Evening Star Newspaper, December 18, 1925, Page 2

2 = PRESIDENT SAVED WEIGHTY PROBLEM Court Action Prevents Neces- slty for Decision by Chief Executive. BY DAVID LAWRENCE. Another “break” for President Cool- idge may be recorded in the case of Col. Mitchell. The whole country has | been expecting that it would devolve | upon the President to say finally | whether the stormy veteran would | have to be di d from the rmy, and the polit ns were already be ginnir the possible eff it Mr. made a martyr of ailed to stand by | itain Army disci- the court and ma! pline. 1 The verdict fs all that Mr. Cool-| fdge eould possibly wish for. He| doesn’'t have to make the decisfon | Army. In some| s the suspension for flve yea e blow to Col. Mitchell than for if the latter had oc- would have been free at offense without 1 with Army law. ict he can, of course, sign. Ordinarily an offi- ar pos attempt cer in a simil ition would not be permitted to resign as he is under definite punishment which must be executed Resignation Foreseen. 'he general belief now is that Col. hell will resign and that bis resig e on will be accepted, though th will probably not take place until after he has delivered a few blasts at the mtlitary caste which tried him. The kind of thing which marked the closing hours of the court-martial is typical of what may be expected of the colonel from now on. He de- nounced his prosecutors and said al most as many things in criticism of the aviation policy and the Army as was contained in the original denunci- &tion for which he was being tried. Tt has been apparent for several days that the court had made up its mind not to dismiss Col. Mitchell. The word had been passed around in inner circles that it would be a mistake to free. Public opinion, ft had manifested itself as {nterested in Col. Mitch iciation because there was perscnal in his remarks, and, he had made a record in the an war which entitled him to a hearing Morrow Report Tabled. | Meanwhile the friends of aviation development who have not been mixed up in the Mitchell case are afraid the P c {ssue of aircraft expansion may be lost sight of in the quarrel over what Billy Mitchell said or did The report made by Dwight Morrow is not gether forgotten, but it has been moment put aside until Con- gets into the question more A better “break” for aviation nothin beside [3 dee ly. would have been to publish the Mor- row report after Col. had been nounced Col. Mitchell has a number of upporters in Congress who 1 agitate the question. He prob. ¥ will be called before congres. sional committees, and in that case would hold the limelight again, being | given a certain immunity from punish. ment by the Army when he testified, There is always a certain element interested In defending anybody if at the same time a bombardment of the pa in power can be maintained. The next scene in the aviation row will be the committees of Congress. (Copyright, 1025.) D. C. COST OF LIVING PROBE ORDERED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE (Continued fr Col. Mitchell, facetiously registered his presence on the committee and his | Mitchell's case closed and sentence an- m irst_Page.) support of the Rathbone resolution | h a pun b ying that he believed the price of coffee was sufficlent grounds for the proposed Rules Committee At the suggestion of Chairman Zihl- man and on motion of Mr. Underhill, | a committee on rules was appointed | to govern the District committee in debate. Mr. Zihlman called attention | that the committee had the reputation of being rather turbulent and that the adoption of a set of rules, he believed, would expedite procedure. Mr. Underhil] expressed the belief that the trouble heretofore has not been 50 much with the rules, but that they Rave not been observed or enforced. The committee to draft the rules is composed of Mr. Zthlman, Mr. Keller @nd Mr. Blanton. The action taken by the commit- fee for disposing of many minor fneasures {n a bulk by broadening the power of the District Commis- sloners was taken after Mr. Under- hill and Mr. Gibson had explained the situation. Mr. Underhill insisted that the time of the committee had been unduly taken up with a flood ©f minor measures and that members of the Iouse had been Irritated and that in this way the District com- ittee had lost standing in the House. He described the actlon taken today ®s a long step In progress which would relieve the House committee of & great volume of routine work. Blanton Submits Motion. Mr. Blanton, on account of a previ- ous engagement, was not able to at- fend the District sommittes meeting foday, but submitted a_motion which provided that the Rathbone subcom- inittee, which operated in the last Congress, should be reorganized for the present Congress with power and suthority to inquire into and report back to the full committee on ques- tions of enforcement, court con- ditlons, traffic conditions, public con- cessions and general welfare in the Natlonal Capital. On motion of Mr Keller, with Mr. Underhill concurring. the Blanton motion was held over unul the next meeting of the com- fnittee in order that Mr. Blanton fnight have an opportunity to argue in support of his proposition. Fifteen of the twenty-two members f the committee attended the meet- ng today, including all of the new fnembers, except Mrs. Mary L. Nor- ton of New Jersey. Chairman Zihl- man announced that Mrs. Isabelle rice had heen appointed clerk, niel R. Smith messenger, and Miss G. H. Patterson assistant clerk of the committee. Oldest Horse, 57, Dead. WASHINGTON, N. J., December 18 (#).—01d Bill, year-old horse, gaid to be the oldest horse in the world, dropped dead on the farm of his owner, John C. Sonder. Until last Sunday Old Bill was in the usual farm and was seldom ill e 2.000 French at Tripolis. BEIRUT, December 15 UP.—Two thousand French troops have been Janded at Tripolis, and are proceeding to Homs to participate In the opera- tions against the insurrectionists in Morthern Syria. L | of THE EVENING MITCHELL REDUCED.TO PRIVATE’S RANK FOR FIVE YEARS BY COURT Could Be Made to Take Orders of Corporal, Gets No Pay and Resignation to Avoid Penalty Is Continued from “irst_Page.) keep from the people the truth of the value of air power in national defense. They have forced themselves upon committees of Congress in an attempt to Influence them and have flooded the country far and wideswith-propagande. to prevent legislation.! Sees Trial Aim Withheld. “The general staff grabbed at the long-sought opportunity of prosecut- ing Mitchell in terror of the new step whic the advancing truth was about to take. This evervbody now knows. If he was tried it was because they wished it, not because he did anything to the prejudice of good order and military discipline. Tt is they alone who made the President and the Sec- retary of War their tools.” “The general staff had Col. Mitchell brought to Washington so they could set in motion their machinery for his court-martial here, far from the scenes of the alleged defense ¢ * * Ordi- nary military procedure was not fol- lowed and the court was convened in order to ‘get’ quick. During the entire trial it was apparent the prosecution was being conducted by the general staff of the Army and Navy. Their own members appeared at the trial judge advocate’s table in viola tion of every precedent and the whole weight of the powerful general staff was thrown against us. Assails General Staff. Ve have had to fight step by step against the powerful influences arrayed against us. It is the general staff and the general staff alone that has instigated and conducted . this prosecution, and the general staff only that will benefit from the verdict of gullty. “The people have learned from this trial that America has no adequate air force and no prospect of getting one, although it is eight years since the war. No step taken by the War Department to remedy the conditions called deplorable by the Lassiter Board, although that board's report was approved more than two years ago “Col. Mitchell was demoted,” Mr. Reid continued, “because he gave truthful testimony before the Lam. and other committees of Con- . given under cath and sought those committees. He was re- ed, after he had testified, 10 sub- antlate his statements to the Sec- ry of War, which he did in writ although it was a proceeding which, under the opinfon of the great- est parliamentarians, is an affront of no small proportions to the House of Representatives - of the Congress of the United Btates. This was the fore- runner to his court-martial Says Proof Given In substantiatfon to the Secrelary of War, he gave him truth in abun- dance, which evidently was not con sldered by the Secretary, or he would never have signed the letter to the President. “Col. Mitchell has fought side by side with the members of the court in defense of our country. He is still fighting for the defenso of its great future. He will continue to fight for it. “Is it not the act of a good soldfer and citizen to give alarm so that the blunders which have been the cause of the deplorable conditions in our Afr Services shall not continue and lead us to disaster and imperil the honor of our Nation? “The general staff sought by punish- ing him to stop the camipaign for an adequate national defense for Ameri- ca. In this they were mistaken. The fight has only begun.” Coolidge Must Act. Meanwhile, it was generally agreed today that the case is by no means settled, as far as the Government is concerned, and will not be until dis- posed of by President Coolidge. The findings of the court now are before the War Department and will be studled by the board of review. .The board as now constituted is composed Is. Willlam Taylor, E. C. Abbott L. L. Korn. This organiza- is concerned only with the legal end of the trial and in the past if it were clearly established that the accused did not have a falr trial, it could recommend a new trial or throw out the findings. However under the Thirty-seventh Article of ‘War, the board is glven much latitude and any action other than approval of the court’s decision is forecast as unlikely. From the reviewing board the findings will go to the judge advo- cate general, thence to the Secretary of War, who will transmit it to the President. The sentence, if approved, will not become effective until the Executive has finally passed upon it. In the meantime Col. Mitchell wili remain either in Washington or at his estate near Middleburg, Va. The trial was brought to a sudden close yesterday by the refusal of Col. Mitchell to proceed in the case any longer. Had the defense presented its summing-up arguments, in all prob. ability the hour for the court to de- cide the matter would have arrived some time today. Col. Sherman More- land, the trial judge advocate, de- livered the ‘“repiy’ terday after- noon and it was only after the de- mand from Maj. Gen. Robert L. Howze, president of the court, to learn from Col. H. A. White, military counsel, what the defense purposed in the matter, that the court took up deliberation for decislon. This was done at 340 o'clock and at 4:10 the jury returned to the room and in- quired of the trial judge advocate if there were any previous convictions on the record of the accused. On be- ing informed there were none, the court agaln retired. Decisfon Forecast This maneuver forecast the decision of guilty in general terms. Under the procedure, if the court had found a verdict of acquittal it would have so announced on its return. But the Manual for Military Cotrts-Martial provides it the accused is found guil- ty, the trfal judge advocate submits previous convictions, if any. With this knowledge a practical certainty, the crowded courtroom set- tled down for a long wait. For two hours the crowd milled about the room and in the corridors. Col. Mitch- ell chatted with Mrs. Mitchell and the latter's mother and father and finally suggested they return to their hotel. Mrs. Mitchell did not go, but her parents did. Representative Frank R. Reid, chief civillan counsel, re- mained seated with the other mem- bers of the defense counsel for a long period and then mingled with the prosecution and various Air Service of- ficors oresent. At 6:35 o'clock the entire room was qui and tion jerked to rigid attention as a loud' thump was heard at the door of the jury room. The court filed in and the room was in death-like silence. Demonstration Banned. “The court wishes to make an an- nouncement.” President Howze read from a prepared paper, “that there must be no demonstration of any kind in the room.’ Pausing for a moment, he then proceeded: “The court, upon secret written bal- lot, two-thirds of the members present at the time the vote was taken, con- curring in each finding of guilt, finds he accused guilty of all apecifications Believed Impossible. Mitchell and get him | and charges. ballot, the court Upon secret v wiite sentences Ui ac mand and duty, with forfeiture of pay and allowances, for five years. “The court is thus lenient bec of the military record of the accuséd | during the World War, two-thirds of { the members who were present at the | time the vote was taken concurring. | The court will stand adjourned sine die.” Col. Mitchell, standing as the decis | ion w. nnouncad, with Mrs. Mitchell |at_his side, smiled. There was no demonstration. The attitude of the spectators almost was apathetic. the uninformed on- looker, nothing had happened. Man ‘s friends rushed to his his hand and assuring still with you.” The i {of the col side, shukin him’ “we re officer appeared not to be affected in the least by the decision. - Pressed for |a statement or comment by newspa- per men, he replied he could not | anything at this time until the ca e | finally was decided. In a few minutes |the musty old building that had {housed the most spectacular Army | general court-mar in a generation, if not in all military history, was cleared of all except the allnight soldier guards. May Be Airship Witness. While the court was reaching a conclusion on the form of sentence, Col. Mitchell notified by Maj. was Henry Leonard, U vocate of the Shenandoah court of in- quiry, that he would be asked to testify Monday when the court recon- venes. The colonel, who once before refused to appear before the court, said he would testify. It is likely that he will be ed concerning his charges that the Shenandoah was poorly conditioned for her last trip. Although the trial of Col. Mitchell was concerned mainly with his pub- lished charges of last September, the officer’s record of opposition to con- duct of the national defense dates back to the days of.1915. In that vear, us @ captain on the general staff, he publicly protested that the United States military establishment was unprepared for war. In the World War he won distinction as an aviator and at one time commanded the largest alr force ever assembled over the Western front. He returned as a brigadier general and was ap- pointed assistant chief of the Army Alr_Service under Maj. Gen. Charles T. Menoher Differences grew between Gen. Mitchell and Gen. Menoher and in October, 1919, before the House mili- tary committee the former began his crusade for a separate department of aeronautics. By June, 1921, the Mitchell-Menoher dispute over & uni- fied air service had become so acute that Gen. Menoher appedled to Secre- tary Weeks to remove his assistant, but three months later Menoher him- sulf, at his own request, was trans- ferred to Hawall. Maj. Gen. Mason M. Patrick suc ceeded Menoher, and after a lull, Mitchell resumed his criticism of the Alr Service. In magazine articles he charged that facts concerning bomb- ing tests held off the Virginia Capes had been suppressed by the War and .\'T'y Departments. Je was forbidden to publish fur- ther such articles without permission from Secretary Weeks, and President Coolidge indorsed the order. How- ever, Mitchell later published a book, “Winged Defense,” without submit- ting It to the War Department. From December of 1924 to last Spring. before a_special House air- craft committee, Mitchell gave sensa- tional testimony concerning the Air Service, repeating his demand for a separate air force and department of national defense. Lost High Air Post. President Coolidge declined last March to reappoint Mitchell as assist- ant air chief, and he was transferred to San Antonio as commander of the M. C., judge ad- against reappointment, characterizing Mitchell as “lawless. From San Antonio last September Mitchell issued his two statements accusing the War and Navy Depart. ments of “incompetency, criminal neg- ligence and almost treasonabl ad- ministration of the national defense, singling out the Shenandoah voyage and the PN-9 No. 1 flight from San Francisco to Hawali. Court-martial of Mitchell then was ordered and President Coolidge shortly afterward appointed a special board to study the aircraft situation. Selecting Representative Reid, who had been an aggressive member of the Lampert afrcraft investigating com- mittee, for his counsel, Col. Mitchell rushed into court and assumed the offensive against the prosecution. He brought in witnesses from all sections of the United States to substantiate his charges, and, by securing permis- sion to prove his statements, he there- by forced the prosecution into rebut- ting them. In all, about 100 witnesses were called, including the highest ranking Army and Navy officers. The court itself was one of the most august bodles that ever sat in judgment of an accused military man. Numbering 13 originally, Col. Mitchell, on the first day of the trial, chal- lenged the right of 3 of the generals to a position on the court. His first challenge was against Brig. Gen. Al- bert J. Bowley of Fort Bragg, N. C. This officer was challenged because he had delivered an address taking issue with the question of a united air force. The challenge was sus- tained, and then the accused attacked the right of the president, Maj. Gen. Charles P. Summerall, to sit, because he had, it was charged, ignored his report on condition of air defenses in the Hawalian Islands. The challenge brought heated reply from Gen. Sum- merall, who characterized the report in question as “unfair, unsound and ignorant.” Gen. Sladen Removed. Allowed one peremptory chal Col. Mitchell utllized this in uml::r‘fi:g' Maj. Gen. Fred W. Sladen, superin- tendent of the United States Military Academy, a strict disciplinarian, and then the trial got under way. Those left to judge the accused were Maj. Gen. Robert L. Howze, commanding the 5th Corps Area, Columbus, Ohio, president of the court; Maj. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, commanding the 3d Corps Area, Baltimore; Maj. Gen. ‘William 8. Graves, commanding the 6th Corps Area, Chicago; Maj. Gen. Benjamin A. Poore, commanding the 7th Corps Area, Omaha; Brig. Gen. Edward L. King, commandant of ;the General Service Schools, Ft. Leaven- worth, Kans.; Brig. Gen. Frank R. McCoy, commanding the 3d Infantry Brigade, Fort Sam Houston, Tex. Brig. Gen. Edwin B. Winans, Fort Clark, Tex.; Brig. Gen. George LeR. Irwin, commanding Fort Sill, Okla., and Brig. Gen. Ewing E. Booth, com- mandant of the Cavalry School, Fort Riley, Kans., and Col. Blanton Win- ship, the law member, on duty in the 1st Corps Area, Boston. The trial was marked by sensation after sensation, either due to the char- acter of testimony offered defense and prosécution witnesses or to heated arguments between counsel. One of the prime questions which the court never decided was whether the evi- dence presented Was 1 be received in cused to be suspended from rank, com- 8th Corps Area air force, reverting to the rank of colonel. The court-| martial developed that Secretary! Weeks had advised the President STAR, WASHINGTO! INPRESSIVE RITES HELD FOR GRANT Masonic Service Conducted at Funeral of Police Inspector. ! The symbolic and impressive Rose | Crofx service of Scottish Ri conducted over the remains of In- spector Clifford L. Grant, at the Scot tish Rite Cathedral, this afternoon. After the services the Dawson Lodge ook over the arrangements, and the |funeral procession was wending its !way to Rock Creek Cemetery late to- | | day for the final blue lodge services at the grave, Masonry's final rites. | | Against a_beautiful background of | massed floral tributes and in the pres- | {ence of an overflow gathering of rela- | tives and friends, admirers and fellow | officers from this and other cities, the | | Rose Croix service was intoned by Al- | |len Busius, Rev. John Carpenter | Palmer and Frank C. Koch, all thirty- | third degree members of the Scottish | in uniforms and | Rite. Fifty policemen, white gloves, stood as a guard of | honor at the services under command | | of Inspector Henry Pratt. Detectives | ! from out-of-town were seated near the | remains. | Coffin Flag-Draped. The coffin was draped with American flag, supplied by the Re serve Officers’ organization, in which | Inspector Grant was a major. The service at the cathedrals start- | ed with a selection, “Rock of Ages, sung by a quartet composed of Beulah Brown, Richie McLean, George Myers | and Ambrose Durkin, with Adolf Tor- ovsky at the piano. | ‘Then followed the Rose Croix serv- ice, after which the choir sang *“Lead, Kindly Light." And here the service ended. The‘ Dawson Lodge, under direction of | John E. Jefferies, then took charge of the ceremonies. The honorary pall- bearers grouped about the casket and as the choir sang “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” the procession filed out of the cathedral. Automobliles were gathered for more than tWo squares distance in the street outside for the funeral proces- | sion to Rock Creek Cemetery. | Mrs. Ella Grant, the widow, was ac- | companied by her two sons, Harry and Clifford P. Grant, the latter coming | here from Cincinnati for the funeral. | List of Pallbearers. | | Commisstoner Frederick A. Fenning | attended the funeral as an honorary | pallbearer. Other pallbearers included close personal friends of the deceased, as well as those with whom he was associated officlally from time to time Maj. Edwin T. Hesse, superintendent | of police; Col. M. A. Winter, president | of the Tenuvus Club; Capt. M. M. | | Barnard, superintendent of local pris. ons; W. A. Brown of the Board of Trade; John Koons, vice president of the Chesapeake and Potomac Tele- phone Co.; Col. Willlam Harllee, United | States Marine Corps; E. C. Snyder, | United States marshal; Judge Isaac R. Hitt and Roe Fulkerson, grand | master of Masons for the District of Columbia. Not only from Richmond and Bal- timore, but also from Atlantic City | came 'delegations of detectives and detective bureau officlals to pay their last respects to their colleague. Inspector of Detectives James Mal- seed of Atlantic City headed that del- egation, which brought an immense | floral tribute to the cathedral. Capt. | Charles E. Burns of Baltimore's de- {tective bureau and 25 dete es from that city, where Inspector Grant was | almost as well known as in this city, | also attended. Capt. A. C. Wright, chief of de- tectives of Richmond, Va., and De- | tective Charles Atkinson and Robert Bryant represented the Detective Bu- { reau of the Southern city. Other city Detective Bureaus along the Atlantic coast sent flowers and telegrams of sympathy. | Funeral arrangements were made | by Inspector Pratt and Detective Scrivener for the Police Department | and were in the hands of Sterling | Kerr, general secretary of Scottish | Rite bodies, and intimate friend of | the deceased, in behalf of local Masons. | The floral pieces included wreaths | and spraye from the local Detective Bureau; from District Government officials, from various police precincts and from numerous other friends of | the inspector. Newspapermen at the District Build- ing and at police headquarters, all of whom were close friends and confl- dants of the inspector, sent a wreath also and a delegation attended the funeral. the | | Many Pay Tribute. The widespread circle of friends of Inspector Grant has deluged the family with messages of sympathy and condolence. One of the outstanding expressions came from the board of governors of the Tenuvus Club, which held a spe- clal meeting Wednesday, and placed the following minute upon its per- manent records: : “In the passing from earth of In- spector Clifford L. Grant, chief of the Detective Bureau of the District of Columbia, the Tenuvus Club has sustained an irreparable loss. As of- ficer, as citizen, and friend he repre- sented the highest ideals. He was generous; he was considerate; he was kind, and no man was more sincerely loved and esteemed by his assoclates in the Tenuvus Club than Clifford Lee Grant. He exemplified in his life the finest traditions that make a man worthy of association with his fellow man, and he leaves behind sweet and tender memories that will grow brighter with the com- ing years. He brought to the club sunshine and the joy of living. He was the magnet which drew his as- sociates together in loving com- panlonship, and our hearts are sad- denced with his passing to a fuller and completer life. The white sail of his soul has rounded the promon- tory—Death.” This is cited because it is typical of the messages sent to the family by scores of friends of the deceased. SENATE 0. K.’S MORROW FOR SMITHSONIAN BOARD Approves Name as Regent of In- stitution—Resolution Now Goes to House. PREDIGTS MERGER | pected in the near future by Public is the most hopeful sign 1 have yet | seen the direction of a merger. The news of a merger probably will | cont | company and placed under separate C., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1925 DETECTIVE CHIEF’S BODY LYING IN STATE Scores passed the casket contal ing the remams of Cliftora i.. this morning preparatory to funeral services this afternoon. A police detail of 50 formed an honor guard. nt as rested in the Scottish Rite Cathedral OFALLD. . LIS Covell Expects Consolidation of Entire Transportation System of City. Consolidation of all of Washington's transportation systems—street rail- way and bus lines confidently ex- Utilities Commission experts as a re- sult of the acquisition by the North American Co. of New York of a ma- jority of the capital stock of the | Washington Rapid Transit Co. | Maj. W R. Covell, assistant en- | gineer commissioner, assigned to pub- lic utilities work, predicted today that the merger undoubtedly would come, but when is a matter for conjecture. “It may come in a day or it may be two vears,” he said, “but the purchase | of the controlling interest in the bus company by the North American Co. come just as sudden as the announce- ment of the North American Co.'s acquisition of the bus company's capi- tal stock.” Commission's Approval. Any consolidation plan proposed by the North American Co. will have to be approved by the utilities commis- sion sa well as Congre: Maj. Covell pointed out. These two will be made easy, he indicated, if the plan is evolved in the fhterest of the public. The direct effect of a merger, Maj. Covell declared prophetically, would be the establishment of universal | transfers, operation of the various tansportation systems under single 1, and a general rerouting of the bus and street car lines. The bus companies, he said, may be merged into one division of the operating control. The busses, however, in his opinion, would all be kept in one garage, thus reducing a large item of overhead. Transfer Privilege. As Maj. Covell envisions Washing- ton under a unified transportation system, the riding public will have the privilege of transfering from the lines of the Capital Traction Co. to those of the Washington Railway and Electric Co. free of charge. ‘While free transfers may be issued from the bus lines to the street cars, Maj. Covell believes that it will only be done on payment of a cash fare Passengers using tokens, in his opin- lon, may be required to pay for such transfers, but bus to bus transfers would be issued free. DEC. 26 HOLIDAY VOTED BY SENATE, FOLLOWING DEBATE (Continued from First Pagi Senator Norris replied there is no room there now. Senator King of Utah asked Senator Capper whether the resolution was so broad that it might dismiss employes on December 26 whose services might be indispensible for the protection of property. Senator Capper replied that the only purpose was to provide pay- ment for per dlem employes on that day. Senator Hale of Maine then offered the amendment to the resolution which would insure pay for the navy yard workers for the holiday. With this lamendment the resolution was adopted. Amendment to BIIX. The amendmerit to the December 26 holiday bill as reported favorably to the House today, provides “that all employes of the United States Govern- ment in the District of Columbia and all employes of the District of Colum- bia shall be entitled to pay for this holiday the same as on other days.” Mr, Zihiman's report points out that Baturday, December 26, 1925, is a half. holiday and under the terms of this bill will be made a legal holiday for the entire business period. He then quotes the executive order of Presi- dent Coolidge dated December 11. Following this he quotes the language of the joint resolution adopted by Con- gress on January 6, 1885, which takes care of employes of the Navy Yard, Government Printing Office, Bureau of Printing and Engraving and all other per diem employes of the Government The Senate late yesterday passed the Joint resolution providing for the appointment of Dwight W. Morrow of New York to a vacancy on the board of regents of the Smithsonian Institution. Action was taken fol- lowing a favorable report by Senator Fess of the committee on librarigs. The resolution now goes to the Ho¥se for action. Mr. Morrow is a lawer and also is prominent in banking circles. Dur- ing the World War he served as ad- viser to the Allled Maritime Trans- port Council and was awarded the distinguished service medal by Gen. Pershing. extenuation or mitigation, as the prosecution contended it should be, or ds absolute defense, as the defense maintained it was. ‘This subject came up three times for discussion and was a partial basis for Col. Mitchell's re- fusal vesterday to proceed further Wwith the cassy I to enjoy certain specifically named holidays. The report says that the amendment s added in order that all employes of the Federal and District Governments eniployed within the District of Colum- bia shall be put on the same basis. DENY SELVES SALARIES. RIS Miners’ Officers Refuse Pay Until Strike Ends. SCRANTON, Pa., December 18 UP). —The executive gard and officers of District No. 1, Uiited Mine Workers, yesterday voted not to accept any further salary until thd ‘anthracite strike is settled. About 15 officers and board members are affected and the amount of the salaries is approximate- 1y $3,500 a month. Officers and board members of Dis- trict* No. 7, with headquarters at Hazleton, took similar action some time ago g ’ ADVISORY COUNCIL SUBMITS D. C. REPORT ON FISCAL RELATIONS (Continued from First Page.) port of two large interesting volumes but no remedy for the annually recur- ring malady of dissatisfaction and dis- content.” Repeal Borland Amendment The second item in the council's re- port recommends the repeal of the Borland amendment, which it de- scribed as “manifestly unfair to the owners of abutting property.” “The theory of the Borland pro- vision,” said the report, “is that a highway is 50 per cent for the benefit of abutting property. The fact is that any highway is for the use of the entire public. The construction and maintenance of any highway should be borne equally by all the taxpayers.” arly elimination of all remaining grade crossings within the District is | urged in the next item, which also contained an indorsement of the pro- posed bill for opening, widening and straightening of streets where benefits equal to the damages cannot be found, and the bill to vacate certain streets in the Walter Reed Hospital area and the extension and widening of Fourteenth street. Recorder of Deeds’ Office. The fourth item urges the erection of a suitable fireproof building costing approximately $80,000 for the office of the Recorder of Deeds. The present buflding, the report declared, although reputedly fireproof, is so situated that an adjacent fire undoubtedly would seriously damage, if not destroy, the thousands of record books and deeds which have been recorded, but not delivered to the owners. The proposed bill to enlarge the powers of the Commissioners is made the itery of a supplementary report which also includes a suggested modi- fication of the budget law s0 as to ra- lleve the Bureau of the Budget of jurisdiction over estimates and ap- propriations for the District and an adverse report on the so-called “blue sky law.” In reference to the pro- posed bill to broaden the powers of the Commissioners the supplemental report says: “The council belleves it would be most desirable that a num- ber of powers, purely municipal in character, but now exercised by others, should be lodged in the Commission- ers. It is the opinion of the council, however, that some of the powers sug- gested in the proposed bill do not come within the number."” Change in Budget Law. In suggesting & modification of the budget law, the council said: “If Congress is to continue fts practice of appropriating from the Federal Treasury a groes lump sum for the expenses of the District of Columblia, then in the opinion of the council, leg- islation should be strongly urged to bring about such relief. On the other hand, if Congress is to return to a proportional or ratio plan of appro- priating from the Federal Treasury for the expenses of the District of Columbia, then it seems that the same reasoning applies in support of the Bureau of the Budget's exercis- ing jurisdiction over estimates for appropriation, as applies to estimates for appropriation from the Federal Treasury for any other purpose, be- cause then the Federal Government is interested definitely in the amount of appropriations because it would pay a certain percentage of the amount.” The report pointed out that all of the council's conclusions and recom- mendations are based on a careful and systematic study of the various items, and that it believes they “are fairly representative of the opinion and desire of the people of the Dis- trict of Columbia generally. JOHNSON CONTEST MAY BE THRCWN OUT Vormer Senator’s Counsel Informed Case Will Not Proceed in Ab- sence of Specific Charges. By the Associated Press. Cournsel for Magnus Johnson, for- mer Farmer-Labor Senator, was In- formed today that if they could mot produce specific charges out of which an issue could be drawn the investiga- tion of the contest against Senator Schall, Republican, of Minnesota, would not proceed further. Johnson's counsel was called upon by a subcommittee of the Senate elec- tions committee to produce witnesses to establish a prima facie case. They had filed general charges against Schall, butthe subtommittee demand- ed more specific complaint. ‘Would Allow Woman Jurors Here. A Dbill to make women eligible ‘for Jury service in the District of Co- lumbia was offered in the House yes- terday by Representative Linberger of California. A simiiar measure also has been introduced in the Senate. Queen Mother No Better. BODIGHERA, Italy, December 18 (#).—A medical bulletin issued today concerning the condition of Queen Mother Margarita says she passed a fairly 'ul night, with no change in the ural pneumonia in the right lung. Her temperature at midaight reached a maximum of 101.8. It you want work, read want of The Stan s LA FOLLETTE RAPS COOLIDGE'S STAND Senator Sharply Criticizes Coal Strike Attitude of Chief Executive. ens. By the Associated MADISON, Wis.,, December 18.— President Coolidge 1is criticized by Senator Robert La Follette, jr., Wis- consin, in an editorial in the current issue of La Follette’s magazine, for reported attitude toward the suspen- sion of anthracite coal production. Another editorfal, signed by Sen ator La Follette, sets forth a refusal of the Wisconsin delegation in the House “to compromise or to bargain” with Speaker Longworth or with “any other member of the House." After reviewing the anthracite uation briefly, Senator La Follette writes: “In the meantime the possibility of a soft coal strike hangs over the country. President Lewis has writ ten President Coolidge a letter couch ed in strong but respectful terms call- ing his attention to the critical situa- tion that has been created in the soft coal flelds by the violation of the so called Jacksonville agreement Ly many of the largest bituminous coal operators. * * Says Reauest Proper. “The Coolldge administration repeatedly proclaimed the Jackson ville agreement as one of the greatest achievements. Mr. Lewis asks the President whether he will use his influence to maintain the validity of this contract for which his administration was in & large measure responeible or whether the coal miners | are to be forced to take such steps as lie within their power to secure its enforcement. President Coolidge has not answer- ed. Through the mysterious ‘White House spokesman' it is announced that the President is terribly insulted that he should be asked this em- barrassing question. It is announced that he intends to do nothing to in- fluence the maintenance of the Jack- sonville agreement. “In this entire coal strike situation it is clear to those who know the true history of the Boston police strike that President Coolidge is running true to form. Scores High Prices. “Anthracite coal cannot be had at any price. Bituminous coal sells at famine prices and heaps up rich profits, particularly for the non-union operators in West Virginia and Ken- tucky. These operators have been granted specially low freight rates by the Interstate Commerce Commission in ‘snap decisions' virtually without the presentation of evidence. In the meantime the commission gravely con- siders whether it should raise the freight rates on farm products.” FOX PLAYHOUSE HERE TO BE BIGGEST IN CITY Theater to Seat 3,600, According to Announcement in New York Today. ‘Washington is to have a new the- ater, which will be one of the six largest in the world and larger than any of the present amusement houses here, in the theater which is to be built in the projected National Press Club Building, for which a lease has been obtained by the new $20,000,000 Fox Theaters Corporation, according to an announcement today in New York. ‘The Fox Theater is to have a seat ing capacity of 3,600, spacious quar- ters for a symphony orchestra, mezza- nine and boxes and loges. A fea- ture will be a presidential box, lux- uriously equipped, which will be re- served at all times for the exclusive use of the President of the United States and his party. A firm of dec- orators is to be specially engaged to prepare this box. A 36-year lease on the theater has been signed by the Fox Corporation, calling for an aggregate rental over its tenure of more than $7,000,000. ‘This is the first theater to be obtained by the Fox chain in a great expan- sion which it has undertaken. Lock Obdurate; Trial Continued. MOBILE, Ala., Deeember 18 (#).— The case of O. L. Thompson, charged with robbery, had to be continued un- til another day because the door to his cell had become caught and couldn’t be unlocked. Soldiers to Protect Workers. HAVANA, December 18 (P).—After a conference with President Machado today Gen. Alberto Herrera, chief of staff of the Cuban army, dispatched a circular telegram to chiefs of military posts throughout the island. to offer protection to r cane fleld workers where their employérs request it. The President is said to be hopeful of a wéttlement of the differences between ¢ane growers and mill owners, has | properly | [NANISHELDON 12 BURGLARY CHARGES Woman’s Scream Starts Chase That Ends in Cap- ture of George Hicks. A woman's screams st sational chase yeste that_ended in the A. Hicks, 32 ) Epring, Md., who now on charges of 12 ca Ing. Hicks, police say, made a f ment of operat extendir last August & which have puzzled police. ile w found to be a former convict who liu served two vears in Atlanta, beir leased a vear Miss Rub. ment at 1329 Belmont stre terday afternoon when she heard a muffied knock at the door. She pald no attention to it. Immediately there. after, however, a strong steel screw driver worked Its way into the door, forcing back the lock, and a man walked in. He saw Miss Fitch and cautioned her against making an out cry. She screamed. He cautioned her again. She screamed again. The man ran s up Knocks Out Fugitive. William A, salesman, who was e ment house at the time, saw the man running out, and took up the chase For two blocks McGuire chased the man, at the end of which the fugitive stopped, and, turning as if to draw a pistol from his hip pocket, taced Mc Guires The latter did not hesitate. He swung for the man's jaw and put him out with one blow. Policeman J. H. Miller and Precinct Detective James E. Lowry arrived at this time, and placed the man under arrest. All last night Hicks was taking police around to scenes of his con fessed activities. At some places he told victims even more definitely than they themselves knew of thelr losses Hicks had $900 in Liberty bonds in his possession at the time of capture. These were sald to have been taken from Edna E. Gaines, 1410 M street, last August. Learns of Losing Ring. Miss Iva Dorsey. at 424 East Capitol street, was surprised by a visit the police and Hicks last night, when she learned that § $75 ring which she believed lost or misplaced had McGuire, automobile tering the apart been stolen from her apartment wil 5 $50 in cash by Hic who used a duplicate key to eff trance about two weeks ago. Other cases reported cleared through the arrest of Hicks include Loss of $33 by Miss Cecilia Gooch of apartment 21, 1901 Fifteenth street; Miss Virginia Bowen, 1743 P street whose apartment was robbed of $40 cash December 7; Miss Louise whose room at 2310 Ashmead place was robbed of $32 November 30, and Alice Brown of 1915 K street, apart ment 407, who was victimized to the extent of $7. At the apartment of Miss Isabel Langford in the Woodworth, Te and M streets, the loot comprised 80 cents. Couldn’t Find Work. Mrs. Hicks, wife of the prisone ar-old child and mother of his 43 told her husband at tie snct that she would ren assistance and refused good-bye when she vi. night, according to the police. Hic had his possession a boo! | with memoranda of Christmas presen purchases for relatives and friends for the 1925 season, all the gifts being of modest chars He told police { he had taken up apartment house rob | bing because he could not find work He sald that he would leave his home in Sflver Spring and take his auto | mobtle to a place in the city, wh he would park it, and then go ab his_operations. So fa possible h took nothing from apartments but cash and readily convertible negoti- ables. He explained, police said, that he had kept the Liberty bonds taken from Miss Gaines in the belief that attempted conversion of them might lead to detection. ASKS INVESTIGATION OF RUBBER SITUATION Tilson Charges British Colonial Governments Manipulate Prices. eighth pre Charging a manipulation of crude rubber prices by British colonial gov ernments, Representative Tilson of Connecticut, the Republican leader, to- day {ntroduced a resolution asking for an investigation by a House commit tee. As a result of alleged manipulation, Mr. Tilson asserted United States In dustries are paying $700,000,000 more annually for crude rubber than s war- ranted. The Republican leader conferred with Secretary Hoover before offering the resolution, which proposed that the investigation be conducted by the House commerce committee. Immediate consideration of the reso- lution was blocked, pending disposi tion of the tax reduction bill, and Mr. Tilson said he would ask for action on it tomorrow. Mr. Tilson suggested that Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone, tire man- ufacturer, be called to aid the com- mittee. SPECIAL GUARD SET OVER PARK SHRUBBERY Rock Creek and Other Reserva- tions Protected Against Yule Green Seekers. To prevent destruction of shrubber and trees in Rock Creek and other parks and reservations of the city the members of the park police force have been ordered on double dw*= by Lieut. Carroll, in charge of this forc Every year, according to this oificer. attempts are made to obtain greens and shrubs from the parks for deco rating purposes. Lieut. Carroll said that he hopes that the people will realize that in tak ing these greens they are destroying the beauties of the park, and that it is a violation of law. His men have been instructed to arrest all persons found taking these greens, and he has informed them that they must not ac- cept any excuses, but must take all cases into court. WILL DISARM DAMASCUS. By Cable to The Star and Chicago Dally News. BEIRUT, Syria, December 18.— The French have ordered the people of Damascus to surrender all arms be- fore January, thus starting action against the chief center of rebellion. High Commissioner Jouvenal has refused to receive a Damascus delega- tion because hostile acts still are be- 4ing committed by rebels operating on a small scale. One large band of 800 Drusses 1s reported near Mount Her- mon. (Capyright. 1925. Chicase Ly dsws LO.)