Evening Star Newspaper, September 16, 1923, Page 1

WEATHER. - “From Press to Home Partly cloudy today; tomorrow fair and warmer. Temperaturé for iwenty-two hours ended at 10 p.m. last night: Highest, 63, at 2 p.m. yvesterday; lowest, 50, at 2 Within the Hour” The Star is delivered every evening and Sunday morning to Washington homes at 60 cents per month. Telephone Main 5000 a.m. yesterday. r s s report ¢ and service will start immediately. Full report on page 2. | The Star, WITH DAILY EVENING EDITION Entered as sccond-clas: matter post " office - Washington, D. C. OKLAHOMA IS PLACED ' UNDER MARTIAL LAW IN WAR ON KLANSMEN Gov. Walton Carries Out Threat to Impose Troop Rule on Whol_e State. ORDERS OUT 6,000 SOLDIERS IN CLIMAX OF DRAMATIC FIGHT Oklahoma and Creek Counties Put Under Absolute Military Rule—~Guards- men Move at Once. No.- 964.—No. 28,992 By the Associated Press. OKLAHOMA CITY, September 15.—Martial law for the en- tire state of Oklahoma was proclaimed at midnight tonight by Governor J. C. Walton. \ Calling the full force of the approximately 6,000 troops in the Oklahoma national guard to his command, the governor climaxed his spectacular fight against the Klu Klux Klan by declaring that any person who aids the organization in carrying out its “pur- poses” are enemies of the sovereign state of Oklahoma and shall be dealt with by the military forces. Due to the existence of a “self-styled invisible empire,” Gov- ernor Walton declared a state of insurrection and rebellion is in effect against the Constitution and authorities of Oklahoma, and that a general state of “public alarm and fear and jeopardy of life, peace and personal safety” has resulted. Centers in Oklahoma City. Activities of the organization are centered in Oklahoma City and extend to every county in the state, the governor charged. The proclamation invokes martial law in Oklahoma county, (Oklahoma’ City) and Creek county, the latter adjoining Tulsa | county, where military rule has been in effect since August 14. Troops will be placed at points in the state where they are needed, the proclamation says, this matter being left to the dis- cretion of the governor and adjutant general. While no order has as yet gone out for the complete mobiliza- tion of the state militia, each contingent will be held in readiness for service. . It is reported that companies from various parts of the state already are moving toward Oklahoma City and Creek WASHINGTON, D. C, FURYOF B BOUT SHOMN N NOVES Firpo Hit Champion Nine Times With Right—Demp- sey Helped Back to Ring. By the Associated Press, NEW YORK, September 15.—The greatest battle in the history of pu- gilism was refought tonight. The great first round of the bout at the Polo Grounds last night was shown to newspaper men in slow motion plctures, giving them a chance to re- observe every detail of the battle | that in actuality went so swiftly and county, of which Sapulpa is the county seat, Censor Ix Removed. Military censarship. over the Tdlsa Tribune was lfted jate ‘tonight by the gevernor. “I uphold absolutely the freedom of the American press and the right to free speech” sald the governor. “I have declded that conditions now do not demand military - Interference with the newspaper.” Accepting the recent challengs of the grand dragon of the Oklahoma realm of the Ku Klux. Klan that “Gov, Walton never cofild break the power of the klan in"Oklahoma,” the executive declared? “The power of this criminal or- ganization must be destroyed, and it is mecessary to proclaim martial law throughout the state.” Citing testimony taken by a mili- tary court at Tulsa, the governor declared that hundfeds of men and even womén of the state have been severely beaten, and that the “in- visible empire” as an organization is responsible, “The invisible empire has usurped the power of the political govern- fent,” Gov. Walton sald. “The power of this organization has been such that as many as 150 persons have been present when men and women have been flogged, whipped and beaten and thelr methods have inispired such ter- ror that no mention of it even was made even by the press. “In the perpetration of these crimes the Ku Klux Klan not only has dis- regarded the comstitutional right of (Continued on Page 2, Column 2,) Legislators Plan Extra Session Aimed at Impeaching of Governor Special Dispatch to The Star. OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla, Septem- ber 16.—Oklahoma faces the great- est crisls in her brief history with martial law for the state proclaimed. A special sesslon of the ninth Okla- homa legislature, with the avowed in- tention of impeaching the governor, is @s openly planned. Tulsa county is under martial law. JUnléss the sheriff, the police commfs- stoner and three jury commissfoners there resign, it will be made the most drastic conceivable. Thé governor has rescinded the writ of habeas cor- pus in Tulsa countys An Oklahoma -eounty grand jury is scheduled to, €onvene Monday to de- cide whethér the governor's opposi- 1150 to 4 measure providing for the convoning of the legislature on the call of the majority of either house 1s illegal. Legislators claim, regard- Jess of the proposed eonstitutional amendment, the legislature has the Inherent right to convene cn call of its quorum. Definjte plans for the gession ave being discussed. The governor announced any legls- Jstor attempting to obstruct his fight on the Klan would be arrested and Béld in Jall until his term of office expires. Guards were placed at the @oors of the houce and senate cham- s Saturday to see what was going on. . County 1s Deflant. Muskogee countv recelved an bider for martial law there deflantly. The governor Friday served notice such an order would be forthcoming uhless W. R. Sampson, grand cyclops #f the Klan resigned before 7 o'clock Tast night.. Sampson defled the gov- jsrnibr to force his resignation. “The head and front of the Klan is {3 Oklahoma City,” Walton sald at Tulsa. “The conditions there are as bud as in any place in the state.” Gov. Walton in his fight on the Klan, an issue which is acknowledged by both the governor and the invisi- ble empire, has accomplished what no other executive has been able to achieve. He has lald at - least one whipping definitely at the door of thé Klan. Arthur Finley, deputy sheriff at Broken Arrow, Tulsa county, with H. C. Sikes, Ben F. Stkes and Earl Sack, have contessed to charges of rioting growing out of the whipping of a Tulso county farmer, because they said he ebstructed progressive action by a school board. They admitted $heir membership in the Klaso. In aa’ eloquent appeal for leniency, their high Klan officlals and not the young men, who carried out the whippings, were really to blame for the outrage. Each serving a two-year term in the state penitentiary. Grand Jury Watched. Al eyes in Oklahoma county are turned toward the grand jury Mon- day. It was called on petition of 1,000 taxpayers to investigate ac- tion of Walton forces in employing state highway deparment clerks to check names on an initiated petition, to place a proposed constitutional amendment for the call of the legis- lature by the majority of elther house on the baliot October 2, Opponents of Walton alleged the law was violated in using state em- ployes for the work. R. A. Sneed, sec- retary of state, after a speech made by his department, has decided the petition had the required number of names. It will go on the ballot if the election is held, Walton having start- ed a move to test the validity on hie own call, which will include ballot- ing on a soldier bonus and bill to give women rights to hold all state offices, Fight Amendment. Legislators led by Ross N. Lillard, Oklahoma City senator, claim that the amendment is not necessary and that the legislature already has the power to convene itself. W. H. Mur- ray, president of the constitutional convention, concurs in the belief. Definite action toward the possible convening of the session is expected Monday. Lillard and his associates laugh the governor's threat to jail them if they meet. There is no mincing of words. The session, if jcalled, will attempt to impeach the governor. ‘Walton has been at outs with the ' Klan ever since its organization in {Oklahoma City when he was mayor. He took a decided stand agalnst it at | that time and attempted to break up meetings of the organization. Since he has been governor reports of whip- pings from sixty of seventy-seven counties in the state have been brought to him, he, alleges. Civil a thorities ignored his request for in- vestigation and prosecutions and in many instances either toocok part in brutal attacks or turned deaf ears nd blind eyes to them, he says. Re- peated demands for civil prosecution have failed, the governor alleges. ‘The Klan actively l"ppolad v, Wal- ton in his race for govermor. Klan votes, the governor admits, were cast for R. H. Wilson, one of his primary opponents, or John Fields, his op- ponent in the final election. The first martial law order came at Okmulgee .county. Whippings there, the governor alleged, were carried on " (Continued oy Page 2, Colma 13 attorney said whipping bosses and! fturtously that it was impossible to keep account of everything that hap- pened. . The pletures showed that Jack ‘Dempaey- knocked Luia Angel Firpo down seven times in tHe first rotnd. Once the Argentine was flat on his back for the count of nine; andther time he was knocked to a sitting posture and the other five times he was elther on his hands and knecs or his hahds alone touched the canvas. On these five knockdowns Firpo did not take a count. It was explained that he could not understand English and he was taking no chances on the referee reaching “ten” before he was on his feet again. Dempsey Tigerish. Dempsey fought like a tiger in that first round, taking every advantage of his South American opponnt. Scarcely had Firpo's hands left the canvas when the champion rushed in and poundéd him with those terrific hooks that crashed again and again against Firpo's skull When Firpo was knocked flat on his back he lay |near a corner. The champion stepped over his prostrate form waiting. As Firpo' started to rise after the sixth knockdown, Dempsey circled around him like a great cat, keeping behind his adversary. As Firpo turned and tried to face Dempsey as he rose, Dempsey kept behind, then when he saw Firpo's hands had left the floor he sprang at his opponent, soon send- ing him crashing to the canvas again. The pictures also show the tremen- dous power that lay behind that right of Firpo'’s. The first blow Firpo hit Dempsey caused the champlon’s knees to sag. Firpo hit the cham- pion nine stralght times with his right just before Dempsey went sprawling through the ropes and into the laps of newspapermen. Those rights came ong after another, re- lentlessly powerf(3, each driving the champlon nearer and nearer to the edge of the ring.- As the eighth crashed into Dempsey's jaw his head drooped and his knees wobbled, From the pictures it appeared that the elghth blow had finished Demp- sey. Many of those who saw them belleved that had Firpo let the cham- plon g0 on to the canvas after that blow, he might not have gotten up. At least, they sald, it would have glven the challenger an excellent op- portunity to let loose with another smashing blow that could have writ- ten finis to the struggle when the champion was on his feet again. May Have Been Shove. But the ninth blow sent Dempsey into the realm of the spectators and it was agreed that a newspaper man's lap is softer than the floor of a prize ring. There was much controversy immediately after thel fight as to whether it was & push or a punch that I sent Dempsey, with his arms and legs fiying in the air, out of the ring. i!l was hard to tell, even from the slow pictures. It was not a swift, [doelslu blow such as the others.that had come in contact with the “man killer.” Yet, it was not a shove. To the avdrage man 1t would have been swift and decislve enough, but to Dempsey—it may hLave been a shove. real shoving came as Dempsey struggled back into the ring. He half crawled through the ropes and the newspaper men who sat with thelr heads just above the level of the floor, pushed him through. Once in the ring again and facing the “wild bull” Dempsey took thirteen traight blows before he was able to return one. - Firpo sent one after another at the champion who finally fell ‘into a clinch and swung rights CELLAR SAFETY. TODAY’S STAR PART ONE—40 Pages. General News—Local, Natlonal, Foreign. ‘National Political Survey—Pages4and 7. Reviews of New Books—Page 13. Around the City—Page 14. | Serial, “The Yellow Trail”—Page 18. Fraternities—Pages 22 and 40. Financial News—Pages 30 and 31. Classified Advertisements—Pages 32 to 39, PART TWO0—20 Pages. Editorlals and Editorial Features. Washington and Other Society. Tales of Well Known Folks—Page 14. Parent-Teacher Activities—Page 16. D. A. R. Activities—Page 17. News of the Jewish Worid—Page 18. Girls and Their Affalrs—Page 19. Radio News and Gosslp—Page 19. PART THREE—14 Pages. Amusements—Theaters and the Photo- play. Music in Washington—Page 4. Mators and Motoring=—Pages 5 to 11. Army and Navy News—Page 12. SpanistrWar Weterars~Page 12. Boys’ 2nd Girls' Page—Page 13, *'PART FOUR— Pages. Pink Sports Section. PART FIVE—8 Pages. Magazine Section—Fiction and Features. GRAPHIC SECTION—S Pages. World’s Events in Picture COMIC SECTION. Mutt and Jeff; Reg'lar Fellers; Betty; Mr. and Mrs. COOLIDGE TO LEAVE President Will Make No At- tempt to Influence Legis- lative Action. By the Associated Press. The question of American participa- tion in the world court is regarded at the White House as one still pending before the Senate for such action as it may decide to take upon it. In- quirers have had brought to their at- tention that President Harding sub- mitted the matter to that body last February and have been told that in the circumstances there remains noth- ing for President Coolidge to do, at least for the present. Suggestions that Mr. Coolidge make some public pronouncement on the subject have elicited the information that the Executive will not undertake to dominate legislative action. This position, his friends say, is in ac- cord with that of the late President, whose policies he has undertaken to carry out. They point to Mr. Harding’s statement on his fateful western trip | that he would not “attempt to coerce the Senate" on the court fssue or to “impose my will on any Body or any- body.” Hesltates to Speak. Moreover, President Coolidge has what his advisers describe as a natural hesitancy in discussing matters sub- Ject to legislative action in advance of the assembling of the new Congress in (Continued on Page 2, Column 8.) MAYOR HYLAN REPORTED CONSIDERABLY IMPROVED Physicians Find Condition in Both Lungs Clearing Up—Tempera- ture Not Abnormal. By the Associated Press. . SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. ¥., Septem- ber ‘15.—Considerable optimism over the condition of Mayor John F. Hylan of New York city was shown In the bulletin issued by, attending physt clins tonight. ; \ It eald the mayor's condition wal “very encouraging.” The pneumonia infection which had invaded both lungs was reported as showing signs of resolving and .the . Increases in temperature, pulse .and respiration were taken to be natural and due to I the natiite of the Qiscass, iy GOURT T0 SENATE ADNIT HE WEDDED SBEAUTFL GALS John P. Varnum’s Last Bride Is D. C. Miss—Held While Checks Are Probed. John Prescott Varnum, who de- clared he had wooed and married three pretty girls in as many states and blandly admitted that he had been accepted by another less than a week after he had been torn from { the side of his third wife while they were still on their honeymoon, was lodged in the first precinct police station last night. While Varnum is reflecting over his numerous matrimonial ventures, headquarters detectives are looking nto the value of several checks he wrote here, one of which was a pres- ent of $500 ta his® Jast mother-in- law, the parent of Miss Dora Cross, an employe of the geographic bureau Rere. 'l | | Woere Borrowed Clothes. Wearing nobby clothes he had bor- rowed from his roommates, John M. Mahnquist and L. H. Merrill of 1465 Rhode Island avenue, Varnum began to woo Miss Cross late in the summer after a brief meeting one evening at Glen Echo. When she sald “yes,” the solitaire he slipped on her “heart finger” was borrowed—also from Mahnquist. The wedding ceremony was performed August 18. After the newly wedded Mr. and Mrs. Varnum had started for Colonial Beach to spend part of their honey- moon, Mrs. Cross, who lives at Cherry- dale, Va., wired the news to Col. Charles A. Varnum of Sam Francisco, whom the bridegroom sald was his father. Several days later Col Var- num telegraphed back that he was delighted to hear the news, but did not even know that his son had vet obtained a divorce from the wife he still had in the California metropolis. Bride Taken Home. Mrs. Cross, accompanied by several members of her immediate family, hurried to Colonial Beach and con- fronted Varnum with the telegram from his father. The bride was taken back home and Varnum hurried to Philadelphia, where he tried in vain, according to a story he told a re- porter for The Star, to entrice his wife by telling her he was very ill and needed her. When the new Mre. Varnum failed to arrive in response to his repeated pleas, the prisoner conintued, he re- turned to Washington last Sunday. The same day he met another young woman here, proposed to her on Mon- day and was accepted Tuesday, he asserted. Before the fourth wedding could be performed, however, the police, who bad been investigating particularly two checks he gave to the Liggett Drug Company, arrested Among Varnum's other admitted labilities is & bill of $48, due the ‘Washington Hotel, where Vranum and his third wife spent several days. That particular bill, Varnum declared, is proving costly to one of his room mates, because the hotel is holding the trunk full of clothes he loaned Varnum. As an offset the room mate possesses a pair of knickers the pris- oner asserts he owned when he reached Washingtom. First Wedded in Oregon. According to the story Varnum re- lated to The Star reporter, his first wife was Miss Alma Ross, the daugh- ter of a prominent bank official in Portland, Ore. His second, he said, was Miss Marle Jackson, a trained nurse of San Francisco. By each wife he had a daughter. His father, it is said, cammanded the Indian Scouts that first found Gen. Custer and his massacred soldiers, and is a possessor of the congressional medal of honor. ‘While Mrs. Cross did not know def- initely what steps she and her daugh- ter would take, she intimated that legal steps would be instituted im- mediately for annulment of her daughter's marriage to Varnum. AL SPENCER IS KILLED BY U. S. MARSHAL'S POSSE BARTLEYSVILLE, Okla., September 15.—Al Spencer, notorious bandit of the Osage is dead. He was killed to- night by & posse headed by Alva Mac- | Dmu,\uulud States marshal t"vmv RVERA TARES OATH AS PRINE MINSTER N SPANIH CABNET Former Justice Minister Is Forced to Administer Obli- gation by Dictator. ALFONSO’S SIGNATURE GIVEN TO NEW DECREES Capital Outwardly Calm as Reor-| ganization Proceeds—King to Dissolve Parliament. By the Associated Press. MADRID, Sptember 15— Gen. Miguel Primo Rivera, marquis de Estella head of the revolutionary movement which overthrew the Al- hucemas ministry, took the oath of office today as president of the coun- cil of ministers before King Alfonso. The ceremony had a somewhat dra- matio aspect. Former Minister ofy Justice Lopez Munos, who, in con- formity with the law, was required to verify the oath, was absent, send- ing word that he was indisposed. The inspector general of the royal palace was sent off to find him, and having located the ~ former minister, re- turned with him, and the oath of office was administered to Primo Rivera. Submits Decrees to King. The new premier submitted to the king various decrees for signature. These included one proclaiming the dismissal of the high commissioner in Morocco, Luis Silvela. Gen. Luis Aizpuru, former minister of war was named high commissioner in his place. Gen. Lopez Rezas was ap- pointed captain general of Valencia, while new captain generals and generals representing the different branches of the army were also appointed. The directorate at a meeting to- night took measures to safeguard the rights of government employes and to make the service more efiicient. The personnel of the new cabinet follow i Rivera Becomes Premier. Premier, Gen. Miguel Primo Rivera. Foreign minister, Senor Espinosa de Los Monteros, Pinance, Senor Illana. Interior, Mjllan Millan de Prigo. War, Gen. Bérmudes Castro. Education, Senor Peres Nieva. Commerce, Senor Valenciano. Justice, Senor Alonso Martinez. Labor, Senor Hartinez Caballero. The minister of marine has not yet been nominated. The situation in the capital is, so far as outward appearances go, nor- mal. Gen. Primo Rivera, who engineered the military coup d'etat at Barcelona, reached here and proceeded at once to the organization of the new ad- ministration. With the army behind him, he was met With no opposition. Courts Have Reopened. The courts reopened today, and the minister of justice and the president of the supreme court made speeches, in which they touched briefly upon the necessity of maintaining order. The king is expected to sign a de- b | | Primo Rivera conferred. with the heads of the various governmental de- partments regarding the carrying on of routine service. Another council of the military directorate was held | this afternoon. War Mintstry Leaves. Admiral Aznar, minister of marine in the Alhucemas cabinet, announces that he will comply with orders from Primo Rivera. Gen. Afzpuru, how- ever, with all of the officials of the ministry of war, quit and left Cordoba on their way to San Sebastian. A short time afterwards members of the directorate took over the duties of the war office. Various political leaders have as- sembled here. Count Romanones, the former premier, informed the Associ- ated Press that the first news of the overthrow of the Alhucemas govern- ment reached him In northern France and he decided to return immediately to Spain and remain at his post as president of the senate. Holds Aloof ¥rom Coup. “My attitude is one of separation from the present government,” he sald, “but I believe it should not be made difficult for them, so that God may enlighten their minds and direct them In the regeneration of Spain.” Former Premier Sanchez Guerra explained that he had come to Madrid to be present at the new turn of po- litical events, but that he would re- main apart from the new government. He will go to San Sebastian shortly. 1t is confirmed that Santiago Alba, SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 16, 1923. —NINETY-EIGHT PAGES. FIVE CENTS. Brazilian Rebels Storm Encamped Troops; Slay 70 By the Associated Press. BUENOS AIRES, September 15. —Seventy Barzillan state troopers were killed or wounded when their encampment at Cruz Alta, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, was attacked by revolutionaries, who made a furious surprise at tack, according to La Nacion" Monte Caseros correspondent. “The state troopers fled, abandon- ing thelr dead and wounded and quantities of arms and equip- ment. A major engagement between the two factions is momentarily ex- pected. CENTRAL PURCHASE OF U. 5. SUPPLIES, BUDGET BODY PLAN Giant Warehouse Here for Storage to Be Asked of Next Congress. Establishment of a big federal warehouse in Washington for con- solidated purchase and storage of all supplies needed by the various de- partments and agencies of the United States government in the District of Columbla, 1s expected to be author- ized by the Incoming Congress The two agencies of the federal government created to bring efficiency and economy into the business of the United States government, which has here in Washingten the biggest in- dustrial plant in the world—the United States bureau of efficlency and the office of the chief co-ordina- tor—after a comprehensive survey Just made, strongly recommend the erectlon of such a warehouse and the inauguration of consolidated purchas- ing. Representative Will R. Wood of Indiana, one of the most active mem- bers of the House appropriations com- mittee and chairman of the republican | congressional committee, has been conferring with other leaders, both republicans and democrats, and an- nounces that he will press his bill in the new Congress for this reform. Representative Wocd emphasizes that the cost of establishing and oper- ating the proposed new system can be met by economies immediately ef- fected. Fepresetitative Wood will be for- tified by the report prepared by A. G. Thomas, a nationally recognized authority on purchasing supplies systems for big municipalities and corporations, for the United States bureau of Efficiency co-operating with the office of the chief coordi- nator. This survey was made after a conference between Col. H. C. Smither, chief coordinator, bureau of the budget; Commander Smith Hemp- stone, chairman of the federal pur- chasing board, and a committee rep- resenting the bureau of efficiency. The investigation developed these facts: (1) Storage for common articles (stationery, office supplies and equip- ment, maintenance supplies, equip- ment, etc) totals at least 50 per interdepartmental storage with a s tem of distribution to bureaus of small stocks to cover short periods. (2) The present purchasing and storing personnel is far greater than would be required in_ the purchase, storage and distribution of common articles. (3) Stocks of common articles main- tained in the many storage ware- houses here are far greater than would be necessary were such ware- houses consolidated. (4) Many storerooms in which large stocks are maintained present serious fire hazards. For example, two very destructive fires oceurred in the stores of the Treasury De- partment divislon of supplies within one year, one of which caused a loss of upwards of $75,000. Records Incomplete. (5) In many cases stores are lack- ing In proper records of receipts, stock on hand and distribution, One storeroom in an important bureau, which distributes to offices both in ‘Washington and in the field, had practically no records, 6. Purchasing methods have been found in many cases to be most ex- cellent, while in other cases they are of such a nature as to make it im- (Continued on Page 2, Column 6.) Special Dispatch to The Star, ATLANTA, September 17. — The safest automobile driver in this town is stone blind. ‘When the speedometer of his car was examined today it was found to register over 12,000 miles, and there wasn’'t an accident over that long route. The name of this marvelous driver is Dewitt Smith, and he is a telephone operator at an Atlanta hotel. Every morning Mr. Smith backs his car out of the garage at his home down a narrow alley way, and with a little colored boy perched on the front seat beside him, sets out for town. Occasionally he has driven all the way to the hotel, through the heavy trafic of downtown Atlanta, but ‘usually he turns the car over to the boy when the crowded area is reached. ‘When a turn is to be made, the boy erched beside the blind man savs " a8 the case may be, S (Continued on Page 2, Column 3.) Man, Stone Blind, Safest Driver In Atlanta, Uses Ears as Evyes be made he says, “ease down, boss.” Otherwise, with Dewlitt Smith at the wheel, the tiny black fellow occuples his seat in silence. “Do you have supernatural pow- ers?” the blind man was asked. “Nope, I have good ears,” he an- swered. natural about my driving. I have simply trained my ears so that I can tell the position of any cars ap- proaching or following me by the sound they make. Other people look. I listen. “Ever sgince I was a little boy I've had a mechanical turn,” the blind man went on. “When I was thirteen years old I built an engine that would run, and when I grew up I got a job as engineer in a planing mill.” It was while he was working in the mill that a flying piece of scantling hit him on the head. The sight in one eve was destroyed by the blow, Wyst -and later the other eyo wadt oul “There {sn't anything super- i SCHOOL REOPENIG ARKS FFTH YEAR OF VERCADNDI 70,000 Enroliment Expected as Signing of Pupils Begins Tomorrow. TO SHATTER ALL D. C. ATTENDANCE RECORDS Relief Through Completion of Many Buildings Expected This Semester. Confronted with an enrollment pected to shatter all previous records, and with but few additional accom- modations, ~Washington's public schools will open tomorrow for the scholastic year of 1923-1924. Overhauled and reorganized, the school system will begin to function at 9 o'clock, marking the end of a ety-day vacation for thousands of children and about 2,800 teachers. Virtually every detall necessary for the smooth running of the big public educational system has been worked out by the administrative and super- visory force and received the appro- al of Supt. Frank W. Ballou and the board of education. Approximately 70,000 children, it is confidently believed by the officials, will jam their way 1ato the 155 school bulldings, originally built to house 16,000 less. This is the fifth consecu- tive year that tne schools hav opened in overcrowded condition. Al- most 66,000 found accommodations in them last year, uncomfortable as they were, and with the emergency two- shift system of operation, portables and other undesirable quarters, the officials will make room for the pros- pective increase. Peak Expected October 1. Not more than 55,000 will enroll on the opening day, according to the |advance estimates of the authoritles. But the figure will steadily increase until about October 1, when the an- ticipated peak ox 70,000 will be reached. The lack of housing accommoda- tions, however, is not giving the au- thorities as much concern this year as in the last five years, during which | perlod the school population made its greatest expansion. On the horlzen this year, the officials see some relief from the almost intolerable class- room congestion which they bave sought so vigorously to eradicate, Between now and the beginning of the_second semester on February I, eighty-four additional clasrooms, made possible by the school build- ing program contained in the cur- rent District appropriation bill, will be ready for occupancy. Thus, com- fortable accommodations will be provided for approximately 3,360 ldren who otherwise would bo forced to go through the school year in cramped quarters. Part-Time Classes. In the meantime, these 3,360 pupils and hundreds of others, will be as- {signed to part-time classes, where ithcy will receive about 60 per cent {of a normal day's schooling; or in flim, one-room portable | | | stutty, cres immediately dissolving the cortes, | C2nt Mmore than would be required for | buildings where modern methods of heating and ventilation are unknown. Still others will be crowded fifty and sixty into classrooms, which originally contained seats for not {more than forty. Somewhat proudly, Supt. Ballow yesterday afternoon pointed out that | desplte the congested classes which will again this year be found in the school system, some progress is be- ing made toward remedying the de- plorable shortage of schoolhouse ac- commodations which he found upon coming to Washington three years ago. In 1920 there were 73 of the | portable buildings in use, Dr. Ballou said, and this year the number has been reduced to 61. At that time 41 classes were being held in rented buildings, and the new school year will find only 22 classes in such quar- ters, and steps will be taken soon to. eliminate others, especially in the structures where landlords are plan- ning to boost the rental. The offi- ciale have not found it possible, how~ ever, to reduce the oversize and part- time classes. Two Buildings Incomplete. The incompletion of the two new junior high echools—the Langley and Mactarland—will preclude relief for the elementary schools in the sec- tions of the city contiguous to thelr location at the inception of the new scholastic term. These two bulld- ings, containing 24 rooins each, may be ready for occupancy shortly be- fore Christmas As a result no ninth grade classes, which are equivalent to a first year class in a high schooi, will be started in these junior high schools until the next semester. It is Dr. Ballou's plan to let the puplls In the eighth grade clagses in the junior high schools graduate into the ninth grade class- es and not fill them as originally planned by children promoted from the elghth grades of the elementary schools last June. The new junior high schools when opened, therefore, will only afford re- lief to the elementary fleld through the first semester, as thelr classes will be organized exclusively of pu- pils drawn from the seventh and Pighth grades. Thus the high schools I Wil not feel the effect of these | puilaings until February 1. YJuntor High Opening. The opening of the old Eastern High School tomorrow morning as a junior high school will alleviate the undesirable conditions in some of the elementary schools of southeast and northeast Washington. Whether, this |building_will be known as the Hine or the Bancroft Junlor High School is still a matter of conjecture. The Commissioners want it named the " (Continued on Page 2, Columa 5 {