Evening Star Newspaper, December 6, 1923, Page 1

WEATHER. District of Columbia, partly cloudy and colder tonight; iowest tempera- ture near freezing; tomorrow fair; strong westerly winds, diminishing “From Press to Home Within the Hour” The Star’s® carrier system covers tonight. Full report on page 7. Closing N. Y. Stocks and Bonds, Page 28 Entered as secol post office Was! No. 29,073, nd-clsss matter hington, D. C. . Gives Platform for Election in 1924. HARDING POLICY IS CARRIED OUT President Takes Firm Stand in Message. Taking a definite and courageous stand on public issues which have agitated the country for months, President Calvin Coolidge in his first annual address to Congress. to- day announced to the country and to the world the policies of his ad- ministration. The President declared himself in favor of tax reduction in accord- ance with the plan developed by his Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Mel- lon. At the same time he pronounced his opposition to the proposed sol- diers’ bonus. “I do not favor the granting of a bonus,” he said, unequivocally. He indicated his willingness, however, to go the limit in other ways to aid disabled former service men. No less definite was the declaration of the President regarding foreign re- | lations. He announced himself in fa- vor of adherence of the United States to the world court with reservations “indicating our refusal to adhere to the league of nations.” He commend- ed the world court protocol “to the favorable consideration of the Sen- ate.” League Issue Dend. The league of nations lssue, 5o far as the entry of the Unlited States into that association of natlons, is dead, | the President informed the Congress. | “Our country has definitely refused t0 adopt and ratify the covenant of | the league of nations,” said the Presi- dent. “I am not proposing any change in this policy; neither is the Senste.” The final sentence of the message epitomized the President’s conception of the United States and its forelgn relations. He sald: “America has taken her place in the world ‘88 a republic—free, independ- ent, powerful. The best service that can be rendered to humanity is the! assurance that this place will be maintained.” President Coolidge's address to the | Congress was delivered at noon at a joint sesslon of Senate and Holise in the House chamber. The chamber it- selt was crowded with members of Congress, with the highest officials of the government, sboth executive and judicial. The galleries of the House were jammed to their capacity. The President's opening statement referred to the death of President Harding, the first formal notice to the new Congress of the death of the late President Lavds Predeceasor. “The world knew his kindness and his humanity, his greatness and his character,” said President Coolidge. He has left his mark upon history, He has made justice more certain and Peace more secure, The first appearance of President Coolidge before the Congress brought no new figure to_the Capitol. For three years the President, as Vice Tresident, had presided over the Sen- ate The Russian government will not rocelve the recognition of the United States, the President sald, until that ®overnment {s willing to recognize the sanctity of international obliga- tions. He voiced hls hope, however, that a change is coming in the atti. tude of the Russian government, and gave assurance that when such change does come the United States would be the first to go to “the eco- nomic and moral rescue of Russia." ‘Touches Domestic Problems, The President's address dealt at length with domestic problems; advo- cated tax reductlon, economy in gov- ernmental expenditures, the better enforcement of prohibition; that the supply of coal shall be constant; bet- tor organization of the farmers to @ssure them an adequate return for ! thelr labor and produce; the appoint- | ment of a congressional committee to consider offers of purchase for the Muscle Shoals power project: reliet for the settlers on reclamation proj- ects in the west; improvements in highways; reforestation; maintenance of the American merchant marine; the simplification of court procedure in the Intereats of justice; the consolida- tion of the railroads into larger sys- tems for increased efficlency and momy; strengthening of the immi- &ration laws and the registration of | all allens,’ the reorganization of the governmetit departments in accord- ance with_the Brown plan, except in £0 far as it would consolidate the ‘War and Navy Departments. e Asks. Farmers' Reltef. The President ih his discussion of the agricultural situation—a situ tion which ‘brought about a political revolt in the northwest In recent onths—polhted out that the period of distress for a great portion of the agricultural population has passed. He {rowned upon any plan for gov- ernment price-fixing. He did say, however, that the farmer must be re- lieved by a reduction In taxation, federal and local, that he must be as- sisted by a reorganization of the freight-rate -structure, with a reduc- tion in the -charges on the farmer's produce, and cheaper fertilizers must be produced. Of significance in this connection s his reference to Muscle Shoals. The cost of coal the President sald has become ‘unbearably high." He warns the ‘Industry that steps must De taken to lighten this burden on the industrial and domestic life of the-country, and that the supply of THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTEN Vs o The text of the President's mes- sage follows: Since the close of the last Con- grees the natlon has lost Presi- dent Harding. The world knew his kindness and his humanity, his greatness and his character. He has left his mark upon his- tory. He has made justice more certain and peace more secure. The surpassing tribute paid to his memory as he was borne across the continent to rest at last at Home revealed the place he held in the hearts of the American people. But this Is not the occasion for extended refer- ence to the man or his work. In this presence, among those who knew and loved him. that unnécessary. But we who wers assoclated with him could not re- sume together the fumctions of our office without pausing for a moment, and In_his memory re- consecrating ourselves totheserv- ice of our country. He is gone. We remain. It is our duty, under the inspiration of his example, to take up the burdens which he was permitted to lay down, and to develop and support the wise principles of government which he represented. U. 8. Foreign Affairs. For us peace reigns everywhere. We desire to perpetuate it al- ways by granting full justice to others and requiring of others full justice to ourselves. Our country has one cardinal principle to maintain in its for- eign policy. It is an American principle. It must be an Ameri- can policy. We attend to our own affairs, conserve our own strength, and protect the interests of our own citizens; but we recog- nize thoroughly our obligation to help others, reserving to the decislon of our own judgment the time, the place and the method, We realize the common bond of humanity. We know the inescapable law of service. Our country has definitely re- fused to adopt and ratify the covenant of the leage of nations. We have not felt warranted in assuming the _responsibilities which its members have as- sumed. I am not proposing any change in this policy; neither is the Senate. The incident, so far as we are concerned, is closed. The league exists as a foreign agency. We hope it will be help- ful. But the United States sees no reason to limit its own free- dom and independence of action by Joining it. We shall do well to recognize this basic fact in all national affairs and govern our- selves accordingly. World Court Policy. Our forelgn policy has always been guided by two principles. The one is the avoidance of per- manent political alllances which would sacrifice our proper inde- pendence. The other {s the peaceful settlement of con- troversies between nations. By «xample and by treaty we have advocated arbitration. ~For nearly twenty-five years we have been a member of The Hague Tribunal, and have long sought the crea- tion of a permanent world court of justice. I am in full accord with both of these policies. 1 favor the establishment of such & court intended to include the whole world. That is, and hgs long been, an American_policy. Pending before the Senate Is a proposal that this government give its support to the Per- manent Court of International To Million Broadcast throughout this country today, more than & million persons heard the volce of President Coolidge delivering _his first message to the American Congress. ¥ For nearly two hours before the Presidént began his speech on' the legislative needs the galleries of the House and the corridors of the Capitol were thronged with people from all over the country impatient to hear the President. - All moming there were eddying throngs in the House and Senate office buildings of people who sought tickets of admls sion to the galleries. coal must be constant. "Public Inter- est in the coal industry, he said, | paramount, and uncompromising aoc- AContinued -on Fage 4,-Column 9 In the plaza in front of the Capitol thousands of persons congregated to listen to the President's message, big horns having been connected up wit she amplitying system in. the &lb 3 ! v @b WASHINGTON, Striking Holograph Excerpt From Message Text of President’s Message Laying Policy Before Congress Justice. which is a new and somewhat different plan, This is not @ partisan question. It should not assume an artifical importance. The court is merely a convenlent instrument of ad- justment to which we could go. but to which we could not be brought. It should be discussed with entire candor, not hy a polit- fcal but by a judicial method, without pressure and without prejudice. Partisanship has no place in our foreign relatio: 1 wish to see a court establ and s the proposal presen only " practical plan on which many nations have ever agreed, though It may not meet gvery d':sl’re. I !:lareloro commend 'n‘;: the favorable consideration of : Beniats, with (he ued Teher vations ‘clearly indlcating our re- fusal to adhere to the league of nations. Relations With Russia. Our diplomatic relations, lately 20 largely interrupted. are now being resumed, but Russia pre- sents notable difficuities. We have every desire to ses that great people, who are our tradi- tional friends, restored to their position among the nations of the earth. We have relieved their pitiable destitution with an enor- mous charity. Our government offers no objection to the carrying on of commerce by our cltisens with the people of Russia. Our government does mnot propose, however, to enter into relations with another regime which refuses to recognize the sanctity of inter- national obligations. I do not propose to barter away for the privilege of trade any of the cherished rights of humanity. do not propose to make merchan- dise of any American principles. These rights and principles must g0 wherever the sanctions of our government go. But while the favor of America is not for sale, I am willing to make very large concessions for the purpose of rescuing the peo- ple of Russia. Already encourag- ing evidences of returning to the anclent ways of soclety can bs detected. But more are needed. Whenever there appears any dis- position to compensate our citi- zens who were despoiled, and to recognize that debt contracted with our government, not by the czar, but by the newly formed republic of Russia; whenever the active spirit of enmity to our institutions is abated; whenever there appear works mete for re- pentance; our country ought to be the first to go to the economic and moral rescue of Russia. We have every desire to help and no desire to injure. We hope the time is near at hand when we can act. American Forelgn Debt. - The current debt and interest - due from foreign governments, exclusive of the British debt of $4,600,000,000, is about $7,200,- 000,000, I do not favor the canceliation of this debt, but I see no objection to adjusting It in accordance with the principle adopted for the British debt. Our country would not wish to as- sume the role of an oppressive creditor, but would maintain the principle that finan: obliga tions between nations are like. wise moral obligations which in- ternational faith and honor re- quire should be discharged. Our government has a liqui- dated claim against Germany for (Continued on Page 4, Column 3.) Radio Carries President’s Voice U. S. Listeners %0 that the President’s volce was car- ried clearly for several blouks. | The broadcasting started at 12 o'clock noon, eastern standard time, when the House met. Prior to the lgbelrlnea of the President, about 12:30-0'clock, the time was taken up by an expert announcer, who describ- ed the assembling of the Senate and House In joint s ance of the galleries, and the various formalities incident to the Fresident's | appearance. |, The stations participating in the broadeasting and the wave lengths used include WEAF, American Te! phone and Telegraph Company, New York city, 498 meters; WCAP, Ches- apeake and Potomac any. “Washington, 46! et Company, Providence, R. L, 360; WDAF, Kansas City Star, Kansas City, Ma., 411; KSD, St. Louls Post- Dispatch, St. Louis, 546, and WFAA, Dallas News,. Dallas, Tex., 476. fon, the ‘appear- ¢ Foen WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION D.. C, Galleries Full Hours Before Address. THOUSANDS LINE CAPITOL PLAZA Radio Carries Words of Executive to Whole Nation. | The largest number of the Ameri-‘ can people who ever heard a Presi- dent of the United States deliver a| message to Congress today heard Calvin Coolidge as he told the Sixty- eighth Congress, the Senate and House jointly assembled in the chamber of the National House of Representatives, the most important | matters of legislation that the ad- ministration believes should be enacted. Never has there been a larger meeting of the Senate and the House on such an occasion than crowded the House chamber, while the galleries were filled for at least two hours in advance of the Presi- | dent’s coming by people from every state in the Union. Official representatives of virtually every nation sat in a reserved sec- | tion in the House chamber with the { President’s cabinet. While those who were fortunate enough to get seats in the House gallery were lstening to his ad- jdress, more than 1,000,000 other cit- izens—in New England, along the | { Atlantic coast, through the south and | far west—were hearing the President's volce as it was carried by four large trunk lines and broadcast at stategic stations by eight of the largest broadcasting stations in the country. Thousands in Plaza. In the Capitol plaza several thou- | sand persons stood for more than an hour ‘walting to hear the Presi- dent’s message through large horns connected with the amplifying device set up in the House chamber. Coolidge, accompanied secretary, C. &.:dm arded by secret servici men, proceeded from the White Hou to the Capltol. arriving there prompt- 1y at noon and golng directly to the private office of Speaker Gillett. In the meantime the House had met and Floor Leader Longworth an- nounced that a Joint committee from the Senate and House had notified | the President yesterday that the American Congress was organized for business and ready to receive his mesage. He announced officially that the President would address a joint ses- sion of the House and Senate at 12:30 and on his motion a special (Continued on Page 2, Column 6.) LEADERSDNVIDED ONCOOLIDGE VIEWS Opposition Predict Contests. Republicans All Favorably Impressed. { | President Coolldge’s recommenda- tions for tax reduction and reorgan- | ization of the rate structure for freight invite the sympathetic con- sideration of democrats, Senator Rob- inson of Arkansas, democratic leader in the Senate, sald today, but he add- ed that “differences may arise re- gpecting the manner of carrying them into effect.” “The President's opposition to a soldlers’ bonus is frankly expressed,” aid Mr. Robinson, “and this subject will provoke a decisive contest. The democratic leader declared he could not comprehend “any plan by which compulsory consolidation of rallroads may be effected except through consolidation which means government ownership.™ “It is apparent,” he added, “that no real solution of the coal problem is proposed and the same I5 true re- ! specting the distressed condition of ' agriculture.” Praise of Address. Senator Willis of Ohlo, republican, commenting on the President's ad- dress, said: “It was terse, conclse constructive, forward - looking and | courageous. It leaves the country in no doubt as to the attitude of the Chief Executive on any major national problem. It Indicates defi- | nitely that the President is what the Constitution-makers intended he should be—the nation's leader. “His position dn the league of na- tions is the position of & vast major- ity of the American people. It may as well be understood once and for all that we are not going Into the league. World Court Proposed. “A world court of justice to include the whole world as an ‘Instrument of adjustment to which we could go but to which we could not be ‘brought,’ an agency of fustice for every sovereign nation, disassoclated with the league of nations and disentangled from it, will meet with cordial approval j throughout the country. His recommendations regarding the debt owed by forelgn nations to the United States are as_sound as they are patriotic. The President's statement of the fiscal estions regarding trahspo: egislation are sane and hearteningl to, industry,” | already is brewing at the Capitol TAX CUT MEASUR SENT T0 CAPITOL Mellon Draft of Bill Ex{)ected to Bring Bitter Inter- Party Row. The Treasury Department already has drafted and sent to the Capitol &} bill embodying Secretary Mellon's sug- gestlons for tax revision, which will serve us a basis for committee consid- eration in the House. A fight over the Treasury proposals and early introduction of a revision meas- ure is expected to bring the issue to the front at the very outset of the ses- sion. The first round of the contest will take place in the way apd means com- mittee. where the bill will be referred for consideration as soon as it is in-: troduced. Committee plans still are somewhat Thdefinite, but it (e assumed that several weeks will be taken up in examination of the proposed changes before & report is made bringing the measure formally before the House for debate. - During the committee sessions however. friends and opponents of Secretary Mellon’s plan. both in_the House and Senate, are expected to find_opportunity {o appeal to the country in various ways for support. | Democrats Plan Own Move. To complicate the expected dis- agreement on the subject between republican leaders and the insurgent group of the party. some of the demo. crats probably will bring forward a revision program of their own. The general expectation is that months will elapse before there can be final action. The ways and means committee is expected by Representative Green of lowa, its prospective chalrman, to be- &in work next week. He said today that the Treasury bill probably would not be introduced formally for the present. but would be used for com- mittee discussion. After the committee has gone ‘thor- oughly into the question, a committee bill will be reported to the House, If a majority of the members decide there should be a tax revision and can agree on a program. Organization of the committee, how ever, must awalit selection of repub- llcan and democratic members. The republican committee on committees will meet tomorrow, and Is expected t time to fill the republican va- and determine whether there ten or_ eleven democratic at tha cancles shall be members. Once this ratio i fixed the | minority members will be selected at a democratic caucus. PLANKING OVER CANOPY OF TOMB IS REMOVED Carter Ready to Begin Dismantling Tutankhamen’s Blue-and- Gold Shrine. By the Associated Press. LUXOR, Egypt, December 6—How- ard Carter and his Assistants today were busily engaged in taking down the screen of planks erected to.pro- tect the great wooden canopy in the mortuary chamber of Tutankhamen's tomb from possible damage during the demolition of the wall dividing the chamber from the anteroom. The last stones of the wall were removed yesterday and, therefore, as soon as the planking is taken down, probably by this evening, it will be pos- Lible to see for the first time in its entirety the huge blue and gold box With Its characteristically ~ slanted cover which forms the outer shell of the shrine under Which the Praroah is believed to lle. Mr. Carter will conduct a minute examination of the whole shrine be- fore he embarks upon the next step of taking apart the nineteen-odd component parts of the outer box, but probably will start with the roof, Which itself s composed of several sections. Elaborate preparations are Peing made for this stage of the work and seyeral trays of tools were taken {nto the well of the tomb this morning. RIDER DIES AS AUTO HITS BUMP IN ROAD By the Awsociated Press. CENTURY, Fla., December 6.—Wil- llam Bratcher, twenty-one, of this place, while ridirig in an automobile playing a harmonica last night, died in the machine. The car went over a bump in the road, n to throw up his hands and sink own in the car." Physicians say the young man.burst a biood .vessel, o 'gégistfl THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1923 —FIFTY-FOUR PAGES. , HUGE TAX CUT, DENIAL OF BONUS,| ENTRY IN MODIFIED WORLD COURT, FARM AID, COOLIDGE SPEECH PLEAS Move for District Vote Is Proposed By Senator Jones Senator Jones of Washington to- day introduced in the Senate a Joint resolution providing national representation for the people of the Distriet. The resolution pro- Poses an amendment to the Con- stitution of the United States 5o as to permit ¢he people of the District 10 elect presidential electors and to elect senators and representa- tives. Senator Jones sponsored a simi- lar resolution in the last Congress. The resolution was introduced in the House Tuesday by Representa- tive Lampert of Wisconsin. 1 \ | ADIOURN FOR WEEK. T0 HONOR HARDING Both Houses to Name Com- mittee on Memorial—Widow every city block and the regular edi- tion is delivered to Washington homes BELLOWS AWARDED FIRST CLARK PRIE Gold Medal and $2,000 Given Painter at Ninth Biennial Corcoran Exhibit. George W. Bellows of New York has been awarded the first Willlam A. Clark prize in the ninth biennial exhibition of contemporary American oil paintings. whicn will open at the Corcoran Gallery of Art Sunday, De- gember 16. Mr. Bellows' prize-win- ning entry, which gives him the Corcoran gold medal and the sum Children.” The winner of the second Clark prize, the Corcoran silver medal and the sum of $1,500, in this exhibition, which is considered one of the out- standing events in the art world of America, is Charles W. Hawthorne of Provincetown, Mass. His painting is called “The Mate.” Maurice B. Prendergast of New York, with a_picture entitled “Land- scape with Figures.” is the winner | to Get Pension. | Having perfected its land heard President Coolidge's an- Inual message, the new Congress t tday, aus fts first act, took official notice of the passing of President ”Ilrdmw. Both Senate and House ad- {journed until Monday out of respect | for hie memory. In its brief sesslon the Senate passed. without discussion. two bills organization | of the third Clark prize, consisting of the Corcoran bronze medal and | ! $1,000. i Noble Fourth Winner. The fourth Clark prize, the Cor- coran honorable mention certificate, carrying with It & monetary prize of 3300, was awarded to John Noble, an American painter, whose address is now given as Paris and whose pic- | ture is called “Provincetown in Win- ter.” The professional jury on award, in- vited by the gallery to pass on the | presented by Senator Willis of Ohio giving Mr. Harding'’s widow an an- nual pension of $5.000 and granting !her the mail franking privilege. Both 1 bills now go to the House. The House unanimously adopted a resolution Ky Representative Burton, republican, Ohio, authorizing appoint- !ment of a committee. to be composed | of a House member from each state, jto co-operate with a similar Semate committee in suggesting some way in which Congress can mive evidence of its regret over President Harding's death. “That a committee of one member from each state represented in this House be appointed on the part of the House, to join such committee as may be'appointed on the part of the Senate, to consider and report what token of respect and affection it may be proper for the Congress of the United States to express the deep sensibility of the nation to the event of the decease of their late President, Warren Gamallel Harding, and that 'so much of the message of the President a s to that mel- ancholy event referred to said committee.’ BILL ASKS $20,0u0,000 FOR GERMAN RELIEF Appropriation of $20,000,000 for the relief work in Germany was proposed in a bill introduced today by Senator Lenroot, republican, Wisconsin. The money would be expended un- der the direction of the President and through such agencles as he might direct. He would be required to re- port to the Senate on the distribution of the rellef before December 31, 1924, Stole Body 1 i be By the Associated Press. NAPA. Calif, December 6.—Three vears after & burned skeleton was found in his summer cottage at Lake Nebagammon, Wis., identified and buried as his, Edward J. Sailstad, for- mer president of a Eau Claire, Wis., phonograph manufacturing company, ed near here vesterday at the request of Superior, Wis.; authori- ties on & charge of arson. With him was Dorothy Anderson of Chicago, his stenographer, who was held for turther questioning. Sallstad - conféssed, according to Thomas C. Anglim, district attorney, that he had robbed the grave of Allen McFee, placed the body in the cot- tage, fired the structure and fled with Miss Anderson. - It was to solve finan- i l paintings offered for the exhibition, to serve as the hanging committee {and to decide on the four prizes. was jconstituted as follows: Edward W. {Tedfield, Center Bridge, Conn., chair- {man; Gari Melchers, New York; Ralph |Clarkson. Chicago; Rockwell Kent. {New York, and Mrs. Lilian Westcott | Hale, Boston. Owing to illness Mr. Redfield was unable to come to Washington, and ,in his absence Mr. Melchers consent- led to serve as chairman, while Danlel Garber of Philadelphia was selected | | to fill the vacancy on the jury. 1 selection of Mrs. Hale, it is an- |nounced, was due to the unusual {number 'of feminine painters repre- sented in this exhibition and may be {considered a tribute to women in {American art. The jury has been hard at work for several days past. and, although it has decided on the four prize winners, is still busily engaged today finishing up its labors as a hanging committee. Bellows Youns M George Wesley Bellows, winner of the first prize, is a comparatively | young man, having been born in Co- lumbus, Ohio, in 1882. He is a pupil of Maratta, John Hambridge and Henrl. He has won numerous awards, including one’ at the Panama-Pacific exposition. Charles Webster Hawthorne, second prize winner, is a native of Maine. He was born in 1872 and is a pupil of Chase. His awards have been many, including one at the Panama-Pacific ‘ exposition and another at the Buenos Aires exposition of 1910. One of his works is in the permanent collection of the Corcoran Gallery, now entirely removed to make way for the bien- nial display. Maurice Brazil Prendergast. third prize, was born in Boston in 1861 and was & pupil of Julian, Laurens and (Continued on Page 2, Column 3.) Burned It as Own To Hide Elopement,Man Admits| cial difficulties which had beset him as head of the phonograph company, as well as to cover his flight with the stenographer, with whom he was_in love, Sailstad sald, according to Mr. Angiim. e expected his wife to collect $62,- 000 insurance on his life and use the money to straighten the phonograph company’s affairs, the district attor- convinced that the _bones found in the ashes of the cottage were those of her husband, began legal action to collect the Insurance and later married Ross Richardson of Eau Clalre. The companies refused payment, de- nylng that Sailstad's death had been established, but a federal jury at Su- perior held that Sallstad had dled in the fire and ordered the companies to pay. An appeal was taken to the cir- of $2,000, is entitled “Emma and Her | | Commissioner of Internal as fast as the papers are printed. Yesterday’s Circulation, 97,050 TWO CENTS. OUSTED FOLLOWING ROBEOFCHARGES Ruby, Packard, Fowler, Ev- ans and Estes Accused of “Unbecoming Conduct.” FIRST THREE HAD BEEN SUSPENDED ALREADY Companions Involved During In- quiry Into Accusations Made by Police. Five prohibition agents attached to the Washington office—Ralph F Ruby, Clark H. Packard, George Fowler, jr, Linten §. Evans and Joseph H. Estes—today were dls- missed from the prohibition unit by Revenue Blair for “conduct unbecoming a gov- ernment officer.” The dismissals Included tliree agents Ruby, Packard and Fowler. against whom charges of irregularity had been made by the Metropolitan police, and two additional men, Linton 8. Ev- ans, son of Detective Sergeant Harry Evans of the Metropolitan police, and Joseph H. Estes, against whom evi- dence was discovered in investigat- ing the first three. Dismissals of Ruby, Packard arn Fowler follow their euspensions in October, and are effective as of the date of their suspensions—Fowler and Ruby on October 4, and Packar on October 15. Evans' and Estes’ dis- missals are effective yesterda: December 5 Blair Announces Move. Announcement by Blair was made in Commissioner one brief paru- j&raph of a few words, which gave as the only reason for separation from the services “conduct unbecoming u sovernment officer.” Action favorable to or dismissing them had been expected in the cases of Ruby. Packard and Fowler, but the additional dismissals of Evans and Estes came as a distinct sur- prise, as it was not generally known that these two agents were being in- vestigated. Commissioner Blair acted upon th recommendation of Elmer L. Iro: chief of the special intellizence uni internal revenue bureau.. who has been thoroughly going into the sit- uation, not only s relates to the men specifically complained of, but lso all clues. leading away from such charge No further metion by the govern- ment agalnst the five men dismissed may be expected “at this time,” it was said today at the Treasury, but it was definitely made known that the investi- gation will *‘continue. Poliee Exonerated. What direction the investigation will take from now on was not in- dicated. The fight between certain members of the local prohibition forces and the police led to charges and countercharges, and to exonera- tion of the police from charges made against them by the prohibition agents. Asked if further investigation b: the government into the cases meant a possibility that the dismissed agents might be arrested and arraigned, officials at the Treasury were silent Neither was there any indication |as to whether the investigation might be driving against more members of the Metropolitan police, agalns whom prohibition agents made coun- ter charges. Evans Ranked High. Linton S. Evans, one of the dismies- ed agents, was formerly assistant chief of the fourth division, general prohibition agents, in this city and at one time, during the absence of the chief, he was acting chlef, in charge of the entire division. Later he was transferred to Baltimore, but within the past few days had been ordered back to Washington. At that time 1t was officialy said he had been ordered back here for a new “assign- ment." Dismissal of the five prohibition agents here brings to a climax one of the most spirited and bitter fights in local law-enforcement circles since the advent of prohibition. The controversy began simmering months ago, and for a long time was kept under cover, although it was known by those close to both the police and to the prohibition a ts that therc was bad feeling. In the last week of September. the storm broke with a communication from Commissioner Oyster to Prohi- bition Commissioner Haynes attack- | ing the prohibition agents and charg- ing them with serious irregularities At the office of Commissioner Bla it-was said that the commissione no comment to make on the s ment. Prohibition Commissioner Haynes was in his offics today, but it was said_that he was tied up “in confer- ence” all morning, and probabl: would not want to discuss the di missal of the prohibition agents, a way. te- Text of Blair's Stateme: The full text of Commissioner Blair's statement today in announcing dismissal of the agents is as follows: “On recommendation of Elmer L Irey, chief of the special intelligence unit, Commissioner of Internal Reve- nue David H. Blair today dismissed trom the service of the prohibition unit Prohibition Agents Clark H Packard, Ralph E. Ruby. George Fow - ler, jr.: Linton §. Evans and Joseph H. Estes, all of whom were assigned to the Washington, D. C., offices. The dlsmissals of Ruby, Fowler and Pack- ard follow their suspensions early in October as the result of an investiga- tion made by the speclal intelligence unit of charges against them prefer- red by the metropolitan police depart- ment. Their dismissals are effective as of the date of their suspensions— Fowler and Ruby on_October 4 and Packard on October 15. n the course of the investigation evidence was discovered which led also to recommendations for the dis- missals of Eyans and are effective December 5. eral. charge against the rovenue agents is ‘conduct unbecoming a gov- ernment officer.’ " Oyster Is Pleased. Commissioner Oyster today e: pressed gratification over the “thor ough manner” in which the prohibi. (Continued on Page 2, Column 4.) (Continued on Page 2, Column 5-)