Evening Star Newspaper, December 26, 1926, Page 3

HE SUNDAY -STAR, WASHING’i‘O D. C., DECEMBER 26, 3 T FORD SEES 1927 TRADE NORMAL. ACK - U. S. DISBURSEMENTS CHANGE " CHRISTMAS STA BLOWS OVER CITY Mounted Atop Apse of Na- tional Cathedral, 1t Will Shine Over New Year. A large, electrically lighted star will burn nightly until New Year on top of the National Cathedral 1 The star is 547 feet above the city. as high over the Potomac as the top of the Washington Monument, count- ing the height of the apse and the height of Mount St. Alban. The star was hoisted in place by the George A. Fuller Co., builders of the cathedral. In the chapel beneath the apse the cathedral choir will broadcast Christ- mas carols this afternoon. The Right Rev. James E. Freeman, D. D., Bishop of Washington, in his Christmas greeting to his diocese stressed the idea of the Christmas spirit being a potent factor in bring- ing about world-wide good will. The message was first made public in.the Christmas issue of the Cathedral Age, organ of Washington Cathedral. “Tiny Tim” Routs “Marley.” “Another Christmas season greets us with its joyous message of peace and good will. - Once again we experi- etice a rebirth of feeling that issues in happy salutations and generous fmpulses. The repellant spirit of old Marley superseded by that of Tiny Tim with his ‘God bless you, evel one.’ There is a sudden and exube ant desire for the things that express love and generosity. he wonder is that we ever lose this Christmas spirit; that we are so sirangely different once we pass the Winter solstice. It is the season of peace and good will. To extend it, to amplify it until all the world is perme- ated with its spirit is the great desid- eratum. “Why not make the joy and peace of the little spot we call home & uni- versal condition? Why not begin at this blessed season to think in terms of world-wide good will? Why not set in motion those beneficent forces that will forever free the world from strife and bitter hatred? It is the only sane and reasonable hope of ultimate world order. It is the only guarantee of security and permanent prosperity and happiness. World Hope in America. “America may be the hope of the world. It may become the mighty ex- ponent of those ideas that Christ sought to bring to men. He was her- alded as the ‘Prince of Peace.' His message has stirred men's hearts and filled them with higher and holier aspirations. He has spoken the words that more and more challenge our deepest reverence. “Shall not a new Christmas mark the beginning of His reign, this reign that means a better understanding, a kindlier judgment, a broader charity, that must inevitably issue in peace and good will? Merry Christmas it is 10 one and all, with many reunion: blessed memories and generous im. puises. Let us make it one long Christmas period over a whole year of time and sa hasten the day when man to man the world o'er shall brothers be for a’ that.’” TILT OVER TREE FATAL. THOUGH PERHAPS UNDER 1926 New Year Begins. With Big Surplus o( Materials, He Points Out. Spikes Rumor That He Plans to Produce Six-CyIinder, Low-Priced Car. BY D. J. WILKIE. DETROIT, December 25 (#).—Any attempt to forecast business prospects for 1927 must be tempered with the fact that the year opens with a great surplus of everything on hand, Hen- ry Ford told the Associated Press to- day. Mr. Ford took occasion to spike a few rumors, one to the effect that he plans production of a low-priced six-cylinder car; discussed the differ- ence between credit and debt and re- iterated his belief in the economic value of the five-day week. “Not only is there a large surplus of grown and fabricated material now on hand,” Mr. Ford said, “but there is also a large surplus of debt. Un- doubtedly the material surplus will be absorbed in the natural course of events and the year 1927 should be one of normaley.” “You mean a year as prosperous as 19267 “Well, plied. The query apparently suggested a second thought. “What is prosper 3 Ford asked, meditatively. prosperity is that in which all partici- pate and in which all are consumers. ‘When man consumes he must pro- duce and when there is the proper bal- ance between production and con- sumption, prosperity is bound to fol- low."” The rumored six-cylinder car was dismissed with the remark “Nothing to it.” ; “You know,” Mr. Ford went on, “we 4id build a six 20 years ago. We nmde a thousand of them. Two of them now are in our museum.” Mr. Ford also denfed that he was at present financially interested in rubber growing. He added, however, that some developments in the future might attract him to that fleld. “I do believe,” he said, “that rubber should be grown on this continent.” Concerning automobile production in 1927 Mr. Ford expressed the opinion that the output would be about nor- mal. He .was careful to point out again, however, that 1926 was ab- normal. *Of the total 1926 production of cars of all makes,” he went on, *“10 per cent or more were Trepos- sessed by the sales agencles for non- payment. The trade anticipates a re- possession ratio of 1 per cent of all the machines sold on the deferred payment plan. This condition shows that a portion of the people, are buy- Ing things they cannot pay for.” 1926 was abnormal,” he re- Concerning credit and debt, the mo- tor manufacturer said: “There is a point up to which credit is constructive but beyond that point it becomes destructive. “The habit of never wholly owning anything we use, never having that personal attitude toward guality which use and ownership give, 1s simply to cease working for oneself and become something like a mortgaged servant. This is a situation for which no good word can be spoken. “When a man has been ‘sold’ on the instalment plan up to or beyond his income he is automatically out of the market and he does not contribute to the prosperity of the community. He is just as much out of the market as if he were saving his money for six months to pay cash for something he wants but with the difference that under the instalment plan the seller does not get the money and the buyer does not own the goods.” Value of Five-Day Week. The five-day week has proved its economic value and already has re- sulted in $100,000 wage increases ranging from 40 cents to $1.60 a day, Mr. Ford sald. “It gives men and women time to consume what fhey produce,” he said. “People who have more leisure must have more clothes. They must have a greater variety of food, more transportation, more serv- ice of various other kinds. Thus the industrial value of leisure as a pro- moter of the consumption of goods and as a stimulant to business has been proved. “The five-day week was not indu- gurated from purely humanitarian Mr. Ford continued. “It had its inception in the conviction that people consume more in their leisure than in their working time and thus create a demand for more production. “Proper management, utilizing modern machinery and tools has made it possible for the worker to accomplish_in five days what here- tofore required six days. And this is belng done without crowding the worker—with the same expenditure of energy. RECORDS SMASHED IN HOLIDAY TRADE; 1927 OUTLOOK GOOD (Continued from First Page.) Men Quarrel While Getting Ready for Holiday and Shot Is Fired. PITTSBURGH, December 25 (#).— A quarrel over the proper trimmings for a Christmas tree culminated in the slaying of Timothy Murphy at the home of Tony Diamond here. Dia- mond surrendered to police today after detectives had made an all-day search for him. He was held for questioning. Murphy, Diamond and.a third man were trimming the family Christmas tree when a disagreement arose and Murphy was ejected from the house. Diamond was said to have followed Murphy and the latter was found few moments later with a bulle wound in his back. The shooting oc- curred late last night. SPECIAL OFFICE OF THE FIREM N wC Company ot Washington "and _Georgetow: Seventh, street and Louistana avenue nort West. The stockholders of the Firemen's Insurance Company ~of Waehington and Georgetown will meet at the office on MO! DAY: january 3. 1927. fur the vurpose of #lecting. thirieen’ directors for e ensuing Sear. Polls oben from 11 a.m. to 12 noo ALBERT W. AKD. S THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCK- holders of the American Building Association will be held at the office of the association. 300 B et Washington, = D. on Thursday. ‘January 6. 1927." between the hours of 2 ‘and 7 o'clock p.m. for the elec- tion of officers and directors for the ensuing year and for the transaction of such busi- nhess as may properly come before the meet- ing. CHARLES H. KINDLE. HOUSE WRECKING, EXPERIENCED 1 every line; reliable and satisfaction guaran- leed: D. C. government reference 012 Sharift rd. ne. S 2 CHTMNEY_ CLEANING EXPERT WORK: manship: fireplaces built, chimneys repaired nd rebuilt: brick garages constructed. Phene Cleveland 4907. ARYDERS, HAMS are gpocially seieciad for the holiday season. Exquisitely flavored Sniders’, Center Market ‘(main aisle. 7th Wing). ' Unexcelled fresh meats. WANTED—A RETU LOAD OF FURN ture from New York. Philadelvhia or Balti- mere. oSALTHS TRANSFER AND STOR- TED, TO HAUL FULL OR PART LOAD r) OR FROM XNEW YORK. RICHMOND, A.: BOSTON. PITTSBURGH OR ANY POINTS._SPECIAL RATES. NATIONAL DELIVERY ASSN. INC N Y. A nual meeting of the stockholders for the el tion of the directors of this company will be held at the company's office, Wisconsin_ave. O st. n.w.. on Wednesda¥. January 1 open from 1 16 2 p.m. Books JTUAL FIRE INSURANCE mpans of the District of Columbin.. cor. 1 New York ave. December 15, 1926_ Polic e notificd that policies expire at, nioon on the st Monday cember (27th the 1 newal for 192 Dremium notes . Gered paid 10 the poiicsholders vings. according 10 the \alue ‘ol each poliey “on " the' st lway "ot fast December licies must be presented for endorsenient of the payments, excent where held i con nection with loans which ' case they should he brought in later to have duplicate Davments entered. Please attend early and v0id the in_De- e of re on the “turn of d L. PIERCE BOTELER Secretary WHEN THE ROOF LEAKS CALL IRONCLAD We repair it like charges IRONCL, AMUSEME! new. Low 9th & Sts. N Roofing varts Company Next Week SHUBERT Seats &n essrs. Shubert Clark Painter Presents THE ARABIAN NIGHTMARE A COMEDY OF SHEIKS THAT PASS IN THE NIGHT By and Dominick Colaizzi A CAST SUPERB, includi Marion Coakley, William Hanley, Charjes Millwy Helen Lowell. Catherine Wil Turd, Percy Moore and Fifieen Others. | | way into innumerable stockings { reported to have enjoyed an enormous great many cotton stockings and ex- pensive hats. Of course, the higher- priced headgear still is purchased, it was explained, but for the rank and file, this manager said, the emphasis seemed to have changed from the head to the feet, and the women of today were spending their money for cheaper hats, but more expensive stockings. Today, he said, his store does not even keep cotton stockings. The weather, even, was in favor of a good Christmas business this year, turning coeol, then cold in time to send people scurrying into the shops with the Christmas spirit in search of warm things and in search of Christmas gifts. Sensible Buying Seen. Such weather, according to one official, caused people to “buy well and sensibly.” One leading merchant said he could not remember “an age of greater business stability than we are at present enjoying.” He added that there would be “much success for the clear-thinking, careful-planning mer chant at least for the first. half of 192 Another predicted with some res- ervation that the first six months of the next vear would be “moderately prosperous.” The early shopping campaign was also said to have been largely responsible for making the Christmas rush much easier for the big and little stores as well. Washington was in line with a huge increase in New York. Sales in the Nation's great metropolis were gigantic, according to a survey by the Wall Street Journal, which estimated that the 10 biggest New York stores would have a $40,000,000 olume of business in December. ‘Probably the volume of one or two of the largest stores,” said the jour hal, “will approximate §500,000 a day during the crush of shoppin ‘Aside from the infinite varfety of gifts obtainable in Washington stores and shops, which made local familles happy, it was estimated that much glittering gold was resorted to as gifts. The five-dollar gold plece was sald by the banks to be popular. The new twoand-a-half-dollar gold piece, however, proved to be even more pop- | ular and was in great demand at (ho“ banks. More Small Coins Made. This coln, which had not made its/| appearance in a long time until last ear, was increased in number this “hristmas by the Treasury at the in- sistent demands of the banks and the public. The Treasury had coined an additional $1,000,000 in the tiny gold Pleces worth $2.50. and distributed | them proportionately among the 12| Federal Reserve Banks and the cas room of the Treasury here in the| Treasury Department. From the cash- | room they were proportioned among | the Washington hanks and found their | boxes lined with silk and fancy gift| cards. - | Some of the nationally known chain stores selling low priced articles were increase of business this year. Although formal statements were not forth coming locally from the chain stores, it was understood indirectly, but def- initely, that they had had a substan- tial increase In businegs. o e N | Graveyard Offered for Sale. | Any one who wishes to buy a per- fectly good graveyard will find one for sale at Lismalore, Ireland. Reason for sale—no business. The graveyard was opened several years ago, but the offi- clals say there have been no clients. An effort is being made to dispose of the grounds to a local parish priest, and the ministry of home affairs has, because of the unusual circumstances, approved the sale. Three Families Homeless. PITTSBURGH, December 25 (4).— Three families in the midst of their Christmas celebration were made homeless today when fire swept a meat market over which they 'lived and a department store in McKees Rocks, a suburh. Damage was esti mated at $100,000. ’ 50 NASHVILLE HOMES MAROONED BY WATER Santa Claus’ Visit Is Interrupted by Rising Cumberland River. No Life Lost. By the Associated Press. NASHVILLE, Tenn., December .—Santa Claus’ visit to half a hun- dred Nashville homes was interrupted today by the unwelcome approach overnight of backwaters of the Cum- berland River, which made it impos- sible for the occupants to leave their dwellings. Heavy rains sent the river to 8.9 feet above flood stage. The poNce department carried out systematic relief work during the day and, using boats, rescued some 50 families from. the inundated sections, principally in northeast Nashville. No_loss of life was reported and the household effects” in most in- stances were saved. Relief workers reported little if any suffering from exposure. Property loss was estimated at thousands of dollars. The waters of the Cumberland flow through the heart of the city, but the main busi- ness section is protected by a high west bank. The river went entirely out of its bank to the east today, inundating a_number of industries, tying up traffic to some extent and paralyzing several street car lines and motor bus routes. Reports from over Tennessee indi- cated the streams generally in the flood stage, with the possibility of highway traffic being badly inter- rupted. PRESIDENT COOLIDGE AT CHURCH CHRISTMAS President Coolidge leaving Foundry M. E. Church on the arm of Rev. Dr. George M. ing. Mrs. Coolidge is seen in the background. Dr. Diffenderfer, pastor of Luther Place Memorial, CHRISTMAS MAL SETS NEW RECORD Peak of Rush Earlier Than Usual—Air Post Reaches Highest Mark. The greatest amount of Christmas mail in the history of the service was handled this year, Assistant Postmaster General H. Bartlett said yesterday. There was.a total increase of from 8 to 12 per cent over last year. Due to the mail-early campalgn, the peak of the load was set back to Decem- ber 23 instead of falling on the day before Christmas or Christmas itself. “The public co-operation has been splendid,” said Mr. Bartlett. “New York In the 19 days preceding Christmas sold more than five and half million dollars’ worth of stamps. Foreign shipments are unusually large and the mail all over the country is heavy,.showing that the country is Indeed prosperous.” New Year Adds to Rush. There is a large aftermath of Christmas mail, according to M. Bartlett, from people sending presents at the last minute. Then New Year greetings are mailed almost at once, and this keeps the Post Office De- partment busy for another week. The New Year greeting mail is about half that of the Christmas greeting mail, according to Mr. Bartlett. The revenue from the Christmas alr mall during December will amount to more than $200,000, according to estimates of W. Irvin Glover, Second Asistant Postmaster General in charge of transportation. Mr. (ilover said that the air mail has carried the heaviest load in its history. In one flight, he said, two planes carried 1,600 pounds. Six Extra Planes. “Six ‘extra planes and pilots’ were put on for the rush,” sald Glover, “and more people seemed to be taking advantage of the fast delivery made possible by the air mail service.” Superintendent of Mails C. E. hooley sald the local cancellations for Christmas mail were 16.7 per cent higher than the same time last year. Also the parcels post increased 37 per cent. POOR, OLD SANTA CLAUS IS OUT OF A JOB AGAIN Christmas Was Saturday and the End of Bell-Ringing on Cor- ners, and Tomorrow- By the Associated Press, NEW YORK, December 2 oday vas Christmas, but to the many ‘Santa Claus” men on the busy street corners it was only Saturday, with Sunday next, then Monday, the day for hunting another job. For the last 10 days, they've been earning $3.25 a day. Their poverty and their scanty clothing have been hidden beneath gay red and white suits. Their eyes have somehow lost the grim look or men in want as they peered over the bushy white beards of the patron saint of\the gay Christmas season. Of course, it was colder this Winter than last, but the wind could be cheated by picking a good corner. When it became tire- some ringing the little bell that beck- oned the call to the purses of the passerby, one could always change to the other hand. Then, sometimes, there was an extra dime from a pedestrian who thought the eyes of the merry Santa Claus as appealing as_his alms box. But the gay season is over now and today is Saturday., The Santa Claus sults have been turned in. The $3.25 a day job is ended. On Mon day, they'll hunt another job. GETS TREE IN CEMETERY. New York State Man's Attempt _ Costs Him $20. Special Dispatch to The Star MIDDLETOWN, N. Y., 25.—When Charles Adams, old, residing in Norwich, Christmas tree, he went to Mount Hope Cemetery at that place and cut down a Scotch pine, 16 years old, He was discovered by an officer as he was leaving the cemetery, word having been telephoned to police headquarters that a man was appro- priating a tree from the burial place of the dead. Adams was arraigned before City Judge Forsythe at Norwich, who sentenced him to pay & fine of $20 or John December 19 vears wanted a spend 20 days in jall. at the services arranged by the Washipgton Federation of Churches. . 3 RIGID FISCAL PLAN - TOBE CONSIDERED \House Rules Committee. Will Soon Hear Plea for Tight- ening Expenses. BY WILL P. KENNEDY. Legislation to round out the job of’ putting the Federal Government. ex: penditures under a strict business system, which will be the last link in the budget plan, effecting a very great money saving as well as-safe- ghard, will be given preferential con- sideration before the House rules committee soon after Congress red| turns from its holiday recess. This discussion will be centered about a resolution sponsored by Rep- resentative R. Walton Moore, Demo- t, of Virginia. It proposes a re- form advocated by the controller gen- eral, J. R. McCarl,-as the principal recommendation in his annual report. It has the support of Chalrman Mad- den of the appropriations committee, who has been giving the subject in- tensive study for some time. It is probable that the Moore resolution may be broadened by one fathered by Mr. Madden. The Moore resolution proposes to substitute a_standing commlittee of members in the place of 11 small standing committees, each consisting of seven members. These 11 existing committees rarely function. vet each | has a chalrman, a clerk and better offices than a majority of the mem- bers of Congress have. They are the committees on expenditure in the va- rious departments-and on public build- ings. Wants Liaison Agency. The annual report of the controller general points to the importance, if not the necessity, of a standing com- mittee to which such recommenda- tions as he makes from time to time can be referred, so that it may be a sort of llaison agency between the House and the General Accounting Office and the disbursing agencies of the Government. Interlocking with this is Mr. Mc- Carl's recommendation for putting all disbursing officers of the Govern- ment under unified control and ad- ministration, freed from any influence or coercion of any administrative of- fice, 5o that the appropriations made by Congress may be spent exactly as Congress intended and for no other purpose. This would result virtually in a preaudit of all accounts before disbursergent, thus saving the trouble and expense of recovery when dis- bursements have bean improperly made and are disallowed by the con- troller general. Mr. McCarl says: “I have respectfully to suggest the wisdom of a comprehensive study of our present system for effecting pa: ment of Government obligations with view to the adoption of a system that will encou law chservance in the use of public furds, reduce to a minimum unauthorized payments, and effect the economics that are -08- sible.” Chairman Madden of the appropria- tions committee says: “I am strongly in favor of such a reform as is pro- posed by Mr. McCarl, and have been giving this question careful study for a long time with a view to seeing just what sort of a measure will best carry out this idea of rounding cut our budget system. I expect before long to have some very definite rec- ommendations to lay before the House." Evolution of Budget. Leaders in Congress emphasize that this contemplated reform is the mext and probably the last step to com- pleting the budget system. Iirst the office of the office of the budget di- rector was set up, with the general accounting office under the controller general who is accountable directly to Congress as the accounting side of the budget system. Then the com- mittees of Congress were reorganized, with a master committee on appropri- | ations_superseding some dozen other major' committees which formerly handled the appropriation measures for various agencles of the Govern- ment, but which now are strictly legislative committees passing upon proposals for substantive law on which the appropriations are based. | So that now all appropriations are carefully scrutinized, co-ordinated de- partmentally. and allocations of Fed- eral funds made only after careful study of the relative needs as be- tween the various agencies A co-ordinating agency was set up ! by executive order as an arm of the | Budget Bureau. And now comes the proposal for tightening up on dis- bursements, which are now made by approximately 1,000 persons in the continental United States and many abroad. Mr. McCari proposes reduc- ing the force of disbursing officers in the United States to a well trained or- Diffenderfer yesterday morn- preached yesterday { would be jealous of their rights. I'he 'is unable to correct resulting in Left to right: J. R. McCarl, controller general; who is urging the advan- tages of stricter control over Government expenditures, sored by Representative R. Walton Moore, Demo Representative Martin B. Madden, R under a plan spon- t, Virginia. Illinois, chairma ublican, of the House appropriations committee, who is supporting the proposal. ganization of about 50, which would mean a tremendous saving, adding: “This would likewise bring about economies in the general accounting office, as there would be a proportion- ate reduction in the mumber of ac- counts received for audit and such ac- counts would be in Infinitely better condition, and, for the most part free from unlawful payments.” More Effective Control. In explaining his recommendations for more effective control at all times of public moneys, Mr, McCarl says: Originally payments were made only thrpugh Treasury warrapts and after audit. This was the safe method | devised, by the fathers, but as the volume§increased there appeared need for prompter payments than then was possible under such safe method, and the present-day disbursing officer came into being. In the beginning be | was a trusted representative of the | Treasury, with adequate bond for faithful accounting, but graduaily there was obtained from the Congress permission to have these disbursing officers attachéd to the spending agen. cles—for what reason it is difficult to perceive—until now they are general- v so attached as officers or employees of thé agencles which pledge the ap- propriations. Such an arrangement, as seems obvious, tends to weaken contral by law and to encourage dis- regard of limitations and directions given therein, and, of course, makes most difficult the full accomplishment of the duties imposed by law upon the accounting officers. “It would tend greatly to encourage law observance in the use of appro- priated funds if those intrusted with the duty of making payments were removed from the control of the spending agencies.” The Moore resolution has twice re cently been the subject of discussion in the House chamber. Mr. Madden last March argued strongly in favor of completing “the circle of defense’ of the Treasury of the United States. He said: “I suppose there is no committee in the House that has so broad jurisdic tion as do these committees on ex: penditures. They have the power to send for persons and papers, docu- ments of all kinds from the depart- ments over which they have jurisdic- tion, and to investigate not only the details of every expenditure, but they have the power to investigate the legality of every expenditure. They could, if they would, supply the House with ~ information which would be invaluable, but they never have, ex- cept in one or two rare-instances. Same Political Faith. “Unfortunately” the committees o expenditures usually are manned by |over mat men of the same political faith as the administration, and they do not want to investigate their own administra- tion. They have the power to do it if they would. | “T recall that in the past one man | made a great national reputation by | his work as chairman of one of these small committees. He impeached the | Secretary of War foy malfeasance in office: he showed up the rotteness of | expenditure and made himself a name that was known all over the United States. He was later on elected gov-| ernor of his State, a Senator from his State, and lived in the eyes of the American people until he grew old | and passed on. “The proposal suggested in the amendment offered to the rules by the gentleman from Virginia would Rr vide a new agency to co-operate with the agency already created by the Budget. It would, of course, abolish the 11 small committees. That might not be so easy, because those who are assigned to dutles on those rnmm(l(nees ut it would assign to duty 21 men, it the rules were amended to permit of the suggestion, who would act in con- junction ‘with the appropriations committee and with the ways and means_committee and also with the | Controller General of the United States. They would fill in a missing link: they would have the power to § vestigate, to ascertain the legitimac of the expenditure, and ascertain | whether or not the expenditure was being made according to law, whether they were being made extravagantly or conservatively, whether wisely or unwisely; and they would be able to supplement information which neither ! the Controller General nor the ap-| propriations committee is now able to obtain because of the pressing busi- ness which pushes them forward to the conclusion of the problems that confront them. They would supply information which we are now unable to get and upon which I think many financial reforms might be had.” | Moore Debates Point. Again, on December 10, this matter | was discussed in the House when Representative Moore called attention to the Controller Generaf's report, “and the statement made by the con- troller to the effect that there is now a specles of maladministration which the expenditure of a very considerable amount beyond the expenditures con- templated by the Congress in the enactment of appropriation la He recommends specijfic legislation which he thinks would afford some remedy." The legislative procedure to carry out the controller'’s recommendations was explained by Mr. Moore, who called attention that ‘‘there is no committee that has authority to con-| sider the suggestions of the Controller | General and report legislation, if it | be advised that legislation is neces- The gentleman himself sug- gested some time ago, during the last session of Congress, the expediency of eliminating the 11 standing commit-’ tees which now are intrusted with the duty of considering expenditures in the ‘varfous executive departments, and substituting a single committee of 21. If there were such a commit- tee now, there wouid not be any difficulty about that committee taking up the recommendations of -the Con- troller General, considering them and reporting any legislation to the House that it might deem adyisable.” Again Chairman Madden of the | ppropriations committee stressed the | importance of instituting such a re- form. He said: “I have felt, T will say to the gentleman from Virginia, that s the one missing Nnk in our !during the Penns where we ought (o be strong. If we had such a’committee as the gentle- man has called to our attention now. it would he a verw wonderful assist- ance to the committee on appropria tions in studying problems, investi ing facts which would enable them to keep in‘close touch with the Control ler General and the expenditures ler General and the Kxpenditu committee and appropriations c mittee. I think we could, and T feel sure we would so organize the ex penditures after the money is appro priated for them as to keep all the expending officers of the Government within the law, to say the least.” CONGRESS IS CLEAR TO FINISH ON TIME (Continued from First Page.) bill believe that they must present a plan of their own if they are to be effective in the end against the Me- Nary-Haugen bill, which apparently has the backing of many of the strongest farm organizations of the West. They cannot “beat something with nothing,” they realize. Wets to Be Aggressive. Prohiibition enforcement legislation is to be attempted, but the outcome of the effort is problematical, with the wets up in arms. Chairman Green of the House ways and means committee has introduced “by title” the admin- istration’s bill for the better control of medicinal llquor. The provisions of this measure probably will be made public during the holidays. Several ! other enforcement measures are pend- ing in both Houses. The wets plan to continue their “program of educa- tion” after the holidays. speaking in Senate and House. Senator Edwards of New Jersey i paring a vitrlolic attack on prohibition and in support [of his resolution calling for a tional referendum on the question. | Commission is pending in the Senate. An effort will be made to recommit it. If that course is adopted. action on Muscle Shoals at the present ses- sion seems impossible. y While Senator Copeland of New terested ‘in the matter continue clamor - for legislation enabling thw Federal Government to meet coal strike conditions. the opposition is be- lieved to be strong enough to prevent | action before the adjournment of Con- gress. ‘The Senate ters in which the House has no direct interest. The first is the ap- pointment of Col. Frank L. > be Senator from Illinois in place of the late Senator Willlam B. McKinley Col. Smith, Senator-elect, is planning to come to Washington after the holl days to take his seat, if he can. fle is opposed by many Senators because of large expenditures in his primary campaign and because of his benefit ing from contributions to his cam paign fund from public utility mag nates. I. C. C. Fight Approaching. The " second contest looming the Senate is that over the nation of Mr commerce commissioner. lying basis of the cdntest is the rivalry of two coal fields, ihe one comprising Pennsylvania and Ohio and the other IKentucky. Tennessee. Virginia and West Penn- sylvania and Ohio are that the commission declare a great er differential in freight rates on coal from ihe Southeastern States to the Great Lakes. They insist that the rates charged for the longer haul are 100 close to the rates paid from the Pennsylvania_and Ohio mines. v Woods is & Pennsylvanian. e for- merly was general counsel for the Pittsburgh Coal Co. He i to take the place on the commission of Frederick I. Cox of New Jersey, one of the cou- missioners who voted for a_continu ance of the present differential when that body divided & to 5 in favor of the retention of the differential Senator Reed, Republican, of Penn sylvania, sponsoring the appointment of Mr. Woods, has declaved that Mr. Woods will not take part in the con- troversy over the freight rates on coal to the Great Lakes, and is hopeful that the nomination will eventually be confirmed. On the other hand. Senators_ from ~ the Southeastern States, Republicans and Democrats, have united in their opposition to Mr. Woods. Another angle of the opposition to Woods {s found in the fact tha vlvania prima last Spring he acted as the co-ordina tor of the campaigns of Senator Pep per for the Senate and John S. Fisher for governor. Nearly $2.000,000 was xpended for the Pepper-Fisher ticke and ‘the primary has been under fire since the Reed sluSh-fund committee began its investigation. Democratic leaders, as well as publican, are hopeful that notwith standing the controversies ahead Con- gress will have passed the entire list of appropriation bills before March 4, and that it will be able to adjourn until December, 1927, when the Seven- tieth Congress will begin its first reg- ular session. over nomi- “The under found in M; LONDON PAPER S REDUCED: Have Semi-Holiday, But Give Much Space to Nippon Ruler's Death. LONDON, December 25 (®).—With the object of giving their staffs as much Christmas holiday as possible. the Sunday papers tomorrow will appear in rather skeletonized form. Nevertheless, they will give con- siderable space to the death of the Emperor of Japan. ‘The newspaper articles lament the early death of “an enlightened demo. cratic rules who, as the Sunda: Observer remarks editorially, was “the first of his long line whose education and career definitely broke the traditions of royal seclusion.” The /Observer aiso notes that the new Emperor is the first to have . traveled the globe and made him- self personally acquainted with its fiscal organization where we are weak jwlitical factors, IF PACEJIS KEPT UP| na- | The report of the Muscle Shoals | York and members of the Iouse in-| to is facing {wo hard fights | mith to | Woods to be interstate , demanding 1. . ARMEN EAT TURKEY IN MEXICO Members of Pan-American Trip See Bulifight as Part of Christmas Celebration. Byt ited Press MEXICO CITY. Decem 25 Four of the United States Army Pan American good will flyers, who came to Mexico City by train from Tampi and Vera Cruz, witnessed a Mexicar hulifight today end ate American turkey at the American. embassy as part of their Christmas program One plane, the San Francisco, is at Vera Cruz: the others are at Tampico awaiting the arrival of spare parts from San Antonio. Their flight, it is cted. will be resumed next week j. Herhert A. Dargue, the flight commander; Capt. Arthur B. Mc Daniel and Lieut. E. D. Weddington arrived here this morning from Tampico and Capt. Ira C. Eaker came from Vera Cruz. Attaches of the em bassy, representatives of the Mexican government and numerous American residents met the aviators at the sta tion and the fiying men then proceed ed to the embassy and presented their compliments to Ambassador Sheffield Maj. Duigue probably will present President Coolidg='s good will letter to President Culles on Monday. Th 1s the fivst of similar letters to presented to the executive heads of all the Latin American countries to e visited MEXICAN S| Anso RECORD eets Eaker in Vera Cruz and to Capital to Welcome Others. pecial Dispatch to The Star MEXICO CITY December 15 Maj. Pablo Sidar of the Mexican Awi ation Corps is the hero of the hour. He flew from Torreon Durango in the west of the central part of Mexic: to Tampico on the coast to welcome the American naval good will flyers and then accompanied Capt. Ira C. Eaker of the plane San Francisco on the journey from Tampico t Vera (ruz, being the first to arrive there. Learning that the other American | fivers would go to Mexico City b | train, Sidar climbed into his machine land flew over the mountains to the | capital, breaking all records for the | flight. ' He got here in time to wel | come the American flyers at the Colonia station this morning Maj. H. A. Dargue, chief of the American squadron, explained on his arrival here that a burned-out metor prevented the scheduled flight from Tampico to Vera Cruz. This will be made about the middle of next week | FIRE DESTROYS CHURCH. Blaze Is Attributed to Flame From Vigil Light. Mass.. December destroyed the Church of the Holy Family in this city and | damaged the rector's house adjoining. Flame from the vigil light before the altar ignited the Christmas decora tions, firemen said The church was | structure. ets ) small wooden Wireless engineers say that doves have difficulty in finding their way home where there are a number of Lroadcasting stations. 'BOOKS BOUGHT f “Bring Them Tn" or Phone Fr. 6494 | Big Book Shop, 933 G St. N.W. REAL ESTATE LOANS APARTMENT, CHURCH, HOTEL. TREATER. RESIDENCE AND GARAGE PROPERTY. CONSTRUCTION LOANS. FRED T. NESBIT FOR RENT Furnished Apt. 5 rooms, foyer 2 baths immediate Possession Apply Resident Manager Presidential Apts. 16th apd L Sts. THE ARGONNE 16th & Co'umbia Road N.W. two and rooms, kitchen, hall bath apartments. Desirable four and Un and reception excelled service location. Rentals very reasonable. THE ARGONNE 16th & Columbia Road N.W. n area of un- matched natural bcauty adjncent to scenic Rock Creek pal‘l(. e, Now is the time to select your site—over 80% sold— act now. Hedges & Middleton, Inc. Realtors 1412 Eye St N.W. Franklin 9503