Evening Star Newspaper, January 10, 1924, Page 2

D. C. ASSESSMENT BILL INTRODUCED Three Other Local Measures Also Are Asked in House. Four District bills weré introduced in the House today by Chairman Reed of | the House District. committee “at the | request of the Distriet Commissioners. The most important of these was a ' fev gthy bill in regard to asseasment for | purposes of taxation. This would In- crease the board of assessors from five to six membérs. There are already six assessors provided for. annually in the appropriation aet, but the basic law provides for. only five. This bill also defines clearly who are residents of the District for purposes of taxation. : H Tt gives the assessor authority to in- clude in the regular bi-annual assess- ment new bulldings finished after the assessment books are made up. It makes permanent vie present ar- rangement of assessing property at' not less than its true value. 1t makes permanent the present provision requiring_taxes to be paid | twice a year, in November and in| May. { 1t changes the time for filing re- turns on personal property . as at present, to Ma ¥ (he present thme appeals on per- | conal property tax are held in Jan- uary. Under the new bill they would be moved back to August. It makes minor changes in the li- vense law affecting the operation of | dunce halls and dancing school 1t provides for licensing of as recommended by the po- ent, so that guides may regulated Munt Give Consideration. at is believed to be one of the most important provisions is intended to require persons selling real estate 10 give the true consideration in- volved, and it specified that it shall @ ipany the deed and be included the sealed envelope for the confl- tial information of the assessor, | but not avaflable to other parties. nother bill would author the jurisdiction foners of a certain acostin Park for tree = he closing of a por- usetts avenue north- | eate & uniform width | portion in Fair- | ats subdi jon is provided er bill The c ent in | abutting property own- | rview Helghts subdivi- « required. widening of Nicho}s avenue be- Good Hope rond and S street st is provided for in another tax from | of Massa as to feet for tha sion Wou POSSES HOT ON TRAIL| OF EVERGLADES GANG | Pursuers Determined to Wipe Out| Bandits Responsible for Many Crimes. By the Associated Press. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla, Jan-| uary 10.—Officers and possemen are following three trails through the! Everglades in pursuit of members of | the famous Ashley gang, who escaped | after a gun fight which began early vesterday and in which one outlaw | was left dead in the bandit camp In | nt for the life of one officer. | fighting started when Sheriff Bob Baker and four deputles sought fo enter the hidden camp to arrest Ashley on a charge of high- ¥ robbery. Deputy Sheriff Fred Buker was killed by a lookout. Tha pursuers, led by packs of blood- hounds, are determined to wipe out the outlaw band, which s held re- sponsible for many of the major crimes in Florida during the past ten years, and know that they are seek- | ing men who will dle fighting. | Shots are Exchanged. { Last night deputy sheriffs encoun- tered John Ashley, son of Joe Ashley, near Olymphis, and exchanged shots with him. The officers’ automobile stalled and Ashley approached, not recognizing the deputies. He was or- dered to throw up his hands, but whipped out his pistol, fired and fled. At the home of John Rogers, nearby, the officers learned that Albert Mil- ! ler, severely wounded, allaged !lax!l‘ of 'Deputy Sheriff Baker, had fled when be heard the exchange of shots. 1t was Miller, the officers said, who, acting as lookout at the bandit’s tent camp, fired from behind a tree and killed Baker. The heavy firing from the camp led ' the officers to believe they were out- numbered and Sheriff Baker left two | men to watch while he and the fourth deputy went to Stuart, five miles north, for aid. He returned with thirty possemen, but the camp was found deserted ex- cept for Laura Upthegrove, a camp follower, who was wounded in_the ! scalp and leg, and the wife of Wes- ley Mobley, Who was sitting beside: tha body of Joe Ashley, brought down | by a rain of bullets as he arose from | Led to fight. | More Men Join Posse. The man hunt, with an increasing number of possemen,-then was got under way in earnest. Possemen burned the Joe W. Ashley home, that of his son-in-law and Albert Miller's grocery. The bandit camp was three miles from the nearest roadway, in & dense clump of trees and vegetation, through which it was Impossible to see more than a few yards. In that| sccluded spot. officers asserted, the | Ashley gang planned its hold-upkand | bank robberfes. One of the largest #tills ever captured in this was found in the camp. Murder, bank robbery, highway rob- | bery, moonshining, piracy on the high @e1s and robbery of rum-runners are among the crimes credited to the Ashley gang. — e REPEAL OF PROHIBITION TO BE ASKED IN NORWAY Government to Make Request for Abolition of Ban—Wines From Spain Admitted. By the Associated Press. CHRISTIANIA, Norway, January 10. ~—The Norweglan government intends proposing to the parliament the abolition of the prohibition upon spirits, according to information from reliable quarters. section | The Norweglan law formerly pro- hibited the importation and sale of spirits and heavy wines, but last March_restriotions on wine imports from Spain and Portugal were re- méved in order that Norwegian fish might enter those countries. ———— TUFTS GETS $3,000,000. BOSTON, January 10.—Tufts Col- lege will receive more than 33,000,000 as a result of the settiement of the Fletcher will contest case recently in New York city, Prestdent John F. Cousens of Tufts College announced Jagt night at the annual Boston Tufts Clubs banquet. " IPHILIPPINE SENATORS | CUT W00D’S BUDGET Limit Expenditures in His Office and Eliminate Funds i for Yacht, MANILA, January 9.—The Philippine senate today passed the general appro- priation bill for insular government ex- penditures in the same form it was submitted in Governor General Wood's budget, except that appropriations for expenditures in the governor general's office were curtalled and the fund for joperation of his yacht, the Apo, was eliminated The bill now goes to the house, where it is expected to be passed. Governor General \Wood Is eXpected by the sen- ators to veto the provisions decreasing his_official outlays, and the legislators declare they will pass the draft intget over his veto, when it would g0 to President Coolidge for decision. 'SEES U. S. POLITICAL SYSTEM UNWIELDLY Dr. Butler Urges Reform in Ad- dress to Washington Study. TIE-UP CITES CONGRESS |'World Trend Relating to Democ- racy Discussed. Sounding a warning that the pres- erit poiitical system in America had much machinery that it won't Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, 5o ipresident of Columbia University, told the Washington Study at Rauscher's today that unless the American peo- ple found & way to make the m chinery for government more respon- sive to its will, there might be more surprising and threatening problems in the near future than had ever been anticipated. . Discussing the trend of political history throughout the world, Dr. Butler declared that political demoe- racy was on trial and that If America was to defend its political democracy from the tax of modernists, consist- ing of both those who would favor a dictatorial for: government or a sovernment by groups, the American people must get busy and work the machinery at hand. 3 Ridicules Congress Situation. Dr. Butjer ridiculed the situation in which the present Congress find: self, doclaring that It had been ed fifteen months ago: had come hers shortly before Christmas, “spent much time talking about domestic affairs and doing its political laundry,” ad- journed for the holldays and after having begun something, would find the primaries opening next week for the alection of their successors. The trouble is, Dr. Butler said, “there was no tima to do things by cause we are always getting ready to do_them.” The American political system to- day, he said, found itself in the pos tion between the contending forces of the existing political democracy and the new and growing forces of those who cling to group control.? He did not mention the word “bloc.” Dr. the theory, contending that if they wish to write large in history the account of their performances they would have to recognize not only that there was an economic motive, also a spiritual motive. He declared it his belief that the spiritual mo- tives in America had more controlied affairs than the economic. Dr. Butler was introduced by MI Maria Ewing, head of the Washington Study. COURT FIGHT ON BOK AWARD THREATENED Contestants Said to Seek Reading of Each of 22,000 Plans by Committee. By the Assoclated Press. NEW YORK, January 10.—Formal action for a court order to compel i the Bok peace award jury to read all of the,22,000 plans submitted by con- testants may be started in a few days, Frank Hendrick, a New York attorney, said yesterday. Mr. Hendrick, whose office has be- come a center for contestants who assert their plans were not fairly considered, sald concerted action ! might be taken by the dissatisfied contestants. Elihu Root, chairman of the jury of awards, will answer the attacks and criticisms which have been made, | it was announced by Miss Esther Ev- erett Lape, secretary of the policy committee. The contestants claim that the committee, to comply with conditions, should have read every word of every plan submitted befors making the award. —_— . BODY FOUND AT SEA. Man Was Lost in Wreck of Amer- ican Ship Conejos. By the Associated Press. LONDON, January 10.—After a week's search of the whole Black sea area, instituted by the United States Shipping Board, it was notified today that the steamer Alga had picked up |the body of an unidentified member of the crew of the Shipping Board's steam- er Conejos, which foundered fin the Black sea late last month, and burfed him at sea near Batum. The floating body was found with a life jacket attached. The advices dis- closed that the victim was an American, but there was nothing to indicate his name. The Shipping Board officials here fear this discovery confirms the report that ull the Conejos ctew of thirty-five men were lost. THERE IS “COIN Butler criticized those who cling to ! but | often | THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTO IPLANS T0 ABOLISH COAL YARD RAPPED House Committee Recom- mends Funds to Continue and Declares Policy. In recommending reappropriation of funds for the eonduct of the Kov- iernmrnl fuel yard in Washington, the House appropriations committee declared emphatically the policy of Congress- to continue the operation |of these yards in spite of efforts made by the Retall Coal Merchants' Association of Waahington to have the government yard discontinued. During the hearings on the Interior Department appropriation bill, re- ported to the House yesterday, Chair- man Cramton of the subcommitt made it a matter of record in po: tive terms that Congress and not the Department of the Interfor has the say on whether this fuel yard shall continue in operation. Representative Cramton said the establishment and continuance of the government H question bofn'r“:lcoy;;;les,:, Ytnas Hnd| very careful study. particularly by | the committee on mines and mining, and to a somewhat less extent by thi. subcommittee of the House appropri tlons committee. The result {s that although there has been constant warfare against the propokal, it has been instituted and has been contin- ued by Congress. Proposed to Bay Land. “A year ago the proposal was made to purchase certain land to make per- manent this institution,” Representa- tive Cramton continued. “This com- mittee became fully satisfled as to the desirability of that course, but It being a legisiative matter we de- ferred action. “The committee on mines and min- ing, however, had indorsed such leg- | islation, and its chairman offered, on | the floor of the House, an amendment | to the appropriation bill embodying | the action of the committee on mines | and mining to secure the purchase of | land which would make this activity permanent. “Therefore Congress has very fully manifested its desire on this matter of policy and the authority rests with Congress, and not with the depart- ment. to continue this fuel yard. W Secretary Work was before uch as I had noted the public — attending the negotiations between the Secretary’s office and the Retafl Coal Merchants' Assoclation I called the matter to the Secretary's attention and the committee wast lvery glad, indeed. to note not only | ithat Secretary Work was not com- imitted to any policy of closing the | {fuel yard and transferring its du- [ties to the aasociation, but, further, ithat he explicitly stated that action }af that kind would have to be taken iby Congress and be authorized by Congress. “So that this committee assumes jthat under the present status of mat- | iters the fuel yard wiil be continued {until_Congress itself orders other- | wise. ] | Bain Tells of Operation. | “H. Foster Bain, director of the bu- reau of mines, explained that the !government fuel yard was established {during the fiscal year 1919, to fur- nish fuel to the federal and distriot government eatablishments within and | contiguous to the District of Colum- bla. An appropriation of $422,000, Known as the establishment fund, was made available for the purchass | of motor trucks, coal handiing ma- ! chinery and all other expenses neces- | sary to establish the business. Another appropriation of $1,154,088 | was made available for operating the | | business and maintaining the equip- ! | ment, this appropriation constituting a revolving fund and being reappro- | priated each year by Congress. “This latter appropriation serves as capital for carrying on a very large wholesale and retall fuel business,” Dr. Bain said. “During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1923, 295,616 tons of coal were bought and soid, of which 81,791 tons were delivered direct in rafiroad cars to those plants having thelr own. switches and 187.826 tons were delivered by the fleet of thirty- two motor trucks.” REDUCED PHONE RATE SOUGHT BY CLAYTON (Continued from First Page.) return upon the company’s invest- ment for the year 1923. “The petitioner says and belleves that an allowance of a rate of re- turn of more than 6 per cent cannot be justified under the statute con- troliing here nor excused under the present market rate of money for inyestment. “Six per cent rate of return on the company's present claimed invest- ment would equal $7563,771. The company earned in 1923 $1,478,438, besides putting $763843 in its de- preclation or reserve fund. “So it appears that sybstantial re- ductions to all classes of the com- pany’s subsoribers may now be award- ed by the honorable commission with- out trenching at least on allowing the company & fair and honest rate of return on its investment. Attention is here called to the fact that should the commission find that the com- pany, having enjoyed for the year 1923 an excessive rate of return, as well as set up for that year & larger sum for depreciation or reserve than was needed or justified, and, further, that ten million dollars of its inv ment has never been appraised by the commission, all these elements should B e T atting rade-of To: charges, e resulting - turnm‘lpzo,nfrvm‘ as projected into the ear 1923, Yot in further suggested that should the commission pursue its.policy of watchful waliting and allow another period of two years to run before an- other hearing is held what might ) {DISTRICT SHOULD CONTROL AFFAIRS, SAYS D. C RESEARCH HEAD THURSDAY,* JANUARY 10, 1924 PAY BILL DEBATE —— W. F. Willoughby Cites Conflict Between U. S. and | Will Tell of Conference Between City Police as Objectionable at Hearing On Reorganization. Activities In’ regard to the District ought to be performed by the District government as far as possible, accord- ing to the general principle lald down today by W. F. Willoughby, director of the Institute for Government Research, continuing his testimony before the joint congressional committee on re- organization of the government depart- ments today. “It seems to me there is hardly a single argument for the existing con- dition of affairs,” Mr. Willoughby de- clared, discussing the placing of the office of public buildings and grounds, the Commission of Fine Arts, .the superintendent of the State, War and Navy bullding, the architect of the Capitol and the Rock Creek and Poto- mac Parkway Commission in the bureau of District bufldings snd grounds,” as proposed in the Presi- Sents plan for reorganization, on which the committee is holding hear- ings In the Senate office buildings. This bureau would be in the Depart- ment of the Interior. . Poliee Comtrol Confilets. The police in the parks are under the federal government, the police in the streets under the municipal gov- ernment, Mr. Willoughby said. " He noted that a difficult situation exi here, in that what belongs to the federal government exists within the municipal government, but said many of the functions now performed here by the War Department, in par- ticular, ought to be performed by the District government. “The District ought its own water works, of . the Institute for Government Research declared. continuing the resentation of his Views on reorgan- fiation. begun Tuesday. “F'd relleve the War Department of that, and turn it over to the District” The legal control of the water works and water supply ought to be with the District, he_continued. Lieut. Col. C. O. Sherrill, superin- tendent of public bulldings and o administer -the director | grounds, was present for a time &t | the session today, but did not testify. Je will make his views known next | week Mr. Willoughby advocated transfer of the revenue cutter service to the Navy, declaring such a transfer would place the Navy in the position of entorcing prohibition, and he thought such work, would be desir- able. Favors Satlors as Pollce. “Would you advocate the use of naval men as civil policemen?"’ asked Senator Wadsworth, a member of the committee on reorganization. “] would,” replied Mr. Willoughby. “1f we would start in to enforce civil laws with the bayonet” Mr. Wadsworth rejolned, “I think we would take a step that would prove highly offensive to the people of the United States.” Mr. Willoughby replied by instancing military law, but Senator Wadsworth pointed out that “that is diffsrent, the 'EDMONSTON TAXING - | DISTRICT NOT LEGAL Masyland Court of Appeals Holds That No Corporation Exists for Town. Special Dispatch to The Star. HYATTSVILLE, Md.. January 10.— The Maryland court of appeals' opin- fon, filed by Judge Urner, has just de- clded the law creating the Edmonston taxing district of Prince Georiges coun- ty unconstitutional. ‘This means that there |s no corpora- tion existing for Edmonston. The de- ciston of former Associate Justice Fil- more Beall of the Prince Georges county efrcult court, is reversed, and | the case remanded that a decree may be passed in the lower court in con- | formity with the appelate court's de-| | elston. INDIANA DELEGATION IS SEEN FOR COOLIDGE IN WATSON-NEW DEAL (Continued from First P: ) prestige, probably to the extent of being recognized by the administra- tion as the republican dictator in In- diana, besides having the naming of the Coolldge manager there, and the | selecting of the delegates to the con- vention, and finally the honor of be- ing chairman of the delegation him- self. Also, as a turther expression of appreciation, the White House will see that Senator Watson is not dis- appointed in the matter of patronage. Henry Lane Wilson of Indiana, for- mer ambassador to Mexico and who has been suggested by Senator Wat- son for appointment a3 ambassador to Turkey, was In conference with the President {n the morning. and it is understood that he told him of his ob- servations politically in Indiana. New Sees Coolidge. Following the conference with Sena- tor Watson and National Committ { man Kealing and Clyde Walb, the President sent for Postmaster General New, one of the repubiican leaders in Indlana, This conference was held just before the supper hour d 1t asted for more than half an hour. he Postmaster General sald after- ward that the Indiana situation was discussed, but he declined to say just what feature of the situation was taken up. Noy would he make any comment regarding the conference preceding his, other than to say it was not unlikely that he will be at the conference Mr. Butler is to hold tomorrow at the Willard. It 1s known that many of Senator Watson’s best friends have advised him that it would be an anti-Coolidge movement on his part if he entered nd many of these have made it piain that they would resent it. Among these is Jo- republican national who is known to be be a normal and justified rate of re- turn at the outset may quickly swell to an abnormal and unjustifiable rate of return long before the expiration of the two-year term, due to the won- derful and uncontroilable growth of the company’s business.” IN RABBITBORO—A Dumbunny Coincidence. WE HAVE SOME. HAY IN.OUR LESSONR%)WP? CIDENCE" ~ COINCIDENCE" MEANS_TWO - THINGS THAT HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME:~ GENERALLY BY [— the senator on the ‘Coblidge Again” band wagon. —_— Constitution provides for that” and said that under Mr. Willoughby's theory it would be legitimate to use soldiers along the Canadian and Mexican bor- ders to collcct the customs. The witness said he sees no excuse far the present Department of Labor, which “cuts across other services,” he =aid, and represents a class rather than broad general lines of service. Throughout his_ testimony today Mr. ‘Willoughby stresfed the necegsity for what he called “uni-functonal® depart- ments in any scheme of reorganization. He sald that the proposed “Department of Education and Welfare” would be as “multi-functioned as the old Depart- ment of the Interior.” He advocated the consolidation un- der the Department of the Interior, as proposed, of the work of public domain and public works. Huge Task Admitted. task of making statutory changes, in case reorganization of the departments is effected, will be a huge one, it was admitted by mem- bers of the committee in the course of its hearings today. Mr. Willough- by offered to place his organization at the disposal of the committee to make a study of the statutory changes necessary. The national military parks com- mission_and the national parks serv ice ought to bp merged into one ad- mintstration, Mr. \\'llloughhy satd. He sald he believed t! bureau of fisheries, now under the Commerce Department, would find its logical place under the bureau of public do- main, in the Interfor Department, as roposed. PrORe tha War and Navy havo to go Into one department, why not pat s and farmers into one depart- ent " Gaked Senator Wadsworth. Would Abolish Mines Burenu. The bureau of mines ought to be abolished, Mr. Willoughby suggested. He advocated the placing of all zecret work. such as postal inspeo- tion, prohibition enforcement, the secret service and narcotic enforce ment, under the Department of Jus tice. He spoke for the combination of the customs and internal revenue in_one bureau Speaking of the proposed depart- ment of educatian and welfare, Mr Willoughby said it ought to be called the department of education and sclence, and advocated in the stead of such a grouping a department of cducation and science and a depart- of public health. In the latter should go, he contin- ued, the public health service the pure food inspection service, meat inspection service and bureau of vital statistics John H. Finney of the Federated American Engineering Socleties, pre- sented the committee with resolu- tions adopted by his organization, advocating reorganization and speak- ing for Hr',mrlmflu of public works. ings being held in the public « in the fenate office build- ing will be continued at 9:30 a.m. to- morrow. Senator Reed Smoot presid- ed today In the absence of Walter F. Brown, chairman of the committee. NEW STATION HOUSE APPROVED BY OYSTER Garage for Patrol Only Facility Lacking, Commissioner Finds. Cells Are Empty. The Washington’s new and model sta- tion house, 17th street and Rhode Island avenue northeast. was for- mally inspected today by Commis- sloner Oyster, who supervises the po- lice department. The area covered by the new pre- cinct apparently has a model popu- lation also, for the Commissioner found the cellroom empty. If a person must get him: rested the twelfth precinet is one In.which to be apprehended, for it §s modern in every respect. Following the Inspection Comml. sioner Oyster declared himself ple: with the appearance of the bulld The only accommodation lacking is a garnge for the patrol, and the Com: sioner said he would make every ef- fort to have this facility added. G. 0. P. CONFERENCE TO DECIDE PRIORITY OF BONUS OR TAXES (Continued from First Page.) only the very rich will get the hanlfltl'. of two-thirds of the reduction 40,000,000 the benefit of the other third.” “We took off the excess profits taxes,” he continued, “and now they come here and have us take off one- half of the remainder of their sur- Senator Simmons asserted that there was a ‘“‘monstrous monopoly of pub- licity,” backed by rich corporations, and organizations for the Mellon tax plan. Their propaganda, he said, was misleading the public, but the demo- crats were prepared to discuss tax re- vision until the public was undeceived. Ashurst States Position. Senator Ashurst, demoacrat, Arizona, declared the fault he found with the Mellon plan was that it did not make @ proportionate reduction between the rich and the poor. He said he had been informed the 'rnu-' ury's plan would result in & tax sav- ing for Secretary Mellon himself of $60,000, and added the sugwestion that Henry Ford's tax reduction would be $1,000,000. Another demoorat—Senator Cope- 1and of New York—éstimated that 348 taxpayers, who contributed $90,- 000,000 tc the Treasury last year, would be allowed total reductions of $46,000,000 under the Mallon plan. The Benate debate was precipitated by Senator MaLean, republican, Con- | neotiout, when he drew comparisons between predictions made by demo- arats of the disaster to follow - Money ma&y not bring happiness, but jt does glve you a wi cholce as to what you will worry about. _ACCIDENT : ment of the Fordney-McCumber tarift School Board, Commissioners and Budget Buresu. I8 OPPOSED TO -- SECRECY Other Education Matters to Be Discussed at Meeting. The result of the conference be- tween the Commissioners, the board of education and the budget bureau over the proposed teachers’ salary legislation tomorrow morning will be explained by Capt. Jullus 1. Peyser at a meeting of the District Publie 8chool Assoclation tomorrow night in the boardroom of the District bullding at 8 o'clock. A number of other subjects of vital importance to the school system also will be dis- cussed by chairmen of various commit- tees of the association. As the coniclave over the teachers' salary bill will be held behind closed doors, Capt. Peyser, a strong advocate of anti-secrecy regarding school mat- ters, Is expected to reveal the hap- penings behind the “curtain.” Particular importance is attached to this conference as it comes as an aftermath to the unprecedented stormy conference over the teachers’ pay bill at the Franklin School Sat- urday, at which Ernest Greenwood, vice president of the school board, and Capt. Peyser expressed their in- dignation over the action of the Com- missioners in preparing a substitute teachers' salary bill - without the knowledge of the board. The playground situation and visual education courses recently introduced in the schools will. be among other subjects discussed at the association’s méeting. COOLIDGE TO ATTEND D.C. OHIOANS MEETING Will Be Guest of State Society to Discharge Obligation of Late President Harding. President Coolidge has’ departed from his established custom of turn- ing down Invitations to public affairs by agreeing today to attend the an- nual meeting of the Ohio State Boclety of the District of Columbia to be held at Rauscher's January 29 In doing this he said his only reason was to discharge an obligation of his predecessor, the late President Hard- ing, who was to have attended the annual meeting of this organization two years ago, but it was abandoned because of the Knickerbocker dis . and again last year, but wa forced to cancel his engagement be- cause of Mrs. Harding's fline President Coolidge recelved the in- vitation today personally from Chief Justice Taft, president of the sociaty. Tre President conferred today with Senator Lenroot of Wisconsin and Charles P. Cralg, executive director of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Tidewater Association, which has a membership in eightéen states. It was explained afterward that the development of the great power and navigation project of the Bt. Law- rence river, for which efforts are be- ing made "to secure the necessary treaty with Canada, was discussed in a general way. The President made it ‘clear in his message to Congress that he is heartily in favor of this project. veral Important detatls concernin departmental appropriations whicl are now being considered by the House appropriations committee were discussed with the President today by Representative Vare of Pennsyl- vania. Phippn Sees Fresideat. 8enator Phipps of Colorado, who was with the President a few mo- ments during the morning. sald his interview had to do entirely with the Mexican situation. He intimated also that he had a candidate for appoint. ment as ambassador to that republic. resident took up with Senator Th I Harreld of Oklahoma again today the controversy over the vacant federal judgeship in that state. Senator Har- reld has made it clear that, inasmuch as the first name presented by him to the President for appointment to this lace was not scceptable, he is cast- ng about for another man, whom he cts will meet approval. 4 thers who saw_the President today re James A. White of Columbus, and i Ohio, head of the Anti-Salcon Leagus in that state, who is mentioned as oandidate for the republican nomina- tion for Governor of Ohio; Irence Du Pont of Wilmington, Del.; John T. Adams, chalrman of the repubiican na- tional committee: Representative Line- berger of Californie, to present Dr. S. T. Montgomery of that stats, and the state chairmen and state directors of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. The President entertained at dinner at the White House last night, in honor of Nicholas Murray Butler of New York, who ls & house guest Among those present were Senators Wadswo: of New York, Shortbridge of Califor- nis, Ladd of North Dakota, uC.l‘g r of Kansas and Representatives len of Illinois and Longworth of Ohlo. CUMMINS TO KEEP RAIL COMMITTEE DUTIES IN SENATE (Continued from First Page.) able to the repeal of the so-called rate-making section of that act and perhaps some other changes, but whether a stralght repeal measure can be voted out seems doubtful Chairman Smith was one of those who fought the transportation act both in the committee and on the floor of the Senate and it was because of his position on the measure that Sen- ator La Follette from his sick room publicly indorsed -Mr. Smith for the law and the actual results of that measure as indicated by data on the gountry’s -foreign commerce. MBUNNY - B0 NAME A \NCIDENCE 2 DIC CAN C chairmanship 1ast month, declaring that his slection would be & “clean- cut victory for the progressives. :30 Bd'tion of The Btar. Succeeds Bandholiz \VERA CRUZ DRWE ' BEGUN BY DBREGON COL. SAMUEL D. ROCKENBACH. ROCKENBACH GIVEN | BANDHOLTZ’S PLACE Tank Corps Colonel Appointad to Command District of Washington. IS NATIVE OF VIRGINIA Gen. Sladen Promoted to Grade of Major General. Col. Samuel D. Rockenbach, United States infantry, commanding the tank center at Camp Meade, Md., has been appointed a brigadler general and as- signed to the command of the district of Washington, it was announced by Secretary of War Weeks yesterday, Gen. Rockenbach succeeds Maj. Gen. H. H. Bandholtz, who was retired for dis- ability early in November last. Col. Rockenbach is a native of Vir- sinta and a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute. He was appointed to the Army from eivil life in August, 1891, and has served in Cuba, Porto Rico and the Phliippines, and during the world war was chief of the Tank Corps. He was aecorated with a dis- tinguished service medal for exocep- tionally meritorious services as quar- termaster at St. Nazaire. Secretary Weeks aiso _announced that Brig. Gen. Fred W. Sladen, superintendent of the United States Military Academy. has been promoted to the grade of major ceneral to fiil & vacancy, and that Col. Frank Bar- ker, United States Infantry, has been appointed a brigadier general. U. S. RAILROAD DIRECTION PART OF NEW PROPOSAL (Continued from First Page) l-]:d used in the service of transporta- . To effect o voluntary consoli- dation and give the plan any sort of chance of success, by inducing the stronger lines to take over and as- similate the weaker ones, the govern- ment should underwrite or guarentee to each consolidated property mini- mum earnings of, say, not less than 3 per cent on the physical value of the property. with thé right to earn, a5 a reward for efficient and economi- cal operation. not to exceed 6 per cent, or such percentage as the Inter- state Commerce Comhission may fix e & ressonable return. n addition to the 6 per cent, or other reasonable return so fixed, the net earnings over 6 per cent, or such centage as the Interstate Com- merce Commission would determine to be reasonable, could be divided equally between the earning company and the government. As an alterna- tive, it might be feasible to divide the excess in three ways—one-third to the earning carrier, one-third to the government and one-third among the employes of the particular eom- pany earning the excess. Employes entitled to participate in this distri- bution would be below the grade of officers. Sees No Loss to U. S. “The one-half or one-third of the excess due the government would be¢ome part of a revolving fund simi- lar to the one now in existence, cre- ated by section 210 of the transpor- tation ‘act. and under the control of the Interstate Commerce Commission. The fund would be held and used, first. to make good the guarantee of 3 per cent above mentioned, and, s ondly, to make loans to carrier properly secured, for capital expendis tures on necessary extensions and betterments. his plan could be carried out ithout any ultimate loss to the gov- ernment. “F. The government should be represented iIn the active managsment More Than 14,000 Troops in Offensive Aimed at All Units of Rebel Force. By the Associated Press. MEXICO CITY, January 10 (by radio via the Fort Worth Star-Te; | ETam).—The federal advanoe on rebel troops in the state of Vera Cruz has begun, according to unoficial infor- mation obtained at the war depart- ment. The main offensive is under the command of Gen. Eugenio Martines and involves more than 12,000 troops, according to this information, ad- vancing from San Marcos in the state of Vera Crus, along the Mexican and Inter-Oceanic rafiway. Another col- umn {s sdvancing toward Tehuaca, in the state of Puebla, under com- mand of Gens. Juan Almazan and Fausto Topete. Other Trosps-in Drive. Also taking part in tha offensive are 2,000 loyal troops from the gar- rikons on the Isthmus of Tehuanter under Gens. Juan Dominguez snd Donato Bravo lzquerda. These two Eenerals recently refused offers from the De 12 Huerta headquarters o join the revoiutionary movement. (ien. Pedro Gabay has been intrusted With the task of eliminating the rebel general, Romulo Gigueroa, who is oper- 8¢ing in the southern part of the st of Morelos. Gabay. it is said, has St the “rebel chisrim RS Lt chief and his ban h‘x'c:l“n ln?lhlll!tfl. 2 umn of federsl troops under Gen Perez. chief of military operations in the state of Coahuila, defeated 200 rebels un Vicente Davila near Allende, Coahulla, today, according a report he made to the war gepartment and Biven out in an offcial bullatin Tha Tebels lost seventeen dead, seven ounded and seven prisoners, while Gen. Perez suffered only four wounded. OBREGON GOES TO FRONT. Drive on Guadalajara Impending; Move Toward Puebla. By the Associated Press. MEXICO CITY, January 10 (via La- redo Junction).—President Obregon has left for Iraquato, where the federale are concentrating for their drive against Guadalajara, second largest city of the republic. (Guadalajara is head- Quarters of Gen. Manuel Estrada, rebel commander on the western front). A federal advance on the Fuebia front started early yesterday from all sectors. The vanguard Is commend- ed by Gens. Andres Almazan and Fausto Topete. The battalion re- glonal forees under Gen. Joss Maria Saanchez are co-operating with Al- mazan and Topete, Lack of a quorum prevented the upper and lower houses of the Mexi- can congress from holding a meeting Droparatory to the convening of an extraordinary session today. Substi- tute deputies and senators will be called. Importers of Mexico City are fac- ing & conflict because the government has refused to consent to the trans- portation of merchandise lying in the customs. wareh®use at Vera Crus, while the rebel authorities demand payment of Import dutles under threats of selling the merchandise. ———— FOUR BURNED TO DEATH. NEW YORK, January 10.—Two women, and two children were burned to death and a number of other per- sons seriously hurt when fire invaded Brogkiyn apartment house ye: The blage threatened a Catholic school and Optical Service Quality, Accuracy and Promptness are the out- standing features of our service. An expert Op- tometrist is ready at all times to serve you. Call upon him now. 10-Piece Mahogany Dining Room of each of the ¢onsolidated com by ‘& federal director, Who wouid it as a member of the board of direo- tors of suoh company. He should in each case be a practical, experi- enced railroad man, ap) °Yl',.d by the President, with a’ sufficlent salary, chargeable to operating expenses, to lnsg:“ comp?ua: stevios: - 68 o & leral dire would include an independent annua) report to the President or to Con- gréss on operating results of the car. rier on whose board he sits, with recommendations looking to6 mors efficlent service and economical oper- ation.” (Copyright, 1934.) —— BURNELL HEADS FARMERS. ‘WINNIPEG, Manitoba, January 10. —C. H. Burnell was re-elected presi- dent of the United Farmers of ;lanL toba for the third successive term. The convention also decided to go ahead .with the organisation of a vol- un contract wheat pool to handle the 1924 crop. —By ALBERTINE RANDALL MY MOTHER AND FA ER GOT_MARRIED ON SAME DAY z Suite $286-00 A handsome suite of ten pieces, fashioned in the popalsr Queen Anne Period Design. Well con- strueted, durably made, and highly finished, so as to enbance the beauty of your dining room and at the same time serve its purpose in meeting all demands made upon it. George Plitt Co., Inc. Painting, Paperbanging and Upholstering 1825 14th St. N.W., Main 4224 PIANOS For RENT Thoroughly Reliable Instruments of a Variety of Well Known Makes DROOP’S 1300 G Street Steiaway npd Other’ Lewding Planes