Evening Star Newspaper, December 10, 1926, Page 5

" WILBUR ON STAND WITH NAVY PAPERS Confidential Documents Held Injurious to Public In- terest if Disclosed. (Continued from First Page.) 2nd other companies, and then in re- sponse to questions recounted the storage facilities of his company on the Atlantic Coast. He said the com- pany had about 6,000,000 barrels of ofl stored from Portland, Me., to the Canal Zone, and admitted that his company had desired to increase that amoun Very Little Drilling. Up to the time the Government ap- pointed a receivership for the Elk Hills reserves on account of the civil suit in Los Angeles, Mr. Doheny said, there had been very little drilling on the reserve. “There were ahout six or seven producing wells yielding about 170,000 barrels a month, were there not?” asked Roberts. Mr. Doheny said he could not tell offhand since he did ot keep track of all business details, but that the records would show. At this point Mr. Roberts began to inquire about thé defendant’s rela- tions with Fall. But even then his quiet manner with the witness did not change. He asked what conversations he had had with Fall about the lat- ter's resigning from the cabinet. Mr. Fali had told him, the witness said, that he expected to retire at the end of the first year of the administration. The Government counsel then turned to the records of the Senate oil inv iting committee and con- fronted the witness with his testimony #howing that he had told Senator Pittman that he did not know when or Whether Fall was going to resign. Mr. Doheny, after his answers had been read, said: “I did not tell Sena- tor Pittman everything I knew. I was not polite to Pittman because he us not very polite to me.” No Tdea of Suspicion. Mr. Roberts then brought up the subject of the loan. You realized, did vou a loan of $100,000 to a with whom you were ns would create some s ed Roberts Mr. Doheny said that he had no such idea. He explained that he had not given that matter much thought. Mr. Roberts asked the witness a number of questions regarding his attitude toward the loan, which Doheny said he had not the slightest compunction about making, and then asked the witness if he had not kept quiet about it hecause of the Sen- ate investigation. Mr. Doheny said he had read reports about Fall spending $100.000, but did not feel it necessary for him to make ex- planations. “Did you make any record of this transaction?” Roberts asked him. Doheny replied that the only rec- ord was the record on the k books. He had said that he was a partner in Blair & Co. in which bank his son was a depositor, and that undoubtedly the bank would have sent a draft to Washington for $100,000 at his request. Paid From Son’s Accounts. “But the $100,000 record does not show on your own acccunt,” per- sisted Roberts. “It shows that $100,- 000 was paid out November 30 ‘from your son’s account. Mr. Hogan interrupted to explain that the bank record does not show t0 whom the money was paid. Government counsel persisted that the bank account failed to show ‘a record of the transaction, which the witness admitted. Mr. Roberts asked Doheny ff it | had not occurred to him at the time of the loan that, the public might e either himself or Fall. that not the reason the money was given in cash Doheny replied that he was not i of that fact, but that it ve been an influence in giv- sh. did vou send n, rather jthan asked Mr. Roberts. v replied that it w he trusted his son. customary for him amounts of cash to own company agents case it was not unust use his son as a m ing_the to one vour son some T to send Mexico and by in this for him to enger. st Trusted Agent.” | Doheny maintained, ent questioning for r sent to Washington, that “he under pet 1sons why his | son”was was my most trusted agent,” and he desired to teach him all about the business which some day, he will be in charge of. “He wouldn't learn much in carry- he money to Washington, would aske Rob ven if he had been held up on | the way, he wduld ve had a little | experience,” Doheny M. le why Doheny carried II's note around in a_wallet for three weeks instead of g it in a safety de- posit box. witness replied th he has main- | - | of all the safety boxe tained in banks throughout the cou try he never | nally has opened | one. Af that he count ed Fall's obligati its true worth the witness said it is a habit to carry these notes about in person. Did vou tear the note so that ft| might be said vou did not have a note of Fall's? asked Robert “No. I tore it so it could not bef presented against Fall by one | else,” replied the witness.” He added that was not his idea t3 take a demand note, but he knew that Mr. Fall knew no demand for payment would be r il Fall would be eet it. Didn't Think of Publicity. *Did vou not think that if the note were found in its entirety some one would start publicity about it?" “I never thought about that.” “Did vou ever discuss payment bf the note in land?"” “When he asked me for the loan he said payment would be made out ©f the ranches,” replied Doheny Mr. Doheny said he was not aware until recently, or a year ago, that Fall did not own all of the proper Which now operates under the name of the Tres Ritos Cattle and Land Co., but he continues to refer to it as | Fall's property, “fust as you refer to Doheny’s leases and Doheny’s com- pany Since the tri® began, Doheny jearned that a mortgage on the ranch is held by some one, but, he testified, he does not know the iden- Mty of the person. He also admitted that the mortgage is a prior lien to any lien he has under a_one-third wpare of the which Fall gave him lest ve: ecurity for the note. Mr. Roberts brought out that the Fall company bas a capital stock | of $10.000 and that Mr. Doheny share is $3.300. The witness yeste Gay testified that the holdings of the property are worth $600,000 and {herefore the stock is twice the value | of the loan he made to Fall. | a bid on the Pearl Harbor work. sald he had called upon him for ad- vice, which was given without charge. Doheny added that Fall negotiated “the loan with President Obregon, much to the disgust of many Ameri- cans.” This loan was made by Do- heny to the Mexican government in 1922 or 1923 and was in the sum of $10,000,000. % “Didn't you realize that your loan to Fall would make him more favor- able toward you, as a man hdving contractual relations with his depart- ment?"” “It did not, because he could not be more favorable to me at the time,” replied Doheny. . Roberts then questioned Doheny about his testimony before the Senate committee. Doheny, according to the transcript of the record, had ap- peared before the oil investigators and declared he did not have the note. © Later he preduced the note without the signature, which had been torn off, and this act led several members to accuse the magnate of having de- ceived them. Mr. Roberts put it that when Doheny went to Los Angeles with a part of the note in his wallet it “was a note,” but when he ap- peared before the committee with the same paper in the wallet, “it was not a note.” To this Doheny repliea. “You can make those statements If you like. Mr. Roberts.” Advanced $5,000 Lately. “After November 20, 1921, have vou paid to Mr. Fall any money directly or indirectly or to his ac- count?” = “Yes,” replied the witness. “I ad- vanced him $5,000 just before coming to this trial from California.” Hogan objected to this trend the examina- | tion took, declaring Government counsel was invading fields beyond the limit of the indictment. . Roberts then shaped his questions to include the time Fal! left the cabi- net, to which Doheny replied he had made no payments of money in that period. Then when Roberts asked for any transactions after Fall left the cabinet and others than the one just prior to coming to Washington, Mr. Hogan vigorously objected, and Justice Hoehling asked that the ques- ton be passed up for the moment nd he would reserve his ruling. The cross-examination then turn- ed to the Pearl Harbor project. Do- heny was questioned about 2 con- ference he held with Fall late Oc- tober or November, 1921, at iich Fall brought up the matter of structing fuel tanks, for which the builder would be paid in royalty crude oil from reseves Nos. 1 and 2. Ready to Do Work. The result of this conference was a ‘etter submitted by Doheny under date of November 28, giving an esti-| mate of the cost. After much ques tioning, Doheny stated without hesi- ancy that the letter was a suggestion that he was prepared to bid on this work for the Government at the cost mentioned. “We were in line to bid for this work,” the witness declared. Previous witnesses having to do with this letter did not construe it as an indication of Mr. Doheny’s desire to do the work, but merely as an esti- mate for Fall to go by. Roberts asked if any profit was in- tended In this estimate, to which Do- heny replied that it would require a} return in crude oil and interest on | money invested. “Did you ever talk with Fall about doing this work at cost?” Doheny was | asked. 0, I never talked with him about | that at all,” he replied. The oil man | said he had given the letter, per- haps to Mr. Cotter, for use in any possible negotiations, but that he him- self had notbing to do with them. “As a result of this letter to Fall, didn't you expect to get some busi- ness for your company at that time?” Roberts persisted. Doheny claimed that he never knew whether they would ever get anything out of it all, except royalty oil. Expected No Leases. Roberts. replied the wit- “No leases?” aske “Not necessarily,’ ness. Roberts brought up that the com- pany had leases in section 1. “When, if at all, did you meet Fall | in the Summer of 1921?” asked Rob- erts. Mr. Hogan objected, saying that the witness had testified previous- ly that he had never seen Fall during that period. “Didn’t you complain to Fall in the Summer of ‘21 that the royalties on that lease in_ district No. 1 were too big?"” demanded Roberts. Mr. Doheny replied somewhat hotly that there were general complaints from oil companies holding leases. He insisted that he did not know anything about the details of the rates; that J. C. Anderson, president of his company in California, was the man in charge of that matter. “I know only of results, because the results are there to show for themselves,” he added. But Mr. Roberts insisted. He asked again if Doheny had not protested to Fall about high royalties, either by conference or by letter, prior to Jul 28, 1921. | Denies Conference With Fall. “I may possibly have written such a letter, I do not remember,” Doheny replied. He denied ever having had a conference with Fall at that time. Roberts said _he understood from his testimony that Doheny had said he expected to do some business with regard to Pearl Harbor work. Mr. Doheny replied that he did not at. ald we had mno expectation " he said, “but were placing our- selves in line to make a bid if the work was called for.” Roberts then brought up the con- ference with Robison, at which the naval officer urged Doheny to make The Government counsel did not mention anything about war vlans, simply asking the witness if Robison had not ed on him the need of storag and whether Doheny had ould make a bid without cost. Did Robison he would ta this_matter up with any public oft cial?” asked Roberts. Doheny replied t the Secretary of the Navy, general board. hoard of strategy and numerous other boards of the Navy were aware of the mat- ter. Takes Up Senate Testimony. The Government counsel then turned to Doheny’s testimony before ghe Sen- ate investigating committee in an en- deavor to show that the oil man said this conference with Robison < place in February or March of when in reality Doheny had tes. during December of 1921. ““When did you learn this testimon before the Senate committee w wrong?” asked Roberts. Doheny replied that it was “inac- curate,” after he had been able to re- fresh his memory, because he and his wife had left New York December 19, 1921, to spend Christmas at Los Angeles. “I know now that my talk with Robison was before that,” he said. Mr. Doheny protested vigorously that it was not to be expected that all his testimony at the Senate hear- ing was wholly accurate. He explain- ed that he had been given no oppor- tunity to look up matters when called upon to testify at those hearings and that he had been called upon to give details and facts. It was to be ex- pected, he said, that his memory should prove at fault on details when his mind was crowded with many other important matters. Roberts then inquired about other he left the cabinet, but the Wllne@s'son were social ones, at which nego- Isisted that there was competitive bid- ‘THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, -D: ‘C;, ‘FRIDAY, DECEMBER. 10. 1926. - _Soal Ao tiations were not discussed, he said. Doubts of Leases’ Legality. “Do you not recall Robison telling you of the grave doubts raised by cer-y tain companies cn the Coast as to the legality of the leases?” asked Rob- erts. Doheny said he did not know. Roberts persisted along this line, again asking if Robison had not told him he was having great difficulty in getting bids because of that doubt. He got little satisfaction from Doheny. This was before the April 25, 1922, lease. Mr. Doheny admitted that the ques- tion of offset wells had been discussed, mentioning that he was aware that his son hadsinformed Robison that he would ask him (Doheny) to talk this matter over with him. Roberts brought out that late in January or February, 1921, Dr. Bain had reported on the doubts of certain California companies as to the legality of the lease. “Didn’t Robison then report to you what Bain had found out on the coast and ask you if you would still make a bid?’ asked Roberts. The witness replied that he had not. Questioned About Profits. Defense gounsel - have contended that under the April 15 contract, the Pan-American Co. was to make no profit, and Mr. Roberts questioned the witness concerning this. Mr. Doheny admitted a small profit accrued to the fleet of tankers which would con- vey the Navy's oil to Hawaii and also a profit of the Navy’ ¥ given in exchange of fuel oil Roberts inquired into the first in- formation Doheny had about the legality or illegality of the first con- tract. The witness replied this came to him after the bids were made, “in the air, or gossip, or some way.” Prior to the award of the contract he had heard nothing of th® discussion about it, but after his company had been given the award such informa- tion came to him from various sources. “Regardless of these charges about the legality of the contract we were determined to carry aut the project because we knew the source of the charges,” Mr. Doheny declared. He did not need ari option by the attorney general, because, he said, “our own attorney’s opinion had been given, Mr. Finney’s opinion had been given and we had talked with Admiral Robison.” All Sold at Loss. Roberts went into the question of oil sales to the Government at San Pedro, Calif., and Doheny explained that every gallon of oil sold by his company to the Government was at a loss, 10 per cent under the market price. The Government counsei in- ding, but Mr. Doheny said that his company had bid e: year 10 per cent under the market price, and one year 30 per cent. Doheny then was asked about the stock which Fall had given him in the Trios Ritos Land and Cattle Co. as security in return for the $100,000 loan, brought out yesterday for the first’ time. “Did you_know who were the other stockholders?" asked Roberts. 0, replied Doheny. In response to questioning along this line the ol man said he did not know anything about the company, stockholders or the directors nor had he ever attended & directors’ meeting. “You are quite sure Fall had never told you who the other stockholders were? S “Yes, “And you never “And 1 never asked him, answered. Roberts shifted to the anticipated profit which Doheny expected to make out of the December 11 Pearl Harbor contract. The Government counse! siad that the witness has testified that he had a right to expect to make $100.000,000 on a $200.000,000 invest- ment. Doheny Would Take Many Years. In other words, Mr. Roberts ex- plained, the defendant expected that it would take a period of 30 or 40 years to develop such a territory. He and Doheny then exchanged technical comments ahout amortization of capi- tal. At this point the Government counsel excused the witness from further cross-examination, and at 11:15 o'clock Mr. Hogan began his re- direct examination. “Who called you as a witness at the Los Angeles trial?” asked M. Hogan. Doheny replied that he was called as a Government witness, The defense attorney then read from the Los Angeles record to show that the defense did not permit Do- heny to testify at the trial because two indictments had been filed and were pending against him in the Dis- trict of Columbia courts. The de- fendant exercised his constitutional rights and did not testify. Mr. Hogan then briefly interrogated the witness about the expenses of de- veloping oil territory. His purpose was to show that the actual driiling of a well was a comparatively small item of the total expenditures in- volved. Mr. Doheny said it required an enormous investment to begin the business of development. Excused From Stand. The defendant then was excused from the stand, after having testified nearly two hours and a_half. The defense called J. M. Danzinger, vice president and assistant to the president of the Pan-American ¥ troleum Co. from 1921 to 192 zinger sald he had resigned from the Doheny Co. about three years ago and did not now have any business con- nection with Doheny Mr. Hogan asked him about Bain's trip to the coast during which he took up with the Doheny Co. the question of bidding on Pearl Harbor work. He was present at the conference be- tween Bain, Doheny and Cotter. “I told Mr. Doheny I did not think the Company was justified in going into the matter because it was appar- ent there was no_ profit in it.” said Mr. Danzinger. At another conference with Doheny, the witness said, he told the oil mag- nate he thought the Pearl Harbor project was an ‘‘unwise piece of busi- ness.” To this he said that Mr. Doheny became very earnest. ‘Mr. Doheny pounded the table with his fist,” the witness said, “and declared that he didn’t care what anybody thought about it, that he had given his word to Admiral Robison that the wor was going to be done at cost: ‘And I am going to do it at cost,’ Doheny added,” the witness related. He then said that Mr. Doheny told him that if the other officers of the company thought there would be a loss in the deal he personally would stand responsible for it. J. C. Anderson, president and gen- eral manager of the Pan-American Petroleum Co. since July, 1922, was called as the next witness by Mr. Hogan. He said he had been in the ofl business with Mr. Doheny for 28 years. Mr. Anderson first heard of the Pearl Harbor project from Mr. Do- heny in the latter part of 1921. He said Doheny had told him Admiral Robison wanted steel tanks construct- ed for 1,500,000 barrels of ol and the Navy would pay for them in crude ofl. Navy Defense Plans Cited. Through the testimony of Mr. Doheny yesterday, the defense at- tempted to prove that the secret naval defense plans affecting the Pacific lay at the base of the two transactions between the Doheny companies and the Government which are involved in_the trial. Knowledge of the Pacific situation as it was viewed within the Navy Department in 1921 and related to the ol magnate by the then Rear Admiral J. K. Robison, chief of the Bureau of ingineering and later Denby's princi- pal agent in the leasing negotiations, led Doheny to bid on the Pearl Harbor oil storage project, the defendant testified. Mr. Doheny told the jury that he was led to belleve that the work at Pearl Harbor was necessary to save the country from a threatened Japa- nese invasion, an invasion which Robi- son had told him would mean a dupli- cation of the terrorism in Belgium. It was only on this account, he related in dramatic fashion, that he consented to bid for the work and accomplish it “without a cent of profit to my com- pany.” The oil man testified that Admiral Robison had told him that President Harding and Secretary of State Hughes had called the diearmament conference, then in session, for the purpose of having the great powers of the world confront- Japan. “He told me that without an adequate storage supply of fuel oil at Pearl Harbor, our fleet would be at the mercy of the panese,” Doheny sald, “and he got me so worked up that I assured him my company would make a bid.” Told Fleet Was Mobilizing. Mr. Doheny gave a vivid descrip- tion of the secret war plans as re- vealed to him, adding that he had been informed that the fleet already was being mobilized in the Pacific to resist a threatened Japanese attack. Admiral Robison impressed on him, the witness testified, that security for the fleet in the Paclfic depended en- tirely on ofl, and without it the Navy would not be able to operate its ships. Mr. Doheny's associates were “dis- posed” mnot to have anything to do with the Pearl Harbor contract, he sald, “but when I told them about Admiral Robison's appeal they gave their consent.” The entire matter was put in the hands of Joseph J. Cotter, an attorney for the company, the witness continued, and he empha- sized he never discussed ‘‘preferential rights, “In fact,” the witness volunteered, “I have had no talks about it up to now—preferential right is something I don't know about or don't care about it.” Mr. Doheny gave his ap- proval to the proposals submitted by his company for constructing the anks without knowing what they meant, he declared, because he had unlimited confidence in the ability of his .associates to handle the matter. | His only concern was that the Gov- ernment got a bid from him, that no profit would accrue to his company and at the same time he would suffer no loss. Had Not Talked With Fall. As the ground of events was covered in the orfler of their occurrence, Mr. Hogan punctuated his questions with: “Did you see or talk with Mr. Fall at any time?” In short, the witng aid he had not communicated with Fall in any form from the first of December, 1921, until April 25, 1922, when the first contract was signed. The letter which Government coun- sel introduced in evidence several da; ago when Dr. H. Foster Bain, former director of the Bureau of Mines, was on the stand, was referred to by the defense attorney in his di- rect examination. This letter, ad- dressed to Fall and signed by Bain, had stated in effect that ‘‘none of us want to see Mr. Doheny get into trouble” and “we want to do all we ean to help him.” The original letter was read to him by Mr. Cotter, the| witness said, and as far as he knew it never was sent to Fafl. Mr. Do- heny’s best recollection was that it had been destroved at the time. Doheny added that he didn't want any help or consideration from the Government, other than that it fulfill the terms of the contract. Mr. Doheny's version of the con- ference held to fix royalties on oil for the December 11 contract was given by the witness, belng the third ac- count of that meeting the jury has heard. “Mr. Anderson, president of the Pan-American Petroleum Co. of California, was disgusted with the schedule of royalties from our stand- point,” the witness said. ‘*Admiral Robison wanted to get the highest possible royalties for the Government and he made a remark indicating that we were trying to 'fourflush’ him. I was_considering the royalties so ser- iously that i took offense at the re- mark and said: 'If that'’s the way you feel about it, we'll drop the matter right here—you will not be beaten by our company.’” Says Robison Apologized. Robison called the witness back, apologized and accepted the ‘terms which Doheny said_he thought all along had been advanced ty the Government. The witness declared he not only never read the specifica- tions for the tanks as prepared by the Bureau of Yards and Docks of the Navy Department, but he hadn't even read the contract. Its terms were read by Mr. Cotter and Mr. Anderson before Doheny signed it in Secretary Denby's office. At that time Denby said to him, the witness recalled: “You've got a big job and a good plece of property.” Doheny’s reply was: “I realize I've got a big job, but I am wondering about the £00d_piece of property.” Doheny_estimated the cost of stor- ing the Navy's oil to his company would be about $7,000,000 for the 15-year period under the contract. Although still sticking to his orig- inal story that he expected to make a profit of $100,000,000 out of the lease, the oil magnate hastily calcu- lated the invesfment, which he said clog the Oust im antly. returnable conferences that Doheny had with Admiral Robison upon his return from the Coast. Doheny was back in New Fall Negotiated Mexican Loan. Roberts wanted to know it Fall is, o bas been, ib Dobeny's employ since York on January 28, 192¢. = Such meetings as be m«iwmx Robl- disorders. Drink the health beverage of assured purity— EVERFRESH Sealed in new, non- for your protection. = IMPURIT]ES system and cause many Eliminate the cause. purities thoroughly, pleas- MAGNESIA “bottles wolilld be about $200,000,000. As it would require 35 or 40 Years to get all the oil out/of the land, he added, and would be a “lifetime job for any- body,” the profit amounted to about 6 per cent interest on the money invested. Doheny concluded his direct ex- amination with the emphatic declar- ation that when he loaned Fall the $100,000 he made no agremeent in any form to receive “leases or bonuses.” Before concluding for the day, Mr. Hogan put on several additional character witnesses. Walter E. Hodges of Santa Barbara, Calif.; Asa Keyes, district attorney at Los An- geles, Reese Llewelyn of Los An- geles, Benjamin R. Meyer, banker, of Los Angeles, and George 'S. Shain- holdts, chauffeur to Doheny. District Attorney Keyes, who had prosecuted the case against Aimee McPherson, California evangelist, testified that Doheny’s reputation for honesty, ° integrity and patriotism was of the “highest.” THREE NOMINATED AS REAR ADMIRALS President Also Sends Names for Virginia and West Vir- ginia Postmasters. The President today sent to the Senate the nominations of the follow- ing to be rear admirals of the Nav: Capt. Yates Stirling, jr.; Medical Di- rector Charles H. T. Lowndes and Naval Constructor George H. Rock. At the same time the President nominated Palmer E. Pierce to be brigadier general in the Reserve Corps. The following nominations for postmasters in Virginia and West Vir- ginia were sent to the Senate today by the President: Virginia—Damascus, Baxter W. Mock; Dublin, Troy D. Rorrer; Esf mont, Samuel P. McCary; Front Royal, Samuel G. Allen; Midland, Merle C. Ralls; Rose Hill, Morgan B. Hobbs. West Virginia—Delbarton, Valen- tine Hatfield; Cabin Creek, Charles Crawford; New Cumberland, Godfrey B. Beetcut. —_—s HITS- CALERO STATEMENT. F. H. Wickett Deries 0il Companies Approve Mexican Alien Law. SHREVEPORT, La., December 10 (#).—Denial that Manuel Calero had authority to make a statement accred- ited to him yesterday, that all oil com- panies operating in Mexico would com- i sions of Mexican was made today in a statement issued by F. H. Wick- ett, chalrman of the board of the Pan- Amerlcan Petroleum and Transporta- tion Co. Shop Early Do not put off your Christ- mas Shopping for want of ideas when so many unusual offerings are listed in The Star’s Classified Section under the heading of Christmas Gift Suggestions ! Giits for every member of the family can be found there. Buy for hi would buy woven madras, i Manhattan Shirts of a fine 4 Others, $2.50 to $5 W SLUSH INQUIRIES TO BE ENDED SOON, COMMITTEE THINKS (Continued from First Page.) further at a'meeting to be held with- in a few days. Whether thte committee is to con- duct an investigation' of the senatorial campaign in Massachusetts, as request- ed by Conrad W. Crooker of Boston, is still to be determined. It was not con- sidered at today's meeting. Tt is understood here, however, that some of the Democratic members are adverse to going into Massachusetts and believe that it is better to concen- trate their’fire on the Illinois and Pénnsylvania cases, in which they be- licve they have demonstrated corrup- tion and excessive expenditures. Tyson Inquiry Asked. The opening of-a new field for sena- torial investigation, investigation of a Démocratic . Senator’s campaign ex- penditures two years ago, is proposed by* John R. Neal, Knoxville attorney. In a letter to Segator Ernst of Ken- tucky, chairman of the Senate com- mitted on privileges and elections, Neal charged that Senator Tyson of Tennessee had expended $1,600,000 and requested an investigation. Senator Tyson was inclined to re- gard lightly the charges against him, insisting there was no foundation whatever for them. Mr. Neal recalled in his letter that shortly after the primary a petition, signed by about 50 citizens of Lexing- ton, Tenn., and.charging excessive expenditures by Senator Tyson, had been submitted to the Senate elections committee, but no action had been taken. He requested a formal fvesti- gation. Chairman Ernst replied that the late Senator Spencer, Republican, Missouri, had not proceeded with an inquiry in the absence of substantiat- ing proof and invited Mr. Neal to lay any facts he had before the-.com- mittee. FIXES MINIMUM SALARY. Bill Provides $1,500 as Lowest for Federal Employes. The Federal wage bill, sponsored by the National Federation of Federal Employes, providing for a minimum salary of $1,500, was reintroduced in the House late yesterday by Repre- sentative Welch of California. It was fathered in the last session of Con- gress by Representative Flaherty, who was Mr. Weleh's predecessor, and on account of Mr. Flaherty's death had to be reintroduced. 1t proposcs a substitute scale of salaries for those in the classification act. The great mass of the Government employes here would come under the first of four groups, clerical, adminis- trative and fiscal, with salaries rang- ing from $1.500 to $7,500 a year; pro- f onal and scientif with salaries ranging from $1,860 to $7,500; cus todial, with salaries from §780 to $3,300, and clerical and mechanical, from 60 cents an hour to $3,600 a year. EX-POLICEMAN ARRESTED. Is Accused of Forgery—Left Force Recently. Harry Clinton Johnson, 29 years {old, former policeman, was arrested last night by Detective L. M. Wilson {of the ninth precinct on a charge of forgery. few weeks ago, he left without ition and lice force until a when, it is stated, tendering his resig idropped from the s denies the charge, Johnson was a member of the po-| m what he for himselt collar attached A Manhattan Shirt, in a beautiful Giit Box, | bought at the store that carries his favorite pat- " terns and shades, will bring a heartfelt “Thank you!” on Christmas morning. Other collar-attached and collar-to-match shirts of fine percale and madras — stripes, jacquard weaves, checks—$2.5C fo $5. PRESIDENTHOPES FOR AIR ADVANCE Sends Report of Advisory| Body to Congress, Fore- seeing Supremacy. In submitting the annual report of the national advisory committee for aeronautics to Congress yesterday, President Coolidge expressed the be- lief that fhe United States will lead | 1l other nations in the development | | knowledge | mercial dev of aircraft for military and civil pur poses by carrying out the American aviation program. “Although it will take time to ac complish results under the air com- merce act and the approved five-year aircraft building programs of the Army and Navy,” Mr. Coolldge said, “it is gratifying to note the com- mittee’s opinion that America leads the world in the private ownership and operation of aircraft, is keeping pace with other nations in the tech- nical knowledse of aireraft for mili- tary purposes, and has the technical t least to equal the com- opments abroad. ymmittee s opinon (hat the development of commerclal aviation on a sound business basts de pends primarily upon the solution of the basic problems of reduction in cost and increase in safety, which are, in turn. in the last anaiysis, largely do pendent upon t tion of scientific fundamental prob “I concur in the e B e i B L d Christmas “Bup-3Pord” You could buy any num ber of these new jacquard, check or plaid patterns of Phoenix Wool Hose and be certain that he would ap- prove of your selection. NATIONALLY CHRISTMAS BOXE The salesman will be glad to it your Phoenix hose in 2 beautiful gift box. e {ashington’s Clhri Boys’ Hickok Be Sets 5]1—° Belts and initialed buc boxed most attractively. 150—%2 kles—"just like Dad’s”— Choice of several buckle designs and shades of leather. GIFT IDEAS Neckwear, 50c to $1.00. Boxed Handkerchieis, 350c to $1. Handkerchief and Tie Sets, $1.50. Mufflers, silk and cashmere, $2.50 to $3.50. Lumberjacks, $4.50 to $6.75. Sweaters, $3.50 to $12.50. Pajamas, $1.50 and $2. $4.95 Juvenile Suits, to $12.50. School Suits, $12.75 to $30. Boys’ Long Trousers Suits, $20 to $30. Golf Knickers, $4-$7.50. Teck, Jr., Shoes, $4. Official Headquarters jor FOR BOYS Blouses, $1 to $3.73 Shirts, $1.50 to $4.50 Gauntlet Gloves, $1.25 $4.50. Dress Gloves, $2 to $3.75. Sport Hose, $1.25 to $4.50. Tim’s Caps, $1.50 to $1.65. Bath Robes, $3.95 to $13.50 Golf Caps, $1.50 to $2.50. Play Suits, $1.95 to $5.75 w School Overcoats, $18 to $33 Woolen Vests, $3.50. Rain Coats, $4.50 to $6.50 Slippers, $1.50 and $2. Boy Scout Shoes, $5.75. Scout Equipment, * + Boy Scout Equpwment A Barrer Bill Shop Where Kiddies Enjoy o Haircut * NATIONALLY The Avenue at Ninth