, members of the Fine Arts Commission and Diregtor Hess are hopeful that in bringing about the proposed new de- velopment to the south of the Capitol it ‘will be possible to have the total area lying between Canal street-and 3d_street south to the Washington barracks included in the Botanic Garden, it is possible that the first effort will be made to have Congress authorizesthe acquisition and use of the land lying between Canal street and 1st street. In the area proposed to be used are a number of reserv tions already owned by the govern- ment, and also much unimproved land. In the past there has been a con- flict between the Fine Arts Commis- tion, the director of the Botanic Gar- den,"the architect of the Capitol and District officials over various proposals to develop the land in the vicinity of the Capitol. But the plan now outlined has won the support, it is reported, of all parties. At pres-. ent a survey of the area proposed to be occupied by the Botanic Garden is being made and eventually estl. mates looking to the completion of the entire project will be prepared and submitted to the bureau of the budget, it is said. Other Plans Submitted. For years the controversy over the proposed removal of the Botanic Garden from its existing sits at the foot of the Capitol has been waged. Congress eventually located the Grant memorial at the Capitol end of the garden, lopping off a considerable slice of the land. There have been a number of proposals in regard to the Botanic Garden, some of which would Maine " and Langley of | Bave removed the garden to outlying ections of the District and others to interest in matter developed when he became a member of the Senate library com- mittee, which has jurisdiction cver matters relating to the beautification of the Capitol grounds, hs authorisa- tion of monuments and memorials to be erected in the District, and art matters generally. He hus been au- thorized by Senator Brandeges of Connecticut, chairman of the committee to act for the committee in the confer- ences which have been held with the various officialk. The area which it is now proposed to set aside for the Botanic Garden is very much larger than the present site of the garden—in fact, if carried out in full would cover half a hun- dred or more acres. The plan to Jo- cate the. garden on this land would have the effect of extending the Capi- tol grounds, almost to the river on the South, while on the north the Capitol gardens would extend to the Union station. The rallroad tracts—elevated—run thyough part of the tract which it is now_proposed to use for the Botanic Garden. But Mr. Hess and the Fine Arts Commission believe that this Commissioner Oyster, who has been 11l for more than a week, underwent an_operation at Emergency Hospital todayy would be no drawback to tha devel- opment of the tract as a garden. In fact, great possibilities are seen in the treatment of the embankment as it will pass through. the garden.. ¢ Foening WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION | the scouting fleet. 5 -~ t C., SHAKEP INNAYY | HEH RANKS NEARS Admiral Coontz Expected to Command Combined Fleets. Sweeping changes n the high com- mand of the American Navy are ex- pected to follow Secretary Denby's return today from his visit with the | fleet. Recommendations for the re- adjustment were on the Secretary’s desk when he reached the depart- ment, and he already had been urged to_expedite action. It is understood the suggested changes included the following: Admiral Robert E. Coontz, now chief of naval operations, to com- mand the combined fleets, succeeding Admiral Hilary P. Jones, who would §0 to the general board. Admirfl E. W. Eberle, commanding the battle fleet, to be chief of naval P tar Admiral Thomas Washington, chief of the bureau of navigation, to command a forelgn squadron, prob- ably the Asiatic fleet. He would be cceeded by Capt. Richard Leigh, now ussistant chief of the bureau. Command of the battle fleet held for the present in_ abeyance, with Rear Admiral S. S. Robison, a mem- ber of the general board, heading the 1ist of officers recommended. Rear Admiral W. V. Pratt, also a| member of the board and one of the two advisors to the American arms conference delegation, to command Rear Admiral Charles chief of ordnance, to battleship division. Changes in command of most of the individual battleships also are in prospect and several already have been announced. _— PUANTOCUTREGHT LN IS UNORPOSED The proposal to reduce the height limit of bulldings on Pennsylvania avenue between 9th and 15th streets northwest, from 110 to 85 feet was not opposed at the public hearing before the zoning commission at tha! District building today. Only one speaker, Fred G. Coldren, testified in favor of the reduced limits and no one responded when objections were called for. Mr. Coldren, speaking as an in- dividual and In support of the pnrkl commission plan for the development of Waghington. indorsed the proposal for a lower height limit on the upper part of the Avenue for two reasons: First, he said, architects agree that a uniform skyline is to be desired: and that there is more likelihood of obtaining an 85-foot even line than there is to hope that there will be a uniformity of 110-foot buildings on the Avenue. His 'second reason w: that the erection of costly buildings to a height of 110 feet on the south side of Pennsylvania avenue would tend to postpone and:-make more ‘expensive the park project, which contemp! purchase by the government of of the property on the south side of the Avenue, eventually. Strong opposition was voiced by a score of residents in the vicinity of the Capitol .to another proposal to change practically all of the property facing the Capitol grounds from first commercial to residential. Mr. Coldren, Evan H. Tucker and A. J. Driscoll 'spoke in favor of mak- ing this property residential in order to preserve the aprearance, of the Capitol building. A large group of property owners in that vicinity, how- ever, objected. More than £00 persons, one of the largest gatherings ever present at a Joning hearing, Alled the boardroom when the session began. Preceding the public hearing the zoning commission met in the office of Commissioner Oyster and elected Maj. F. S. Besson, acting engineer commissioner, chairman. Col. Keller, who retired from the commissioner- ship, was chairman of the zoning board. The first case heard was to change the south side of K street from 17th street west to an alley from res: dential to first commerclal. It wa testified that the north side alread is commercial, thereby lessening the value of the opposite: side for resi- dential purposes. G Congiderable discussion was d. veloped both for and against a chang: from residential to first commercial of property on Irving street near Hiatt pl A request that the southwest corner of 8th street and Florida aven northeast be changed from residenti; to first commercial to permit a base ment delicatessen store also produced lively deba Property owners ap- peared both for and against the pro- posal, H. McVay, command a Star. BISHOP IS DROWNED WHEN BOAT SINKS Sudden Storm Causes Death of Twenty—Fifty Are Reported Saved. By the Associated Pres MEXICO CITY. April 13.— The Bishop of Belize (British Honduras), two nuns and seventeen other pas- sengers were drowned when a motor boat carrying them to Payo Obispo, territory of Quintana Roo, Mexico, sank on Wednesday during a sudden storm, according to delayed advices reaching here this evening. Fifty other persons are reported to have been saved. Further details are lack- ing. READY T0 CANEL . S-APAN PAC Exchange of Communications on Lansing-Ishii Treaty About Completed. By the Associated Press. An interchange of communications between the Washington and Toklo governments, intended for publica- tion in the form of an identic an- nouncement that the Lansing-Ishil agreement of 1917 has been canceled by mutual consent of the two nations, has been parctically concluded. Indi- cations are that the officlals of the two governments will make the pro- nouncement simultaneously in their re- spective capitals. Involved “Special Interests.” Cancellation of the Lansing-Ishil agreement restores a parity of inter- csts of China between the United States and Japan, according to terms of the nine-power treaty and the Root-Takahira agreement. It also automatically nuilifies ail contro- versial clauses in_agreements be- tween the United States and Japan | regarding China by elimination for all’ time the provision contained in the Lansing-Ishil agreement by which America recognized that Japan had “special interests” In China. Because of the political situation in Japan, recently enlivened by China's demand for abrogation of the “twenty-one demands” treaty of 1915, Tokio ~ statesmen have proceeded with unusual caution in arranging for the public announcement by them of the cancellation. Reference of this! question, ordinarilly one for final ac- tion by the prime minister, has been taken to the priwy council, and from that body to the throne. It is under- stood that the emperor personally has been asked to sign “he cancellation papers. Reasons for Delay. For these reasons there has been an unusual delay on the part of Tokio and Washington in issuing an official statement or making any oral com- ment respecting the cancellation ne- gotiated between the two capitals several months ago. Now, however, the situation has progressed to the point_where it will be possible for an official ‘utterance to be made with- in a week. i The State Department has been prepared for more than a month to make its announcement and prob- ably would'have spoken long ago had it not been influenced by a desire to co-operate with the Japanese govern- ment-and render through its silence what assistance it was able to givel those In responsible places in Toklo. The Japanese statesmen concerned have been worried by the political situation facing their government and by the effect any announcement of the cancellation might have if made hurriedly, particularly while the Diet was in session. —_— COUNCILORS’ ELECTION ENDS COURT SESSIONS Election of four councilors and the holding of ‘memorial exercises for Mra.. Henry M. Boynton, deceased, the last of the three founders of the soclety, marked the closing of exercises of the twenty-fifth annual court of the Daugh- ters of Patriots and Founders, in the oak room of the Raleigh Hotel, yester- day: 5 Those elected councilors were: Miss H.'P. Marsh of Connetticut, Mrs. M. G. De Wolf of the. District of Columbia, Mrs. George E. Smith of Massachusetts, and Miss M. Tibhits of New York.® The_following eulogized Mrs. Boyn- ton: Miss E. L. Dorsey, Mrs. Will C. Barnes, Mrs. S. B. Joy, Miss Katherine Green, Mrs. Charies H. Metcalf, Mrs. A. Howard Clark, Mrs. Amos Draper and Mrs. Henry B. Joy. Mrs. Gertrude Lyons eang several soios, accompanied st the plano by Charies T, Ferry. Mrs. St. Clair, national vics gt £ 8. ¥ 1 every cit T “From Press to Home Within the Hour” The Star’s carrier system covers block and the regular edi- tionis delivered to Washington homes as fast as the papers are printed. Yesterday’s Net Circelation, 95,417 FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1923—FORTY-EIGHT PAGES. DA R DELEEATES ARRNE N DISTRCT Influx Begins Today for 32d Annual Congress of Na- tional Society. The first general influx of dele- gates and alternates to the thirty- second annual congress of the tional Soclety, Daughters of the American Revolution, which will open in Memorial Continental Hall at 10:30 o'clock Monday morning. began to- day. Before Sunday night it is ex- pected that more than 2,500 visiting members of the soclety will have ar- rived in this city. Registration of accredited repre. sentatives from the various state so- cleties began this afternoon in the Daughters’ administration building, adjoining Memorial Continental Hall Every day until the congress is form- ally convened-by the incumbent pre; dent general, Mrs. George Maynard Minor, registration booths will re- main open. National Candidates Meet. Virtually all of the candidates for the national offices, which are to be refilled this year, came face to face for the first time this morning when | the National Officers’ Club held its an- nual meeting. The club is composed only of members of the society who have held one or more of the na- tional chairs. All of the women who are out for election this session have previously been identified with the directorate of the national soclety. Politics is rife throughout the ranks of the soclety. Each of the three avowed candidates for the national presidency—Mrs. Anthony Wayne Cook _of Pennsylvania, Mrs. G. Wal- lace W. Hanger of this city and Mrs. Willlam Cummings Story of New York—has several campalgn repre- sentatives out trying to round up the | various state delegations as they ar- | is a miniature of scenes | to a national con- | vention of one of the large political | rive. Tt usually ascribed parties. Clalms Delegation 8 re. Mrs. Cook, the Pennsylvania candi- date, is not only claiming her solid state delegation, but that of New York as well, which Is the largest in the soclety. In addition it is clalmed by her supporters she has at least partial support from the strong Ohio delegation and expects to get even some ballots from the District of Co- lumbia delegation. despite the fact that it is Mrs. T's own home district. In addition, Mrs. Cook has the advantage of'coming from a state that never before asked the natisnal society to give one of its daughters the national presidency general. On the other hand Mrs. Hangar has the open support of the head of the society, Mrs. Minor. She is recelving enthusiastic assistance | from most of the present national of- ficers and goes to the post with the advantage of now filling one of those chairs herself, the organizing secre- taryship. These facts are expected to prove strong vote getters when the congress once opens. Mrs. Story “Dark Horse.” Mrs. Story is the convention's un- known quantity. She might even be termed its Roosevelt. Not only is she seeking election to a third term as president general of the society ,but her presence in the fleld has practi- cally split the two existing factions in the organizing completely in two, Mrs. Story has made no claims in ad- (Continued on Page 2, Column b5.) FOUR URUGUAY CABINET MEMBERS STEP DOWN Follows Administrative Council Resolution Limiting Terms to Four Years. By the Amoclated-Press. MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, April 13. —All the members of the cabinet who held office by virtue of appointment by the national administrative coun- cil, one of the two branches of the executive system prevalling. {in Uru- &uay, resigned yesterday. This action follpwed upon a resolution l‘hfied by Ym ly that the term of afice of these cabinet members should be lmited to four 'years. 2 Those who resigned were: Ricardo Vecino, ‘fihance; Pablo Blanco Ace- vedo, public instruction; Jose Arias, industry; Ssatlago -Calcagno,.public incumbent | i meets * 13th Jinx Claims Eye, Armand Leg Stays Abed Today By the Associated Press. MACON, Ga., April 13.—J. A. Par- ham, Macon business man, is spend- ing today in bed. ‘While working on an automobile several months ago a steel splinter destroyed the sight of one eye. It was on the 13th of the month. The next 13th he broke an arm while cranking an automobile. A month later, on the 13th, he slip- ped in his garage and broke his leg. Two months after that he was able, :)’ extra precautions, to avoid a mis- ap. Then the 13th came again and while he was watching mechanics re- pair an automobile, a block broke loose and smashed his fogt. Last month, on the 13th, fire de- stroyed his garage. Today's combination—Friday, 13 TWO CENTS. 6.0.P.CONSIDERING WASHINGTON FOR 1924 CONVENTION Chairman Adams of National Committee Expresses In- terest in Proposal. PRESIDENT REPRESENTED AS UNOPPOSED TO IDEA was too much for him. COURT FIGHT HIDES WAR ON PRESIDENT Mystery in Untimely Agita- tion Attributed to Strife in G. 0. P. Ranks. BY DAVID LAWRENCE. Just why the question of America’s Joining the world court should be- come an issue at this particular mo- ment is the biggest puzzle of the hour to the administration itself. The talk of a break in the ranks of the republican party is not mere talk. It has a basis and there is more go- ing on under the surface than can be discerned by the naked eye of an observant public. Fo# the truth is the merits of the world court prob- lem are not the real issue, at all—it is merely the vehicle for the expres- slon of dissenting views by those who are anxious to prevent the renomina- tion of President Harding by the re- publican national convention. In the so-called “irreconcilable” ele- ment in the American Senate are sev- eral aspirants for the presidency or henchmen of would-be candldates. They have not taken kindly to the Daugherty prediction of no opposi- tlon to Mr. Harding’s renomination. They are not excessively fond of Messrs. Hughes and Hoover, who, from the beginning, have leaned to- ward the league of nations’ side of they are not overjoved at the pros- pect of seeing Secretaries Hoover and Hughes going around the country reflecting the administration view- point on so ticklish a political sub- | ject as international affair Views of Hoover Given. Secretary Hoover just made a speech {n Des Moines on the world court and Secretary Hughes is about to fire an opening gun, so to speak, on the project which was submitted in the closing hours of the last ses- slon of Congress. But why all this now? is the ques- tion asked on every side. Even if the country were to express a prepon- derant opinion in favor of the world court, no action could be taken till next 'December, when the Senate meets. And even if the project hasn’t an overwhelming republican senti- ment behind it, the tactical move for the administration to make is to walt till next December, when the solid democratic support will enable it to put the court protocol through the Senate easily with the necessary two- thirds vote. So the answer to the puzzle is not to be found in the administration’s projection of the issue at this mo- ment, but in the line of attack taken by the opponents of the project, who have nothing else of a concrete char- acter on which to invite the Harding aaministration into the controversial sts. If the President doesn’t take up the challenge and lets the world court matter slumber till next Congress he will take away from his opponents their main hope for publicity at this time. Some of the President’s advisers have told him that and have also pointed out to him that he ought to make only casual references to the world court on his forthcoming western trip. To go up and down the country afirming and reaffirming his stand on the world court, it is con- tended, would only be a confession of weaknes and diversion of the pub- lics attention from the main things Mr. Harding has to say. Borak's Reply Ready. ‘The moment Secretary Hoover made his Des Moines speech Senator Borah was ready with an answering state- ment. Senator Hiram Johnson is due back from Europe on June 7, and he will have some more things to say about the world court. Senator James Watson of Indiana, republican, is known to have been Somewhat disap- pointed that the President plcked Harry New. to be Postmaster General —disappointed because he was on the opposite side of the fence in In- diana politics. and it looked, there- fore, like a wallop at Watson. Others who may not care much about the world ~court itself are bound to use the discussion thing to pick on politically. the administration is being urged to let the matter drop after Secretary Hughes ha do no more about it until the Sen: in December, when enough votes can be mustered to dispose of the issue. This is all predicated on the sumption that the ostensible op- ponents of the court will et the controversy subside. 1If they do not. the administration will find the true character “of the opposition to be political, and some of the friends of the administration are saying it will be the easiest way to demonstrate why American - membership ‘in the court is really being fought. Membership in the world court is not an urgent matter. No question can be submitted to the court unless the two or more Interested nations all give their consent. Any natfon whether a member of the court or not can submit a question. The only thing the President has asked is that America assume responsibility for payment of the expenses of the court, a relatively trivial sum, United States take her ing judge: But judges havée been elected without American aid and the slectlons take place once every = rs, 50 there is nothing urgent in the whole business. A Then why all the fuss now, seven months before anything could be pos. sibly done about it by the Senate? It isn't ocustomary for members of Congress to argue ‘about things so far in advan The real reason is the palitical rumpus in the republican party, which 18 going on in an effort to wear out the President's deter- mination about 1924. Most of the politicians admit this to be a fact, and that's why the moves of the game in the next few months will' bear watching from. that angle. 3 1 the argument on foreign policy, and; New Auditorium to Be Ready in October Would Provide Fa- cilities for Meeting. Washington as the convention city for the republican party in 1924 is to be given serious consideration, ac- cording to some of the party leaders. Chairman John T. Adams of the republican national committee, who returned to Washington late vester- day from a trip abroad, expressed in- terest today in the proposal that the next national convention of the party should be held in the Capital city. He declined, however, to comment upon the proposal other than to tay that the selection of a convention city would be made next December by the national committee. Not Opposed by President. From other sources it was learned that the probability is President Harding would not look with dis- favor upon the selection of Wash- ington for the party convention. Mr. Adams asked whether Was ington could provide the necessa auditorium for a natjonal party con- vention and appeared interested when he was told that the Washing- ton Auditorium, located at 14th street and New York avenue north- west, would be completed in Oc- tober of this year, or in plenty or time for the convention, which does not take place until the e = HSC teke B e early sum WL Seat 6,000 Persons. The Washington avditorium, which Is being erected by a corporation headed by Robert N. Harper, Mr Adams was told, will have a seating capacity of 6,000 in the assembly hall, with a large stage at one end On the floor below—which will be the exhibit hall, ordinarily, there will ha avallable 38000 square feet of floor space, giving adequate facilities for the stenographic and telegraphic needs of the convention, as well as for reception room. There will be eight or ten rooms in_ the.auditorium building having seating capacities of’ from 15 to 400 which could be used admirably for committee rooms. The acoustics in the new auditorium will be perfect, it is promised. The experts at the bureay of standards and Emil Ber- liner are giving their attention to this feature of the building. The ventilating apparauts will provide 40.000 cubie feet of fresh air a min- ute. Other Cities Making Bid. The new auditorium will be admi- rably located, in the central part of the city, for handling the convention crowds, ‘it was pointed out. Other cities which are making a bld for the republican natlonal con- vention are Chicago, San Francisco, Cleveland, Buffalo and Kansas City. Republican party leaders at a num- ber of conferences have been makini a comprehensive survey, in the last few days. of the political outlook. Not only men and policies, but such questions as the state of the party treasury and the choice of a 1924 con- ventlon city have had active consid- eration in these discussions. No defi- nite conclusions are announced., but the net result has been to still fur- ther advance the season of pre-con- vention activities, already far ahead of the usual political calendar. Big Men Brought Together. Thus far the conferences here have brought together such figures as Na- tional Chairman John T. Adams, just back from a trip abroad; National Treasurer Fred Upham of Chicago, several members of the cabinet and & number of senators who keep a close connection with all matters of party policy. Within a few days two for- mer national chairmen, Charles D. Hilles of New York and Will H. Hayy of Indiana, are expected to confer with others interested in the partys wel- fare in New York. Within a few weeks Col. Georgo Harvey, now serving as ambassadof at London, is expected to appear un the scene, and it is the belief in po- litical circles that he will ba found willing to contribute some pertinent advice regarding both party policles and party organization in 1924, For a long time he has been counte ed on as one of the mainstays of the pre-convention movement for the re- nomination of President Harding, and although he has made no publio statement on the subject his name often has been coupled in political gossip here with the effort of the friends of Mr. Hays to reinstate him as natlonal chairman. Harvey May Resign. The State Department expects Mr. Harvey to regurn to his post in Lon- don_ after the brief leave for which he now s coming to the United States, but it would cause no surprise here if_he resigns some time during the coming winter to take an active part in_the campaign. So far as policies are concerned, the administration proposal for American membership in the International Court just now holds first rank in the dis- cussions of 1924. Secretary Hughes recently discussed the proposal at Groat length with Senator: Watson of Indiana, who pointed out in some detall the attitude of a group of anti- court republican senators. The In- ana senator made his call at the State Department after he had gone over the whole subject with Repub- lican Leader Lodge, and at about the same time the court was discussed at a long conference between President Harding, Secretary Hughes and Sec- retary Hoover. Adams to Remain Here. Chairman Adams resumed his du- tles at committee headquarters today. He will remain here from now on and will start the preliminaries of the next national campaign. It is known that President Harding desires Mr. Adams to continue in the chairman- ship of the committee at least until the natlonal convention nominates a candidate for the presidency. It is usual for the national committee to reotganize after the convention, when the nominee is consulted as to the selection of a chairman. Asked for an observation on for- oign affairs, Chairman Adams con- tented himself with remarking sen- tentiously, “When one travels in Eu- rope these:days his affection for America and" its institutions is in- creased.” Fred Upham, treasurer of the n tional committee, saw Mr. Adams last night and reported that the deficit in the campalgn funds of 1920, which amount to $1,700,000, had been re- duced to $260,000 with every prospect of soon being wiped out. =