Evening Star Newspaper, July 31, 1923, Page 1

WEATHER. Mostly cloudy tonight and Wednes- showers probable; 1 in perature. ittle change Highest, 79, occurred at 3 p.m. . terday; lowest, 67, occurred a 2 today. lfix‘l report on page 7. Closing N. Y. Stocks and Bonds, Page 28 No. BRITAN AT CRISS AS SHE DETERMINES REPARATION POLICY Cabinet Meeting Today to Decide Whether to Ignore Allies in Future Deals. Entered as secol 28,945. | i FEAR DELAY ASKED BY FRANCE WILL BE FATAL See Fall of Cuno; British Leaders Gloomy Over Outcome of Vast Issue. By the Associated Press. LONDON, July 31.—An important decision regarding Great Britain's policy toward her French and Belgian allies in the matter of reparations Wwas expected to be the outcome of the cabinet meeting today. The cabinet meeting had to decide Wwhether Great Britaln would accede to France's request for additional in- formation regarding the British pro- posals, thereby involving further de- lays, or whether the British govern- ment should ume the responsi- bility of negotiating direct with Ger- many without the approval of France or Belgium. ar Fall of Cuno. Tt was pointed out in British official circles that the German government was finding itself surrounded by ever- growing difficulties and that it was rossible that before Great Britain, France and Belgium could agree on a uniform policy the Cuno government might fall. It was generally understood in po- litical circles that the ministers are #pproaching their task with serious anxiety. The consensus of opinlon here is that France is immovable in her Prosition and that she has the support of Belgium as far as passive re- sistance and the continuation of the | Ruhr occupation ape concerned. It is understood, however, that the Belgian note expresses a wish for a solution of the tangle and also annouces a willingness to agree to the appoint- ment of an expert commission to con- sider Germany's abllity to pay. Bel- gium is also said to have made cer- tain constructive suggestions. Italian Policy in Doubt. Reports differ as to the attitude of the Italian government. Some ru- mors have it that Premier Mussolini has sent or is sending a note covering the situation. Others say that Italy " (Continued on Page 2, Column 3.) SELECT GARRETT JURYIN2HOURS Picturesque Happenings as Sheriffs Round Up Venire- men 45 Miles Away. Dispatch to The Sta “UMBERLAND COURT HOUSE, Va., July 31.—A jury to try Larkin C. Gar- rett for the alleged murder of Rev. E. S. Pierce, Baptist minister, was obtained today in less than two hours. Twenty men out of sixty ex- amined qualified, and from this num- ber the state and prosecution were privileged to strike off four each. In obedience to the summons of deputies who covered the entire county in automobiles during yester- day afternoon and the night, between forty and fifty residents of the Ran- dolph and Hamilton districts of Cum- berland county were gathered at the courthouse this morning when court opened to await examination of pos- sible service on the jury which will try Larkin C. Garrett for the murder | of the Rev. E. S. Plerce, for which his brother Robert also is indicted. On horseback, in automobiles and on foot the veniremen, mostly farm- ers, arrived in town this morning, rugged, muddy and anxious, general- 1y, to evade the service which will keep them away from their homes for probably a week. Court convened shortly after 16 o'clock and the ex- amination of the venire began. Al. though an accurate tabulation was| not available, court officfals expressed the belief that most of the venire of eighiy-three were prescnt. At the last minute yesterday the list was so revised as to omit the names of de- ceased and people known to be ineli- gible. ison District Exeused, No veniremen were summoned from Madison district, so that none would be disqualified by the réquirement ! that the jurors live more than two miles from the scene’of the shooting. It is in Madison that factional hatred is most bitter, and from the other sections a much greater proportion of people will be able to pass the con- dition which bars any venireman who entertains a conviction as to the guilt or innocence of the accused which could be removed only by evi- dence. The veniremen were huddled into the small jury box to await thelr ex- amination. They were the object of the observation of every spectator who came to court today. The Gar- rett brothers—Robert, though not on post office Washington, nd-class matter D. C. Rhine Republic To Be Declared If Revolt Comes By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 1923, BERLIN. July 31.—The general assembly of ‘Rhineland separatist leaders held a secret meeting in Coblenz Sunday and decided that a republic should be proclaimed im- mediately when general disorders, either communist or monarchist, break out In unoccupled Germany. Many had expected that the time would have arrived this week, but the meeting decided they must wait further. Hence at the public afternoon meeting of a thousand delegates, only general speeches were made, but undoubtedly plans were elaborated in secret confer- ences for detailed procedure when that time comes. SENATORS INSIST ONEXTRA SESSION Johnson, Brookhart, Frazier and Shipstead Sent Tele- gram to President. By the Associated Press. . MINNEAPOLIS, Minn, July 31— President Harding was urged to call an extra session of Congress without delay to deal with agricultural prob- lems affecting the nation at a con- ference of four northwestern senators here yesterday. The session was attended by Sena- tors Smith W. Brookhart of Iowa, Lynn J. Frazier of North Dakota, and Senators-elect Magnus Johnson and Henrik Shipstead of Minnesota. After several conferences the sena- tors agreed that an extra session should be called at once, but decided to put forward no plan for fixing the price of wheat or taking up the sur- plus. Word to President. The telegram, signed by each of the senators, was sent to the President at San Francisco, in care of Brig. Gen. Sawyer, the President's physiclan, with the request that it be “delivered when the President’s health permits.” It set forth that the condition of agriculture threatens a national ca- lamity, and that only an extraordi- nary session of Congress can avert the calamity. All four of the senators and sena- tors-elect have announced they would join the La Follette faction in Con- gress. Senator La Folleite, however, has stated his opposition to an extra session of Congress at this time. No agresment wyy reached on 5 for stabllizing the wheat price. -Sen- ators Brookhart and Frazie® are In aecord on Brookhart's plan to fix the price on the entire cro raise the tariff in order-that no wheat may be purchased from outside, sell what the domestic markets will consume and have the government take over the balance at the fixed price. Should Raise Tariff. “Put up the tariff so they can't buy outside and they will have to take the wheat at the fixed price,” Senator Brookhart sald. Senator-clect Shipstéad declared that he has reliable information that the report of the Secretary of Agri- culture that there are 200,000,000 bushels of wheat surplus is erroneous. “I have Information from a reli- able source that there Is very little surplus,” he said. I have investi- gated this information and I am will- ing to accept It rather than the De- partment of Agriculture report.” “If it is true” Brookhart inter- rupted, “that the Secretary of Agri- culture's report on the surplus is not true, then he is the worst scoundrel in the country.” Estimates of Crop. It was sald that Senator Brook- hart's plan is based on estimates that the domestic consumption will reach 650,000,000 bushels of a short crop of approximately 750,000,000 bushels, leaving 100,000,000 bushels for the government to take up and dispose of after the domestic market has been supplied. Senator-elect Shipstead, while declar- ing his willingness to take any action deemed advisable to bring immediate ald to the farmers, suggested a future price fixing, which he argued would establish a price against which the buyers of wheat would have to bid. “For example, If the price is fixed as of the date July 1, 1924, the buyers previous to that time will have to bid against that price, and the farmers can hold the wheat until the bidders offer high enough price to warrant the farmers seiling,” he sald. Based on Production. He declared the future price should be a fair price, based on production. Senators Brookhart and Frazier took exception to this plan on .the ground that the farmers would be unable to walt for the “fair price” and would be forced to sell for less. “1 believe the wheat should be taken up now,” Frazier sald, “as the farmers are heavily mortgaged and will be un- able to hold their wheat for a future price. I want to see the increase im- mediatély. There should be no delay. Magnus Johnson, the new farmer- labor senator from Minnesota, was de- layed in reaching the conference, and ! took no part in the open discussion in the presence of newspaper men. After his arrival the reporters were excluded from the conference. e GRIFFS LEAD TYGERS IN THIRD INNING, 5-4 Detroit Tygers got away in the lead today in the first game of a double- neader with the Nats, scoring four runs in the first two innings. The Nationals scored three runs in the second on one hit—a clout for three bases by Gharrity—which cleared the sacks after Holloway had filled them with three bases on balls. They got {wo mare runs in the third to take the le: trial, sat beside his ‘brother—exam- ined the group with particular | terest. Shortly after 10 o'clock De uty Sheriff J. Spudgeon Smith called the ‘court to order. Counsel for both sides were ready to proceed, and the veniremen were examined. May Use Jury Twice, Probably the most widely discussed phase of the case as court opened this morning was whether the trial of Robert Garrett will follow immediate- ly that of his brother or be postponed until & later date. Ordinarily the two would not be tried successively, but, since all preparations have been made for & long trial and Judge White has o Page 2, Columa 7) p \-/ Foening WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDMION Star. WASHINGTON, D. C, TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1923—FORTY PAGES. IBUDGET CONTROL OF D.C. FINANCES SCORED BY MOORE lllogical for Bureau to Come Between City and Congress, Says Virginia Member. CUTTING ESTIMATES FOR VITAL ITEMS DEPLORED Prompt Action Favorable to High- Pressure Water System Needed, | He Declares. | i ! In declaring that Congress should act promptly on the proposed high-pressure water service for the business section of the National Capital, Representative R. Walton Moore of Virginia censures the delay In Congress on matters of vital interest to the residents of the District. He explains how more prompt and effi- cient consideration of District legisla- tion can be had through changes which he has already proposed and on which he hopes to get action during the com- ing Congress. “Whatever may be the ofthand opin- ion of any senator or reprcsentative as to the proposed high-pretsure system,” Representative Moore says, it certainly deserves serious consideration, in view of the fact that It was recommended by the Commissioners as far back as 1909 and again In 1911, and is receiving very strong local support. But no one who realizes how slow are the legislative processes in connection with District af. fairs can be very optimistic about defi- nite conclusions being reached in the near future, Lack Direct Contact. ““As I have often stated on the floor of the House,” continued Representative Moore, when urged to state his views regarding what reforms are desirable, “the present general situation is, in my opinion, from every point of view, in- defensible. The Commissioners who have under constant observation conditions” in the District, are supposed to have full | knowledge of its needs. Nevertheless, Ithey no longer communicate directly with Congress. They are subordinated to the officlals of the bureau of bud- get who are undoubtedly earnest and able’ men, but whose knowledge of conditions s necessarily much less complete and accurate. “All that the Commissloners can now do is to submit estimates to the director of the budget for the next fiscal year. Publicity is permitted regard- ing the total amount of the estimates, (Continued on Page 2, Column 6.) 1.5, CLAIMS REMAIN | FORFUTURE PARLEY 1 Turkish - American Treaty Clause Leaves Entire Ques- tion to Negotiation. By the Associated Press. LAUSANNE, July 31.—The Turkish a formula for insertion in the pro- posed Turco-American treaty which leaves the entire question of Amer- lcan claims open for future negutia- tion. Under the terms of the formula both Turkey and the United States are mutually obligated io conduct these negotiations and by them 1o decide the nature of clalms that are admissible and also to provide a method for adjusting them. Both Joseph C. Grew, American minister to Switzerland, who s cenducting the American negotiations, and Ismet Pasha, leader of the Turkish dele- gation, have cabled the text of the formula to their respeci.ve govern- ments. Question Up to Washington, The Turco-American negotiations are in an unfavorable position; it de- pends upon the decision of Washing- ton whether a convention will .be signed at Lausanne. Ismet Pasha took Riza Nur Bey with him yesterday to give him added strength in his talks with Joseph C. Grew. The first Indication that the situation was less hopeful came when Ismet announced that Turkey cou'd do nothing for the United States wity respect to the protection of Christian populations in Turkey who were Ot- toman subjects. Distinct Disappointment. This was a distinct disappointment because of the previous intimation that in his answer to Mr. Grew's letter inquiring as to what steps Tur- legitimate interests of minorities, Is- met would iInclosea copy of the na- tional pact, which includes references to the rights of minorities. Ismet yesterday said that after ma ture consideration this seemed impos- sible, because the national pact pro. vided for treaties concerning minori- ties with other countries, and it was not suggested that the United States ;hollld negotiate a treaty on this sub- ect. A Significant Fact According to the compilation of the latest reports of the Audit Bureau of Circulation, printed in the Editor and Publisher, the circulation of both THE EVENING STAR and THE SUNDAY STAR in Washington and its suburbs (a radius of 25 miles) -is approximately 50% greater than the nearest competitor, morning or evening. In Washington and its suburbs just about every one . who reads a newspaper reads The Star. | and American exparts today compiled | key would adopt for safeguarding the | BY EDWARP PRICE BELL. By Cable to-The Star and Cbicago Daily News. Copyright, 1923, LONDON, July 31.—One of the most striking developments of British opinion at the moment is the sentiment against the liquor smuggling campaign on the part of the British citizens against laws of the United States. This British sen- timent has demanded in tones the gov- ernment cannot ignore that this “shame- less” campaign shall cease. Thus far British authorities have done next to nothing in the matter. Mar- quis Cursen, secretary of state for for- eign affairs, while speaking rather gravely of America’s scant respect for UNDERWOOD READY TOENTER 1924 RACE Democratic Senator Says He Is Willing if Alabama Voters Want Him to Run. § [ By the Associated Pres. MONTGOMERY, Ala. July 31.—In an uddress before the Mobile delega- tion of the Alabama legislature this morning at a local hotel, Senator Oscar W. Underwood declared that if the citi- zenry of Alabama requested it, that his hat was “In the ring for the presidency. “It is not for me to name Alabama’'s candidates for President of the United States, but if this great state names me as her standardbearer. all the fighting spirit T have will be enlisted morning at a local hotel, Senator Un- to_carry democracy’s call fo triumph.™ Mobile's "delegation, headed by a brass band and floats stirred Under- wood enthusiasm this morning, as they marched through the city streets to the capitol from thelr special train, At 9:30 o'clock the corridors of the capitol were filled to overflowing with visitors from every section of Ala- bama and the small gallery of the house of representatives, where Sena- tor Underwood s to speak was filling rapidly. Plans for the address nounced this morning as complete with Lieut. Gov. Charles S. Mac- Dowell to introduce Gov. Brandon and in turn the governor would present Senator Underwood. Before launching his address, Sen- ator Underwood called attention to the sad news of the illness of Pres- ident Harding and expressed the hope of his speedy recovery. “I came before “you today as a democrat,” he told the legislators and proceeded to a discussion of the foreign and domestic relations of the United States. The speaker declared that now for the first time since the days of Wash- ington. the United States was not showing a vital interest in European affairs. : 14,000 ALIENS WAIT RUSH INTO HARBOR By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, July 31.—Thousan aliens from a score of European and Asiatic countries hung over the rails of ocean liners in Gravesend bay to- day, whiling away the weary hours before midnight, when the immigra- tion quota for August opens. Thousands more were on speeding steamers from Mediterranean ports, F-ance, England, Germany and the Scandinavian countries. In all, four- teen vessels, carrying 14,000 aliens will be ready to race for quarantine when the quota opens. Immigration Commissioner Curran id that within half an hour after ::e rush begins eight quotas prob- ably would be filled. At Ellis Island there are accommodations for one- tenth .of the number that awaits en- try. Many will be forced to remain on shipboard from ten days to two weeks, Mr. Curran asserted. The commissioner laid the blame for the situation directly on _the steamship lines, declaring they were “dealing in dividends of human be- ings to satisfy their own greed. were an- | the comity | under British seal in American waters, | has refrained from ds of | British Assail Liquor Plots Directed Against U. S. Dry Laws Public Sentiment Demands Government Check Shameless Campaigns Which~ Hazard Good Will of Nations. of nations in seizing liquor acting vigorously smuggling under the Britisn flag, and, as the Manchester Guardjan remarks: “He has turned the cold shoulder in parliament on the sug- gestion that for this specific purpose America might be conceded the right to search up to twelve miles.” The Guariadn continucs : “Even Lord Grey, taking part in the same debate, urged that whatever should be done to 'stop the traffic should not have the effect of transferring it to neu- tral ships to the injury of British ships. As if Tum running were well established s an essential part of our foreign trade and must not be endangered. We are taking aitogether too complaisant an (Cominued on Page 2, Cohimn 4.) CUNO STAYS ON 108 NOBODY WILL TAKE Chancellor Forced to Hold Out Despite Desperate State of Nation. against whisky BY HIRAM K. MODERWELL. By Wireless to The Star and Chicago Daily News. Copyright, 1023, BERLIN, July 31.—Because nobody wants his job, Chancellor Cuno may still be able to stay in office—rather may Bbe obliged to stay—for it is known he is eager to return to his comfortable office in Hamburg. Every- body admits that he bungled the po- litical situation, ing to try to “unbungle” it. Herr Stressemann, the leader of the Jeople’s party (representing big in- dustry), a few months ago indicated his willingness to become chancellor, but now that the people are looking his way he is unaccountably coy. Expected Americ: Because of his close business asso- ciations with Americans, Cuno was expected to secure able American in- tervention in the Ruhr conflict. Now He no longer is blamed for this fail- ure, but his other failures are not so easily forgiven. First, he underestimated the length and the bitterness of the Ruhr con- flict-and permitted the production of enormous piles of coke for the French to seize. Second, he failed to do what was chiefly expected—to force the indus- trialists and bankers to give the reich adequate financial support. The fiasco of the gold loan was due to the fact that the only persons able to contribute large sums refused to do this. Immediately this caused the mark to start on the downward path, bringing the economic crisis which now threatens the very existence of Germany. The industrialists and bankers are too strong to be forced to pay, but it was believed Cuno was one who could coax them. Policies Not Understood. After the debacle of the mark the government seemed helpless. Guided only by daily panic, its financial reg- ulations were so complex and so fre- quently altered that no German un- derstood them. Now Cuno seems to be attempting to seize the helm at the last moment, though perhaps feebiy. He is issuing a new gold loan for the pitiful sum of seven million dollars; is. removini, restrictions on private financial operations; is promising to collect taxes more abundantly and more promptly, and is begging farm- ers to feed the citles. It he can persuade the Industrial- ists to bear their share of the sacri- fices, Cuno may be able to stabilize the situation for a while, but this is doubtful. / ATTACK BANK HEADS. Socialists Want National Directors Changed. By the Associated Press. BERLIN, July 31.—The united soclalists are demanding the retir (Contilucd ou Pagy % Column 7.) but nobody is will- | the people are wiser about America. The Star’s 8 PRESIDENT 7 “From: Press to Home Within the Hour” every city block and the regular edi- tion is delivered to Washington homes as fast as the papers are printed. Yesterday’s Net Circulation, 87,428. 1 : | carrier system covers ‘ TWO CENTS. IMPROVED, HAS “CLEAR SAILING” AFTER “BEST NIGHT” Harding Better After Six Hours’ Sleep—-Physicians Make Opti- mistic Report. FEARS ROUSED BY PNEUMONIA GIVE WAY AS REST LENGTHENS Executive Asks for Morning Papers and Is Able to Take Light Nourishment. CTZENS ASKEUT _ DL BUSARES Cite Alleged Earning of 20.2 Per Cent in Flaying De- mand for 10-_Cent Rate. A “substantial reduction” in the present S-cent fare charged on the | busses of the Washington Rapid Tran- sit Company was urged by the Fed- eration of Citizens' Associations in a petition filed with the Public Utilitfes {Commission today by William McK. Clayton, chairman of its public utili- ties committee. The federation's ac- ition is preliminary to the vigorous jattack It will make against the bus company’s 10-cent fare petition when |it comes up for consideration st a |public session of the commission Thursday. The petition declarés that the pr ent §:cent bus fare “is unjust, unfair and unwarranted”; is discriminatory junder the public utilities act and con- |trary to the rules, orders, decisions and the practice of the commission. It asserts the company is earning an fannual rate of return of 38.8 per cent, and its traffic is growing by leaps and ! bounds, The net corporate income of the company for the six months from |January 1 to June 30, the petition stipulated, amounted to $16.216.63, | while dufing the same period the {company set up for depreciation from earnings, “neither authorized nor ap- proved by the commission,” $26,- 049.74. The company also deducted {from earnings for insurance for the {same period $8,632.04, it was further charged in the petition. | “The insurance item, 1817500 a year, has never been author- | ized or approved by the commission, the depreciation item, has been ar- i bitrarily set up by the said company, i ex parte. i Cau “Both the depreciation and insur- !ance charges are excessive in amount, and to the extent that they are ex- cessive they are unjust and unfalr charges against the bus rider. “The company puts the book value of its ‘plant and equipment’ as of {January 1, 1923, at $160,104.92. Its | property has never been valued or |appraised by the commission, and the commission is somewhat familiar with ‘book value' when set up by the party in_interest as against ‘real value' when ascertained by an in- dependent agency. “So that the basis used here, upon which to figure the rate of return earned by the company for the past six months, is the company's own value of its property and assets. This ‘book value' is $160,104.92. The net corporate income of the company for the first six months of 1923 is $16,- 16.63. | " “This shows a rate of return en- !joyed by the company for the first | half of 1923 of 10.1 per cent. Amounts Excessive. Say Earnings 20.2 Per Cenmt. “It, therefore, appears that the Washington Rapld Transit Company |is now earning an annual rate of | return upon which it says its prop- lerty is worth of 20.2 per cent, when [the depreciation fund accumulating jover the same period of time, viz. 1$26,049.74, is deducted from the base |as the commission in analogous cases has said should be done, leaving a base of return for a haif year be- comes 19.4 per cent, or an annual rate of return of 38.8 per cent. “In this forecaasted rate of return for the whole of 1923 no credit is glven for increase in passengers. “In 1922 the company carried 3,535,706; in the six months of 1923, 2.156,943; or, should only the present ratic be maintained, the company will carry in 1823 4.313,886, or an annual gain of 778,180 riders, a per- centage for the vear of 22 per cent. “This heavy travel increase now, twinned with an increase of fare ask- ed by the company, leaves us a riddle that must be passed on to the sphinx for solution. “The major traction companies of the District insist to the commission that they must maintatheir present high rate, because their passcnger lists are steadily decreasing. “The Washington Rapid Transit Company asks the commission to award it a 25 per cent increase in fare, with its traffic growing by leaps and bounds. < “In conclusion, your petitioner says that the present rate of fare of 8 cents on the lines of the Washington Rapid. Transit Company is not the fair, just and non-discriminatory rate of fare contemplated and allowed un- der the statute made and provided. “The premises considered, your pe- titioner respectfully prays the honor- able commission for such a substan- tial reduction in the present rate of fare that will bring it within the pur- view of the public utilities act, and in accord with the rulings and orders and decisions of the honorable com- migsion heretofore made.” aggregating | the petition charged, “but, alike with | By the Assoclated Press PRESIDENTIAL HEADQUARTERS, HOTEL, SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 31.— PALACE™ ité indi- cations of the improvement in the cguf}ifisfi of President Harding were contained in an offigighbulletin issued at 10 a.m. pulse, 1207 -z definitely improved. “He expresses himself as hausted. (Signed) “C. E. Sawyer, M. D.; C. M. Cooper, M. D.; Work, M. D.” t yer, his personal physician, said i this morning. That augurs well ing.” quarters since last night, when grave. Gen. Sawyer confined his announce- ment to this brief statement, coming jout from a consultation with the oth- er attending physicians, to meet the {newspaper men. The President was so far refreshed by a sleep, which lasted more than 1 8ix hours last night, that he said thls |morning he felt able to look at the |news of the day and sent out for the morning papers, all of which were devoted largely to accounts of his illness. Pays Frequent Visits. From midnight on the quiet of the | presidential suite was broken on by the frequent visits of Lieut. Com- mander Joel T. Boone, the physician who had diregt charge of the patient throughout the night, to the sick room. KEach visit was the same—a quiet opening of the door, a brief | [stay inside and an equally quiet clos- g of the portal. No comment was jforthcoming after any of these visits, but as the night wore on an air of when at sreater cheerfulness than had been |evident last night was worn by the { physician. Fights for Hix Life. | The President, characteristically jcalm and determined, is fighting the {greatest battle of his career. | Arranged against him are broncho- ! pneumonia, symptoms of which were discovered by the attending physicians late last night, and also the danger {of other complications. Arrayed in | his favor are his calm determination, a subsidence of the earlier abdominal {trouble and the hopes and prayers of 1a nation. His handicap is an admitted weakened resistance. None of the five attending physi- jclans will predict the outcome, al- | through all are optimistic. No ‘word jcame from the sick room during the learly hours today. it having -been agreed. after a bulletin was fssued at 9:15 o'clock last night. that no additional formal statement would be | made until about 8 o'clock this morn- ing unless there occurred a decided change one way or the other. Bulletin Tells of Pneumonia. The 9:15 o'clock bulletin, lssued |after a consultation of the five physi- clans attending the President, con- tained the first announcement that broncho-pneumonia had developed in the right lung. although a statement given out four hours previously had spoken of “evidence of some con- estion in one lung.” "It also conveyed the first authoritative information that his condition had turned from “serious” to ‘“grave.” The bulletin also contained rays of hope, for it said that “nourishment is being taken regularly and the abdominal symp- toms are less noticeable,”” and that the Chief Executive was “tempera- mentally well adapted to make & strong “fight against the Infection.” | Another favorable statement was, that his temperature was remaining about constant at 101 degrees, even though his pulse continued ‘at about: 125, as compared with his normal of 80, and his respiration was about; 44. ‘The broncho-pneumonia described in the bulletin a: e central _patches, iscovered | both clinically ‘and by the Physiclans Wait Nearby. All of the physicians who had been called In spent the night within easy reach of the Executive's bedside, and Brig. Gen. Charles E. Sawver, his personal Jph{lldln. and Lieut. Com- mander Joel T.. Boone, istant to Gen. Sawyer. were inthe sickroom arly all the time. l"K)r.’ Hubert Work, Secretary of the Interior, who has participated in all comsultations, visited the President's room from time to time. Dr. Work, ‘who from the first, has been most calm, appeared perturbed for the first time, 9 o'clock last night he.an- PRESIDENTIAL HEADQUARTERS, SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 31.—President Harding passed the “best night, comparatively, since he has been ill,” Brig. Gen. Saw- today by the aftending phystcfans. “The President had a fairly comfortable night, with con- siderable restful sleep. His temperature at 9 a.m., is 100; “Tespiration, 40, and regular. There has been no expansion of the pneumonic areas and the heart action is “Nourishment and fluids are being taken regularly. feeling better and less ex M. D.; Ray Lyman Wilbur, J. T. Boone, M. D.; Hubert PALACE HOTEL, n a statement made at 8 o’clock . The conditions seem to war- |rant the statement that, apparently, he has gotten into clear sail- Physicians attending the President still were engaged in their morning consultation at 9:30 a.m., having been in conference for | more than an hour. An official bulletin was to be issued as soon as they concluded their conference. Gen. Sawyer’s informal statement was quickly communicated to members of the presidential party, and soon there was a notice- able lessening of the tension which had existed about the executive announcement was made that pneumonia had developed and that Mr. Harding’s condition was nounced that a bulletin soon would be torthcoming. None was more faithful at the Presi- dent’s bedside than Mrs. Harding, who since the executive was brought here Sunday morning, has obtained little sleep or rest. Gen. Sawyer said that Mrs. Harding was standing the strain well, adding that she was of the type “Who is best under fire." Determined. he said, to give the American people all the facts in the case of the President, Gen. Sawyer last night had a long talk with newspaper- men, discussing the condition of the executive in non-technical language and answering all questions. In his talk, Gen. Sawyer said a fight was on betwéen the attacking forces, as represented in complications growing out of the original ptomaine poisoning and the President’s physical resistance, weakened by nearly forty days and ap- proximately 7,500 miles of traveling. The physician then added gravely - “We are running with a very handicaped machine.” Sleep Afds Presiden: The problem faced is to strengthen and repair the machine, or physique, S0 _as to combat the attacks, Dr. Sawver further explained. Some aid to this end was afforded during the hours of the night im- mediately after midnight, when the President fell asleep. Everything possible conducive to sleep was done. Nothing could have been more likely to bring sleep to a sick man than the scene which presented f{tself at “1 o'clock this morning. The corridor outside the presiden- tial suite was unoccupied, except for one secret service man, who sat at the far end and two others who guarded the approach to it. The only stir within half an hour occurred when Mr. Harding's valet crossed the corridor to another room and re- turned with some blankets, presu ably for the use of one of the physi cians who wanted to get a few min- utes sleep. Newspaper men waited at a respectful distance down another, corridor and police stood guard at stairway entrances on the floor e neath, to prevent use of the stairs by all except a few authorized persons. Shower of Messages. Even the steady stream of teles grams, expressing solicitude and hope for the executive's speedy recovery, was temporarily shut oft after a day in which the messages piled high om a desk in the secretary’s office. These -telegrame had been opened and read as soon as recelved and, al- though none was madé public, it was said they came from every stats in the Unfon and from many foreign countries. Partisanship was forgot- ten and the names signed to the meas sages included leaders in the dem3e cratic as well as the republicun party. ¥ Gifts of flowers have been almost as numerous as written messages. Bouquets and baskets of blossoms of every kind and color were ranged along the corridor outside Mr. Hard- ing’s sulte on account of the lack of space within. Planes Are Barred. No airplanes will be permitted to fly over San Francisco whils Presi- dent Harding remains here. An order prohibiting privats rlanes from passing over the city wae ls- sued today by Police Chiaf O'Brien as a result of a conference last night with _secret se:vice officers hare with landing fields on the outskirts of the metropolitan wiea. PRESIDENT’S ILLNESS ROUSES - ANXIETY OF RESIDENTS OF CAPITAL The iliness of President Harding has struck sorrow Into the heart of every man, woman and child ‘in the National Capital. Anxiety as to the " “(Continued on Page 2, Column &)