Evening Star Newspaper, January 29, 1925, Page 2

2 HEFLIN EXPLAINS FIGHT ON STONE Denies Attempt to Strike at President—Based on Ownbey’s Case. * Senator Heflin, Democrat, Alabama, again explained to the Senate today why he is opposing confirmation of ttorney General Stone as a Supreme hurt justice Reviewing the cour when he rain his objections to llowed by Mr. Stone nsel for the Morgan against James Own- Alabama Sen- her was acting standpoint 3 shoulder was ¢ estate case bey Colorado, ator declared he from “partisan” “striking M. at the President So far as he knew, the nei 3 nor over me's Presi- the he said, Coolidge never heard of ey nomination of Attorney Gen- eral Stone will come before the Senate Judiciary committee for consideration again on Monday, it was announced by Senator Cummins of lowa, chairman, following the hearing of Mr. Stone by the committee at two sessions vester- day. in yesterday had and answered committeemen, iscussed the nom- session for an afternoon after Mr. completed his statement the questions the but took no action. fon of Nature of Testimony. Wheeler, as well as his counsel, in the small and crowded committee Toom, Mr. Stone sald evi- lence that was to be presented to a grand jury here next week indicated that there had been a conspiracy to defraud the Government on oil and mineral la and that “testimony could not be taken without indicat- ing that Senator Wheeler was involv- ed” in the transaction, Replying indirectly, at least, to charges that Senator Wheeler is be- ing ‘“‘per: ted” in the effort to *“drag” him 2,500 miles from his home on an actlon that could be brought in his own State, the Attorney Gen- eral announced that there was no intention on the part of the Govern- ment to drop the proceedings in Mon- tana, in which Senator Wheeler is charged with accepting a fee to rep- resent Gordon Campbell before a Gov- ernment department in the matter of land permits after his election to the Senate. Faecing Senator Two Different Cases. That case and the case sented to the grand jury impaneled today in the District of Columbia Supreme Court are entirely different, Mr. Stone said, the latter being base upon new evidence abtained in a wholly new investigation he had caused to be instituted after he came into office because of the “widespread publicity given to the indictment in Montana and the charges and coun- ter charges growing out of it.” This new inquiry was conducted by Assistant Attorney General Donovan Who came into office last August 15 and who, Mr. Stone said, had had no previous connection with the case, Under cross-e tion by tor Walsh, Mr. Stone said he did not regard his declaration as to waivers required of these witnesses to carry any imputation against them. He explained that he had felt obliged to answer the Senator's request prompt- ly and had exercised “lawyer's cau- tion” because there was insufficient time to examine the records in the case. Replying to be pre- to Senator Reed, Demo- crat, Missouri, and other Senator: Mr. Stone said the action to be in- stituted here would be brought in Montana, but added that for the rea- sons he had given, he thought the case could be best handled in the District of Columbia. Same Men Involved. Senator Reed said it appeared that both the case here and in Montana in- volved the same men, “with the ex- ception of a Government official,” and ‘were “intertwined.” He then de- clared that he was very much con- cerned about the proposition that the Government could elect to bring a case agalnst citizens so far away from their homes. The Attorney General replied that he knew of no principle of law that required that a man be tried in “his own home town.” Senator Ashurst, Democrat, Arizona, remarked that if he did not know it was a fundamental principle of Anglo-Saxon law that an accused must be tried within his vicinage, he had “better read some Anglo-Saxon law.” Meaning of “Vicinage.” ‘Vicinage means the vicinage of the offense,” retorted Mr. Stone, adding that in this case the District of Co- lumbla was the vicinage. In this connection, the correspond- ence disclosed that when apprised of the intent to lay the case before a grand jury here, Senator Walsh went to Mr. Stone: personally to protest. The Attorney General concluded that Mr. Walsh wanted the new action discontinued, but the Senator dis- agreed vigorously that such was his purpose; he tad protested, he safd, against bringing the action here in. stead of in Montana. Senator Bayard, Democrat, Dela- ware, defended in the Senate the action of the courts of his State in the suit of the estats of J. Pierpont Morgan against James A. Ownbey of 4 Colorado, the outcome of which was characterized as “an act of judiclal tyranny” by Senator Heflin, Demo- crat, Alabama, in an address yester- day explaining his opposition to At- torney General Stone's nomination to the Supreme Court. It would have been “silly,” Senator Bayard said. for the Delaware courts to have taken any other stand than that iIndicated in their decision, in view of the specific language of the statute. Nature of Case. “T think the Senator from Alabama, in his remarks yesterday, forgot that the matter before the courts was an effort to reopen the Ownbey case fter a judgment had been rendered,” he asserted. The appeal of Ownbey was made, he insisted, under an amendment to & State statute adopted after the original suit had been settled. It would have been barred automati- cally, he contended, as belng an ex post’ facto action. “I understand the State legislature adopted that amendment for the sp. cific purpose of reopening the Own- bey case,” declared Senator Heflin. “That made no difference in the ffect,” the Delaware Senator replied. Senator Heflin yesterday cited the Eourt's refusal to hear Ownbey upon his failure to furnish $200,000 bond &nd attacked Mr. Stone’s arguments when he entered the case after its mppeal to the Supreme Court. Repl ing to Senator Bayard today, he con- tended that conflicting State statutes should have been held unconstitu- tional by the judges and the whole question sent to the United States Bupreme Court. “I am referring to fundamentals of the situation,” he asserted, ‘“and—I don’t care whose State it is in—any Jaw which forbids a citizen the right to be heard unless he puts up a money consideration, is wrong in wrinciple and alould be revoked. Soviet Refuses To Honor Czar’s Debts to France Might Consider Payment of Private Losses, Krassin Says. By the Associated Press. MOSCOW, January 29.—The Soviet government cannot recognize French loans to former Russian governments, according to an interview given yes- terday by Leonid Krassin, the Soviet Ambassador to France, upon his ar- rival here from Paris. The Ambassa- dor added that if an agreement was desired on the debt {ssue it could be reached only by compromise. “If France could only glve the Soviet government sufficlent long- term credits to re-establish the Rus- sian economic position,” he said, “then my government probably would agree to acknowledge part of the sums owing France, such as those due small bondholders and private per- sons. So far, however, We have not entered into actual negotiations with France on any of the disputed mat- ters.” REVENGE IS HELD STONE CASE BASIS Muddle Is Queer and Will Re- main So Until All Facts Are Cut. BY DAVID LAWRENCE. The queerest muddls since President Roosevelt began using Government sleuths to investigate United States Senators has developed in connection with the effort of the Department of Justice to convict Senator Wheeler of Montana for alleged violation of a law which forbids a meamber of Con- gress from accepting fees for services as a lawyer before Government de- partments. It's a queer muddle, because all the facts have not yet been put on the table and becauss the fire of political vengeance burns brightly over the whole controversy. Here is the sequence of events: E ator Wheeler, Democrat, leads the Investigation of Attorney General Daugherty, Republican, whose resig- nation is demanded by President Coolidge in the midst of his own campaign for the presidential nomi- nation. Reprisal Is Charged. Second, the machinery of the De- partment of Justice, which was dom- inated by Mr. Daugherty, is used to bring a case in Montana against Sen- ator Wheeler. Denial is made that this is a reprisal, but Mr. Wheeler's friends_insist it could not be other- wise. Investigators connected with the Republican political organization outside the Government assist in building up the case against Mr. Wheeler. Third, the Senate charges and by overwhelming vote exonerates Senator Wheeler. Mr. Borah of Idaho, a capable lawyer, sifts the charges, and the Senate agrees with him that they are not serious. Fourth, Harlan F. Stone is named Attorney General. He consults with his subordinates, who were appointed by Mr. Daugherty and, naturally, friendly to him, and receives the im. pression that, notwithstanding the ac- tion of the Senate, the case should be pursued. He goes into the case and announces he will continue its prose- cution. Fifth, Senator Wheeler becomes the vice presidential candidate on & radl- cal ticket. Conservatives become eager to see a blow struck at the radicals. While the case is allowed to drag during the campaign, it is re- vived after election. Indictment Is Sought. Sixth, Attorney General Stone is named for the Supreme Court vacancy caused by the resignation of Justice McKenna, and rumors begin to spread that he has gone even a step further toward prosecuting Mr. Wheeler by bringing a request for indictment in the District of Columbla, as well as Montana. Seventh, the Department of Justice, takes up the { according to Mr. Stone, feels that the air in Montana is full of charges and counter charges. ~Mr. Wheeler's friends and counsel think the Dis- trict of Columbia is dominated by the Republican administration and the Government and that it would be unfair to try a case here which should be tried in Montana. Eighth, Attorney General Stone in- sists it isn't the same case but re- fuses to divulge exactly where the difference is, glving as his reason that he does not want to disclose evidence before trial. Virtually the same witnesses and transactions are involved, but Mr. Stone contends now that the acts took place in Wash- ington. He admits it could be tried in Montana but prefers Washington. Nomination Held Up. THE EVENING BSTAR, WASHINGTON, D. O, THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1925. HERRIOT SPEECH STIRS AL FRANCE Left Parties Unable to Un- derstand Premier’s Quick Turn to Nationalism. By the Associated Press. PARIS, January 20.—The whole political fabric of France today was under the spell of yesterday's sensa- tional utterances regarding French security made by Premier Herriot. These utterances now are generally regarded as a studied reply to Ger- many's latest note regarding the pro- longed occupation of the Cologne bridgehead. Politicans of all busily engaged in speculating as to Just what led M. Herriot to make a declaration with such a nationalistic flavor—such a declaration, it was re- marked in more than one quarter, as might just as well have been made by Poincare. the groups are Opposed to Followers. Premier Herriot's closest advisers have been uncéasing In urging a con- ciliatory policy toward Germany, while his Socialist supporters in the chamber have been all along par- ticularly sensitive on the question of the occupation of the Rhineland, which they held to be a sort of dis- guised imperialism. Yet the premier, in what was pointed to as one of the most significant passages of his dis- course declared: “Holding the Rhine may be the last resort of France to assure her se- curity. 1t was remarked in the lobbles of the chamber this morning that M. Herriot must have had the best of reasons for adopting a mationalistic Ninth, the nomination of Mr. Stone is held up by the Senate pending further information on the whole case. The administration’s friends are conducting & campaign in de- fense of Mr. Stone’s position, saying he had to pursue the case when he was convinced that irregularities had occurred. Tenth, friends of Senator Wheeler say he has nothing to fear, but that he is being made the victim of political persecution and that all sorts of technicalities can be trumped up if the overnment wants to do so. So everybody is right and nobody is wrong. Mr. Stone can't stop now lest he be accused of trylng to coax the Senate into confirming him for the Supreme Court. Mr. Wheeler doesn’t want to be placed on trial in two places at the same time on virtually the same ground and with the pres- tige of the Government affecting pro- ceedings instituted here. The radicals in the Senate in the Republican group and the Democrats constitute a majority, and if they be- come convinced that the whole thing is the sequel of & political plot they may hold up the nomination of Mr. Stone even though they think he was dragged into the maelstrom {nnocent- ly and did his duty as he saw ft. And thus the situation may continue until March 4, when a new Senate comes into power and where a ma- jority can be assembled to confirm Mr. Stone's nomination. Confirma- tion under such circumstances would become purely partisan, and the hope of Mr. Stone's friends is that they can break down the political barriers between now and March 4, so that he will go to the highest court in the land with bi-partisan support. (Copyright, 1925.) Appointments Suspended. In view of the existing surplus of officers in the Judge Advocate Gen- eral's Office, Officers’ Reserve Corps, appointments in that section of the Army have been temporarily sus- pended, it is announced at the War Department, tone now in dealing with Germany, at the risk of disgruntling If not dis- rupting the government coalition. It is suggested that one of these rea- sons is the discovery, reported by the military control mission, that Germany's equipment for the manu- tacture, distribution and use on the field of battle of polsonous gases re- mains intact as it existed at the end of the war, while the deaths of French veterans who were gased during the hostilities are increasing with dis- tressing rapidity. Talking to Allies. The opinion was expressed in some groups that the French premier was talking to the allied and associated powers as well as to Germany, with the desire of making it clear that the lack of security for the French fron- tler is felt to be due to the fallure of Great Britian and the United States to sign the promised pact of guaranty in exchange for the abandonment by France of her demand that the Rhine should be the military frontler of Germany. Keynote of Security. Security was the main theme of Premier Herriot's long awaited speech on France's foreign policy. Never before since he assumed power has M. Herriot spoken of Germany in the tones he used today, and, although he had the entiref chamber, excepting the Communists, | enthusiastically applauding and cheering him, the ggneral Interpre- tation throughout Parllament was that his purpose was deeper than merely catering to the right groups —that {t was a warning to the British government against the evacuation of the Cologne zone. On the subject of inter-allled debts the premier sald: “What I can do is solemnly repeat once more what M. Viviani has said, what M Poincare has said—France does not intend to repudiate her debts “It is not the government over which I preside, attached as it is to respect for treaties and comventions, ! that will disavow the principle of debts which France has contracted. Point of View of France. “Even from a commercial and prac- tical viewpoint it is impossible that the allies cannot see the terrible difficulties there would be in asking France to transfer to England and America sums corresponding to their credit. Thess sums have not in- creased our means of action, while the loan of $00,000,000 gold marks provided by the Dawes plan—to which I continue to think we have done well in subscribing—has given Germany fresh economic force. “Our relations with Great Britain were never more cordial.” France had no intention of remaining on the Rhine forever, but in the face of Germany’s non-fulfillment of the dis- armament clauses of the Versailles treaty, particularly regarding mili- tary organization, reconstitution of the great German general staff, with extraordinarily perfected techniaue, and the fact that the old Prussian militaristic spirit still existed and was making preparations for an as- sault upon poor peoples who only wanted peace, M. Herriot declared: “I say to your allies and friends, to the English democracy, to Italy, that we want to beware; that we must watch what is taking place over there.” * Faith in Protocol. The premier, after devoting some time to explaining how the Geneva protocol, if ratified, would contribute greatly to making France feel safe against unprovoked aggression, ex- pressed regret that the “guarantee pact” had not been ratified by the United States and Great Britain. “This provided for intervention by the United States and England in case of an attack against France,” sald M. Herriot. “It is & great pity it was not carried through.” M. Briand interjectel as good as had Great Britain's signature at Canne: | DEATH PROBE RENEWED. Suspect Gives New Leads in Mur- der of Stack. CAIRO, Egypt, January 29.—The newspapers today state that Ibrahim Adham, one of a number of suspects arrested shortly after the murder of Sir Lee Stack, the Egyptian sirdar last November, has given the police a number of 'facts concerning the slaying of the British official and that fresh investigations have been started. It is declared that Ibrahim hailed tho cab in which the criminal escaped. It {s furter stated that two law ~ students were arrested after their houses had been searched. SENATE BEATS CUT INZD-CLASS MAIL Defeats Amendment Provid- ing 1920 Rates and Also One Covering Newspapers. A proposal to reduce second-class mail rates to the 1920 level was re- Jected by the Senate today, as an amendment to the postal pay and rate Increase bill. Defeat of the amendment, offered by Senator George, Democrat, Georgla, by a vote of 43 to 30, opened the way for action on the increase in these rates proposed in the bill. The George amendment, accepted last session as a part of the revenue bill, but later thrown out, was sup- ported by only six Republicans. Three Democrats, Dill of Washington, Kend- rick of Wyoming, and King of Utah, voted with 38 Republicans and the two Farmer-Labor Senators from Min- nesota, Shipstead and Johnson, against the reduction. A proposal to make the 1920 rates effective only to newspapers, then was defeated, 66 to 31, on motion of Senator McKellar, Democrat, Tennes- see. Zone Increase Dropped. On motion of Senator Oddie, Repub- lican, Nevada, the Senate then voted to exempt publications subject to first and second zone mail rates from the one-cent-a-pound Increase in rate proposed in the bill. As a result the rate on second-class mail sent in the first two zones Is retained at 2 cents a pound. Completes Action on Rates. An effort by Senator Sterling, Re- publican, South Dakota, to have these rates increased to the schedule pro- posed by the Post Office Department was defeated, 66 to 14. This action left the rates on ad- vertising portions of publications at 2 cents for the first two zones, 3 cents for the third zone, 6 cents for the fourth, fifth and sixth zones and 8 cents for the seventh and eighth Zones This completed action on the sec- ond-class rates, temporarily at least. —_— 2 BOYS, 49 GIRLS GIVEN DIPLOMAS Jesse C. Suter, president of the Federation of Citizens' Associations, addressed the graduating class of the two-year course of Business High School at the mid-year commence- ment exercises this morning in the school auditorfum. Edwin C. Graham, member of the Board of Education, presented diplomas to 51 graduates. Ernest Greenwood, vice president of the school board, presided. Medals Are Awarded. Announcement of scholarship awards was made by Principal Allan Davis. The medal for scholarship (graduate) went to Alva Josephine Lavezzo and the medal for scholar- ship (non-graduate) to Margaurite Pettit. The valedictory of the graduating class was delivered by Miss Lavezzo. Rev. Edward Hayes pronounced the invocation. Music was furnished by the Business High School Orchestra under the direction of Miss Emma Louise Thompson. Diplomas were presented to the fol- lowing, all of whom are girls except two: Mamie Baritz, Amelia Behrle, Alethea Leo Biggs, Dorothy Lucile Brewton, Martha Louise Burch, Marion Burchell, Bertha Marie Cady, Frances Elizabeth Chamberlain, Edith Lydia Cline, Marguerite Whittington Con- nor, Rachel Rose Dunyer, Margaret Elise Fahy, Sara Felter, Anna Marion Ferrari, May Angeles Foute, Eva Ruth Fox, Ruth Miller Glasscock, Sarah Evelyn Goodman, Martha Jeanne Graux, Elsie Maud Grinder, Lena Rose Hyatt, Alice Cecelia Johnson, Helen Cherney Kaplan, Thelma Mary Klop- fer, Anna Ruth Lattin, Alva Joseph- ine Lavezzo, Catherine Loulse Leahy, Margaret Elizmbeth Lee, Ida Ray Lewis, Catherine Rebecoa Maley, Mary Emily Marucci, Christine Fran- ces Matthes, Amy Mario Melzer, Eve- lyn Louise Nesline, Shirley Nimetz Helen Marle Pestell, Amy Violet Phil- lips, Miriam Octavia Pitcher, May Cathryn Plass, Eleanor Catharine Riohards, Katherine Shulman, Mary Jeanette Shulman, Eunice Loulse Stmpson, Georgia Belle Smyrnas, Min- nie Anna Solomon, Bertha Stein, Thelma_Louise White, Mary Moore Yates, Wilhelmina Mary Zornek and Harry Greenberg and Ernest Alvin Thomas. —_— RULING ON VALIDITY OF RENT ACT DENIED BY STONE AND BALL (Continued from First Page.) rent legislation in executive session early next week. By that time he sald all of the hearings before the committee will be printed and avalil- able for the committes members. Members of the committes look with favor on the proposal to pass a law licensing real estate dealers in the District of Columbia and setting up a board with power to revoke licenses, Favor Pyramiding Curb. They also look with favor on pro- posed legislation to curb the pyramid- ing of real estate values and to pre- vent fraud in real estate transactions, There is difference of opinion, how- ever, regarding the proposal to estab- lish a permanent rent commission. Some of the members serfously doubt the constitutionality of such a law. On the other hand, some of the com- mittee members belleve that a hous- ing emergency, at least so far as rents are concerned, continues to exist in Washington and they are anxious to take stops to relieve this situation. Although the Attorney General would not amplify his statement con- cerning the constitutionality of the proposed rent law, it was understood that the question he raised as to “ex- clusive legislative jurisdiction” here was considered as having far-reaching ramifications {nvolving future legis- lation for the District. Not only has the Department of Justice not rendered any opinion en| 1) the question under discussion, it was said, but it had not up to the pres- ont time been asked for such an opin- fon by any one. The authority of the Federal Gov- ernment in the matter has come up before, in suits involving the Rent Commission, when it was contended that the Government had an interest in the health and living conditions of its workers. But the matter of how far this power extends has not vet been fully lald down in any official opinion, by any court decree, or by the Congress itself, which is wres- tling with the very question in pend- ing rent legislation. The question of the application of the Constitution of the United States to residents of the District of Colum- bia, in the matter of protection to property owners and business, as well as in the protection of the tenants, was also sald today to be involved. District of Columbia residents, al- though deprived of the vote, in the opinion of some authorities might be considered fundamentally to come fully within the protection of the Constitution, as they are all residents of the United States. “COOLIDGE ARMY” STARTS ASBURY PARK, N. J,, January 29.— A “Coolidge army” ‘of Monmouth County women, numbering about 300, left here today for Washington to call on President Coolidge tomorrow. They represent the organization of woman Republicans who worked for the Republican ticket Auring the campalgn. They will be guests of Senator Edge during their three-day stay, . : COMMITTEE ENDS D. C. RENT HEARING Tenants and Owners Given Last Words on Questions of Fair Rates. The final hearing on the proposea rent legislation was held before the joint committee of Congress last night in the Senate oNce building. The time was occupied by the unorganized ten- ants and unorganized property own- ers, the latter having half an hour, in accordance with arrangements pre- viously made. Testimony by the tenants generally was to the effect that it was impos- sible for them to find suitable living quarters at rentals that persons of moderate means, particularly Govern- ment employes, could afford to pay. Mrs. R. U. Compton of Clifton Ter- race, who described her case to the committee as “typical,” said that in 1914 she rented an apartment, four rooms, kitchen and bath, for $37.50 a month, located on Grant road and East Capltol street. She left Washing- ton In 1917 and returned a year later. She could not get her old apartment back, but went finally to Clifton Ter- race into an apartment renting for $60, with four rooms, kitchen and bath. This rent, she sald, was raised to $75, and then to $95. She paid, she sald, because it seemed about the amount fixed by the Rent Commission for similar space In apartment houses. She could not afford to pay so much, she sald, and had tried everywhere to find other quarters Mrs. Compton said that she applied for a three-room and bath apartment which had been renting for $80 in Clifton Terrace. She was told the rent would be $1%0. Then she gave notice she was going to move out, and in the end was Informed she could have the three-room apartment at $80. “A clerk at an average salary should have a chance to get a place in which to live at less than 50 per cent of her salary,” said Mrs. Comp- ton Colored Tenant Representative Heard. Rev. C. A. De Vaughn, colored, who sald that he represented some 8,000 colored tenants in the District, at- tacked the real estate owners and brokers generally, though admitting he knew “15 as honest as a good time- plece.” Others, he declared, were guilty of “first degree murder on the pocket- books of the people, white and black.” The witness criticized particularly conditions in the alley dwellings, which are rented in many cases to colored. In Snows row, he said, been increased from $7 rents have houses. Phillips place wers other criticized. “I wish I could take the committee to Logan Place,” sald Mr. De Vaughn “If Gen. Logan could come back and see the place that Is named after him he would never rest.” The witness declared that a ored runner” was being used by a real estate dealer to get possession of houses from other colered people, 50 that the rents could be increased. This man, he said, had been located in a number of houses at the same time. Mr. De Vaughn told of the difficul- ties which colored people have in finding places to rent in Washington, and sald that the property owners took advantage of them. O. A. Reed of Clifton Terrace took the stand to reply to testimony given court and Logan sections which he at an earlier hearing by Joseph Low, | representative of the owner of Clifton Terrace. He produced The Evening Star of December 20, 1915, to show that Clifton Terrace had been sold, in an exchange of property for $893,000, at that time. The wages of the em- ployes at Clifton Terrace, he sald, were far below those indicated to the committee by Mr. Low. J. L. Creel, who sald he was in the industrial insurance business and had many opportunities to see the homes and know the trials of people of mod- est means, insisted that a commission to control the rental situation in Washington was needed. Mrs. F. W. Pearson of the Fontanet Courts described to the committes her experiences in the Vista, at 1410 Euclid street. She sald that origi- nally about 10 years ago she had paid $28 a month rent. This was ralsed to $35, and finally a demand was made for $65. “We went to the Rent Commission,” she said, “and the landlord brought around a lease for $42.50, which we signed. The Rent Commission later fixed the rent at $47.50." Mrs. Pearson testified that they had continued to pay $42.50 under their lease, notwithstanding the rent fixed by the commission. The told the committee that one or the rent commissioners had advised her husband to stick to the rent in the lease—$42.50—and not pay the ad- vance, although the commission had fixed the rent at $47.50. “You didn't pay what the Rent Com- mission decided should be the rent?" asked Senator Ball. “No,” replled Mrs. Pearson. She said that her husband, who had handled the matter, had since died, and she could not tell the committes which Commissioner had advised him to continue to pay the rent at $42.50. The Commissioners at that time, she sald, were A. L. Sinclair, Capt. James F. Oyster and Mrs. Clara Sears Tay- lor. Justice for Both Sides. Senator Ball declared that the rent law was intended to do justice to landlord as well as tenent, and that if a rent commissioner had advised a tenant to continue to pay the low rent after the commission had increased it he should have been kicked out. A. L. Matheny testified that he had sought aid from John A. Petty, sec- retary of the Real Estate Board, In an effort to find a place in which to live, that he had been given a number of addresses, and that some of them he had found to be rented, one a janitor's sulte in the cellar of an apartment and one apparently located in the river, since there was no such street num. ber. He had been unable, he said, to find anything in which he could live. His testimony was given to show that there 13 & scarcity of low rental prop- erty, which people of small incomes can obtain. E. F. Harris, colored, secretary of the Federated Clvic Associations, 16 colored assoclations, which, he sald, represented 60 per cent of the colored population, presented resolutions adopted by his organization urging the enactment of rent legislation. He sald that many of the houses formerly occupled by colored citizens had been torn down to erect garages and gasoline stations, and others had given way to public parks. Robert Farrar of Clifton Terrace sald that the rent of his apartment had been increased from $50 in 1918 to $90. He sald that he has three rooms, kitchen and bath. Tenants, he insisted, should have some tribunal to which they can go to get justice from landlords. He sald he had been told by a woman living in the apart- ment ‘that the lawyer of Maurice Baskin had told her that rents we: being raised in Clifton Terrace be- cause other real estate people insiet- ed that the Clifton Terrace réBts were too low. He resented the charges of sabotage against tenants made by Joseph Low, repreSenting Mr. Baskin, at the hearing TWesday night Mr. Farrar decried the argu- ment presented by zesh ssials 2DOT~ to $25, and | not $7 worth of repair done on the | “col- | Miss Vada, Watson, the “Kansas Curtis is shown on left and Senator C: KANSANS HERE PAY GIRLENVOY HONOR Vada Watson Guest at Two Dinners After Presenting Wheat to President. A blue-eyed miss from Kansas, who {raises chickens and cooks for harvest hands, claimed a part of the Wash- ington stage for herself today, while Congressmen, cabinet officers and the President paused in their official tasks to do her honor. She was Vada Watson, daughter of a farmer living near Turon, and only 19, but her arival and round of activ- ities during the day attracted as much attention as many a forelgn envoy. She was an emvoy herself, for that matter, because as the “Kan- sas Wheat Girl” she carried to Presi- dent Coclidge a bag of wheat and the {message that “Kansas Grows the {Best Wheat in the World." Here on Kansas D: Miss Watson, selected as the most representative girl in Kansas at the inaugural, two weeks ago, of Gov. Ben S. Paulen, had her visit to Wash- ington timed to coincide with cele- bration by Kansans, not only in their native State, but the world over, of “Kansas day,” the anniversary of the admission of Kansas to the Unfon. Incidentally, her visit coincided with the mounting of wheat to a new high price record for the period since the war. Received at the station by the Kan- sas delegation in Congress, Miss Watson's first engagement was her reception at the White House by President Coolidge to deliver to the President the bag of wheat—some of the wheat harvested by the late President Harding near Hutchinson, Kan., on his final Western trip. Then she had an engagement to be receiv- ed by Mrs. Coolidge, and the rest of v's program provided for a luncheon to be given in her honor at the Capitol by Senators Curtis and Capper of Kansas, and attendance, again as an honor guest, at the an- nual dinner of the Kansas Soclety of Washington. ‘Wheat Not All, Says President. When Miss Watson presented to the President the little bag of wheat the latter expressed his thanks for the honor and then, looking quizzingly at the young lady, said: “I take it that Kansas grows not only the best wheat, but the best-looking girl” She responded by saying: “I am greatly honored today for the privi- lege of being in your presence. Kan- sas, whose farmers I represent on this occaslon, not only grows more wheat than any other State, but grows the best wheat in the world. It has given me pleasure, Mr. Presi- dent, to dellver to you from the farm- ers of Kansas this small bag of wheat as g token of good wishes from our people.” I TRy Roses were more plentiful than ever in Bulgaria last season and this jmportant crop of the _country brought higher prices than before. ators that because of the rent law no small houses were being built here for rental purposes, but that all constructed now were for sale. ‘Bullders have told me that it has always been the practice to build houses for sale hers and not to be rented,” said Mr. Farrar. Appearing for the owners of prop- erty, Arthur Allen, who owns an apartment house at 1745 Kalorama road, insisted that if the rent law were done away with supply and de- mand would soon meet the needs of the people. The small operator, he sald, s driven out of the business now. Dr. Charles M. Emmons, president of the East Washington Citizens' Asso- clation, sald that much criticism of the alley dwellings and their condi- tion had been made without justifica- tion. He sald he owned houses in the alleys and that he went into many of them as the examiner for an in- dustrial company. PRESIDENT RECEIVES UNIQUE GIFT Whenat Girl,” photographed today as she presented a bag of Kansas-grown wheat to President Coolldge. Senator ‘apper on right. Both are from Kansas. 380,79 NETTED Figures for 1924 Would Indi- cate Return for Full Year of $627,690. Receipts from the two-cent tax on gasoline sales in the District last year, starting May 24, totaled $380,- 793.18. All is applicable to road and highway construction and repair. Complete returns for the 222-day pe- | riod the tax was operative were filed | with the Bureau of Public Roads to- day by Wade H. Coombs, superintend- ent of licenses. This indicates an average consump- tion of 214 gallons of gasoline per vehicle for the tax period, or a grand average of 353 for the year, puted on the figures for 222 days Receipts would amount to §627,690 if the consumption average was main- tained. The average daily consump- tion was 1,715 gallons. Mr. Coombs said thers were 8,762 gasoline-using vehicles in the District in the tax perlod, plus several hun- dred motor cycles. In addition to the gasoline-tax receipts, registration and license fees for the full year totaled $375,867.5 Gasoline consumption here, indi- cated by the figures today, is con- siderably lower than the grand over- age for States, and Roads, which placed the average of the country at 422 gallons per car. Subject Now Probed. | A special subcommittee of the | House Distriot committee, headed by | Representative F. N. Zihlman of | Maryland, is now ceipts from the gasoline | basing its inquiry on | covering several months, which were declared by the chairman to be low. The estimated revenue of $627,690, | for a full year, falls far short of the | expectation of 'Mr. Zihlman, who an- ticlpated an income approximating $900,000 a year and possibly more. tax here, 38-day period beginning May 24, when the tax became effective, and ending June 30 totaled a little more than $33,000, which would indicate an an- nual return of a little over $700,000. Even this estimated return, Mr. Zihl- man declared to be too low. BODY OF DEAD BABY FOUND IN STREET Infant Boy, Day O0ld, Had Been Wrapped in 01d Newspaper. Left on Clifton Street. The dead body of a baby boy not a day old, was found just before noon today on the street, partially covered with slush in front of 1448 Clifton street by Trafic Officer C. E. Brant of No. 8 precinct. It was entirely devold of clothing and had been carelessly wrapped In the folds of a Washingtotn new paper dated March 16, 1924. The pe- cullar package attracted the atten- tion of passersby, after it had lain in the roadway since before daylight. Several men investigated, and when the contents were discovered notified Traffic Officer Brant, stationed at Fourteenth and U streets. Officer Brant took the grewsome bundle to No. 8 precinet, from which place it was later removed to the morgue. The coroner will view the body, probably this afternoon. Police are working on the theory that the child was thrown to the street from an automobile sometime during last night. —_— Ald to farmers in rebuilding their homes destroyed during the war is to be extended by the government of Latvia. MIDWINTER APPEAL The work of the Associated Charities and Citizens’ Relief Association is now at its peak. of these family welfare societies, reach of the different sections o The eight neighborhood offices , S0 located as to be within_easy f the city, are the scenes daily of many confessions of human suffering and need, told in confidence. Now it is the story of a cripple anxious to do somethin, better than sell pencils on the street. Now the plight of an age woman, too old to work, but with wealthy relatives who should be induced to come to her assistance in her old age. Or a wife suddenly thrown on her own resources by the cowardly desertion of the father of her children. Here again the story is of a father too ill to work, several young children and the mother expecting another—a family too proud exhausted. to ask aid until savings are These are actual experiences, a few among many from the daily record of the Associated Charities. Each family in distress has its own particular problem. To meet these needs, the societies must have the good will and financial support of the generous hearted people of Washington. the Joint Finance Committee, Contributions sent to 1022 Eleventh street northwest, will be individually acknowledged. (Signed) MILTON E. AILES, Chairman. BYGASOLINE TAX. com- | the District, | according to the Bureau of Public| investigating re- | receipts | Receipts from gasoline sales for the | MORE SNOW LIKELY INDISTRICT TONIGHT Skies Will Clear by Tomorrow With Continued Cold, Forecaster Predicts. More snow is expected tonight I the weather man A falling temperature will turs the snow and rain mixture of tod into a more agreeable flaky preciy tation that may mode heavy proportions during the according to the wa the data look to Forecaster Weights at the Weather Bureau Cold to Continue. Tomorrow the s probabl clear up considerably, he believe but the prevailing cold w Last night a minimum of above zero was resistered minimum of ed for ton Forecasier Weight flare-up of east and for the prese had stayed where belong ington would have had nott the extreme cold to worry a indicated. Cessation disturbance to 3 panied by withdrawal it was pol I'e ski w continus 12 degrec degrees is look an bl o the Wast ng bu out, h pre this o 1 be the cloud ted out Warmth Above Clouds. A w of earth w precipitation t said. A below- on the surface of the about had time to do a ha of freezing the w rain ing snow-flakes bLefore they in the faces of windshields Tonight's snow iz expected to keap the snow removai forces of the mur government and of the railway companies king speed, and they haven't been lagging any during the past 24 hours. Ele tric snow-sweepers were in operatior early t morning over tracks, preventing a serious ups. Gangs of broom wielders wers engaged during the day in switches and slots free of and ice. rm stratu responsi ee: Weightma day layer landsca Just 3c pattered pedestrians and glazed o ree street ca keeping Many Accidents Reported. Numerous skidding curred all over tow serious mishaps were morning. Fender de er straighteners h ment of new customers {frozen radiators were streets. Children continued their {carnivals under protection of |lice Department Thirteen roped off for coasting, were jof great hilarity among school dren last night, and it appeared a |though & number of youngaters whosa colds prevented them from attendine classes today were getting the bene- fit of the fresh air p”ru\‘dfd b ; down the hill on a sled ¢ Snow Plows Ready. The District Street partment will send plows a shows | snow. Mor; Hacker, superinten Street Cleaning Department, ar nounced at noon that he had called in his 400 shovelm and trucks, having reached the conclusion that their work will not be effective under pres- ent conditions. “I will need these men more tomor row than this afternoon,” Mr. Hacke sald. “I concluded that they would render more eflicient service tomor- Tow if they are given a chance to dry their wet clothing and tackle the snow that is predicted for this eve- ning.” The motor plows, however, work tonight 1f snow falls WARMER WEATHER DUE accidents today, but reported ler.. and ala n sigh noted on th >um iner; Ma s Sl the scene 2 dash Cleaning D soon as the hail dications of 1 urn lfludson Frozen All Over for First Time in Years. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, January 20 cloudy with higher temperatures Wwas the weather prediction for today | for the Metropolitan district, which | in common wlith the Atlantic Coast from Maine almost to Florida, was in the grip of a cold wave of unusua intensity last night Yesterday was not only the coldest day of the year in New York, but according to weather bureau statis. tics, was the coldest Jan 28 or record. The mercury fell short after 7 o'clock yesterday morning to the low point of 1 below zero and reached the high mark, 24 above, at noon. Along the Atlantic Coast ‘Washington to Atlanta snow inter- spersed with cold rains was reporte yesterday. Milder temperatures, with a subsiding of storm conditions, w evident, however, over this area last night. Extremely low temperatures pre- vailed throughout New York te For the first time in years the Hud- | son River was frozen over at its widest point, the Tappan Zee, be- tween Tarrytown and Nyack. Tt is expected to remain so for many days to come and devotees of such Winter sports as auto racing on ice and skating are expected to utilize this opportunity. — Part u ary LIVES FOR SIX HOURS IN BURNING DEBRIS Montreal Fireman Rescued Alive From Prison Under Fall- en Walls. By the Associated Press. MONTREAL, January 29—After having been entombed in the smold- ering wreckage of the building of Poulin & Co., grocers, on Lemoine street, for six hours, Lieut. Louis Desjardins of the city fire brigade was rescued alive early today and removed to & hospital. Seven other firemen, who were trapped in ti burning bullding when the walls crashed in following an explosion were taken to a hospital earlier. The fire was reported as under cor trol early this morning. All the apparatus of the city was called out last night by four serious fires, three in the central area, and the fourth in the east end. A gen eral alarm was sounded and 400 men were stationed on duty at the ver ious conflagrations. Desjardins was pinioned when twc floors caved in as he was hauling hose into the burning building. Al- though he could not be seen the lieu- tenant directed his rescuers for sev- eral hours until his weakening voice called out that the flames had reached him and that he was ‘“terribly thirst; A deluge of water wag poured on the spot from which his volce came and the prisoner a nounced that he was refreshed an could hold out. A few minutes later he was extricated. It pays to read the want colimns of The Star. Hundreds of situations are obtained through them, |