Evening Star Newspaper, February 17, 1925, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. S. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Fair and much colder tonight and tomorrow: lowest temperature to- night about 25 degrees; moderate to fresh northwest winds. Highest tem- erature, §5, at noon today: lowest, 42, at 2:10 a.m. today. Full report on page 2. Closing N. Y. Stocks and Bonds, Page 22 No. 29,512 * CAVETOBE TOMB OF COLLING; RITES AT SHAFT TODAY Engineers Get Family’s Con- sent, as Removal of Body Imperils Rescuers. WAS DEAD THREE TO FIVE DAYS, SAYS PHYSICIAN Friends Go Down in Passage and Satisfy Themselves of Identity of Vietim. By the Assoclated Press. CAVE CITY, Ky. February 17.— The body of Floyd Collins will be left in his natural tomb and his funeral services will be held this afternoon at the mouth of the shaft Which was dug to rescue him, but in vain. His aged father, Lee Collins, consented to the arrangement after Dr. Willlam Hazlett of Chicago had himself examined Collins and pro- nounced him dead. Seven friends of Collins crawled down the tunnel to Identify him as members of a coroner's jury, includ- ing Magistrate Clay Turner, the acting coroner. “Everything has been done that could have been done, and man's in- genulty and modern machinery have failed,” said Mr. Collins. “No more lives should be sacrificed in further attempts to remove his body.” Dead Three to Five Days. Dr. Hazlett came up the shaft at 12:20 o'clock p.m., ana said he had identified Collins through a gold front tooth. He announced that Collins had been dead between three and five days when he was reached yesterday after- moon. Magistrate Turner said he had seen and recognized Collins, and felt seemed to them no way of removing the body without grave risk. Brig. Gen. H. H. Denhardt, in su- preme command of the rescue work and head of the State's military in- quiry, said he was awaiting the ar- rival of Commonwealth's Attorney J. Lewis Willlams to take up the matter of a formal coroner’s inquest. The others who went down with Magistrate Turner and Dr. Hailett also announced they recognized Col- lins, that he was dead, and that there Seemed to them no way of removinb his body. Meanwhile the werk of dismantling the rescue camp was proceeding rapidly, the machinery being removed and preparations for packing the tents and bedding started. Some Timbers' Slipp! Mr. Carmichael in emi his verbal recommendation of burlal in the present position, sald he sug- gests this mode be followed due to the hazardous condition of the tim- bers in the shaft. Some of the crib- bing had slipped as much as 6 feet n the bottom of the shaft during the ight, he sald, making the position oK the shaft workers more dangerous eviery minute they remained there. e Collins, aged father of the caye ¥lctim, told a group of news- pager men this morning that he did not \ favor severing part of his boy's body} for identification purposes and that Yhe would rather have the body remafn in its present position than to ask workmen to further undergo the risk of thelir lives. Amputation Impractical. The proposed amputation of Col- 1ins’ left foot, which is pinned by a large rock Into a crevice which form- ed a natural vise, was found imprac- tical, as the surgeons were unable to reach his foot. An early morning attempt falled to drag the body from the barrel-like hole, so amputation | could be possible. It was found im- possible to reach farther than the torso. Lee Collins, father of the cave ex- plorer, had given permission for am- putation of the feet. Albert Marshall, Danville, Ky., who, with Ed Brenner of Cincinnati, was the first to reach Collins Monday afternoon, described the natural cave tunnel as absolutely dangerous. Marshall and Brenner, who placed all of the timbering in the rescue shaft and lateral tunnel, had repeatedly gone into perilous places unhesitat- ingly. “It is a risk of life to venture into the cave from the lateral tunnel to Collins,” sald Marshall. “Loose rocks in the roof threaten to fall at any moment and will do so If disturbed.” A skylight framework had been put into the hole where the workers Mon- day afternoon broke through - the cavern roof 12 feet away from the bottom of the 55-foot shaft. Would Stop Exploration. Carmichael had advised dynamiting the hole to avert a similar tragedy. He contended that the place was so dangerous that it should be destroyed to prevent other adventurers from suffering a_similar fate of death through exhaustion, starvation and thirst after belng caught under- ground. : Citizens of Cave City today pledged $1,000 to further the work of recov- éring the body, with the stipulatior. that, If the rescue work was un- successful, the sum would go toward a memorlal to be erected in memory of Collins. Revealed yesterday afternoon, the body of Colllns had been imprisoned more than 17 days. Cave-in Helps Rescuers. ‘Without warning, the roof caved in | vesterday afternoon and it was an- nounced offically that™ Collins had | been found, “apparently dead.” e A short time later, after Ed Bren- ner of Cincinnati had gone, head first, into the hazardous pit and, under physiclans’ directions, made a super- ficlal examination of the trapped man, Dr. Willlam Hazlett of Chicago and Capt. C. Francis, medical officer of the Kentucky National Guard, ex- pressed the opinton that he had been dead 24 hours. Saddened by the realization that their long struggle with nature.had failed in so far as resculng Collins alive, the sappers continued to toil, timbering and excavating in the § feet beyond where their lateral atruck Entered as second class matter post office, Washington, D. C. Bobbed Head Tax Proposed to Aid Finances of Bath By the Associated Press, BATH, England, February 17.— A tax on bobbed heads to assist the municipality of Bath In bal- ancing Its budget is proposed by Clty Councilman S. R. Lewin, Quite an Income was derived here BY & tax on the powdered halr of the ladles of the seventeenth cen- tury, he points out. The money d:rlved'" from the bobbing tux, he suggests, might be considered a kind of “poll tax.” SENATEGIVES D. . $11.000 000N LUMP Fixed Contribution Increased From $9,000,000 — May Have Night Session. Without debate and without oppo- sition, the Senate today agreed to the committee amendment increasing the Federal contribution for the expenses of the District from $9,000,000 to $11,000,000. The District appropriation bill was taken up at 2:15 o'clock on motion of Senator Warren of Wyoming, chairman of the appropriations com- mittee. It is the intention of the Senate to proceed with the consid- eration of the bill this afternoon until it Is finally passed. If it Is not completed by 5 o'clock, the time set for recess, the Senate will con- tinue work on it at a night session beginning at 8 o'clock. TREATY TERMS MET, WILBUR CERTIFIES Secretary of State Nation Has Scrapped Ves- sels Named in. Agreement. Notifies ‘The United States today certified that it had fully complied with all of the terms of the limitation of arma- ments treaty by scrapping all of the ships required to be disposed of under the terms of that treaty. This is the date when all of the signatory powers must have complied with the terms, and Secretary Wilbur today sent a letter to the Secretary of State formally notifying him that the United States had complied in all respects to the requirements of that treaty. The official letter of notification from Secretary Wilbur to Secretary Hughes reads as follows: “I take pleasure in advising you that this department has completed the work of the scrapping of vessels required to be demolished under the treaty limiting naval armament. “Under the provisions of the treaty the battle crulsers Lexington and Saratoga are being converted into airplane carriers and the battleship North Daketa is being retained as target.” France signed the treaty on August 17, 1923. The treaty prn.vided that six months after that date all the vessels which were to be scrapped must have been made potent for use in battle and that b the expira- tion of 18 months, which falls today, all of the ships must have been scrapped or sunk at sea. Return From Ships. The estimated cost of building the seven new vessels which were on the ways at the time of the ratifica- tion of the treaty. was $436,800,000, and the total expenditures in connec- tion with thelr construction when the work was suspended on account of the treaty was $153,814,000. The total amount received for the old ships was $1,538,905.80 deducted from which was the expense of serapping, $584,598.34, which left a balance recelved from the old ships, $954,307.46. The total received for new ships was 3616,262.37, less the expense of scrapping, which was $86,543.32, which left a balance of $529,719.05. The grand total from scrapping was $1,410,759.29. Nine New Veasels Scrapped. The nine new vessels which were on the ways at the time were: The Washington, which by the way was the last one disposed of and was the subject of some controversy in the local courts; Sodth Dakota, Indlana, Montana, North Carolina, Massachu- | setts and the battle crulsers, Consti- tution, Constellation, United States and Ranger. The old baftleships which have been scrapped or sunk are the Maine, Mis- souri, Virginia, Nebraska, Georgla, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecti- cut, Loulsiana, Vermont, Kansas, Minnesota, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Michigan, North Dakota and Delaware. 3 The total tonnage disposed of by the treaty was 733,540. The original cost was $197,418,620.06 and the sale price as scrap was $2,257,474.88. By the Associated Press. LONDON, -February 17.—Young men who are seeking favor with girls are advised to grow bushy whiskers, like the cave men used to wear, by Arthur Ponsonby, who writes amusingly In the Em- pire Review, contending that the modern male is inclined to become the original avenue. The body was almost covered with dirt and rock which must be removed before a medical examination can be Baptist, of Cave (Continued on Page 4, Cciumn 1.) effeminate. “The whiskerless young men of today are dominated by the girls and willingly submit” writes Mr. Ponsonby. He suggests that suit- ors would be much bgtter off If @he WASHINGTON, D. C, 5283150 SOUGHT FOR LSE NOW N SCAOOLBULDIG Immediate Employment of Surplus Funds on Dozen Projects Urged. $1,000,000 FOR START ON TECH HIGH SOUGHT Sixteen-Room Building in Bright- wood, Eight-Room Addition to Park View Also Proposed. A dozen Important school items were transmitted to Congress today by the Bureau of the Budget, calling for the immediate expenditure of $2,631.500 out of the District's sur- plus fund. The items follow: To begin construction of new buildfng for the McKinley Technical High School at Second and T streets northeast, $1,000,000, with authority to enter Into contracts to the extent of $2,250,000. For an elght-room buflding, Includ- Ing gymnasfum and assembly hall on ground on Calvert street owned by the District, $175,000. For g combined assembly hall and gymnasium in the Macfarland Junlor HIgh School, $100,000. For purchase of land adjolming the Garnet-Patterson School, to be used for a new building, $55,000. For an elght-room addition to the Bell School, including gymnasium and assembly hall and the necessary remodeling of the old bullding, and for the purchase of adjoining land, $215,000. $275,000 for Brightwood. For the erection of a 16-room build- ing, including assembly hall and gym- naslum, to replace the Brightwood School, $275,000, For construction of an 8-room ad- dition to the Park View School, in- cluding remodeling of the present bullding and the purchase of land, $154.000, For construction on land owned| by the District of Columbla of an| elght-room addition 'to the Cardoza| School, including gymnasium and as- sembly hall, for use as the Randall Junior High School, $225,000. For connecting the new addition to the Armstrong Technical High School with the present bullding and for repairs to the present building, $50,000. For. necessary remodeling of the old Western High School, $47,500, Weuld Replace Two. For purchase of a site on which to locate a new school bullding In the yieirity of the Adams School. to replace the Force and Adams Schools, $160,000. For the purchase of land vicnity of School $75,000. For the purchase of a site on which to locote a mew junior high school bullding In Georgetown, $100,000. Thése items are included in a st that was submitted to the Budget Bureau by the District Commissioners within a few days after passage by Congress of the act recognizing the existing of a surplus of District tax money amounting to $4,438,154.92, Half of Fund. The surplus law made possible the granting of a further allowance of 819,000 in the Treasury, provided for controller approves of the District's clalm to it. The granting of this ad- ditional amount would make the total of the surplus substantially more than $5.000,000. The items sent forward by the Budget Bureau today, therefore, cail for the in the 3 the O Street Vocatlonal for an additional buflding, appropriation at this time of about| half of the surplus fund. In trans- mitting these Important school pro. jects to the Budget Bureau, the com- missioners felt it would be wise to have Congress appropriate some of the surplus money before it adjourn- ed and leave the balance to be re- leased in December. This will en- able the municipal architect’s oflice and other District agencles to dis- tribute a large amount of work more evenly over the next fiscal year. Maj, Daniel Donovan, District auditor, testified in favor of the school jtems be- fore a hearing conducted by the Budget Bureau last week. TWO DIE IN JAIL FIRE. Prisoners Smothered When Bedding Baurns in Cell. ALTON, IlL, February 17.—Two prisoners were smothered to death in the village jall at Hartford last night when smoke from a fire in their bed- ding filled their tightly closed cell. The men, who gave the names of Jacob G. Feldmeler and Louls Wag- ner, had been arrested for drunken- neas. “The cell was 12 by 20 feet and lack of ventllation is belleved to have held In the smoke. There was evi- dence of a struggle made by the men, who apparently were unable to at- tract attention to their plight. Noted German Oculist Dies. RBERLIN, February 17.—Dr. Jullus Hirschberg of Berlin University, the dean of German ocullats, died today, aged 82. of the electro-magnet in the sclence of ophthalmology Dr. rescued many patients from blind- ness. He widely known inter- nationally. Arthur Ponsonby, M. P., Advises Youth _To Grow Beard and.Assert Manhood that, if It came to a showdown, it is doubtful whether they would be able to do so. “How the young men are dom- inated Is most noticeable in cafes and restaurants.” he writes. “In the old days one would see a man enter, followed by a girl, shy and demure. . * “Todiy you will see the girl stride in with an alr of mastery and assurance, her brimless hat crushed cx\:er her eyes, a long clgarette holder suspended trom her 1ips, and behind her trots the ‘Through the Introduction | Hirschberg | WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ACTORS WAL O INFGHT N PLAYS Protest Mass Meeting Called Sunday—Censorship Board Opposed Here. By the Assoclated Pres NEW YORK, February 17.— The movement to banish from Broadway all plays of unsavory character gathered force today as District At- torney Banton and Police Commis- sioner Enright continued plans for action against several productions which they have ynder scrutiny. Producers, actors, civic leaders and mintsters have joined the movement to remove objectionable plays. The Rev. Dr. Charles K. Gilbert of the Episcopal Social Service Commission announces a meeting’ of actors, pro- ducers, managers and reform or- | #antzations on Friday to plan a re- vival of fhe play jury system for con- trol of the stage. John Golden, a producer, telegraphed from Los Angeles his authority to use his theater Thursday afternoon for an actors’ protest meeting against un- savory productions. Considers Five Plays. Five specific plays now are under investigation by District Attorney Ranton. One of them, “A Good Bad Woman.” is of such nature that noth- ing short of complete withdrawal of it will be satisfactory to him, Mr. Banton says The scripts of the four other plays still are under study. One of them Is described by the dis- trict attorney as worse than “A Good Bad Woman.” It is belleved, how- ever, that some of the plays can be rendered unobjectionable by deletions or alterations. Both Mr. Banton and Commissioner Enright have announced that they will give the producers of undesir- able plays an opportunity to with- draw or alter them before grand jury action Is taken. Miss Helen MacKellar, star of “A Good Bad Woman,” held up the per- formance last night for 20 minutes, protesting against certain lines she had to speak. After she had been porsuaded to go on the stage she made impromptu cuts in the speeches which she considered most objection- able. She sald she would contlnue to make such deletions on her own initiative until the management made the necessary changes. OPPOSES FURTHER CURB. Mrs. Van Winkle Dislikes Idea of Censorship Board. Although favoring a clarification of the regulations under which the police supervise theatrical perform- ances and mbtion pictures, Mrs. Mina C. Van Winkle, head of the Woman's Bureau of the Police Department, s not in favor of a regular board of censorship for Washington. | Mrs. Van Winkle said thé regula- tions should be made clear as to what is to be prohibited, so that decislon as to objectionable features would not be left to the judgment of police officials. Visit Shows Daily. With regard to moving pictures, Mrs. Van Winkle explained that her bureau recelves weekly from the National Board of Review a list of the pictures to be released in Washington, together with suggestions as to the nature of the films. Policewomen, she said, make dally visits to_the moving picture houses. With regard to the epoken stage, it has been the rule to have Mrs. Van Winkle and Capt. E. W.. Brown of the first_precinct visit productions in which elimjnations might be necessary. Discussing the meast = Introduced in the House yesterday by Representative | Dallinger, regarding censorship for the District, Commissioner Rudolph also | called attention today to the supervision which the police already exercise over theatrical productions. THREE BROTHERS DROWN. Children Were Playing on Bank of Swollen Creek. SANDY LAKE, Pa., February 17. Three small children of Mr. and Mrs. Stephan Safran, living near here, were drowned late yesterday while playing along Sandy Creek, swollen by recent rains and thaws. The bodies of Stanley, 6, and Matthew, 3, little man. She orders the meal and If there is any swearing to be done at the walter she will do 1t. ' were recovered. Searching parties are dragging the stream today for the body of Edw: 8. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, KING GEORGE’S ILLNESS DECLARED NOT SERIOUS Physicians, After Consultation, Say Monarch Has Bronchitis, But Is Not Critically Sick. By the Associated Press, LONDON, February 17.—A bulletin issued at Buckingham Palace this afternoon sald that King George was suffering from an attack of bron- chitls, due to influenza. Despite a restless night, it added, his general condition was satisfactory. The bulletin was signed by Lord Dawson, physician extraordinary to the King; Sir Milson Rees and Sir Frederick Stanley Hewett. The fact that they visited the palace thls morning ralsed fears that the King's illness was worse than had been thought. It was pointed out, how- ever, that these physiclans invariably have a consultation when the King's condition 1s anything but normal, and the issuance of the bulletin allayed the uneasiness. It is understood the Indisposition Is taking its normal course, and the fact that Queen Mary has declded to attend the conce; t Hall this eventng to 1, Who 18’ playing for the British Legion, is taken to {Indlcate that there s nothing serious the matter with His Majesty. The Prince of Wales came into town from the hunting center of Melton Mowbray, visited the palace and remained for Juncheon. 2000000 BUBBLE TONVOLVEZ0 E. G. Lewis, Bankrupt Pro- moter, Alleged to Owe $10,- 000,000 on Own Notes. By the Associated Press - SANTA BARBARA, Calif, Febru- ary 17.—More detalls of an alleged $20,000,000 financial bubble, interna- tional in fts scope, were revealed today in an 800-page ‘ schedule of labllities and assets filed with United States Commissioner W. P. Butcher, jr., by attorneys for E. G. Lewis, promoter of Atascadero, Los Angeles, University City, Mo., and other places, in involuntary bankruptey proceed- ings. Lewls' creditors, consisting mainly of persons who loaned him money. on personal notes, number approxi- mately 25,000, it is alleged. The notes total more than $10,000,000 and the total liabilitles, as set forth, will reach the $20,000,000 figure. Creditors International. 3 California heads the list of States in number of. creditors, but 75 per cent of the total is scattered over British Columbla, Canada, the Canal Zone, England, Indla, Australia, Ha- wall and the Philippines. Commissioner ~Butcher sald in Federal Court that the schedule witl not be closed until December 15 and that If other creditors present claims appearing to be reasonable, he will be glad to Include them. A general meeting of creditors wiil be held at San Luis Oblspo, Calif, next month. It 1s alleged that in borrowing money Lewis promised to refund the original loan and to pay in addition a bonus, which ran, in some in- stances, as high as 100 per cent. Lewls lists his assets at $23,640,- 145.46. Of this total $17,315,000 come under ‘the heading “unliquidated claling,” which the schedule sets forth as complaints, filed against the Union ‘Oll Co. of California - for $260,000, the Title and Insurance Trust Co. of California for $17,000,000 and against Cornelius Vanderbilt for $65,000. 2R Hundreds of Lewis’ associates and financlal backers retain the utmost confidence in his acumen and busi- ress future despite the bankruptcy proceedings and the countrywide dis- cussion te which his operations have subjected him. Fear Loss of Lumber Ship. ATLANTIC CITY, N. J.,, February 17.—The four-masted schooner Ll Parsons, from Jacksonville to Atlan- tic City, with a cargo of lumber, which grounded on the Absecon bar yestdrdaysmay be a:total loss. She has four feet of water in the hold and her seams were reported open- ing. Coast Guard cutters at high tide will try to release the vessel. The 3 o\'v n-tmuy. cast the cargo of lumber ¥ : i o i Foening Star. 1925—THIRTY-FOUR PAGES. SARTAI ADHIS LOANFROM A Former Atlanta Warden De- nies, However, Receiving Dime for “Soft Jobs.” By the Associated Press. ATLANTA, February 17.—A. E. Sar- taln, former warden of the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, charged, with I. J. Fletcher, former deputy, and Laurence Riehl of Columbus, Ohlo, with conspiracy, today took the wit- ness stand in Lis own defense. After testifying that he had been sheriff of Franklin County, Ohlo, and president of the State assoclation, the witness said nothing was ever said to him about appointing any prison- ers to “soft jobs.” He sald Father Hayden, former prison chaplain and Government witness, never ap- proached him on the subject. The former.warden denied that he Wud recelved a “dime” for influence at the prison. Taking up the $5,000 transaction, in which Riehl received that sum from Sa- vannah, Sartain told of Willle Haar's coming into his office as he was about to leave for Columbus to try to raise $5.000 to pay Riehl, who needed money, the witness being in his debt. The former warden sald Haar ask- ed him where he was going and he told him he must go to Columbus to try to help a friend who often helped him. Haar asked, “Can’t I help?” ‘the witness sald, and added, “I was fool enough to let him talk to me and to help me.” He sald he thought it was “all right” and did not think of Haar's status as a pris- oner. He told Haar, the witness testified. that he would repay the money in 30 or 60 days, and Haar said that being the case no note would be necessary. He latér sold his house in Columbus Ohlo, the proceeds being $9,916.59, he sald. He took a draft for $5.000 to Columbus, but was advised that no suggestion of “covering up” should be made and he did not glve the draft to Rlehl for repayment, but brought it back and redeposited the money In Atlanta. On cross-examination of the for- mer warden the district attorney asked many questions about an in- closure in a letter written by Attor- ney James M. Linton of Columbus, Ohlo, to Sartain here. CENTURY OLD BANK FAILS. Woman Officer of Imstitution in Jail on Embezzlement Charge. PROVIDENCE, R. L, February 17.— With the Kingston Trust Co. closed today for the first time in more than 100 years, the _secretary-treasurer, Miss Maud E. Tafft, was In the county jail on a charge of embezzlement. Attorney General Sisson sald the shortage would total $110,000. About $50,000, he sald. had been loaned to a merchant without the ‘knowledge of the directors of the bank. The re- malnedr, he safd, Miss Tefft had used in the purchase of .worthless stock, after she had lost her own savings, $2,500, in this way. Mr. Sisson sald he would seek a receivership for the bank. ‘Woolen Magnate Dies. CHICAGO, ‘February 17.—Oscar Gumbinsky, former president of the Daniel Boone Woolen Mills Co., drop- ped dead today. On the announce- ment of his death quotations on the company’s stock fell to $2.75 per share. Death was due to heart dis- ease. Millions in Sight for “Desert Rat” By Court Victory After 19 Years By the Associated Press. SAN FRANCISCO, February 17.— George Campbell Carson, 58, itin- erant miner and “desert rat,” as he termed himself, and for years the guest of a ‘sallor lodging house heré, ‘becauge he could afford no better, had little cause today to complain of “the law's delay,” or “the slings and arrows of an out- rageous fortun A decislon of the United States Circuit Court of Appeals has changed Carson's status by making him a potential multi-millionaire. - The court's decree puts Carson, in poksession of the rewards of his inventive genlus and 139 years of truggle and sacrifice, he avers, by ldingfthat the American Smelt- “From Press to Home Within the Hour” The Star’s carrier system covers every city block and the regular edi- tion is delivered to Washington homes Yesterday’s * U. S. Russian Policy To Be Unchanged, Coolidge Believes President Coolidge sees no fin- dications pointing to Russian recognition by the American Gov- ernment. Departure from the cabinet on March 4 of Secretary Hughes, who has been strongly opposed to American recognition of Russia, is not expected by the President to forecast a change of policy toward the Soviet. This restatement of policy was made today at the White House to set at rest widespread reports of an impending change. CARDINALS SCORE HERRIOT ACTION Appeal ‘to Senate to Refuse Ratification of Suppression of Vatican Embassy. By the Associated Pres: PARIS, February 17.—Cardinals Lucon, Andrieu, Dubols, Maurin, Charost and Touchet have sent an open letter to Premier Herrlot pro- testing against the suppreesion of the French embassy at the Vatican. The cardinals make an open appeal to the Senate not to ratify the suppression and to place the Interests of France above party politics. The cardinals begin their letter to the premier by calling attention to their previous letter protesting against various points in the minis- terlal program deemed by them as likely to alarm the Cathollc con- science. The premler, they add, has already assumed responsibility for the carrying out of part of this program by the suppression of the embassy at the Vatican, the final vote upon which deeply wounded their sentiments as Catholics and Frenchmen. “The suppression of any embassy is an extremely grave thing,” the letter continues. In this instance what are the motives? Was It not the Frencl| government which took the initiative in the re-establishment of official re- lations with Rome? What work, what act, what measure of the Holy See can be the excuse for the declsion, now taken? “And to decide upon such a step without official notice, was it not a regrettable wrong? It is the first time, we believe, that a similar fact has been registered in the annals of diplomacy. Rules exist by which gov- ernments and chancelleries have never heretofore ceased scrupulously to ob- serve. Why should France be the first to depart from them?” Call Motive Insuflicient. The letter belittles the arguments invoked by the government. It sa: tho so-called exigencies of Taical so- ciety do not interfere with the main- tenance of the embassy at the Vati- | can, but, on the contrary, demand such maintenance out of respect to all religious creeds in case of a conflict. You yourself understand, it seems, Mr. President of the council,” contin. ues the letter, “the insufMclency of this first motive, because in order to bolster up your thesis you have seen fit, at the risk of offending the Catho- lies, to stand as sponsor for erroneous interpretations of facts or events pre- vious to the resumption of relations| with Rome and for an unfounded grievance, already absolutely re- futed. The cardinals express regret that those who spoke in favor of mainte- nance of the embassy failed to con- vince the premler. “They have at least.” says the letter, “presented ir- refutable arguments which continue to protest the decision taken and per- mit us to hope, perhaps, for a near future retaliation of which our pa-| triotism wlill not be any less proud than our faith, Seea Attack on Peace. “To their protest, stubborn as truth and justice, we have wished to join ours in our personal names and in that of all the Catholics of France. No animosity mingles with this; it is made up for the most part of regret at seeing the government and the ma- jority of the chamber forget the re- spect due to the holy see, regret to note that the religlous peace so nec- essary to the country must withstand | another attack, -regret to feel that| France will soon leave 2 post where for such a long time she has occupled a first place, and will become isolated from the universal church. The ap- pointment of a mere charge of a mis- | slon from Alsace-Lorraine cannot rem- edy such painful isolatlion, “God cannot permit that such an abandonment of our traditions be- come consummated. We retain con- fidence that in the senate will be found a majority of men patriotic and independent enough to place the In- terests of France above party poli- tics. 1t is the wish of all clear-sight- ed Frenchmen as well as of all faith- ful Catholics. It s also our wish, which Is as sincere as our regrets and our protests.” PORRES Bl FOUR KILLED 1IN PLANE. BUENOS AIRES, February 17.— Four passengers in an airplane were | killed and the pilot was seriously in- | jured when the plane fell at Cer. in the province of Santa Fe. The crash was caused by a frightened passenger, who pulled the rudder control. ing and Refining Co. had infringed patents of his on devices to facili- tate copper ore smelting, reversing the decision of the United States District Court in Seattle, which threw the case out. Counsel for Carson said today that the court’s decision ordered an accounting by the defendant com- pany and that a conservative esti- mate would place the amount due Carson at $5,000,000. @imilar suits are pending against the Phelps-Dodge Corporation of Arizona and the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. of Montana, and the decision. according to Carson's legal advisers, also virtually set- tles those vther suits. A total ac- counting would bring him $20.- 000,000 at least from the compa- nies that have used his- patents, ,be contends. = | country depends primarily | importance as fast as the papers are printed. Circulation, 107,152 TWO CENTS. NATIONAL DEFENSE MADE SECONDARY, MITCHELL THINKS Holds Security Put Below Pride of Service Arms by General Staff. DEPLORES IGNORANCE ON PRACTICAL AVIATION General Says Ground Officers Do Not Know One Airplane Type From Another. Vigorously continuing his fight for a unified alr service in the face of threats from his superior officers, Brig. Gen. Willlam E. Mitchell, as- sistant chief of the Army Alr Service, appeared today before the House military affairs committee, which is considering the Curry blill, and de- clared that the present policy of the ‘War Department places the defense of the country “secondary.” It is the object of the department, he declared, to prevent any one arm from stand- ing out in importance. He declared there is no one on the general staff who knows the possi- bilities of aviation, and compared War Department spokesmen on the subject to ‘“closet naturalists” who can give beautiful description of birds, but when taken In the forest could not tell one from another. Do Not Know Planes. “Any ground officer taken to an air- drome could not distinguish the type of airplanes, the characteristics of the mo- tors or the manner of fiights” Gen. Mitchell declared. Col. Theodore Roosevelt, former As- sistant Secretary of the Navy, appeared before the committee at the beginning of the session and declared himself un- qualifiedly opposed to a united air force. He later appeared before the Lampert aircraft investigating committee and spoke along similar lines. The airplane as a means of coast de- fense is of “paramount” interest, Gen. @fitchell declared, and it shares with the submarine in the narrow seas. “Sea power, based on battleships alone, ceases to exist” he declared. Urges Deep Study. “We alr people believe,” continued the general, “that the Army and Navy are no longer capable of visualizing the best method for national defense. Those aviators who know the subject of aircraft as a military factor of prime importance, who appeared be- fore Congress despite restrictions, find that their views are at great variance with those presented the members of Congress by others.” He urged that a comprehensive study be made by Congress fnto the question of national defense. Taking up the subject of bombing, Gen. Mitcheil said 20 tons of gas could destroy life in any given area and that one group of afrcraft carry- ing these gas bombs could “put New York out” in a d He sald bombs with fuses that will go off 24 hours after they are dropped are in exist- ence. In referring to the possibil- itles of dirigibles acting as mother ships for airplanes, a subject which he has discussed before, Gen. Mitchell sald the two airships at Lakehurst are only “toys.” Testimony of Roosevelt, Gen. Mitchell was asked about ths co-operation which Col. Roosevelt had cited between the Army and Navy Air Services. Col. Roosevelt, as an example, told how the Navy gave the Army one of its newest racing planes to be flown by an Army pilot in tho Pulitzer cup races ‘That is a bad proposition. It is bad busi- ness. T'd rather not go into that, replied Gen. Mitchelk Speaking as civillan. interested in aviation for 30 years, Col. Roosevelt declared in his testimony that It would be a “great mistake from the aspect of natlonal j defense to unify the Air Services.” He sald the economy resultin, ro unificatfon as many have l‘le{mrrg would be wasted when the question of defense came to the fore. The Air Service is an auxillary branch of the Army and Navy and “I can't concelve of any war fought and restricted in the alr.” said the witness. The training is differ- ent In the Army and Navy, he con- tinued, and explained that a naval pllot observing for his fleet would have to know just what significance to attach to certain positions and movements of enemy fleets. This in- formation, said Col. Raosevelt would be taken by the admiral in command and all orders would be hased on that information. Chairman McKenzie in- terrupted to ask why could not a regular naval officer, skilled in naval tactics, be carried as an observer, in which event would it be essentlal for the pllot to have speclal naval train- ng? “It would not be essential, but de- sirable,” Col. Roosevelt replied. Difterence in Purpose, Col. Roosevelt cited the difference in construction and purpose between Army and Navy aircraft and dis- agreed with the statement previously glven by Col. P. Hender®on, in charge of air mall of the Post Office Depart- ment, that mail alr pllots are 90 per cent prepared for war. “Don’t let us get torn away from our mooring with undue enthusiasm about the air services,” declared Col. Roosevelt to the committee. “Do not let us regard possibilities and proba- bllities as facts The defense of the on the Army and Navy. I do belleve, how- ever, that the Alr Service Is of vital to the defense of the country and that Congress, when it * feels' the Nation can afford it, should increase its appropriation for aero- nautics at the first opportunity.” He urged the passage of the Wins- low-Wadsworth bill providing for a bureau of civil aeronautics and hoped that the air mall service would con- tinue. Money spent on Army and Navy aviation today does more than benefit the two services, sald Col. Roosevelt, because It helps advance commerclal aviation. Jealousy in Navy. Representative Hull of Jowa sald he belleved there was more jealousy in the Navy over aeronautics and he doubted If the airplane was getting a “square deal” Col. Roosevelt re- plled that he did not think that was the case, explaining that in time of war an admiral in command Is going to use everything at his dispesal to achleve victory. ‘The Lampert (Continued Investigating Page olumn| com-