Evening Star Newspaper, February 2, 1926, Page 2

A8 2 ¥ SENATE DEBATING STOCKTAX REPEAL Smoot Explains Offset in Corporation Levy Increase. Repe: the capital stock tax and In lieu therof an increase from 12 in corparation ecommended by the finance tee, was being debated in the with indications that n might be voted on dur- rnoon. 1irman Smoot, in charge of the bill, explained that the fncrease of 1 per cent enry ation tax was proposed of the capital ined h this char today Mits Retroactivity on, Demorcrat, of Mis for the ve: and wment iner x, but Senator Democrat — on took the floor, he wanted to ohject to nendation of the commit this increase in the cof made Senator Simn tal stock tax and has alrea <k Senator sissippi mmittee that tax 3 in advance v been paid up to Juna { the in- Smoot Effort Blocked. An effort by Chairman Smoot of the finance committe to speed up the tax Stid journey through the Sen ate that body meet an hour earlier s blocked yesterday afternoon Norris of Ne- Senator orting that he had no in- f delaying the tax blil, Sena- vertheless added that he T nators “that if ¢ Aate to process they are ny headway.” The ful In his ob- nate conciuded instead of 11 roller not going to ike Nebraskian was st Jectd When the S it <sed until noon toda; rman Smoot in his ot t the measure through in time to benefit the people on March tax pa nator Sfmmons, rank- ng Democ 1 the finance commit- tee, daclared that if the Senate does not meet earlier than noon he sees Iit- ing the bill in time. Had Important Work. Senator Norvis and Senator Couzens both argued they had important com- mittee work to attend to in the morn- fng, which could not be carried on it the Senate meets at 11 o'clock. Sen- ator Stmmons replied the Senate cou'd not fi n hour for meeting that would not conflict with the work of mome committee. Practically all of vesterday was de- soted to speeches. Senator King, Democrat, of Utih, who fied an in- dividual minority report as a mem- ber of the finance committee, opposed repeal of the inheritance tax and of “he income tax publicity provision. e also offered an amendment to in- crease the maximum surtax rate to 5 per cent, to apply on incomes over 5500.000 Senator Couzens urged repeal of the provision allowing consolidated returns by affiliated companies. He also presented fisures to hear out his contentlon that high surtaxes have 1ot resulted in wealthy persons mak- ing large investments In tax-exempt securities. MERG ROSPECT BRIGHT, TRACTION OFFICIAL TESTIFIES S t { on ond_Page.) (Contirued the last year, the report shows there has been some upward change in car fares in cities of more than 25,000} population. There are 303 street car companies operating in these cities. 86 of which have lower rates for school children than for adults. FExpenses of Many Lower. There are 85 car companies which charge more than an S.cent cash | fare and 183 companies that charge less. Thirty-three companies have a | zone system. It must be remember- | ed, he said, that of the cities having = fare less than § cents cash, except New York City, practically every one has the overhead trolley, which is much cheaper than the underground | trolley used here. The fare in Washington, he pointed | out, is § cents, § 2.3 cents for tokens. The average fare paid is very close t0 7 cents. If a fare of 5 cents were astablished for school children up to and including high schools in the | District of Columbia, it is estimated that the income of the two street car ompanies would be reduced by about $50.000 vearly, Maj. Covell said. He gave the following list of citles over 100,000 population which have special rates for _ school hildren y, N. Y. 3 cents: Toston, children under 14, § cents; BEridgeport, Conn., 20 rides for 85 ents; Chicago, children 7 to 12 vears, 3 cents; 12 to 17 years, 50-ride hook, § Dallas, Tex., 3 cents: Des Moine 2 cents: Houston, rex., for 70 cents: Los An- seles, 40 rides for $1, good only on school days from 7 am. to 6 pm.; Loulsville, 20 rides for 60 cents; New Haven, Conn., 20 rides, 85 cents: Nor- folk, Va., 21 eents; Pittsburgh, 10 cents car fare, equivalent to two token fares, on school days only; Yortland, Oreg., 25 rides for §1; Provi- dence, R. I, 10 rides for 40 cents, 2 cents for transfers: Richmond, Va., It Lake City, Utah, 50 Antonio, Tex., 3 0, 3% cents; Municipal Railway, on other street rail- ways, 31 cents; Spokane, Wash., 50 rides for $: Springfield, Mass., 4 110 cents; Worcester, Mass., 5 cents. Hamilton Stresses Rights. Mr. Hamilton said that before the motion pending in the hearing made by Representative Reid of Illinois should be carried—which is, That it is the sense of the committee that Congress believes all legitimate ef- forts should be made to bring about a merger of the street railway com- panies with a view to improved sery- tce and looking toward a cheaper car fare—that it is necessary for the com- mittee to get from the companies a statement of just what the railways are—what are their rights and obli- 20 ride: for ; San Seattle, Wash., 235 cents. and Mrs. Marmota Monax of the well known Groundhogge family of Vir ginfa and the Carolinas, who is re- ported to have made certain claims regarding her alleged powers as an jamateur weather prophet, avoided re | porters who called at her home in | Rock Creelc Park today for an inter- view. Mrs. Monax's sudden decision to re- {main in seclusfon came as a distinct surprise, as it had been widely her ed ‘hat she would come out to with a formal prediction as to the Weather for the next six weeks. February 2 alwavs has been Mr { Monax’s coming out day, after a Wi v ial and professional inac- time immemorial she | his emerged on that day .o take a| squint at the sky and at the ground. | retired with a forecast of nd then or bad h or two. weather for the next Wour. Have Seen Shadow. | Teday, had she done as of vore, she | wan'd Lave looked for her shadow and tnnounced that a late Spring immediate prospect. It was tion of this that the report- had made a pilgrimage today to her heme, in the fashionable Zoo Park fon, on'y to be disappointed. peculation is rife ov-r the reason for her rebuff of the newspaper men. One rumor had it that Mrs. Monax the mother of brand-new Monaxes, b she has dec for domestic duties. was that she has been die ing for sev- eral months in an effort to reduce and feared to look at the result, as re- flected in her shadow. A more tenable theory, however, was being bandied about over nelgh: borly fences at the Zoo today. It was that Mrs. Monax, once the proud ex- ponent of all that is de trop in wood- chuck circles, was ashamed to show her face after the way her forecasts have turned out during the past few vears. Last year. it will be recalled, she saw her shadow, announced six weeks of wintry weather, and then found her- self surrounded with an advance at- tack of Spring, while Forecaster Mitchell, at the Weather Bureau, twiddled his thumbs in high glee. Low Accuracy Record. The vear before, it is true, she was partially correct in her prognostica- tion, but in 1923, when she forecast bad weather, she was wrong again. A broad interpretation of her prophecy led to forsake public Another report | MRS. GROUNDHOG “NOT AT HOME™; GOSSIP HINTS SHE IS ASHAMED Would Have Seen Shadow, However—Little Kins- man Reports She Has Bobbed Her Hair and Fears Catching Cold by Coming Out. | { ; mingham, THE EVENING STAR. WASHINGTON, D. €, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1926. in 1922, which called for more Winter, might give her the benefit of the doubt, but in 1921 she suffercd another severe setback. . Her low percentage of accuracy. on the whole, has heen most distressing to her, it is said, especially in view of the jibes poked at her by unbe- lievers at the Weather Bureau and elsewhere The only statement obtained at the Monax home came from one of the neighboring Aardvark children, who are of African descent. “Dat lady ain't gwine t' come out fo' you gent'mun,” he vouchsafed. ‘She’s done bobbed her hair and might ketch cold, and futhamo’ how's she gwine t' see her shaddah with all dis sof' coal smoke gallivantin’ aroun'?” iROUND HOG FAVORED. In Most Places Weather Is Somber— Some Sunshine Reported. CHICAG?"), February ().—The Nation’s anrual farce, “ground hog day,” was produced today with som- ber scenery over most of the country, accompanied by its consequent bright promise of an early Spring. The title role was played by numer- ous ground hogs. For the Indian game commissioner reported these little animals abundant ‘n the Mid- dle West and doing much damage to crops, contrary to thelr general repu- tation as rather innocent prognosti- ators. The weather map indications were not unanimously in favor of the ground hog, however. It showed sun- shine in New Mexico generally, Texas, Arizona, Colorado Utah, Bir- Chattanooga, Florida ties, Atlantlc States and in New England, where presumably the chief actors abandoned their historic roles for thelr domestic holes and the tra- ditional six weeks of slumber to es :ape a continued Winter. Generally elsewhere skles were | overcast, with snow in some New York sections, Indiana and Ilinofs. was so dark and foggy around Rock Island, I, that some fear was ex pressed lest Mr. Ground Hog would be unable to find his way back home. Prof. Henry J. Cox, veteran weather forecaster of the Chicaxo district, while declining to predict th weather for the next six weeks, pliced no credence in the ground hog. He | admitted that he has seen ground | hogs in the Lincoln Park Zoo, but never in a weather bureau. paniés and for the purpose of glving the service required capital had to be invited and obtained. The amount of that capital was fixed by Congress in each charter, just as definitely as other requirements—just as definitely as it was stated and inferred that the protection of Congress would be given these companies as long as they func- tioned according to law and performed the duties imposed by Congress. “These companies have been here since Washington was a country town without paved streets,” said Mr. Ham- ilton. He pointed out that “they alded in the development of Washington, they have given good service. und since the establishment of the Public Utilities Commission not onlv have they given the service they were in- corporated to give, but in full meas- ure have done all the Public Utilities Commission, as the duly authorized agent of Congress, has required. There 18 no assertion now that we are falling to glve the service required by the rules and regulat'ons of the Pub- lic Utilities Commission.” he added. Created as Legal Entities. “When Congress created these cor- porations they were created as legal entities, fn some respects as citizens entitied to the protection of Con- gress,” Mr. Hamilton said. He recalled that first the Inters:tate Commerce Commission was given a qualified control over the street rallways. In 1913-14 the utilities act was passed and Congress then gave definite au- thority and rights and imposed defi- nite duties upon the Public Utilties Commission. ““The street railway companies have been positively regulated by the Pub. lic Utilities Commission,” he said. “We because of any failure in this duty, but because it is desired that the rail- way companies do something the law does not require from them,” he chal- lenged. Mr. Hamilton pointed out that when the public utilties act was passed there was also passed the La Follette act, absolutely prohibiting the ownership of stock by one company In another. That law was in effect until March 4 last. Even then it was not repealed, he argued. There was a positive pro- hibition against anything like a mer- ger, a positive enactment by Congress, he insisted. Attempts at Merger. “There is no law on the books now that evidenczs a d companies_express a desire to merge they may be permitt=d to do so0. Up to last March it was impcssible for the companies to merre except by congressional favor. On account of the wishes of some members of both are not here and we cannot be brought | here as lawbreakers to be punished | statute | sire | of Congress that these companies Le | merged,” he said, “only that if these | | Joint Int management would be very slight, he said, and would play a very small part in the price the people have to pay for service. Pressed by direct questions as to what the advantages under 1 merger would be, Mr. Hamilton said that it would allow the establishment of | what all companies desire, service at cost. ~ Under a unified control, it | would be possible to get a_ better di- rection and better routing, he be. lieves: afford betters conditions for| the Public Utilities Commission by simplifying problems, and would make | possible the removal of tracks from | some streets. Takes Thrust at Maj. Covell. Asked by Mr. Zihlman it it not require the perm toof March 4 last as an v of for a ,aerger, that he 15 op posed to any coecsiva measure thit fllegally and unjusc; attempts to | bring about a merzer. Hle said that | he belleved it is “highly illexal and | unmoral when we are fold that the Cupital Traction Co. can be so crip. pled by Indiscriminate permission to run busses all over town and that these bus permits are in the barrel of & pistol to be dischorged at the nod of Congress.” referring to testi- mony by Maj. Covell at 4 presicus | hearing. g In reply to further question by Chair man Zihlman, Mr. Hamilton said that | negotiations for a merger are exceed. | ingly Involved and difficulties arise that sometimes seem Insurmountable, Both companies are satisfied with pres conditions, he said. When Mr. man_commented “You ought to sutisfied when you are getting 10 per_cent in dividends,” Mr. Hamiltor replied: “That resulted from condi tions for which we were not respon- ible, but that was only recent, and over a period of many years the aver- age has been only about & per cent.” Claims Public Has Benefited. He emphasized that was under au- thority expressed by Congress, through its properly authorized agents, the Public Utilities Commis- son, and ha he pronts have gone into betterment to the advantage of the car-riding public. “The companies have been, and are now, trying to smooth out differences in values and routes and other intri- cate problems,” he said, “and if it is possible we will try to get down to a us. b will do equity to both companles and to all security holders equally. When we have reach- ed such a tentative basis for a merger we will present the situation to the Public Utilities Commission, but until we can reach such an agreement a dis: cussion and presentation of the steps we have taken might cause apprehen- did | Hamilton said | other, | tions, but have not vet decided on a | complete basis. | 154,226 from | last year and | sidiary, | sent to Congress late yesterday. The ! ington Railway and Electric Co. and sion and misunderstanding among se- or b Houses of Congress, a * Jiiie | curity holders. nerge 5 been advocated for some yvears. Bills have been considered that had for their object the coercion of the com- panies Into a merger."” Mr. Hamlilton referred to the bill suggested by Col. Bell to force a merger by the power of taxation. “A misuse of the taxing power,” Mr. Hamilton branded it, “since a tax is supposed to be leveled equally. 1 do not_belleve Congress will authorize such an {llegal, unjust and unfair measure to compel by coercive means all the roads to come into one man- agement. You must consider the rights of the people of Washington and the rights of those who helped develop Washington to what it is by their investment of large sums in doubtful enterprises. He polnted out that Congress alwavs has the right, if the street car companies do not live up to the law or if they find these companies no longer worthv to exercise the right of eminent domain and after a fair appraisal to take them over and re- lieve the present owners of further responsibility. “Congress has that supreme power,” he said, “but Con- gress has no right to kill a creature of its own by a misuse of the taxing power to try to coerce it into doing require.” Protests Against Pressure. “I emphatically protest on behalf of the people I represent, the owners of securities in the Capital Traction Co., against any legislation that would tend to cripple the companies and force them to do something that thel charter and Congress never intended. Questioned by Chairman Zihlman gations “The street railways of Washing- ton are all creatures of Congress and all were created for the purpose of giving street railway service to the people of the District,” Mr. Hamilton said. “The first of these charters was granted In 1863 to the Washing- ton & Georgetown Railway Co. and subsequently other incorporations were granted. All of these companies were ziven definite rights. In the organization of these com- regarding his views on the desirabil ity of a merger, Mr. Hamllton sald. “I belleve in it, logically, and eventu ally a merger would be a useful thing, but it will not be useful along lines that many people believe. I ! something that the law does not | 1 He .d as president of the Capltal Traction Co. he has frequent- | ly made efforts to bring about a mer- ger between the companies. and that | more recently efforts were instituted by the Public Utilities Commission which, after long negotiations and conferences, resulted in no accom- plishment. It has long been in the minds of the managers of both street rallway companies, he stressed, that when a merger could be brought about it shou.d be effected. Then Mr. Ham- | ilton referred to the traffic survey made last Summer by the North American Co., which did not disclose | its purpose. Outside of the question of & merger that report is of great value to the people, Mr. Hamilton pointed out. Merger Committee Named. On November 29, Mr. Hamilton sald, he was asked by representatives of the North American Co. if the Capital Traction Co. would enter into nego- tiations toward a merger. He repled that personally he would be glad to do 80, and took it up with the board of directors and a committee was ap- pointed. This committee consists of Mr. Hamilton as president of the Capi- tal Traction Co., John A. Hanna, vice' president and general manager, and John N. Perry, a director. Long conterences have been held, some lasting two sessions throughout the day, on four different occasions be- tween this committee of the Capital Traction Co. and representatives of the North American Co. Much more frequent conferences have been held with the directors of the Capital Trac- tion Co. ferences seeking to find a basis on which a merger could be worked out, Mr. Hamilton feels that very substan- tial progress has been made and is very hopeful that a successful agree- ment may be reached. As a result of these con-! LADS TAKE GEORGIA URGE IVIL SERVICE TRP INSTOLENGAR Four Central High Boys Picked Up in Savannah } While Siphoning Gas. Fear of “flunking” in thelr studies |complicated by the “on-to-Flori | complex sent four youngsters from | Central High School all the way to ! vannah, in an automobile belon ing to George A. Ross, teacher of one of the boys, There the expedition to escape school ind seek fortune ended disastrously when they were discovered in an at tempt to replete the depleted gas tank | of their muchine with motor fuel from | the car of a Savannah citizen. Detective Frank Alligood brough | {them home tod: At headquar- | ters the four were charged with grand larceny, describing themselves as fol lows: Donald Hiiton Miller, 16 years id, of 1801 Ce road; Louis Mor. arliner, rs old, of 733 Far sut street; Jenkins, vears old, of ty-fifth street, | and Paul W . 17 years old, of {3202 Cleveland avenue. he pilgrimige got under way origina’ly with only two of the boys from this city taking the automobile, which they had no idea belonged to {one of thelr bestliked teachers. youngsters went to we atically. They loaded up the car with cans of beans, saterkraut, bread and other provisions, some of which came from the home pantries and some obtained on char urts at the family grocery store. The total bud- | *t on hand at the Start was $8 Picked Up Other Two. In Alexandria the two or derlusters picked up two school { chum: who happened to be on the road in the Virginia city. The second | [ two joined the expedition | Evervthing went along flne until after the expedition pa through Pinehurst, N. C. The ¢ on hand was used for purchase of gascline and ofl. The larder held out fine and thousands of beans and yards of sauer kraut were consumed by the fugitives. Just south of Pinehurst, however, with the sedan automobile hitting up a pace of 50 miles an ir on the road, the driver saw a parked across the road ahead of n. He swerved and ditched the ine, turning it on its le. With 1 of the car which blocked them the four boys swung the car upright again and went zipping along. | inal wan Ran Into Tree Trunk. The adventure until after ¢ behind and ¥ ginning to tic balmy breezes cluding the driver was at the trunk of no serfous damage h again the journe resumed The third stop was the unlucky one. A minion of the law noticed the opera- | ion of siphoning g line from nother machine, and the next item { interest of the trip was u telegram o Washington police, notifying them | that four fellow Washingtomans were being held in the Georgia city Upon arrival here the (%o young- ters who enlisted in Alexandria were released in the custody of their parents. The other two will probably | have a hearing in Juvenile Court to- morrow ran smoo again , was left br zes were be I no: Th our to sieep, ir and the next stop tree. There was e, though, and from Mr. | tement that | committee, who secure Hamilton the definite he belleved these negotiations be- ! tween the Capital Traction Co. and the North American Co. would be con. cluded definitely, cne way or nnnzher,l in 60 davs. Mr. Hamlilton called tention of the committee to the fact that these conferences must also consider that whatever their decision may be, it must meet with the approval of a certain number of the stockholders. In reply to a question he said, “T be- lMeve that the committee will reach an understanding, one way or an- in 60 da) We have found elements of a real basis for negotia- W. R. & E. PROFITS SHOWN. shington Railway and Elec made a net income of §1.- s rafllway property 80,000 from its sub- the Putomac Electric Power . according to the annual report The Wa tric Co. c latter amount was the company's share of the impounded fund resul:- ing from the court contest against the rate set by the Public Utilities Commission and settled by compro- M inor revenues brought the_to up to $4,274.540 for the entire Wash- subsidiaries. The gross revenue of the electric company was $7,302.048, and the surplus above operating expenses and fixed charges was §$2.295.724. The company burned 171,928 tons of coal which cost $900,187. The com- pany claims a present valuation of 559,782, mfx‘?‘c City and Suburban Railway. subsidiary of the W. R. & E., made $36.333, while two_other subsidiaries lost monev—the Washington Inter- ban Railroad lost $22.636 and the | | etown nd Tenleytown Raflway lost $24,854 — $50,000 in Gems Stolen. NEW YORK, February 2 (P).—Dia- ds valued at $50,000 were taken today by three robbers, who bound and gagged Kelman Schaffer in Jewelry shop on Bast Broadway. FORDRY EMPLOYES Prohibition Leader and Wet| Spokesman in House Unite in Advocacy. ‘Willlam Mitchell, private citizen, has resumed his fight against War and Navy management of the national de- fense. { The former alr officer took up the jcudgel just five hours after he received | By the Associated Prees. | official “notiffcation yesterday that his Representative Cramton, Republi- | commission as colonel, United States can, Michigan, one of the leading drys | Army, had been vacated at his request of the House, found himself today in'bv direction of President Coolidge. He agreement with Representative Tink-|recalled hix efforts to “better condi- am, Republican, Massachusetts, an|tlons from within the service” and de- ardent wet. 15 to one phase of the pro-| clarcd his iIntention as a citizen to hihition question. keep up the struggle for a national de- th went before a House commit-|lense “organized in a single depart- ce und urged that prohibition enfore nent emploves be placed under civ srvice regulations. Mr. Tinkham contended this was ¢ to prevent an annual reor on of the dry enforcement ma- while Mr. Cramton read a let- m Assistant Secretary Andrews of the Treas ment, inde h action. nti-Saloon League. ron League is directly #sponsivle for conditions which madi sible the unparalleled record of lity written by corrupt and law 3 pronibition agents since the of the Volstead Mr n sald. “The Anti-Suloon League,” he add approved a provision {n the Vol 1d act exempting emploves of the ibition unit from civil servic Mr. Cramton eaid the country was more determined than ever to enforce prohibltio 1d_indorsed placing dry law emploves under eivil service a + step locking to this end. He 1dvocated separation of the prohibi Uon division from the Internal Reve. Scores The Anti; t, ! nue Bureau, Fight Against Slavery. Mr. Cramton reviewed the enforce- ment of the act prohibiting the im- portation of slaves into this country and said that, although difficult to en- force at first, it finally was brought about. Mr. Tinkham said 916 emploves had been scparated service since {ts inception, and that records showed that dry agents have in charge of enforce-| % from the prohibition | ment Mitchell's statement, the first of the kind ssued since he aftacked the War and Navy Departments in the cele- brated statements he made public in San Antonlo last September, which led to his conviction and sentence by a court-martial for insubordination, was bristling denunciation of existing defense policies. Striking out against “military bureaucracy,” he deciared, our Government has’become one of bureaueratic domination.” i To Tour Country. At the same time he announced that ihe would tour the country for the next three months to carry “straight | to the people” a picture of “the true condition of our national defense.” This, he said, he could do better as a citizen than “by remaining muzzled in the Army.” Army and Navy bureaucracies, he | charged, “have consistently and pur- | posely misled Congress and the peo- | ed the laws n control the armed forces even against the action of the Presl- | dent himself; * * * have koerced, bulldozed and attempted to ruin pa triotic officers” and have shaken the | land and sea forces In their concep- | tion of duty. | Characterizing “the military bu- | reaucracy” as “one of the greatest | menaces to our free institutions,” he | asserted that “the bureaucratie party™ ! was “more powerful than the Demo- jcrats and Republicans, more powerful | !than the Influence of any creed or sect or religious order."” | _The statement falled to disclose | Mitchell's future plans. He explained, | oligar | sions to been convicted of offenses, Including | however, that he intended to visit his murder, violatlon of the white slave |0ld home in Wisconsin upon the ex- laws, annoying women. instigating | piration of his lecture travels, and fake hold-ups, negligent homicide and | Within a vear or so intended to leave | will thus become a ! protested criminal assault Mr. Cramton read a letter from As sistant Secretary Andrews of the ) ury, In charge of prohibition en- forcement. In which Mr. Andrews said | was convinced that for the long fu- ire & civil service for the fleld forces, as well as the clerical forces, will be Avantageous for law enforcement. Advantages Are Cited. “Its advantages,” he added, “would lie, not only in freeing men from any nossible obligation to others for their Appointment particularly in put ting them into a status where they could be moved from one post of duty to another without argument on a count of local afliations. “As our activities for law enforve- ment develop along lines already in- augurated, I foresee that the field forces will become more and more a concrete Federal force, frea from local ties, and available to be used at will whenever needed. The Federal force organtzation ated by one consideration—law enforcement.”’ PLOTS TO FOMENT MEXICAN UPRISING ALLEGED IN TEXAS (Continued from First Page) sole to President Coolidge against the deportation of Torres, as- serting the immigration authoriti ction was contrary to this Nation's -aditional humaritarian principles. WANTS EMIGRES DEPORTED. Mexico Holds Treaty Applies to Po- litical Refugees. By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News. MEXICO CITY, Mexico, February 2. here are insistent reports that Mex- o0 is attempting to obtain deporta- _tion from the United States of political emigres through application ef the re- cently negotiated treaty, which pro- vides extradition for smuggling drugs and like offenses. This apparently is leading to another complicated situa- tion between the two republics. It is understood that the treaty cov- and the recent deportation of ex-Gen. Demetrio Torres, who was shot soon after reaching Mexican territory, is a recent example of the situation that is developing. It would be of unquestioned impor- tance to the Calles administration if it | the United States for a hunting ex- pedition into Africa. Began as Private. The full text of the Mitchell state- ment follows: “My resignation from the Army, ef- fective today, concludes a service of nearly 25 vears. t began as a private in the lst Wisconsin Infantry in 1898 and has | been followed through the Spanish ! War and Cuba, the Philippine Insur- |rection, in Alaska while builling the \first telegraph lines and opening up he country, in the San Irancisco catastrophe and along the Mexican border. The first wireless telegraph and the first automobiles in our Army were aeveloped in my organization My travels and studies have included the military and political systems in the nations of Asia and Europe. “Command of our air forces in the World War and the privilege of di- {recting the greatest concentration of l cleancut business jned air power ever participating in | her. She actual combat was entrusted to me. “The sinking of batt'eships by air-| craft projected and completed under | my direction has revised and changed | all systems of national defense. Hos- ! tile navies are no menace to our coun- {try {f there is adequate air power. Instituted Long Flight. “The flights to Alaska and later around the world, the airplane tests across the continent, which led to the establishment of the air mail; our methods of fighting in the air and the kinds of aircraft to meet our special | merican_conditions were also ini- tiated under my directlon. “I look back on this record with the | greatest pride and with the satisfac- | tlon that 1 have done everything pos- | sible for my country. After all these years of service not one dark spot can {be found on my record and not one {act which d not rebound to the credit of the United States. “The United States remains today norganized for modern defense. In spite of the expenditure of nearly $500,000,000 for aviation since the war | ana the loss of scores of our airmen, | | we have no real military air force for | the protection of our great country. | We are left hopelessly behind in our civil and commercial aviation and we | have no plan or system whatever for | furthering and developing this most | | ers extraditions in criminal cases only, | Important agency. Hits Blind Opposition. ! “This gondition is due to the blind ! opposition ~ t'e Regular Army ana | Navy bure .cracies that have arro- | gated to tremselves the policy of | standing squarely in the way of any could lay hands on all political exiles, | progress, a.il constantly advocate the thus preventing such incidents as the theories of the bow and arrow men of | constant attempts by De la Huerta,!a barbarous age. Calling to their aid | leader of the last revolution against!the Instrumentalities of propaganda | President Obregon, to upset the pres- and unionized control, they have con-| ent stable government. sistently and purposely misled Con-| Though no official statement is!gress and the people as to what this | available, it is generally accepted that | country needs to insure its security. Ambassador Sheffield opposes such ex- They have entrenched themselves be- | tradition, believing that only actual hind a bureaucratic system run by criminals in the ordinary sense of the ' self-perpetuating oligarchies. They term should be extradited. have manipulated the laws so that (Copyright. 1926. by Chicago Daily News Co.) {they can control the armed forces even o Wi'l Fight American Films. BUDAPEST, February 2 (P).—A conference of all the European motion ! picture interests for the purpose of taking measures against the invasion of American films has been summoned | 10 mee' here, the call being Issued by 'and exhibitors. The Associated Press *beat” all op- position by 14 minutes in getting to New York the “flash” announcing the recent death of Queen Mother Alex- andra, according to the latest issue of the service bulletin of that news-gath- ering association, of which The Star is @ constituent member. The beloved Queen’s illness, death and funeral gave the London bureau of the Associated Press a long and | difficult job, but results more than | justified_the special effort exerted by | practically the entire taff. Sandring- | ham, scene of her demise, is over 100 miles from London and a long dis- tance from the nearest railway sta- tion, a small place with poor tele- graph and telephone facilities. ‘One man was stationed there and two others were attached to the special bureaus that were keeping in touch When a basis of merger has been will not be useful in getting cheaper |agreed upon the Public Utilities Com- fares for the people.” He expressed belief that both the Capital Tractior mission will be brought into the ne- gotiations not only on the terms of Co. and the Washington Railway and |the law suit but by the policy of the Electric Co. are economically man |company, said Mr. Hamilton. 4 It was Representative Bowman of aged. The reduction in personnel by a West Virginia, a new mwa the the court and government. A most careful watch was kept on news tick- ers and all editions of all newspapers, while work was begun on special ar- ticles to be filed throughout the ill- ness and after the death of the ex- ruler. All available books about_the life of with the case for the information of - ASSOCIATED PRESS WAS FIRST TO TELL OF ALEXANDRA’S DEATHJ‘ | «Flash” Reached New York 14 Minutes Ahead of All ; N Opposing News Services—Story of Passing of British Queen Mother Highly Commended. | the former Danish princess were care- fully scanned for incidents of her ca- reer, which were unlike the more stereotyped details given in standard reto: works. “Ihe Copenhagen correspondent contributed many in- teresting dispatches about her early life, while from Germany came details a0 u. he S m e.ng there of the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, and Princess Alexandra. Another member of the staff had prepared a | special article reviewing the Queen’s illness in detail from the moment of her fatal heartstroke. All this matter, properly calculated to be of world- wide Interest because of Alexandra's simple, blameless life and internation- al popularity, was cleared for New York within half an hour. The story of the funeral was anticipated, pre- pared, and sent off with exactly as much care, although, of course, with greater ease, inasmuch as it was a scheduled occurrence. Not the least valuable aspect of this news ga.helng Ieaw was the simple but touching and effective language in which both stories were told, stories which have received widespread com. mendation from the press of the United States, = Q ———— jagainst the action of the President himself. They have coerced, bulldozed and attempted to ruin patriotic offi- icers who have disagreed with their | views and who sought to better our national defense, which the officers, {and men of the armed services know | !1s necessary. “Due to the military bureaucracies. | his a committee of Hungarian producers :our land and sea forces, composed of | | splendid men, are shaken in their con- ‘ ception of duty, lacking in confidence |in the Army and Navy as institutions | and dublous of their own future. The | inexcusable losses to our air and sea forces are mute examples of inefficien- cy and negligence, in spite of the vig- orous whitewashing attempted by the | Army, Navy and executive boards. ““When the actions of the Army and avy are brought into question they { themselves are the sole judges of their shortcomings. 3 Bureaucracy All Powerful. ) “The military bureaucracy, resisting | all innovations, has become such that | it is impossible to secure any needed changes in the system. The reasons | they give are veiled in mystery and | secrecy, 80 as to confuse the publh:.[ i whereas actually the conditions to be | met are mmple and public. This is| /one of the greatest menaces to our | free institutions that has ever occur- . The bureaucratic party, as it might be called, in its inner workings in Washington is more powerful than the Democrats and Republicans, more owerful than the influence of any creed or sect or religious order. Our Government has become one of bu- reaucratic domination. This condition must be stopped. “Qur national defense should be or- ganized into a single department and under it there should be subdepart- ments for the air forces, the land forces and the sea forces, each with an equal volce and each privileged to nt their views without resiraint or coerclon to a secretary of national defense and to Congress. “National defense is a single con- crete problem for the whole country. It is not an Army and Navy matter alone. Our defense must not be union- ized any more than the police forces our cities. d«r.vary civilized nation in the world | i 'MITCHELL FLAYS “BUREAUCRACY,”' RESUMING BATTLE AS A CITIZEN| Will Carry Fight “Straight to People” in Three- Month Tour—Cites Record and Scores Politi- cian Control of Air Officers. has taken these conditions into ac- count and has organized national de- fense accordingly. We lag behind, dus to the blind, ignorant and bigoted op- | position of our Army und Navy. “In our beloved America, the great- est of all countries, we must adopt a national defense policy founded on our particular needs, based on the | abundance of our raw materials, the | | excellence of our industries and the remarkable intelligence of our people. Praises Officers. “I have the greatest respect and af- fection for my comrades in the Army and pated in many campaigns and expe- ditions, and W¥ith my companions in the air services, who ar= the principal ones we must look to for our security. I shall keep in close touch with them in the future. “However, the administration of our national defense hy the bureaucracies | maintained by the Army and Navy ies passes the limit of our n: tional conscience and must be tho oughly overhauled at once. For years I worked to better conditions from within the service. “The growing opposition to modern- ization exhibited by the Army and Navy burcaucraciés and the inexcus- able killing of my comrades in the air forces, sent on county fairs by non-fiying service politicians, made drastic and instant action a necessity “Every statement 1 have made has been :upported by good and sufficlent evidence. Good has already resulted and much more will follow. “From now on I feel that I can bet- ter serve 1y country and the flag 1 love by bringing a realization of the true conditions of our national de- fense straight to the people, than by remaining muzzled in the Army. “I shall always be on hand in care of war or emergency wherever I am needed.” 'WOMAN IDENTIFIES NEGRO ASSAILANT Alexandria Police Take James| Jackson to Jail Outside Following identifica: ot Jackson, colored, by Mrs. Robert Cheatwood as the man who shot her near her home on North Henry street early Sunday night. the colored man was epirited away from Alexandria last night for safe keeping. Chief of Police W. W. Campbell sald this action was taken simply as a precau- fonary measure and that there had been no demonstration against Jack- son or any evidence of one. About 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon Chief Campbell took Jackson to the Alexandria Hospital, where Mrs. Cheatwood has been a patlent since the shooting. Mrs Cheatwood said that Jackson was the man who shot s positive in her {dentifica- tion. At the hospital this morning it was sald that while Mrs. Cheatwood's condition s still serious, she had a &ood night, and she is expected to re- | cover. Jackson, alias Dick, had been em- ployed at the transfer station at Po- tomac Yards. The local police have no record of man having been ar- rested before. Apparently his repu- tation has been good Buddhist Rites for Count Kato. TOKIO. February 2 (#.—The fu- neral of the late Count T. Kato, for- mer premier, who died lust week, took place this morning with Buddhist rites. The body will be cremated this evening. The Diet, which reassem- bled this morning, adjourned out of respect to the late premier. Today in Congress SENATE. The tax bill was before the Sen- ate again today. The_ agricultural committee con- tinued hearings on the disposal of Muscle Shoals, the witnesses today expre: nt_opinions as (o the relative advantages of using the project for manufacture of fer- tilizer and for wuterpower develop- ment. The Couzens committe met to pre- pare another instaliment of the re- report of its ivnestigation of the Internal Revenue Bureau of the Treasury. A reclamation project in the State of Washington was considered at & hearing before the committee on irrigation and reclamation. The railroad labor bill was dis- cussed further before the inter. state commerce committee. The Schall-Johnson Minnesota senatorial contest will be continued at 8 meeting this afternoon of the subcommittee on privileges and elections, HOUSE. Agricultural appropriation blll up for vote on pasasge in House to- day, to be followed by considera- Sfl{‘ of deficlency appropriation George E. Hamilton, president of the Capltal Traction Co., and 1\5&1 W. E. R. Covell, Assistant Sngineer Commissioner, witnesses before subcommitte of House Dis- trict committes on street raillway service and possibilities of merger. Hearing on McLeod bill to abol- ish capital punishment in the Na- tional Capital continued _before subcommittee of House District committee in caucus room of House Office Building. Committee on employes’ compen- satlon witnesses at hearing before Judiclary committee. Civil ‘service committee consid- ers Tinkham bill to put prohibi- tion enforcement agents under civil service. Appropriations committee has subcommittees at work on State and Justice, independent offices and Commerce and Labor appro- priation bills. Naval affairs committee con- tinues hearing on aviation, with ‘Walter Link and Karl Fritche as witnesses. Interstate commerce committee continues hearing on railroad labor board. with Col. Thom as witness. Legislation providing for ac- quisition of site for foreign em- bassies considered by foreign af. lfairs committee. Hearing on Britton bill , for adoption of metric system con- tinued before committee on coin- uge, weights and measures. Hearing before military affairs committee on bill providing for a Department of National Defense. Insular affairs committee con- tinues hearing on Virgin Islands. Committee on agriculture con- ducts hearing on plant inspection. Immigration committee con- tinues hearing on importation of Mexican laborers for seasonal em- ployment. Public lands committee considers several bills 7 its calendar., avy, with whom 1 haxe partict- | propaganda_mis- ! SEVERAL VESSELS - STILLINDISTRESS IBritish Ship Due January 16 Among Those Menaced by Atlantic Storm. By the Associatsd Press NEW YORK, Februa {human ingenuity and inventivene: which have resulted in thr |cues the past week, the {lantic is still threatening ais | several vessels fur at s The toll of known ¢ |at 27, after 63 men b from Imminent de |are known to hav Today the Hamb Westphalia was steaming towa w York with 27 men ahoard f the Dutch freighter Alkaid British Steamer Overdue. | Several small freighters, ch: | to bring coal to New York, Phi phia and Boston have been compelled to put in at St. John's, Newfounc jor Halifax | Fears were expressed yesterday | the safety of the Britisn { burn, which left Rotter {ber 28, for Philadelph {tons of anthracite and uary 16. She carrted Inventions which jcue of most of the tressed vessels w radio compass metal unsinkable COAL BOOKS AUDIT BY McCARL AIDES SOUGHT BY CAPPER tinued from Fir ireg-American Hn sred e 0, Dec with was due | bled the res en aboard dis the w the the Lundin ! 7 a Page) countants Senator Capper gives tr mmite authority to empl who must be paid ungent fund of t found that the countants are available lot the resolution pre dropped. Senator Keves o | opinion that the resolu | promptly reported {and adopted by “I am_heartily the investigation | the District through {sion,” said Senatoh Key DED S SUFFERING Father J. J. Curran Says Strikin: Miners Are Well Cared For. uffering and the hard coa regions of De throughout th not exist. Catholic priest of who has made sev | the strik ¥ | of Labor Davis today. | absence of { used by Pr | the great coal s | Curran_said no re { ment of the strike has been prese that is satisfactory to both ope and miner: Prices Here Surprising. The clergym red about th coal situatiol n. and w told that subs widely here. of hituminou: Curran said the high prices abt clared that in hi nous _operato: bituminous one, have d ! { i [ | | 1 | i | { substit permine d to get the most ou ists. He laid no plan of sett fore Secretary Dav to Washington to go over the situation with him Curran, who Roosevelt in s > 1303 strike, when & commiss | was appointed to sit with both side sald the stories of suffering em ing from the hard coal region been very mu ithe anthracite min month from each unionized bituminous ling fo nearly a mil |month. This goes toward livir | penses, and the amount could oe in {creased in case of serious suffering. he added, by contrib from ailied trades or by voluntary contributi from the bituminous miners of & lay's {pay a month toward the rotief of the striking anthracite workers. The clerg 1 said there thought of calling the maintenan: men from the mines wve th has been looked upon with grave co jcern in administration circles Reading is the only larze cite center that has been seri fected the strike, aid. There a few been opened, while in | kitchen is in operation. On the vhole, however, he said the situation is practically normal as regards llv ing conditions of the miners, who are “poor,” even when they are working. anthra COOLIDGE ASSAILS FUNDS PROPAGANDA OF ARMY AND NAVY Page.) the President contends. has been wisely expended under the direction of | well trained men of the varlous branches of the national defense, | whom he considers competent to know what Is best for the advancement of the national d=fense. The President, while discussing the | Army and Navy propaganda, was rep- resented as having referred to it as being something that can be expected at this seasan every vear. He thought that offictals of these branches of the | Government would have discarded this time-worn practice to stir up senti- ment when the Budget Bureau was i created, but the President believes that the habit has become so s the personnel of the Army and > that they cannot get a f policy What the President had to say re garding the propaganda aimed at the efficiency and honesty of purpose of the present administration in its ad ministration of the Government | taken by those who heard him as reply to the recent criticisms and in { plications relative to the prohibition enforcement, the prosecution of the ! Aluminum Co. of America, the recent | consolidation of large corporations Ithe administration of the Federal | Trade Commission and the United States Tariff Commission. President Coolidge believes that the business of the Federal Government Is proceeding very well, with results to be noted throughout the country, and, while_his administration not as- sumed the aspects of perfection, he Is satisfied that the country realizes that |the Government is being safely and carefully operated and that everything is being done for the general good of the public. The President hopes that the public will not taks too seriously the speeches that are being made both in and out of the Capital and that his administration will continue to em- Joy public approval and supports (Continued from First