Evening Star Newspaper, April 14, 1923, Page 1

WEATHER. Rain or sleet this aftern: night, morning; continued cold. ture for twenty-four hours ended at 49, at 3 pn. 2 p.m. today—Highest, yesterday; lowest, 35, at 8 {7 Full report on page 21. probably clearing oon and to- tomorrow Tempera- | | a.m. today. Closing N. Y. Stocks Ilid Bonds, P“i_ 1_3 ¢ T \.__~ WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION 28,838. Entered as second-class matter post_office Washington, D. WASHINGTON, U, TOKEEP FLAG FLYING ON SHIPS BY FINAL POLICY President and Members of Board Decide to Consoli- date Foreign Trade Lines. | | SALES ARE CONDITIONAL ON MAINTAINED SERVICE Government Operation to Continue if There Must Be Sacrifice in Disposal. Decision was reached by President Harding and members of the Shipping | Foard at a two-hour conferen today to proceed at e to the consolida- wion of the beard's forcign trade lines 1d then offer these lines and ships for sale unde the authorization of 1he merchant marine act of 1920, con- ditioned guaranty of fmaintained service. < The program decided on further grovides that 1f the wovernment finds itself unable to sell the ships and Jines without “justifiable sacrifice” | the policy then Wwill be to proceed to | direct government operation. i The whole policy, as set forth in a "White House statement after the wonference. waus declured to be build- ed upon the basic principle that the sdministration was determined that jthe United States should have a mer: chant marine. It was said that in furtherance of that purpose the sup- port of the shipping interests, the ghipping public and the American | people was counted upon The discussion _today, which re- | sulted from the failure of Congress 1o pass the administration shippi on suitable Wi_lsofi Opposed To Harding Plan In World Court the Assoclated Pres PHILADELPHIA, April 14—For- mer President Wilsn is opposed to President Harding's proposal for “‘conditional” American adhesion to the Permanent Court of Interna- tional Justice, established at The Hague under auspices of the league of nations, the Philadelphia Public Ledger says today in a copyrighted dispateh from Washington. The dispatch sald that Mr, Wil- son’s first formal expression on in- ternational affairs since the ad- ministration submitted its plan to the Senate February 24, was em- Lodied in a letter to Arthur B, Rouse of Kentucky, chairman of the democratic congressional com- mittee, in reply to an inquiry. The letter follows: “In reply to your letter of Magch 29, let me say that I approve not of'the ‘conditional but of the un- conditional adhesion of the United States to the world court set up under auspices of the league of nations, though I think it will be more consistent with the fame of the United States for candor and courage to become a member of the league of nations and share with the other members the full sponsibilities which its covenant involves.” BRITISH RAIDS NIP IRISH REBEL PLOT Attacks Planned on Public| Utilities and Jail, Seized Documents Indicate. By thie Associated Press LONDON, April 14 vealing plots involving the tion of life and property in Documents re- destru London | bill, were said to have developed that both the President and the majoriiy of the Shipping Board membership | were strongly opposed to gov rnmcnl: operation, and it was explamed that | ®uch a course would be entered upon | only as a I resort Text of Statement. The White House statement follows: “After an extended conference with the full membershi th Shipping Board and a thorough discussion of the problems to be solved, the board unanimously agreed. with the Presi-| dent’'s concurrence, that the chief end to be sought is the establishment and | maintenance of un American mer- | chant marine. With the failure of | the subsidy act the board is con- fronted with its st possession of | ships and the hea Josses under the isting plan of llocated operations under manag “In ipl the act the board proceed to the consolidation of fore lines, and then offer the sale of these| lines and ships under the authoriza- tion of th law, conditioned on suit- able gnaranty of majptained service. | If such sules cannot be made with- out unjustifiable sacrifice of the ships, then the government will proceed to direct government operation aggress- fveiy perused. In short, there is unan- fmous agreement that the e law contemplates nd authori: adequate and maintained American merchant marine. and such a co e will be followed as will fully gnar- antee it and contemplate larger dcyelopment.” 5 Members of the board in their con- ference with the President in possession of the results conducted by the board's polic: m- | mittee which endeavored to outline | the various possible solutions of the n chant marine problem. The policy committee’s report was understood to have set forth alterna- tive propositions, first, that the gov- ernment continua to operate the war- built tonnage and, second, that the | government get out of the shipping business as Soon as possible through | sale of the ships inder guarantee | that the purchas, maintain them | in_their present routes, It is understood that following the consolidation of the ship lines, it will | not take longer than sixty dayvs bhe- fore the board will be in readiness to enter upon the selling campaign. As A matter of fact, this time was set by | Chairman Lasker when ask. that | question by newspapermen in the presence of the President and other | members of the board. H U. S. FIRM FOR SHIPS. | | Keep | shipping | at _once | gn trade | Determined to Merchant Marine Afloat. BY DAVID LAWRENCE. President Harding determined | that the American flag shall keep on | fiying on the seven seas. There will | be an American merchant marine— | all those abroad who hope otherwise are doomed to disappointment. The President’s conference with the en- | tire membership of the United States | Shipping Board today is-but a fore- runner of a series of conferences which may last for a week or two, in ®&n effort to find the exact formula | that will meet Mr, Harding's objec- | tive—~the maintenance of specified routes, even if the government must | keep on footing the bill. ! The administration called upon the steamship owners for suggestions. Most of them urzed that the govern- ment go out of the shipping business aifd turn the whole matter over to | private operation. This the President $s unwilling to do, unless assured that an American merchant marine -an be maintained that way, arfd thus far no practical plan has been *brought forward from any quarter which carries with it that assurance under private operation A combination of continued govern- ment ownership with private opera- tion and initiative may be worked out, but whatever the policy, this muc¢h can be taken for granted— there will be no general liquidation of shipping by sale at nominal prices as was first thought would be the alternative of subsidy. Substitutes for Having failed to get direct aid for private operation, the government turns naturally to the formula that will retain America’s ships on lhci seas. There is no certainty that this, can be done under the American flag | and private ownership, as shipping men insist they ean operate more | cheaply under foreign flags. It is| taken for granted that President is | ) | Subsidy. i if the Ship-| ping Board sold its vessels, foreign companies would be among the first 1o bid for them and America would miave no merchant marine, either for | peace-lime uses or war-iime auxil- | jury. The American owners. on the | other hand, contend the guarantces desired by the government as a con- ditiop of sale make it impossible to *(Continued on Page 2, Column 6.) | some sort | by i across the path of the stampeding |in a speech here vesterday dwelt are reported to have come into pos- | session of Scotland Yard as the re-| sult of last night's raid on the resi- dences or resorts of Irish men or! women suspected of being republican | supporters Among the plans said to have been | revealed plots to attack Lon- | don's lighting and power sources—the | under-ground tions; efforts | 1o release Irish prisoners from Lon- don prisons, and projected attempts on the lives of high police officials. were power s Plot Widespread. It is stated that the pluts had huge ramifications in Britain, and particularly in London, and had reach- ed such a stage thatia delay of a week by the police might have re- | sulted in the scheme being put into | operation, Among the plans was one for at- tacking police officers in their houses, | A prominent former cabinet minister is declared to have been marked for | tack. ! There was a well organized scheme, | it is asserted. to raid a certain Loj Great don prison, either for the purpose of aging it or for rescuing Irishmen there. Irish prisoners also were to be rescued from prison vans while being conveyed throush London. De Valera Escapes. Preparations had been made fc of an attack on the old! Bailey Court, and the underground | power stations had all been marked | for destruction. | amonn De Valera has apparently ecluded the Free State troops. under | Gen. Prout, who have been searching | for him in the Tipperary mountain | areas, says a Dublin dispateh to the ! Central News today. The whole dis- | trict was thoroughly combed yester- | day by thousands of soldiers, alded airplane observers. Several prisoners were taken. Gen. Prout ex- | pressed the opinion that the region | Liad been cleared of irregulars A sgow dispatch to the Daily Herald says that Countess Markievicz | is in that city. A recent newspaper dispatch said &he had beert captured by Irish national troops in Tipperary. AUSTIN STACK CAPTURED. Former Republican Minister Found Hiding in Ditch. By the Associated Press. DUBLIN, April 14.—Irish Free State troops this morning captured Austin Stack, former republican minister of home affairs, it is officially stated The former minister was hiding in a ditch in the mountains near Clon- mel, in the district where Liam Lynch was captured recently, the advices state. A bulletin, purporting to be a mes- sage from Eamonn de Valera to the irregular military forces, was eir- culated last night, which, after a reference to Llam Lynch, the ir- regular chief of staff, who died of his wounds after being captured by Free State forces, quotes Mr. De Va- lera as saying: “Faced by former comrades, have deserted your side, your task is a hard and sad one. It is a task upon which only heroes would venture. You must fling yourself Is who nation, but it is better to die nobly, ss your chief died, than to live as slaves.” Free State army headquarters says it is unable to confirm or deny the report of the arrest of Countess Markievicz. SAYS BRITISH POLICY SHOULD BE DEFINED Premier Smuts, in Address at Cape Town, Dwells on Crisis in Europe. By tiie Associated Press, CAPE TOWN, Union of Southj Africa, April 14.—Premier Jan Smuts gravely on the rapidly “developing crisis in Burope, where forces are being set going which may in the end ruin European civilization.” The poiicy of the British empire, he said, ought to be clearly ;defined to the world, so that there would be no doubts or misunderstandings. “It should speak,” he continued, “in a sincere, impartial friendship and in humble loyalty to the cause of peace before it is too late. I trust it will realize the greatness and glory of its peaceful mission and speak the great word, which, with the exception of America, it alone can still speak among the nations of the- world.” {allies were steadfast in their decision { many. |ing for all the allles, and, naturally, INVADERS TOSEIZE | RUHR GOODS TOPAY OCCUPATION COSTS France and Belgium Reit- erate They Won’t Evacuate Until Cash Arrives. NEW INSTRUCTIONS GIVE PLAN OF CONFISCATION Proposal of New Concessions to Germany Fails—Allied Ex- changes to Continue. By the Associated Press. i ARIS, April 14.—The French and Belgian governments decided today | at the conference of their ministers here to reimburse themselves for the Ruhr occupation expenses out of mer» | chandise and money seized from the Germans. The two allies again em- | phasized their determination to evac- | uate the Rubr only as Germany pays. Any balance left after the military | and engineering expenses are pald will be turned into the reparation fund for the benefit of all the alles. The merchandise seized will first of all be applied on orders already placed with Germany under the reparations | schedule for German payment in kind, the French and the Belgians filling | their own orders by compulsiort it! necessary. Once these individual rep- aration orders are filled, the seized | merchandise will be sold under joint Franco-Belgian control, and the pro- ceeds will be used, with conflscated | money, cash obtained from fines lnd[ other Teceipts, to pay the expenses of the occupying forces as prior claims, only the surplus going to the repara- tion commission. Approved by Premiers. Premier Poincare of France and| Premier Theunis and Foreign Minis- | ter Aspar of Belgium, with their ad- | visers, approved new instructions to | the Rhineland high commissioners | and to Gen. Degoutte, commanding in | the Ruhr, outlining the development of the policy of seizures of coal, coke, | merchandise and money and the es-| tablishment of an accounting sy tem for the distribution of the re-| sulting fund. | The announcement that the two, to leave the Ruhr only as Germany pays came in the form of a re-atfirma- tion of the resolution to that effect adopted in Brussels last month. Same Place. his is regarded in political cir- les as finally disposing of the ques- tions raised by the visit to Lopndon of Louis Loucheur, former French minister of reconstruction, and as bringing the situation back to where | it was before the ex-minister came | on the scene with the consequent talk of new settlement plans. In other words, the allies in the light of this declaration are standing firmly on the treaty of Versailles and are carrying on, and will continue to carry on, their operations in the| Ruhr on the theory that Germany | must pay according to that treaty. There is no present question, it ap- pears, of a new plan involving new concessions to Germany, and there will be no such question, it is assert- ed, until Germany says she is willing to make an earnest effort to pay and | begins to pay. Study to Continue. Study of the question will go on in reparation circles and among the government experts. There may even be an exchange of views between the Zovernment on some angles of the question. But officially the allies will engage in no such negotiations, it is insisted, and will consent to mnone, either with Germany or with the other allles, for Germany's benefit. . This, in substance, it is stated, was what Premier Poincare intended to say in his speech at Dunkirk tomor- row, at which he was expected to outline the French position on repara- tions. It is sald now that the premier regards the reafirmation of the Brus- sels declaration as a sufficlent ex- | planation of the allled position and | he may omit all reference to repara- tions at the Dunkirk monument un- veiling. The announcement of the decision regarding the Ruhr was made at the close of the conference. British May Question Legality. 1t 13 considered possible that the English may raise the question of the legality of the decision that the cost of the Franco-German occupation shall be paid from goods and toney seized from the Germans. Some jur- ists already have questioned it. France and Belgium contend the ac- tion will be entirely legal, because their operations in the Ruhr are be- ing conducted under the article of the Versailles treaty authorizing such measures in case of default by Ger- Stand In In'So doing they argue they are act- are warranted in reimbursing them- selves from the proceeds of the occu- pation. The French representatives met the Belgian for the last time on this occasion at a lunpheon today given by Baron De Gaiffier D'Hestroy, after which Premier Theunis and Foreign Minister Jaspar of Belgium motored to Ramboullet and called on Presi- dent Millerand. The London visit of M. Loucheur was thoroughly explained during the conference to the satlsfaction of the Belgians by the former minister him- self, it was stated. POLICEMEN SUSPENDED. Nineteen N. Y. Patrolmen Charged With Fraud for Promotion. NEW YORK, April 14.— Nineteen patrolmen, alleged to have paid $1,500 each to have themselves promoted to the rank of sergeant through fraudu- lent manipulation of civil service pa- pers, have been suspended from the police department. Deputy Commissioner John A. Leach, who made the announcement, sald the suspended men would be brought to trial before him as soon as. papers could be drawn against them. The nineteen suspensions, the larg- est number ever recorded for a single day, were said to be the outcome of | Mayor Hylan's recent order to inves. tigate “fixers” who working among ployes, / D. C., SATURDAY, ening Star tion is del; “From Press to Home Within the Hour” The Star’s carrier system covers every city block and the regular edi- ered to Washington homes as fast as the papers are printed. APRIL 14, TAKE FIRST STEP IN RECLASSIFYING Questionnaire for 150,000 Federal Employes in Hands of Public Printer. With the auestionnaire to be sent out to approximately 150,000 gov- ernment personnel in the field, out- side of Washington, in the hands of the public printer, the personnel | classification board has completed its | first step in the reclassification of government employes Work at the government printing office on the questionnaires is under way. The questionnaires are expect- ed to be delivered early next week and to be sent out immediatly by the varlous -departments concerned to their employes, scattered through- out practically every civilized and many uncivilized countries of the globe. Skilled Trades Exempted. Skilled trades and crafts in the field. such as have been dealt with in the past by wage boards of the Army and Navy, will be exempted from the operation of this first ques- tlonnaire, it was learned today. but will be dealt with separately under a form of procedure yet to be de- termined. Information as to the much-mooted | question of who should fill out the questionnaires, the employe himself or his superior, was not forthcoming but it was expected to be re- probably Monday. when the form of the questionnaire may be | made public. ’, s e F: A:%‘«, &P LOOKIN For. ,\‘\" YW THAT CALIBER! 1400 ARE MISSING IN TIDAL WAVE By the Associated Press. TOKIO, April 14—Four hundred persons, including a large number of fishermen, are missing as the result ! of a tidal wave and storm on the | east coast of Korea, according to advices received in Toklo by the | Japanese navy department. The total number of lives lost is uncertain, but it is believed to be | large | | Reports from Hawali last night| told of small tidal waves on various coasts in the islands, none of which. however. did any damage. They be- gan about 1:40 p.m.. and the sea re- turned to normal by 3 o'cle SWEPT BY TIDAY WAVES. By the Associated Press. WAILUKLU, Island of Maui. T. H. April T4.—A' tidal wave two feet in height swept the harbor at 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon, overflowing the beach road in two places and wash- ing some debris ashore. No damage Was reported. HONOLULU, April tidal waves were recorded in Hono- lulu harbor at 1:45 p.m. The first was eight inches and the sccond four inches in height. Hilo reported a tidal wave one foot in height at 12:10 p.m. and another at 10 p.m., not so (high as the first. While no damage | was done cither in Honolulu or Hilo, | many sampans hurriedly put to, sea | to escape any larger waves that | { might appear. i e 1 COURT OF APPEALS FOR SCHOOL SPORTS { { 14—Two small The exclusion of skilled trades and | crafts in the field, which includes the navy yards and War Department em- ploves of the ordnance, and numerous other classes, brings the investiga- tion in the field into line with the District of Columblia situation, where, such skilled trades are specifically exempt from operation act, by provisions of the act These classes. it is understood, be considered in the light of itself. the | scale of wages in similar crafts and trades in the commercial field. Co-Operation Is Evident. Co-operation between the National Federation of Federal Emploves and the classification board was evident today following a conference of more than an hour Warwick of the board and Luther C. Stewart, president of the National Federation of Federal Employes. “We fcel that we have a good law and able administrators to put the law into effect,” sald President Stew- art. The union has been pleased with the work of the board so far, Mr. Stewart added, and would extend every possible assistance. With the questionnaire off its hande the board, while awaiting replies from all corners of the qworld, will set itself to the task of Tealigning the program to be followed in its tre- mendous task, much of which is to be completed. before Congress meets in December. Await for Congress. The personnel in the District of Co- lumbia will no doubt come in for some preliminary consideration next week, in consideration of the program now to be followed by the board. One of the first problems, it is understood, will be how to deal with the skilled trades and crafts in the field, which have been exempted from the first questionnaire. Another will be how much of the work may be left over until after Congress meets. In fact, some of th work, it has been discovered, may be forwarded better after the re- convening of Congress. ‘What will be done with the per- sonnel in the District has not as yet been decided, although the board is understood still to stand on the po- sition announced some time ago that the law not only recognized the re- classification effected by the bureau of efficiency under executive order of the President, but empowers the cla: sification If it finds inequities. The “Learn a Bird a Day” series of articles now appear- ing in The Evening Star have been voluntarily indorsed by Supt. of Schools Frank W. Ballou. In a letter to school officers, Dr. Ballou sald: “T ap- preciate very much the fact that these articles are running and that they whl undoubtedly be of very great interest and value to the children.” of the new | will | between Chairman | | | ! A court of appeals on all athletic matters in the District public schools was appointed today by Supt. Frank W. Ballou. This body will be to the schools { what Judge Kenesaw Mountain Lan- ! dis is to organized base ball. Its per- 1sonnel is composed of Assistant Su- | perintendents of Schools Stephen E. Kramer and Garnet C. Wilkinson, Ed- iwin N. C. Barnes, director of music; Eugene A. Clarkg. principal of the| ! Miner Normal School, and Harry O. { Hine, secretary of the board of edu- cation. | The court of appeals will be sub-| ject to the regulations of the board | of education which provide that ap- | peals may be taken from this board | to the superintendent and finally to | the school board. In addition, it will be the general function of the court to act as an adviser to the high school | principals in all matters relating to organization, direction and control of | athletic contests of all kinds. Ptincipals in Charge. | Dr. Baliou pointea out enat the board of five high school principals {of the first nine divisions and the two | high school principals in divisions ten to thirteen will continue to as- sume full responsibility for the car- rying on of all athletic contests in their respective divisions under the rules which already have becn adopt- ed, or which may hereafter be pro- mulgated. Appointment of the court of appeals fs a direct result of the recent action taken by the high school principals in | withdrawing their recommendations to Dr. Ballou to the effect that inter- Ischolastic competition in athletios should be abandoned for a period of two years. At that time, however,| the high school principals emphasized | that the objectionable features of | such contests must be eliminated by limiting the number of competitions by strict regulation and by the school assuming the responsibility of careful supervision on the part of school offi- cials charged with such supervision. WIill Handle Disputes. With the appointment of the court of appeals the school officials will embark immediately on a period of vigorous control of all school ath- letics. This controlling body, it is belleved, will prevent athletic con- troversies which may arise in_the tuture from réaching the state of the case of Vincent Plumpton, the Cen- tral High School foot ball star, who was charged with professionalism. 3-INCH SNOW SURPRISE TO PHILADELPHIANS By the Associated Press, PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Wpril 14—An unheralded snowstorm surprised this section of the middle atlantic states today. More than three inches of snow covered the ground in Philadelphia {and vicinity. Sixsinches. fell at Altoona, Pe. . | cipal directions 1923—THIRTY PAGES. * TWO CENTS. ESTAPES WHEN T ns0 CoLLAPSES ! SHIPPERS ASKED - TOAID RAILROADS | Secretary Hoover Urges Co- Operation to Move Heavy 1923 Freight. Commercial organizations were ask- ed by Secretary Hoover today to co- perate with railroad managements in @ national effort to get the large volume of railroad trafic expected during 1923 handled expeditiously and without congestion Pointing out that railroads made heavy investments in increasing facilities and equipment, Mr. Hoover declared, in a letter to various trade bodies, that it w tal that shippers in winter coal sup- have plies during the cars to capacity and by reducing car recousignment and refraining from demanding excess car supply in op- erations. _“Due to the war and the long-con- tinued impossibilities on the part of the railways to finance the neces- sary betterments,” said Mr. Hoover's letter, “both our production capacity and consuming demands have now #dvanced beyond facilities. The rail under the recent tions are making great efforts in finance and expansion of facilities to meet our necessities, but full recov- ery of lost ground must be siow and Y managers improved condi if we are to maintain our present | rate of productivity and employment it is vital that there he co-operation with the railway managements from both producing and consuming in- dustries to secure the most efficjent operation’ of the railroads. To Help Prosperity. “The railways have asked for this co-operation and the trades can make a tremendous contribution to the orderly march of our prosperity it they will undertake it seriously and in an organized fashion. The prin- in which such co- operation be extended by the trades are: 1. The adva T 24 winier coal GUring the Habt Srnene! ing season—that is, from now until September 1, “including the early movement of lake traffic. 3 “2. The loading of all cars to full capacity, their pre 4 Sty prompt loading and “3. Reduction shipments and re! bills of lading. “4. Demands for from the railways promptly used. “If we could secure the maximum efficiency in these directions we will have added more effective com- modity movements than would be brought about by the additlon of ap- proximately 300,000 cars and 3.000 }::ls)tm‘ootl\'es and the addition of at Per cent to our tra and terminal factlities, | o0k Milease Congestion Hurts All “The importance of this lies in more than simply the maintenance of continuity of production and full sup- ply of consumption, because any strangulation in movement of com- can of reconsignment striction of to-order no more than can cars be imodllleu through car shortages af-| fects the profits of every individual | manufacturer by interruption in his production, and, furthermore, such strangulation affects price levels i the most definite fashion. The full and smooth movement of all the pro- ductivity of the country would be the greatest contribution that could be made at the present time in checking inflation or increase in price levels, “Therefore, I earnestly hope you will undertake to definitely or- ganize your association to bring about this co-operation through your district or trade, and to establish co-operative contact with the railway executives concerned. 1f we could se- cure unity of action on these ques- tions between the shippers and the railways we would have made a greater = contribution to continued prosperity and full employment than any direction I know of. I would be glad to knew vour views as to or- ganization' that can be effective to this end in order that the department may act as a clearing house of help- ful dissemination of ideas in the mat- er.” (GIVEN HIGHER RANK. Brig. Gen. Babbitt of Canal Zone Now Major General. Brig. Gen. Edwin B. Babbitt, com- manding the military division in the Panama Canal Zone, was promoted 2 major general of the line yester- day to fill the vacancy occasioned by the statutory transfer to the re- tired list of Maj. Gen. Henry T. Allen, former commander of the American forces on the Rhine summer, by loading | our transportation ! that | Admiral Knapp’s Ashes Will Be Buried in Ocean In accordance With his expressed desire, the Navy Department will take charge of the ashes of the late Rear Amiral Harry S. Knapp and consign them to the sea, which he loved and served throughout his life. The flagship of the squadron used in the midshipmen’s practice cruise this summer will be desig- nated to carry out the ceremony. When_ the squadron is well out in the Atlantic it will lay to and, with the impressive ritual of a sailor's burial, the ashes will be intrusted to the deep. BALL TO GIVE CAR MERGER ATTENTION “Something Must Be Done in Intolerable D. C. Situation,” Says Senator. The street railway situation in the District of Columbia will be studied carefully by Chairman Ball of the Senate District committee during the recess of Congress, Senator Ball sald today. He is determined if possible to find a solution of the present “in- tolerable” conditions that confront | the people of the District, he said. | Senator Ball has just returned to : Washington from a six-week trip with ! the congressional | servea | ! party which ob- the Navy maneuvers and vis- ited the Panama canal and the West { Indie 1 intend to go into the street rail- way prol very angle,” said Senator Lall through a merg er of the street railway companies is there any relief in sight, 1 believe bLills relating to the street railways died with the last Congress, of course, and a W measure will have to be prepared and introduced.” Limited. that | ! Congress’ Powers enator Ball said Congress could not legislate to compel a merg- | {er directly, but power of levying an e 1 the earnings of th lieved it might w panies to an_ag “Of course Congress could condemn {and take over the street panies in the District if said Senator Ball against government operation of the stre {here. T believe that jt wi ble to relieve the Situation out taking such a step.” Would Go Limit. that through the companies, 1l bring the com- | i | ment with- There are other senators, however, including members of the District committee, who are willing to go the length of government cwnership and operation, if something is not done on to bring about a merger. Among them is Senator Wesley L. Jones of Washington, who has taken a posi- tive stand the matter. Senator Couzens of Michigan, who, s mayor of Detroit. fought out the street railway question in that city and won his fight for government ownership and operation, will take part in the effort to the street car problem he Senator Ball said that the ion by the District commit | traffic conditions in Washington, un- der the Robinson resolution, would not be begun until next fall, proba b1y in November. He ted out that Congress would not be in s un- til December and that it would be better to tackle the traffic problem in the Se when the | by the committee was fresh in mind. 'FORECAST OF U. S. ' PART AT LAUSANNE | i on inves e into Representation in Conference Prob- ably Same as at the First Sessions. American representation at Lau- sanne, in the same form as was had | during the first sessions of the near | east conference. probably will be authorized by the Washington gov. ernment when the conference recor | venes, This announcement wus made yes- terday at the White House, and it was interpreted in some quarters as indicating that Ambassador Ch | Rome, would return to Switzerland to act in the capacity of observer and | probably again would be assisted by | Minister Crew at Geneva and, in a {advisory capacity, by Read Admir | Mark L. Bri missioner at Coustantinople. Formal announcement of these ap- { pointments was said by State Depart- | ment officials to be under conside { tion, but not definitely decided upon as vet, DRY AGENT VANISHES . ON WEDDING LEAVE | il sl { Police Asked to Seek Philadelphian Who Failed to Arrive Abroad. By the Associated Pess. NEW YORK, April 14.—The police today sent out a general alarm at the request of Frederick Hazeltine, chief prohibition agent of Philadel- phia, for Rexford L. Thompson. an agent attached to the Philadeipnia prohibition staff. He was last seen in this city on March 30 and was to have salled the next day on the steamship Majestic for England to be_married. When the Majestic reached Eng- land the bride-to-be was waiting at the pier. When she learned Thomp- son had not. salled she cabled to Philadelphia and was informed that he was missing. Before going to Philadelphia Thompson had been emploved as a prohibition agent in Minnesota. ARREST SUSPECTED SLAYER. DENVER, Col, April 14—A man | suspected in connection with the slay- ing of M. J. Kusma, whose body was found. by the roadside near Limon, Col., last Wednesday, was arrested yesterday at Clyde, Kan._ according to a telegram received by Denver police. After the killing," it Is alleged. the slayer took Kusma's automobile, to- gether with about $65_in money, and drove to Siebert, Col, ! { investigation | tol, American high com- PLANS $12,000000 U.S. BUILDINGS HERE 10 SAVE BIG RENTS Commission to Ask Appro- priation of Congress on Economy Basis. SHERRILL HOPES WORK CAN BEGIN NEXT WINTER Revenue, Accounting and Archives Offices Are First on the List. To meet absolute save the federal need. a government millions of dollars t revenue and i rental riy, a public build ings program for the Nati 1 Cap tal, amounting to approximately $15 - 000000, is going be urged upon Congress immediately upon its returr by the Public Buildings Commission This was decided at a meeting of the commission yvesterday, which had before it a survey of the present ac- commodations in government-owned buildings, and found them only about 50 per cent of immediate requirements to house government activities government-owned buildings. In the ord of relative importa e the buildings for the erection of whici the commission decided to &ress to appropriate mone: de immediately able are: Internal re ue building, at lea 600,000 square feet of floor space r quired, estimated cost $6.500,000, be erected on the government-owned site north of the munitions build- ing at st street between B street and New York avenue General accounting office building. Tequiring 350,000 square feet, esti mated cost of $3.750,000, to he erec on the square beside nal revenue building. Department of Ju: quiring at least 150,000 square fect. at an estimated cost of $2.250,000, probably on a square east of 15th | street between Pennsylvania avenu. and B street, all of which property s now reserved for governmen: dings ational archives building. detailed plans for which have already been lald before Congress by the super- ng architect's office, the site originally selected for which is be- tween 12th and 13th streets and B and C streets northwest. Expect Quick Action. The public buildings commissio: eves that this public buildings am will be acted upon by Con- that work can begin next rding to Licut. Col. Clar- rrill. engineer officer in public buildings and Representative John W chairman of the House com- jmittee " "on public buildings and | grounds, where the legislation is ex- pected to originate, and other mem- of the commission. he matter will be Congress as absolutely necessary for | the proper conduct of the govern- |ment’s business. The commission re- | ceived testimony from Supervising Architect Wetmore that it will Tequire three buildings us large as the { main Treasury building to take care of the internal revenue work alone. The whole program -is absofutely and imperatively necessar said | Lieut. Col. Sherrill, “and stiil other {buildings are required, but these at st must be provided at once, Lack adequate accommodations for the al revenue service is costing the nment at least $1,000.000 a year of accommodation for the con- general's office is costing the least §250,000 an- d costs ve to in ce building. re- of grounds; presented to General is now forced ted building that is adequate. It is imperative hat a mew structure be provided. Be- | sides lack of room where he is now located, the government is forced to ipay an excessively high, rent, while jthe ownerv are impatient to get the Department -of Justice out of the building at 15th and K streets and Verm avenue, because they can get better rent from it for private offices. Delay in erection of a De- partment of Justice building is cost- ing the government at least $100,000 a year. Offices Seattered. “The Department of Agriculture is ering more than Congress or the public can be made to believe. Its activities are scattered all over ‘the business section of the city, increas- ing the costs of operation and dimin- ishing efficiency while high_rental charges have to be paid. We are anxious to move the forest service from the Atlan Building on F reet, but after a careful study of the government-owned buildings we Colunin 1.) su (Continued on Page FIVE LOST AT SEA; BARGE FOUNDERS i Crew Rescued by Small Boat Up- sets on Way to Tug Pull- ing Tow. By the Associated Press. LEWES, Del, April 14.—Five per- sons lost their lives off the Delaware capes early today, when the barge Stroudsburg. in tew from Norfolk for New England, foundered during gale. The dead include Frank West captain of the barge, and his wife. One member of the crew named Beach !from Granite Falls, N. C., was rescued. The Stroudsburg and two other bargesavere in tow of the tug Jupiter, owned by the Neptune Steamship Company of New York. A gale sprung lup late last night and the tug an- chored her tow under the lee of Cape May, N. J. The" Stroudsburg sprung a leak and, the crew being unable to con- trol it, signalled the tug, which sent a _small boat alongside. Capt. West décided to abandon the barge and while the crew of flve and the cap- tain’s, wife were making their way to. the tug the small boat upset in the rough sea that was running. The crew of the tug managed to rescue three men, the captain’s wife and two others sinking before they could be picked up in the darkness. Two of the three rescued, however, dled from exposure while being brought ashore on the tug. Their bodies were left on the tug and Beach “was brought to the Lewes coast guard station and medical aid summoned. * One_of those who died of exposure was Ralph J. Joahnsen of _ New York. a