Evening Star Newspaper, January 12, 1925, Page 2

URGENT NEED SEEN FORNEW BUILDING Fire Hazard at Government Printing Office Stressed in Annual Report. | “Urgent need” for a new building for the Government Printing Office is stressed by Public Printer George H. Carter, in his annual report to Congress published today. Fire hazard Is deemed by Mr. Carter as a “menace” to the plant, to the “immense stores of paper and ma- terials costing more than $2.000,000, and the fnvaluable stock of public tions for which the buflding occu- pied by the superintendent of docu- mznts is utterly Inadequate. “The need of replacing the old Bullding with a suitable fireproof structure,” said Mr. Carter, “not only for the protection of the entire plant. but also to provide adequate space for the efficlent operation of the printing office and the office of the superintendent of documents, is S0 urgent that it ought fmmediate attention of Congress.” Serioux Situatfon Cited. The public printer has called at- tention to this serfous situation in his annual reforts for 1922 and 1923, and again urges that *Congress no longer delay in safeguarding this es- tablishment which is so essential to the work of Congress itself.” Mr. Carter explained that a pre- lminary step toward replacing the old bullding had been taken when he asked and obtained authority from Congress at the last session to close the public alleyway between the main and old buildings. “With this additional the report, “there chase additional is no need to pur- land for the erec- tion of any new bulldings for the Government Printing Office alleyway and the ground now occu- pied by the old Buildings ought to afford sufficient space for the re- quirements of this office for many years to come, unless it shall be deemed advisable to construct a warehouse near trackage, which now s unfortunately at a considerable distance from the office Cost of Operation Less... The cost of operating the Govern- ment aginting Office during the last four years has been $2,873,683 less than was expended during the pre- ceding four years, Mr. Carter sald, while in the period 1921-1924, unex- pended balances amounting to W4, 660,218 were returned to the Treasury. In addition, he reported receipts amounting to $1,083,867 from sale of wasté paper and useless equipment. Despite the larger volume of work done and the longer shifts during the years 1917-20, says the report, average production per employe was higher during 1921-1924. 7fforts to reduce expenditures are being made in all sections of the office, With the result that economies tatalling $184,000 are effected annual- 1y, it adds, while $61,329 was saved during the Jast year through the re- melting of old plates. Governmental printing requirements last year were heavier than ever be- fore, it is asserted, Congress espe- cially breaking all records for the “volume of annual oratory,” with in- vestigations also adding greatly to the work. Cost of Daugherty Investigation. The Daugherty investigation record covered 3,418 pages, and the thousand coples ‘ordered cost the Government $12,605. The Teapot Dome investi- gation took up 3,579 pages and the 1,700 copies printed cost $14,181 Other committee hearings were print- ed at an expense of $226,530. The Post Office Department and the War Department loaded the office with unusual amounts of work during the year, the report continues. Be- sides requiring about 1,253,000,000 postal cards, the Post Office Depart- ment ordered approximately 683,000, 000 sundry forms and blanks. The War Department requires within 30 days 40,240,000 blanks for the oper- ation of the veterans’ bonus act. The Departments of Agriculture and Com- meree, the Treasury and Civil Service Commiission also ordered millions of forms, posters and other publications. Discontinuance of the practice of free distribution of Government pub- lications, except the Congressional Record and the Directory, is recom- mended in the report, it being pointed out that during the last four years $1,461,326 was received from the sale of some of these publications. Mr. Carter estimates that 25,000,000 cop- jes of publications have been wasted by free distribution during the last 10 years at an annual loss of about $600,000. BASKET BALL GAMES REQUIRE TWO COURTS High School Championship Events to Be Played on G. W. U. and Central Floors. Games of the High School basket ball championship series will be con- ducted on two courts tomorrow after- noon, faculty athletic adviscrs of the schools decided at a meeting today. The. Central-Busine. be held in the iversity gymnasium, H near Twentleth strect. Western and East- ern will meet in the girls' gymnasium at Central High School. Play in both tilts will get under headway at 3:15 o'clock. The champlonship scries was sched- uled originally for the George Wash- ington University gymnasium, and the opening matches were held there last Saturday. The gymnasium, how- ever, is entirely too small to accom- modate the crowds usually patroniz- ing the high school floor games, and after the inaugural batties the fac- ulty athletic advisers immediately cast about for a more suitable hall. Several other places were consid- ered, but the one most desirable could not be procured for tomorrow’s double bill, .80 two floors had to be pressed into service. Two more games are to be played by the school quints Sat- urday, and by that time it is likely @ permanent floor for the remainder of the contests in the series will have Leen engaged. JURY HOLDS HAYES IN AUTO FATALITY; to receive the| space,” sald| The | “Fighting Secretary” | JAMES J. SKELLY, | Young Washingtonian, will soon start on a rather unusual secretarial pos tlon, that of “fighting secretary” to Harcy K. Thaw, who ix now making hix home at & newly acquired estate near Winchester, Va. Thaw recently advertined in the newspapers for a secretary who vould use hix fists it necossary, so Skelly applied. He is now in Washington, awaiting ecall from Mr. Thaw to come to Winchester, (Copy derwood & Underwood.) KANN FIRE LOSS RAISED T0 5300000 Water and Smoke Damage in Adjoining Buildings In- crease Estimates. Revised estimates of the spectacu- lar and disastrous fire which swept the five-story warehouse of S. Kann Sons Company at the north- east corner of Eighth and D streets Saturday night were placed at $300,- 000 today by the fire marshal, it was announced by George S. Watson, fire chief. The original estimate of $225,000, Mr. Watson said, included only the value of the warehouse and its con- tents, which were completely de- stroyed. This figure was swelled by $75,000, however, as the result of damage done to adjoining buildings by smoke and water and the flood in the basement of the department store opposite the warehouse. Fire apparatus was called to the smoldering remalns of the warenouse at 9:30 o'clock this morning to ex- tinguish a small blaze that broke out in the water-soaked debris on the fifth floor. The remains of the warehouse coated Wwith ice presented a wierd picture today. A seething volcano of fire Saturday night, the building now in complete ruins, only the four brick walls and the iron columns still standing. A twisted mass of pipes and seared boards rests across the remaining heavy wooden beams, while the ashes and debris of what was $175,000 worth of merchandise is piled high on the ground floor. Plainly discernible from the street, two American flags, untouched by the furnace of fire, lie in the twisted pipe and timbers on the third floor of the bullding. How these flags, one of which is unfurled, escaped the ravages of the fire is a. matter of wonder. Praise for Firemen. Fire Chief Watson was literally showered today with words of praise from business men and other citiz’ns for the effective work of the\iremen in keeping the conflagration from spreading to adjoining bulldings. The chief has asked the Commissioners to issue a special commendation to every firefighter_ who took part in what he described as “the most dangerous fre in my experience.” “It was the most wonderful demonstration of fire fight- ing ever seen in Washington,” de- clared Chief Watson. Checking up on the apparatus at the fire, Chief Watson learned that §1 pleces were on the scene, including 56 engines, 18 trucks, 3 fuel wagons, the rescue wagon, the 2 water towers and the chiefs machine, leaving only 3 truck companies to protect rest of the city. The general alarm, which brought out virtually every piece of firefighting ap- paratus in the city, was the first since 1897, when fire' wiped out the old Capi- tal Traction Car Co. barn on the site where now stands the District Building. Chief Watson did not strike the gen- eral alarm through the box, he said, but called headquarters on the telephone and ordered out all remaining appara- tus except the three truck companies. Efective use of a “water curtain,” according to the fire chief, prevented the flames from jumping across the street, preventing the blaze from igniting the department store. The “water curtain” he said, kept the walls of the bullding cool. It was provided by streams from 20 lines. Just as long as the walls remained intact, he explained, the flames could be kept within the bullding. Water, knee deep, which had come into the basement of the department store through a conduit connecting in with the warehouse, was pumped out yvesterday afternoon by the fire- men after much difficulty. The de- partment store opened today with- out any interruption to business, ex- cept in the book department in the basement. STONE NOMINATION IS GIVEN AN 0. K. (Continued from First Page.) inquiry by the Senate judiciary com- mittee - into the - court proceedings brought by the executors of the estate of J. Plerpont Morgan against James A Ownbey of Colorado. Mr. Stone was of counsel for the execu- tors in that action, and Mr. Ownbey has protested against the nomina- tion. Senators said there was no suggestion of opposition to Mr. Warren. BOND SET AT $10,000 (Continued from First Page.) Gillespie V7alsh. Charles T. Clagget, division manager of the C. and P. was present at the hearing. The defendant is well known in this cliy. Besides his afiliations with the telephone company, where he assisted in iving out information, he was also connected with the broadcasting de- partment of WCAP. He was & former base ball star, having played on - the Catholic University, American Se- curity and Trust Company and Fred- erick, Md., teams. Last June he risked his life by div- ing in the street in front of an ap- proaching automobile and rescuing a five-year-old boy at play.® He injured his Jeg badly in the act, 1 Former Senator Willard Saulsbury of Delaware, who was counsel with Mr. Stone in the Morgan case, ap- peared. before the committee today in executive session. Senator Overman, Democrat, North Carolina, declined to join with the majority of the subcommittee in re- porting favorably the Stone nomina- tion, and insisted on further inquiry. Mr. Saulsbury previous'y had tele- graphed the committee that “any attack on Mr. Stone is founded on ignorance and prejudice.” “Mr. Stone’s connection with the case,” the message added, “consisted in appearing jointly with me as coun- sel In the Supreme Court of the United States and every act of his will be clearly shown to be in ac- cordance with the conception of the ethics of the legal profession and great abllity ‘in obtaining a correct legal determination” by the courts.” SNOW FLURRY DUE INCAPITAL TONIGHT Possible Delay in Arrival Un- til Tomorrow Admitted. Cleaning Force Ready. Weather disturbances in the vicinity of Washington are expected to bring more snow to the long-suffering city tonight or tomorrow, according to the weather forecaster. Because or the wavering and un- settled tactics of -the clouds here- abouts, the extent of the threatened snowfall is not certain, but the out- look is for a fairly thick blanket, which, added to what we've got, will make just a little bit more trouble for Supt. Hacker and his men. A minimum temperature around 25 degrees is in prospect tonight, and moderate easterly winds will serve the snow to Washington on the bias. Mr. Hacker prepared today to turn out his plow equipment to keep the main traffic arteries open. The superintendent sald there was not much his extra shovel gangs could do with the thin coating of ice on the streets this morning, and for that reason he had only the regular 400 street cleaning men In service to- day. Mr. Hacker expects to have by to- morrow four new graders ordered slnce the storm of last ‘'week. These implements will be attached to trac- tors and the four steel plows hera- tofore used on the tractors will be transferred to motor trucks. Six New Plows Ordered. The supervisor also has ordered six additional steel plows, but they ars not yet available. Although 25 truck drivers were held in readiness yesterday to turn out with thé mator plows, Mr. Hacker did not deem it necessary to use them, because, he sald, the snow was melt- ing as it fell yesterday. While the snow was not deep today, the low -temperature that prevailed during the night covered the side- walks with a layer of ice that made traveling dangerous for pedestrians and motorists. COPELAND DOUBTS CONSTITUTIONALITY OF NEW RENT BILL (Continued from First Page.) the police powers of Congress over the District. The bill, he said, s the same -as existing law, with that change, and with 10 new sections added to make the law clearer. “The newspapers have said that this was a radical and vicious bill” said Mr. Whaley. “I want to show the committee that ft is nothing of the kind; that the changes proposed in the law are harmless but neces- sary.” Mr. Whaley discussed thé new sec- tions of the bill section by section. Section 8, he said, provides for a sec- retary and treasurer, whereas the present law merely provides for a sccretary. Section 25, he seid, provides that both the tenants and the landlords shall not be deprived of the right to a hearing In any cause pending be- fore the commission because of the termination of the relation of land- lord and tenant. He said that this was necessary because sometimes cases were far down the list and de- layed until after such relations had ceased to exist. Bar te Divided Quarters. _ Section 45, Mr. Whaley &aid; was designed to prevent a landford from dividing an apartment, upon which the rental had been fixed by the com- mission, and charging higher, rents for the same floor space after the division had been made. Senator Jones of Washington want- ed to know if there had bgen cases of such action by landlorde. » Mr. Whaley cited the case of the Princeton apartment house on W street. He said that the rent com- mission had fixed a rental of $42.50 on an apartment with three rooms, kitchen and bath. “They cut off one af the rooms and rented it separately, and charged $90 for the same area,” sald Mr. Whaley. He insisted that in subdividing an apartment where the rent had been fixed by the commission, an appli- sation must be made to the rent com- mission for a refixing of the rental i charged. Defines Hix Proposal. “Do you mean that no owner of property in the Capital City, with a population of 450,000 people shall rent a building without getting the rental fixed by the Rent Commission?” de- manded Mr. Blanton. “No, - replied Mr. Whaley, “this means that where the rent has been fixed by the commission and then the property subdivided, the landlord must go to the Rent Commission and get it refixed.” Discussing sectiom 46, which pro- vides that the commission shall make rules governing the maintenance and operation of rental property such as will tend to promote the health, mor- als, etc., of the community, Mr. Wha- ley criticized the - landlords for fall- ure to make Tépalrs under existing conditions. He said that many of them not only falled to make repairs, such ae papering and plastering, but that some of them did mot furnisn heat; that landlords get rent in ad- vance and can -shut off the heat and hot water for a month at a time. The only redress tenants of today have is to file a complaint and to seek to obtain the difference between the rentals they - should pay with and without such services. Many Such Instances. “Have you had many instances where services have been shut off in this manner?” inquired Senator Jones. ‘We have been crowded down with them,” sald Mr. Whaley. Senator Jones asked that a list of these cases be put In the record. Mr. Whaley sald that sometimes elevator service is shut off. He added that it does not compensate an old lady who is compelled to walk up seven flights of stairs to obtain a slight difference in rental after a complaint has been filed. “We have put $25 a day as a penalty to compel the landlord to live up to his contract of service,” sald Mr. Whaley. Mr. Whaley said that he knew of cases where leaks in the plumbing had been allowed to run along -over long periods by landlords, although complained of by tenants. He cited his own case, where a ieak had been allowed to continue in his apartment until the ceiling had begun to fall. He was asked who his landlord w: and replied H. L. Rust & Co. Later in his testimony he testified that Mr. Rust and his sons -were -“friends of his and that he had a very -high regard for them.” Section 49, Mr. Whaley said, placed a severe penalty on Jandlords who continue to ask rentals In excess of those fixed by the Rent Commission and to recelve such higher rentals. Illustration in Cited. “A vicious illustration,” he said, “was the case of an ex-judge here, who was ordered by the Rent Com- mission to reduce the rents from $18 to $14 a month on property rented to a negro with six children.” He said that this former judge con- Unued to collect $4-more for ‘the prop- STAR, WASHINGTON, Fbg Causes Deaths, By the Assoclated Press. LONDON, January 12—London ° is again fog-bound. The worat fog In mafly years yesterday caused a number of street acci- dents and some deaths. Trafic stopped almost entirely, Scores of omnibuses were parked along the curbs. There were numerous collislons between busses in which passengers were injured. One bus was over- turned. The fog in some places was im- penetrable for more than two yards and lamps or flares were of little use. An airplane with pas- sengers left France in bright sun- shine, but upon nearing London found the land invisible. The pilot picked up the airdrome by the tops of the radio masts, which plerced erty over a perlod of four years. The Judge, he shid, told the commission that he thought he ought to get more than the commission had ailowed him. “Asked if he had spent a dollar on the property, he said he hadn't spent a 6-cent plece in that time. ued Mr. Whaley. Section 49 makes an owner Of property charging rent in excess of that fixed by the commis- slon guilty ‘of a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or by imprisonment for not exceeding one year, or both, Mr. Whaley {nsisted that the land- lord who did such a thing really stole money. He said that there were sev- eral such cases which have come be- fore him. This is one of the sections of the bill, he sald, which the news- Papérs call “vielous.” Chairman Whaley told the commit- tee that the Rent Commission has had dificulty getting the district at- torney to prosecute in such cases, the excuse being put forward by the dis- trict attorney that there was some doubt as to the right te prosecute. Mr. Whaley described other new sec- tions of the bill as merely continuing the powers under the existing rent law, and said that section 53 set up a statute of limitations of three years in_these rent cases, Section 56, he said, which has been described by the newspapers as par- ticularly . vicious, merely provides “this 'flcl shall take effect immedi- atel At the request of Senator Cope- land, Mr. Whaley described what had been done by the courts to hold up the operation of the present law. He admitted that the Rent Commission activities had practically been brought to an end by a court action. Mr. Blanton insisted that every de- cisfon of the court so far rendered has held the law unconstitutional. since the-Supreme Court of the United States had held that it would take due notice of any fact showing that no emergency continues to exist. Mr. Blanton asked Mr. Whaley if he or the Rent Commission had made a survey of the situation here. Mr.. Whaley. replied that they had not. “Why not?’ demanded Mr. Blanton. Mr. Whaley replied tbat the Rent Commission had recommended that the act be made permanent; that it had asked for an extension of two years, and Congress had extended it for one year. “Assuming that the same Congress was to continue and that the Rent Commission was going out of exist- ence.” sald Mr. Whaley, “we made no effort to ask Congress to extend the act. We had no money for a survey. At this point the question of whether _an emergency really exists in the District and whether a law would be constitutional if no emer- gency existed, arose, Senator Cope- land saying, “I am disturbed whe: 1 look at the foundation of this bill. The New York Senator added, how- ever, that he personally belleves a housing emergency. still exists in the District. Senator Ball said that the survey made by the District com- mittee last year had indicated that there was not a shortage of houses, but that there was a shortage of moderate priced rental property, which really créated an emergency so far as Government employes were concerned. Must Verify Conditions. Senator - Copeland suggested that “before we can think of passing this law we must verify by evidence that there are rental conditions here that creatae a sityation dangerous to pub- lic health and public morals." Rep- resentative Stalker of New York said: “We can't pass a permanent law on a present emergency.” Representative Hammer and Sena- tor Ball both insisted that the hear- ings held by the House and Senate District committees last year were sufficient grounds en which to base legislation. Pursuing his suggestion that the Rent Commission should have made a survey, Mr. Blanton declared that he had personally made such a sur- vey. He suggested that since the Commissioners now practically have nothing to do they might have made a personal survey also. Mr. Whaley said that was not prae- ticable, and that even if the Rent Com- missioners went out on such a survey “the landlords won't give us informa- tion. They may look on Mr. Blanton with kindly eyes, but they don't give us anything unless we fight for it.” Sees Peril to Agreements. Mr. Blanton suggested that the bill would take away the power of land- lords and tenants to make contracts, since it would not permit a landlord and tenant to agree If they desired on a rental different from that set by the Rent Commission, Mr. Blanton sald that he was as anxious as anybody “to help put the pyramiding sharks in the peni- tentiary. You haven’t done. that In your bill.” Mr. Whaley replied that by taking away the power of making profits on pyramided values, the bill would really prevent pyramiding of values and prices. Mr. Blanton wanted to know if a landlord ought not to have the right to get rid of a tenant who was his per- sonal enemy and distasteful to him. Mr. Whaley replied that he would have no suéh right, but he would have to go to the Rent Commission. Bianton Sees. ne Emergeney. His survey of the situation here, Mr. Blanton sald, led him to the belfef that no emergency such as formerly | exlsted is now to be found. He said| that his survey showed that many Government employes own and rent property here. He pointed out that at- the beginning of the year there Were 120 vacancies in_the Govern- ment hotels on the Union Station Plaza. Senator Ball pointéd out that they are trying to close up the Govern- ment Hotels, and Representative Stalker suggested that conditions there were not good as a reason for these vacancie % District Assessor Richards, replying to questions by Mr. Blanton, told the committee that he had reported last year that bullding had practically caught up with buildidg needs in the District and that he belleved there was very little, if any, need for the exfsting rent act. “Do you still hold that opinfon?’ asked Mr. Blanton. “That is my opinion” replied Mr. Ri¢hards. Former Senator Gore raised the question as to the justice of provid- ing that no one connected with real estate business in Washington should be appointed on the proposed Rent Commission. He said that if no real estate man should be appointed. it was only falr that no tenant should be qualified for appointment. Benptor Gore alsp suggested that it D. C, Stops Traffic In London; Flyer Lands Plane Safely the fog zone. He landed safely, but the passengers immediately were lost, as the visibility wa 1fmited to five yards. It took the airdrome staff some time to locate the machine. PARIS, January 12.—Three rear- end train collisions occurred in the Paris railroad yards this morning during one of the heaviest fogs France has ever experienced, ex- tending in a broad strip from Calals to Pau, with Paris included in the wide territory covered. Nine per- sons were slightly hurt in one of the_collisions, and in all three the tracks were torn up, causimg inter- ruption to service. In the streets of Paris traffic pro- ceeded all morning at a crawl, with many jams. Toward noon the visibility range increased some- what _—mnmn—— COOLIDGE SPEAKS TO CONTRACTORS IN CONVENTION HERE (Continued from First Page.) employment situation has long been a counsel of perfection among stu- dents of these problems. If in pe- riods of great business actlvity the work of construction might be some- what relaxed, and if in perfods of business depression and slack em- ployment these works might be ex- panded to provide occupation for workers otherwise idle, the result would be a stabilization and equali- zation which would moderate the alterations of employment and un- employment. This in turn would tend to favor- able modification of the economic cycle. It is something to be greatly desived, but Its accomplishment fs attended by much difficulty. As a practical proposition, it is not easy to convince a man whose factory is idle or runping on part time that he ought to construct an addition to it because, at some future time it will be needed, or easy to recognize good times uptil they are passed. Also if Government withdraws from the market others are likely to follow, nevertheless the first and easiest ap- plicatiop of such a regulation is in connection with public work: construction_program which involves public bulldings, highways, public utilities and the like. Most forms of Government construction could be handled In conformity to such a policy, once ft was definitely estab- lished. Certainly in time of depres- sion the Government can start bulld- ing. This applies not only to the construction activities of the Federal Government, but to those of States, counties and cities, Feonomies Appare: “More than this, the economies pos- sible under such a plan are apparent. When everybody wants to do the same thing at the same time, it be- comes unduly expensive. Every ele ment of costs, In every directicn, tends to expand. These conditions reverse themselves in times of slack employment and subnormal activity, with the rezult that important econo- mles are possible. “I am convinced that if the Gov- crnmental units would generally adopt such a policy, and if. havink adopted it, they would give the fullest publicity o the resultent savings, the showing would have a compelling in- fluence upon business generally. Quasi-pudlic concerns, such as rail- roads and other public utilities, and the great corporations, whose require- ments can be quite accurately antici- pated and charted, would be impress- ed that their interest could be served by a ltke procedure. “The tendency of present times is undoubtedly toward conservatism in turning out articles intended for cur- rent consumption. The merchandis- ing community is chary of laying in great stocks against a future market because of the many uncertainties that still remain as a heritage from the war perfod. It is true that these uncertainties are far less acute in our country than in most others, but their existence in other parts of the world fnevitably has a certain effect here. On the whole, then, our search for a factor of balance and stabilization brings us back to this business of construction, which is represented here today. Progress Made. “It is found by those governmental agencles which maintain touch with these matters that notable progress has been made in efforts to lessen the seasonal element in employment in the construction industries. They re- port that employment is better spread through the year tWan ever before and that in the last two or three years the proportion of Wintertime employ- ment has been considerably increased. This is entirely to the good, although much remains to be desired in this regard. “Organizations such as your own represent possibilities of much good usefulness in dealing with all these problem: To the extent that they are devoted to such useful ends, they are entitled to all encouragement. Tn the construction industries the move- ments to develop uniform contract forms promise much as an assurance of fair treatment to all competitors and securfng the best work. It is always recognized, of course, that such organizations may be made the means to an undesirable limitation of competition, and to the unjusti- flable increase of profits. If trade asaoclations could be so conducted that the public might be assured of all their potenttal advantages, and at the same time safeguarded against the disadvantages incident to re« stricted competition and the exactlon of too liberal profits, they would render a large service to the com- munity, and would be assured of a corresponding measure of confidence and support. A very wise man, Adam Smith, writing some century and a half ago, made an observation which suggests how uniform are the processes of human nature through the generations. He sald: “‘People of the same trade mest together, even for s merriment and diversion but the conversation ;::7' in o consplracy against the c, or in some con raise prices.” e to “We have had a good deal of avi- dence in our own time that this :7: tum of the wise old Scotchman is quite as applicable in one ‘generation as in another. It is this traft of hu- man nature Which has in more recent years compelled society to adopt regulative measur to protect itself. I am sure we can all agree that or- ganizations of this kind will command the greater public confidence, and be the more capable of lasting useful- ness, it they recognize the danger of falling into such practices. There is ample opportunity for good and use- ful résults through organisation, without overstepping the boundaries of public interest, honest competition and fair dealing. To such a program avery trade association may well be recommended. By punctilious observ- ance of such aims and limitations, they will best serve themselves and win the commendation of the community.” B e TS might be advisalle to limit the ap- pointment of rent commissioners to residents of the District, instead of pérmitting outsiders to be appointel to_the commission Mr. Whaley sald he thought this wauld be @ mistake; that to limit the Tiembers of the Rent Commission to residents of the District would i terfere with the effectual carrying out of the law... " A Rk MONDAY, JANUARY. 12, AT DRVER HED ON FOURCAARGES Percy Hyatt Keller. Puts Up $1,000 Bond After 3 Are Hurt—Other Accidents. Three charges of assault and one of reckless driving were preferred against Percy Hyatt Keller, 28, 2415 Twentieth street, after his automobile had crashed Into a taxicab standing at 3039 Ma- comb street, Cleveland Park, and seri- ously injured three persons last night. He deposited §1,000 collateral with the police to insure his appearance jn court. Keller was driving east, and his ma- chine struck the taxicab as it was about to be boarded by Mr. and Mrs. Ralph H. Graves of Garden City, Long Ysland, severely injuring both of them. Alder T. Keating, 718 M street, driver of the taxicab, endeavored to protect his fares and was knocked down with them. After striking the taxicab the auto- mobile skidded and struck an automo- bile parked at the curb. Mr. Graves, editor of ‘Wérlds Work, and Mrs. Graves were registered at the Hotel ‘Washington, and had been visiting at | the Cleveland Apartments. Mr. and Mrs. Graves were taken to Emergency Hospital, where it was found that the wife had sustained possible leg fractures, while her hus- band's leg and head were badly hurt. They were treated by Dr. Bates Keating, suffering from a possible fracture of the thigh, was taken to Garfield Hospital. Taxi Passenger Injured. A taxicab driven by Bernard Gun- tow, 1612 Kramer street northseat, was struck by the automobile of Willilam R. Graham, 2204 Decatur place, at Massachusetts avenue and Seventeenth streets late last night, the taxicab being foreed against and breaking an electric 1light pole. Joseph P. Freeman, 22, 1300 New Hampshire avenue, passenger in the taxicab, sustained a slight injury to his back. He was treated at Emer- gency Hospital. Two automobiles were slightly dam- aged and an occupant of one of them injured as a result of a collision at Tenth and H streets northeast yes- terday afternoon. Elizabeth Bryson, 64 years old, 714 Twelfth street northeast, refused hospital treatment for an injury to her head. Walter Lamb, 903 Eighth street southesat, was driver of an auto- moblle that collided with the auto- mobile of H. L. Willlams, 907 U street, at Massachusetts avenue and Thirteenth street, and the parked car of Charles W. Barkley, 1300 Massa- chusetts avenue, before striking and breaking an electric light pole. Wil- liams was cut about the face and head by broken glass. His injuries were dressed by Dr. R. M. Ellyson. Howard White, colored, 26 years old, 1518 First street, was knocked down at Fourteenth and Upshur streets yesterday morning by an auto- mobile and slightly injured. He was treated at Tuberculosis Hospital, where he is employed. JUSTICES NOTIFIED OF WILLIAMS’ DEATH Formal Announcement of Long- Time Clerk’s Demise Made at General Court Term. The death of Willlam E. Williams, for 44 years an assistant clerk of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, was announced to the jus- tices of the court, assembled today in general term, by Stanton C. Peelle, president -of the bar association, Mr, Peelle told the court that Mr. Wil- liams entered the olerk’s office in 1880, and in 1887 became a member of the bar. During the 44 years, he said, Mr. Willlams had served the court with ability and fidelity. The speaker pald a tribute to the service of the assistants in the office of the clerk of the court, which he said was not sufficiently recognized. Mr. Peelle asked that suitable nota- tion be made on the records of the court of the passing of Willlam E. Willlams, so that testimony might be perpetuated of his “faithful, leng and efficient” services to the court. Chiet Justice McCoy, in directing the entry of the notation on the re- corrds of the court. declared that he was speaking with a friend of the deceased, who remarked: “Bllly Wil- llams was fine.” The chief justice declared no higher praise could be said of any man. Funeral services will be held at the late home of Mr. Williams, 1322 Gal- latin street, tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. SURPLUS MEASURE DEBATED IN HOUSE; FOUR BILLS PASSED (Cortinued from First Page.) salary of $3,250 instead of $3,050, as urnintentionally inserted in the gen- eral pay bill. ‘When this bill was under consid- eration Representative Blanton of Texas_vigorously censured the Dis- trict Commissioners because they are depriving more than 1,000 policemen and more than 700 firemen of one day oft in seven in lieu of Sunday. He emphasized that Cengress authorized this day off and authorized the hiring of a sufficient number of new police- men to make this possible. Representative Blanton extolled the bravery and devotion to duty by firemen at the serious fire last Sat- urday night and threatened that if the District Commissioners do not rescind their so-called emergency order, which prevents the police and firemen from having a_ regular day off, that he will see that Congress takes actlon showing the seriousnes of its intention. Park Police to Get Raise. In reply to a direct question Rep- resentative Blanton said that Chair- man Madden .of the House appropri- ations committee has promised that the nine men doing police duty in Rock ‘Creek Park will be taken care ot the same as all other policemen under the new pay bill. > The third bill passed today was to quiet title to certain lands in the District on_which private owners have paid taxes for more than 60 years. The War Department has in- dorsed this legisiation. * The bill to authorize a commission to select a distinctive flag for the Na- tional Capital was laid aside when Representative Blanton of Texas de clared it to be a controversial me: ure. Pointing to the large United States flag hanging over the Speaker's chair. Representative Blanton said: “That should be the flag in the Na- tional Capital.” : After minor perfecting amendments were made, on motion of Representa- tive Chinbloom of Illinois, the bill, which had already passed the Senate, providing for. change in the method of capital punishment in the District from hanging to electrocution was assed without debate. ¥ ‘Speaking In behalf '6f the surplus 3 PLEA GUILTY INPURCELL DEATH Fourth Negro, Accused First-Degree Murder, Sticks to Denial. of Three of the four colored men charged with the murder of- Police- man John W. Purcell, colored, in Oc- tober, 1923, near the Bell Public Scheol at Second street and Virginia | avenue COL. W. N. WILLIAMS, COL. WILLIAMS DIES AT HOSPITAL Had Veteran of Six Wars Long Record—Reported Oldest Legion Member. Col. Willlam Noble Williams, 88 years-old, U. S. A., retired, who has had a Jong and enviable record in the military service, died at Walter Reed Hospital early today after a linger- ing ilness. Col. Williams was active in the Civil War and fought through three In- dian wars, and although declared too old to serve in the Spanish-American War, he came back and was active during the World War as a member of the Quartermaster Corps. He was said to have been the oldest member of the American Legion, being connected with the George Washington Post of this city. Funeral services will be conducted at the headquarters of the George Wash- ington Post, Nineteenth and I streets, Wednesday ~afternoon at 2 o'olock. Chaplain John Hall, U. 8. A, assisted by Rev. A. A. Linthicum, chaplain of George Washington Post, will officiate. Interment, with military honors, will be in Arlington Cemetery. Was Born Ireland. He is survived by his widow, Mrs, Jennie I Williame, and a daughter, Miss Lucia K. Williams. Col. Williams was born in Ireland January 15, 1837. He came to this country when a young boy and when the call for vol- unteers was sent out by President Lincoln hé enlisted April 15, 1861 When he “was discharged August 2 he had risen to the rank of first ser- geant of Company A, 6th Indlana Volunteers. He re-enlisted two days later with the rank of sergeant- major. He was prometed to second lieutenant March 30, 1862, and May 30 to first lieutenant, Retires Colonel. He resigned his commission June 25, 1864. - He was appointed a second lieutenant in the Regular Army and assigned to the 3d United States In- fantry June 18, 1867, and retired with that rank on June 28, 1878.. Secretary of War Newton D. Baker assigned him to duty in the Quartermaster Corps October 8, 1918, with the rank of first lieutenant. He was demobil- ized January 10, 1819, and returned to the retired list of the Regular Army as a colonel, U. 8. A. He participated in a number -of im- portant battles during the Civil War period and was cited for bravery. After the Civil War he took part in two Indian campaigns, in 1867 and again in 1869, while serving in the Regular Army. bill, Representative Zihlman pointed out that the District of Columbia is golng through a period of tramsition in its fiscal relationship with the Fed- eral Government. He -explained: that formerly the proportion was 50-50 between the Federal Government and municipality fn meeting the expenses of the National Government and that several years ago this proportion was changed to $0-40. Last year, he ex- plained, by legislation on an appro- priation bjll, which is contrary to the rules of Congress, ths fiseal plan was again changed so that the Fed- eral ‘Government contributed a lump sum and the District. met all other costs. 1f Congress is going to continue this lump sum, Representative Zihl- man argued, then the District is en- titled to more liberal action by Gon- gress. “How can we -justify the action of the Budget Bureau in cut- ting the estimates of the District Commissioners, when the burden is on the shoulders of the Distriot Com- missioners?’ he asked, “and the Com- missioners have cited what they need.” Park Item Defended. Bepresentative Zihiman attacked the Budget Buréau for slashing the item for parks in the District from $1,100,000, as authorized in the act setting up the Natlonal Capital Park Commission to $600,000, not for one year, but for two years. e ¥ “What is the justification in cutting this item when the entjre burdén is to be borne by the people of the Distriet, and not one penny fs to come from the Federal Treasury, and when the Dis- trict Commissioners haye fixed the tax rate which will provide for sufficient funds?” Representative Zihiman asked. He cited the destruction of park sites recently as emphasizing the need for immediate appropriation to acquire such sites, which are now threatened with destruction. Représentative Zihlman was ques- tioned by Chiarman Snell of the rules committee, Representative Carter of the =appropriations committee, and was interrupted by Repfesentatives Blanton of Texas and Cramton of Michigan, all .of whom are leading the opposition to this measure.- Rep- resentative Frederick W. Dallinger of Massachusetts supported Chairman Zihlman In his arguments against this -opposition. Blanten Attacks Bill. When Representative Blanton took the floor in his own time and started a lengthy speech in oposition to the surplus measure, Representative J. Charles Linthicum of Maryland made a point of no-quorum, which resulted in a call of the House, wasting more than half an hour's time. Representative Blanton argued that the special. joint committee to in- vestigate the surplus was not author- ized by the usual legislative pro- cedure, but by an amendment made in _conference on an appropriation bill. He declared that this Jjoint committee was -directed to make the investigation back to 1374 and that its report showed it had made the ;r;;j;stlg‘luon only as far back, as southwest, today admitted before Justice Hoehling in Criminal Division 1 participation in the homi- ~ide. The fourth man declned change his plea of not guilty and the case against him was continued mtil a later date. Ernest H. Brown entered a plea {of guilty of murder in the second degree and Willlam Ludley and Jo- seph P. Slaughter each pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Lloyd Mon- roe, the fourth man, accused of mur- der in. the first degree, declined to change his plea. George Ludley, = brother of William Ludley, was kill- ed by Purcell during the melee. Two Die in Battle. According to the testimony given at a previous trial in_ which the jurors dlsagreed the five negroes were in the alley in rear of the school for the purpose of breaking into a garage to get whisky when Policemen Purcell and Horace R Crawford espled them. The men opened fire, it was stated, and the policemen returned it. George Lud- ley was killed and Policeman Purcell recelved mortal wounds, dying & few days alter at the hospita The four men were indicted for murder in the first degree in an in- dictment which took two aspects of the homicide, one that it was a de- liberate and premeditated murder of the officer and the other, that sur- prised {n the execution of a felony the men caused his death. The Gover ment's proof failed to show the per- petration of a felony, and the trial Justice directed a verdict of not guilty on that view of the killing, and t jurors were ynable to agree on the willful murder view. Retrial Is Ordered. Counsel for- the accused fouglit retrial on the claim that the m had already been placed in jeopard by the former trial, as both portion of the Indictment related to the kill- ing of Purcell The court ruled againat this contention and the nev trial was scheduled for today. Assistant United States Attorne O'Leary represented the Government while the accused; who admitted par- ticipation, were represented hy At torneys Abner H. Segal and Jobn H Wilson. Monroe, who declined change his plea, had as counsel torneys T. Morris Wampler and Rc ert E. Lynch. PEYSER IS URGED 10 DROP CHARGES Greenwood Declares He Should Retract or Submit Proof Against Lloyd. Declaring that it would be “to the in- terest net only of the Board of Educa- tion, but of the entire administration of the public schools in-the District of Columbia,” Ernest Greenwood, chair- man of the ocmmittee of the whole, ap- pointed at the Jast meeting of the Board of Educatfon to probe charges by Capt. Jullus I Peyser that James T. Lioyd, board president, was misusing his of- fice, today wrote .a letter to Capt Peyser urging him to withdraw his ac- cusations. “Regardless of the case,” the letter said, “the board finds itself In an extremely embarrassing position. It has no standing in law & trial body, cannot subpoena witnesses or administer oaths, and regardless « the outcome of such an investiga could take no definite action.” Two Courses Open. The remainder of the letter follows “In my capacity as chalrman of th» committee of the whole of the Board of Education of the District of C lumbia considering the matter of th resolution to inquire into the stat ments made by vou against the pre dent of the board that he used h position to further his business ad- vancement.l respectfully call your at- tention to the fact that the resolution presents two alternatives, to wit withdrawal of the statement by v and your acqulescence that the same be expunged from the record, or the submission by you of any and evidence. : “If it is your desire that the com- mittee proceed with an investigation it will be necessary that you present this evidence at a meeting, to give the president of the board an oppOrtunity of replying, In this event the com- mittee will hold formal hearings to receive the testimony of witnesses. Urges Withdrawal. “I desire, however. to submit to you the suggestion that in my opin- fon and in the opinion of the other members of the board it would be greatly to the interests, wot only of the Board of Education but of the entire administration of the public schools of the District of Columbia, it you would consider a withdrawal of the statement. 1 therefore wish to request and to urge upon you with all the friendship and earnestness at my command that you consent to the withdrawal of the statement. ‘In making this request I am re- flecting the attitude of the individual members of the committee of the whole. I have talked with each one of them and have been authorized to act. -You may consider, therefote, that T am speaking not only for my- self but for each member.” merits of the FRISCO' POLICE BOMBED BY UNSEEN ENEMY Entrance to Hall of Justice Shat- tered and Lives of Number of Officials Endangered. By the Associated Press. SAN FRANCISCO, Calif,, January 12.—A bomb explosion wrecked the main entrance of the Hall of Justice yesterday and endangered the lives of a number of police officials. The authorities believe the infernal {device was placed by some one fa- millar with the premises and that some member of the department w: intended to be the victim. Rum Suspects Free on Bond. PLYMOUTH, Mass., January 1 Four men who were captured Satur- day night in the lower harbor with two motor boats said to. have con- tained $25,000 worth of whisky and alcahol, were released in $2,500 bonds each yesterday for their appearance in,the Federal Court on charges of smuggling. Coast Guardsmen shots to halt one boat.