Evening Star Newspaper, December 20, 1924, Page 2

HOTEL RATE CURB - PROVIDED IN BILL House Measure for District Would Be Effective Be- fore Inauguration. Permanent legislation providing that hotels in the District are to be Uoensed annually and the rates for accommodation regulated, which would take effect before the coming inauguration of President Coolidge, is proposed in a bill introduced to- day by Representative John L. Cable of Ohio, which was referred to the House District committee. The bill defines am a hotel within the intent of this legislation every butlding or other structure Kept, used, maintained, advertised or held out within the District to the public 10 be a ce where sleeping accomo- datlons are offered for pay to tran- xient guests in which five or more rooms are used for such accommoda- tions. License to Cost $10. The law would take effect before March 1, 1825. The proposed annual anse feo for conducting a hotel s $10, to be pald in advance to the District Commissioners, and to be paid by then into the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the District. The license thus obtained would be required to be kept in the | office of the hotel piayed. The or publ dis- owner or manager of each would be required to post in a consplcuous place a card stating the price per rooni would have to e with the Distr missioners 2 dlagram showing the price of each room in the hotel, and no advance would be allowed on such schedule without 30 days notice to the trict Commissioners. Some Exemptions Made. Nothing in this measure would be onstrued to apply to family hotels, lodging houses, rooming houses, din- ng or sleeping cars, hospitals or col- lege dormitories. The penalty for failure to con with this legislation would be a f 't $10 per da s the viola- tion 18 continu; d 1f it continues for more 3 the Commis- sloners would b horized re- voke the license a publi 2 ing after 10 days ten not to close the buildin premises until all provis law are complied ur g wri nd and rs refuse hould re b ided ® voke a ‘taken to the D such appeal is taki MCORMACK NAILS BLACKMAIL STORY Tenor Declares Whispered Rumors False, But Says They Could Not Be Traced. 10d involved mack, the tenor, in a vagu that he paid $100.000 to blackmailers in Boston after being maneuvered into a compromising situation in the Cop- ley Plaza Hotel, are branded as false- hood by Mr. McCormack The tenor revealed today that for five years the whispered story had been going the rounds—so vague that 1t never could be traced further than that somebody hea hody else of the blac " plot. Then n Thursday in at the trial of William J. for district | attorney of ex County, and five others ac of conspiring to extort $50,000 from Victor F. an afdavit referring to the was introduced in evidence. Afidavit Presented. ‘The affidavit was made by Mrs. Ab- raham Levy, who admitted having Leen used by the blackmail gang to lure its victlms. She said she had icarned of the story of the blackmail of “John McCormack.” as the afdavit put it, through a conversation among members of the blac iling gang. “Fight back? Y can't ; not a banshee You can't see,” said Mr. McCormack, re- ferring to his efforts to get at the source of the rumor. “My friends know that I have played | the game of Iife decently,” continued Mr. McCormack. “‘They know my family life s been right. And my public won't Yelleve this lie. That T know.” Never Blackmatled. “I have never been blackmailed,” he added. “I would spend millions for de- tense, but not one cent for tribute. Mr. McCormack produced a letter written to his manager, Dennis F. Mc- Sweeney, In July, 1919, by Joseph C. I'elletler, then district attorney in Bos- ton and later removed from office for malfeasance. “The story is that Danlel H. Coakley, | esq., & lawyer, and I conspired to shake down John for $100,000 on a woman ase,” wrote Pelletier. “I need not pro- fess my innocence of this, but I can say that I never heard the slightest sugges- tion of such a thing and how it could heve arisen I cannot imagine.” Russia to Import Sugar. MOSCOW, December 20.—Owing to the fallure of the beet root crop the Soviet government has authorized the mportation of 300,000,000 pounds of sugar, the bulk of which will be pur- chased In the United States, Czecho- slovakia and England. The govern- ment probably will be obliged also to import a considerable quantity of grain. Sullivan balled To Show Cause in Volunteers’ Suit Justice Hitz in Equity Division 2 yesterday {ssued & rule on Danlel Sullivan, major and superintendent of police, to show cause January 2 why he should not be enjoined from interfering with the Volun- , teers of America soliciting Christ- ‘mas donations for the poor. The plaintiff, & charitable organiza- tion, charges that MaJ. Sullivan re- fused a license to solicit fundsand has threatened to arrest agents of the company who attempt the col- lection. Through Attorney Alfred H. Smith the organization calls the action of the police chief “pe: niclous form of class distinction. Charles J. Columbus, secretary of the indorsement committee on ! welfars organizations, said today that the Volunteers of America were not on the approved list of organizations issued recently by that commitsee. Dis- | to | Uapan’s Cruisers Assured Welcome To U. S. Waters Navy Plans Full Courte- sies tn Ships Bearing Midshipmen. | ran courtesies will be extended v the Navy Department during the to American waters of the trio of Japanese crulsers that are carry- |ing 300 Japanese midshipmen on | their annual practice cruise When the Japanese ships reach San | Francisco in January they will be met by Vice Admiral Henry A’ Wiley on his flagship, the battleship West Virginia, with two other ships of his division, the Colorado and Maryland. Special ‘orders have been dispatched designating Admiral Wiley the de- partment's representative for the re- ception The Japanese training fleet is now en route from Honolulu to Balboa, where similar naval courtesles will {be extended by the commander of the Canal Zone naval district When the Japanese admiralty made its plans for the midshipmen cruise the purpose to call at American ports was officlally communicated to the Washington Government, which re- eponded that the visit would be very welcome to the American Govern- ment. The officers in charge of the reception in the Canal Zone and at San Francisco also have been direct- ed to indicate the pleasure that Sec- retary Wilbur of the Navy Depart- ment takes in having the opportunity |to extend a friendly welcome on be- half of the Government and the {American people | | | TO GRANT HEARING ONZONING ANGLE Commission to Consider Community Houses in De- | tached Home Areas. | The Zoning Commlssion will hold |another public hearing in January to |consider from a difterent angle the |question of permitting community ‘!h ouses in detached home areas. { Under existing regulations a com- unity house, which consists of three wellings having the appearance of one | buildi nnot be placed in a de-| tached ricted,” area. Oon | Thur: n heard argu- ment on the a sability of reversing the rule to permit the community house in such localities Opposed by Cltizens. Representatives of several citizens' associations violently opposed the community ho Harry Wardman, buflder, contended the community house would solve the housing prob- 1 for families of limited means and that desirable architectural effects could be obtained if such homes were {permitted in groups of from one to five. The citizens took the stand that community houses are merely row hou broken into groups of three. Maj. Raymond Wheeler, executive secretary to the commission, an- nounced that the commission has de- tdired action until the next hearing, at which time it will consider a proposal that community houses be permitted in detached areas with the consent of 75 per cent of the prop- | erty owners withina200 feet, Ask Law Amendment. The commission decided yesterday to ask Congress to amend the law | to permit buildings to be erected to a height of 90 feet on residential streets in the 90-foot-height districts. An old act of Congress limits the height of buildings on residential streets to B85 feet. The commission also passed judg- ment on a number of applications for changes in the zoning of individual blocks In various sections of the city. —_— MAN KILLED AS AUTO CRASHES AT BRIDGE Locked Steering Gear Is Held Re- sponsible—Four Persons Injured. John Lincoln, colored, 28 years old, 111 M street southeast, was killed this morning when an automoblle in_which he was a passenger crashed into Matta- woman Bridge, on the State road be tween Waldorf and T. B, Md. Arthur Wheeler, his wife, Irene, and infant child, Margaret, 214 Seventh street southeast, were seriously injured, and Clarence Banks, also colored, 76 L street, driver of the car, was slightly hurt. The five persons in the car had made an early morning trip to the home of Banks' father-in-law, in lower Maryland, and were returning home when the accident happened. Just before reaching the bridge the steering gear locked, causing the car to swerve to the side of the road and land against the bridge. Mrs. Wheeler and the child were brought to Washington in a passing automo- bile and taken to Providence Hos- pital. Banks, Wheeler and the body of the dead man were taken to Casualty Hospital. Banks was glven first ald and turned over to police of the ninth | precinct, who are holding him await- ing word from the Maryland State ipolice. The Mattawoman bridge was the scene of a triple fatal acoldent several years ago. It is on the divid- ing line between Charles and Prince Georges Countles. | GREETS U. S. CHURCHES. New Orthodox Patriarch Sends Message to America. NEW YORK, December 20.—Con- stantine VI, inducted into office Wed- nesday as patriarch of Constantinople of the Eastern Orthodox Church, sent greetings to, American churches as one of his first offical acts, the Fed- eral Council of the Churches of Christ iny America announced yesterday. “Fraternal greetings to the Ameri- can churches from the newly elected Ecumenical Patriarch Constantine VI of Constantinople,” read the cable from abroad. To this message Charles S. MacFarland, executiv retary of the council, replied by cable: “The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America extend fraternal and seasonal greetings TUla Sharon, Dancer, to Wed. NEW YORK, December 20.—Ula Sharon, 18-year-old musical comedy dancer, whose real name is Ula 8. Robinson and who came from Kansas City to be a Broadway star, is to marry Carl Randall, her dancing partner. In revealing_the engage- ment today Mrs. J. R. Robinson said THE _EVENING ALBANIAN REBELS REACH MALESSIA Fate of Scutari Reported De- pending Upon Battle Now On at Koplik. By the Associated Press. BELGRADE, December Albanian insurgents have reached Malessta, press dispatches say, and are maneuvering to cut off the re- treat of Balrum Tsdur's forces at Tirana. The fate of Scutari, according to a dispatch from Podgoritza depends upon the issue of a battle now pro- ceeding at Koplik, the situation of which appears dificult. (A Podgorit- za dispatch to Belgrade on Wednes- day said Scutari had been captured by the rebels.) In the Krouma region the com- mander of the government troops, Les Youssouf, {s reported to have been wounded twice, while part of his forces, consisting of 400 regulars and 300 volunteers, were captured by Ahmed Zogu's men. The rebels also are sald to have taken a cannon and three machine guns. SOLDIERS IN FARM GARB. Peasants Born Under Feudalism Now Defending Democracy. BY KIRMAN K. MODERWELL. By Radio to The Star and Chicago Dally News. TIRANA, December 20.—In all the cities of Albania this week has been seen the picturesque sight of peasants born under feudallsm gathering to march away in defense of democracy. They represent five classes of the reserve army, but this young repub- llo is as yet unable to provide them with uniforms. Hence they go In thelr farm clothes or in their Sun- day-best embroidered vests or in whatever they were aring when they left the flelds. 1y all of thom wear homemade black sheep- skin capes and black and white fezzes. but the remainder of the costume Is composed of what the farm house provides: Shirts of cheap cotton or homespun, trousers which are rem- nants of the French, Austria or Ital- fan army uniforms, shoes which vary | from fine riding boots to homemade 20.—The w N STAR, Ballou Recalls Year’s Progress _In Yule Greeting Called Red Letter Era in Annual Message to School System. The year 1924 has been marked by significant developments along lines of professional advancement in the District public schools, Supt. Frank W. Ballou pointed out in his annual Christmas message to all members of the school service, broadcast today throughout the school system. Dr. Ballou's Yuletide greetings fol- low: “Another passing year is drawing to its close. Each day and month. has brought its opportunities' and expe- riences which have borne for every one of us some element of bane or blessing. The year has been one of much activity and significant develop- ments along lines of professional ad- vancement. This has been a red-let- ter year for our schools, a vear we <hall always remember because of its contribution to our material prosper-' ity and because of the rewards it of- fers for a higher professional com- petency. “We look forward to the coming vear with high hopes and expectant pleasure. We can look forward with satisfaction to the planning of even better things and to the realization of worthy amblitions. As we approach the holiday season the spirit of every taacher should be buoyant and hope- ful. rejoicing in the compensating blessings that come from assoclation with happy childhood. There comes a feeling at this time that devotion to duty, sacrificial service and the giv- ing out of our very best have not been in valn “Enjoy the holida; tendent extends sincere Christmas greetings. May the Yuletide season be rich in enjoyment and full of ple: ure and good cheer. May our higher thought be enriched and may our epir- it of good will toward men develop into a nobler conception of the true brotherhood of mankind." SEEK T0 PROVE HIGHT IS UNSOUND The superin- leather pointed slippers or felt bur- lap socks. ‘ | Calmly Enter War Service. These men. having heard that the republio is in peril, are continually | trudging into Tirana. They are small, | spars and alert figures, generally un- | shaven, but with their keen eyes be-| traying the intelligence of thelr race.| They show no emotion, but stroll| toward the recrulting headquarters, present themselves, recelve their rifies and wait near the local mosque, | their bronzed faces never changing in expression until the summons comes to march The scene around the recruiting center is remarkable for the almost complete absence of women (for this is a Mohammedan country), save the occasional beggar who man clad in beflowered trousers and smoking a cig- arett During the long hours, while they are awalting the order to march, the reserves excoute native folk dances 50 in a circle, holding hands, and all executing the solemn cross-steps while they chant a dirge-like refrain. (Copyright, 1924, by Chicago Daily ) CHILDREN THRONG T0 YULE EXERCISES Hundreds Attend Program at Keith's Arranged by Federated Club Members. Several hundred children and par- ents today sang Christmas carols and heard a Christmas story at speclal exercises held for children in Keith's Theater, under the auspices of the Bible literature section of the Gen- eral Federation of Women's Clubs of the District. Arrangements for today's exercises, which concluded the week's services held at Keith's, were made by the section with Mrs. H. Moffett Bradley, executive director of the Washington Assoctation of Bible Schools. The au- dience was led in the singing of carols by Edwin W. C. Barnes, direc- tor of music of the public schools. Madge Beck told the story of the birth of Christ and how Christmas originated In language easily under- stood by the smaller children present. Mrs. Virginia White Speel, president of the Federation of Women's Clubs in the District, in a statement fol- lowing the services said that the event was an outstanding success, and had established a precedent for such religious observances in Washington at_this season. Mre. W. H. Howard, chairman of the Bible literature section, also ex- pressed pleasure at the success of the services. Sho sald that heretofore Christmas has been observed by the exchange of gifts, but now the religious side of it, which is the most important part, has been more or less neglected. COOLIDGE AID ASKED ON $50,000,000 BILL FOR BUILDINGS IN D. C. (Continued from First Page.) adopted, the House would probably broaden it stiil further, until per- haps $50,000,000 or even $100,000,000 additional had been added to the measure—money that would be ex- pended not over a course of years, but as fast as possible. Task in House. The President’s task, it appears, is to obtain the consent of the House to pass the bill without adding pro- visions which would amount to a gen- eral public buildings bill. Members of the House have been clamoring for a long time for a general bill, which would provide for new buildings in their district. But in view of the President's economy program ad- ministration leaders at the Capitol are strongly opposing such legislation at this time. It was suggested today that the House rules committee might bring | action to show Lawrence M. Hight, that until | Defense Introduces Testi- mony to Show He Was Unbalanced. MOUNT VERNON, TIL, December 20. A recess today Interrupted defense who, with Mrs. Elsie Sweetin, is charged with the murder by poison of Wilford Sweetin, was a man whom nature and circumstance had com- bined to derange mentally. Testi- mony that Hight was of unsound mind will be continued Monday, de- tense counsel announced Mrs. Marry Eaton, 22 years old, Hight's elder daughter, testified yes- terday that when she was abowt 10 yoars old she had seen her father bite & mule on the nose. “Bite him with his own teeth?” she asked ald her father would break Into “wild peals of laughter.” Cross-examination disclosed that his laughter was usually during revival meetings when others were also laughing and shouting. Mildred Hight, his youngest daugh- ter, sald Hight acted “queer” after an attack of influenza. Previous witnesses related that Hight had been severely beaten by his father when a boy. Dr. H. W. Walker, Hight's cousin, testified as to mental defectiveness in the family. Hight's father, he said, was in a bad mental condition seven years before his death and steadily grow worse. One brother died in an insane asylum, he added, and another was regarded as mentally weak. Court adjourned until Monday to allow Attorney Layman, who was ill, time to rest. POLICE ON WATCH FOR RUM CONVOYS MOVING ON CAPITAL (Continued from First Page.) with MaJ. Sullivan's solemn edict that Washington, as far as it is possible, shall have a Yuletide celebration fres from bootleg whidky. The roade leading into the Dis- trict from Maryland are under the heaviest guard. ‘The pollce appar- ently are satisfled that most of Vir- ginia’s consignment of Intoxicants has been seized en route. Under Cover of Night. Under the cover of the night, how- ever, the liquor runners have been successful In smuggling in a consid- erable quantity of synthetie ®gin, “moonshine corn” and brandy and other forms of alcholic concoctions, the Ingredients of which are known only to the manufacturers. The liquor runners who have evaded the pro- hibition enforcement officars are mak- ing the consumers pay high for thelr risk. Bootleg liquor which retailed at 360 a case several weeks ago, was quoted today at $80. Selzures on Maryland Routes. A majority of the selsures of the last few days have occurred at night on the roads leading into Maryland, which has convinced the police that most of the liquor smuggled into the District has come from Maryland and Pennsylvania. One of the largest seizures was 40 kegs of beer, con- cealed in a cargo of merchandize in a large moving van. Commissioner Oyster and MaJ. Sul- livan indicated today that the vigi- lance for the rum runners will not | be relaxed during the holiday season. Both are anxious for favorable uction on the proposed measure to provide more police court judges, belleving the additional service will result in prompt trials for violations of the dry laws. Prompt trials and imposi- tion of severe penalties, in their opinion, will deal the death blow to bootlegging in the Capital. HEADS GAVEL CLUB. out a rule which would limit the bill to the District and prevent amendments such as that offered by Senator Fletcher. Senator Smoot's plan is to bring the bill up in the Senate agaln as soon after the Christmas recess as possible, provided some arrangement can be made with the House for its passagg, without adding a gen- eral buildings bill to it. When it s called up In the Senate he will ask for & vote without further delay on the Fletcher amendment. This amendment, he is confident, will fail, and the bill will then pass. The bill authorizes the appropri- ation of $50,000,000 to erect many new department bufldings in Wash- her daughter, although on Broadway thr years, had never smoked a clgarette “or drunk a drop of liquor. ington, with a proviso that not more than $10,000,000 shall be expended in any one fiscal year. iy - Clyde J. Nichols Elected, Among Others, at Annual Meeting. Clyde J. Nichols was elected presi- dent of the Gavel Club of Master Ma- sons, to serve for the ensuing year, at the annual election of the club, held last night. Mr. Nichols and his new administration will be_instailed at & special meeting New Year eve. Other officers chosen are: Senior vice president, Samuel S. Banham; junior vice president, H. K. Troutman; secretary, Van V. Straub; treasurer, Dr. W. L. Gausman; mar- shal, Grover G. Burrows; sentinel, Sydney Haas. Board of governors—E. Esher, E. B. McDowell, Grover G. Burrows, Charles A. Brewton, Thomas F. Jones, Jam A. West, Joseph J. Wood, I Thurman and Willlam Wirt Taylo: WASHINGTON, D. | position c., ACT SLOWLY, SAYS PINCHOT, OF SHOALS Tells Coolidge Country Should Know Just What It In- tends Doing. Declaring there is no other great source of industrial power for the South except through Muscle Shoals, Gov. Pinchot of Pennsylvania, at a_confer- ence today with President Coolldge urged that no disposition be made of the Muscle Shoals property “until we know exactly what we want to accom- plish in power development.” The Pennsylvania governor, who is one of the country's most widely known conservationists, declined af- ter his conference to comment on either the Underwood or Norris Muscle Shoals bills now pending in- the Senate, but sald he did not favor any bill which “fails to bring dis- position of power within the provi- slons of the Federal Waterpower Act and does not provide for Industrial development of the South.” Conservation Is Discussed. Steps to bring about forest conser- vation also were discussed by Mr. Pinchot, who declared the Capper bill, designed to bring about judicious cutting of timber and natural reseed- ing of forest lands, would aid greatly in such conservation "1 discussed primarily with the President the importance of the glant power plan which we are working out in Pennsylvania and its reference to Muscle Shoals,” Mr. Pinchot said. “The Muscie Shoals power is the key to the indugtrial development of the whole tidewater south from Charleston around to New Orleans. The essen- tial in that connection Is that, what- ever disposition is made of pending legislation, the possibilities of geo- graphically wide instead of geo- graphically restricted use of the Mus- cle Shoals power should be assured. Wants to Go Slowly. “My own bellef is that no dis- should be made of Muscle Shoals until we know exactly what we want to accomplish. Then let us dispose of it ¥o as to get precisely what we want.” “l am not in favor of any bill which fails to bring disposition of power within the provisions of the Federal water power act and does not provide for industrial develop- ment of the South. Of course, the production of fertilizers goes without saying.” The governor differentiated between the glant power plan being worked out in Pennsslvania and the super-power project which is under study by the De- partment of Commerce. The former would provide, he said, for a general unit into which all power would go and from which all power would come. The latter he defined as a connection be- tween the network of power projects which would allow interchange of power in emergencies. 1 The giant power project, he as- serted, provided the most feasible | and the wisest means of linking up the power developed in the eastern half of the country and could be ex- tended to cover the whole continental United States. Muscle Shoals, he added, would be an important ele- ment 'in such a project, and accord- ingly steps should not be taken for its disposition until after the whole plan had been agreed upon. With all thought of a vote on Muscle Shoals before the Christmas recess abandoned, the Senate today settled down to consideration of amendments of the Underwood and Norris bills. Progress on the pending bills today had reached & stage which promised & final roll call shortly after the holi- days. Recent developments have clari- fled the legislative situation in the Senate, and leaders of both sides now hope that @ settlement of the issue is not far off. The Senate made substantlal head- way vesterday toward a final vote by disposing of seven amendments to the Underwood bill, all of which, ex- cept one which he mildly opposed, were agreed to by the author of the measure, Senator Underwood, Demo- crat, Alabama, and leaders hoped io dispose of another batch today. TEXAN FAILS MEXICO ON $50,000,000 LOAN Contract Canceled, Southern Re- public Announces, But $100,000 Security Not Forfeited. By the Associated Press. MEXICO CITY, December 20.— Failure of the $50,000,000 loan, which was to have been negotiated for the Mexican government by J. L. Arlitt, banker, of Austin, Tex., is announced by Secretary of the Treasury Pani The secretary gave out the text of | a message sent to the Mexican consul general in New York, ordering him to notify Mr. Arlitt that, as the time stipulated by the loan contract was long overdue, the contract was can- celed the moment notification was made. Senor Pani added that another rea- son for canceling the contract was the hope maintained by the govern- ment that the budget would soon be balanced, due to retrenchment plans recently adopted. The $100,000 security given by Mr. Arlitt upon signing the loan contract Will not be declared forfeit, the gov- ernment recognizing that the failure was not hls fault. COOLIDGE TO OPEN YULE CELEBRATION ON CHRISTMAS EVE (Continued from First Page.) Coy of the District Supreme Court, Justice Frederick L. Siddons, cheir- man of the community organization board; Seantor Lawrence Phipps of Colorado; Representative Stuart F, Reed of West Virginia, and a num- ber of the District of Columbia Board of Education members. From this ceremony the President and Mrs, Coolidge will hurry back to the White House, there to welcome the choristers of the First Congrega- tional Church, who, attired in their vestments, will sing Christmas carols from the White House portico. This custom was originated last year, and thouands of persons stood on the lawns of the executive mansion to hear the concert. ‘WHIl Select Three Carols. The public has been cordially invited to attend again, and the hope has been expressed that this year the audience ‘will join the choir In singing at least a few of the more familiar carols. Those in charge have arranged thelr program 80 t this innovation at the White ‘House concert will be possible. Three carols will be selected espe- cially for this purpose, “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Holy Night” and an- other to be named later. The words of these familiar old Christmas hymns will be printed in the Wash- ington papers a day or two before the singing is to take place. Those who do not know the words by heart are urged to clip the verses from the papers and bring along flashlights so that every one present will be able to join in the choral festival om the {Whnite House lawn. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1924. Captain Squint Looks Into Toyland. Enchanting Toy Village Shown Star Explorer in Santa’s Land Superintendent of All Great Plaything Factories Takes Capt. Squint on Most Enjoyable Trip of Long Career. BY CAPT. ELIJAH SQUINT. The only explorer who can spell Popocatepet]; the only explorer who can make sealskin pie with the furry side out; leader of The Star's expe- dition to Santa Claus Land. By Courier Duck to The Star. TEA KETTLE SPOUT. Sinta Claus Land, December 20.—Guided by the arrow on the mince pie, we moved so swiftly we could scarcely tell whether we were running or flylng until we came to No. 6 Tapioca street. We knew it was No. 6 because we heard & bell chime six. That's the way It is in Santa Claus Land. The houses don't have numbers on them. They just chime their numbers every once in a while and then you listen and &o_there It was a sort of jigsaw house, with lovely curleycues all over it. In fact, it looked something like 2 big cuckoo clock. Santa Claus tickled the door with a straw and it began to shake and then swung wide open—that's the way you open doors in Santa Claus Land. As we stepped inside, Santa Claus sald: “I can whistle with four fingers in my mouth. Listen He put four fingers in his mouth and whistlsd beautifully. As I was trying to do it—I couldn’t, though— there was an answering whistle somewhers in the house and a funny little old man came in. He had a long-tailed blue coat, knee breeches and blue stockings: he was jolly and fat, like Santa Claus, and wore 2 wig. SEEKS T0 DIVORCE SON OF GEN. WOOD Wife Says He Has Lost Most of Money Made in Stock Transactions. By the Associated Press. ‘WILMINGTON, Del, December 20.— Mrs. Osborne Cutler Wood yesterday announced that she had separated from her husband, a son of Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, and thet she would Institute divorce proceedings. She #ald she had not declded where or when the sult would be started and did not care to disclose the grounds upon which it would be based. Mrs. Wood, with her two children, one of whom is only five weeks old, is staying at the home of her father, Henry B. Thompson, retired manu- facturer, at Greenville, Del. Her husband, a former lieutenant in the U. S. Army and his father's aide in the Philippines, has been in Paris for several months. Mrs. Wood said she placed no cre- dence in reports from Paris that her husband, whose stock market oper- ations while he was in the Philip- pines caused Nation-wide attention, had recently made another large sum of money. She added that he had lost much of what he had made In former operations and that the im- pression that he was wealthy was erroneops. She asserted that only two weeks ago he had cabled her to send him about $16,000, but that she refused to do so. h"ldlrm ‘Wood first met her husband in France during the World War. They were married in Manila in April, 1922. INSOLVENT. —_— Special Dispatch to The Star. NEW W;OR!E December 20.—Mrs. Cora C. Wilkening of Douglaston, Queens, a theatrical agent, who claims to have been largely instrumental- in Mary Pickford's ascension to stardom in the movies, flled a petition in bank- ruptcy in the Federal Court in Brook- n yesterday. l-y-et’-'.:-pnum the amount for which she is suing the city of New York be- cause of injuries In a taxicab acoldent. Among the $35,899 liabilities is an item for $498, the court costs of =& breach of contract action Mrs. Wilken- ing brought against Gladys Mary Moore, as Mary formerly was known. “The flim star won the suft. The .$20,000 listed as | } “Capt. Squint.” said Santa Claus, making a low bow, “allow me to present to you the toymaker of Nuremberg, the superintendent of all our toy factories.” Then he told the toymaker to show us all the toy works. “This is the superintendent’s lodge,"” said the toymaker. “We will go out into the court.” He tickled the door with a feather pen he had over his ear and we stepped out into the court. “By the left hind foot of the Queen's pink elephant!” That waa all T could think of to say—I was so astonished. It was like the most beautiful toy village vou could imagine, or dream of, all grown up to life size, full of story-book people and as busy as an ant hill. Everywhere there was the same jigsaw effect we had seen In the perintendent's house, with beautiful scrolls around the eaves of the gay little peak-roofed houses. It all looked like it was painted in gay colors and vet it was real! “Can you say a rhyme for Noah's Ark? asked the toymaker. Tow a shark,” I sald quic! Not so good,” sald the tovmaker, “but T guess it will do. Follow me, please.” (Copyright, 1924.) (Continued tomorrow) Lditor's Note: The following dis- patch was sent to Capt. Squint today “Do not put in any more heavy words like Popocatepetl. Imogene was ex- hausted when she arrived today.” MORTIMER N PLOT, RELATIVE CHARGES {wound in the left lung, and ph BUREAU ESTIMATES ARE CUT BY HOUSE Two of Assistant Directors Dropped and Increase in Watchmen Denied. Two of the three assistant directors &t the Bureau of Engraving and Printing are discontinued, some 1,200 persons are given an increase in sal- ary of approximately 10 cehts an hour, the proposed increase in salary from $6,000 to $7,500 for the director of the bursau is disallowed as “not authorized by law,” and an inoreasc of 18 in the force of watohmen, which was estimated for, {s eliminated in the Treasury Department appropria tion bill reported to the House yes terday. Pay Changes Covered. The amount approved for 1926 i cludes an increase of $34,500 due to & change bv the personnel classifica tion board in the grades of operatives in the numbering, examining and sur facing divisions. This change in volves approximately 1,200 persons who were previously classified i1 grade one of the clerical-mechanica service, with rates of pay of 45 to 50 cents per hour, to grade two witl rates of pay from 55 to 60 cents per hour. This change in grade has al- ready been made. No other increase in compensation are contemplated | the amounts recommended in the bil today, nor were any provided fn tr estimates. The appropriation for the director s office is increased by $20,540. Thi sum is due entirely to the transfe of 19 persons from the roll for com pensation of personnel engaged manufacturing to the roll for the di rector's office. The estimates for t director’s office are reduced bv $3 200. The committee did not acqui in a request included in the estimates for an increase in the salary for t director from $6,000 to $10,000. Thr report explains that the pay of the director is fixed by the classificatio act in the grades from 36,000 to $7,500 per annum. and that a higher rat than the classification act provides not authorized by law. Madden Cites New Posts. Chairman Madden, in his repor points out that the Bureau of En graving and Printing was recently reorganized, with a consequent re duction In the number of divisions ani sectlons of work. In this reorganization thers wers ap pointed three assistant directors 35,200 per annum instead of one assist ant director at that salary. The com mittee in drafting the bill restores the assistant directorship to one position and eliminated from the estimates the provisions for two other assistant d rectors at $5,200 each There was also eliminated from the estimates provisions for 18 watchmen with aggregate ealarles of $17,800, nec essary in the event the postage stamp activities are transferred from the new to the old building. This transfer has not been approved. and funds for the moving have not been asked or appr priated, £o the committee felt the pro visions for watchmen can wait until the question of moving is considered b: Congre STUDENT IS STABBED. = (iliflfli?'srr‘\w C:.(‘}fowa Freedmen's Hospital, suffering from « cut on the left shoulder and sta cians reported his condition as bet critical. Walter M. Miles, colored, 20, 12 Balm street, Harrisburg, Pa., another | student, alleged to have inflicted the | wounds is held by the police to awai: { the result of the wounds. | There was a debate at the univer | ity last night, and about 10:30 o'clock | there was trouble on the campus. Po lice were told that the wounds were Infiicted during a row that followed = class rush. THE WEATHER District—Mostly cloudy tonight anc tomorrow; much colder tonight; low est temperature tonight, 18 to 20 de grees; fresh northwest and north wind. Maryland—Mostly cloudy tonight and tomorrow; much colder tonight fresh to strong northwest and nortr winds. Virginla—Mostly cloudy tonight and tomorrow; possibly snow in ex treme southeast portion; much colde tonight; colder in southeast port! tomorrow; fresh to strong northerly winds. West Virginfa—Partly cloudy to night and tomorrow; colder tonight Records for 24 Hours. Thermometer—4 p.m., 73; 8 p.m., 66 12 midnight, 49; 4 am. 41; 8 am, 35 Barometer—4 p.m., 29.92; 8§ pm 30.00; 12 midnight, 30.13; 4 a.m., 30.26 8 a.m., 30.37. Father-in-Law Says Govern- ment Witness Threatened to “Get” Forbes. Dy the Associated Press. CHICAGO, December 20.—The week end recess in the Forbes-Thompson Veterans' Bureau conspiracy trial be- gan today after the defense had put into the record two full days’ rebuttal testimony. Dr. George B. Tullidge of Phil delphia testified yesterday that Ellias H. Mortimer, his son-in-law and the Government's principal witness, re- vealed to the Tullidge family that he took the stand before the Veterans' Bureau investigating committes in October, 1923, in furtherance of a determination 'to encompass Forbes' destruction. Mrs. Tullldge corroborated this tes- timony. “I am going to get Forbes: if I can't get him one way T'll get him another,” Dr. Tullidge testified Morti- mer sald shortly before he appeared before the Senate committes. In response to a question as to the reason for his bitter feeling toward Forbes, Mortimer said to Tullidge: “Because he could have made me a rich man by giving me hospital contracts, but he would not dp it.” “Did Mortimer say in your presence that if you did not make Catherine (Mrs. Mortimer) line up with him against Forbes ho would drag her down to the mire?” Dr. Tullidge was asked. “Yes,” he replied. The defense will resume Monday. Wife Gets Divorce From Angel. On the plea that her husband did not live up to his name, Justice Hoeh- ling of the District Supreme Court has granted an interlocutory decree of absolute divorce to Mrs. Ella G. Angel from Clarence W. Angel, a dyer and cleaner. Mrs. Angel satisfled the court that her husband hed been Highest temperature. 74, occurred at 3 p.m. yesterday. Lowest temperature, 30, occurred at noon today. Temperature same date last year Highest, 59; lowest, 41. Condition of the Water. Temperature and condition of the water at .8 a.m.: Great Falls—Tem perature, 38; condition, clear. ‘Weather in Various Citle: § Temperature. * Stations Snow Clear Cloudy Pt.clouds Cloudy Pt.cloudy Clear Clear Pt.clouds Clear Clear Clear Cloudy Pt.clouds Cloudy Clear Snow Clear Clear Atlanta Adiaaie Gity Baltimore .. ingham. 80.62 Bl . 80.94 8010 3044 30.24 Cleveland . Denver . Detrot sesngrresss BERTERRBZE Pt.clovdr Clear Cloudy Cloudy Cloudy Pt.cloudy Clear Cloudy Clear, Cloudy Cloudy Loatsville .. 80. Miami, Fia.30.22 New Orleans 80.48 New York.. 80.20 Okls. City. Omah: Philadelphia. 30. 18 8 —2 % 35 Cloudy FOREIGN. guilty of misconduct in Ri*hmond, Va., and In Washington. Attorney E. Russell Kelly represented the wife. Coolidge Invites Guests for Cruise. Several friends were invited by Presi- dent and \Mrs. Coolidge today to be guests on an afternoon and evening cruise down the Potomac on the May- flower. Greenwich time, today.) Part cloudy Cloudy Part clovdy Part cloudy Part cloudy cloudy clondy Part cloudy Clear Part elos 1y Clear Vienoa, Berlin, Copenbagen, Stockholm, Gibraltar, Spain. Horta (Fayal), Asores. Hamiiton, Bermud n Jusd, Porto