Evening Star Newspaper, February 18, 1925, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. S. Weather Burean Forecast.) Falr tonight, lowest about 30 degrees; Temperatures: p.m. yesterday; Highest lowest, a.m. today. Full report on page 7. Closing N. Y. Stocks and Bonds, Page 24 tomorrow ing cloudiness and warmer. temperature increas- . 57, at 2:30 30, at 0. 29513. NEW ARMS PARLEY PLAN OF PRESIDENT NOW BEFORE OTHER PRINCIPAL POWERS Limit on Auxiliary Craft of Navies Is Prime Object of Move—Land Forces May Come Up for Discussion. NEGOTIATIONS SO FAR IN PRELIMINARY STAGE Kellogg Pressing Proposal in Lon- don, British Foreign Secretary Admits—Tokio and Paris Are Among Capitals, Approached. League's Projéct Delay Cited. Ty the Associated Press The principal powers have been approached by the United States on the subject of a new arms confer- ence. Thus far the discussions have not reached the advanced point charac- terized by diplomatists as “formal negotiations,” but they have been followed up quictly and persistently | in all the principal capitals of the world. Officials here will not discuss what | obstacles may have been encountered, or what measures of success may ap- pear to be held out by the exchanges up to the present The State Department, after being advised that an announcement of the move had been made by Foreign Sec- retary Chamberlain in the House of Commons in London, revealed that| similar conversations had taken place in Paris, Tokio and other capitals, but would not comment further. Purpose of Feelers. It is the purpose of the “feelers” that have been put out by Washing- ton to determine whether there has been any change in the attitude of foreign countrles who blocked at the time of the Washington arms con- ference the limitation of any class of land or sea armament except capital ships. It is the first desire of President Coolidge to secure an agreement which will end ~‘competition in auxiliary naval craft. If something can be done, too, to limit land armament, such a step would be wel- come here; but the Washington Gov- ernment is inclined to regard that problem as a European question. It was emphasized today at the| ‘White House that the informal dis- cussions now in progress do not mean a departure from the policy an- nounced long ago by Mr. Coolidge. He told Congress last December he would call a conference if an oppor- tune moment presented itself, but at that time preferred to await the out- come of the conference project launched by the League of Nations. League Plan Delny Seen. All recent indicatlons from Euro- pean capitals have been that the move contemplated by Geneva has diminish- ing chances of success and now faces a possibility of postponement until next September at least. In these circumstances American diplomatic representatives have ask- ed in an informal way for an ex- pression of view. It was declared at the White House that it would be in- correct to say that the conversatiohs had been any more definite or had gone any further. CONFIRMED IN LONDONW. By the Associated Press. LONDON, February 18.—A new ermament conference which President Coolidge would summon has been men- tioned here “in conversations with the American Ambassador, and is at pres: ent under consideration,” Foreign Sec retary Austen Chamberlain announced in the House of Commons today in an- swer to a question by Comdr. Ken- worthy. Questioned further, Mr. Chamberlain begged to be allowed to confine him- self for the present to the foregoing statement. The cabinet today began considera- tion of the report on the Geneva proto- | col for security and disarmament. In unofficial circles there have been | intimations that the protocol might | eventually be shelved and replaced with a pact to which gland, France | and Belgium would be parties. In| diplomatic circles, however, it is re-| fterated that no negotiations are go- ng on with reference to France's se- curity, this being entirely a cabinet matter which is of a most confidential nature, No Vital Change Seen. “Mr. Kellogg’s departure actually brings the United States nearer to Great Britain,” says the Times in commenting on the American Am- bassador's departure to assume his new post as Secretary of State. The paper explains its dictum by stressing Mr. Kellogg's “gift of in- tercourse and his impulse of warm, active. sympathy, whereby he has greatly enlarged his own knowledge and enriched his own experience by discovering how troubles affect those who have them most constantly on their mind.” ; The Times does not presume that the American policy is for this rea- son going to change or that sensa- tional deductions should be made from Mr. Kellogg's elevation, but says the fact that he has been here and gone means another personal tle With the United States. That nation, it believes, is being brought nearer to Europe every day, “despite official reserve and Insistence upon the complete Isolation of Amer- ica from the fest of the world." Death Claims “Denver Founder.” WHITE PLAINS, N. Y., February 18. ~—Messages from Crescent City, Fla., brought news today of the death last night of William Ryan, former Congress member from New York, a reputed founder of the City of Denver, as well as operator of the first printing plant in | spitzbergen, Entered as second class matte; post office, Washington, D. G. I | 1 E i | DR. MARION L. BURTON. DR. M. L. BURTON, EDUCATOR, DIES Michigan U. Head, Long in Public, Eye, Succumbs to Old lliness. By the Associated Press. ANN ARBOR, Mich,, February 18.— Dr. Marion Leroy Burton, president of the University of Michigan, died here early today. Death came at the end of a long fight in which Dr. Burton rallied time after time from the ill effects of a compiication of diseases. He suffered his first illness last May, but recovered sufficiently to take his usual part in the June commence- ment exercises of the school. He spent the Summer in rest, brok- en only L- the trip to Cleveland, where he made the speech nominat- ing Calvin Coolidge for the presi- dency. He then seemed returning to abundant health which had carried him through 14 years as a college head. Resumed Heavy Taskir, ‘With the return of the students to the campus in September, President Burton again threw himself into the routine duties of his office, working sometimes 18 hours a day. He suffered a slight illness, diagnosed as a cold, in Octotber, from which he again ral- lied. His final illness dates from an evening early in November when he appeared at the school auditorium in- troducing Vilhjalmur Stefansson, ex- plorer. He collapsed following his appear- ance on the plaftorm, and physicians, hurriedly summoned, found him suf- fering from an affected heart. It was this trouble which finally caused his death. Mrs. Burton and a son and daughter were at the bedside when the end cam One daughter, Mrs. George E. ~ (Continued on Page 4, Column 2. ARCTIC IS WARMER, GLACIERS RETREAT Spitzbergen Once Closed to Ships From October to May, Now Ap- proachable Through Winter. BY HAL O'FLAHERTY. LONDON, February 18.—The latest investigations confirm the theory that the Arctic climate has changed considerably in recent years. The temperature of the gulf stream, which ‘n 1925 was higher more than in the previous year, shows an aver- age increase of from four to five de- grees centigrade since 1900, when it was first measured by the explorer Nansen. The chief proof of the change in climate is the remarkable shrinkage of the glaciers, which have retreated from three to four miles, showing that the mild air has caused cor- rosion for a considerable time. Owing to the altered conditions, which in former years was isolated by the heavy ice of the ocean from October to May, may be- come approachable in Winter, and for the first time on record a ship has been dispatched there in February. The milder climate will have the greatest consequences economically as the export of coal, normally begun in the middle of July, can now start two or three months earller. Capt. Amundsen, the Danish ex- plgrer, 18 especially favored by the change, as it makes it possible for |him to entér his starting place for his polar flight on Kings Bay in April and perhaps sooner. (Copyright, 1925, by Chicago Daily News C By the Associated Press. SAN ANTONIO, Tex., February 18. —The old prophesies of the Aztec priests that lakes of the city of Mexico would rise and engulf the Spanish: eonquerors who profaned their temples-and shattered their idols have been recalled following reports of engineers appearing in Excelsior, published in the Mexican capltal, that the city is slowly sinking. Settling of heavy buildings is easily seen in parts of the cty, the paper says, while in other sections scientific tests are necessary to show that the foundations of build- ings are steadily sinking into the subsoil. The great cathedral of Mexico, Colorado and ~a banker at Port Chester, N. Y. one of the largest buildings in the ‘world and heaviest in the Mexican b WASHINGTON, D. C, By Cable to The Star and Chicago Datly News. : Aztec Priests’ Prop In Sinking of Mexico City Buildings WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ——— PEOPLE'S GOUNSEL MEASURE 0. K.D BY HOUSE COMMITIEE Officer to Handle Public Util- ities Work Would Get $7,500 Yearly. RENT AND TRAFFIC BILLS DENIED RIGHT OF WAY | | ‘Police Woman's Bureau Proposal | Comes In for Warm Debate at Session, Creation of a new office of people’s counsel for the Public Utilities Commis- sion at a salary of $7,500 a year, with this- counsel required to devote his en- | tire time to public utilities work, is au- thorized in a bill favorably reported by the House District committee today. The committee also reported favor- ably a bill making it a misdemeanor in the District of Columbia to abandon or willfully neglect wives and minor children In destitute or necessitous circumstances. A subcommittee consisting of Rep- resentatives Underhill, Massachusett; Gilbert of Kentucky, Beers of Penn- vivania, Stalker of New York and Gasque of South Carolina was ap- pointed to consider the bill intro- duced in the Senate by Senator Smoot and in the House by Representative Blanton of Texas to establish a wom- en’s burean in the Metropolitan Po- lice Department of the District of Columbia, giving greater authority and official recognition to the work now being carried on by the existing one of the bureau. Rent Bill Fight Loat. Representative Lampert of Wiscon- | sin sought vigorously and in vain to have the District Rent Commission | bill put first on the committee pro- gram for consideration in the House | next Monday. H Members of the committee stated vigorously during the meeting that both the rent bill and the traffic bill are dead as far as action at this ses- slon is concerned. Although the special order for the meeting today was consideration of the Zihlman bill providing for an in- crease of two members in the Public Utilities Commission, - Representativ, Blanton got the floor and spoke length on the proposed woman's bureau in the Police Department and | urged its-passage in recognition of the work being done by Mrs. Mina Van Winkle. He eulogized Mrs. Van Winkle's services especially in be- half of young girls in the Nation's Capital. He sald that this legislation would give her authority to continue her good work. He became inter- ested at the solicitation of the presi- dent of Federated Women's Clubs in Texas and told of the propaganda in support of this measure being carried on by Federated Women's Clubs all over the country. Underhill Blocks Action. | Representative Underhill of Massa- | chusetts asked “How much does this woman In Texas know about condi- tions in the District of Columbia?” Representative Blanton sought to make this measure special order of business and was blocked by objec- tion by Representative Underhill, who argued that the desertion bill was of more immediate importance. Whereat Representative Blanton held that the desertion be favorably reported, and this motion prevailed. Owing to a point of order the com- mittee had to stay in recess until a quroum was called in. Representative Zihlman explained the Public Utilities Commission meas- ure and the need for a speclal coun- sel because the Public Utilities spent between $80,000 and $90.000 in at- torneys’ fees last year, where the Public Utilitles Commission was represented only by the corpora- tion counsel’s office. Blanton Asks Change, Representative Lampert of Wis- consin said that he favored this legislation with an amendment which would make the Public Utilities Commission distinct from the Board of District Commissioners. Repre- sentative Blanton offered as an amendment the proposal to appoint a special attorney for the Public Utilities Commission at a salary of $7,500 a year who would devote all of his time to this work. He said that he conferred vesterday with the Engineer Commissioner, who assured him that all he needed at this time was a high-class attorney. Representative Underaill argued that the District officials ought to have a counsel attending the Dis- trict committee sessions to advise them in regard to legislation affecting the District. Representative Blanton told the committee that the people are tired of having Army officers running af- fairs here in the District. Repre- sentative Underhill made a reference to the District rent bill, at which Representative Blanton sald, “That's so dead there is no use in mentioning it Representative Lampert replied: “You think so? You may be disagree- ably surprises Representative Zihlman called at- tention of Mr. Blanton to the fact (Continued on Page 3, Column 4.) hecies Recalled capital, is sald to be among those which 1s sinking year after year. Tests show the old church s from one, two and three centimeters below its original level. The cathedral was bullt upon one of the islands upon which the capital of the Aztecs stood. Its founda- tions are sald to have been com- posed of idols from Aztec temples, broken and mingled with the other stone. When the Spaniards subdued the Aztecs and captured their capital it was a city of islands. This fact made the conquest very difficult for the Spaniards, as they had to fight from island to island and build bridges across canals. The lake has been filled since and engineers say that the filling not only is settling, but that the porous subsoil is not strong enough LAGUARDIA RAPS. COAST DEFENSES ‘Member of Congress, For- merly Flyer, Assails Army and Navy Policy. “There isn't an Army officer alive to- day who does not admit that the coast defense stations of the country are abso- lutely worthless, and that money appro- priated for them by Congress is thrown away,” declared Representative La Guardia of New York, testifying today before the Lampert aircraft investigat- ing committee. Representative La Guardia desired to be heard -on the ef- fectiveness of the entire craft against bombing planes, of which he has some knowledge, as he was a pilot on the Italian front during the war. “While the Navy continues to ask for appropriations for battleships that are vulnerable to attack by airplanes, the Army continues to ask for appropria- tions for obeolete coast defenses” said the witness, “and I think the commit- tee ought to look into this. Condemns General Sta “The Army general staff,” con- tinued Maj. La Guardia, “Is just as guilty as the Navy in holding back aviation.” He said he tried unsuccess- fully to get from the Secretary .of War the officlal report on the 1923 bombing of the battleships Virginia and New Jersey. He submitted a letter from Secretary Weeks which stated that the matter was confi- dential and that it could be supplied to a committee of Congress only. The committee went on record that it should have this report. Of the entire flying on the Italian tront during the war, which included day and night bombardment, only one plane was shot down by anti- alreraft fire from the Austrian forces, Representative La Guardia told the committee. He cited instances of planes being hit and forced to re- turn to their base, and introduced E. B. Spore, a war pilot, who had been hit by anti-afrcraft shells, but was able to make a friendly air- drome. The Representative summed up his views on the aircraft situa- tion by declaring he favored divorc- ing the Army and Navy air services from thelr respective departments; requiring a report on the coast de- fense of the country; forcing a naval officer to spend 10 years at sea “in order to make him a good sailor and fit for a desk job,” and the employ- ment of the air force in mail car- rying, commercial work, photogruph- ing and mapping. He declared air- craft in the military services will never get anywhere ‘‘as long as we have amateurish experimental sta- (Continued on Page 4, Column 4.) St S R LAMOND CROSSING BILL IS REPORTED Senate Committee Also Votes Ju- risdiction for Juvenile Court in Non-Support. Two bills, one restoring the jurls- diction of the Juvenile Court over non-support cases and ‘the other for the elimination of the Lamond grade crossing at Takoma Park, were re- ported out at the meeting of the Senate District committee today. The Juvenile Court bill makes it a misdemeanor for any person willtully to neglect to provide support asd maintenance for his wife or minor children in destitute circumstances, ahd is designed to give the Juvenile Court authority over this type of offense. The Lamond grade crossing meas- ure has been petitioned for by clvic organizations in Washington for many years, and_would eliminate, by means of a tunnel, one of the worst railroad and road intersections in the vicinity of the National Capital. The committee also decided to hold two public hearings, one on the bill to increase the personnel and broaden the powers of the Policewomen's Bureau, and the other a hearing designed to bring out the reasons of the FPublic | Utilities Commission for granting the permit for the’ new crosstown bus line to the Washington Railway and Electric Co. instead of the Washington Rapid Transit Co., which claims to have been the first_petitioner for the new line. Among those present at the meeting were Senators Ball, chairman; Capper, to bear the heavy structure which has peen erected. Gooding, Weller, Sheppard, King, Coj Jand, Edwards and Jooea, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 ¢ Foening 1925 — Bomb Blast Razes 3 Buildings; Many Thrown From Beds By the Associated Press. PITTSBURGH, Pa., February 18. —Three buildings in the Penn avenue wholesale produce district of Pittsburgh were demolished by a series of exploslions early today with a loss of $125,000. Windo in a score of other buildings were shattered. Many residents were thrown from their beds. They caped with minor injuries. After an invesigation, Fire Mar- shal Thomas Pfarr reported he be- lieved the first explosion was a dynamite bomb, set off in one of the buildings. This blast, he said, was followed by gas explosions. ARLINGTON BRIDGE BILL BEFORE HOUSE Objectors Raise Economy Plea and Seek Division of Expense With District. The Arlington Memorial Bridge, de- signed to unite the North and South in the most magnificent approach to any capital city in the world, is under considerftion in the House this afternoon. The only objection raised is that legislation authorizing an appropria- tion of $14,750,000 for this bridge, visioned many years ago by the great statesman, Daniel Webster, and urged by every President in recent vears, is that it does not appear to be in harmony with the economy pronouncements of the administre tion. In refutation of this, however, several speakers have emphasized that President Coolidge over his own signature had declared it is in har- mony with his fiscal program. May Divide Costs. The next objection is on the ground that the residents of the District of Columblia should share In the expense. To meet this objection Representa- tive Louis C. Cramton of Michigan announced that he will offer an amendment providing that when any appropriations are made for this work from the Federal Treasury they shall be divided between the Federal and District funds in whatever propor- tion may then exist, and providing that benefits be assessed against prop- erty owners on account of approaches and street improvements resulting from completion of the bridge. Representative Eillott, chairman of the committee on public buildings and grounds, pointed out that the Me- mortal Bridge across the Potomac River leading in_the general direc- tion of the Lee Mansion on the Ar- lington estate, has been under con- sideration by Congress and the ex- ecutive departments for more than 75 years. He emphasized that Con- gress has on several occasions passed laws pursuant to which preliminary plans have been prepared for . this bridge. Yet in each case, due to delay in the authorization and active prosecution of the work of construc- tion, the project has been allowed to languish without definite action belng taken. Favors Immediate Start. He reviewed the history of this legis- lation, pointing out that the Arlington Memorial - Bridge Commission, headed by President Coolidge, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, unanimously favors immediate commencement of this important and generally approved - project ' under a 10-year program. of construction with a total expenditure in the 10-year period of $14,750,000, Chairman Elliott : called -attention of his colleagues to the fact that this is not only the national me- morial symbolic of . the reunion of the North and South, but it is an important link. in - the development of the National Capital: and in. re- lleving the trahsportation system. of the whole United ~States. It will conniect ‘up the ‘Lincoln and Lee highways and will give the Capital one of the most beautiful approaches | in the world. At the présent time,: he sald, there are seven or eight highways - leading ‘into Washington and all of them are a discredit,: to say the least, and not In Kkeeping with the Capital of the Nation. In addition the present facilities are not suffictent to take care of motor vehicle traffic from the South and from the North to, the South. HIRTY-SIX PAGES. POLICE DEFY SHOTS INWILD RUM CHASE Auto Is Cornered in Long Race Downtown—Man and 144 Gallons Seized. While Washington slept this morn- ing five speeding automobiles—an al- leged rum runner with two convoys and two pursuing police cars—wrote a sensational adventure story over a circuitous route of the Capital's downtown streets, which ended in the grounds of the Department of Agri- culture with the capture of the liquor laden machine and one of its three occupants. Throughout the long chase pistol shots rang out into the quiet of the¢ morning and amoke screens from the fugitive cars cov- ered the streets with obnoxious gases. Policeman Howard ‘Ogle, who led the thrilling ¢hase, surrendered as his troghy of victory to the Police De- partment, 24 cases or 144 gallons of alleged liquor, and Adolph Olewack, 20 years old, 709 Eighth street south- east, said to be one of the occupants of the captured car. Olewach was charged with transporting and ille- gal possession of liquor. Suspicious of Sagging Cnr. chase started near Twelfth and E streets, when Policeman Ogle, riding in a machine driven by John Conners of Cheyy Chase, started to trail an automobile whose body was resting heavily on the rear springs. The driver of the alleged rum car became suspicious and stepped on the gas and shot west on E street at an 80-mile-an-hour clip. ‘The policemen took a hazardous posi- tion on the running board of the pur- suit car and was greeted with desul- tory shots from the machine ahead The two machines kept close to- gether in their wild dash around the downtown section until two convoy cars, which had followed the police- man’s machine, began to interfere by trying to sideswipe and ram it. The police car, however, overcame these obstacles, and, as it dashed across Pennsylvania avenue at Ninth street, was augmented by two police re- cruits who commandeered an auto- mobile and joined in the chase. ‘The Volley of Pistol Shots. Out Pennsylvania avenue the five automobiles sped, the police cars trailing in a thick maze of smoke emitted by the alleged” rum car. Circling the ellipse five times, the machines then headed for the Mall while 2 volley of pistol shots wi smothered in the noise of the racing motors. In the Agriculture grounds, how- ever, the fleeing car was hedged in a siding and was unable to proceed. Three men leaped from the alleged liquor car and ran. One, sald to be Olewack, was captured. The convoys also escaped. In the captured automobile, the police say, they found the 144 gallons of liquor piled almost to the top of the tonneau. The smoke screen tank was found depleted of its oil. The car, according to the police, be- longs to ndicate e runners at a weekly liquor into the District. Ten doliars Is being offered as a prize for the best suggestion for bringing about a further reduction in the White House expenses. The offer has been extended, how- ever, only to employes of the White House, and the prize money is to be paid personally out of the pocket of N. P. Webster, disbursing officer of the White House, who has reached his wits’ end in an endeavor to institute more saving. ‘This ‘economy contest ends today. At least all suggestions must be in Mr. Webster's hands by noon. Just when ‘he -will announce the ‘winner has not been made known. ‘While attémpting to carry out his avowed policy of economy, President Coolidge believes the White House should set the pace. $10 Prize Offered White House Worker Who Can Think of Economy Scheme ‘With this idea in mind, the By way of illustration he pointed to the disgraceful traffic jam at the time of the services for the Unknown dead " (Continued on Page 3, Column §.) Executive has been hammering away at those -im charge of the White House and the executive office to cut “From Press to Home The Within the Hour” Star’s carrier system covers every city block and the regular edi- tion is delivered to-Washington homes as fast as the papers are printed. Yesterday’s Circulation, 104,887 Use of War Gases ; To Drive Mosquito | From U. S. Studied | Experiments by the Chemical Warfare Service in exterminating mosquitoes along the short lines of the country are under consider- ation by Brig. Gen. Fries, chief of the service, at the suggestion of Senator Fletcher, Democrat, Florida. While no appropriations have been suggested, it is the belief of officials that by development of a gas, to be distributed over swamp lands by airplanes, much could be accomplished in the way of wiping out the pest. WALSH WOULD END TIDAL BASIN BEACH Senator Seeks Abolition of Both 0ld and New Bath- ing Places. i | | A proposal to do away with the bathing beach for white people In the Tidal Basin and at the same time put a stop to the construction of the beach for colored people in the Basin was submitted to the Senate this aft- ernoon by Senator Walsh of Montana during the consideration of the Dis- trict appropriation bill. Senator Walsh had previously at- tacked the proposed bathing beach for colored people in the Tidal Basin. Senator Copeland of New York asked If it was the purpose to con- tinue the bathing beach for the white people and to exclude that for the colored. He said that so far as sanitation is concerned, he did| not belleve the bathing beaches in the Tidal Basin should be discon- tinued; that the bathing in the Basin was as sanitary as in the river and| probably more so. Would End Both Beaches, Senator Walsh immediately an- nounced that he intended to do away | with the white bathing beach as well as to stop work on the colored beach. Senator Broussard of Louisiana ob- Jected to this proposal on the ground that the white beach was a going con- cern and that the colored beach had not been established. Senator Simmons of North Carolina strongly urged Senator Broussard to withdraw his objection, saying that he was opposed to having any bath- ing in the Tidal Basin, ‘Would Merge Amendments. Senator Walsh then reviewed his pro- posal to consolidate the Senate commit- tee amendment relating to the main- ;lelnlhce :l tne colored beach and s amendment to do away wi white beach. e To this Senator Norris of Nebraska objected. Senator Norris fathered the first proposition for the construction of a bathing beach in the Tidal Basin 10 years or more ago. He said that he could not agree with other Sen- ators that the bathing beach con- stituted an eyesore. He insisted that it id not detract from the beauty of Potomac Park and the Tidal Basin. He pointed out further that it is a much safer place to bathe than the river, and more sanitary. Earlier in the debate Senator Walsh read a letter from the chairman of the | Commission of Fine Arts, Mr. Moore, op- Dosing the location of the bathing beach &t the Tidal Basin and asking the re- moval of the present bathing beach for Wwhite people. He read also a letter trom the Public Health Service de- claring that conditions were unsat- Isfactory because the water in the | basin was contaminated. Senator | Walsh also read a letter from Dr. Richardson stating that diseases of the | ear were common from such infection as might come from bathing in the con- | taminated waters of the basin. Senator Walsh announced that if the Senate committee , amendment Providing $6,000 for the maintenance of the colored bathing beach In the Tidal Basin was defeated, as he hoped | it would be, he would move to cover into the Treasury that part,of the appropriation made for the bath- ing beach which has not already been expended. . Amendment Defended. Senator Phipps of Colorado de- fended the committee amendment, and pointed out that efforts had been made to find a proper location for the colored bathing beach in the An- acostia River and at the terminus of the Georgetown bridge, but without avail. He said that the beach in the Tidal Basin would be screened and would not be offensive. The water, he sald, was purified by the use of chemicals and suitable for bathing purposes. He added that al- ready $25,000 had been expended to- wards the construction of the beach and that it would be completed by June 30. He read a letter from Secretary Weeks of the War Depart- rhne);’t liln which the Secretary said that | © belleved no bathing beaches should | be established in the Tidal Basia bt | that this apparently was the most available place at present. If the| memorial ‘bridge is cbnstructed the | Secretary said he hoped authority would be given to move both the beaches from the Tidal Basin to Columbla-Island in the middle of the river. Senator Pepper of Pennsylvania de- | clared that any bathing beach in the Tidal Basin is unwise, When the Senate recessed last night (Continued on Page 2, Column 3.) Ever since he has been President he has kept a critical eye upon the White House expenses. His insist- ency. has caused those in charge of the White House and executive office more than one sleepless night. While they have succeeded, at least, ‘to the extent of not having to increase the White House appro- priation, they have not reduced ex- Denses sufficiently to meet with the approval of the President. ere must be more economy, at least $12,000 more, he Insists. How this is to be brought about is up to the officlals of the White House. He is_holding them to account. In one last effort they have called upon the employes to help.' They are hoping there is at least one head among the nearly 100 men and women on the White House and executive office pay roll which may contain an idea along the lines sought. iof the company, TWO CENTS. PHONE 0.0 CLAN 5000000 VALLE N RATE CUTCAS First Session of Hearing De- velops Dispute on Prop- erty Valuation. PUBLIC UTILITY TOTAL IS DECLARED T0O LOW Bell Says Commission Will Make New Appraisal if Need Is Proved. A valuation of approximately $2. 000,000 as of present-day price levels is expected to be claimed by the Chesapeake & Potomac_Telephone Co. in the rate hearing which began before the Public Utilities Commission at the District Building today. The commission’s value of the property as of December 31, last, was $18,139,165. This figure is arrived at by taking the orginal valuation of $6,783,932 found Ly the commission in 1916, and addis plant since that time at The compuny is contending present case, however, t all of its property must be re as of to- day before the reasonablene: isting rates can be passed on New Evidence to Come. Up to noon today the testimo had revolved entirely around th increase in value that has occurred in the real estate owned by the com- pany and total figures had not reached. It was learned from official however, that evi dence to be submitted later would show the company's estimate of present-day value to bLe close to $25,000,000 At the opening of the hearinz Do- zler De Vane, counsel for the com- pany, outlined in a general way th company’s plan to submit evidence as to the change that has taken place values since the original valuati of the commission was announced in 1916. Mr. De Vane said the company would endeavor to show that a val- uation begun in 1814, with net addi- tions since that time added, is not a fair value today. Clayton Objects to Trend. William McK. Clayton, counsel for the Federatlon of Citizens' Associa- tions, pointed ou: that the hearing had been called to consider the rea- sonableness of the rates charged by the company, but that it was spread- ing out into a valuation proceeding. Mr. Clayton argued that a valuation proceeding should not be woven into a rate case. Engineer Commissioner Bell ex- plained that the commission would consider the company’s claim that its valuation should be revised, and that if a revision of value should be found necessary the commission would pro- ceed in a lawful manner. The company's first witness was J. Dallas Grady, real estate man, who said he was a member of a commit- tee of the Washington Real Estate Board which recently appraised all of the land of the telephone company, at the company's request. been Explains Appralsal. Mr. Grady submitted a report show- ing the increases he believed have taken place in the values of the various properties owned by the company and explained how he ar- rived at the appraisements. Mr. Clayton questioned the witness rigidly as to whether he had con- sulted the asseased values placed on the telephone properties by the Dis- trict assessor, but Mr. Grady insisted that he never took the assessor's estimate of value into account in de- termining what is the market value of land. Mr. Grady testified that he had the greatest respect for the District as- sessor, but that he thought a real estate broker who keeps abreast of the market knows what a piece of property will bring. Col. Bell requested counsel for the company to present arguments later on two questions: First, why the values of the District assessor should not be con- sidered; second, why land not used in the telephone service should not be ex- cluded from the valuation. Indications were that all of today's session would be taken up with testi- mony as to the valuation. SENATE P. 0. BILL DEFEATED BY HOUSE Votes 234 to 120 Against Substi- tuting Pay and Rate Increase Measure. By a voto of 234 to 120 the House today refused to accept the Senate postal pay and rate increase bill as a substitute for the measure it passed last week. After Speaker Gillett had appointed conferees on the bill, Representative Blanton, Democrat, Texas, proposed that they be instructed to accept the Senate substitute, which would raise considerably less revenue than the House measure. His motion was re- Jjected on a roll call vote. Chairman Griest of the House post office_committee urged rejection of the Senate bill, declaring he was certain President Coolidge would veto it on the ground that it raised in- sufficient revenue. Representatives Paige, Massachusetts, and Kelly, Pennsylvania, Republicans, and Bell, Democrat, Georgia, were ap- pointed House conferees. MOTION PICTURE STAR UNDER SURGEON’S HANDS PARIS, February 18.—Gloria Swan- son, the moving picture star, had to be hurried to a clinic in Auteuil last evening, where she was operated upon at midnight. The operation was a sequel to one performed some months ago, after which, it appears, she did not take sufficient rest before re- suming her Dprofessional activities. Her condition today was pronounced satisfactory. Miss Swanson last month was mar- adio Programs—Page 30, ried here to the Marquis de la Falalse de la Coudray. 2