Evening Star Newspaper, December 11, 1923, Page 1

WEATHER. Fair and colder tonight; lowest tem- perature near freezing; tomorrow in- creasing_cloudiness. Temperature for 24 hours ended at 2 p.m. today: Highest, 50, at 4:30 p.m. yesterday. Lowest, 45, at 8 a.m. today. Full repcrt on page 7 Closing N. Y. Stecks and Bends, Page 28 No. 29,078 post_office Entered as s>cond-clacs matter Washington, D. C. 1. 5. JOINS ALLIES "IN PLAN TO SOLVE REPARATION MiX-UP White House Approves Invi- | tation to American Ex- perts on Committees. 110 OFFICIAL STANDING GIVEN TO MEN CHOSEN Unanimity of Powers, Including Germany, on Plan, Wins Cool- idge and Hughes. The way has been opened at last for American unofficial aid in solving the reparations riddle of Europ: After many months of discussion and many failures, the European aliies and Germany have hit upon a plan of inquiry which is looked upon favorably by Washington. While the United States govern- ment cannot itself appoint official members of the two investigating committees to be set up under the reparation commission, it was an- nounced today at the White House that President Coolidge and his ad- visers would “view with favor’ the mcceptance of places on the commit- y American experts. xpected to Perfect Plan, Presumably the result of this deci- #ion will be an immediate consum- ion of the reparation commission by the designation of Americans d {n the economic troubles of old world to take their places on the committee along with representa- tives of the other powers. The determining factor In shaping the course of the American govern- ment was the unanimity attained at 4 Held in “Mill” To Make Movie Stars for $50! By the Assoclated Press. CHICAGO, December 11.—A “movie star mill,"” alleged to have promised its students it would make them photoplay actors and actresses in five weeks for 350, was uncovered here last night, when detectives arrested four men on charges of conspiracy to de- fraud Scores of schoolgirls and middle- aged men and women had made initlal payments of $6 on their tuition, detectives said. Use of the name of Miss Murle! McCormick, daughter of Harold F. McCormick, thy farm implement manufac- T, attracted many, it was said. was represented to prospects that Miss McCormick had “signed up,” according to detectives. L. ¥. Callahan, president; W. B. Bower, vice president: H. Black, iry-treasurer, and J. F. Lil© ales manager, were arrested, and are being held in $1,000 bonds each. GARRY ON,"G.0.P. SLOGAN AS PARTY HEADS MEET HERE Committee to Base Campaign on Americanism and Hard- ing Principles. It Heralding as its keynote for 1024 the doughboy’s battle cry—"Carry on!" —the republican national committee convened here today with a renewed pledge of faith in the old principles of American republicanism and began the task of selecting the place and time the party’s nominating conven- tion will meet next spring. Warned by Senator Willls of Ohfo that radical forces are seeking to last among the allies on a method of |destroy the Constitution of the United | loying American aid. For months is here have declared they wero ready to help as soon as there was complete agreement on the method, and there is reason to believe that the White House views the method adopted, and the prospect of Ameri- can ald, as making a long forward stride in the promotion of a better re- lationship with Europe. ‘White House Statement. States, the committee members cheer- | ed a ringing appeal for the republican DParty to pronounce that so long as it is In power that document will re- main the foundation of the American government Against Forelgn Alliances. Senator Willls was the first speaker Introduced by Chairman John T. This statement was {ssued from the | Adams when the committee convened ‘White House in explanation of the reasons impelling President Coolidge @nd his advisers in their decision: “The government has been in- formed that the reparations commis- sion is considering the establishment of twb expert comnilttees, ofie to con- sider the means of balancing the bud- get of Germany and measures to be taken to stabilize her. Currency; the other to take up the capital which has been removed from Germany. “The inquiry of the first committee will comprehend all the conditions to be realized @nd the measures to be taken to accomplish the results desired. All Join in Invitation. “All the representatives of the governments on the commission have expressed the desire to have Ameri- can experts on the two committees. It is understood that the government of the United Staees is not in a posi- tion to be represented on these com- mittees, and that the invitation to the American experts will be extend- ed directly by the reparations com- mission. “This government belleves that the proposed inquiry will ba of great value and in view of its direct inter- est as a creditor and of the import. £nce of the economie recuparation in Europe, it will view with favor the meceptance by American experts of such an invitation. “The immediate’ proposal the reparations commisaion has boen | made by the French delegate and | President of the commission and_ has | the support, it is understood, of all the allied governments. “The British government has inform- €d this government of its desire that American experts participate In the inquiry. “The German government has also | brought the matter to the attention ©of this government, stating that it would be much apprec'ated if an| American expert were to participate | in the work of the first committee | above proposed, as it is believed that | in this way lmportant progress could be made toward the solution of the problems underlying economic recove ory.” before Step Pleases Coolidge, | There is reason to believe that President Coolidge Vviews the method | adopted and the prospect of American | 814 as marking a long forward stride | in the promotion of better relation- | &hip with Europe. | In & large sense, Mr. Coolidge be- leveg the developbent is a substan- tlal accomplishment toward realiza- tion of the desire he bespoke in his| recent message to Congress “to see France paid and Germany revived.” | Allles Select Experts, | Many names have been mentioned | in-informal discussion of the com- mittee plan, but officials here are un- willing to express any opinion as to the selection that will be made among American experts qualified to serve. It is assumed that the choice will be ade abroad, that the invitation will | bo extended directly to the American or Americans selected, and that the Washington government wiil have no further oficial connectlon with the matter except to give its moral support to the work of the investi- gators. One of the stipulations of Secretary Hughes' inquiry proposal of a year ago, with which the present under- taking is regarded here as squaring on all points of policy, was that the investigators should be free from all| pressure by foreign offices and in n position to function in a wholly im- partial, non-political capacity. For that reason, too, it is considered cer- tain that no one connected in any official way with the United States government will be considered for membership on the new committees. Long Parleys Ended. ‘The decision of the administration not to stand in the way of American unofficial aid resulted from a long exchange of views between Washing- ton and Paris, where James A. Logan is acting in an unofficial capacity a: a laison between the United States and the reparation commission. These exchanges were entirely of an Informal character, and there is ho prospect that their details ever will be made public. It is understood, Towever, that Secretary Hughes in- sisted that a complete outline of the scope and purpose of the proposed inquiry be given this government be- Zore there was a deoiaion. | He brought order out of chaos in the {manent committee secretary and nis Istate vacancies on the committee wes in the Willard Hotel, shortly before noon. He declared that the party this Year must renew its pledge that it will T WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION WASHINGTON, HUERTA PREPARES T0 ATTACK TAMPICO AIDED BY GUNBOAT Rebels Take Town North of Mexico City—March on Capital Continues. OBREGON MOVES TROOPS TO STEM REVOLT TIDE Desertion of 100 Federal Soldiers Reported—Governor of Chi- huahua Captured. By the Associated Press. VERA CRUZ, Mexico, December 11. —The gunboat Zaragoza is prepared to sail for Tampico to assist in the attack on that city, which is to be undertaken by the troops of Gov. Lopez de Lara of Tamaullpas, in con- junction with troops commanded by Gen., Panuncio Martinez. The opera- tion against Tampleo Is to be directed by Gen. Alfonso de la Huerta, Advices recelved here say that Ce- laya in the state of Guanajuato, north of Mexico City, has fallen into the hands of rebels commanded by Gen. Gabaya. A radlo message from the headquar- ters of Gen. Enrique Estrada, com- mander of the western forces, says that the advance on the capital from this direction is continuing. Move on Mexico City. Meanwhile troops are leaving Vera Cruz for the point of concentration, from which the march on the capital from the east is to be started. This advance will be along the line of the! Mexican raflway. It is reported here that a band of 100 federal soldiers, sent to oppose the rebels, jolned the insurgents near San Andres, Puebla. Troops which yesterday took pos- session of Puerto de Mexico pursued and dispersed the forces of Gen. Bel- mar, who abandoned the town with 100 men. The_forces of Adolto de la Huerta and Gen. Sanches, which are advanc ing toward Mexico City, met a de- tachment of federal troops yesterday near Boca del Monte on the Puebla- Vera Crus border. The Obregon sol- diers retreated, reports of the cngage- ment say, after & brief skirmish with (Continued on Page 2, Column 7.) never tolerate entangling alliances with foreign nations, the league of nations or repudlation of the out- standing European debts. Each men- tion of these three brinciples was greeted with an ou purst of applause that left no doubt of the committee's, approval 5 The unanimous serenity in't. 5 for- mal committee session gave no hint of the bitter rivalry that is fast de- veloping between the only two avowed candidates for the republi- can nomination—President Coolidge and Senator Hiram Johnson—and al- ready had found its way in.o the buzzing cloakroom of the committee itself. Beneath the calm surface of the early meeting hours, however, political ‘pots were merrily bofling and threatened to seriousiy delay the most important work before the party’s chlef board of strategy. Convention City Fight. Unexpected opposition to the selec- tion of Cleveland, which s backed by administration leaders, as the next convention city had developed in cer- tain sections of the national commit- tee. As a result the caln assur- ance h which the Ohlo city had awaited word of its selection follow- ing the withdrawal of Chicago had given place today to a renewed cam- palgn on the part of not only Cleve- land, but Des Moines and San Fran- clsco for the coveted convention. Friends of Senator Johnson, it is understood, frankly blame admints- tration leaders for the withdrawal of Chicago, although it is sald in the open that the tactics of hot=l and tavern keepers in that western me- tropols had precuded the possibiity of its selection again. Cleveland, therefore, is expected to be attacked by_Johnson supporters in retaliation. Both Des Moines and San Francisco are making capital of this factional battle, and Los Angeles and St. Louls have also entered the lists, although the chances of the latter cities ure regarded as remote. That Cleveland eventually will be selected to entertain the next repub- lican national convention is regarded as certain, but the influence of anti- Coolldge forces is sure to be felt be- fore the decision is made, either late today or early tomorrow. Harding Eulogized. Chairman Adams called the com- mittee to order promptly at 11 o'clock and 4 roll call showed that forty-nine full members and forty-three asso- ciate members were present. Seven proxies answered for regul mem- bers. In his address of welcome Chairman Adams paid tribute to the memory of the late President Hard- | ing, “whose brief legacy has left the republican party so richly endowed for the approaching campaign.” “President Harding brought to real- ity the long-deferred dream of th world,” the chairman sald, “the world- wide Teduction- of naval armament. national finances. He established the budget. He enforced governmental economy and efficiency. He brought prosperity to capital and labor alike. The great heart, the courageous mind and the kindly force that brought these blessings about are at rest. But the glow of his personality, the purity of his patriotism and the high | example of manliness devoted to na- tional needs:linger everywhere. It ls therefore possible to greet you se- cure in the faith that all is well with our nation and our party. We have only to ‘carry on, and to make sure that he who has dled died not in! vain. Previous to the introduction of the | first speaker, Senator Willis, a few | routine matters were attended to. | George B. Lockwood of Indians, who has been acting secretary of the com- | mittee, was unanimously elected pe; i permanently filled by the candidates | the states had selected. Reference to Party “Reverses.” Senator Willis opened his addrpss by directly referring to what 'he termed ‘the slight reverses” of the republican party at the last elections. He declared these were in no smail degree due to the incapacity of the Senate, under existing rules, to con- duct the business of the nation in an_efliclent and economical manner. He called upon every republican to use his influence to have the rules #0 amended that it would bes impos- sible for a minority to halt the gov- ernment's imperative business for 5 U..S. DESTROYERS SENT TO HONGKONG Threat of Sun-Yat-Sen to Seize Customhouse Believ- ed to Be Cause. By the Assoclated Press. MANILA, December 11.—Five de- stroyers of the American Asiatlc fleet left here this afternoon bound for Hongkong. The vessels were ordered to the Chinese port in con- nection with the situation at Canton and vicinity. The destroyer Peary, flagship of the squadron of the 43d Division of the Aslatic fleet, heads the detachment, which includes also the destroyers Pope, Pillsbury, Pres- ton and Sicard. They are expected to arrive at Hongkong Thursday morning. Concentration of foreign warships at Canton was indicated In reports from that city last week after threats are said to have been made by Dr. Sun-Yat-Sen, south China leader, that he would seize the customs of the port unless he was allotted 13 per cent of the surplus from the fund by the Peking government. iler reports that the custom- house had been selzed at Canton were found to be erroneous, but it was learned that a flotilla_of gunboats composed of four British, two French, two American, one Portu- guese and one Japanese vessel were anchored in the harbor, with the situ- ation under close surveillance. “KAISER” DEMOTED TO RANK OF PRINCE Prussian Decree Decides Wilhelm Entitled Only to Be “Prince of Prussia.” By the Associated Press. BERLIN, December 11.—The postu- late that “once a kaiser always a kalser,” which Willlam Hohenzol- lern's friends never tire of emphasiz- ing, although he is a kaiser with- out a country, has been finally dis- posed of by a Prussian ministerial decree which gives William the designation of “Prince of Prussia,” on ground that he was that when he was born. The title is the same for the ex-crown prince. The Zeitung Am Mittag falls to see why the title of “Prince” should be retained if the kalser and the crown prince are taboo, and why the mere family name of Hohenzollern s not good enough. It i{s pointed out that the ex-ialser's namesake, William II of Wuerttemberg, volun- tarily divested himself of the title of King after the 1918 revolution, and adopted the designation Duke of ‘Wuerttemberg. JOHN R. RATHOM, NOTED PROVIDENCE EDITOR, DIES PROVIDENCE, R. L, December 11. —John R. Rathom, editor of the Providence Journal and Evening Bul- letin, died at his home here today. ‘He was in his fifty-sixth year and had been editor and general manager of the two papers for twelve years litical reasont fillibustering. PO Sur ohairman,” Benstor — Willte “{Continued on Pags 3, Column 1.) 1 In August, 1923, he underwent an operation, Witer WALA Be Bever re gained his health. D. C, MANIA SENTE WOULD CURB WoOD Passes Bill Taking Away Discretionary Powers Over Taxes. By the Associated Press MANILA, December 11.—Important discretionary powers of controlling the collection of land taxes and con- doning penalties for fallure to pay the asscssment would be sheared from Governor General Leonard Wood under & bill passed by the sen- ate of the insular legialature today. Another measure passed by the senate would extend' to the insular government greater authority over forelgn banking institutions operat- ing In the {slands. Nejther bill hag comae to a vote in the house as yet, however. The biitgelating to taxation would transfer the powers now possessed by the goVernor general to postpone at his disoretion the payment of land taxes or penalties for nonpayment of such taxes and condone the failure to pay the assessments in the event of & general delinquency owlng to great disasters In which extensive privation and suffering by the people resulted, from the executive to the provincial boards in the islands. Recently the senate passed, over Governor General Wood's veto, a bill remitting penalties for the non-pay- ment of the land taxes and the meas- ure was sent to Washington for ac- tion by President Coolldge. In his veto message, Governor Gen- eral Wood declared that he opposed the remlission of taxes of any kind except in cases of great calamities. The banking bill, which also passed the senate today, would prohibit for- elgn banks or their agencies operat- ing In the Philippine Islands from recelving money or stocks on depos- it, or on current accounts, unless the banks previously had been incorporated under Philippine laws. The announced purpose of the meas- ure Is to force all forelgn banking institutjons to Incorporate under local laws, thus enabling the insular gov- ernment to demand guarantees for the safety of deposits. TWO PRISONERS FLEE FROM PRISON VAN Recaptured, However, After Vain Effort to Get Away at Courthouse. The bright December sunshine, in marked contrast to the gloomy Jail atmosphere, lured two prisoners to make a dash for liberty today as they were being unloaded from the prison van at the courthouse. Willie Douglass, twenty-two, charged with grand larceny, and Frank Whelan, forty, indicted for housebreaking, were on their way to Criminal Di- vision 1 for arraignment and had just stepped from the van when they de- cided on an effort to escape. Douglass had taken off his overcoat and attempted to throw it over the head of the driver of the van who was standing near the door of the vehicle as he ran. Milton Lee, the driver, dod, captured by oner reach E streets, but Doug! foot, led the deputy mi number of citizens a-mercy chase far ar 7th and H streets northwest. There he was overtaken by James Conroy, a former deputy marshal, now in the bond business, and return- €d to the cell room in the courtnouse. ——— WIFE SLAYS HUSBAND ‘BECAUSE SHE LOVED HIW New York Woman Later Changes Version, Asserting > Self-Defense. NEW YORK, December 11—Mrs. Besie Gross today shot and killed her sband, Irving -Gross, a post e alerk, firing two shots across the breakfast table in their apart- ment on the Upper West Side. *I killed him because I loved him, she declared when arrested. ‘“He didn't love me any more.” ‘When she was taken to police TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, { d the coat and started in pursuit |11, April 7, 184 of the flesing prisoners. Whelan was . public and priv e just before the pris- | ed the corner of S5th and | University. At the fleeter of imarried Margaret hals and a| Adrian, Mich., who died in 1896. Two headquarters Mrs. Grose told another | radical party and version of the shooting, asserting she litical director of the newspaper La 1923 -FOR ¢ Foening Star. TY-FOUR PAGES. Blind Persons Given Right to Use Whistles Blind pedestrians in Washington were authorized by the police de- partment today to use a whistle similar to a police whistle when they become confused in city traf- fic or need stance in crossing & street or Intersection. An order issued by Maj. Daniel Sullivan to- day instructs all members of the polica force to render all assist- ance in their power when they hear such a whistle, The signal to be used by the biing has a distinctive sound and is different in sound from the regular police whistle, Civillans also are urged to help blind per- sons In distress when they hear the whistle. W. A PINKERTON, DETECTIVE, DEAD Criminologist Noted for Ad- vocacy of Humanitarian Measures. By the Associated Press. LOS ANGEL December Willlam A. Pinkerton, world famous detective, died here thix morning at the Hotel Biltmore. One of the first noted American minologists to ad- vocate and practice methods In dealing with felons, Wil- lam Pinkerton, head of the Pinker- ton National Detective Agency, wus credited with having reformed more safe blowers and bank thieves than any other man in the country. Alded Many Criminals. Primarly a thief-taker, Mr. Pink- erton spent more than fifty vears of his life running down criminals of all classes, yet he always stood ready to proffer a helping the unfortunate malefactor W pentance was genuine and whi sire to reform was sincere. Knowing criminals and their methods, their weaknesses and their human side as perhaps no other man of his time had known them, Pink- erton never sympathized with the theorist and the sentimentalist who sought to reform desperate, hunted men by kind words, but he did know that a little help and a little en- couragement at the right time and in the right place were frequently more effective than imprisonment Specialized in Bank Cases. Determined to specialize in bank protection Mr. Pinkerton enlisted the support of leading financlal institu- tions of the country and then made a detailed study of the men who were preying upon them. He warned noted bank robbers as they were arrested: You leave my people alone and I'll leave you alone. If you don't I'll follow you to the end of the earth.” This warning made a deep impres- sion upon many of the most danger- ous thieves, and after a few convic- tions had been obtained there was a noticeable decrease in the number of bank robberies. Mr. Pinkerton was born in Dundee, schools and when ready for college entered Notre Dame | age of twenty he 8. Asbling of daughters, Mrs. Joseph O. Watkins and Mrs. Willlam C. Pullman were born to them. Mr. Pinkerton made his home in Chicago. JURY OF HONOR NAMED TO DECIDE ON DUEL French Radical Leader and Jour- nalist Leave Dispute to Seconds. By the Associated Press. PARIS. December 11.—The secqnds appointed by Edouard Herriot and Camille Aymard as the outcome of their recent exchange of personal charges through the newspapers met this morning and decided to appoint a jury ofy honor to settle whether or not & duel should be held. M. Herriot 1s the leader of the M. Aymard is po- fired in self-Refense, after a struggle | Liberte and a noted big game hunter. over e pistol. Her husband, she sald, had frequently beaten her and threat- ened to divorce her é The latter charged that the radioal leader had completely switched his Political attitude. humanitarian | He was educated in “From Press to Home Within the Hour” The Star’s carrier system covers every city block and the regular edi- tion is delivered to Washington homes Yesterday’s /-- CLARK TOPRESENT BILFORBULDINGS |Would Authorize $50,000,000 Over Ten Years to Carry Out Coolidge Program. The first bill to carry into effect President Coolidge’s recommendation {to Congress for an appropriation of 1$5.000.000 a year to catch up with tha urgent need for new government buildings in the District of Columbia will be introduced when the House reassembles on Thursday by Repre- seutative Frank Clark of Florida, a member of the public bulldings com- mittee, which Is stanchiy behind such | public building program. It is hoped by the public buliding commission and by the admin!stration | that authorization for this bullding |program will be approved. by the House in time to have the initial ap- propriation carried in one of the reg- ular appropriation bills. It is expected action will be ex- pedited so that work can be started within @ year on at least thres of the most urgently needed buildings—one large building for the internal rev- enue office and archives and one large office building for the Departmer Agriculture. Will Authorize $50,000,000, bill which Representative | Clark will introduce on Thursday will authorize the expenditure of $30.000,000 covering a period of yers (probably ten rs), for the construction of such buildings as are urgently needed already to house ac- tivities of the federal government in the Natlonal Capital. . | The terms of the bill will provide that the work of construction shall | be done by such agencies of the government as are best qualified to handle such work, such as the sur- veving architect of the Treasury, the office of public bulldings and grounds and the construction division of the Quartermaster Corps. The_Clark will _provide that_not (Continued on Page 2, Column 5.) {WOMAN IDENTIFIES | ALLEGED AX SLAYER Police Hold Arrest of Negro Solves Birmingham’s 24 Re- cent Murders. The BIRMINGHAM, Ala., December 11.— With the arrest of Fred Glover, ne- &70, and the finding of a bloodstained hatchet and a pistol in his room scounty officers believe that the long {hunt for Birmingham's ax-man has ended. Glover was taken to the Bir- mingham General Hospital, where he was identified by Mrs. Edwin Sparks as the man who attacked her and her husband late Sunday evening. , The hatchet had a short handl making it easy to carry In the large pocket of overalls. Glover recently served a sentence on a charge of bur- | glary and grand larceny. i Birmingham’s ax assauits have claim- ed twenty-four victims. The attacks have run in three parailel serfes in |which an ax or iron pipe has been used. Fourteen have been killed and fifteen wounded In ax attacks on storekeepers; nine have been killed and three wounded in ax assaults on white men and negro women, and one has been killed ‘and one wounded in the iron pipe assaults. Senate Confirms Kellogg as Envoy To Great Britain After a contest In executive ses- sion, the nomination of Frank B. Kellogg, former United States senator from Minnesota, to be am- bassador to Great Briialn was confirmed today by the Senate. Both of the farmer-labor sena- tors from Minnesota, Johnson and Shipstead, and several others are understood (s have argucd ngal confirmation. They lost their fight, however, on a roll-call vote. The vote, as subsequently an- nounced, was 75 to 9. Those voting sgainst confirmation were 1irook- hart, lowa; Frazier, North Dakota; Norris, i republicans Copeland, ; Dill, Wash- ington; Michigan, and Wheeler, Montana, democrats, and Shipstead and Johnson, farmer- labors, Minnesota. EFFCENCY BUREAD TOBEINVESTIGATED NicCormick Resolution Adopt- ed by Senate After Tilt With Smoot. | The Bureau of Effictency will be in- vestigated by the Senate committes on expenditures in the executive de- partments under a resolution adopt- led by the Senate today: Senator McCormick of Illinofs, chairman of the committee on expend- it 8, presented the resolution, which has been favorably reported by Lis committee, and asked for imme- diate conslderation. Senator Robinson, the democratic leader, aske? Mr. McCormick to give the reasons for the propoged inves- j t!gation and Mr. McCormick sald that { the Bureau of Efficiency has now been | operating for a number of years and that the resolution was designed to learn the annual cost of the opera- tion of the bureau, what it was ac- 1 complished and whether there was iany reason for continuing the bureau, | particularly in view of the compl tion of the work of th reorganiza- tion commission of the executive de- partments. Says It Has Done Nothing. Senator Harrison of Mississippl, a member of the reorganization com- | mission, insisted that the commis- |slon as such has done absolutely nothing. Senator McCormick repiled that the chairman of the commission had made a full report to the President. Senator Smoot of Utah questioned the advisability of adopting the Mc- Cormick resolution providing for the investigation of the bureau of ef- ficlency, saying: “I think it is useless.” “The sendtor from Utah thinks that some things are useless” answered Senator McCormick, “and I think that some things are useless.™ | The resolution then was adopted. ‘The bureau of efliclency reciassifi- cation schedules for empioyes of tha government in the District have been criticized, both by employes of the government and by some members | of Congress. CHARGES “BIG STICK.” Luther C. Steward, president of the National Federation of Federal Em- , today branded as “big-stick, un-American tactics” the circulation in the Interfor Department of a peti- tion to Congress, “purporting to ex- press approval of the bureau of effi- clency allocations” in the classifica- tlon of federal emploves. Congres- sional investigation would be asked. he_said. The petition was said by Frank Bond, chief clerk of the general land office, to have been circulated at the instance of employes, who voluntarily rted the paper, with permission of Secretary of Interior Work. The pe- allocations made by the Personnel Classification Board, and included the bureau of the budget estimates for 1925. Mr. Bond said he was not thoroughly informed of the progress of the petition, but believed it already had hundreds of signatures. Statement by Steward. Mr. Steward, attacking the petition today issued this statement: “That the petition which has been { circulated in the various bureaus of the Interior Department during the ast three days, under the auspices of the various administrative and super- visory officials of the Interior De- partment, purporting to express a proval of the bureau of efficlency al locations is a brazen attempt to se- cure approval of the scheme through coercion and Intimidation is demon- strated by the rising tide of protest being received at the headquarters of the National Federation of Fed- eral Employes from workers in the Interior Department. “In some divisions numbers of sig- natures have been obtained by chiefs iadvising their subordinates in so |many words that they had better jslgn. There is not the slightest i doubt but what, through autocratic methods, a deliberate attempt is be- ing made to claim support for a dis- credited sgheme; in spite of the hon- iest convictions 'of subordinate em- | ployes to the contrary. We welcome the issue and prop.se to through the mecium of a congre i slonal investigation whether admin- istrative and supervisory officials of | the federal government can get away with such big stick, un-American tactics.” The petition | tollows: | o We. the undersigned employes of the general land office, respectfully | request _that Congress approve and i (Continued on Page 2, Column 6.)« | Thrills! | «“Above S By Robert Orr Chipperfield Begins in Today’s Star You Cannot Afford to Miss a Single Installment of This Unusual Story. Thrills! Thrills! uspicion” tition asked Congress to approve the in | ascertain | in questfon reads as| as fast as the papers are printed. Net Circulation, 96,481 TWO CENTS, ISENATE DEADLOCK CONTINUES; THREE MORE BALLOTS FAIL Situation Remains Unchang- ed Without Election of In- terstate Commerce Head. SMITH RUNNING TWO VOTES BEHIND CUMMINS Five Progressives and Two Farmer- Laborites Firm for La Follette. The deadlock in the SBenate over the election of a chairman of the inter- state commerce committes continued today. Three ballots were taken without an election. On motion of Senator Lodge, the republican leader, the mate then went into executive ses- sion to consider nominations. The ballots today showed the sit- uation unchanged. On the first ballot Senator Cummins of Iowa re- ved forty-one votes. nator Smith of South Carolina, the de cratic nominee for chalrman of the interstate commerce committee, re- ceived thirty-nine and Senator La Follette of Wisconsin received the votes of five of the republican pro- gressives and of the two farmer- labor senators. The second ballot stood, Cummins, 41; Smitr : La Follette, 7. The third ballot, Cummins, 39; Smith, 88: La Follatte, 7 May Be Prolonged. The contest over the election of a chairman of the interstate commerce committee may be prolonged. Orig- inally {t started because the pro- gressive republicans and the farmer- labor senators were unwilling that Senator Cummins should be both chairman of the interstate commerce committee and President pro tempore of the Senate. It developed today, however, that some of the republican progressives, if not all, are unwilling to have Senator Cummine become chairman of the committee on Intrastate commerce, the committee which will handle any railroad legislation. They are willing that he should remain | President pro tempors of the Senate | On the other hand, same of the regular republicans are willing that Senator Cummins should relinquish the office of Prosident pro tempore, but insist that he should be chair- man of the interstate commerce com- mittee. They do not want Senator La Follette, who ranks next to nator Cummins on the interstate commeérce committee, to be chairman of that committe In the meantime Senator Cummins is standing pat, presiding over the Senate as President pro tempore. A question has, however, héen raised to his right to a seat on the Interstate commerce committee, pending the ac tion of the: Senate. All the other members of the committes were elected yestorday by the Senate. Firm Against Cummins. Progressive republicans opposing Senator Cummins for chairmanship of the Interstate commerce commit- tee insist that the people of their states are against the Esch-Cummine transportation act, and that in op- Posing Senator Cummins as chalrman of the interstate commerce commit- tes they are carrying out the man- date of their people. Some of them today insisted they would never vote for Senator Cummins as chairman of the committee. 1f the democrats continue solidly to vote for Smith of South Carolina and the progressives continue their op- position to Senator Cummins as chairman it does not appear that he can be elected to that office | 'Those republicans who would be willing to compromise the fight by having Senator Cummins relinquish the office of President pro tempore and remain chairman of the inter- | state commerce committee sald today { that Senator Curtis of Kansas would | be the selection for President pro tempore if Senator Cummins is not to have the place. A suggestion was made that it might be possible to bring about an adjust- ment of the controversy by the elec- tion of some other republican sena- tor as chairman of the interstate commerce committee, other than {Senator La Follette. The progressives, | however, conend that Senator La Fol- |lette is entitied to the office of chair- man under the senlority rule. PRISON RIOT WIDOW ON TRIAL FOR MURDER Mrs. Lillian Walters, Accused of Aiding Kentucky Revolt, to Plead Control by Husband. By the Assoclated Pre EDDYVILLE, Ky., December 11.— | Trial of Mrs. Lillian Walters, widow of Moente (Tex) Walters, reputed { leader of the prison riot in the west- jern state penitentiary, near here, In | October, who is charged with mur- | der, was resumed in circult court to- jday. Walters, together with Harry ! Ferland and Lawrence Griffith, was | found dead in a prison mess hall atter a siege of four days. The mu- { tinous prisoners killed three prison guards. Mrs. Walters is_alleged to have been an accessory before the fact to the slaying of the guards, the state charging she was a leading figure in & plot by which pistols and ammu- nition were smuggled to Walters and his companions. The state’s attorney Las asked that the death penaity be imposed upon Mrs. Walters in event of conviction Under a Kentucky statute the death penalty may be fmposed for convic- tion on a charge of accessory before the fact to murder. Mrs, Walters' attornoy has indicated acquiital was to_be asked on the ground that Mrs. Walters acted while lnder the control and direction of her husband’s powerful personality. — U. S.-RUSS AFFAIRS TOPIC. MOSCOW December 11.—Leo Kam- eneff, addressing the first meeting of the new Moscow soviet, yesterday sald relations with America appear- ed to be improving, especially in view of President Coolldge's message to Congress. seeing no obstacles in the added, hoped that an Ameri- oviet conference oould be held