Evening Star Newspaper, May 25, 1925, Page 2

MONDAY, MAY 25, 1925 PRESS IS UPYELD INTAX PUBLITY Supreme Court Decides Pub- lishing of Lists Was Legal. By the Associated Press. Newspapers which published lists of income taxpayers were upheld in doing so today by the Supreme Court. The court declared the newspapers were not guilty of a violation of the law in publishing income tax lists made avaflable to public. inspection in the offices of collectors of internal rev- s appealed were those won In Evolution Trial by the Kansas City Journal-Post and the Baltimore Post in the lower courts, which had held that any law prohibiting publication of information which Congress had direoted the In- ternal Revenue Bureau to make avail- able for public inspection—and they argued this point last Fall—would be unconstitutional. This contention the Supreme Court in effect upheld ned Right to Decide. Government contended that proyided that the Commis- sioner of Internal Itevenue should make available “to public inspection in such manner as he may determine, in the office of the collector in each internal revenue district and in such other places as he may determine, lists containing the name and the post office address of each person making an income-tax refurn in such district, together with the amount of income tax paid by such person.” It was en- tirely within the control of the Com- missioner, the Government held, to prohibit publication of the lists {n' the newspapers, and to determine the “other places” than the offices bf the collectors fn which they should be made public. In the exercise of his discretionary power it was argued the Commis- sioner had decided’ that the lists should be made available to pubiic in- spection only in the office of the collectors. : Couhsel for the newspapers, Senator Reed of Missouri, representing the Kansas City Journal-Post, and former Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, for the Baltimore Post, asserted there could be no censorship whereby an official could prohibit the publication in. the newspapers of official informa- tion which was lawfully in the posses- sion of the public, was subject to lawful discussion on the street corners afid in all places of publi meeting, and could be freely broadeast by radio. Newspaper publicity of the lists wa also attacked by the Government on the groynd that they were a part of the income tax “returns” and that the law had made it unlawful for any person to print or in any manner pub- lish the “returns, Counsel for the that this part argument Wi newspapers insisted of the Government serfously defective, be- cause the law which the Government prohibit, the relied .upon did not broadly as the CGovernment contended, publication-of “returns,” but only bade the_printing “in any n whatever not provided by law. the lists were not a part of the “re. turn” was evident, they argued, be- cause they contained the amount of income tax paid as determined by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to be due, and not the amount calculated on the blank filled out by the individ- ual in making the retur The Government's v sirability of prohil publicity of: the list Soficitor General ws on the de- ng newspaper was presented by ck {n his brief in the declaration that it was “not for the newspaper publishers to commer- eialize a public record and swell their circulation Ly making possible uni- ermeddiing in other people’s Denies Freedom at Stake. This line of argument was met by publishers’ counsel with the assertion that it was for Congresa and not fo the administrative branch of the G ernment to decide what the laws should be on the subject. They in- sisted that the judic branch of the Government must construe the laws of Congress relating to the lists, and that the views of administrative officers as to whatswas desirable or | undesirable could have no welight. From the viewpoint of Senator Reed the cases involved a larger question than the right of newspapers to print | lists of income tax papers.. They di- rectly assailed, he insisted, the. free- dom of the press and the right of free speech. He urged the court “to down in no uncertain terms a r, comprehensive and unequivocal construction of those rights as they are guaranteed by the first amend- ment to the Constitution.’ Solicitor General Beck vigorously | opposed the grestion that the | freedom of the press was at stake, { insisted that the an only question issue was a decision as to whether Congress intended t the lists should be printed in the newspapers, and, if it did, whether it was nec sary first to obtain the pe the commissioner of interns ssion of | 1 revenue. | CHURCH PULPITS CLOSED 10 WOMEN Presbyterian Commissioners Say Bible Teaching on Point Is Plain. By the Associated Press LEXINGTON, Ky, ) afirming a previous deliverance the commissioners of the General Assem- bly of the Piesbyterian Church in the United States today approved a par- tial report of the bills and overtures committee which held that “it is a settled doctrine of our church that | women. are excluded. from licensure and ordination by the plain teaching | of the Seriptures and therefore can- | not be admitted to our pulpits.” The commissioners reconvened to- day, facing three sessions daily for | the next three days. Standing and special committeas | into whose hands numerous reports and overtures were placed for con- slderation and’ recommendation were understood to have made satisfac- tory progress, with at least partial report from the bills and overtures committee expected today. The question of where the assem- bly will meet next year is to come up Tuesday. So far, State Clerk Dr. J. L. Leslie of Dallas, Tex. has re- ceived one proposal from Pensacola, Fla. “The assembly met.at Orlando, Fla. in 1916, Devoid of any subjects of a contro- versial nature so far, the assembly has made such progress that it has besn able to complete introduction of re- ports on schedule time. ¥ While in the words of Moderator Dr. George Summey of New Orleans, it i too late for a “rumpus to be raised,” considerable debate is exXpected to at: tend consideration of several reports, among the one on problems of country churches, in which it is pro- posed to create a new office in the General Assembly, that of director of country churches work. May" —Re- MISSIG SHEPHERD WITNES HEARD OF Robert White’s Letter Warns He’s Just Commencing to Fight Gang. By the Asrociated Press. CHICAGO, May 25.—A purported letter from Robert White, mlssing witness in the murder trinl of Willlam D. Shepherd, was made public today by Aseistant State's Attorney Joseph Savage. The writer declared he was “just commencing to fight Shepherd and his gang,” and would come back. The writer's signature was virtually identical with that signed by White for the rented car in which he is said to have disappeared, and with the e A. C. Benson, who will T. Scopes on charge of violat- | ing Tennessee law prohibiting teach- | ing of evolution in schools. Below: Sue K. Hicks, who will press charges. U.S. POLICE BUREAU 0. KD BY CODLIDGE Reaffirms Views to Visiting Officials Regarding Fed- eral Organization. prosecutor, President Coolidge reaftirmed today his indorsement of a proposed vational police bureau to be established by the Federal Government. His expression was made at a conference at the White House with delegates from the Inter- national Police Conference, represent- ing many nations, who came to Wash- ington from New York, \Where they concluded their business Sessions last Monda: Urged by Conference. | The police conference, organized by Police Commissioner Enright, has been | strongly urging establishment of some furh bureau for years, and the T’r‘(‘.fil-‘ dent in his last message to Congress included 4 recommendation indorsing ! & national police-bureaur -~ s Honorary Police Commis TRE, MacDonald has been head of the group ot delegates touring the eastern sec- | tion of the “Unifted State’ by speciar! train since last Monday and reported | that the proposed Federal police bu- | reau met with hearty indorsement everywhere. Visit Local Institutions. The police officials, who arrived in | Washington Saturday morning, spent | yesterday in a tour to Lorton. Va.,| ahd Ocgoquan, Va., to visit the Dis- | trict reformatory and workhouse. The party was under the leadarship of Assistant Supt.’ of Police Pratt. Last | night the visitors were guests of Ro- land Ifubbins at Keith's Theater. | The program for this morning in- cluded confergnces at the, Mayflower | Hotel among the police officials prior to the visit to the White House, They | planned to leave Washington this afternoon for Baltimore by the spe- | clal train which has been at their | disposal since leaving New York JUDGE WILLIAMS NAMED TO SENATE SUCCEEDING SPENCER (Continued fr: =) e studied law at Washing- | Louls, and was | Judge Willams in 1894. ton Universit graduated in 18 married Miss Harrlet Chase Stewart in 1800 and they have two sons,| Stewart and Howard. Judge Williams was elected cireuit court judge in St. Louis in 1906. A\r.i present he is a member of the law ! firm of Bryan, Williams and Cave.| In 1923-24 he served as delegate to the State constitutional convention, | taking an important part in the pro- ceedings of the convention. BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS ARE BARRED ON 22 CAPITAL STREETS (Continued from First Page) clearly these streets. If the motorist will just use the good old common sénse he will find himself in no‘trouble with the police.”” Director Eldridge is anxious to have & special squad of policemen assigned to him for enforcement-of the head- light law. These men will be trained in their work under Maj. Carlson, who has offered his services to Mr. El- dridge in any way they may be used. Following an intensive course at the Bureau of Standards, in which the policemen will be taught the funda- mentals of light adjustment, they will be stationed at strategic points throughont the ecity equipped »Wflh small screens for testing headlights. Motorists whose lamps appear to be glaring or out of adjustment will be stopped and a tesi will be made. It is also planned to have this squad stop | motorists who are using headlights on the streets where they 4re prohibited.. Mr. Eldridge and his assistants be- liéve that by rigid enforcement und co-operation from the motor'lat the headlight question in the National Capital may, to a large degree, be solved. —_—ed Rare Paintings Replaced. .QUEBEC, May 25 (#).—Six paint- ings by prominent Fyrench artists have been sent to the Parish of Notre Dame de Quebec by the French government to_replace six masterpieces destroyed when the Quebec basilica was burned to the ground. An original Van Dyke was among those lost. only in &hape; but in size, climate and natural conditions. New.-Zealand - resembles’ Italy mt,l {either the disappearance of White or| | when it was found that a series of ex- | | ment discovered that gasoline and oll signature of a purported letter trom White to a Chicago newspaper. “Shepherd is gullty, I must admit" it ran, “and he knows I know it and od help him when I get back. His bunch made a nervous wreck of me| and also made me write a statement against my wil. I am just com- mencing to fight Shepherd and his gang.” Malled in Philadelphia. The letter denied he had stolen the rented car and said he had left $45 for its temporary use. It requested the State's attorney to protect him from prosecution on a charge of its theit. A postscript in a moman's hand and signed with Mrs. White's name denfed that her husband had stolen an automobile and that he had talked about the Shepherd case, so far as she knew, before leaving Chicago. The letter was mailed from Phila- delphia and the State’s attorney’'s of- fice has asked the authorities there to_locate White. White, who had been reported seen | in Florida and elsewhere last week WAas considered ‘one of the State's chief witnesses. He was expected to repeat on the witness stand his asser- tions that he had seen Shepherd studying germs in the science school of C. C. Faiman, also under indict- ment in the case. Safeguard Witnesses. The writer denied that he had said $26,000 was_offered to him to leave Chicago, but declared he was com- pelled to leave “to save my lite and family.” With only four jurors selected after a week's effort, which was attended by two minor sensations, the disap- pearance of White and the statement of Philip Barry, a prospective juror, involving James C. Callan, a politician, it was learned that precautions of an unusual nature would govern every act of the State's attorney in the future conduct of the trial. State’s Attorney Crowe said that every man picked by him-would have to undergo @ MOEt careful investigation, question- ing and scrutinizing. Every safeguard will be placed about the State's wit- nesses, it was stated. i Mr. Crowe announced that he would | file a petition cailing upon Callan to| show cause why he should not be ed for contempt of court for his alleged conversation with Barry. Counsel for Shepherd reiterated his denfal that any one acting in Shep- herd’s behalf had anything to do with the assertions of Barry. WASTE GASOLINE BLASTS MANHOLES | Police Instructed to Prevent| Pouring of It Into - Sewers. | Gas explosions which threw into the air a dozen manhole covers over sew- ers last week on Florida avenue, near inth street, were caused hy dumping wate gasoline and oll into the sewers, it was learned by inspectors from the sewer department. according to an announcement made today. As a re. suit all policemen have been notified to prevent gasoline and ofl being poured into sewers. The first report was made May 18, plosions, which caused no dfimage to | property or injury to persons, hap- pened during the late afternoon. In- vestigation was instituted immedi- ately. The inspectors of the sewer depart- | had been poured into catch basins at Ninth street and Florida avenue and at Tenth and V streets. It was sur- plus from gasoline filling stations left over from washing automobiles and from oil drainage. The liquids, mixing in_ with the water in the sewer, added volatility to the gases already In the sewer and cafised the -manhole covers to btow up. | The investigation by the sewer de- | partment was reported to Acting | Superintendent of Police Charles A. | Evans, with the result that he sent Instructions to each police captain in_the city today as follows: “The sanitary engineer calls atten- tion to explosions in public sewers, caused by gasoline and oil poured into catch basins at varfous intersections. Members of the force will give strict attention to gasoline filling stations and will see that the regulations are not further violated in this respect.” Disposat of waste gasoline and oil is handled by -the sewer department of the District government, which col- lects and carries away the waste from garages and gasoline stations. - JAPANESE ATTACHE HURT IN AUTO CRASH Second Secretary and Wife Injured ‘When- Car -Skids Over Embankment. . . M. Teijiro Tamura, second secretary of the Japanese Embassy, and Mme. Tamura were injured yesterday when an automobile in which they were rid- ing skidded on the wet road near Caf tafl Hill, on the Baltimore pike. The machine went off the road and down an_embankment. The secretary and his wifé were taken. to Sibley Hospital here, where it was found they were suffering from bruises and shock. They were later taken to their home, 1877 Monroe street. The driver of the machine es- caped injury. Rain Chasm Bodes Danger -to -Famous Amiens. Cathedral i By the Associated Press. AMIENS, France, May 25.—The Amiens Cathedral, one of the ‘world’s outstanding masterplieces of Gothic architecture, {s threatened with damage, if not ruin. Thirty vards of ground in front Although a wave of optimism and hope has been sweeping the tuberculo- sis sufferers of the civilized world since announcement from Copenhagen of the discoverey of a new cure for tn berculosis, using a complex salt of £old and sodium, reports from prelim inary experiments, conducted both in the United States and Great Britain, | made public today throw serfous | doubt upon the efficacy of the treat- ment. The United States Public Health Service, which by law exercises abso- lute control in the tes over the licensing of ane of which 18 used in the Danish treatment, has concluded its “‘preliminary ob- servations,” it was -announced today by Dr. Gearze W. McCoy, director of the Hygienlc Laboratory, with the find- ing that so far the proposed cure can be maid only to be of “no value. less the Public Health Service issues a license the product cannot be put on the market in the United States. At the same time, it was learned through an official report by the Medi- cal Research Council of Great Britain, received by the Public Health Service, that sclentists represented in the coun- cil are not yet ready to recommend the use of the treatment in Great Britain. The Danish cure, involving the use of & salt of gold, named ““Sanocrysin,” and a serum, was described by Dr. McCoy as being ‘‘very heroic.” and <o hazardous that the Danes admitted that “some deaths” had resulted in crses under treatment. Only calves were used ts in the United States. Dr. McCoy explained. although the report from ~Great Britaln _indicated that human beings had been treated there. The Public Health Service has been in the ex- EXCESS ARMY PAY MAY BE RETAINED Supreme Court Rules U. S. Cannot Compel Return by Officers. . By the Associated Pross. The Government cannot compel Army officers to return money re- | ceived by them in excess of the sal- | ary of their legal rank, the Supreme | Court decided today, disposing of a controversy which long has agitated Army and Navy circles. The decision was in the case of Elmo | R. Royer, who, while serving in! France as a lieutenant in the Army | Medical Corps, was recommended by | Gen.. Pershing for promotion to major. | The adjutant general approved the promotion, and, Royer was paid as a | major. It developed later, however, that the Senate only had confirmed him in the grade of captain and the Government sought to collect a re- CRANTS LANLEY DEFERED TRAL Court Orders Postponement | Wthien Doctors’ Affidavits Are Presented. Justice Siddons in Criminal Di- vision 1 ‘today granted a motion of Attorney Henry E. Davis for a sever- ance on behalf of John W. Langley, Representative from Xentucky, who was scheduled to appear in court to answer an indictment for conspiracy to secure permits to remove 4,000 cases of whisky from the Penwick distillery in Pennsylvania in May, 1922, Attorney Davis explained that Representative Langley is ill at his home in Kentucky and presented affi- davits of two physicians that the ac- cused is suffering from high blood pressure and heart trouble. The Gov- ernment counsel and the lawyers for the other défendants interposed no objection, and the case against Lang- lev was postponed untilithe Fall term of court. Speclal Assistant Attornev General Arthur N. Sager, who, with Special Assistant Attorney General Clifford Byrnes, is conducting the prosecu- tion, announced that he was ready to go to trial as to three of the re- maining defendants, Millard F. West, former deputy commissioner of in- ternal revenue; Harry Sattler and Ben L. Moses ot Pittsburgh, who were for. merly in business as the Union Drug Co. Mr. Sager announced that Sidney Reis, another of the accused, had died since the indictment was returned last Spring, and that the Goveriment would dismiss the case against Rus- sell M. Sackett, former prohibition agent,” whom the lawyer declared in- nocent of the charge of conspiracy. Sackett was represented by Attorney Abner Siegal, who had interposed a demurrer, but who withdrew the pleading when the charge was dis- missed as to his client. The court permifted Attorney J. C. South, representing Sattier and Moses, to argue a demurrer against the suf- ficlency of thé indictmenit. Should the demurrer be overruled, the trial will proceed against West, Sattler and Moses. -Former Assistant United States Attorney William E. Leahy is appear- ing for West. FOUR MORE DAYS TO PAY Experiments Fail to Sustain Claims of Danish Scien- tist for Sanocrysin as Remedy for Lung Deseases. | ease. the pnly agency in the United States |of benef REAL AND PERSONAL TAX Collector’s Office at District Build- ing Cloa' for Fiscal Year _7Z.- -on Friday. ‘Only feur days.remain in which to pay the last half of real estate and personal tex bilis for the present fis- cal year, Chatham M. Towers, col- lector, pointed out today. Since Saturday - will .be a holiday, Friday will be the last day on which bills may be paid at the District Building. Checks and bills placed in the malils during May, however, will be_accepted. 5 Mr. Towers said his office is unable of the edifice and extending to the “ porch became undermined by rains recently and sank, leaving a chasm nearly 30 feet deep. - Stofins soon-filled this withrwater and urgent measures are taken to protect the cathedral. to handle any more requests for the mailing out of bills, which means that all those who have not yet called for their bills must do._so before the of- fice closea Friday. - Ape of 1 per cént will be add- ed to all bills paid in June. TUBERCULOSIS CURE DISCOUNTED)| BY U. S. PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERT making experiments, and was given a supply of the material through the American drug firm, holding American rights, and whose name has not yet | been made public. “Our preliminary observations, based on the experiments with calves,” sald Dr. McCoy. “have failed to. confirm tha very optimistic ve- ports sent out by Danish sources and until we find out why these re- ports ave different we do not feel Jjustified in recommending it for the treatment of human beings More tests are being conducted, Dr. McCoy indicated, following fur- ther communication with the Danish authorities, but the results of these further tests so far, he said, were inconclusive. The British findings were somewhat similar to those of the Public Health Service, according to the report reach- ing public health officials today, al- though the British report indicated trial _on “a larger scale” Was now justified. “But the council is of the opinion,” said the report, “that such further trinl and extended observations are imperatively required before it can be clearly stated that this gold salt is of value in the treatment of tuberculosis and before it should be made available for general use in medical practice in Great Britain.” All ten healthy calves at each labo- ratory were given tuberculosis, Dr. McCoy explained, and only five of them were then -subjected to the Danish treatment. Most of the calves died, Dr. McCoy said, not revealing the details of the statistics in the Those which did not die re slaughtered and the cases compared. The sum total of the findinas ns| reached from these experiments, he | sald, was that there was “no evidence COMMUNITY CHEST UPTHIS AFTERNOON - H Committee to Consider Prac- ticability of Plan in | Charities to Meet. ! | The committee named by Commis- | sionér Rudolph to fnquire into the| practicability of a community chest| for Washington will begin its task at | o meeting in the boardroom of the ! District Building at 4 o'clock this aft- ernoon. | Appointment of the committee was | authorized by a representative gather- | ing of civic leaders and charity ers who met at the District Building two weeks ago at the call of Commis: sioner Rudolph to consider adoption of the community chest idea in the Dis- | trict. 1 It was the consensus of the meeting that the question should be carefully looked into, both from the standpoint of its advantages and its possible dis- | advantages, before any definite action | is taken. The principal function of the com- | mittee which is organizing today will | be to find out the experiences other ! cities have had with this method of | raising in one annual drive the funds | needed for. all local .private agencies | that appeal to the public for afd. FOUR DAYS REMAIN | FOR FLOWER GIFTS Memorial Decoration Fund Being Raised by G. A. R. and Veteran Bodies. | The public has but four days re- madning. in which to send in their donatjons of flowers and .money to the memorial decoration fund, spon- sored by the Grand Army of the| Republic and the various veteran or-| ganizations. Cash contributions have | been coming in very slowly, and those wishing to assist are urged to take advantage of the miniature headstone contribution boxes placed in a ma- jority_of the stores about the city. The Evening Star will also receive offerings. . Those donating flowers should see that they are taken to the nearest fire engine station not later than Friday forenoon. ‘Watson B. Miller of the American Legion is sending out an appeal to all automobile owners. He wants trans- portation to Arlington on May 30 for 100 veterans of the Civil and Indian Wars. He can be reached at room 417 Bond Building. Telephone Main 7633. Contributions. Contributions received by The Star are: Conted. 6 AR Previousl: .93 EBreviousts $816.93 8513 b et N EeEcoh .00 Miss Thea. D. e s 296 $3.00 307644 CE e HAS 33D TRANSFUSION. U. of P. Museum Curator Anemic for 18 Months. WASHINGTON, Pa., May 25 (F).— Dr. William C. Farabee, curator of the University of Pennsylvania Museum, Philadelphia, yesterday un- derwent his.thirty-third blood trans- fusion. He was reported last night to be recovering from the operation. Dr. Farabes, who is widely known as a sclentist, has been critically il of pernicious anemia for more than 18 months, following his forced return from an expedition to South America. Nocturnal Piano Banned, But City Isn’t Always Quiet By the Associated Press. BERKELEY, Cal.,, May 25.—The much-advertised anti-noise ordin- work- | 3 ance in this college city is con- strued by City Attorney Earl J. Sinclair as excluding piano practice at late hours in the evening. Run- ning of scales and other such trying modes of -perfecting one's tech- nique should come before 9 p. m., the city attorney held recently, in- reply to conplaints of neighbors . about a music student’s nocturnal ractice. p'!lomers and canaries have béen legally silenced in previous inter- pretations of the ordinance. So ,have-cats and needlessly used motor horns™ Névertheless the mir of Berkeley s not always quiet through the night. . STANDARD RULING CHANGE SUGGESTED New Method of Measuring Ice Cream. Needed, As- | serts Dr. Burgess. Welghta and measures officials of a score of States gathered today in the éighteenth annual conference of the National Conference of Weizhts and Measures at the Bureau of Standards; and heard Dr. George K. Furzess. president of the conference and di- rector of the hureau, set down two standards of ‘measure which might well be changed. Meetings of the conference will continue four- days, with subjects ranging from the check- ing of taximeters to the testing of post office scales up for consideration. Secretary of Commerce Hoover will address “the conference Wednesday, and the delegates will be recefved by President Coolidge at the White House at noon Thursday. = Declaring that the Bureau of Stand- ards feels it is fulfilling one of its most important functions when it con- tributes to uniformity, efficiency and knowledge and a better appreciation of the worth of etandards of welght and measure, Dr. Burgess told the opening session of the conference there ars two major problems which should come up for” consideration during the confer- ence delfberations. The conference each year takes up specifically for ai cussion and recommendation one o two standards of welght or measure | which it feel« should receive timely thought Two Problems Specified, Problems to e taken up this vear. Dr. Burgess said, are the establish- ment of another method of measuring Ice cream than the present liquid measure; and the testing of heavy ca- pacity platform scales, which he said was a matter of great importance, made doubly so bv the prevalence of heavy automobile trucks, Dr. Burgess said ice cream shrinks in volume when repacked by the re- | taller, who loses some amount of the product by the repacking process when sales are made in bulk quanti- tles. A greater amount per unit of volume must be delfvered by the re tailer in sales of ice cream than are recefved by him, Dr. Burgess safd. He added that this matter would recelve much thought during the prog- ress of the conference and steps (o set up a new standard would be out- lined by an official of a State where | anothre standard of ice cream meus. | urement than the liquid measure is | maintafned. Trucks Create Problem. Turning to the setting up of new | standards for the testing of heavy platform scales, Dr. Burgess said the se of large trucks makes the aceu- rate testing of large scales a matter | of moment and suggested that the ! conference discuss it and recommend action to be finally decided upon a ar hence. 1 “We maintain here the fundamental | standards of weights and measures of | the country,” Dr. Burgess said. “We | depend on you to take those standards | and carry them into the commercial dealings so they become a real part of the people in safeguarding them in their dafly transactions.” Dr. Burgess invited the delegates! to make &n inspection tour of the bureau’s facilities, with particular reference to the exhibition of primary standards of length and mass in the bureau’s vaults. He suggested co-or- dination of the programs of the na tional conference with State confer-| ences on weights and measures. Fol lowing Dr. Burgess' address the con- ference turned to the routine business of reports of State officials. Taxi Meters to Be Tested. The committee on specifications and tolerances of the conference will present a tentative code of specifica- tions and tolerances for taximeters ‘Wednesday, designed to eradicate discrepancies in taxi charges. Sam- ples of the various makes of taxi- meters in common use throughout | the United States will be on display and a paper on the testing of these devices Will be read by R. W. Smith | of the Bureau of Standards. Among other important subjects to be discussed during the conference will be supervision of weighmasters, the necessity for tolerances in excess as well as in deficiency, and specifica- tions and tolerances for vehicle tanks, a code for which was tentatively adopted in 1923 and referred back to the conference last year. Tolerances for bread standards, which were widely discussed last year and aroused opposition from bakers because of suggested changes, will again be brought up this vear, with the probability that the committee will have further changes to make in existing specifications. DAUGHTER OF PEER FOUND RIVER VICTIM Body of Invalid, Who Vanished Last December, Recovered From Thames. By the Associated Pres LONDON, May 25.—The body of a young woman found in the River Thames, near Wapping, today was identified by relatives as that of the Hon. Gwyneth Erica Margan, daugh- ter, of Lord Tredegar. She disap- peared about the middle of last De- cember. There has been no explaination of the mystery surrounding the disap- pearance of Miss Morgan. She had been recuperating from an attack of typhoid fever when she disappeared from her home.- The opinion was -ex- pressed at the time that tle iliness had caused depression. Miss Morgan, who was under med- ical supervision at the time, slipped from the house during a demnse fog on the morning of December 11. She wore only pajamas and a woolen dressing _gown. ~ Detectives from Bcotland Yard conducted a most ex- ensive search throughout England and-the continent.” Her father is one of the..wealthiest British peers and offered large sums for any news-re- garding her. - e 3 Miss ‘Morgan was known to her friends as a “Bohemian” and had many friends in the artistic, literary and theatrical worlds. PRI Cach ) HISTORIC RELICS BURN. Fire ;D-ficy- Arctic Brotherhood 1July 4 Would be a | to Dwight W {it desirable to hold thedefense ‘Slain’ After Abduction l AIDA HEYWOOD, who was found murdered in a cottage, after being thrown Into a motor car after her aunt, Mrs. Emma M. Towns, had been shot and left to die in her burning cottage on Lake Maranacook, near Winthrop, Me. 1 DEFENSE DAY TEST ONNOY. 1 BANNED President Disapproves Plan, But Has No Objection to July 4 Muster. Although President Coolidze has a0 objection to the holding of anather national defense test of the char-| acter held throughout - the -country | last year, he does not approve of the | War Department's proposal that it be held on Armistice day. He thinks more appropriate if the department considers ft rable to hold the test at all. This was made known officially to- | day in u letter sent by the President Davie, acting Secretary of War. This was in answer to a proposed pian submitted by Secretary Dayis to the Precident to hold a sec- | lond defense test on Armistice da Aside from disapproving of the Arm- | istice day suggestion, the President’s | reply is taken by many to infer that| the President is not overenthusiastic | of holding repetition of national de- tense test. The President’s letter follows in | full | “On the 11th instant you submitted to me a proposed plan of the War De-| partment to hold an next Armistice day, November 11,-1925, a second de- fense test of the same general acter as the one which was held last | eptember. You state that the same onditions exist now which made a muster and inspection of the Army of | the United States desirable last vear, | and that the plans contemplate that | the test resemble more the features of the ‘Muster duy’ of Colonial times. “I have no objection to the holding | of this test this vear, but I do not| approve your proposal that it be-held | on Armistice day. 1f you consider| test | this year I would suggest July 4 as| being a more appropriate date, other.| wise I think It desirable to get author- | ity ot Congress if any day not & na-| tional -holiday is proposed. “It octurs to me that your com-| munications to the governors of the| esveral States should emphasize that | their respénse to the proposed test | plans is purely voluntary. 1 mention this for the reason that their action | must necessarily be predicated on what they consider to he the best in- terests of their States.” GERMANY ASKS BAN | ON POISON GAS USE | Delegate to Arms Traffic Parley Says Nation Backs Amer- ican Proposal. ' diste, dzs By the Associated Press GENEVA, May 25:—Germany an- nounced today that she was ready to| participate in any international con- ference agreement for the complete suppression of the use of chemical and peison gas warfare. Germany's announcement was made bv Herr von Eckardt at a meeting of the military and naval committee of the international conference for con- wol of traffic in arms, which is con- sidering-the American proposal for in- sertion in the proposed convention of a clause prohibiting the use of poison . --The committee in discussing the American proposal is meeting with difficulties in view of the fact that the subject of poisen gas is not on the agenda df the confereace. Jugo- slavia and Italy have suggested that a special conference be convened for the purpose of solving the chemical warfare problem. Herr von Eckardt, stating that he wished to make a “solemn declara- tion” to the meeting, sal “Germany is solemnly desirous of eliminating the use of .chemicals: in warfare and will join an internation- al conference for. that purpose. Members of the committee loudly ap. plauded this utterance, ‘and it was decided that the committee will study the advisability of calling a special chemical warfare conference. —_——— EXCESSES BY SPANIARDS - IN TANGIER GHARGED Lady Drummond Hay Alleges Troops Guilty of Raiding and Burning Villages. By the Assoclated Press. LONDON, May 25.—Lady .Drum- mond Hay, correspondent at Tangier of the Daily Express, makes grave charges against the Spanfards in a dispatch, namely, violation of all ¢on- Building at Skagway. ‘JUNEAU, May 25 (P).—Fire orig- inating in the United States immigra- tion office Saturday destroyed the his- toric and picturesque Arctic Brother- hood Bullding of Mother Camp, No. 1, at Skagway. Many historic relics were lost. = Among the famous membars of the Skagway ‘aré Chief Jus- Taft and former Speaker Joseph G. Cannon. 5 : ventions and treaties affecting the Tangier neutral zone,-shooting and bombing of peasants, raiding, looting and burning of villages, and driving people inic Tangier, which, she says, is already overcrowded with starving and diseased refugees. > The correspondent adds that mat- ters have hecome so serious that even the Spanish representative at Tan- gter has been obliged to take notice of the protests, while the British and French authorities are taking up the question. | corded any other relief cred {amounted to less than $ | of the continental gover BELGIUN SLENT ONUL . DEBTNOTE Request for Prompt Settle- ment, Delivered in April, Still Unanswered. the Associated Preas. The American Government's pre sure upon Belgium for pavment of i debt to this country has taken the form of a formal communication, re viewing the wholé situation. and urg ing thet steps be taken towsrd & settlement. It was disclosed today that such communication had been delivered Brussels in_ April, and that so far no reply had been received State Department officials do not expect the Belgian authorities tq at tempt in their veply to transfer to Germany the responsibility for some of their obligations. The Versailles treaty provided that Belgium's bor rowings prior to the armistice be paid by the German government, and and unofficial advices have indicated that the.point of non-payment on Ger many’s part would be raised by Brus sels.” This suggestion is not borne out by official dispatches. The Paris agreement for the tion of Dawes plan annuities made reference to the German promise t shoulder Belgium’s war debts, but the question of actually transferrir sponsibility for such debis 1o many was.not rafsed. T efir policy of the Washington Governmer in refusing to substitute Gerr ration lisbilities for the resy of allied debtor nations is stood by Belgian officials inder he Belgian War debts and the post-armistice loans made that country for relief were both dealt with in the communication presented at Brussels hy Ambassador Phillips. Tn seciring the $200,000,000 reiief ioan after the armistice Beigium definitely agreed that the United Suaiqgy ehould receive terms of repavmen favor able in every way as the terr nati reliel ayment n the case of British Belgium, however, re: ing to approximat $46.0 ready has been made. while t payment received by the United Iy represented the share for which Be gium was responsible in reimburse ment of the United States from Ger man reparations collections for cost of the American Army on Rhine. COMMONS TAKES UP DEBT British Indicate Desire for Payment When U. S, Is Paid. LONDON, May 25 (®).—The ques tion of Great Britain's foreign debts was discussed in the House of Com mons this afternoon. when questions were asked regarding the notification sent by the United States to the con tinental countriés on the funding of debts due America. Inquiries wera made as to what success the BEriti government had experienced with ments gard to their debts due Great Britain Walter Guinness, financial secre tary of the Treasury, replied that he was aware of the notifics the United States to Euroy countries, but he had no fu in formation than had appeared -in the press No further developments had t place in negotiations regarding d ue Great Britain, he explained Britfsh government's spokesman then made it clear that his government considers that any steps taken by the debtor powers of the continent to fund or liquidate their obligations to the United States would be accompanied by similar steps regarding their obli gations to Great Britain Answering another questi Great Britain intended t 1 example set by the United States and sénd notes (o thé powers that owe her money, Mr. Guiness safd that no such action would be taken at the moment. Asked whether It would not be wise to open a discussion with the United States with reference to the recent ac- tion taken by .the Washington Go ernment so that Great Britain could act jointly with America in the col lection of continental debts, Mr. Guin ness replied that it would be best to awalt the answers sent to \Washing ton by the continental countries RENTERS OF AUTOS UNDER SCRUTINY Traffic Director Investigating to Determine If Any Are Without Licenses. Steps to have firms which rent out automobiles ascertain whether the persons who rent the cars have on- erators’ permits were being planned today by Trafic Director Eldridge following an accident last night in which ‘a driver of a rented cur was charged with having no perniit Arrest Follows Crash. The driver 8 a rented car, who registered as James E. Hall, 21 vears old, of 5413 Fifth street, was injured early vesterday morning when the car collided with the machine of Harry Orme, 1620° M street. Both cars were badly damaged. Hall was held by police on a charge of driving while intoxicated, colliding and hav- ing no permit. _ “I belleve those establishments should require patrons applying for the rental of machines to show oper- ators’ permits before they take cars out on the street” Mr. Eldridge said “If the individual renting the car is from another jurisdiction the dealer should find out if he complied with the law of his State.” Precaution Doubly Protective. Mr. Eldridge believes this precaution would be to the interest of the firms renting cars as well as a protection the public, and he expressed the opin- jon that it wiil be possible to bring this about through co-operatoin. —_— DROPS DEAD AT FINDING DAUGHTER GAS VICTIM Heart Disease Kills Retired Busi- ness Man in Green- wich Village. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, May 25.—Awakened by the barking of a pet dog In his apartment in Greenwich Village, John Angus Kerr, retired business man, today found the body of his daughter, Mrs. Madéline Secec, lying across a stove, the jets of which were wide open. Shocked by the sight, Kerr dropped dead from heart dis- ease. Alexander Secec, the woman's hus- band; also- awakened by .the. dog, found the bodies and-turned off the gas. ' It is belleved that Mrs, Secec fainted while preparing breakfast, Kerr was treasurer of Le Doux & Co., a chemical research firm. until his retirement several years ago.