Evening Star Newspaper, April 11, 1925, Page 2

— COOLIDGE UNMOVED BY OIL PACT TERMS Mildly Rebukes Sinclair In- terests for Story of Un- fairness by Japanese. * BY DAVID LAWRENCE. ! President Coolidge 1 buked the Sinclair oil endeavoring to create the impression that the United States was hood- winked by Japan in the recent agree- ment made by Tokio with the Soviet government. For several there have been published interpreting the Japanese-Russian agreement for con- cessions in Sakhalin as a violation of the principle of the open dvor. This correspondent last week disclosed the viewpoint of the American Gov- ernment to be that the open door policy had not been violated. The White House now has felt con- strained to go even further and place the responsibility for the er- roneous interpretation on “certain in- which were disappointed by the Russian-Japanese agreement. s mildly re-| interests for days stories terests” Back to Fall Trip. Back of all this & which runs to the days when Albert B Il made a trip to Russia and when the former Secretary of the In- terior still was influential with is situation Shocked at Costumes REV. THOMAS C. CLARK. BARE KNEES PROVOKE STORM OVER TAKOMA PARK AMATEUR SHOW (Continued from First Page.) a hurried midnight conference of the minstrel managment. It broke up early today with a decision to protest the edict to the church session itself, and to request the elders to view the costumes themselves and judge Harding administration. The Sovie government wanted recognition. They made a contract with the Sinclair interests whereby the latter were to receive oll concessions, but they were to become null and void If the Amer- fcan Government did not recognize the Soviet ime. The Sinclair in- terests consented to that provision. but Secretary Hughes looked askance at it. Whether the Sinclair interests believed that Albert Fall could per- suade President Harding to extend recognition to the Soviets or whether it was hoped the Soviets would ignore the provision and let the concession stand is, of course, something which only the Sinclair people know. So far as the State Department is con- cerned, it never considered the oil concessions as a reason for recogni- tion. Little Interest in Sinclair, Since the Teapot Dome scandal was Trevealed, there has been even less in- terest in forwarding the projects of the Sinclair oil people in relation to the Russian concessions. Entirely apart, however, from the questions involved in the concession obtained by the Sinclair interests, the Department of State has come to the conclusion that disinterested inter- pretation of the “open door” agree ment between Japan and the United States do not warrant any idea that the pact has been violated. Examining the text of the agree- ment, the phrase ‘general superiority” | 1s used. This means that no nation s claim or maintain any general supe- riority in any region in the Far East which is open to commercial develop- ment. Officials of the Department of Stats point out that the Japanese have just obtalned a relatively small area for oil drilling and that other areas are avallable to American in- terests if the Russian government of today or the futere wishes to dispose of them The Japanese having recognized Soviet Russia naturally benefit by that step and thelr ol companies have merely made a better bargain with Soviet Russia than did the Sin- clair companies. The American Government does not believe the Japanese have anything ltke a monopoly and the whole inci dent is dismigqed as not having any bearing on the relations between Japan and the United States for there wiil be no protest made. Nor is it likely that the American Gov- ernment will feel at liberty to sup- port the Sinclair concession which has been declared invalid in the Mos- cow courts. To support it would be to enter into the merits of the con- troversy over recognition. When diplomatic relations are resumed, there may be a claim entered on the board grounds of equity, in which event, the Department of State will be in a better position to insist on fair treatment for all American in- terests, the Sinclair companies in- cluded U. S. WOOD DISTILLING INDUSTRY ATTACKED Germany Threatens Its Extinction by Producing Synthetic Methanol in Overwhelming Quantity. By the Associated Press BALTIMORE, Md., April 11.—Amer- ica’s $100,000,000 wood distillation in- dustry is threatened with extinction by German chemistry, it was de- clared yesterday at the meeting of the American Chemical Society here. Germans are making synthetic methanol, formerly known as wood alcohol, from water gas, and are shipping it into this country in such quantities, it was said, as to arouse fears that the American production of methanol from hardswood will be wiped out. Another forward step of German science was described by Dr. Franz Fischer, director of the Kaisar Wil- helm Institute at Mulheim-Ruhr, who said that a process closely related o that by which synthetic methanol is produced is being emploved to manufacture liguid motor fuels from water gas. whether the girls wers properly clothed, despite the bare knees. Special Sessiom Called. The fourth thing that happened was the calling of a special meeting of the session for tonight for agree- ment on a final decision on the basis of the attitude of the fire depart- ment committee. Those girls may be used to help the elders make their decision, it was announced today by J. M. Barron, director of the show. “It's all a tempest In a teapot, Mr. Barron said today. “We are quite incensed over the whole thing, and 0 are the young ladies. They are all respectable Takoma Fark girls, and they do not relish the idea of inti- mations being made that they are taking part in a risque performance. In the mud pie scene the young ladies are supposed to take the part of kiddies. They dressed in rompers to the knees and wore short stock- ings. just as any child would do. Wouldn't it look fine to have them wear long stockings? Furthermore, several of the church elders had viewed the scene previously and they didn’t protest about it Will Accede If Necessary. “Of course, if we can't convince the session tonight that these young ladies are properly clothed we will §0 ahead with the long stockings. ome of us doubt if the church really ¥ how or consor it, after having rented the hall to us. Why, some ot tae town's keading citizens are In tais Yet we are made to appear that we are putting on a shady per- fermance. We have got to go ahead with it, as we have already sold more than 1,000 tickets.” Another scene in the “Minstrel Fol- lies” requires the appearance of the same young ladies in silk pajamas, It is the “Good-Night, Sleep Tight" scene. There appears to be no ob- jection to this scene, Mr. Barron said. Dr. Clark =ald today that the edict against the romper scene was issued by the “committee of the church.” He saild the hall is owned by the church and is used by it for Sunday school purposes. ““We could not toler- ate its use for a performance in ich girls appear who are not prop- clothed,” Dr. Clark explained. have told them they must at least make the show respectable.” The “Follies” is being staged under auspices of a committee of the Fire Department, composed of Walter Whitney, president of the depart- ment; Dr. Walter Dudley, fire chief; J. Heale and Director Barron. WILL START BdRINGS FOR MEMORIAL BRIDGE Army Engineers Prepare to Test mid s River's Bottom for Piers of Arlington Structure. Channel borings will be started in the Georgetown channel of the Po- tomac early next week to determine the kind of foundation thers for the piers of the Arlington Memorial Bridge. Twenty piles were brought up to the site of the proposed bridge today and this afternoon the Army pile driver Atlas will come up into the river and sink these piles at vari- ous points across the river bed to hold the boring machine while it is working in the river. The second boring on the Potomac Park shore was started today, and it is expected that this one will be com- pleted early Monday, when the drill- ing machinery will be shifted to a barge in the river. Surveyors this morning l1aid off the points where the river borings are to be made. GERMAN LIBERAL LEADER SUCCUMBS IN DETROIT Dr. Hermann Paasche, Privy Councilor and Former Reichstag Officer, Dies of Pneumonia. By the Associated Press. DETROIT, April 11.—Dr. Hermann Paasche, privy councilor and former first vice president of the German Reichstag, died in a hospital here carly today of pneumonia. He was America’s only hope in other similar exigencies which may arise, it was declared at the meeting, lies in research. in this and SWISS PROTEST U. S. PROBES INTO COSTS OF MANUFACTURING (Continued from First Page.) mine the home or export selling prios, or, If necessary, the produc- tion cost. Treasury officials said the protests apparently has originated in one of the extreme cases in which it had been found necessary to invoke sec- tion 510 of the tariff act, barring importation of merchandise from a particular manufacturer in event that manufacturer had refused customs attaches the privilege of examining his books or supplying Information sought by the attaches. On several occasions months the mandatory provisions have been applied. In each of the cases, one of which affected a Swiss concern, the order was revoked with- in a few days after the manufacturer had cabled the Treasury permission to send its representatives to make an examination of his records. Customs officials added, however, that the extreme cases were very few in number and declared that none of them heretofore had offered a serlous peoblen 3 in recent stricken a week ago upon his arrival here to address a mass meeting on conditions in German territory oc- cupied by French troops. With Dr. Paasche when the end came was his wife, Frau Elise Paasche. Dr. Hermann Paasche was born near Magdeburg, Prussia, February 24, 1851. An authority on political sciences, Dr. Paasche held professor- ships at several German universitiea. He traveled extensively and visited the United States previously, in 1892 and 1907. As leader of the National Liberals he was elected to the Reichstag in 1903. He was first vice president of that body until the down- fall of the imperial government. The body will be taken to Germany by his widow. AT U. S. DELEGATION HAILED. League Officials Pleased With Mem- bership of Arms Parley Group. GENEVA, April 11.—The composi- tion of the American delegation to the forthcoming conference on the control of the traffic in arms, opening here May 4, was officially communicated to the League of Nations today by Hugh Gibson, United States Minister to Switzerland. g League circles express themselves as greatly pleased with the important character of the membership of the delegation, headed by Representative Theodore E. Burton of Ohlo, who is well known here. THE EVENING DANCER, 16, SLAIN, YOUTH IMPLIGATED London Beauty Hints in Last Words “Indian Student” Slashed Throat. By the Associated Press. LONDON, April 11.—The Scotland Yard authorities are detaining an un- named man In connection with the death yesterday of Grace Blakaller, a pretty sixteen-year-old dancing teacher, who was found with her throat éut Thursday night huddled on the steps of her mother's home in the fashionable West Kensington district. The mystery of the case, which previously had been set down as one of assault, deepened when the police came into possession of a letter which reached the girl Thursday morning and which, they say, is of the highest im- portance. Its contents are being closely guarded. Prior to the detention of the man today, Scotland Yard had announced that it was searching for a man de- scribed only as a “young Indian stu- dent. It was learned today that the girl for the last five years had not been living with her mother, but made her home with Capt. Langmald, a retired regular army officer, wha upon her father's death promised to act as her guardian during her lifetime. Returned to Mother. Capt. Langmaid, it is said, went to visit his own father and mother over the- Easter week end, and the girl had returned to”her mother's house during his absence. She went alone to a motion plcture performance Thursday night, and a few hours later her mother heard a cry and found the girl on the doorstep with a wound in the throat The only words she would say, according to the report, were “Boy from Indla.” Later she requested that the police should not make an investigation. The case is complicated by the fact that a young man who was seen loitering about the vicinity several days prior to the crime told ac- costers that he was a solicitor's clerk watching the house in connection with divorce proceedings. Miss Blakaller was well known in the West End, where she appeared as a child actre in a number of musical performances. Although she is described as exceptionally pretty and attractive, she is not known to have had men frlends. Latterly, however, according to the police, she had been seen with a number of Indian students, some of whom, it is supposed, lived in the artists’ quarter, Chelsea, which is not far from her mother’s home. S TIDAL BASIN LOCKER HOUSE .TO COME DOWN Sherrill Will Ask Bids for De- struction ‘of Building as Re- quired by Law. The locker house which formerly served the bathers at the bandoned bathing beach on the Tidal Basin will disappear within a few weeks. Lieut Col. Clarence O. Sherrill, director of public bulldings and public parks of the National Capital, sald todagy that bids would be asked for immediately for the destruction of this buildimg that has served thousands of bathers during the time it has been there. It has been originally intended by Col. Sherrill to keep this structure in place for the use of the hundreds of people who use the sport fleld op- posite it. He realizes that it would fill a long felt need for the provision of locker space for people who use this fleld, but upon reading the law requiring the abandonment of the bathing beach, it was seen that the office was required to tear down the building and restore the shore to its original state. At the present time it is necessary every Summer to erect a number of tents on the sport field for the comfort of those participating in game CHANGE IN PLAN DELAYS PLANE EXPRESS SERVICE Inauguration Proposed for Mon- day, Detroit to Chicago, Halted for Further Preliminary Work. By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, April 11—A change in plans will postpone the inauguration of express airplane service between Detroit and Chicago proposed for Monday, according to word from De- troit recelved by Chicago business men preparing a welcoming recaption. Arrangements for the first flight are under way, but are not complete, th. Detroit interests backing the project sald. Phillp Kemp, chairman of Mayor Dever's aviation commission, Who returned Thursday from a visit to Detroit, sald he and representa- tives of the Chicago Association of Commerce had been told the first flight would be made Monday with a 2,000-pound express cargo. .- DOCK LABORERS STRIKE. Boston Workers Want Boost From 42.8 to 50 Cents. BOSTON, April 11.—A strike for higher wages of the ‘hour laborers” of the dockmen's force at the Army base in South Boston yesterday tled up de- livery of 20,000 bales of wool, and will cause further indefinite delay, according to Herman Normel, surveyor of the port, unless the importers agree to accept shipment on the basis of a 10 per cent weighing already made. The surveyor said he would break the strike by bringing in Government weighers from other ports, who are not allowed to strike under civil service rules, and by hiring a force of 100 new men. The strikers are asking 50 cents an hour instead of 42.8 cents. > Half-Billion Cut In Taxes Forecast By Next Congress Taxes are to be reduced half z billion dollars -by Congrees at its next session, according to Senator Curtis of Kansas, Republican lead. er of the Senate. Senator Curtis has been in conference with Presi- dent Coolldge regarding economy and tax matters. The reduction in taxation {8 to be made possi- ble through economy and a com- prehensive reorganization of the Government's bureaus and depart- ments, Senator Curtis Indicated ye: terday. The Kansas Senator predicted that economy would be the main issus in the coming céngressional campaign. He expressed the opin- jon that the tariff law wonld be let alone; that it was no time to tinker with the schednles repeal the flexible proy tarift law, STAR, The seven finalists in the 1925 na- tional oratorical contest who will compete in the Washington Audito- | rium on May 8 for $5000 in prizes { will probably he even more thrilling than the 1924 finalists. At least they will have fought their way through much larger fleld of competitors and through a greater number of grueling contests, as shown by re- ports recelved by Randolph Leigh, national director, from 35 contest clearing centers throughout the United States. These reports show that slightly more than 1,400,000 high school pupils participated in the 1925 contest. This is contrasted ' with approximately 1,000,000 pariicipatits in the 1924 con- test. The scope of the project is shown in the following summary for the en- tire country: Participants, 1,400,000, Schools, 16,216, All awards, $46,650. AllL publications, 1,120. Inarcase in Prizes. Aside from Indicating the increase in the number of contestants, the re- ports also furnish information as to the growth in popularity, generally, of the contest movement. Last year 13,281 schools participated, so that this vear's gain in that regard is almost a fourth. The reports also show that 1,120 publications of all kinds are co-operating with the 35 major newspapers in promoting the contest. Last year there were slight- ly less than 800 of these co-operating publications. It 1is probable that within the next few weeks, when the project reaches fits more dramatic stages, with national leaders taking part In the meetings, practically every newspaper in the country wiil treat this second great constitutional contest as “news."’ There has also been a noteworthy increase in the number of local prizes offered, the aggregate of these run- ning thousands of dollars in excess of the sectional prizes last year. These prizes come from co-operating newspapers, bar associations, civic organizations and individuals who are interested. In addition to the sh prizes there are hundreds of cups, medals and handsomely en- graved certificates offered to spur on the youthful orators. The greatest number of contestants DRIVER FINED $200 ON DRINKING CHARGE Hitt Makes Alternative 60 Days in Jail—$100 Is Colliding Penalty. Determination of Judge Isaac R. Hitt at present presiding over the day Traf- fic Court, to mete out severe penalties in convictions for more serious traffic violations was shown today On a charge of driving while intoxi- cated, Carl C. Baker, a taxi driver, was given the alternative of $200 or 60 days. Being unable to pay the fine he was committed to jail. Additional charges of not having proper lights and violating the regulations regarding hacks were continued for sentence. John L. Clarke, charged with reckless Pdriving, was fined $100. Testimony showed that the defendant collided with two automoblles on Nichols avenue, Anacostia. Commenting on the case, Judge Hitt stated that only the evidence brought out that it was the defendant’s firet vio- laion saved him from a higher fine. Woman's Car Hits Child. Mildred C. White, 5% years old, 2300 Eighteenth street, was knocked down by the automobile of Marie O'Connor, 3733 Jenifer street, at Twelfth and H streets yesterday and bruised about the head, bodv and legs. She was treated at Emergency Hospital by Dr. Batts and taken home. Her condition was not serious. LACK OF SELF-CONTROL HELD ACCIDENT CAUSE Safety Council Official Declares Greatest Need Is Training of Autoists and Pedestrians. By the Associated Prem. CHICAGO, April 11.—Four reasons for the danger of automobile acci- dents In metropolitan cities were set forth here vesterday by Sidney J Willlams, director of the safety divi- sion of the Natlonal Safety Council, at a round-table discussion at the City Club. Poorly developed street systems, lack of equipment to handle traffic safely, lack of traffic laws and their adequate enforcement and insufficlent personal self-control in the driver as he picks his way through the streets were stressed as reasons Mr. Williams indorsed “through streets” as one means of eliminating congestion which results in acci- dents, and added that “under given conditions the greater the speed the greater the likelihood of accident in any emergency.” “But the quickest and perhaps the greatest results can be gained by educating ourselves individually and collectively to greater self-control and greater carefulness in connection with modern traffic. This applies to pedestrians as well as motoris * he said. SEEKS FREIGHT RATE CUT. Coal Man Says D. C. Residents Could Save $500,000 Annually. More than a half million dollars would be saved to consumers of coal in Washington if Southern coal oper. ators were granted lower freight rates, according to James D. Francis of Huntington, W. Va., who is in the city preparing to present briefs to the Interstats Commerce Commission in support of his stand for lower rates. Mr. Francis is president of the Island Creek Coal Co. and chairman of the committee of coal operators of Kentucky, Virginia and West Vir- ginia. . Freight rates, he said, are the same as they have been for years, and to- day are more than soft coal costs at the mines. Cutting down of freight rates would reduce the price ~f coal. Some mines are selling coal at or below the cost of production, while many operators, particularly in West Virginia, are having labor troubles. LIVERMORE BREAKS ARM. Broker Falls Down Dark Stairway ‘While Inspecting Home. NEW YORK, April 11.—Jesse Liv- ermore, broker, {s at his city home here recuperating from injuries received while inspecting an addition to his country house at Great Neck, Long Island. It is understood Mr. Livermore's WASHINGTON, 1,400,000 HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS TAKE PART IN ORATORY TEST Great Increase in Interest Throughout Country Gives Promise of Thrilling Final Competition to Be Held Here on May 8 1 | | D. C.. SATURDAY, 1 territory is that of the Philadelphia Bulletin, under whose sponsorship 94,000 pupils have been | at work on orations. Preparation for the contest was a part of the | curriculum for all pupils in the Phila- delphia territory. Honors for tk greatest growth In number of par- ticipating’ schools go to the Kansas City Star, in whose territory almost three times as many schools are en- rolled this year as last. The largest prize list for any territory is that of the Indianapolls News. —That newspaper, together with the Indlana Bar Assoclation, which is offering large prizes in every county in the State, is making available approxi- mately $10,000 to contestants. Large Gain Locally. fn any one is The number of participants in The Evening Star's contest shows an in- | crease. of G2 per cent over last yea putting the local gain well above the national average of Increase, which is 40 per cent. The growth of the contest in pop- ular favor and In value an educa- tional agency has been due in no small measure to the co-operation of the American Bar Association. That organization last July passed a reso- lution_ requesting the newspa to continue the contest as an outstand- ing citizenship tribution It a the same time pledged its assistance in the work Through Charies E. Hughes, its president, R. E. L. Saner, former president, and Elihu Root and Jostah Marvel of its Americanization committee, as well as through its State and local organizations through- out the country, the American Har Association has made good on that pledge by countless evidences of in- terest and definite acts of assistance. Among those expressing their ap- proval of the 1924 contest and their pleasure in learning that the project would be repeated this year were President Coolidge, Chief Justice Taft and United States Commissioner of Education John J. Tigert. Mr. Tigert, in evaluating it from the educational standpoint, expressed the hope that the contest would become an annual event in the secondary school life of the Nation. Mr. Tigert will act as chairman of the board of judges, which will select the District of Co- lumbia representative for the national finals. COAST GUARD TO HAVE MODEL ICE BREAKER Craft Being Constructed, on Lines Adapted in Polas Waters, to ers the 000 ite new | the C the experi- n I Guard is ence of Polar conditions, and countries for info prove useful Lieut. Comdr. Stephen O. S. Yeandle alde to Rear Admiral Frederick Billard, Coast Guard commandant, hopes to have incorporated in the new craft provisions for carrying two air- planes, equipped to land on the ice. The veteran cutter Bear, for which the new ecraft will be named, has been doing duty in Alaskan waters since 1885, and probably will make its last trip in the frozen North this sea- son. Coast Guard headquarters have written to some 50 officers who have served on the Bear and other ships in the fce regions, to obtain their views on just what features the new ice breaker should embody. A com- munication recently was dispatched to Sweden for data on a new ice breaker, being bullt there, and officers have in mind gleaning information over the world from those experi- enced in vessels called upon to do ice duty. The old Bear will remain in service, if possible. until its namesake fs commissioned. The new ship still is in the blueprint stage, but officers expect it to be in service by next season, or certainly in 192 Having in mind the recent Nome epldemic, Lieut. Comdr. Yeandle warits the new ice breaker to be equipped with airlanes as a measure of economy. The aircraft not only could scout ahead for clear water, saving the vessel from bucking heavy fce packs, but in an emerg- ency could rush aid inland. construction of fce breaker Bear, drawing upon its own officers versed in asking foreign ation that may REV. W. S. 0. TIEM;S DIES AT PORTSMOUTH Former Pastor of Baptist Church Here Will Be Buried at Falls Church, Va. Rev. W. S. 0. Thomas. 76 years old, former pastor of the West Washing- ton Baptist Church here, died at a hospital in Portsmouth, Va., Thurs- day after a short illness. Funeral services will be conducted at the Columbla Baptist Church at Falls Church, Va, where Rev. Thomas was onos pastor, iomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock. Rev. W. S. Knox will officiats. Interment will be at Falls Churoh. He is survived by four sons, M. D. Thomas of Wilkes-Barre, Pa.: J. E. Thomas of Falls Church, " T. Thomas of Washington, D. C, and R. W. Thomas of Baltimore; a daughter, Miss Ida Thomas of this city; a brother, Maurice W. Thomas of At- lanta, and two sisters, Mrs, Alice B. Quick of Falls Church and Mrs. A. D. Henvis of Richmond. He was a member of the Masonic order. AID OF AMERICANS ASKED TO SAVE ZULU FAUNA Naturalists Told by Game Warden Movement to Abandon All Pre- serves Threatens Animals, Appealing to naturalists in the United States to help save from slaughter the fauna of his country, Maj. F. Vaughan-Kirby, game war- den of Zululand, S. A, has enlisted the oco-operation of the American Nature Association. Maj. Vaughan- Kirby points out to the association that he hopes the coming visit of the Prince of Wales will be of help and that he has called upon the Society for the Preservation of Fauna of the Empire in England to come to his aid. The warden explains that in Zulu- land there is a movement to abandon all game reserves, which would mean the extermination of the once mag- nificent fauna of the subcontinent and that he has heen powerless to stem it. He believes the Prince of ‘Wales will throw his influcnee. in favor of wild life conservation and the American Nature Association has issued an appeal to its members right arm was broken in a fall down | throughout the world fo write to a dark stairway. His family physi- | Maj. cian and & bone specialist are attend- ng him here. Vaughan-Kirby and protest against the continued slaughter of the wild animals of his country. APRIL 11, 1925. NAVY MEN FETED ONEVE OF SAILING San Franciscans Give Round of Receptions for- Officers and Sailors. By the Awociated Press. N FRANCISCO, April 11-—Offi- >ers and men attached to the United States fleet anchared in San Francisco Bay preparatory to a cruise to far eastern waters today were engaged in a round of social duties ashore. The Japanese community wel- comed the officers and their wives at the Japanese tea garden in Golden Gate Park, which was thrown open for a reception and tea to the naval officers, Admirals of thelarmada were listed as guests of Dr. and Mrs. Ray Ly- man Wilbur at a luncheon at Stan- ford University. The Oregon-Stan- ford track and field meet this after- noon furnished opportunity for the l;i‘m’lrlls to remain on the campus all day J. A. M. Elder. Australian commis- sioner to the United States, conferred with Admiral Robert E. Coontz, com- mander-in-chief of the fleet, yestar- day and then wired to the Antipodes soverzl changes in the plans for the visit of part of the flest to the south- | ern continent. He also urged the desirability of sending a dstachment of the American vessels to Hobart Australia, in addition to the present plans for calls at Melbourne and Sydney his request was forwarded to the Navy Department Admiral Coontz informed Mr. El- der that present plans call for divid- ing the fleet Into two squadrons at Samoa, one to go to Melbourne and the other to Svdney. Both detach- ments are due at thelr destination July 23 and will remain 11 days. Officers are to be guests tonight at a Bohemian Club jinks at the club- house, while the enlisted men will be tendered a ball at the exposition au- ditorfum. TIDAL BASIN MESH T0 6O IN AT ONCE Sherrill Not te Wait for Completion of Fund Being Raised by Public. The work of placing the wire mesh the Tidal Basin to prevent the pe of big-mouth bass, crappie and sunfish will be started immedi- ately, according to Col. Clarence O. Sherrill. director of public buildings and parks of the National Capital The determination on the part Col. Sherrill to go ahead with the screening of the basin before the fund for the project being raised by public subscriptions is in hand, or, for that matter, half completed, im- poses a solemn obligation on the angling public of the District of Co- lumbia. in of Sarvey Is Finl ed. “You can tell the anglers of Wash- ington that the work at the basin will be started immediately.” said Col. Sherrill this morning. “My en- Kineers have finished their survey of the project and are ready to start the work. It is estimated that the cost will be something over that which was first mentioned, but I think T will be able to aid finan- clally in placing the nets in posi- tion.” Col. Sherrill has evidenced his belief that local anglers, regarding the slight burden placed on the individual as a genuine trust, will supply the deficit. The director wants to give Washington a municipal fish- ing preserve that will be unique among American cities, and the Bureau of Fisheries offers Its essen- tial co-operation. ‘Wil Sein Out Carp. Commissioner O'Malley of the Bureau of Fisheries sald this morn- ing that he had been approached by & young man who offered to sein all the carp out of the basin. Col. Sherrill, when informed of this offer, sald he would give the necessary ap- proval, and thought it would be a fine thing. “It will not only rid the basin of the worst enemy of the spawn of the bass and other fish, but it will at the same time enable the Bureau of Fisheries to ascertain exactly what kind of fish are in the basin at the present time."” When the work of taking the carp out of the basin fs started, Mr. O'Malley said he would have one of his men on hand to supervise ft. Subscriptions to The Star fund— Previous acknowledged, $210; J. J. Ryan, §1; George H. Barr, $1; C. W., $2; Mark Beek, $1; J. M. D. $2; William T. Talbott, $1; William A Bennett, $2; Hill & Tibbitts, 35 Walter E. Birch, $1. Total, $226. FALTERS ON SUICIDE. Prisoner Fails in Series of Tries, Then Police Halt Efforts. DECATUR, 1I1, April 11.—William Stanley, under arrest for being intox- icated, yesterday tried thres times to hang himself, then decided death by one’s own hand is too painful. He first tried using his trousers as a noose and found them too unwieldy. Then he tried his suspenders. They broke. He took off his underclothes and tried it again. This noose he found more effective, but each time the noose tightened Stanley put his feet back on the floor to reconsider. At last the other prisoners called the police, who put an end to the pas- time. Stanley was then charged with vagrancy and placed in the county iail. Runs Illicit Still As He Studies for Citizenship Test By the Assnciated Press. LOOMIS, Calif., April 11.—Perus- ing @ pamphlet entitled “How to Become &n Amcrican Citizen,” John Maloney, 33, a candidate for citizenship in the United States, reclined on a cot and between paragraphs watched a 50-gallon sthll perform. He neglected to watch the door and a deputy sher- iff and an operative of the district attorney's ofice walked in. They arrested him and later his alleged partner, Willlam Barris, sleeping nearby. Officers allege Barris ran the day skift and Ma- loney the night. SCHOOL PRACTICES HELD OUT OF DATE Ballou Would Revise Curricu- lum to Meet Present Edu- cational Theories. Special Dispatch to The At BOSTON, April 11.—The revision in the public school curricu- luni was stressed by Dr. irank W. Bal- loi, superintendent of schools of Washington, at a meeting at the Boston Chamber of Commerce today of the Massachusetts Schoolmasters’ Club. Educational practice is. perhaps. Dr. Ballou pointed out, a generation behind educational theories. “We should lose no time” he said, “in the application of our theorles to the modification of our educational prac- tice. Tasks that are difficult of ac- complishment should be attacked with dispatch and vigor.” Must Meet Children's Needs. The problem of curriculum reor- ganization, Dr. Ballou explained, con- cerns itself with the subject matter and its reorganization, the child and citizenship in a democratic system for which the public is to be educated. “The curriculum should be made up of that subject matter which will pro- mote in the most economlcal way,” he declared, “a systematic education and training of the type of child to be taught. It Is more important that it should be eclected in view of the child's needs than it is that it should be a logi- cal development of the subject matter itself. It is of no lesser importance that the course of atudy is chronological- Iy or logically arranged than it is that it should be adapted to the developing interests and capacities of children “Democratic soclety, for which the public schools are now training the tuturs citizens of the Republic, i more complex today than ever before. Life is more diversified, distractions are more numerous and inviting “The schools must not only provide the children with a knowledge of th traditions and ideals of our republic, but must train them to think stralght and inculcate in them proper ideals of honor, honesty, respect for law and duly constituted authority and a willingness to perform some part of the world’s work which needs to be done.” need of a Tells of Trip. Dr. Ballou also referred to the re- cent tour of inspection of schools in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Rochester, Buffalo and New York by Washing- ton's committee of school planners. “In order that the plans for school buildings which have beer developed In the last few vears in Washington might be revised in accordance with the most up-to-date construction to be found in other cities,” he said, “a committee consisting of the chairman of the committes on buildings and grounds of the Board of Education, the municipal architect and the super- intendent of schools visited schools in five cities. ‘In Baltimore we found that all classrooms in new buildings were equipped with movable furniture. In Philadelphia. on tha ocontrary, Supt. Edwin C. Broome s'ated that he be- lieved In movable furniture and the increased educational opportunities which such equipment provided. but that he 'had not been able 1o sell the idea to his teachers and officers.’ It has become one of the most important functions of those of us who occupy positions of leadership In the field of education to assume our full re- sponsibility for interpreting pro- gressive educational theories and policies not only to those associated With us In the sohool systems but to the public which we serve. Educa. tional progress depends on the sys- tematio adoption of improved educa- tional policies and procedures.” FEDERAL EMPLOYES SELECT OFFICERS Results of Election Held on April 6 Are Announced by Local Union. The committee on election of Fed- eral Employes’ Union, No. 2, at a meet- ing last night of the board of repre- sentatives of the organization, report- ed that the following oficers had been elacted April 6: President, Joseph Stansfield, Inter- state Commerce Commission: frst vice president, Walter N. Campbell, Pension Office; second vice president. Mrs. Sophis J. Bergner, Tariff Com- mission; third vice president, S. P. Ferguson, Weather Bureau; fourth vice president, N. J. Tubbs, Interlor Department; fifth vice president, Roy Headlew, Department of Agricultur secretary-treasurer, William Sanger, Commerce Department; recorder Henry G. Nolda, Veterans’ Bureau, and guardian, Harry J. McGowan, Government Printing Office. $6,000 Auto, Capable of 80 io 90 Mile Speed, Seized; May Be Used by Dry Force A powerful $5,000 touring car, capable of making from 80 to 80 miles an hour, seized early this morning while transporting alleged liquor, may be the first of a flest of such automobiles for local pro- hibition agents to use under a new act ot Congress recently put lnto effect. The car, driven by Paul B. Gun- nell, 1706 T street, was captured this morning by Policeman F. L. Arrington and R. B. Carroll of No. 7 precinct by clever tactics whils riding in a light small car along Tunlaw road, and will be among the first automobiles which the Treasury will be asked to assign for the local probibition agents, it it 18 forfeited by the court. I shall ask the Treasury to let us have this car,” sald Division Chier Harry M. Luckett of gensral prohibition agents this merning. “Tf we could only get about four or five cars like this for use of Washington, under the new law. we could drive all the rum-runners off the roads.” Gunnell later in- the morning was haled before two branches of Police Court, one after the other, on a first offense, which happened about two weeks ago, and the sec- ond offense, this morning, against the prohibition law. Downstairs, in Police Court, Gun- nell was fined $400 by Judge Gus A. Schuldt on charges of illegal poasession and transporting liquor. Promptly thereafter he climbed the stairs to the United Stat branch of the Police Court, before Judge McMahon, and demanded jury trial on the charges of illegal possession and transporting lald against him for his alleged viola- tion of this morning. Meanwhile Gunnell's high-priced car, in which Arrington says there ‘were tound 18 gallons of liquor, is in the hands of the prohibition agents. THONAN EVDENCE STLL INCONPLETE Autopsy ..eport in Poison Search Probably Wiil Be Made Monday. Although the authorities today stil were unable to dectde whether Sam el P. Curtin Thoman died a natural death or was polsoned & year ago, ax intimated in & Jetter held by tho po- lice, it was indicated that they will be in a position to announce a de cision probably before Monday. The final decision will not be made untll the completion of certaln path oligical tests now being made 1 Prof. Oscar B. Hunter, assistant dear of George Washington Univers Medical School Dr. Hunter sald today that he wtil not make his report to Deputy Coro- ner Herbert E. Martyn, in charge of the general autopsy, until he is en- tirely satisfled either that Mr. Tho man died from natural causes or that the charges of poisoning firmed T am question.” 5 are con not yet satisflad about this Dr. Hunter explained, “but T expect 1o be able 10 make a definite statement probably befora Mondas Meanwhile, T am continuing x amination of the exhumed or my Evidence Inconclusive. | Dr. Hunter sala that {who have been fed specim organs which would ed by poison have of iliness This fac conclusiva sof died a natural dea The pathologist, while not com- mitting himself to a definite opin gave the impression that his susplcions.” aroused by a peculiar appearance of the brain, have not far been materially strengthened through further research Dr. Hunter stated vesterdav that the “suspicious appearance” of the brain had led him to postpone his re port to the coroner's office until Mon day, so that he might pursue h studies longer. Study of the blood cells, he explained, would serve corroborate or dispel his suspicions Observations Near End. ens sh s¥mp indicated Mr. first 1t was understood from Dr. Hunt- | er's statement today that thees further observations have been about complated, but he refused to make known his findings. pending report of the results to the deputy coroner. If the pathological examination of the dead man’s tissues devalops no evidence of poisoning the police probs into the death of Mr. Thoman un- doubtedly will be dropped. Chemical tests, aiready completed, falled to discloss any trace of poison The exhumation of ths bedy climax- ed a pollee investigation which hegan in intensive form after a mysterious attack more than iwo Weeks ago or | the dead man’s daughter, Mra. Fleta Motherwell, of 1205 C street north t east, who claimed that her assallants | were in zearch of the lstter naw | the hands of the pollce. The letter | was signed and named a certain pe {son as having given Mr. Thoman i “white powder’ in a drink | BELL SEEKING METHOD TO LESSEM ‘RED TAPE’ Believes More Simplicity Could Be | Secured in Issuing | Minor Permits. { — Elimination of ‘red tape necessary delay in the issuanc routine permits to citizens by various branches of the engineer de- partment is aimed at by Enginser Commissioner Bell. Col. Bell discussed the question of more expeditious handling of ths public at a conference of his divi- slon heads yesterday, and it was de- cided to gather data from other oltles as to how they issus permits for minor work On the other hand to break up the practice indulged by some individuals of personally conducting a paper from one office to another in order to get it approv soomer than if the document went through the regular channels The engineer Commissioner is in- clined to believe that many matters which now bring taxpayers to the Distriot Buflding in person could be carried on by mafl and thereby save the time not only of the citizens but of the ‘city employes. LAMONT HONOR GUEST. Morgan Firm Member Attends Caetani’s Luncheon in Rome. ROME, April 11.—Thomas W mont, member of the firm of J Morgan & Co. of New York, was 1 guest of honor at a luncheon given yesterday by Prince Gelasio Castani, former Itmlian Ambassador to the United States. Other guests included Minister of the Interior Federzoni and Finance Minister de Stefani. The luncheon was characterized by great cordiality and an exchangs of greetings testifying to the friendly relations between Italy and the United States BOWIE ENTRIES FOR MONDAY. FIRST RACE—Purse, $1.200; year-olds: 4 furlongs. G Ray ....... 118 [ebers” : 118 it the Bell plans La- = matden Princess Apple aky oo Zemnos ... Lady Chiiten Barney Welis ... 118 Centrifugal ... . 116 Virginia's Choice. 118 R K. Bryeon eatry. IR W. Carter entrs. SECOND RAOE—Claimin S-year-olds and up; 6% furlon *Peace Pal L 108 Pole SAT v.oeeew *Wild Goose ..... 108 Jingle ...... ..0e *The Clockmender 108 *Lady Gaffoey Play On 101 Wonder Light ..o THIRD RACE—Claimin year-olds and up; 6% Neptuze ......... 113 Hidden Jewel ... 105 i *Ticacyn . 108 *Dr. D). Harrington 101 eLieut, Farrell .. 106 *Julia M. ....... 101 TH RACE—The Dome claiming handi- capy purse, 1500 8 7earoids and up: 6 fur- lon Everglades purse, $1,200 rlongs, *Vitamin .. 108 eSt. Michael ... 103 .. 113 lady Glassen Tod Renesor 107 Freedom's Call Hoot Mon ....... 107 Hidalgo ... John 8. Mosby ... 107 FIFTH RAOB—The Exster Monday bandicap. $1,600; 3-year-olds and up; 1 mile and 70 yard Wingteld otmny i 100 Hima Thomasine . 95 tMoon Magle tE. K. Bryson entry RIXTH RACE—Olaiming: purse, $1.2 3.year-olds and up; 14 miles nna_........ 10T Demijohn 5 dyx 102 *Rosa Yeta £ 1100 *Pordie Sir Leonid 95 Dr. Huft SEVENTH RACE-Claim paree, -olds and vp; 14 miles. Up ....... 112 SFraok Monroe .. 10 *Rlossom House . 100 *Scottish Chief *Steckads .. 106 <108 e 104 100 o8 92 . 112 {Settiag Bum ... tor $1,200;