Evening Star Newspaper, October 24, 1924, Page 1

WEATHER. and tomorrow, much change in temperature; moder- Fair tonight ate northwest winds. Temperature for 24 hours ending at 2 p.m. today: Highest, 62, day; lowest, 38, at 12 p.m. ¥ull report on page 7. Closing N. Y. Stocks and Bonds, Page 28 Entered as second clasa matter post office Washington, D. C. No. 29,396. not at noon to- today. ALT ON PUBLICITY - FOR INCOME TAXES CALLED AS DOUBTS OF LEGALITY ARISE Treasury and Department of Justice Hasten to Warn Press as Figures of Rich Payers Are Announced. LAWYERS ARE DIVIDED UPON PURPORT OF LAW Tirst Order to Collectors Merely Specified Facts Could Be Reveal- ed—Baltimore Office Still Allow- ing Free Access to Lists, In- cluding District of Columbia. B hie Associated Press DES MOINES. lowa, October 24. —The warning issued at Wnshing- ton by Acting Attorney General Beck that mewspapers which pub- lixh income tax returns prior to A definite ruling by the Depart- of Justice-on the uncer- of the law, do %o at their rixk, has the approval of Attorncy Geéneral Stone, he an- d here today Mr. Stome declined to give hir version of the lnw until he could atudy itx provisions. He sald that the question in- volved was too Important for a hasty decision and that he w atudy the matter caref hix Teturn to Washington befere announcing the powi- tion of his department. Wr. Stome i here for a cam- kn speech tomight on behalf of ident Coolidie. i { ment tainty own With income tax assessment lists of the Nation thrown open for “pub- | lic inspection” by the Treasury, and | with some newspapers already pub. lishing the income taxes paid by the country’s wealthiest citizens, the| Government was precipitated into confusion today over the question as | to whether such publication consti- | tutes a criminal offense, punishable | by fine and imprisonment Warnings have been issued by both | t Treasury and Department of | Jistice that such publication may be an offense against the statutes, even in view of the new revenue law of 1924 approved last June, which pro- led that such lists be public. No definite pronouncement has been forthcoming yet to decide the fssue. as Baltimore Lists Open. Names of America’'s wealthy men already have been dug out of the tax records, in all parts of the United States, with permission being grant- | ed newspaper men and others to “in- spect” such lists, and the affixed fig- | ures, showing millions of dollars of | taxes paid into the Government. But while the warning was being jssued that to publish may be to commit offense, the collectors of in- ternal revenue, as revealed by dis- patches from Md., quarters for this were still allowing newspaper men today to peruse the lists, which for years have been held absolutely secret from the public_eye. Real excitement has been stirred up throughout the Treasury, and at the Department of Justice, where offi- cials hurriedly conferred today, and where no unanimity of opinion was disclosed. head- Some Newspapers Uneawy. Perturbation existed in many news- paper circles, where already long lists f the wealthy and their taxes had been published. me which had pub- lished the figures on advice of coun- =el appeared to be willing to stand on their position. Enthus ¢ advocates of the rev- enue law of 1924 and its publiclty provisions claimed, with confidence, that Congress meant that the Amer- jean public had a perfect right to know how much tax had been paid by anv and all American taxpayers. They point out that Congress meant | by its new law to repeal the pro- wvision of the former statute, section 3167, which prohibits publishing re- turns. ! Government officials. on the whole ‘were deeply concerned that some lists had already been printed, and were | even overanxious that every one view- ing the lists should also have their attention called to the old prohibi- tory statute. Treasury Issues Warning. This old statute was the subject of statement issued hurriedly by the 'reasury last night after Commis- sloner of Internal Revenue Blair had announced earller in the day that Jists would be open for “public in- #pection.” The Department of Justice entered the situation today when Treasury officials had it brought to their at- tention that many lists already had heen printed, which might be in vio- Jation of the law. Acting Attorney General James M. Beck issued the following warning Many inquiries have been received by the Department of Justice as to the publication in the press of the income tax records secured from the collectors of taxes offices under the “public inspection provision,’ of the tax law passed in May last, in view | of the provisions of section 3167 of the Revised Statutes, which, if unre- ealed by the later law, makes such | yublication a criminal offense. “Officlals of the department stated that a careful study of the two pro- visions would be made, and in due course a conclusfon reached to whether such publication is permis- sible under the law-as now amended. Puts Responsibility On Press. “In the meantime, the respohsibility for such publications must rest with | those who in any way publish the details of individual incomes.” Attorney General Stonme is in Des Moines, Towa. He is expected to re- leffective by virtus lDictator and Deposed - KEYSTONE. View Christian General,” who has seized the Peking government and ordered ccsnation of the Chinese civil wi Below: Tano Kun, President of Chi- na, who is reported to have fled from Peking. COOLIDGE SPEECH HAILED BY VOTERS Frank Discussion Believed to Have Made His Elec- tion Certain. Staff Correspondent of The NEW YORK, October 24.—Reaction to President Coolidge’s speech was instantaneous =znd enthusiastic in busin and political quarters here and is deemed a political asset to the Republican presidential ticket of nestimable value, to be registered in thousands of votes. If anything | was need=d to tilt the scale and “put | him over,” it is the opinion in these | quarters that he accomplished it in that address. He has been taunted by the Democrats and the “La Fol- lcttes” with Lelng chary of speech, | but his friends bere claim that charge will no longer rest against him and that he is on record now as having said what his opponents can justly appreciate as being “an earful.” The temperate tone of his speech, addressed to thoughtful listeners, utterly devold of demagogism and appealing to reason: its clear think- ing and logic, forceful expression and | lofty purpose are all recognized. Consldercd Vot setter. The speech is classed as.being more of his previous comparative reticence and by its coming with sledge-hammer force t this closing stage of the campaign. ‘It is a clincher,” is the expression heard about towi. It is regarded as giving John W. Davis and Senator La Follette some hard nuts to crack. Both are bound in this direction and will have to take notice of his remarks. 1f Senator La Folletie continues in his radical strain pursued throughout the West, he will only accentuate the contrast between his radicalism and the Presi- dent's common sense and conserva- | tism, and further alienate the sober- thinking classes from him. Looking back over the marvelous political progress of President Cool- idge, beginning with his overwhelm- ing victory in the primaries, when he won what was practically the unani- mous nomination of his party, and along through the steady gains he has been shown to be making in all the polls and tests, it can be reason- ably said that the country “sensed” him to be the man last night's speech shows him to be, and that he vindi- ted in that speech the voters' pre- conception of him. Poll Shows Coolidge Ahead. The Literary Digest's poll of the country, to be published tomorrow, gives him more than 300 votes in the electoral college, with only 266 need- ed to elect and keep the electioh out of Congress. The most interesting developments | of the past week or ten days are in- dications that John W. Davis is forg- ing ahead of La Follette and that the Wisconsin Senator is, in fact, losing ground at a rate that threatens to make him third in the race, instead of maintating second place, which he has held for several weel It is thought that this change is coming about through a more general under- standing by the voters of the fal- lacies and dangers of the La Follette | doctrines as they are being explained in the campalgn. 0dds among the bettors in favor of President Coolldge have increased to 6 to 1, with few takers. Earlier quotations were 5 to 1. Roosevelt Is Stronger. The politiclans are beginning to expect a slump In the odds favoring Gov. Smith's re-election, now 7 to 2, as result of the progress of Col. Roosevelt's campaign upstate and of increasing prospects of the colonel hitching onto President Coolidge's kite, with the further indication that the Republican disgruntlement with the State ticket-of two years ago has disappeared, and that there is more disposition to refrain from sulking, ~“"(Continued on Page 4, Column 7.) __Continued O e e Y T | The United States Expects Every - American to Do His turn to Washington Sunday, when the results of study which will be given (Continued on Page 2, Column 6.) I | ® . ch WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, FENG SLES REIS INPEKING; RDERS END T0 CVL WAR Ousts President, Deserts Wu, in Surprise Move to Bring Chinese Peace. SAYS TRADE IS RUINED BY 13 YEARS’ CONFLICT Asks Experts, Not Soldiers, Attend Parley to Fix Terms for Pacifying Nation. By the Associated Pross PEKING, October yu-| Hsiang, “the Christian general” was {in control of the machinery of the central government of China today after a spectacular surprise military | move early vesterday, when his army returned here from the mnorth and took possession of the administra-| tion offices of the regime under the banner of which he was supposed to be fighting. | President Tsao Kun issued a proclamation at § o'clock this morn- ing ordering the immediate cessation | of hostilities and dismissing Wu Pei-fu, commander of the Peking military forces, from his present post Both Chihli and Mukden forces were ordered by the president to remain at their present positions. The post of | commander-in-chief of the expedi-| | 24 Feng tionary forces, held by Wu Pei-fu, was abolished and Wang Cheng-ting. civil governor of Chihli, and Gen. ¥eng Yu-Hsiang, Christian general now in control of th entral au- | thority, were instructed to take charge of the troops Shanhaikwan In dismissing Wu Pei-fu, the presi-| | dent appointed him “chief commis- | sioner” for the development of Koko- | nor. (The Koko-nor district is In| northeast Tibet, near the large salt | lake of that name.) The seizure of the Capital was car- |ried out under the leadership of Gen. Feng in conjunction with other elements opposed to the war program of Gen. Wu Pel-Fu It was reported at the be- ginning of the defensive campaign | against the invading forces of Gen.| | Chang that “the Christian general” ved. of Gen. Wu's war measures, Failed to Obey Orders. ibly Gen, g carried out from Gen. Wu to proceed to at the beginning of the cam- against the Manchurian in- He baptized his troops with ceremony before leaving 0s | Jehol | paign vasion. { great Peking. It now appears that the “Christian 1" never proceeded beyand Kupcikow, 70 miles north of here on the road to Jehol, but sent some of his troops north while holding the 3d Brigade at Kupeikow. At times he returned to Peking incognito, it was rumored. At any event, Gen. Feng conferred with his colleagues on Wednesday | evening, and this morning Peking was placarded with the announce- ment of his intentlon to stop the war. The announcement called upon all compatriots to join with the forces of Gen Feng in re-establishing peace, reassuring all elements, especially foreigners, there would be no disor- der anywhere. Peking streets were picketed by Feng's soldiers, wearing armbands reading, “We are here to preserve peace and to protect lives in the servic of our country.” The move against Peking was plan- ned so carefully that no intimation (Continued on Page 2, Column 2.) BRIOE MADMANS * CAPTVEINSHWANP |Posse Tries to Run Down Farm Hand After Shooting of Two in Norfolk Home. Speclal Dispatch to The Star. * NORFOLK, Va, October 24.—Sur- rounded by a posse in Buck Trout swamp neah here Frank James, a farm hand, who ran amuck last night and shot his father-in-law, a brother-in- law and dragged his wife screaming into the darkness, has evaded capture for 12 hours. Fear that he will kill Mrs. James and himself prompts caution in the hunt, as members of the posse move deeper into the brush and mire of the lonely swamp. About midnight resi- dents near Butts Station heard screams believed to be those of the woman. Door Smashed in. Mrs. James had fled to the home of her parents after living with her husband three days, following their marriage 12 days ago. The husband went to the home here last night and demanded to see his wife. He was refused admission, whereupon he smashed in the door and fired a load of buckshot into the body of J. P. Mahan, the father-in-law. Turning his gun upon Hugh Mahan he fired again, then seized his wife by the arm and dragged her from the house. They have not been seen since. The Mahans were taken to a hos- pital, Hugh with his right arm blown off and wounds in his side and abdo- men, and the elder wounded in the back and left leg. Both are in a se- rious condition. Elopement Is Recalled. The bride Is 20 years old. With James she eloped to Elizabeth City Sunday before last, where they were married. The parnts of Miss Mahan had objected and James had been asked not to go with the girl. The police were told he appeared crazed ‘when he reached the home last night. The screams heard about midnight came from the direction of a vacant house, but no trace of the missing couple could be found there by the pursuers. Radio Programs—Page 38. 13 the Assaciates ¢ Foening Star. 1924 —FIFTY PAGES. -~ THE. WEST _- 15 SAFE ~ Now FOR THE | UNEDUCATED PROGRESSIVE OPTIMISM, WELLS AND 12 U. S. ESKIMOS TAKEN BY REDS TO SIBERIA Russians Say Group Preferred to Leave Wrangell Island With Soviet Vessel After First Fleeing From Landing Party. Pre PETROPAVLOVSK, Kamchatka, Si- berfa, October 24.—After a tempestu- ous vovage, the Soviet Russian trans- port Red October arrived here today from Wrangell Island, with Charles Wells of Uniontow Pa., survivor of the expedition which Vilhjalmar Ste- fanusson took to the island a year ago, and with 12 Eskimo members of the expedition, who are American citi- zens. Prof. Davidov, chief of the Rus- sian expedition, explained that Wells and his Eskimo companions were taken off the isiand ause they had no desire to remain, and because they had no permit from the Soviet government to live or hunt there. The Red October ran short of coal in the mid-Arctic and had a difficult time in making this port. During the survey of-Wrangel Island, according to M. Davidov, the Soviet expedition found the grave of Harold Noice, who perished there, and also found the flagpole on which the British flag had formerly flown, having been run up to claim British sovereignty. Mem- bers of the Russian expedition con- structed a new pole, on which they hoisted the red flag In the name of the Soviet republic. According to Prof. Davidov, Wells and his companions attempted to flee when they caught sight of the red flag over the island, fearing they would be cast into prison or exe- cuted. Their alarm was dispelled, however, when the Soviet officials as- sured them they did not intend to harm them. Prof. Davidov gave the following narrative of the expedition: “We landed on Wrangell Island August 20. At Rilewgers harbor, our party found a pole without a flag, and a small house containing food supplies and scientific instruments. This was an_indication that some- where near there must have been some life. WARDMAN WILL BUILD $3,000,000 HOTEL Construction by Local Contractor on Site at 800 Sixteenth Street Is Contemplated. A $3,000.000 hotel will be erected by Harry Wardman at 800 Sixteenth street, the present home of Senator James W. Wadsworth of New York and at one time the residence of President Lincoln's secretary, John Hay. The notel will probabty ve started in the Spring by the Wardman Con- struction Company and when the structure is completed a company will be formed, of which Mr. Ward- man will be the president. ‘The new hotel will be called The Carlton. The structure will be of Italian renaissance and nine stories high. There will be about 300 rooms, some of which will be fashioned into apartment suites. Mr. Wardman recently purchased the historic site from Senator Wads- worth. The lot contains 12,800 square feet. Senator Wadsworth will remain in his house until April. French Naval Expert Dies. CHERBOURG, October 24.—Louis Emile Bertin, eminent French naval architect-and creator of the first mod- ern Japanese fleet, is dead, aged 84, ° The United States Expects Every American to Have The Right to Vote,— Therefore, VOTE for National Representation for the District of Columbia, “We erected a flagpole on which we emnly raised the red flag. taking possession of the island in the name of the Soviet government. We left a written record of this event in Rus- sian and English. At another point w aining a note in English, stating that Wells had gone to the Bay of Doubt. Then, suddenly, to the west, we observed a boat with five pas- sengers coming toward our ship. Ap- parently the occupants of the boat thought our vessel was an American hip, which had come to rescue them, but when they reached a point about 50 yards from our boat and saw the red flag, they attempted to flee. We stopped them by our cries of reassur- ance. In the boat were Wells and four Eskimos. We later found eight additional Eskimos on the island These ‘birds of prey’ had food for only six months. Wells had hidden away two flags, one an American and the other a Canadian. “We did considerable hydrographic and meteorological wo and made photographic and moving pictures records of the most interesting fea- tures of the island. As there was danger that our vessel would be caught in the ice if we remained longer, we decided to return to Rus- sia immediately. Wells and the Eski- mos did not want to remain on the iifland, so we took them aboard our boat.” found a bottle The declaration of Prof. Davidov, leader of the Soviet expedition, which has returned on board the Soviet transport Red October from Wrangel Island to Petropaviovsk, that his party had found the grave of Harold Nolce is manifestly erroneous, since Noice returned to New York in Oc- tober, 1923, having visited Wrangel Island and taken off the bodies of the members of the second Stefansson expedition. Wells was a member of the Noice party and was left on the island by him. CANCER HOSPITAL IS PROVIDED INWILL R. T. Warwick Leaves Bulk of Estate to Washington Home for Foundlings. The will of Randolph T. Warwick, Teal estate operator. dated July 18 last, was offered today for probate. He leaves the bulk of his estate to | the Washington Home for Found- lings, 1715 Fifteenth street, for the erection and maintenance of a me- morial building to be known as the “Helen L. and Mary E. Warwick Me- morial,” for the care and treatment of foundlings and of women afflicted with cancer. The memorial is to be in memory of his wife and mother. Should that institution decline or be unable to accept the bequest, then C. F. Jacobsen and the National Met- ropolitan Bank, as trustees and ex- ecutors, are to erect such memorial. The cost of the site for the building is limited to $50,000, and the building and equipment is not to exceed $250,- 000. . Estate Reverts Back. His personal effects are left to a cousin, Sue Crump of Baltimore, and his real estate business and office equipment to this assistant, Lucy V. Beale, in recognition of faithful serv- ices. The trustees are directed to pay the net income from $30,000 to Sue Crump during her life, jand the net income from scparate fudds of $25,000 each to Lou Adkins of Richmond, Va., and Louise W. Daugherty of this city. ©On the death of each of these benefi- claries, the fund goes into the resi- due of the estate for the use and maintenance of the Warwick Memori- al Hospital. Bequest Is Surprise. News of the bequest in Mr. War- wick's will came as a distinct sur- prise to John B. Larner, president of the Washington Home for Foundlings. Although.a personal friend of the late business man, Mr. Larner does not recall his having taken any active in- terest in the home. The home was established in 1887 the Washington 711 | i Ih al Mt 0 WALLAGES ILNESS GRONS DANGERDLS Cabinet Officer Suffers Re- lapse and Baltimore Spe- cialist Is Called. Henty C. Wallace, Secretary of Agriculture, who a week ago was ¢perated upon at the Naval Hospital, suffered a relapse vesterday, and was reported by attending physicians to- ay to be in a very serious condition. Dr. Joel T. Boone, White House physician, who has been attending Secretary Wallace, announced at the White House today was due to complications which re- sulted from an intestinal infection. Dr. Boone stated that while Secre- tary Wallace's condition is looked upon as grave, there is reason to feel hopeful for recovery. President Coolidge motored to the Naval Hospital before 9 o'clock this morning to make inquiry about the cabinet officer’s condition and Yo leave his card. No one has been per- mitted to see Secretary Wallace ex- cept his wife, who has visited him in periods of three or four minutes at a time since he was operated upon. Il Several Weeks. Secrotary Wallace has been ill sev- eral weeks with neuritls, and after a consultation of physicians the major operation was decided upon. During this operation the patient's gall bladder and appendix were re- moved. He appeared greatly improv- ed in the next two or three days. and word was received at the White House as late as yesterday morning that he was well on the road to re- covery. A few hours later, however, a reaction set in and his condition was described as becoming serious. The operation was performed by Dr. H. F. Strine of this city, and in_addi- tion to Dr. Strine Dr. Boone and Dr. L. W. Johnson of this city, have been in attendance. It was decided by the at- tending physicians today to send for Dr. John M. T. Finney, head of the surgical service of Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Baltimore, and Dr. Boone's public anouncement re- garding Secretary Wallace's condi- tion followed a conference at 11 o’clock which was participated in by the physicians named and Dr. Finney. President Coolidge, Wwho became greatly alarmed when he heard of the relapse of his friend and associ- ate, left word at the hospital to be kept posted as to the progress of the case, PEECh ST 11,000 MINERS QUIT IN PENNSYLVANIA Employes in Pittston District Defy Union Leaders, Charging TUndue Delays. By the Associated Pres SCRANTON, Pa., October 24— Eleven thousand employes of the Pennsylvania Coal Company in the Pittston district and at Underwood, Pa., went on strike today. The walkout was called last night by the general grievance committee in defiance of the union leaders. The miners declared that their leaders and company officials have delayed too long in the adjustment of griev- ances. d At the company offices today it was stated that there are no grievances pending. District President Cappel- lini of the miners’ union declined to make any comment. that the relapse | every cilr tion is deli “From Press to Home Within the Hour” The Star’s carrier system covers block and the regular edi- vered to Washington homes as fast as the papers are printed. Yesterday’s Circulation, 97,054 TWO CENTS. INTERMVERASKS SEORET QUEZNG 0F 2 WITESSES Says Possibility of Effect on G. 0. P. Campaign Is Prompting Action. WANTS STORIES BACKED BEFORE THEY ARE PUBLIC Tells Senate Probers Millions Are Spent for Publicity—Pub- lisher to Be Called. Senate campaign fund inve were asked today to hear in executive cession two witnesses from Chicago who, it was indicated, had informa- | tion bearing on expenditures on be- |nalf of the Republican national ticket | Samuel Untermver of counsel for Robert M. La Follette, said in making the request that he was not willing to take responsibility of having the testimony made public before full corroboration of the possi- Ible effect on the Republican cam- { vaign. WIIl Not Take Responsibility. “I don't care to take the responsi- bility in the absence of corroborative testimony readily available to the committee of spreading this before the country.” Untermyer said, ‘until the committee has run down the leads these men will he able to give.” A charge that “miilions of dollars” are being spent in advertising and in other means on behalf of the Re- publican national ticket and not ac- counted for through the Republican national committee was made by Mr. Untermyer. As evidence of t lawyer offered newspaper and because s the New York veral full page gazine advertise- ments in one of which the name of Chairman Butler of the national committee appeared at the bottom. The advertisement said it was paid for by Republicans, Mr! Untermyer also said he would ask that Cyrus H. K. Curtis, the Philadelphia publisher, be summoned before the committee. The request was in connection with an adver- tisement published in a number of papers and dealing with an article on La Follette appearing in the Sat- urday Evening Post, of which Mr. Curtis is publisher. Seeks Direct Evidenece. Coming to the seventh day inquiry, the Senate committee sought today some direct support the rumors z reports of the assembling of a larg “slush fund” for use in doubtful States on behalt of the Republican national ticket. The latest of these rumors was con- veyed by Senator Thomas J. Walsh of Montana, prosecuto? in the famous Teapot Dome oil inquiry, who tele- graped that there were reports that $100,000 was being s=ent into that State, not through regular Republi- can organization sources, for use against-him In his c#mpaign for re- election. 4 The committee will down these rumors. Meanwhile it has agreed to call the Republican State chairmen of New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Illinois, with a view to determine whether there have been “concealed” contributions from big business men to the Republican campalgn fund. 3 Many New Witnesses Soug! In addition, counsel for Senator Robert M. La Follette, who first made the charge of a “slush fund,” have prepared a list of more than a score of new witnesses they desire to ques- tion. These include the chairmen of some of the 50 or 60 special commit- tees which Charles D. Hilles of New York testified yesterday were engaged in New York City alone in collecting campaign funds for the Republican organization within the varfous in- m of its still evidence to seek - to run (Continued on Page 4, Column 1.) CABINET APPROVES French Government Gives Assent to Daeschner as Jusserand’s Successor. By the Associated Press. PARIS, October 24.—The appoint- ment of Emile Daeschner to succeed dor to the United States was ap- proved today by the cabinet, accord- ing to the Havas Agency. Other diplumatic changes which were approved were: Aime Joseph de Fleuriau, minister to China, be- comes Ambassador to Great Britain; Count Emmanuel de Peretti de la Rocca, director of political affairs at the Qual d'Orsay, becomes Ambassa- dor to Spain; Senator Rene Besnard becomes Ambassador to Rome; Jean Hennessy, Ambassador to Switzer- land, is confirmnd in that post; Count Charles de Chambrun, former coun- selor of the French embassy at Washington becomes Minister to Greece, and M. de Mareilly becomes Minister to the Netherland Lead Pipe Fells British Candidate When Rowdies Attack Street Meeting By the Associated Press. LONDON, October 24.—The worst of the series of rowdy disturb- ances which have marked the British election campaign occur- red last night at Greenock, where the Laborite candidate, Councilor Stephen’ Kelly, while holding a street meeting, was attacked by a gang of roughs, kicked, struck on the head with a lead pipe and knocked unconsciou: A flerce fight fol ed between Kelly's adherents and his attack- ers, who were apparently support- ers of his rival candidate, a Com- munist.” The police rescued Kelly from the scene of the skirmish and dispersed the crowds, but the up- roar continued for some time. Kelly was seriously hurt, and his speaking engagements have been canceled. There were disturbances at sev- eral other meetings last night. ,The Laborite minister for the colonies, James Thomas, in a speech ‘at Derby, strongly de- nounced the rowdyism, which he said was all due to the Com- munists, The Laborites, he de- clared, stood for freedom of speech. If their case could not bear ex- amination by fair argument, it was hopeless. tigators | Republican | NEW ANBASSADOR Jules Jusserand as French Ambassa- | EVICTION CHARGES UNTRUE, REALTORS - ASSURE COOLIDGE Offer Services to Give Presi- dent Exact Information on Rent Situation. CONDEMN MRS. TAYLOR ACCUSATION, IN SPEECH Ask That She Prove or Retract Statement—Put Case Up to White House. { Declaring that the situation in re zard to the wholesale eviction of ten- ants here “grossly exag gerated,” the executive committes of the Washington Real Estate Board today addressed a letter to President Coolidge offering its services to g “accurate information” on the pri ent situation. It also called the President’s attention to the publi- addresses of Mrs. Clara Sears Taylor of the Rent Commission, in favor of the tenants as “incompatible with her office as judge between the landlord and tenant.” At the same time a letter was sent to Mrs. Clara Sears Taylor asking her for complete details in connec tion with recent statements in re- gard to wholesale evictions, also ask- ing her either to prove the state- ments made in her address that 2,000 persons were to be evicted or to with- draw the charge The letter was sent by John A Petty, executive secretary of the Washington Real Estate Board who in a discussion of the situation, said that a great many realtors feel that Mrs. Taylor's “activities in the inter est of the tenants have long since disqualified her as an Impartial judge of landlord and tenant caser Text of Letter. The letter addressed to the Presider reads as follows: “It has been noted that you were re- cently petitioned by a group of alleged tenants to permit the use of Governmen ‘and and Army tents to house tenants that may be evicted from homes in Washington. It was also noted that the newspaper stories relative to this peti- tion referred to 2,000 eviction notices having been served since October 1. “The executive committee of this board feels that the situation has beeu grossly exaggerated, and desires to ad- vise you that this board is willing to co- operate iIn every possible way to bring to your attention accurate information “Steps were taken today to secure from our membership correct data as to eviction notices, rent increases and available housing facilities. We have 120 members, which includes practically all the larger real estats offices in the city, and the data furnished by them should fairly well indicate the true situa- tion. As soon as we have the {nforma- tion at hand the same will be forwarded to you. “Your attention respectfully called to the activities of Mrs. Clary Sears Taylor, one of the District Rent Commissioners, who, in public ad- dresses, poses as a defender of tenants while, as a matter of fact, she occ pies an officlal position as judge o landlord and tenant matters. “Respectfully, “JOHN A. PETTY, ‘‘Executive Secretar).’ hag bee Letter to Mrs. Taylor. The text of the letter to Mrs. Tavior follows: “According to the local press you were recently quoted as having made the statement to a public meeting of tenants that 2,000 eviction notices had peen served In Washington since October 1. “The executive committes of thix board directed me to request you to furnish it with the facts in connec tion with this statement. If correct we would like the complete detall including the names of the landlords and agents made public, and if the | facts cannot be proved, the statement should be retracted in fairness tu those on whom it reflects.” Mr. Petty declared that the mem bers of the executive committee o the Real Estate Board desired the { public be furnished correct informi- |tion to refute the statements made relative to the remt situatlon in the National Capital. He added that questionnaires have |been sent to all real estate brokers {0 get information as to the number |of eviction cases, increases in rent |and the number of available proper- | ties, and that the information will be iread, for the White House some time [ next week. Says Statements Wronx. “It often happens’ Mr. Petty said, “that these statements we hear of are made by disgruntled persons who use {little care to see that they are accu- |rate. 1Individual cases are stressed and made to give the impression that | they are typical,” he said, asserting that “all through the recent congres- sional investigation the same group of tenants were among the front ranks of the agitators. They are not representative of the thousands of tenants who are willingly paying rent and enjoying pleasant relations with their landlords Mr. Petty savs property owners have frequently commented upon the activities of Mrs. Taylor “in the in- terests of the tenants.” As a mem- ber of the Rent Commission she is called upon to judiclally decide mat- ters of conflict between the tenants and property owners, and while oc- | cupying this position she is found prominently mentioned in connection with the organization of a tenants’ league and publicly urging the ten- ants to fight. This attitude is not only wholly incompatible with her fiicial position but seriously tends to increase animosities and bad feel- ings between the tenants and land- lords,” declared Mr. Petty. GORDON DELAYS REPORT. The report of District Attorney Peyton Gordon on the real estate situation in the District of Colum which was requested recently by ‘White House will be delayed another day or two in its transmission to the Department of Justice. This was learned today when it was revealed that the district attorney is awaiting further material which one of his investigators has not as yet turned in to him. It is possible, therefore, that the report may not reach the Department of Justice until tomorrow night, or some time early next week.