Evening Star Newspaper, January 9, 1926, Page 1

W (.S Weather Burean loudy tonight and to I Change in tempes temperature Lo g Temp at 11:00 a.m. a.m. today. mum Full report ATHER tures—Highest, 29, Forecast,) Morro ratur ht : not iy hout 23, at 7:40 on page 7. Closing N. Y. Stocks and Bonds, Page 14 Fintered as seco 20838, oL omee Washington, ond elass matter D, C. ch WASHINGTON, U. 3. WARNS MEXIC AGAIN AFTER LAND LAWPROTEST FAILS Firmly Worded Note Reit-| erates American Opposition to Retroactive Terms. DRASTIC ACTION HINTED IF RELIEF IS DENIED Coolidge Stands Squarely Behind Kellogg Statement That Repub- lic Is Now on Trial. the exi- Formal representations against e features of the new land have heen Mexican foreign office n Sheffield 2 of the Washington Gov- wfter prolonzed which failed retron F Alien Taw ed with the Americ The # Ambassador ern taken Ay 1 erchar either from the.land petroleum act those fre held here viclate inces given hy the Mexican gov- ent at the time diplomat scorded it by Washing o remove law tures which Al ernm recos Mexican foreign > vesulting here the State minz the e disples new Mexican laws artment has spoken in di L and cef erms of the injury it feels Il be done to American interests it legislation = into effec Both 1tutes are based n the celebrated le 27 of the Mexican constitution, inst the application of which th United § has more than protested. m the es once Drastic Action Hinted. Th for document presented by Ambas heffield does not say tep: roment may find it ne ATy if it is unable to obtain ade assurances for the protection of operty interests of Americans in xico. It is considered probable, how- ever, that the Ambasador’s verbal rep- ntations, ipplement the wril ten document, may have given a clea indication of what may be expected. here is every reason to believe that ident ¢ Ize and Secretary Kel- intend stand squarely upon public declaration of Mexican made some time ago by the S In this declaration Mr. aid that ‘“the zovernment of is now on trial before - Mexico world.” American Rights Lost. “It should be made clear,” tinued, “that this Government continue to support the government in Mexico only so long as it protects American lives and American right: and complies with its international en- kagements and oblizations Although officials here are carefully avoiding open comment on the pres- ent situation, in view of the diplo- matic exchanges now in progress, there is no doubt that State Depart- ment officials who have studied care- fully the new Mexican laws are con- vinced they not only fail to American inter but affirmatively Violate these interests by compelling American citizens who have made hona fide investments south of the border to either give them up entirely | or sell at a confiscatory Pledge Not Kept. Ambassador Sheffield, in mak representations against the land law has told the Mexican foreizn office plainly that this pledge has not heen kept. Article ind law re- qQuires that any a may have or may acquire an erest in a Mexi can company which has or n . quire ownership of lands. waters and their ace or conce s for exploitation of mines or combustible minerals, shall walve his right to the protection of his ewn government and nzree not to invoke such protection under penalty of forfeiture of his in- terest In the company to the nation. Article 3 of the w provides that in Mexican agricultural companies, there must not be in alien hands more than i per cent of the total Interests of the company. Article 4 stipulates t - in such companies in excess this r cent may be retained nly until death in the ca vidual holde or 10 years after the act goes into effect as rega corporations_with such holdings. Interest Must Be Revealed. Article 7 requires aliens who have any interest in the companies or properties covered by the act to make a declaration of such Interest, before the department of foreign within a vear after promulgation of the law. It has not been disclosed definitely whether the representations already made against the land law will be broadened to include leum act, but as exami letier proceeds here it is hecoming in- creasingly evident that its operation may have a serious effect on American oil interests in Mexico. iven to Nation. Article 27 of the constitution, abont which the whole controversy cente provides that regardless of the ow ership of any given tract of land, the oil and other mineral deposits beneatih the surface belong to the ration. The writing of this disturb. doctrine into the constitution took place in 1917, and in itself created much apprehension in Wa During the negotiations of 1923, how ever, Mexico acreed that the article ould not be so applied as (o trans vess legitimate oil rights acquired b Amet 1 eitizens in wd faith befor ihe constitution was adopted. It 18 the view nent that under these provisions many Amerfcans who have paid for Mexi can lands or for stack in Mexican companiex would be forced out manner cation. Prior to the p constitution of 1917 ized 1 ice price. foreign in- fon of the Resourres smulgation of the Mexican law rec. at the owner of title to land also owned title to petroleum beneath that surface. The denies recognition to legally < under the old law to posits and makes re (resctive application of artlcle 27 of he constitution v article 14 of the same, which es “no_law shall be given a retroactive effect to the detriment of person whatsoever." The new petroleum act also was s: smulgated in the face of the fact ) at_the Mexican Supreme Court, in (Continued on Page 2, Column 7)) fea- | ec- | Kel- | the * he con-| will | protect | of indi-| rds | relations | © the petro- | shington. | of the State Depart-| in a| amounting to indirect confis. despite the contra- | |Mussolini Adopts 1‘ Coolidge’s Policy | Of Silent Reserve By the Associated Pross MILAN, Italy, Jam 9.—~Ben- Italy Seist pre- s been noted for his < decided ystem of ry mie spel that President ¢ reserve may be bettel Italy, says the Popolo d' Italia. The new slogan for himself and his followers, the paper reports, is “Watchfulness and silence.” Let us keep quiet and allow our actiol to talk,” is the premier's idea. “Italy has had enough of emnty exhibitionism and _now needs accomplishments to-talk for her COOLIDGE FROWNS N HASTY CHANGE * OF SCALSYSTEM | President Represented as Urging Careful Study of | D. C.-Federal Relations. President Coolidge would dislike very much to see ny sudden action on the controversy over the fiscal re- lations between the District govern-| ment and the Federal Government. | He bhelieves the problem is certainl c hle of mutually satisfactory solu- tion. but only aft many elements have been carefully considered and after the question has been thorough Iy canvassed from all angles. These are represented by a White | House spokesman as being the Presi- | dent’s expressed views. In some quar- | | ters it is regarded as conveying mark- | ed significance in view of the fact that members of thte House are quoted as having declared that the plan to zive the District a lump con- | { tribution of $9,000,000 a year would | be made permanent. 60-40 Return Demanded. | Popular demand for restoration of | the 60-40 plan in Washington has be- | come almost unanimous in the face of { insinuations hy members of the House committee on appropriations that the { lump-sum plan would be enacted into !a standing statute. Under the plan | the citizens of Washington demand, the District would pay 60 per cent of | the National Capital's expenses and the Federal Government 40 per cent. President Coolidge has only recently been advised of the seriousness of the | fiscal relations controversy, and he is | said to have pointed out that he does not vet know enough about the prob- lem to comment at length. He did de- clare. however, the White House spokesman asserted. that he desired to see a plan adopted which would be fair to both sides. Continuing on_ this thought, the | President is confident that much would be gained by having the question care- fully studied and the local financial needs of both the District government and the Federal Government placed before Congress in full. It would then be a simple matter for Congress to determine what would constitute a fair contribution from the United States ury towidrd local expenses. ident would not favor any . and he is said to hav FARMERANDNIECE - SLAINBY MADMAN |Escaped Sanitarium Inmate | Hides Bodies in Haystack on Ranch. the Associated Press. FORSYTH, Mont., January 9.—The | bodies of Peter Jacobl, farmer, and his niece, Miss Mathilda Latsch, were dis- covered in a haystack on the Jacobi farm, near here, late vesterday, vic- | tims, officers said, of Arthur Thomas | Hesterling, 30, who told them he slew the pair on December 2 | Hesterling, who admits he escaped from a sanitarium at Knoxville, Jowa, in August, 1924, sald he came to the Jacobi ranch on December 29 and found nobody home. He was prepar- ing a meal when Jacobl and his niece | appeared. He confessed shooting Jacobi and knocking Miss Latsch to the floor. Jacobi, he sald, struggled to his feet. Hesterling then ended Jacobi's life with an ax, he confessed, and slew the girl in the same way. Throwing the bodies into a wheel 18} stack, where he covered them. | The slayin; were discovered ves- ! terday when relatives motored to the neh on o visit. | Hesterling, who had remained in the ranch house, ran across the field when the visitors appeared. He was cap- | tured by ranchers and led them to the bodies. | lic {Democrat on the committee, Represen- barrow. he trundled them to a hay-| BOARD 70 BE GIVEN PLENARY POWER IN BUILDING PROGRAM Public Buildings Commission 1o Pick Sites and Decide Structure Types. WETMORE IS WITNESS BEFORE HOUSE GROUP Describes Relief Already Obtained by Makeshift Arrangements Over United States. | Selection of sites, arrangement of | buildings for most efficient work of | the agency to occupy it and determi- | nation of which activities of the Gov- | srnment should he first housed in new | Government-owned buildings will be | left to the Public Buildings Commis- | sion under the $165,000,000 general | public buildings bill, on which hear-| ings are now being held and on which | favorable action by both houses of | Congress at this session is expected. This was made clear tod: by | ames A. Wetmore, supervising archi- tect of the Treasury, a witness at ihe hearings before the House com- mittee on public buildings _and unds. In reply to questions from members of the committee, Mr. Wet- more explained the work of the Pub-| Buildings- Commission and said it | the best qualitied il to de termine and administer the housing | needs of the Government in the Dis. | trict of Columbia. He pointed ou that the bill under consideration pro- poses io extend to the Public Build ings Commission the suthority ¥ exercises over other public buildings now occupled in Washington Will Testify Monday. the committee adjourned to-| Wetmore had not completed his testimony. and will be the witness | again Monday morning at 10:30 | oclock. Makeshift efforts have relieved some of the most pressing congestion in post offices throughout the coun- try, it was explained by Mr. Wetmore, who called attention to annual appro- ions of several hundred thousand rs with which the Treasury De- partment has been able to remodel old buildings to more adequately take care of overcrowded conditions. The limit that can be spent on any one project under these annual appropriations is $20,000. These annual appropriations are distinct from the appropriations in | the general public building bill now | under consideration. i Most of the hearing today centered about the section of the bill author- izing an expenditure ‘of $15,000,000 ,0n 65 unfinished projects previously au- thorized. Sustains Moss’ View. In reply to questions regarding the policy heretofore employed by the com. mittee in designating the specific loca- tion and cost of each publie building to be erected, Mr. Wetmore reiterated the statement made by McKenzie Moss, Assistant Secretary of the Treas- ury, 'at the hearing Thursday, in which he sald that the old policy would he easiest from an administrative | standpoint for the Treasury Depart- ment, but that from the standpoint of £ood business the new policy of au- thorizing the Treasury Department to select the location in the order of most urgent need was a wise one. Representative Woodrum, Democrat, | of Virginia asked that the committee be supplied two lists, one of places where new buildings are most urgent- 1y needed, and the second, a list of previously authorized buildings, which would be completed under the specific appropriation of $15,000,000 in the Elliott bill, now under consideration. Again at the hearing today it was emphasized and re-emphasized that a very unbusinesslike policy had been followed in allowing the public build- ing program to get so far behind hand, since the building has by no means kept pace with the increase in business, and there is a_crying need all. over the country for adequate quarters. Favors Larger Fund. In reply to questions by the ranking tativeFritz Lanham of Texas, renewing suggestions previously made by Mr, Woodrum. that the annual appropria- tion should be increased from $25,000,- 000 to $35,000,000 in order that $25.- 000,000 might be avallable for new buildings all over the country, in- stead of $15.000,000 as now proposed, while $10,000,000 & year is to be used for adequately housing Federal activ- .ities in Washington, Mr. Wetmore sald that to the extent that the Hmit might be increased, relief may be more quickly afforded. It was also made clear that author- ity was carried in the bill for the Treasury Department to investigate building conditions all over the coun- try so as to be able annually to present to Congress a list of new bulldings to be erected in the order of relative importance, that none of the expense of this investigation would come out of the lump sum au- thorization of $165,000,000, which would be used entirely for erection of new buildings. Former Tong Leader Killed. SAN FRANCISCO, January 9 (#).— Wong Quong, former president of the Hop Sing Tong here, was found shot to death in front of his home in Ross San Francisco Chinatown, early Police belleve he was slain by a rival faction in retaliation for a mur- Hesterling said he had served time in both Georgia and Louisiana prisons. der several months ago of a Chinese in’'San Jose, Commissioners Fi The pedestrian control rezulation. declared null and void by Police Court Judge John P. McMahon, is dead as far as the District Commissioners are concerned, it was learned authorita- tively today at the District Building. | The Commissioners, it was said, will not appeal Judge McMahon's decision, nor will they revamp the regulation in such a manner as to overcome the legal objection. Commissioners Bell and Rudolph, | it is understood, have taken the posi- tion that the time has come to call |2 halt on the issuance of additional regulations, and indicated this very ’ | Pedestrian Regulation Issue Dead; nd Too Many Rules decisively yesterday in voting against the proniaed regulation to ban all- night parking. They believe that the District is amassing too many regu- lations, especially with reference to traffic. : Commissioner Bell showed his atti- tude in this respect in a statement he made today. “The public expects us to be con- servative in getting out new regu- lations,” he said. “Regardless of the merits of any new regulation, it in- variably puts quite a burden on the Police Department and the courts in enforcing it.” “WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ¢ Foening Star. D. C, SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, BY HECK, (T'LL TAKE - MORE THaN A CHANGE. OF, CLOTHES To MAKE "EM SATISFACTOR 7 TDHE < e\ N ‘—(ow‘\ 1926 —THIRTY-TWO PAGES..™* |more than the Itallan debt to ROME EMPIRE BOGY MAY SCARE BRITISH Some Apprehension to At- tend Coming of Italian Debt Negotiators. BY JOHN GUNTHER. By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News. LONDON, January 9.—Every effort will be made by the British govern- ment to receive the Italian debt mis- sion next week with all consideration and in an atmosphere preliminary accord, but a certain air of apprehension, if not actual alarm. undoubtedly is being felt in important quarters. Persistent rumors from Rome re garding Premier Mussolini’s plan for an Italian empire have not helped matters, Indeed, the British would view any Imperialistic gesture by Italy toward the Balkans or the Near East with dissatisfaction and possibly with distaste. Any possible Italian aggres slon anywhere in the eastern Medi- terranean area would be bound to bring some sort of contact with the British. Terms to Be Lenient. Meanwhile, the British are ready to grant the Italian debt mission every inducement to settle the Italfan debt in a spirit of good will at the lowest possible terms. These, however, must be sufficiently high to help Great Britain unload her own debts to America. The Italian debt to Great Britain is immense, amounting to almost £600,000,000 sterling, or about a third the United States. There is no doubt that Washington will play a large, if shadowy, part in the negotiations, since Italy’s Ameri- can agreement must of necessity be the basis of the amount Great Britain can fairly charge. The British are sticking resolutely .to the Balfour declaration as the underlying philoso- phy is that Great Britain will demand from her debtors only so much as she herself is obliged to pay America. But the point at issue is whether the Italians are ready to pay even that. Payments in Proportion. Another fact governing the negotia- tions is the pari-passou principle. whereby Great Britain demands that no European debtor may pay America proportionately more than it pays Great Britain. To satisfy both of these principles, with the enormous total of the Italian debt in mind, it be- comes obvlous that Italy is expected to pay up a very substantial amount. The report that Premier Mussolini offered to buy off part of the debt at Rapallo by offering Austen Chamber- Jain Itallan aid in case of a British war over Mosul was not calculated to improve the spirit of the coming negotiations. (Copyright, 1826, by Chicago Daily News Co.) DRY LAW SURVEY ASKED. House Committee Chairman Pro- poses Inquiry Into Enforcement. Survey of conditions under prohi- bition and the effectiveness of dry law enforcement was proposed in a resolution _introduced yesterday by Chairman Hudson of the House alco- Lolic liquor traffic committee. The resolution would direct the committee to take cognizance of the “persistently” reiterated statements that prohibition has not decreased the consumption of alcoholic lquors, but has increased drunkenness and con- tributed “to multiplication of socfal problems.” The committee also would be direct- ed to inquire into reports that prohi- bition “has been an important factor in the establishment and diffusion of prosperity, in the raising of the stand- afd of living and in the production of many social benefits.” OUEZ;N TO COME HERE. ‘Will Join Osmena in Campaign for Philippine Freedom. MANILA, January 9 UP).—The Su- preme Natlonal Councll created by a coalition of the Nacionalista and Democrata parties today decided to send Manuel Quezon, president of the Philippine Senate, a Nacionalista, and Senator Juan Sumutong, Democrata, to the United States to join Senator Sergio Osmena there in efforts. to secure the independence of the Philip- WIS s it i crviin & DEEE nent committes of five who are to re- side in the United States, to take 'mrndflq ww-u— ER 2 of complete | CARDINAL HAS FAIR NIGHT. But Belgian Prelate Continues to Lose Strength. BRUSSELS. January 9 (). —Cardi- nal Mereier, whose condition is caus ing anxiety following the operation of last week for a lesion of the stomach, passed a fair night. No bulletin was issued, however, by his physicians. The cardinal has continued to lose strength because of his inability to take nourishment, and it now is re- ported that he is also suffering from an ulcer on the leg, which refuses to heal DEMOCRATS BOLT ONTAXPUBLICTY Dropping of Party Battle in Senate Makes Repeal Certain. By the Associated Press. The prospective fight in the Senate for retention of provision in the pres- ent law permitting publication of in- come tax returns will not have the | support of Democrats as a party. Senate Democrats gave the proposal almost united support when it was written into the law two years ago on the motion of Senator Norris, Repub- lican, of Nebraska, but the minority members of the finance commlittee have agreed not to include this pro- vision in their substitute tax-reduction program which they sought to com- plete today. Administration Republicans are ex- pected to glve support to terms of the House bill repealing the publicity clause in the present law. Several Democrats also have announced a change in their views of two vears ugo, and are expected to vote against the proposal to continue publicity which Senator Norris has announced he will offer. Democratic members of the finance committee, under the leadership of Senator Simmons of North Carolina, were putting into final form today their substitute tax-reduction plan, which will call for reduction totaling at least $400,000,000 this year, or $70.- 000,000 more than provided by the House bill. | Meanwhile, the finance committee resumed its meetings after a two-day recess taken to permit the minority members to draft their program. Ed- gar Brown, Speaker of the South Caro- lina House, was given opportunity to- day by the committee to present a (Continued on Page 8, Column 3.) MILLIONAIRES ARE HELD IN LIQUOR CONSPIRACY Tassel Brothers, Heads of Barber Supply House, Arrested in Philadelphia. By the Associated Press. COLUMBUS, Ohio, January 9. Samuel and Barney Tassel, million- aire heads of a Philadelphia barber supply house, were arrested at Phila- delphia last night on charges of con- spiracy to violate the national prohi- bition act, according to information received here. The brothers were arrested by Federal agents on indict- ments returned by a special Federal grand jury at Columbus last Tues- day. VyVI'.hln an hour after their arrest the men were arraigned before a Unitad States commissioner, pleaded not guilty, and were released under $25,000 bond. 3 Information of the arrests was re- celved by Assistant United States Attorney Bartels, who headed the investigation just concluded of a large bootleg ring which, officials say, has been furnishing alcohol to Ohlo, Michigan and other Midwest States. FOUR DEAD IN SMASH-UP. Interurban Car Strikes Auto Party ‘With Young People. MONROE, Mich., January’9 (®).— Four persons were killed last night when an automobile was struck by a Detroit United Lines interurban car en route from Cleveland to Detroit. The accident happened just outside Newport, a village 9 miles norfth of here. The dead are Irene, Edwin, Leroy Chenevare, 14, 17 and 18 years old, re- spectively, and Buelah ° Duval, all living near Newport. Radio Programs—Page 13. HOLLER S GIVEN “Diploma Mill” Promoter i Asks for Clemency in Final Plea. “As 1 want to be truthful, 1 must repeat my plea of ‘not guilt I feel I am innocent. But, according to the verdict of the jury, I am in the is clemency. If the court has the power I should ask that the charter of the Oriental University be can- celed and all diplomas issued to per- sons submitting affidavits or making false statements as to their qualifi- cations be also canceled. This was the plea today of Helmuth P. Holler, former president of Ori- ental University and _selfstyled bishop of the theomonistic religion, when_called for sentence before Jus: tice Wendell P. Stafford in Criminal Division 2 for using the mails to de- fraud in comnection with the conduct of a “diploma mill.” Holler also pleaded for a short term of imprison- ment because he has an elderly wife who may shortly lose her home be- cause of his imprisonment. In imposing the maximum sentence of two years in the penitentiary, Jus- tice Stafford said that he could not conceive of any worse offense under the statute of using the mails to de- fraud than the one charged in the indictment. Were Holler a rich man, Justice Stafford said he would also im- pose the limit of $10,000 fine in addi tion to the imprisonment, but. be- cause Holler is poor he would make the fine only $1,000. Sam Kaplan and Robert Adcox, both of St. Louis, indicted jointly with Holler, and who pleaded gulity and testified for the prosecution, were given 40 days each in jaill. The men were committed December 22. The judge said the lowest sentence he could bring himself to give would have been 60 days, but he allowed for the time the two men have been in jail. WOMAN AND 2 CHILDREN ARE RESCUED FROM ROOF Home Destroyed in Alexandria After Trapped Family Is Saved Through Quickness of Husband. Special Dispatch to The Star. ALEXANDRIA, Va., January 9.— Mrs. H. C. Brown and her two small children were rescued by firemen about 2 o'clock this morning from the roof of their home, which burned to the ground a few minutes later. The husband and father had been awakened by smoke and heat to find that the entire lower floor was en- veloped in flames. He leaped from a second-story window and turned in an alarm. Mrs. Brown with her children climbed through a skylight and re- mained on the roof until the firemen arrived. Loss, including furniture, is estimatad at $3,000. Cause of the fire was not learned. The home of James Armstrong, in Rosemont, a few hours previously, was damaged $100 by flames starting from a plumber’s torch, said to have been left burning in the cellar. Several other small fires were reported. -~ 2-VEAR SENTENCE | days, hunds of your honor and all 1 ask ! { plow _operators, in Washington with the news service. Yesterday’s #) Means Associated Pr SAVED FROM ICE JAM AFTER 2-HOUR BATTLE Alexandrian in Small Boat Taken Out of River by Firemen; Suffers Frost-Bitten Feet. Special Dispatch to The Star. ALEXANDRIA, Va., January 9.— Elmer White, 30 vears old, was res- cued irom an ice jam in the river last night. after a two-hour struggle in a smell boat. Firemen were callel by Raymond Padgett and Marshall Robey, who were attracted by his cries for help. Lines were thrown to him by Capt. James H. Beach of the Relief fire truck _and members of motor com- pany No. 1, assisted by Padgett and Robey. White suffered feet. He is an employe of the Co- lumbia Dredging Co., and attempted to cross the river from the Maryland side, when his boat was caught. BLANKET OF SNOW Associated Press frost-bitten | The only evening paper Circulation, 101,037 TWO CENTS. DONOVAN UPHOLDS SARGENT ON STAND INALUMINUM QuYZ Declares Department of Jus- tice Pushed Inquiry Into ! Company’s Policy. | TRADE COMMISSION DATA HELD DUPLICATED Attorney General, Again Testifies. FALSTOHAMPER CAPITAL TRAFFIC Washingtonians Go About Work as Usual After First Big Storm. After parading before the National Capital all her other extreme styles of weather, from snappy cold waves to the latest thing in London fogs, Mother Nature tried her hand ggain last night and treated the city to its first real snowstorm of the season. The latest offering did not create the furore that might have been ex- ! pécted and evervbody went about his business today as usual, barring a few traffic delays here and there hecause of clogged switches, skidding tires or frozen radiators. Forecaster Weightman said today that approximately three inches of £now fell during the storm. There was some sleet mixed with the flakes at times. He sees only fair, crisp weather in sight for the next few with the temperature low enough to preclude the formation of much slush, except where the sun scores a direct hit. A minimum drop to 22 degrees is expected tonight. As the first few flakes began to whirl through the streets and around buildings yesterday afternoon there was a concerted hustling among snow street sweepers, au- and the general tomobile owners public. Only One Accident. Supt. Morris Hacker of the Street- cleaning Department, had been wait- ing for just such an occasion, and when the opportunity came last night to try out his new snow-removal scheme the flakes began to fly in all directions. Motorists, too, were equal to the oc- casion, and but one aceident was re- ported to the police during the night. True, there were a number of nar- row escapes in the way of collisions, particularly among motorists who had néglected to unpack their rusty chains and put them into action; but escapes, no matter how narrow, are not worthy of consideration by the police. One broken leg appeared to be the sum total of injuries from slippery sidewalks. Mrs. Sophie Brendon, 51 vears old, of 1459 N street slipped on the sleety pavement at Seventh street and Pennsylvania avenue last night, receiving a fracture of the right leg. The Fire Department skidded along to the tune of 17 alarms, but found little real fire-fighting to do, as most of the blazes were of a minor nature. Last night's snow, Mr. Hacker said today, was really too light to test out completely the new snow-removal plan he had worked out. covering the clearing of 28 main ‘horoughfares. He sent his army of 400 men, motor trucks onto the streets about 8 p.m., and the crews remained on duty all night long, but at no time did they find the snow putting,up any kind of a determined fight, Mr. Hack- er_asserted. The plows completed as many as SiX or seven trips over the same streets during the night, he id, while the shovel men kept downtown crossings free of accumulated snow and sleet. The sndw was loaded in the trucks and dumped down nearby sewers. \ Experiment Called Success. The new experiment of banking the snow in the middle of Thirteenth street between F and 1 streets, thus leaving two lanes for traffic, was char- acterized today as a marked success by the street-cleaning authorities. This plan probably will be tried out on other downtown streets in future storms. Street car companies reported no serfous tie-ups on their principal lines. Cars were kept running on several of the downtown lines throughout the night to prevent the tracks from fill. ing with snow. Bus lines were oper- ating as usual today. Suburban traffic over the main high- ways into the District was slowed up considerably, but all roads were re. (Continued on Page 2, Column 7.) KU KLUX KLAN SEEN AS FACTOR IN SENATE WORLD COURT FRAY Effect of Letters Protesting Against Proposal Is U certain, as Some Point Out Protestant Churches Are Among Hearty Supporters of Tribunal. The Ku Klux Klan, or at least members of that organization, today were reported to be writing to Sen- ators. urging them to oppose the protocol for the adherence .of the United States to the World Court. One’ Senator is said to have received 50_such letters. ‘What effect the entry of the Klan into the World Court fight would have is problematical, according to Sen- ators now™engaged. One of the pro- court Senators pointed out that the Protestant churches of the country have been among the hearty indorsers of the proposal that this country join the court. 3 This same Senator said that he had “heard of the attack on the court made by some of the Klansmen and that he had looked up the religious affili- ations of the members of the court today. He saild he had found that five of the present judges belonged to Protestant churches, five to the Catholic Church and one was a Japanese. The debate on the World Court was postponed again - yesterday to permit consideration of the case of Gerald P. Nye, whose right to be seated as Senator from North Dakota has been challenged. It is expected that a vote on the Nye case will be had today and that then the World Court debate will continue. One of the anti-cousrt Senators pri- vately admitted that he believed the vote on the court would come within a comparatively short time and that not many more than a dozen Sen- ators would be found voting against it. The opposition to the court, was said, has found it difficult to organize effectively, elther inside the Senate or outside, 3 plows, 30 horsedrawn trucks And 13 | it § Elaborating Statements of First Appearance. In substantiation of made by Attornev General that the investigation of the {rum Co. of Americ jment of Justice with diligence, Assistant Attorne General Wiiliam J. Donovan, who ha had charge of the case, today explair ed to the Senate Judiciary committ the steps which have been taken him and his assistants in this invest | zation. Col. Donovan laid before the c |mittee ‘a report made August by Joseph i cial investigator {in which he | no evidenc charges that the | America, owned in | retary Mellon of ipartment and his brother, b | continuing i violating {cree of the United States Court for { the western district of Pennsylvania Inquiry Still Pushed. ! A charge made against pany with regard to {tions was not dealt | port, and that part of the inv Ition is now being prosecuted | department. | Col Donovan told the commi that the data obtained by the F | Trade Commission from the' va { companies involved in the inve tion also had been obtained b |agents of the Department of |from these companie: Senator { Walsh, author of the resolution for {the present investigation by the | Senate committee to determine wheth | the Department of Justice been jdiligent in its investigation of the | Aluminum Co. of America, i other members of the committee have been particularly interested questions as to why | of Justice had not attemp {from the Federal Trade Commissio: all the information obtained by the | commission from the Aluminum Com {pany, which the commission had de {clined to give on the ground that i was obtained in confidence from the | company. Sargent Again Grilled. Before Col today the statement rgent Al the Depart been prosecute Alumi great par the Treasn d beer the de Donovan took the stand Attorney General Sargent was again questioned at length in regard !'to what he knew of the Aluminum Co. case and as to his interprera of the law creating the Fec Trade Comm n and “the rel of the commission to the Department of Justice. At the outset of his testimony toda Attorney General ent told t committee that as early as March 11925, the case of the Aluminum Co. of America had been called to his atten tion and that he had sizned a memo- randum with regard to | ment was seemingly in conflict with {his testimony vesterday—that he had had no personal knowledze of the casc until eight months after he had ta office. tion his state testimony of vesterday said Attorney Gen T had no recollectio memorandum to which I your attention. 1 had for, about it, and it doesn't statement of my recollection made yesterday."” Was First Week in Office. The Attorney General said that the memorandum had been signed within the first week of his term of office. “Although this case was called to your attention.” said Senator Walsh of Montana, “it left so faint an im- pression that you could not recall {t." (Continued on Page §, Column 5.) now otten a —— MOTHERS’ PENSION BILL MEETS FAVOR Subcommittee Orders Approving Report to D. C. House Committee. Favorable repor* on the K. r with an amendment emhodying Mills principle for a distinct adminis trative board, for establishing « mothers’ pension system in the Na tional Capital was ordered today by the subcommittee on public healt} welfare and charity laws of the Hous District committee. This report will be made to the fu!l District committee when it meets next Wednesday. It represents a compro mise as between legislation urged by social workers in the National Capital and the mothers’ pension lobbyists from New York, who have appeared t the hearing. ‘When this legislation is discussed in the full committee vigorous opposition is expected to the creation of a new [board just at a iime when the work | of social. welfze leaders for a number of years seetwsdl about to result in the passage of .egislation which would | consolidate and co-ordinate all pub- {lic welfare work under the adminis. tration of one board of public-spirited citizens. bill, the | HUGHES WON'T RUN. Refuses to Be G. O. P. Candidate i For Governor of New York. { NEW YORK, January w).— i Charles Evans Hughes, former Secre- tary of State, has informed Republi- can party leaders that he will not con- sider any plan to make him the next Republican nominee for governor. He was suggested recently as the only Re publican strong enough to oppose Gov. Smith, should the governor de- cide to run again. Al