Evening Star Newspaper, February 12, 1926, Page 1

) WEATHER. (U. S, Weather Bureau Forecart ) and Increasing cloudiness lowest temperature 30 d tomorrow much warmer. Temperature—Highest, today; lowest Full report on Page 9. v 32, at . at 3 a.m. today. warmer ees tonig noon New York Stock Market Closed Today 920 KT No. 29872, Ihiescd as Entered as second class matter Washington, Ch WASHINGTON, COAL STRIKE IS SETTLED:; FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT AT PRESENT SCALE AGREED Scale Committee Approval Paves Way to Peace. BOARD TO BE NAMED ON CHECK-OFF RULES Principle of Arbitration Eliminated—May Re- open Wage Scale. By the Acsociated Pioa ADELPHIA for end February the an- to- Final agreement thracite was reached here dav at 1:47 pm The following ment was made “At a meectin ference a strike off ounce- of the anthracite co tentative was adopted. submitted to the tr tion for approval. after tract 1 be formally both parties.” The convention Scranton heginning ing. The mme workers will resume work within 10 days. and it is ex- pected the peak of production will be reached by the end of the Terms Agreed On. iefly, the terms : Work to he resum the old centract modifications and til August 31, 19 Once a_year e January 1, 1927 in the wage sca Ab is provided for which shall be oh ated within 90 days after ap. pointment to arrive at a deci-ion all is: in connection wi adjustment. “To that end the board shall tormu late its own rules and methods of procedure and may enlarze the hoard to an odd number. in which event a majority vote shall he hindinz On the check-off the aszreement sa -district conven- which a con- 1 exccuted wi held in morn- will be Tuesday onee under bject to certain nain in effect un- ch party pose m mod ter ion h Che demands of the operators the mine workers on the que: co-operation and efficiency ferred to the hoard of exclusive of the umpire. work out a reciprocal p; operation and efficieney and n of are re iation which shall ram of co Lewis Is Pleased, After the =ettlement was an nounced. John L. Lewis, president of the United Mines Wo issued statement in which he The settlement is s constructive. It a and continuous operation for a five vear period, which the lonzest agreement ever made in the coal in dustry Tt said which actory and stability does not contain,” Mr. lLewis “the principle of arbitration for the operators have been con- tending, but it does provide machin erv for the exercise of reason in the industry. “Tnder the azreement the board of conciliation is given hroad powers as a stabilizing agency and is instructed 10 work out a reciprocal program of co-operation and efficiency which will result in a greater degree of con- fidence and harmony between operators and miners.” Pinchot. commended unselfish de of Gov. about a Commends Gov. Mr. Lewis' statement the “high couraze and votion to the public interest™ Pinchot in trying fo bring settlement “The Federal Mr. Lewis continued direction of James 1. Davis. » of Labor, hasz alsn rendered service in the controversy conciliation service.” under ceretary marked Praise for Davis. “The Secrets and his pe representatives have at all tim. ercised tact and wisdom in dealing with the problem and are justly de serving of credit.” Asked how he felt after the strike settlement announcement wis made Maj. W. W. Inglis, leader of the oper. ators, said “We are very happy and glad that we got a contract. Judging by the expressions on the faces of the mi 1 should say they were happy. too. The text of the agreement i follows: “This ade this 11th hetween Dis- azreement day of February. triets 1, 7 and 9 United Mine Work- ars of America. parties of ‘he ftirst part. and the anthracite parties of the second part wages and conditions of emipl in the anthracite coal fields o svlvania, witnesseth ‘1. Work shall be resumed at once under the terms of the expired con tract, which, subject to modification as herei ter provided. shall be in force and effect until August 31, 1930 Wage Conferences Limited. At any time after January 1, 1927, but not oftener than once in any year. either party n in writing, propose modifications e wa scales of said contract. The partie agree within 15 davs after such written proposals to start con farences in the us nner in an ®f. fort to agree upon such modifications. n 1926 oner Tenn- in Board Is Provided For. “3. If within 30 days after starting sueh negotiations the parties have not 1l issues in controversy shall red to a hoard of two men with full pawers and without reserva tiens or restrictions. and agree to ahide hy any decision or de. aistons of such board, either on the mearits of the controversy or as to procedure to be followed. Such hoard shall be appointed as follow “The operators shall name three men and the miners shall name three men." The anthracite strike is the largest in the history of the industry. It be- gan on September 1. 1925, and wa: not expected to last longer than a month or six weeks. No attempts were made during the suspension to operate any of the mines, and the long idleness was unbroken hy any serious disturbances. The strike started over the failure of the miners and ators to agres (Continued on . Column 1) the | the | | | agreement | This agrement will be | | by | month. | | mittee | hy receipt of | - Upper: JOHN L. LEWIS, Lower: MAJ. W. W. INGLIS. HOUSETOTACKLE Way Paved to Carry Out Recommendations Made by President. By the A ted Press Chairman Parker of the Hoirse com- announced today that the committee expected 1n report a bill to v out recommendations for coal legislation submitted months ago President Coolidge This announcement was made after the chairman had conferred with the Republican House steering committee in an executive meeting today. A statement issued hy Mr. Parker said “It is the intention of the commit tee on interstate and foreign com- merce to take up the President’s rec- ommendations on coal and the report of the United States Coal Commission to offer legislation to carry out these recommendations.” GIBSON ORDERED HOME FOR ARMS DISCUSSION Delay in Calling of Preliminary Conference Brings Call for Envoy to Report Here. A Gibson, at Geneva, has been ordered home to confer on questions pertaining to the prelimi nary League of Nations disarmament conference. Tt < thought advisable, since the conference had been postponed. to let Mr. Gibson exchange first-hand infor- mation with officials here. It is be- lieved he can throw light particularly on the disarmament policies of the various other governments who are to ba parties to the discussion Minister Gibson's visit te Washing- ton is in no way connected with the disagreement over a meeting place for the conference. Dispite sugges tions that the gathering might be held here. the State Department fully ex- pects some other European setting to bhe chosen should it be found impracti cable to meet in Geneva ister Hugh LEAGUE TO TAKE UP GERMAN APPLICATION Assembly Called to Meet March 8 to Consider Admitting Coun- try to Membership. By the Associated Press EVA, Switzerland, February 12. The League of Nations Council, at E . convoked an assembly for rmany’s applica- Ma tion for membership. The council's session was brief, as Agreement on the date was quickly reached. The council arranged the agenda of the special assembly meeting so that the entire question af reorganization the parties | 0f the councll will he discussed there. in addition to the matter of electing Germany to a permanent seat. This means that the candidacies of Spain, Poland and Brazil for permanent seats also will be discussed. Urges Lincoln Holiday in Texas. AUSTIN, Tex., February 12 (P).— Gov. Mirlam A. Ferguson yesterday set another precedent in Texas history when she addressed a communication to all department heads syggesting that the anniversary of Abraham Lin- coln’s hirthday he observed as a holi- day at the State House. She.requested that the depariments be closed throughout the day. The departments have never before been closed on Lin- coln’s birthday. iMines to l;roduce | Within 10 Days Under Plans. COOLIDGE JUSTIFIED IS ATTITUDE HERE Great Part of Credit Goes to Labor Secretary for Agreement. BY G. GOULD LINCOLN. “The anthracite strike settled.” Secretary Davis Depart- ment of Labor made this statement at the department shortly heiore noon today. The coal strike as a political issue fades into nothingness. of the sisting that the strikers and opera- tors settle their differences them- selves, without any effort to sum- mon them to Washington, has been justified, it was asserted in adminis- | tration circles today. “Coolidge luck”™ was sion in other quarters. M As a practical matter, however, it may he 10 days before the mines are actually turning out coal in quantities the expres- nes to Reopen Soon. the be lay-off. The mules into the mines and after must long taken | operation. | _On the face of the terms announced. there should be no demand for in creased prices of anthracite, it was said. Much will depend. however. on the wage scale sventually agreed upon. One reason why President Coolidze has set his face against any proposal that he, as President of the United States, intervene was the feeling that if a negotiated agreement were reach- cost of production. the prices would be raised to the consumers. Credit goes to Secretary Davis of the Department of Labor In large measure for the settlement of the strike. He ‘has worked hard with an adjustment. He spent six days within the last two weekas with them and the conefliators of the La- bor Department have been constantly on the job. = Demanded Early Action. While President Coolidge has in sisted upon maintaining hix attitude of hands off. so far as the White House was concerned, it was learned today that Secretary Davis had ob- tained permission of the President to the strike to a ciose. The Secretary. it is understood. went to the miners and operators of the anthracite fleld and sald to them “We are not going to bring vou to Washington, but you have got to get together.” ground, but has followed the matter with the close interest. The plan of the work of the Labor Department. There was still some haziness here as to just what method would be followed in bringing about a settle- ment of the wage scale, if the miners and operators fail to settle it them- selves. One suggestion is that impartial board would be called upon for advice. hut there would he arbitration of this issue. The names of former Hughes of the State Department. Gov. Pinchot of Pennsylvania and Secretary Davis of the Department of Labor were suggested here as prob. able selection for such duty. Labor Officials Busy. The Secretary of Labor and the department _-onclliators have been at some trouble in bringing about the quiet conferences which finally bore fruit. An incident came to light today. The department was telephon- ing wildly to find Hugh C. Kerwin, director of mediation division of the Labor Department. and James Dewey, who were with John L. Lewls. presi- dine of the miners’ union. It turned out they had been held up for two hours in a snowstorm traveling be- tween Hazelton and Philadelphia. “We are all very happy,” was the comment of Senator Copeland of New York, Democrat. author of the resolu- tion adopted by the Senate last week requesting the President. to call the miners and operators to Washington to settle the strike. “This settlement only goes to show what the force of public opinfon can do when it is awakened. Unquestionably the action taken by the Senate was a deciding factor.” Commends Davis’ Work. Senator Copeland said that Secretary Davis of the Department of Labor was to be highly commended for his efforts to bring the strike to an end. “It is fortunate that the disappear- ance of the acute condition makes it possible for us to give serious thought to some permanent solution of the coal question. We have before us the report of the Coal Commission. We have the Oddie bill which re mains in cold storage at the office of the Secretary of Commerce. 1 trust there will be heat enough created to thaw it out and brinz it bhefore the Senate. 5 “Senator Borah is working.on his bill seeking to evercome -constitu- tional objections to the measure he presented at the last session. Sen- ator Robinson’s excellent bill is in the hands of the committee. It is dangerous 10 prophesy what Con- gress will 'do, but T have no doubt that within a few davs a bill will be on the calendar which has in it the hope of a lasting cure of this recur- ring. disease. “It remains to be seen if the supine administration will give it the sup- port mecessary to enact it into law. There seems to be no desire on the part of the administration to invite controversy. Of necessity, any meas- ure to possess real merit must have teeth. From many influential quar- (Continued on Page 3, Gelumn 23 ° President Coolidge’s attitude, in-| The machinery must be put in shape | the properties generally prepared for | ied. providing for an increase in the COAL LEGISLATION, miners and operators to bring about | exert to the full his efforts in bringing | The President has kept in the back- | adopted {s represented asx the result | an | no | Secretary | WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION D. C, FRIDAY, FATAL CAR PLUNGE OFF BRIDGE MOVES OFFICIALS T0 ACT Woman Driver Killed, Com- pa_nion Hurt in 70-Foot Drop Through Rail. COMMISSIONERS SEEK WAYS TO END DANGER Inquest Over Body of Mrs. Stand- ish Today Expected to Reveal Cause. | | Skidding i of Calvert on the lce-glazed Street Bridge early fooring last | night, a large coach antomobile plowed | has been| through the north railing and toppled |into Rock C‘reek Valley, 70 feet helow learrying Mrs. John A. Standish. 3 | years old. of Wardman Park Hotel lits driver, to instant death. and Mis< | Kathryn Collins, 45 vears old. a pas ! senger. to serious injury heneath a | jumbled maze of wreckage. | While the automobile, stripped of all its superstructure, lles right side |up in a snow bank in Rock Creek Valley todayv, its smashed hood and |s'urk. stripped outline telling a story |of tragedy, agencies of the city gov |ernment were moving fo investigate 1all particulars of the occurrence, as-| as possible and against { sign its cause so far to take remedial | similar accidents measures Inquest at Morgue Today. a coroner’a hear testi- At the District jury this afternoon will | mony at an inauest into of Mrs. Standixh. while her hushan A. Standish. president of the orrout morgue take the body of his wife Buffalo for burial he may back to At and surgeons under the supervision of Dr. Daniel L. Borden at noon had brouzht Miss Collins back to con- sciousness and helieved that the fight | for her life would end successfully. fn view of her satisfactory reaction 1o measures already taken. a crushed chest. a broken arm and internal injuries. the extent of which will not he definitely determined until X-ray photographs are veloped and examined later | afternoon. | Confers With Experts. At the District Building. Engineer | Commissioner J. Franklin Bell. under | whose supervision bridges in the Dis- | trict ring with experts in this line of work in_an endeavor to make some plan which will prevent in future acci- dents such as last night’s and two sim flar ones which preceded it. Commi: sioner Bell and Commissioner Freder- ick A. Fenning, who is in supervision 1of trafic. made a personal Inspection of the scene of the accident this movn ing. together with Assistant Engineer of Bridges H. R. Howse: and Traffic Director M. 0. Eldridge. | From accounts of evewitnesses and from inspection of the scene and of ithe wrecked automobile. police and Distriet officials are convinced that the accident occurred in the following manner: Mr WOMAN FOUND DEAD HANGING FROM FAN Maid Discovers Body of Miss Sarah Beall, 40, Long in I11 Health. this | The hody of Miss Sarah Reall. 40 vears old. mathematician of the Coast | and Geodetic Survey, was found hang- {Ing from an electric fan in her small |apartment at 1726 M street today. Nearby was a note addressed to her brother. Robert RBeall. of Kansas City, Mo. The body was clad in a nightgown, and a scarf had heen fastened about i her throat and attached to the fan. Marion Hunter. colored, mald of the apartment building. discovered the body about 9 o'clock. She sounded the alarm and Dr. ander cut down the body. He de. clared she had been dead about an hour. According to friends in the apart- ment where Miss Reall had lived alona | for 12 ®ears. she had complained of ill {health for the past several years. Re. cently she returned from a trip to Atlantic City, one of several she had made for her health. For a long time | she also was troubled with a foot in- {fection. but an operation is belleved to have removed further causes of worry on that point. The operation, however, left her with a slight limp. Miss Beall was last seen about 8 o'clock last night, when she rang for the elevator boy and paid him for her week's laundry. Yesterday morning she had greeted her nelghbors in her usual manner. = e DAVIS ASKS ADVANCING OF BRIG. GEN. CRAIG Lists Cayalry Chief for Promotion to Rank of Major General—Oth- ers Are Recommended. Brig, Gen. Malin Craig, now serving as major general and chief of cavalry here, will_be recommended to the President for promotion to the rank of major general by Secretary of War Davis, the War Department announced today. Other officers on the list for promotion _include Col. Henry G. Learnard, Infantry, to become a brig- adier general March 21. 1926, to fill of Brig. Gen. Craig. be chief of Cavalry, with a rank of major general for a term of four years, effective upon the vacation of Brig. Gen. Craig of his commisslon. Maj. Gen. Charles T. Menoher is to retire from active service March 20, 1926, on having reached the age of 64, it was also announced. {Radio Programs—Page 34 FEBRUARY the death | Lahoratories of Rockville, | ix awaiting the outcome so that Emergency Hospital physician= | She has | de- | of Columbia come, was confer- Standish was driving along at | jeorge W. Alex-| the vacancy caused by the promotion | Col. Herbert B. Crosby, Cavalry, m! 12, | | | | 1926 —FORTY PAGES FEBRUARY 12, 1926. ¢ Foening Star, “From Press to Home Star Within the Hour” carrier system covers every city block and the regular edi- tion is dclivered to Washington homes he papers are printed. Yesterday's Circulation, 103,988 (/) Means Associated Pres: EXICOEXPELS 14 CATHOLIC PRIESTS Police Seek More—Violation | of Constitution Charged to Foreign Padres. Br the Assomated Prass VERA CRUZ, Mexico, February 12 —Fourteen Spanish Catholic priests expelled from Mexico for alleged vio- | lation of the constitution. were em barked on the steamer Espagne here today. The priests protested their | fnnocence of any offense | a French steamer | plies hetween France. Spain and | Mexico. On hoth her eastbound and | westbound trips she touches at Ha The Espagne { vana, Cufba ! Police Seek Other Priests. | MEXICO CITY. February 12 (# — | Ten foreign priests have been de-| | ported from Mexico, eight more are held for expulsion and the police are seeking others. alleged o have vio |1ated the Mexican constitution, it wa i officially announced today. | The department of the interior has given 24 hours’ notice for the closure | of several schools and asylums con ducted under religinie management | The District Court is continuing its !investgation 1o determine whether | Archbishop Mora del Rin and other { church officials have given interviews | or made statements contrary to the conatitution. The archbishop has ved a state- ment saving that an interview with him recently printed here, which r sulted in the government's investi- gation, was in reality a statement he made in San Antonio in 1917 He eaid the church has no intentlon of creating difficulties with the govern- ment. It is thought the prelate's statement may stay further court ac- tion against him. Attorney General Ortega has stated that there is no intention to perse- cute the archbishop or Cathelics, but that he does intend tn enforce the laws impartially. The constitution savs: “Ministers of religious creeds may not either in publie or private meetings. or in acts of worship or religious propa- ganda, criticize the fundamental laws of the country, and particularly | the authorities or the government in general.” It is understood that this claus forms the basis of the government investigation Into the archbishop's alleged interview |COUNTESS CATHCART KEPT AT ELLIS ISLAND Must Remain at Port of Entry Un- til Case Is Settled by Labor 0Office Monday. | | | | Vera de Catheart. English noblewom- an, must remain at Eilis lsland, the immigration port of entry at New York, until next Monday, when her case will be taken up by the Depart- ment of Labor for settlement. The Countess Cathcart, who landed at Ellis Island three days ago, and whose case has become a subject of discussion in official circles because of her matrimonial difficulties, will not be permitted release under bond and must take the course of that of any other immigrant whose entrance to the United States is protested. Assistant Secretary Robe Carl White of the Labor Department said today. The department had the papers in the Cathcart case early today. when Austin F. Canfield, an attorney asso- {clated with Wilton J. Lambert, ap- | peared in hehalf of the countess. Just before noon a telegram _requesting | postponement of Labor Department consideration of the case until Mon day was received from William A. De Ford, a New York attorney represent- ing Countess Cathcart. The depart. ment agreed to the postponement. | TRIAL EXPENSES PASS. House Approves $35,000 for Mitchell Court-Martial. Having exhausted the subject in de- bate yesterday, the House today quietly passed the section of the Army appropriation bill providing $35.000 | {tor the expenses of the court-martial | of William Mitchell. A total of $70,. 000 for courts-martial was contained in the measure, House of Commons Addressed by Man In Woman’s Bonnet Br the Associated Press LONDOX, Febr comed: v which Commons had since the adver hers, was per when a male the House wearis Among mant governing pr is one that raise a point vision has heen cal his hat. The Lakx Ruchanan, desired 1o raise a hut he had his hat with him. He s dilemma, however. b Ivet toque of Miss Elie also a Laborite m clapped Thus he amid nois of the commoners FISCAL COMMITTEE URGED BY ZIHLMAN Offers Resolution Providing Joint Body to Inquire Into D. C.-U. S. Relations. the men not hrought merri 1 the part Efforts by the House tn establish a permanent fiseal between Federal and District governments re- garding the share the National Treas. ury shall bear in expenses of the Cap. ital, will be made next week Hearings will begin on the District appropriation bill Tuesday. The first question to be decided is whether the substantive law which provides that District taxpavers shall pay &0 per cent and the Federal Government 40 per cent, will he approved, or whether a lump sum appropriation of approxi mately $3.000,000 will be continued Chairman Zihlman of the House Dis trict commitiee today introduced a joint resolution for the creatiol of & Joint committea of Congress to investi gate fiscal relations The Zihlman resolution. which identical with one introduced May 1 1924, by Representative R. Walton Moore of Virginia, except that (wo paragraphs in the \oore resoiution have been stricken out. has heen re ferred to the committee on rules. Chairman Zihlman will ask for an early hearing. Committee of Six Provided. The Zihlman resolution provides for a joint committee to be composed of three Senators, to be appointed by the President of the Senate, and three Representatives. to be appointed by the Speaker of the House ‘This com: mittee would be “authorized and di rected to Inquire into the present fiscal relations between the United States and the District of Columbia. with a view of ascertaining and reporting to Congress whether the present percent age proportion basis of appropriating for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia should con tinue. and, if so. what percentage of appropriation for such purpose should be paid by the United States and the District of Columbia, respectively; or whether the United States should con- tribute a fixed, or lump. sum amount annually as its share of appropriation for the District of Columbia in lieu of the existing. or any other percentage proportion basis. and. if what would be a fair and equitable amount to he so rontributed.” The Zihlman resolution also spe- effically provides that the officers and emploves of all administrative services (Continued on Page 4, Column 2.) is the | TWO CENTS. FEWGFFICERS HELD INVOLVED IN PROBE (OF AIR PROPAGANDA Not All of These on Active Duty—Army Officials Re- fuse Information. MISUSE OF EMPLOYES AND STATIONERY SEEN Inquiry Reported to Concern It- self With This Phase of Al- leged Rule Violation. The investigation ordered by Secre- tary of War Davis into alleged propa- #anda activities in the Army Air Serv- |ice for aircraft legislation above and | beyond President Coolidge's position in the matter, has been rompleted, and, it was reliably reported todav. involves than half a dozen air officers, not all of whom are on activa dutv. The most important phase of the fn- quiry—determination of the person or persons who prepared and dfssemi- nated a circular letter intended for TRY T PUT BRAKES ONTAXREDUCTION | Senate Revenue Bill Mana- | Senate | | | gers Seek to Undo Some Cuts Already Voted. iated maore came Press the brakes on tax than a score of amendmer: up for considera- tion today. managers of the revenue stent that the Senate do some of the tax slashing already 1 were ir annot deration of the decision to re- e tax on admissions and dues and indicated he might also ask for inother vote on the automobile pas senger car tax which the Senate had stricken out A warning from Secretary Mellon that the $100,000.000 additional reduc- tion accomplished hy these two deci- sions would result in a Treasury def icit reached the Senate late yesterda: as proceeding on its tax slash- ourse and led to the determina- 1ion of administration leaders to plan ar the recovery moot of the finance com- mittee 0dds and Ends Cleaned Up. completing work on the finance ittee amendments vesterday the approved without a record ote the reductions proposed by the House in the alcohol tax and by a voate of 48 to 13 continued in effect the provision allowing deductions on account of discovery depletions for and mines. The continuous eleven-hour session fairly well cleaned up work on the odds and ends of the bill, although many minor amendments remain to be considered Although the strain of the hours of work became apparent as Senators snapped at each other in debate, managers planned another session tonight if necessary to obtain a final vote. Senator Couzens, Republican. Michi was denied the floor for the sec- ond time in three days vesterday when e engaged in a personal exchange th Senator Pine. Republican, Okla- yma. The latter insistently denied ments of Senator Couzens rela tive to oil depletion allowances. and when the Michigan characterized Senator rant” Senator Neely Virginia, made a point of order that he was violating Senate rules In m gan Pine as “igno. Blease Intervenes. Senator Couzens was unanimously voted the right to continue then, when he remarked that the Senate apparently considered it “less repre. hensible to call a man a liar than ignorant” Senator Rlease, South Carolina. reminded him that “there is another place than here to | settle personal arguments.” re a final vote is taken Senator Republican. Nebraska, has ven notice he will move to amend the bill to increase the surtax rates | on incomes over $100.000 and apply a maximum of 75 per cent on incomes of £1.000.000 and over. Passage of the hill this week will assure tax reduction by March 15, when first income tax installments are due. Senator Smoot said. although con- siderable differences between the House and Senate will have to be fron- ed out in the conference. The reduction in the alcohol tax was the same as voted by the House and provides for a 25 per cent cut hezinning next January 1 and for a total reduction of 50 per cent begin ning January 1. 1928 committee had dis but Senator Smoot announced it had rescinded this action In protesting against the alcohol (Continued on Page 4, Column 3) Commissioners Order Bill Drafted For Elimination of Grade Crossings The District Commissioners in semi- | fn Congress for abolition of the Mich- | weekly hoard meeting today author ized the drafting of a bill providing for the abolition of three of the five remaining grade crossings. These are the Chestnut avenue crossing in Ta- koma Park, at which two persons were killed Monday by the Limited; the one at Varnum s and the other at Quarles street. other two are at Michigan avenue in Brookland, tion crossing, but Lamond station and | An appropriation has been provided | Smith of Takoma Park that trains be | for elimination of the Lamond sta-|required to reduce their speed when | papers.” he added. a deficiency has |entering the District. been requested to meet the lowsst bid [taken, however, but further consid- | reports gan avenue crossing. The Commissioners were spurred to action by the Takoma Park tragedy and the numerous appeals by individ- uals and organizations demanding im- mediate elimination of the remaining grade crossings. The bill will be drafted within the next few days and probably transmitted to Congress next week. The Commissioners also gave con deration_to the request of J. Bond No action was for the work. A bill s now pending|eration will be given this question. | regular ced he would ask for| long | Senator finally | Democrat, West | Democrat, | The finance | pproved this slash, | | ultimate conzressional edification on jalrcraft reforms—was conducted, it is nderstood, by Lieut. Col. Thorne the In but th | Strayer « partmer | today w bluntl ot disct and curtly declared wrong and refy the question furtk man See Regulation Broken. The circular | stood to have been | tignat and Re | calling upon them to | their “Senators, Representatives and | other influential persons in behalf of |a separate Air Corps for the Army, fell into the hands of the War De. | partment. By its tone it was imme- | diately construed as being in direct |v f the following Army regu B! d in 1920 by Secretary | Bake: i | “Efforts under- out to Na- rve aviators t busy” with letter, w sent Guard to the influence or legislation | afrec Army, to procure personal favor or consideration, should never be made except 1t military | tion of any otk t | officer or enlisted man w {in the military record of thoso con- {cerned.”" The regulation added that {when summoned before “appropriaie” | commitiees of Congress officers were free to give their own opinions, pro- vided they did not involve confiden- tial matter. It has not been clearly specified whether the department intcnds to bring under this regulation the day |in and day out discussions of the airmen on air corps and united air | forces, which has been known to |bave existed for more than a year {and still is as strong as ever. Vir- tually every aviator on duty in Wash- ington has given some form of ex- pression for a change in the present operation of the Afr Service and frs {relation with the department. The matter is represented as being of vital interest to them personally and con- sequently the daily topic of con- versation Minor Charges Probed. B this has been going on for a long time and no recorded action has been taken by the War Depart- ment, it is understood the investi- gation therefore has been centered almost entirely on thLe charge that Government time. stationery, type writers and clerks have been em- ploved in hehalf of a movement which the President and the War Department are not disposed at this | time to recognize | The Star has been informed that the | eirenlar letter prepared by an Army aviator and at the maximum 40 copies were distrihuted. Ten of thess were dropped around different desks. more as a guide for voluntary action on the part of the recipients to “pass the word along.” The re maining 30, it is understood, went out to persons whose positions have not bheen determined. ked envelopes were bution of the cir mimeographed separate Afr | absolutely Government fr: not used in the dist cular letter or the “explanation’” of the Corps bill. which Maj Gen. Mason M. Patrick, chief of the Air Service., sup- | ports. One “party” to the movement for the air corps proposal was uncer- tain about the right to employ official envelopes for this matter and conse- quently did not use them ! Deny Plan to “Get" Patrick. was firmly declared at the War | Department todav and among several | officers of the Air Service that the | Secretary of War was not “out to | Gen. Patrick” by instituting the in | vastigation Gen. Patrick indorse. | ment of the air corps was asked for | by “appropriate’’ committees of Con Press and he has made no individua private campaign like the former | Brig. Gen. Mitchell did for his unitad air force proposal. It further was ex- Plained that Gen. Patrick. being 62 ears old. may be retired today at the pleasure of the President, althoush when he reaches the age of 64 he is required io leave actlve duty by law. It the air chief's removal were de- sired, he legally could be metired at his present point of service. DEFENDS ARMY STAFF. | 1 | | Brig. Gen. King Says Board Can l Handle Air Problems. Br the Associated Prese | "1 the Army general staff “can't be trusted to advance the interests of the | air service properly, the country is in ' a very serious situation,” Briz. Gen | Campbell King, assistant chief of staff | for personnel, said today before the | House military committee. “The general staff,” he said, “is not a permanent body which sits in Wash- inston, as the public seems to think, | but 1= a rotating body. whose members are changing constantly, coming or oing back to troops. E°He opposed the independent atr corps advocated by Brig. Gen. Patrick land other air service officers. Gen. King. responding to ques- tions, said he had no personal knowl- edge that an investization of offi- cers in the Air Service had been | ordered by Secretary Davie “T know only what I've read in the Questioned fur- ther, he said he knew nothing of that the War Department (Continued on Page 2, Column %)