Evening Star Newspaper, August 6, 1926, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Partly cloudy, probably occasional showers or thunderstorms and tomorrow; cooler tomorsow night. +Highest, 9. at 3:15 p.m. lowest, 69. at 5:30 a.m. today. Full report on page 9. Closing N. Y. Stocks and Bonds, Page 18 tonight esterday: @b WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ¢ Foening Sfar. Yesterday’s Circulal The only evening paper in Washington with the Associated Press news on, 93,573 No. 30,047. post office, Entered as second class matter ‘Washington, D. C. WASHINGTON, D. C, FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1926—T\WWENTY-EIGHT , PAGES. * TWO CENTS. 'GERTRUDE EDERLE SWIMS ENGLISH CHANNEL IN RECORD TIME FIRST WOMAN T0 D0 FEAT WINS BATTLE " AGAINST HIGH SEAS BY FORCE OF PLUCK Defying Trainer’s Advice to | Leave Water, American Girl Fights Way to Victory in Face of Increasing Odds. . WATER, CALM AT START, CHURNS UP GREAT WAVES Swimming Against Head Wind, Which Chopped Sea Into Her Face, “Trudie” Laughs at Bur- gess' Command to Give Up. Father Agrees to Finish Fight. (Bulletin.) By Cable to The Star. DOVER, England, August 6.—Gertrude Ederle success- fully swam across the English Channel, completing her trip tonight in record time. BY JULIA HARPMAN. By Cable to The Star. RD THE TUG ALSACE IN THE NGLISH CHANNEL, August 6.—Battling a raging wind-whipped sea, Gertrude Ederle, American swimming champion, near midafter- noon was 6 miles from Dover in her attempt to swim the English Channel, a feat never before accomplished by & woman. Despite the fact that she was struggling against conditions which were described as the worst in the history of attempts to swim the Channel, Miss Ederle was establish- ing a new speed record as she neared her goal. Conditions Good at Start. Miss Ederle took off from the beach on the Boulogne of Cape Gris-Nez at o’clock this morning 11:05 a.m. astern standard time) on her second attempt to swim the English Channel. Conditions were generally favorable for her gruelling effort, and far better than marked her first try, in mid- August last vear, at the feat mo woman has yet accomplished and which but five men have performed. Miss Ederle’s start was made nearly four hours before high tide at Dover, promising her the benefit of a wester- ing Spring tide to enable her to con- serve her strength during the first stages of her torturous journey through the rough, cold, darkly for- bidding waters of the Straits of Dover. The fishing tug Alsace from Bou- logne, Capt. Louis Corthes, equipped with wireless, rations for the swimmer and a first aid outfit, accompanied the sturdy daughter of Henry Ederle, Staten Island, N. Y.. butcher. sAboard it were Thomas William Burgess, Miss Ederle’s trainer and the second Eng- lishman to swim the channel; Trudie’s father and sister, Mrs, Margaret Deuschle, also a swimmer; Ishak Helmy, the giant Egyptian channel | aspirant, and a few others. Starts at Sunrise. When she was awakened from a sound sleep Trudie descended to the kitchen of the hotel in her pajamas and ate corn flakes with milk, half a fried chicken and a peach and drank a cup of coffee diluted with much milk. Burge: Margaret and I greased her, first with olive oil, letting that soak in a half hour, then with lanloine, a heavy yellow grease, over which we applied a coating of vaseline and lard. A crimson sun rose over the dark waters as Trudie started her momentous m. Trainer Burgess kissed Trudie on the cheek as she entered the water end the crowd cheered. “Cheerio,” "Trudie velled back, and at the same time waved good-by as she wimming with a slow, even having been warned to go g the water, Trudie wore a ng cap and goggles made of one curved piece of yellow glass, short, black silk trunks and a nar- row brassiere of navy blue silk, on the front of which is Sewn a tiny silk American flag and also the emblem of the Women's Swimming Association, of which Trudie was elected a life honorary member when she turned professional in Florida last Winter. The brassiere unties, and, once ebreast the channel, she removed it, wearing thereafter only the trunks. At the outset the sea was fairly calm, with a slight south wind blow- ing and a gray haze hanging over the water, promising a hot day. Trudie as in glorious spirits. Her sister Margaret and Burgess started in a small rowboat alongside the tug. both boats flying the American flag. The tug also the French flag. Makes Rapid Progress. The girl champion was out more than two miles from Gris-Nez in 45 minutes, whick Burgess deClared was remarkable. At 8 o'clock the wind had freshened and we could plainly xea the sands of South Forel and the English side, which was a bad sign, ax such_ conditions usually presage a high wind. Margaret and Burgess had boarded the tug now. Trudie, swimming less than four ards away from the tug, looked up. Helmy and sang, “It's & Long Way 1o Tipperary,” those on the tug fur- nishing & wonderful accompaniment, which was unlike last year, when the g never gave the swimmer adequate Drotection, The American flag aboard the tug was the same used by Charles Toth of Boston on his successtul cros ing in 1923, 3 Aboard the tug we were playing the phonograph, using loud needles. After we played the record, “No More Worrying,” “Trudie, = grinning, _said, There will not be if we get to Dover fonight.” By now the water was quite’ rough “ang vi i Tough and the tig was . pltshing _At 9 nclock’ we were on a_direct (ontinued on Page 2, Column 4.) | Slayer of Mayor To Die by Garrote In Cuban Prison | By the Associated Press. | HAVANA, Cuba, August 6.--The garrote, ancient instrument of death, is shortly to be called into use in Cuba for the second time in 20 years, President Machado hav- ing signed the death warrant in the case of Hernan Pena. Convicted of murdering Mayor Ascensio Villalon of Santiago de Cuba several years ago, Pena will | Dbe sent to the garrote within 24 hours after his official notification, which is expected to be made at idnight tonight. Ivador Aguilera was garroted on July 8 for the murder of his aunt. PRESIDENT ANGLES IN OLE FISHIN HOLE Catches Trout in Stream He Often Visited as Boy—Does 0dd Jobs of Repairing. BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG. Staft Correspondent of The Star. PLYMOUTH NOTCH, Vt. August 6.—For the first time since he was a freckled youngster, President ge today went fishing down in Pinney Hollow, about half a mile from the Coolidge heme here. Although his luck was not so good as it has been up in the lakes in the Adirondacks, he succeeded in landing several small brook trout from the swift-going stream at the foot of Old Nokch hill. The President appeared to enjoy the sport today. The spot is a favorite one with the natives of the Notch and frequently as a vouth he and other boys of the neigh- borhood, including John G. Sargent, went to the now Attorney General, hollow for fish. The President was day by Richard Jervis a Starling_and Albert Peck Secret Service. The latter loaned his bamboo rod and reel and line to the President and he sat beneath a tree on the bank of the stream watching the others while they angled. The little party. with the President in ad- vance, worked its way along the ir- regular edge of the water for a dis- tance of several hundred vards and at times stood upon rocks out in the stream. Digs His Own Bait. The President and his companions used bloodworms for bait. These worms were collected by the President late yesterday afternoon. He dug them with a hoe in the little field to the rear of the house. While her husband was engaged in fhis industrious manner Mrs. Cool- idge, wearing a simple dress of some light material, over which was a smock of a bright pink shade, went to a field about a quarter of a mile away and picked a large pailful of blueberries. All the while her collle, Prudence Prim, kept close about her heels. Mrs. Coolidge did not wear a hat while out in the sun, but did not seem to mind. When she returned to the front of the home she saw five children, who had gone beyond the “deadline” which holds the sightseers back, and who were being held up by one of the secret service men. When asked what they wanted the older of the lit- Ite group, a girl of 10, said they wanted to, see the President. Mrs. Coolidge, who had been listening, came over to the youngsters and shook hands all around and intro- duced her nmew friends to the collie, When she reached the youngest of the party, a.tot of 3 years, and with a face well smeared with berries she had been eating recently along the roadside, she picked her up in her arms and fondly kissed her several times. Walked Mile to House. These children had walked more than a mile to the Coolidge home from the camp of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. John S. Kilmer of Detroit. “Tiong before the earliest rising tourists arrived at the mnotch today to get a glimpse of the Coolidge home and its distinguished occupants, the President was up and about his chores. He has fallen right in with the rural life as he finds it' here and he gives evidence of liking it, too. They are commencing to refer to him up here as “the squire” and it seems ap- plicable. The manner in which he has_thrown off all cares of the office of President and has applied him- self to the various odd jobs about the old homestead and its surround- ing grounds, convinces one that he would have made a splendid farmer— a farmer of the country squire type— had he not gone in for politics and office holding. The President made his appearance this morning before 7, and after his customary tour of. inspection about the place, he busied himself with something in the ‘barr and later in the old shed across the road. This shed contains probably more interest for the Executive than anything about the old home. Within its flimsy and unpainted walls is a collection of al- most_everything—an old sleigh, odd buggy and wagon wheels, various pieces of discarded harness, ald chairs, cordwood, piles of junk and shingles and everything else that might be found in the discard about the homa of thyifty farm folk. WHen he received Mrs. Coolidge’s summons to breakfast he was down at the far end of the little orchard, scru- tinizing several of the older trees, He was evidently determining what could be done in the way of prolong- ing their life. He had some success in this line vesterda: en_he sawed (Continued on Page 2, Column 1.) TURKS CURB FOREIGNERS. CONSTANTINOPLE, August 6 (#). —Dispatches from Angora, the Turk: ish capital, say the government has ordered the closing of all foreign chambers of commerce in the country. The order is said to be directed par- ticularly at the American. British, K¥rench and Italian bers. TWO MORE PRIEST REPORTED YIELDING TOMEXICAN LAWS Four Others Expected to Do | So in Pachuca, Dispatches to Government Say. BISHOP DIAZ GIVES U. S. VISITORS CHURCH’S VIEW Seeking Only to Fulfill Duties of Conscience, He Says—Boycott Growing More terious. By the Associated Press. MEXICO CITY, August 6.—Gen. Anaya, —military commandant in Puebla, reports that Father Juan Mar- in, a Catholic priest in charge of the Church of Santa Inez, notified the authorities of his readiness to adhere to the government's religious regula- tions and Tegister with the municipal authorities, Thereupon it was order- ed that his church be returned to him. Dispatches from Pachuca report that one priest has announced his acceptance of the regulations and that four others are expected to accept. only one Catholic priest has pre- v been reported as accepting the sxican government’s religious regu- lations. He is Father Dimas Anguiano of Alvarada, state of Vera Cruz, It was reported yesterday that Father Anguiano had been excommunicated | and suspended from the priesthood because of his action. Church Reported Robbed. Puebla dispatches say that un- known persons have robbed the Church of San Francisco, one of the richest churches in the state of Puebla. The thieves took gold and silver orna- ments, the church vessels, candle- sticks and other valuable articles, said to be worth many thousands of pesos. _ A group of Amierican educators and religious, business and professional men, headed by Dr. Alya W. Taylor, national executive of the social serv- ice commission of the Church of the Disciples, yesterday called at the Catholic Episcopate and interviewed Bishop Diaz, the secretary. The bishop told the visitors that the glergy- in.MesicoligrBoen made fippear rebellious merely because tbgr‘ were attempting to fulfill certain duties of conscience. He <denied that the Catholic clergy was opposing thie laws of the count He said that on the contrary they were attempting to guard its divine jaws, which must be preserved at ail costs. Boycott Being Felt. _ The economic boycott s making itseld felt in the capital. While the sur- face calm continues in the situation ppm’nd(‘l‘?d by the tremendous con- flict between the government and the Catholic Church in Mexico, the pro- test of the latter through the nerves of trade is making itself increasingly potent. . Agustin Le Gorreta, president of the Banco Nacional, a non-govern- ment institution, distinct from the Bank of Mexico, today formally denied reports that he, individually or head- ing a group of bankers, had ap. proached the government with the purpose of mediating in the religious conflict. Both foreign and Mexican bankers continue to deny reports of large with- drawals of deposits. Decrease in Trade. A decided decrease in trade is noted by many stores and shops, particular- Iy by those catering to women. Some of these estimate the reduction in retail sales at as much as 40 per cent of normal. Government officials have insisted that the effect of the attempt to re- strict all except necessary purchases has been exaggerated and declared their reports from other states fail to show any serious inroads upon the country’s retail commerce. Foreign business men and foreign trade observers, however, regard the situation as serious. Calles’ View Contradicted. Meantime the deadlock between the opposing forces continues with Presi- dent Calles’ telegram to the President of Peru serving as a vehicle for the latest statement of position. ‘The Catholic Episcopate of Mexico, taking cognizance of that message, says the Mexican clergy has never opposed the progress of Mexico, that the clergy is not rebellious, and that opposition to the regulations is justi- fled because they - encroach, upon liberty of conscience. The Episcopate, the statement adds, still is ready to reach a “just settlement” of the con- troversy. ‘While there have been disturbances at various places throughout the country, for the most part the people are going about their customary duties, calmly awaiting developments, and the boycott remains the only active opposition to the administra- tion's policy. ‘Women are the foremost factor in the boycott. Some women, accus. tomed to riding in first-class street cars at present are riding in second- class cars or walking. Others have stored their automobiles and are using street cars or are going about on foot. Beauty shops are doing less buuln::n. The bulk of men of the working and moderate income classes are buying less clothing, shoes and hats, Stores report the trade of\wealthy men is about normal, but they say this is not the case with wealthy wivds, who, like their poorer sisters, are spending much less money. Theaters Lose Business, The moving picture theaters are | drawing much smaller crowds. ‘Wholesale houses say that at present it is impossible for them to appraise the situation as this is the dead season, when even in normal times few orders come in. ‘The newspapers of Mexico City are not printing reports of the boy- cott situation either in Mexico City or in any parts of the country, but there are indications from some sec- tions that business has been greatly reduced, 1t is pointed out, how “(Continted on Page 4, Column l 0 | Utilities Cc N PR =7 JUGOSLAVIA ACTS IN BALKAN TANGLE Ominous Note Says Inquiry Has Been Ordered Into Frontier Incident. By the Associated Press BELGRADE, August 6.—A semi- official note, ominous in tone, says the Jugoslav government has ordered an inquiry into the recent incident on the Bulgarian frontier and “is en- visaging certain measures of a nature definitely to amsure the safety of Juge-| oy g ; ““The note adds that the government's decision on the situation is expected at an early date. Political ¢ircles regard the situation as one of great gravity. At the same tirde it ix asserted that alarmist re- ports Tn foreign newspapers concern- ing measures taken have no founda- tion in fact. It is said that the gov- ernnfnt’s object is to try to find some method of removing for the future all causes which are litely to menace good relations between the Balkan states. The Jugoslav governmeént recently protestea to Bulgaria against raids by Comatadji bands (irvegular forces) into Jugoslav territory. In reply Bulgaria denied that the raiders had received support from the Bulgarian govern- ment. On the. contrary, it was added, Bulgaria was doing everything possi- ble to compel “the Macedonian revolu- tionaries” to cease activities likely to create hostility between Bulgaria and her neighbors. The Bulgarian reply asked why Bul- garia’s neighbors, with larger stand- ing armies than Bulgaria is allowed by treaty, do police their own fron- tiers. It added that Rumanja had agreed to do this and Bulgaria sug- gested that Jugoslavia do likewise. WAR THREATS HEARD. . BY EUGENE CRAWFORD. By Radio to The Star and Chicago Daily News. VIENNA, August 6.—Reports of troop concentrations and rumors of impending Balkan conflicts are reach- ing Vienna in increasing numbers. Information obtained by the corre- spondent from reliable sources indi- cates that there is little danger of serious trouble for weeks and possibly for months. But events are shaping themselves for trouble . unless the great powers or the League of Na- tions bfing pressure to halt war- mongering. Dispatches from Bucharest report that the Rumanians are concentrat- ing troops on the Bessarabian-Rus- sian frontier “in order to prevent vio- Jation of the Rumanian frontiers by Russian goyernment and anti-govern- ment factions which now are between the Dneister and Odessa.” This may be a real neutrality move, and again it may be a cover for fur- ther and sharper control of the dis- contented Bessarabians. From Sofla come stories of Ru- manian military terrorism against the ‘Bulgarians in Dobrudscha and threats of the Rumanian military commander to kill 25 Bulgarians for every soldler whom the Bulgarians kill in the fu- ture. Belgrade dispatches report a long conference between the British min- ister and Foreign Minister Ninchitch, presumably in order to persuade Nin. chitch to tone down the note which Jugoslavia is to dispatch to Bulgaria relative tp alleged Bulgarian conni- vance in komitadjl activities. The réal background of the Jugo- slav-Rumanian “united front” against Bulgaria is a century of Balkan diplo- macy discrediting the country with which ‘some of the great powers are becoming friendly. oy BUS HEARING .DELAYED. The public, hearing on the petition of the Washington Rapid Transit Co. for a_straight 10-cent cash fare and consideration of the advisability of es- tablishment of the service at cost plan for the automatic regulation of fares, will be held September 1 instead of August 26, as originally scheduled, it was announced today by the Public FLYER KILLED, SECOND HURT IN DUAL CRASH | Rantoul Field Scene of Double Fall ‘When Pilot Flies to Aid of Fellow Airman. By the Associated Press. RANTOUL, Illy August 6.—One fiyer was killed nl‘bhanule Field here today and another who flew to his assistance crashed down beside him, receiving injuries expected to prove fatal. First Lieut. C. E. Partridge, Chi- cago, was flying at a height of 500 feet when his biplane went into a tail spin and fell. Flying Cadet Harold C. Wilson of Selfridge Field. Mich., flew his plane to Partridge’s assistance, went into a side slip at the same place and alti- tude, and crashed less than 150 vards away. Wilson was taken from the wreckage unconscious. Partridge was ‘?qd when extricated. R.'Wolt, Chicago, Wilson’s msenger, was injured serfously. Both Partridge and Wolf were Re- serve officers, here for their two-week Summer training. i et o [T000BLIND PIGS SEEN IN DETROIT Restaurant Men Ask Police to Curb Places Ruining Regular Cafe Business. By the Associated Press. DETROIT, August 6.—Blind pigs that serve meals and lunches have become so numerous here, according to the Detroit branch of the National Restaurant Asseciation ,that the police department has been asked to do something about it. At present, according to the findings of a committee appointed by the asso- ciation, there are 17,000 blind pigs in Detroit. Eighteen months ago former Police Cdhmmissioner Frank Croul estimated the number at 15,000. The committee charges that 99 per cent of the blind pigs either =are sell- ing or giving away food to their customers and that they are feeding from five to six times as many per- sons as the 2,000 restaurants and hotels of the city. One official of the restaurant asso- ciation. who refused to permit his name to be used for fear of reprisals from blind pig owners said that restaurants are losing much money because of the pig operations. “Every restaurant in Detroit,” he said, “actually is losing money on its investment. We estimate from the findings of our secret investigators that the 17,000 blind pigs are taking in nearly $300,000 a day, almost $2.000,000 each week. @ ‘This gigantic business allows the blind pig operator to sell food at cost, making it up on high-priced drinks. The business man now walks out of his office into a blind pig, where he may get perhaps a little in the way of food but everything to drink with it. The factory worker also is going into the community blind pig for his noon lunch, while the restaurant own- er in the vicinity is losing money and in many cases being forced to close his business altogether.” RUSS ARMY AND NAVY BREAKING IN MORALE By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, August 6.—Differences between Soviet leaders have resulted in alarming conditions in the Russian army and navy, dccording to a dis- patch from Reval broadcast Ly the French official wireless station at Bor: deaux and picked -up by the New York World. The World quotes the dispatch as saying the Soviet commissioners and jappropriations approximating $42.000,- 53000000 BUDGET CUTIND. . LKELY Bureau Expected to Order a Reduction From $42,000,- 000 Asked by City Heads. The Burean of the Budget is expectod to order a reduction of approximately $3,000,000 in the tentative estimates of the District for the next fiscal year, according to informal advices received today at the District Building. The tentative estimates, calling for 000, have been under tonsideration by the Budgét Bureau for several weeks and will be returned to the Commis- sioners for final revision sometime next week. It has been figured that a $42,000,000 budget would not require an increase mext year in the present tax rate of $1.80 on $100 of assessed valuation. Any supplemental appro- priations granted during the year, however, it was said, would necessi- tate a higher rate of taxation. Would Leave $3,000,000 Leeway. If the Budget Bureau recommends a reduction to $39.000,000, it was pointed out, this will make it possi- ble to ask Congress for urgent de- ficiency appropriations without re- quiring an increase in the tax rate, unless, of course, the amount of the supplemental funds should exceed £3,000,000. The Commissioners, how- ever, are definitely on record as op- posing supplemental appropriations for the next fiscal year, and unless an cmergency arises-they will stand by their plans to run the District on a budget allowed by Congress. The revision of the estimates will be started immediately upon official word from the Budget Bureau as the total to be allowed. The Com- missioners will be expected to re- turn the final draft of the estimates not later than September 15. “view of the past poiicy of Gen. Lord’s Believe Figure Correct. While District officiais explain that they are still without official knowl- edge of the limitation placed on the estimates by the Budget Bureau, they are - inclined to believe that the $39,000.000 figure likely is correct, in bureau to permit a yearly increase of about $2,000,000 in the District’s esti- mates. The budget allowance last year was $86,250,000, and the total ap- propriation reached $36,800.000. Siin- ilarly, estimates and total appropri: tions for the year previous approxi- mated $34,000,000. CHICAGO RUM GANGS TAKE ANOTHER LIFE Alleged Informant Slain in Home. Fruit Dealer Seriously Wounded by Men in Auto. By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, August 6.—Another death and a shotgun volley which seriously wounded, but did not kill, anjintended victim, both within an holvr last night, were charged by ) police today to strife in the flllclti liquor traffic. Authoritles, however, did not trace the shootings to the gang clashes which have taken upward of a hun- but to vendettas among minor figures in the rum trade. Milan Dylick’s reputed activity as a police informant, particularly on dry law violations, was believed back of his death from a rifle bullet as he sat in his home in’ suburban Hazelerest. Eli Chulibik, who was arrested, denied knowledge of the killing. o Fifteen minutes after Gus Mus. urellfl fell ;wflgu-ly ‘wounded before a volley of otgun slugs as the fruit dealer stepped from a street car near his home, three men were arrested as occupants of the speed- ing automobile from ‘which Mus- carelio was fired upon. Radio Programs—Page 1 | matter will be taken at Monday's cabi- Estate in Virginia Worth Millions Is | Waited by Worker| PO (A s Associated Press. KEWANEE,/ 11l August - John Cooper, an, ironworker, is expected to come into a fortune and greater happiness for his wife and four children when he attains his 33d birthday on September 18. On that day, he says, he will in- | herit a huge Virginia estate, rep- resented by Wilmington, Del., at- torneys as consisting of $5,200,000 in cash and securities and T.600 acres in the Shenandoah Valley. The family now lives above a grocery. The fortune, Cooper says, is the Bradford estate, left him by his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Bradford. DEBT RATIFCATION IMMEDIATELY WINS SUPPORTINFRANCE 6. Poincare Expected to Press Issue to Vote for Both U. S. and British Pacts. By the Associated Press. PARIS, August 6.—The impression | in political circles is growing stronger | that the government will ask Parlia- ment to ratify the Washington and | London debt pacts immediately after the coming national assembly at Ver- sailles. While official circles are most reserved on the subject, such an in- tention is not denied. It is understood that the government will not oppose reservations being tacked to the ratification, notably on the question of payments. It is ex- pected that the final decision on the net meeting. Would Complete Program. It is known that the finance com- mittee of the Chamber of Deputies is ready to expedite matters. Premier Poincare, having obtained sanction for his new taxes, his sinking fund plan and a special arrangement with the Bank of France to js<ue new notes to pu ase” foreign currencies for the stabilization of the franc, if the ratifi- cation project works out, will find him- self at the end of next week with his entire preliminary financial plans out of the way and the debt question as | well. This would leave the way clear | for him to plan further measures defi- nitely to restore the country's finances during the parliamentary recess. M. Berenger, Ambassador to the United States, who negotiated the Washington debt pact, said today he expected to return to the United States only after the debt agreement had been ratified by Parliament. “I expect ratification before the close of the present session,” he added. Poincare for Ratification. The Ambassador refused to say whether he thought reservation would be adopted by Parliament, but it is undersiood he will defend the agree- ment in both houses Premier Poincare is known to be anxious for ratification, and it is said he will bring the question before parliament after the meeting of the national assembly and will put it through as a matter of urgency. 1t is generally conceded that reser- vations concerning the sale of French bonds and probably a safety clause will be asked. Although the stabilization meas- ure provides that the Bank of France may issue notes for the pur- chase of gold bullion and stable for- eign currencies with French francs at the current rate of exchange, Premier Poincare told the deputies that this action by the bark would not involve inflation. He added that the government would have recourse to foreign credits only when the value of the franc had increased. Previously purchases of foreign cur- rencies had been banned. except when they were made on the basis of the pre-wer rate of exchange. Take Up Floating Debt. The establishment of the sinking fund is for the purpose of taking up the floating debt of France, which ‘consists largely of outstanding na- tional defense and treasury bonds. The Chamber adopted the recommen- dation by a vote of 330 to 172, a So- cialist motion, that the government re- tain control of the tobacco monopoly instead of turning it over to a private concern. It is irom the tobacco monopoly that the government ex- pects to realize a goodly sum toward wiping out the floating debt. The measure permitting the Bank of France to issue new notes for the purchase of foreign curréncies -was one of the recommendationg made to former Finance Minister Caillaux by the committee of financial experts. The mobilization of foreign currencies will_place the bank in a position to (Continued on Page 3, Column 1.) HELEN WILLS BEATEN BY ELIZABETH RYAN American Champion Defeated in Two Sets, 6-4 and 6-1, in Seabright “Tourney. By the Associated I 'ress. SEABRIGHY, N. J.,, August 6.— Miss Helen Wills, the national wom- an’s tennis champion, today met her first defeat of the season on home courts when she lost to Miss Eliza- beth Ryan of California, second rank- ing American star, in the finals of the Seabright invitation tournament. ' The scores were 6—4, J ~4, 6—1. §1250 PER ROOM APARTHENTS R 6000 PROPOSED Unnamed Philanthropist May Erect Buildings Downtown. Rent Them at Cost. REAL ESTATE DEALERS SKEPTICAL OF SUCCESS Field Already Overcrowded, They Say, and Minimum Cut Could Not Exceed 8 Per Cent. Construction of apartment buildings in downtown Washington within 10 minutes of the business center for rental to Governunent employes vir- tually at cost price and without { thought of profit has been proposed to the Government, and the more than 60,000 Federal employes in the Dis- trict of Columbia today are being asked whether they would support such a non-speculative and non-profit- making enterprise. Secretary of Commerce Hoover an- nounced details of the proposition to- day and called chief cle of the Government departments together to outline to them the proposal made by a “man of standing in the com- munit. whose name was not di- vulged, that the employes of the be made benefici- The Government here aries in a great housing project. proposal in principle has the backing = of the Treasury of Acting Secreta Winston. The plan, as explained to the chiet clerks today, is to construct attrac- tive apartments at charges to the oc- cupants which will cover the cost of construction, operation, necessary in- terest, taxes and amortization charges E. W. Libbey, chief clerk of the Com- merce Department, who presided at the meeting, explained the proposal as “purely philanthropic one, with no one to derive a cent of profit.” He said the apartments are not yet built, their construction depending upon the response made by the Government em- ployes. Rent $12.50 a Room. A statement made public today by the Commeéree Department annaunces the plan, as follows: *The Depart- ment of Commerce has received a sug- gestion from: a man of standing in the community that under certain condi- tions he would be prepared to erect apartment houses in Washington de- signed to relieve the needs of Federal employes and to carry out the trans- action in the sense of public service without_speculative profit. “The idea is to construct attractive apartments at charges to occupants simply covering cost of construction, operation, necessary interest, taxes and amortization charges., Two alter- native bases are offered, either to rent or purchase. It is believed that - two, three, or four-room apartment: can be erected on a rental basis of about $12.50 per room, bathroom in- cluded free of charge: or on a pur- chase basis of $250 cash payment per room, with monthly charges sufficient to cover taxes, operation, interest and installment payments on the orinci- pal. It is proposed to erect the ajart- in a desirable section of the ¢ within 10 minutes of tie business he architects and builders of the project are known to be leaders in their respective fields, having recently built some of the most attractive hou ing projects adjacent to New York City. Employes Asked for Views. “The Department of Commerce be- lieves that from the character of the principals and their undoubted o jective of public,service it ofiers an opportunity for relieving the high rent charges to public empioyes. Ke- fore the project can be undertaken, however, it is necessary to fnd whether there is any actual demsnd for such a service and the Depart- ment of Commerce would be glad to receive from you an indication &s to whether you are interestei— whether, assuming that the project could be carried out, you wouid de- sire, so far as you are able to say at the present time, to become & tenant. The signing of the attached statement will not commit you in any_way The statement, addressed to “The Federal Employes of the District of Columbia,” was accompanied by a questionnaire distributed to em- ployes asking them if they would desire to rent or purchase quarters in such an apartment house and giv- ing the present rental paid. Secretary Hoover, according to Mr. Libbey, is thoroughly familiar with the project and its sponsor. Mr. Hoover, however, did not attend the meeting of chief clerks today. Mr. Libbey said the name of the man be- hind the proposal cannot be made public at this time, no- <an the pro- posed location of the apart nt buildings be divulged. He said, now ever, that the sponsor is a man of wealth who is actuated only by the thought of service and has no wish for profit. He added: that the pro- posal has not been made by a group of men or-a corporation, but by an individual To Be Built on Private Property. Mr, Libbey made it plain that the apartments would not be constructed on Government property, but ‘would be erected on private property. At the suggestion of John T. Doyle of the Civil Service Commission, the chi clerks were asked to explain to their emplpyes that one-room apartments @ apartments with more than four rooms would be con- structed if there is enough demand for them. The fact that the Commerce De- partment stands sponsor for making public the proposal and is the gather- ing point for replies to the question- naires was. taken today to indicate the sincerity of the individual mak- ing the offer. The reaction among real estate men and _builders, when told of the ontinued o Page d& Column 1)~