Evening Star Newspaper, September 24, 1926, Page 1

WEATHER Showers tonight cooler tomorrow. Temperature: Highest, p.m. yesterday; lowest, 71 }e&*rdn,\'. ¥Uull report on page 9. and (U. S. Weather Bureau Foreeast.) | @h tomorrow; 85, at 3:15 , at 10 p.m. Closing N. Y. Stocks and Bonds, Page 30 ‘WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ¢ Foening Star. service. Yesterday's The only evening paper in Washington with the Associated Press news Circulation, 98,074 No. 30,096. post office, Entered as second class matter Washington, D. C. WAL $. DAUGHERTY TESTIFIES BROTHER - BURNED RECORDS Ledger Sheets Were Alleged to Show Part of $441,000 Was Deposited for Him. OTHER ACCOUNTS GONE, NERVOUS WITNESS SAYS Big Sums Traced by Government, Including $40,C00 Bonds From Merton to Miller. By the Associated NEW YORK, September 24 —Testi- Taony that Harry M. Daugherty, At torney General in the Harding cab- fnet, burned ledger sheets that the Government all>ges would show that 1 alieged bribe was deposited s eredit in the Midiand National Tiank, Washington Court House, Ohio, as given today in the Daughert Miller conspir: case by Mal S. herty, brother of the defendant herty. he admission was elicited by Dis- trict Attorney pory R. Buckner, acting for the Government in the in- vVestigation under way here. Mr. Buckner called the former At- torney General's br witness in today’s of erty and conspiracy to defraud the United States of best services. The Government charges that Daughert: nnd Miller received mately £200,000 of $441.000 pald as a “com- mission” for*the release of $7,000,000 of seized ememy property AMiller was alien property custodian and Daugherty Attorney General at the time of the alleged fraud in 1921. Ma Daugherty was _visibly s as he was sworn. Buckner in: tely began questioning him about the disappearance of records of the Midland National Bank of Wash- ington Court House, Ohio, of which he is president. records, the Government al- were destroyed by Harry M. Daugherty to prevent the Govern- ment from tracing to his accounts $150,000 of the $441,000 commission. King Got “Commission.” The $441.000 was paid by Richard Merton, German metal magnate, to John T. King, late Republican com- mitteeman from Connecticut. The Government has shown' that King and Daugherty were friendly and that King introduced Merton to Mil- ler and Daugherty. He was then questioned about three sheets for his own account, that of hig brother and one for Jesse W. Smith, confidential adviser to Yarry M. Daugherty, who committed suicide in 1923, S. Daugherty had been sub- poenaed to bring these ledger sheets, but he said they were gone. “Were they in your bank when left?" Buckner asked. e Prese Vhere were they?" haven't the slightest knowledge. my brother and I, brought them here in October, 19: Gave Them to Brother. were brought then for the grand jury investigation into the part Jesse Smith p! in the alleged conspiracy. The ledger sheets were not subpoenaed, but the witness said he brought them anyway. “Have you seen them since?" No."” “What did you do with them?” “I gave them to my brother.” of the grand jury in- »w York that resulted st indictments against Daugh- erty and Miller, Mal S. Daugherty said he was subpoenaed to bring the ledger st he They Columbus, Ohio,” MAL S. DAUGHERTY, Brother of the former Attorney Gener- al, who was a witness today in the trial of the Government’s charges against the latter. NORTHWEST FEELS WINTRY WEATHER Minnesota and Dakotas Have 6-Inch Snow—Cold to Hit Midwest. By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, September 24.—Snow and trost that nipped fields of unripe seed corn in Iowa and Minnesota, rain of 2 to 4 inches in Central Illinois, a tornado in northern Ohio and real Winter in Montana, North Dakota, ‘Wyoming and the Paclfic Northwest added today to September's sorry record of weather vagarigs. At Helena, Mont., the temperature was but 6 degrees above zero, and the whole northern Rocky Mountain reglon suffered under temperatures lower than any ever recorded there at this season. Snow blanketed most of the area, extending most heavily into Canada from Winnipeg to British Columbia and bringing 6 inches of €now to northern North Dakota. Rains Hurt Seed Corn. Farmers hustled to their fields to save some seed corn in southern Min- nesota and northern Iowa, where steady rains have prevented maturing of the crop. Albert Lea, Minn., and Cedar Falls, Towa, reported visible snow falls. = South Dakota also had traces of snow. At Plerre, D., snow began falling heavily at 9 a.m. today. The lowest temperature last night was 34. At Ottawa, II., more than four inches of rain fell vesterday and last night and flood conditions returned at Peru and Bloomington, Ill., with rail- road traffic harassed. TORNADO HITS OHIO. Damage in Elements’ Rampage Is Near $250,000. CLEVELAND, September 24 (). —Ohio today began checking up the damage done vesterday by a tornado in Sandusky and Erie Counties by a storm of cyclonic _proportions in Columbiana County, by water spouts in Lake Erfe off Lorain and Huron, and by a steady downpour of rain which innundated fields throughout the State. - The total damage was estimated to- day at between $100,000 and $250,000. No lives were lost in any of the storms, according to early check, but several were injured, some probably fatally. “1 went to i and asked Harr "hat did he § “He told me them."” “How did he destroy them “He burned ther Mal S. Daugherty was asked i he had destroyed with his brother the contents of the ledger sheets and ather documents. He replied that he had 5 “When?" “1 don’t recollect.” ~Before they were burned?” *1 don’t remember." Some of Funds Traced. for them.” he had destroyed Government traced National Bank a s payable rned with , which the placed to that the 1o King. It is recor the handling of this chec Government alleges was M. Daugherty's credit, sses the Govern- ed §50,000 of the Mer- liberty bonds to banking and accounts of Miller. ihe has pledged itself to than $150,000 of the gave King went to unts. neau, ment ton-Kin brokerage Government show that mc bonds Merton A G eph n accountant nued on ‘olumn 2.) FUNDAMENTALIST PLANS TABERNACLE TO DOGMA Ousted South Dakota Pastor Says He Will Teach the “Bible as It Stands.” iated Press LEAD. Dak., September 24— Ousted from the Presbyterlan State Synod and his pulpit here, Rev. A. H. Crombie, fundamentalists, announced today he will build a tabernacle to fundamentalism, where he will preach “the Bible as it stands, miracles and all.” Since his removal last Spring after attacks on his policy by parishioners, who went o far as to have the church padlocked to prevent his using it, the minister has established the Old Faith Preshyterian Church here. I'he elders are fighting me because T teach fundamental concepts of re- Rev. Mr. Crombie said. “Their | v laugh at me in church | use they heard organic evolution ! them in high school. ha!" they would say, ‘vou #hould hear what Miss Blank, our high school teacher has to say about that.” By the Assc When I attempted to explain my views in refutation of the heresies the elders blocked my way. So I am returning to Leed to fight.” The tornado near Sandusky wa: ‘he most destructive in that territ. ry since the northern Ohio tornado f June 28, 1924. It swept over a 25- mile path, at no place more than 100 yards wide, beginning south of Clyde, in southeastern Sandusky County, to Huron in north central Erle County. Several funnel-shaped clouds were reported in the region. The strong “blow” in Columbiana County struck at three points—seven miles north of East Liverpool, at Wellston and at Summitville. BLIZZARD IN MANITOBA. Canadian Prairie Provinces Bear Brunt _o!.\\'lntrj'_stnrms. WINNIPEG, September 24 (#).— The prairie provinces-are experiencing Winter storm conditions. Through the night heavy winds were driving snow and sleet in many districts. Winnipeg was in the grip of a sleet storm which disrupted telegraphic communications. Portage La Pralirie, Manitoba, is the center of a blizzard of Mid-Winter proportions, with tele- phone poles down and other damage. In many districts of Saskatchewan and Alberta, snow is reported. Farmers of Manitoba, the provin- cial agricultural department says, will suffer tremendous losses because of the unseasonable weather. First Cold Spell. T. PAUL, Minn., September 24 (P). ear freezing temperatures, accom- panied by snow which reached a depth of six inches in several places, were reported in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota today. It was the first cold spell of the Fall season. Western provinces in Canada reported similar tweather conditions. Crosby. Williston, Sherwood and several other ““(Continued on Page 7, Column 3.) WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1926—FIFTY-TWO PAGES., POUNDING DEMPSEY FULL TEN ROUNDS Coolness and Determination of ChallengeJ-Givé Him Chfimpiofiship Decision. |#ETuRN BOUT SOUGHT; RICKARD MAY BACK.IT Many Women, Including Anne Morgan, Mrs. Longworth and “Mrs. MacNider, Present. By the Assoclated Prees. PHILADELPHIA, September 24.— The scepter of the world's heavy- weight champlonship kingdom that Jack Dempsey had held since 1919 wa.i weilded today by Gene Tunney, idol of the Marines and of New York's Greenwich Village. Through a steady downpour of rain that drenched the grestest fight spec- tacle of all time, Tunney, who shoul- dered a buck private's musket in the conflict of the ages, fought his way to the peak of pugilistic heights. In a match that completely reversed general expectations, stunning in its one-sidedness, Tunney pounded and flayed the title holder into semi-help- lessness. Dempsey was so badly bat- tered that only fighting instinct kept him on his feet to the final bell. Tunney won all the way. He was the conqueror, to all intents and pur- poses, after beating Dempsey to the ropes in the first round and stagger- ing him with a succession of smash- ing rights to the head. From then to the finish the challenger dominated the fight, outfighting, outboxing and outgeneraling the title holder with a masterful exhibition. Decision Greeted by Chéers. Tunney failed to bring his foe down, but he battered the heavily favored champlon into almost complete sub- mission with such decisiveness that the officlal announcement of the de- cislon crowning a new king was lost in the uproar that broke loose with the tap of the last gong. The heavyweight title passed on a Judges' decision for the first time in nearly 40 years of glove fighting. Every other champion from the days of John L. Sullivan’s reign has passed from the throne by way of a knock- out. Dempsey was a mere shadow of the fighting machine that has been ranked among the greatest in boxing annals. Against such a cool and calculating opponent as Tunney it would have taken Dempsey at his best to keep his crown. But such fighting equip- ment as he could summon for his last stand was inadequate to combat Tun- ney, whose speed, tactics and power- ful right-hand execution exceeded even the fondest hopes of his fol- lowers. Face Badly Battered. Dripping wet and bleeding from a half dozen cuts about his face, his | left eve closed tightly and a Jump the size of an egg over his right eve, Dempsey was a sorry, even if game, figure in defeat. Threo years of idle- ness had taken their foll. Experl- ence and courage alone were unable to withstand Tunney’s flaming ambi- tion, youth and ability. The greatest fight crowd of all time—the largest that ever paid to witness any sporting eventanywhere— sat through the downpour to see the passing of the old chagpion and hall the crowning of the new. Some 132,- 000 persons filled the vast reaches of the mammoth Sesquicentennial Sta- dium and nearly $2,000,000 was paid to see a spectacle that was sensa- tional in its climax even if not as thrilling as had been expected. A cross-section of universal fandom saw a man of iron nerves take the place of the “tiger man.” Before the battle Tunney held the hopes of a vast majority of the crowd, but not its confidence. When his triumphal march became a certainty there was a spontaneous outburst of enthusiasm popularity. c Rickard May Promote Bout. Tex Rickard said today he might promote a return title match between Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey. “Jack has asked for the match and it may be put on next Spring,” the promoter declared. Rickard sald Harry Wills would never be given a chance at the title under the New York promoter's aus- pices “because of the scurrilous tac- tics of the faction” supporting the negro challenger. Harry Persson, Swedish champlon, and Monte Munn of Lincoln, Nebr., each of whom registered knockout vic- torfes in preliminary bouts last night, were mentioned as potential title con- tenders by Rickard. Tunney is already under contract to defend his title exclusively for Rick- ard, who, following his usual custom, obtained such an agreement with the challenger before the fight. The new champlon declared he was " (Continued on Page 5, Column 2.) RAIN FORCES NATS TO IDLE Double-Header Will Be Played in Chicago Tomorrow, Managers Say. Special Dispatch to The Star. CHICAGO, September 24.—Rain to- ing game of the final Washington- Chicago series of the season. The zame will be played off in a double-header tomorrow, Managers Harris and Collins announced. Hartney Feared Fonck Lacked Ability To Handle Big By the Associated Press. MINEOLA, N. Y., September 24— District Attorney Edwards today made public an affidavit by Col. H. E. Hart- ney, former general manager of the Argonauts, Inc., backers of the disas- trous Fonck airplane flight, in which he states he resigned from the organ- ization because he believed Capt. Fonck was incompetent to handle a ship of that size and load. The district attorney said he had aaked Col. Hartney for ?A afidavit, Plane, Says Affidavit as he had heard that he might have some information that would cause him to change his previously ®an. nounced opinion that there was no criminal negligence in the conducting of the proposed flight. The affidavit was turnéd over by the district attorney to Judge Walter R. Jones, who this afternoon was con- ducting an inquest into the deaths of the two men killed in the fatal flight. Mr. Edwards said he had no informa- tion of published reports that a grand jury investigation of the flight would be made. B that left no doubt of the challenger‘a‘ day forced postponement of the open- | (e I[TUNNEYWINSTITLE| THOUSANDS LEAVE CITIES IN FLORIDA Supplies of Anti-Typhoid Serum Used Up as Fast as Received by Planes. By the Associated Pres MIAMI, Fla., September 24.—Flori- da's hurricane-stricken lower East coast today bent its efforts to pre- vention of disease and removal of homeless refugees to citias to the northward for shelter and care. Thousands yesterday bared their arms to the anti-typhoid neadle, and stbres of incoming serum were being exhausted as fast as received. Ie- ports here were that airplanes with thousands of units of anti-tetanus znd typhold serums were speeding from northern points, and that a Coast Guard destroyer was rushing to Miami from Charleston, S. C., with an addi- tional supply. An airplane with 50,000 units of serum was forced down near Marietta, Ga., but the supply will come today. Thousands Going North. Meanwhile, thousands of refugees were leaving for their former homes in the North and for northern Florida cities, where foed, clothing and shel- ter awaits them. Several thousand passed through Jacksonville yesterday, while other cities north of West Palm Beach sheltered thousands in city buildings and tourist camps. All women and children are being removed from Hollywood, where i greatest fury of the storm was felt. All men have been conscripted for the work of clearing away the mass of tangled wreckage. Several carloads of food supplies received by the Miami American Legion posts have been distributed through the Miami, Holly- wood and Fort Lauderdale areas and 10 per cent of building and roofing materials received during the last few days is being reserved for repair of homes whose owners are unable to finance the work. As Red Cross units, Public Health Sorvice details and other rellef work- ers went about their tasks of bury. ing the dead and relleving the in- jured, large forces of city workers continued their search for bodies in the mass of wreckage of buildings and marine debris. 349 Known Dead. Additional surveys of the 60-mile coastal area between Vest Palm Beach and Mlami and of the Lake Okeechobee reglon, where the hurri- cane spent its fury, showed 349 known dead, 1,100 Injured, and a property loss of approximately $165,000,000. Moore Haven, overwhelmed by flood waters when Lake Okeechobee burst its dykes, suffered the greatest death toll, with 110. Miami and the imme- diate vicinity came next with 109; Hollywood had 54; Hialeah, 22; Fort Lauderdale, 19; Danla, 11; Fulford, 8; Seaboard Park, 7; Ingleside, 3, and 2 each. Miami officials have estimated that the property loss in the Miaml area alone will reach $100,000,000; Holly- wood and Fort Lauderdale each suf- fered damage between $25,000,000 and $35,000,000 and damage to other smaller cites has been estimated in the millions of dollars. * While divers searched sunken wrecks in Biscayne Bay, at Miami, for possible bodies Col. R. S. Lowry, in charge of military forces at Moore Haven, estimated there were at least 200 more dead there which will not be recovered until flood waters have re- ceded. From Pensacola comes word that property loss there will reach $5,- 000,000 to shipping alone, and Mobile and other Gulf coast sections in the path of the gale are gounting their damage in hundreds of thousands of dollars. Restoration of Miami's harbor and refloating of the scores of boats beached by the mountainous waves |\\'il] be a major task of the next few months. Approximately 300 craft were esti- mated by the Miami committee of maritime affairs to have been de- stroyed or sunk in the harbor. A number were laid high and dry along the bay front, one five-masted schooner resting 50 feet from the | water's edge. Two tankers, anchored !in the inner harbor during the storm, | were beached by the gale. sunken Nohab, formerly the private vacht of the Kaiser of Germany, which ended its existence as a supper club in Riscayne Bay by plunging into the mouth of the Alami River. The captain and six of the crew are missing. State headquarters for relief opera- ntinued on Page 5, Column Radio Programs—Page 34. Ny ML B ST e e RN L] Scientists Find Race of Pygmies _ In Dutch Guinea By the Assoclated Press. WELTEVREDEN, Java, Sep- tember 24—The American - Dutch expedition into Dutch New Guinea, also known as the Stirling expe- ditlon, has found in a hitherto un- explored spot in the interfor a race of pygmies resembling the pygmie population of the Swart Valley. It has been believed that a race of pygmies lived there, but not defi- nitely known before. Discovery of a bridge also {s re- ported, indicating a thoroughfare. The population is sald to be friendly. The expedition left San Fran- cisco on November 21 last. It was headed by Prof. M. W. Stirling, anthropologist of the University of Callfornia. After arrival in New Guinea, Dr. van Leeuwen of Hol- land was made leader of the ex- pedition at Prof. Stirling's request. Several prominent men in science are in the party. MELOSH ARRESTED INNPHERSON GASE Accused of Being “Mr. Mar- tin”—Woman Held as Mys- terious “Miss X.” By the Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO, September 24.— The Chronicle says Harry Melosh, sought for questioning in connection with the disappearance of Mrs. Aimee Semple McPherson of Los Angeles, was arrested here last night as the “Mr. Martin" in the case along with a woman who confessed she is the mysterious “Miss X" mentioned by Mrs. Lorraine Sfelaff in her recent kidnaping hoax confession. The woman is Mrs. Babe Daniels, 20, of Chicago. Mrs. Daniels, in an affidavit, as- serts that she is the woman who signed the affidavit claiming that she, and not Mrs. McPherson, was the woman companion of Kenneth G. Ormiston at Carmel, while Melosh de- clared Mrs. McPherson told him that she had been at Carmel with her Hallandale, Homestead and Pompano, | Divers explored the hulk of the| former radio operator. Melosh, who is 35 years old, lately had been a clothing salesman in Los Angeles, where his father resides. Until recently he had been referred to as a detective. Declares He Got $150. he had received $450 McPherson, Melosh said Declaring from Mrs. that a Los Angeles attorney and a | nationally known Los Angeles detec- tive also have played prominent parts in the alleged attempt to manu- facture false evidence to clear the name of the Angelus Temple evangel- ist. Melosh is held on a “John Doe Martin” warrant from Los Angeles, while Mrs. Daniels is held as a material witness. The hoax, as outlined to him by the attorney, Melosh said, was to begin with the “planting” of Mrs. McPherson's bathing suit in the rear of a house in Los Angeles. The suit later was to be discovered by the de- tective. The detective also was to discover evidence that the pastor had been drugged and held a captive there. This arrangement fell through, and Mrs. Slelaff entered the plot at a conference with Mrs. McPherson, Mrs. Sfelaff, Mrs. Danfels, the at- torney and Melosh, according to Melosh’s statements. It was at this meeting, he said, that they planned for Mrs. Sielaff and Mrs. Daniels to pose as Ormiston’'s companions and arrange for the affid: vit. Mrs. Danlels, however, asserts that she has never been to Salinas, where the affidavits were supposed to have been made, but that she signed them in the presence of Mrs. McPherson (Continued on Page 2, Column 6.) Y| A Full Page of Tunney-Dempsey Fight Pictures On Page Four of Today's Star e CHANGE IN ZONING EXTENDEDT01%28 Another Year Allowed Before Detached-House Rule Is to Be Effective. The date of making effective the zoning regulation permitting the erec- tion of only detached houses in A re- stricted areas, was extended for one year by the Zoning Commission at an executive meeting today in the Dis- trict Building. The regulation was scheduled to go into effect January 1, next, but the time was extended to January 1, 1928, in order to allow the National Capital Park and Planning Commission to make a comprehensive study of the A restricted areas, with a view of making a possible modifica- tion in the types of houses which might be erected on property so zoned. The A restricted area regulation, forbidding any type of house except detached, has been the target of real estate operators and operative build- ers ever since its adoption. The builders have insisted that there is a noted general negutive attitude to- ward group housing, either in semi- detached, community, row or apart- ment buildings, regardless of the fact that a great bulk of the population Tive in these buildings. May Modify Rules. By extending the time limit for a year, semidetached houses will be permitted in the A restricted areas as well as detached homes. It is pos- sible, according to members of the commission, that the Park and Plan- ning Commission will recommend some plan in the meantime which will provide for the erection of types of houses other than detached in the A restricted areas as long as no interference is caused with the light and air requirements. _ The Park and Planning Commission is expected to give serious considera- tlon to the plan of Frederick L. Olmstead, one of its members, for the construction of economical single family dwellings arranged in_groups or rows of moderate length. Mr. Olmstead belleves that these rows of dwellings should ‘have enough side vard open space between successive groups to produce an_airy, open, cheerful effect and avoid the monoto- nous. crowded shut-in effect that re- sults from unbroken rows of great length or even shorter bullding masses when separated from each other only by occasional side yards of the minimum size permitted under present z3ning regulations. Action was taken by the commis- sion on the 16 proposed changes in zoning cousidered at the public hear- ing Wednesday, as well as several which were taken under advisement after the July hearing. 90-Foot Limit for Plaza. The proposal to create a uniform height area of 90 feet in the first com- mercial zone In the vicinity of the Union Station Plaza was one of those approved. The Commission of Fine Arts gave its indorsement to this plan. The proposed rezoning of property bounded by Indiana avenue, New Jer- sey avenue, D, street and Second street from first and second commer- cial D, 90-foot height, to second com- mercial D, 110-foot height, was ap- proved only in so far as it applies to gquare 673, property owned by the Acacla Mutual Life Association. A Tezoning of this square was asked by the association in order to erect a large home office building. It did not, however, request a change in the zoning of the other property in the territory considered by the commis- sion. Other changes approvs Change from residential height, to first commercial C, 60-foot height, property at the southeast (Continued on Page 2, Column 5.) follow: B, 40-foot (P Means Associated TWO CENTS. Press. Stresemann Gets PEDESTRIANS MUST Cabinet Approval For Paris Entente By the Assoclated Press. BERLIN, September -The German cabinet today unanimous- Iy approved in principle Foreign Minister Stresemann’s report on his recent discussions with For- eign Minister Briand of France for an entente cordiale between the two countries. The cabinet also appointed a commissicn consisting of repre- sentatives of the various minis- tries to deal further with Franco- German discussions. At the same time the cabinet approved the foreign minister’s report on the work of the German delegation to the meetings of the League of Nations. A PROBE UNDER WAY INTO D. . AFFAIRS House Subcommittee to Pick Chairman Tomorrow and Call Commissioners. Five of the seven membam+ of the subcommittee directed by thd House District committee to make a com- prehensive and systematic survey of the municipal administration of the District of Columba met today in the District committes room in the House Office Building and discussed informal- 1y their policy and program to cover extensive hearings. Election of a chairman was deferred until tomorrow out of deference to Representative William C. Hammer, Democrat, of North Caroline who was delayed, but who wired ti# com- mittee that he would be on hafid to- morrow. The question is whethen Representative Gibson, Republican, of Vermont, who headed the smaller subcommittee which held preliminary hearings in connection with charges against Commissioner Fenning, and as a result of whose report the pres- ent study was ordered, shall continue as chairman or whether Representa- tive McLeod, Republican, of Michi- gun, who outranks Mr. Gibson under the senfority rule, and who was added to the subcommiftee when it was en- larged, shall act as chairman. Those In Attendance. Those attending the meeting today were Representatives McLeod, Michi- gan; Gibson, Vermont; Reld, Illinois; Houston, Delaware, all Republicans, and Whitehead, Va., Democrat. After two executjve sessfons it was announced that these members had been considering policy and program, and that to determine on a basis for systematic hearings several wit- nesses, including the District Com- missioners, will be invited to meet with the subcommittes tomorrow morning at 10:30 o'clock. Besides the District Commissioners the subcommittee will invite Control- ler General McCarl, who has been making studies of the school system, the municipal public bullding opera- tions and of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. They also have invited L. ¥. Schmeck- ebier, who has been making a survey of the District government for the American Civic Assoclation. The District Commissioners have been asked to furnish the subcom- mittee with a chart of the District ernment. The American Bar As- sociation will be asked to furnish uni- form laws that are applicable to the District of Columbia. Seeks Data on Budgets. They are asking for the budgets of other cities throughout the country of comparable size with Washington. It also was agreed that a special study be made of the question of taxa- tion in the District. The Controller General will be asked to submit a report on his sur- vey of the municipal architect's of- fice, it was announced. | Representative Gibson explained that the subcommittee was laying a foundation for the comprehensive study it is to make of the District government as it Is now nrguntzml.‘ to see what if any changes should be made in the form of the District governmenf; what if any changes should be made in the fiscal relations | between the Federul and District gov. ‘ernments. It was also stated by Mr. Gibson that the subcommittee intends to pro- ceed in an orderly manner, confin. ing itself to a study of one agency or activity until that has been completed and then taking up another, rather| than pi-sue a helter-skeiter courss | as was necessary in the preliminary | hearings during the last session of | Congress. LEAGUE VOTE FAVORS ARMS PARLEY CALL By the Associated Press. CGENEVA, Switzerland, September 24.—The League of Natlons Assembly today unanimously adopted a resolu- tion to convoke a general disarma- ment conference before the next As- sembly, unless material difficulties in- tervene. Taft Headed Homeward. MURRAY BAY, Quebec, September 24 (®).—Chief Tustice Willlam How- | ard Taft of the United States left to- day by special train for Washington. He had spent the Summer here. Cumberland Valley Deluge Takes Houses, Bridges, Special Dispatch to The Star. HAGERSTOWN, Md., September 24. —Small houses and bridges, live stock and automobiles were washed away and many homes are standing 2 feet in water {n the Cumberland Valley to- day as a result of the worst cloudburst in its history. More than $100,000 damage is reported. An automoblle was swept into the Potomac River, its unidentified driver escaping by jumping. Five inches of rain fell within an hour, and the Po- tomac River was forced up to flood- like proportions in this section, a 4- foot rise being reported this morning. Baltimore and Ohio trains are being Autos and Live Stock rerouted over the Pennsylvania lines and tracks of the Norfolk and West- ern at Shepherdstown, W. Va., just across the river near here, were ‘washed up, forcing delay of trains on that road. The highways radiating from this city were blockéd many hours. Automobiles in this city w in some instances found a block away from their parking places. Hogs a chickens are mlssing in the rural sec- tions. Streets in the historic battle- fleld city of Sharpsburg were rivulets for hours after the cloudburst. It was OBEY SGNALS BY NEW REGULATION Commissioners Approve Plan for Police Campaign to Warn Walkers First. NOVICES HENCEFORTH NEED LEARNERS’ PERMITS Use of Dealers’ Tags to Be Re- stricted—Letter System of Numbering Adopted. Tie long proposed traffic regul tlons, designed to control pedestris at intersections where electric signal lights are In operation, was adopted toda: by the Board of District Com miss.oners, Another regulation re quiring all novice automolile drivers to procure learners’ permits to hold while under instruction also was ap proved, as well as a regulation requir ing automobile instructors to procure permits from the director of traffic. While arrests will not be made for violatlon of the pedestrian control regulation for at least six months, Mr. Eldridge has planned to have policemen stationed at the intersec tions controlled by the lights to hand to offenders pink cards, warning them that they have violated a traffic regu lation. The traffic director belleves that this will cause sufficient embar rassment to violators to keep them from repeating the offense. Arrests May Ba Made Later. At the end of a reasonable educa tional campaign, Mr. Eldirdge ask: that arrests be made. No penalty is provided in the pedestrian control regulation ftself, but the traffic act provides that violators of any provis- fons of any section or paragraph of the regulations wherein a penalty is not specifically provided ~shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1 nor more than $300, or imprison ment of not more than 10 davs. Other traffic changes approved by the Commissioners included the in dorsement of the new system of label- ing the 1927 automobile identification tags with numerals preceded by a letter; a regulation tightening the re- strivtions on the use of dealers’ tags making Meridian place between Four- teenth and Sixteenth streets a one e for easthound traf and abolishirg parking on_the south side of Park road between Fou teenth and Sixteenth streets. Given Wide Approval. Traflic Director M. O. Eldridge in recommending the adoption of the pe destrian-control regulation, advised the Commissioners that it has the ap. proval of the District Traffic Council and Maj. Edwin B. Hesse, superin- tendent of police. “It provides for pedestrian regu lations only on streets where traffic is controlled by the electric trafic signals and on which sireets the pedestrians are given a safe chance to cruss every 35 seconds,” said Mr. Eldridge. “Traffic moves more rapidly on these streets when ft is running with the green light and it is extremely dangerous for pedes- trians to cross under such condi tions. Tt is my opinion that it is not unreasonahble to expect pedes- trians to wait the short period neces- sary when they, in their turn, are given a clear right of way over all traffic.” Accidents by Learners. In support of the regulation to re quire drivers learning to- operate a machine to take out a learner's per- mit, Mr. Eldridge declared there have been many instances in the past where persons involved in serious accldents were found to be driving without an operator's permit and the invariable excuse is that they were under instruction. “In some cases,” he said, “peopls who have been driving cars in the District for six and seven years with- out a permit have given this excuse It is, therefore, felt that a regulation requiring persons to obtain a learner's permit, which permit will permit the driver to operate under competent in. structions for a limited length of time, is essential. This regulation will make it illegal for any person to operate any vehicle under any condi- tions in the District of Columbia with- out having some kind of a permit.” In regard 1o the instructor’s per- mit, Mr. Eldridge pointed out that he has' ascertained that unqualifieq per- sons are offering taeir services for hire as instructors, and the proiession of automobile instructor is daily be- coming more important, he said “It is believed,” he alleged, “that this regulation should be adopted in order that the best interests of the general public may be protected from unscrupulous persons who represent themselves as automobile instructo: and who are not themselves properly qualified to act as instructors.” The permit will be issued free of charge to persons who can satisfy the traffic director as to their abllity to act as Instructor. The regulation concerning dealers’ tags stipulates that it shall be unlaw- ful for any individual or dealer to display such tags on any vehicle other than one held by such dealer for sale or owned by such deuler for ex- cluslve use in his business and that the use of dealers’ tags on motor ve- hicles owned by motor vehicle sales- men, members of dealers’ familles or the personal property of dealers, is prohibited. This regulation was pro posed to legalize the new type of tag authorized for 1927 and to prevent the use of dealers’ tags for private purposes. A very large number of au- tomobiles, according to Mr. Eldridge, are being illegally operated on deal ers’ tags and the District is losing the personal property tax on these cars. Parking Is prohibited on Park road between Fourteenth and Sixteenth streets, because it is the main street used by the Fire Department in an- swering alarms west of Fourteenth street, and the roadway is so narrow that when the fire apparatus gets be- hind a slow-moving vehicle it {s not possible for it to pass, with the result that a delay is often occasioned. The regulation making Meridlan place a one-way thoroughfare was also recommended at the request of the Fire Department. Mr. Eldridge said the street Is 8o narrow that it is not possible for two vehicles going in the second deluge for Shepherdstown in two months, and the aggregate damage there is heavy. to pass unless parking is prohibited. Virtually all of (Continued on Page 2, Column 8)