Evening Star Newspaper, January 1, 1927, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Buresu Forecast. Fair and colder, with lowest temper- ature about 22 degrees. Tomorrow fair, with slowly rising temperature. Temperature—Highest, 41, at 3:30 p.m. yesterday; lowest, 32, at 3 a.m. today. Full report on page 7. New York Stock Market Closed Today No. 30,195. post _office, Wi - §1.000,000 QUAKES SPREAD RUIN OVER IMPERIAL VALLEY Calexico, Calif., and Mexicali, in Mexico, Bear Brunt of 50 Shocks. OTHER BORDER TOWNS REPORT HEAVY DAMAGE | Few Business Houses Left Stand- ing—Fire Follows Temblors. Cafe Crowd Stampedes. By the Associated Press. CALEXICO, Calif., January 1.— Earthquakes, numbering more than| half a hundred, rocking the Imperial | Valley at intervals of about two min- | utes since 12:18 o'clock this morning, and still continuing at 4:45 a.m., badly | damaged Calexico and Mexicali, ad-| Jacent border cities, causing damage Entered as second class matter ashington, D. C. ¢ Foening Star. WASHINGTON, WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION D. C, SATURDAY, Area Hit by Quake ONEKILLED, 2HURT, ASAUTO HITS POST which, it is estimated, will approxi-| mate more than $1,000,000. | 1 Centro, 11 miles north of this| , and Heber, a town of approxi-| mately 400 population lying between | El Centro and the Mexican border, | also suffered from the continuation | of quakes, but the damage reported | 4n the localities appeared to be slight. | Calexico, lying on the American | side of the international boundary line, and Mexicali, on the Mexican | side, appeared to bear the brunt of | the tremors, which were accompanied | by a heavy rumbling. | Few Houses Undamaged. Hardly a business house in Calexico | was left sound by the quakes, the walls of many falling, while the walls| of others were badly cracked. Almost every plate glass window in the busi- ness section was shattered and in! many instances the window casing ‘was torn loose. A survey of Calexico’s business sec- tion revealed that the rear walls of the post office, two garages and a| store were demolished. A portion of | the rear wall of the Overland Hotel was tottering. The upper portion of the front of the Melbourn Hotel, the Glenwood Hotel and portions of the city fire and police stations tum-| bled into the streets. No one was known io have been killed, but several persons were slight- ly injured, their injuries running to cuts and bruises, suffered when struck by falling plaster. Nine of the shocks were severe, the first, at 12:18 a.m., being the sharpest and lasting the longest, fully three minutes. It caused the most damage. Two tremors following ly | after were also mmfli’;‘?fi% ‘l’if‘i = &t 1:18 and 2:10 o'clock. Fire Destroys Brewery. Damage in Mexicali, so far as could ‘bs ascertained in the darkness, was principally the loss by .fire of the Azeta Brewery and the colldpse of a number of adobe houses. The brewery caught fire in some mgnner after the first quake. The cafes and resorts in Mexicall were crowded with New Year merry- makers, who stampeded into the streets at the first shocks. The gates at the intarnational line, which close nightly at 9 o'clock, were opened by customs officers to permit the people 10 cross to the American side. | At Heber, which was first reported | to have been badly damaged, the post office was found to be damaj and windows of other buildings broken. El Centro apparently suffered. only minor damages, broken windows and crockery being reported. Fearing to return to their shaking | homes, residents ‘of Calexico and | Heber gathered around huge bonfires on vacant lots. A number of the resi- | dents of Calexico reported that the first three quakes were of such inten- sity that they were shaken out of their beds. Two sharp earthquakes were regis- tered this morning on Georgetown University seismographs. The first, beginning at 3:32 a.m., Eastern stand- ard time, was placed by Director Ton- dorf as 2,000 miles from Washington, ‘while the sécond, at 4:30, was 2,100 miles away. Each lasted about half &n hour. 22 QUAKES IN ONE DAY. . All Center in or Around Lassen Peak, Active Volcana. MINERAL, Calif., January 1 (#).— M. H. Finch, Government volcanolo- gist, reported vesterday that on De- cember 28, twerty-two earthquakes, Peak, active volcano, were the seismograph in the volcano ob- servatory here. The 22 shocks coming in one day is notable, Finch said, in that it shows that the volcano, now quiescent, is “merely sleeping and not dead.” Qualies Described as Heavy. BRAWLEY, Calif., January 1 (#).— About 13 éarthquake shocks, 4 of them particularly heavy, were felt | here beginning shortly aftér midnight, The quakes were described as not of the rocking variety, but as long- drawn-out and sharp. The temblors were said to be of greater intensity than any felt here in the past. REFUGEES REACH YUMA. Reveal Extent of Damage In Towns Along Border. YUMA, Ariz., January 1. P).— Eight earthquake shocks, the first at 1:17 o'clock and the last at o'clock mountain time, were felt here | this morning. No damage was re- ported. Automobile loads residents of El Centro and vicinity began arriving here early today after a series of earthquakes was felt threugheut the Imperial Valley. EI1 Cemtro is approximately 60 miles from Yuma. Accounts of considerable damage at Calexico and Mexicali, towns on the international border,' were re- lated by persons arriving in Yuma from valley points. British Air Chief in Egypt. ket prices $2.50 per hamper. 6:10 | of freightened | Prep School Boy, 17, Fatally Injured in Crash at For- est Glen at 1 A.M. . One youth was killed and two seri- ously injured shortly after 1 o'clock this morning when the automobile in which they were riding collided with a stone post marking the entrance to a small park at Forest Glen, Md. The dead youth, whoee neck was broken and head crushed between the wall and the car, is J. B. Price, 17 years old, of 3336 Seventeenth street. ‘The injured are: Robert W. Trotter, 14 years old, of 4407 Seventeenth street. Allison Crump, 15 years old, 3439 Oakwood Terrace. Young Price was the son of Capt. R. B. Price of the Marine Corps. He attended Devitt Prep Schaol. Injured at Hospital. The two injured boys are at the Garfleld Hospital, and consultations were held there this morning by the medical staff. ‘W. ©. Culver of Forest Glen was one of the first to reach the car after the collision. He said today that he was awakened by a bus driver, who told him there had been an accident. He said that when he arrived Price’s body was between the car and the wall, and the two others were leani them showed- eral doctors, but failed, and finally Dr. C..'W. Mitchell of Silver Spring was obtained by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad operator. Had Attended Party. After an examination of Price by Dr, Mitchell he pronounced him dead, and took the’ other twa boys to the hospital in his car. Mr. Culver said that they were able to arouse Trotter sufficiently to get a few statements from him. He said that Trotter told him the boys had at- tended o New Year party at an ad- dress on Kilbourne place. Crump, he said, decided that he needed some air, and the two boys offered to take him for a ride. Price was driying the car, Crump was in the center and Trotter, without hat or coat, was riding on the front seat. He said Trotter could not explain how Price happened to drive into the post. The car, a five-passenger touring model, is registered in the name of John A. Sweeny of 1650 Newton street. DRY NEW YEAR AT SEA. Passengers of Roosevelt Mark Passing of 1926. S. S. PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT, at Sea, January 1 (#).—Under a starry sky and in balmy weather, passengers all enjoyeds New. Year eve. The dancing crowd was as noisy as on Broadway. A select entertainment was given in the third cabin followed by a community sing on ‘How Dry I Am” and a parade on deck. (American vessels are subjéct to the Volstead law.) A hot supper was served at mid- night, with no cover charges. The master, officers and crew extended best wishes to the press and all pa- trons of the United States Lines. $300,000 LOSS IN BEANS. 1,000-Acre Crop in Florida Dam- aged by Frost. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Janu- ary 1 (P).—Damage to the 1,000-acre bean crop planted in Belle Glade, Chosen and_South Bay section of the Everglades by freezing weather Thurs- day night was estimated at $300,000 yesterday by County Agent S. W. Hyatt. The bean crop covers about 1,000 acres, Mr. Hyatt said, and his estimate was based on a 95 per cent crop of beans, worth at current mar- The temperature fell to 25. A crop of potatoes was also hard hit, but a small truck garden escaped injury. CALES REASSURES NATONASOLLAND REVERTSTOSTATE Denies Law Will Be Inter- preted in Way to Harm Legitimate Interests. UNCERTAINTY CONTINUES OVER POSSIBLE SEIZURE U. S.-Mexican Situation Unlikely to Change Unless Properties Are Actually Confiscated. By the Associated Press. MEXICO CITY, January 1.—With- out specifically mentioning the petro-, leum and land laws, which went into effect today, President Calles, in a New Year message to the Mexican people, asserts that he has no inten- tion of interpreting constitutional law in a way that will harm legiti- | mate interests. “Moral energy and capital from! other nations,” the message says,| “will always be welcomed in Mexico, | with the only condition that of ful- filling our laws, and the onty limita- tion that of not absorbing our na- tional interests.” Uncertainity Still Prevails. Uncertainty continues to prevail as to what will happen now that the! laws have gone into effect. They! provide that the oil lands of foreign- | owned companies which did not apply for confirmatory concessions before midnight last night shall revert to the Mexican government. Whether the government will actually go as far as seizure, however, remains to | be seen. If it does, the foreign interests will have specific complaint on which to base their future course of action; if it does not, the situation may con- | as at present, one of | rtainty. foreign companies | make the required | confirmation of 554 prior to 1917, the date of afe > &Siof the present Mexican conds 5~ <), and the United States Govern#; ~w, has insisted that the Mexican mfinment cannot, by ! retroactive en ent, revoke titles lawfully acquired before 1917. In_addition to the oil situation, President Calles in his message touched on the application of the Mexican religious regulations which | have been denounced by the Vatican i Respect for Creed. . . He had the same sincere respect, he declared, for all manifestations of religious creed or feeling and he de- nied that the government desired the destruction of or was attempting to destroy any religious faith, as as- serted by “religious reactionaries.” Regarding the general policy of his government, he declared Mexico was not a disciple or upholder of an exotic system of government or of political and social theories “abso- lutely strange to Mexican environ- ment and tendencies.” This remark was commented on as having refer- ence to reports of alleged bolshe- vistic tendencies in Mexico. TWO MUDDLED PROBLEMS. S President Appeals to Press on Nica- ragua and Mexico. By the Associated Press. The dawn of 1927 finds the United States facing an international situa- tion more muddled perhaps than any since the World War. @ Prospects of an early settlement of the Nicaraguan and Mexican ques- tions do not appear 'bright, and President Coolidge has appealed to the press of the country to show an “American attitude” and stand behind the administration’s efforts to uphold existing standards of international law. ‘The civil strife in Nicaragua, where American naval forces have been landed to protect American lives and property, and the controversy over the new Mexican oil and land laws, which took effect last midnight, re- main in status quo as far as this country’s policy is concerned, but both questions are developing new turns with regard to the individual parties concerned. Diaa Marshals Forces. Adolfo Diaz, Conservative President of Nicaragua, who has been recog- nized by the United States, is marshaling his_forces to stay the advance of the Liberal army, headed by Juan B. Sacasa, former vice presi- dent, who is recognized by Mexico, after having denied charges that he was receiving 4id from American bankers, and refused a mediation offer by’ his neighbor, Costa Rica. His statement that his government did not owe 1 cent to bankers in this country and that he was quite capable of maintaining law and order, provided the Liberals-do not continue to receive ald from Mexico, drew a rejoinder from Dr. T. S. Vaca, Sa- casa’s agent in Washington, that “Nicaragua owes nothing to the bank- (Continued on Page 4, Column 1.) By the Associated Press. 2 LONDON, January 1.—New Year eve revels in front of St. Paul’s Cathe- dral ended in a panic which swept i the great crowd down Ludgate Hill in wild rout. Women and children were trampled {and kicked, others fainted and some of those thrown down were cut by broken bottles with which the street was strewn. The stampede seenis to have been saved from becoming a disaster only through police precautions and by the presence of a proportion of cool-headed persons among the throng. The crowd had gathered before the )ALEXANDRIA Egypt, January 1 ®)—Having crossed the Mediter- ranean at a height of 50 feet and 300 miles of desert at a height of 500 feet, travellng at 95 miles an hour, Sir Samuel and Lady Hoare landed at Aboukir yesterday from a British air liner in which they are making {nspection trip. cathedral, in accordance w2th custom, to celebrate the coming of the new year. The fact that it was unusually large, with a big rowdy element, led the police to call up reinforcements at 11:30 p.m., and this strong force, although unable to stop the rush at its outset, checked the panic and shep- 1 Cry of Fire Blamed for Panic of Crowd Celebrating in Front of Cathedral herded terrified women and children to safety. Ambulances removed a half dozen persons to the hospitals. The affair had a sobering effect on the merry- makers and they quickly meited away, going to their homes much earlier than usual on New Year morning. As far as could be learned this morning, no one was seriously hurt, most of the injuries consisting of cuts or bruisés, but the affair came near being a tragedy, especially for the small children. PRESIDENT STRIKES LOOSE ALK ABROAD Appeals to Press to Bolster American Foreign Policy, Now Hindered. - Once more President Coolidge has found it expedient to appeal to the press of America for its patriotic sup- port of .the Government in inter- national matters. ¢ The President considers it importan at this ‘time for the newspapers of the country to refrain from comment that may be misleadingyand confusing and hopes they will endeavor to make it plain to their readers that they are supporting the United States Govern- . The President is hopeful also ‘that the press will use its ‘power and influence to help maintain peace and LM will and to support international w in foreign relations. He Is. trusting the press will be first of all an American press, supporting American - institutions and policles. He believes strongly in the freedom of the press, but he is fearful that certain kinds of criticism and -un- founded comment may easily be mis- understood or misconstrued by foreign countries. Hits Self-Named Envoys. This appeal to the American-news- papers was made by the Presldant yesterday through his official”spokes- man. The exefutive gave a stinging rebuke to those Americans, whom he described as self-appointed diplomats, who, without any authority, make statements and comments abroad that are misleading and which have given this Government no end of trouble in correcting misunderstandings that have resulted. He was represented as saying in this respect that the dip- lomatic relations of the United States have suffered sorely from these all- too-frequent and ill-advi activi- ties. He regrets that this Govern- ment has no means of controlling them. The President’s candid expression of -views on these subjects was taken by those who heard him as being of more than ordinary significance be- cause of delicate situations that have arisen in Mexico and Nicaragua, and because of a certain amount of ill- feeling in some mations of Europe due to the efforts on the part of this Gov- ernment to collect its debts. There was, however, no direct mention of either Mexico or Nicaragua or any tion in Europe. ml'le did say, though, that reports that his administration had begun negotiations last Summer for a re- sumption of diplomatic relations with Russia were absolutely without any foundation. Accqrding to him, no such negotiations were either begun or contemplated. He was represented in this connection as feeling that it Continued on Page 2, Column 2.) o FOREIGNERS IN DANGER. Chinese Boycotters Try to Starve Europeans in Kiukiang. SHANGHAI, January 1 (P).—The antiforeign agitation and boycott manifested by demonstrations in Hankow and other cities along the Yangtze River have brought about a serious situation in Kiukiang, Kiangsi Province, southwest of Hankow. An anti-foreign strike has been de- clared there and efforts are being made to starve out foreigners living in the forelgn concessions into which little food is finding its way. Supplies, however, are being sent from Han- kow while the presence of six foreign gunboats, including the U. §. Penguin, at Kiukiang tends to allevi- ate fears for the safety of the forelgn- ers in the city. ISLANDERS STARVING. Efforts to Rush Food to Batanes Thus Far Have Failed. MANILA, January 1 UP).—Tho population of the Batanes Islands, numbering several hundred persons, faces the prospect of starvation, a telegram from the Batanes prov- incial board to the Bureau of Com- ‘While the cause of the stampede is unknown, it may have been started by cries of fire, as engines had just passed through the crowd on their way to a blaze in a business house near the cathedral. There had been a good deal of drink- ing and horseplay in some sections of the crowd and it is possible that the rush was started by mischief- makers, merce and Industry here says today. The Batanes Islands are at the ex- treme north ot the Philippine group. Virtually no food is left in the is- land, the telegram says. Efforts to find a_ship to rush supplies there from the northern end of Luzon Is- land thus far have failed. Radio Programs—Page 23. JANUARY 1, JANUARY 1, 1927. 1927—TWENTY-EIGHT PAGES. *# NN “Rolling Club” To Promote Health Of British M. P By the Associated Press. LONDON, January 1.—A “roll- ing club” has been started by a member of Parliament, and several fellow members were admitted be- fore Parliament adjourned. The rolling is supposed to be a. cure-for liver ills and is done in the morning in_the bedroom, the seeker after health placing a sheet on the floor and, with arms stretched overhead, rolling back and forth for some minutes. The founder of the club declares that the treatment stirs the acid in the body, improves the liver and leaves a healthy glow. SHOT HITS WONAN: HUSBAND ARRESTED Fired in New Year Celepra- tion, Says S. A. Trewolla, Denying Responsibility. Five minutes before the dawn of the New Year, Mrs. Alice Trewolla, 20 years old, apartment 1, at 1717 East Capitol street, received a bullet wound in the right side of the body that may result in her death. Samuel Alfred Trewolla, 23 years old, her husband, is held by the police for investigation. He is said by the police to have admitted firing three shots In a holiday celebration, claim- ing the shots were aimed at the ground, but he feels positive none of the bullets from his pistol wounded his wife. Mrs. Trewolla was putting her baby, a child of 7 months, to bed and was standing near the window, having just drawn the shade, when she was shot. She was taken to Providence Hospital, and examination by sur- geons disclosed a dangerous wound, the bullet possibly having passed through her lungs. Its extent will be determined by an X-ray. Acting Lieut. J. C. Holmes, Acting Sergt. T. M. Poland and Detective George Darnall investigated and ar- rested Trewolla. The young man de- nied that there had been any quarrel between his wife and himself last night, although police were told by a neighbor that there had been. Tre- wolla. said he had taken the pistol from home and fired the three shots in a New Year celebration. Police reported that the husband took the pistol from the house contrary to her wishes. Trewolla said he was two or three doors from his home when the ts were fired. !hxt the time the shot was fired, it is stated, the window of the Trewolla apartment was open. The curtain was drawn, howeyer, and the bullet passed through it. Trewolla told the police he placed the weapon in the tank in the bathroom of his apart- ment after the shooting, but police ‘were unable to find it. POPE RECEIVES PILGRIMS. Canonization of St. Luigi Gonzales Attracts Many to Rome. ROME, January 1 (#).—Pilgrims of 25 nations assembled in Rome for the commemoration of the canonization of St. Luigi Gonzales were received in audfence vesterday by Pope Pius. For the Mexican representatives 8. |the pontiff had a few special words, saying, “Honor to you, your mother country, your Episcopacy, your clergy, who, amid the admiration of the whole ~world, are enduring such glorious bat- tle for the honor of God, for the king- dom of Christ, for the liberty of the church, for the dignity and health of the human soul. FIRST GIRL WED IN 1927. Attleboro, Mass., Girl Wins New England Contest.. BOSTON, January 1 (#).—Boston and Attleboro girls, 33 miles apart, competed today for the honor of being New England's first bride of the new year, and the Attleboro girl won by a scant minute. Miss Gladys Hinds there became the bride of Thomas R. Rushlow at the moment the chimes tolled the advent of 1927, while a minute later Miss Helen E. Steiner and David D. Thomas ‘were married here in Church, Back Bay. . DRY ENFORCEMENT EXPECTED T0 GROW 1927 Will See Pronounced Improvement, Says Meth- .odist Board. By the Associated Press. Prohibition is hailed as a great blessing to the United States by the Anti-Saloon League of America in a | New Year statement, while 1927, the Board of Temperance, Prohibition and Public Morals of the Methodist Episcopal Church believes, will signal- ize e pronounced improvement in pro- hibition enforcement. “Prohibition has added over $6,000,- 000,000 to the Nation's wealth,” de- claredgthe statement of the Anti- Saloon” League, “signed by its officers, including Thomas Nicholson, presi- dent; general counsel, Wheeler, and general superintendent, F. Scott McBride. The liquor law also was credited by the league with “lengthening life, safeguarding health, lessening crime and drunkenness and reviving interest in religion.” Except in the moonshine liquor pro- duction; 1927 “finds prohibition en- forcement better all along the line, the Methodist Episcopal d as- serted. The remedy for many prohibition enforcement ills of 1926 will be ap- plied in " 1927, which opens the eighth year of constitutional prohi- bition, the Anti-Saloon League state- ment claimed. Although handicapped by lack of thorough co-operation between the varjous Federal departments, by wet filibustering tactics in the Senate, which delayed enactment of needed legislation, by the appointment of uninterested or unfriendly officers to enforce the law and by the un- wholesome example of States like Maryland and New York, which are disloyal to the Constitution, this American policy of government has been the greatest economic, social, hl!’Klenlc and moral asset of the Na- tiol “The production of moonshin however, is still far too general, saild the Methodist Episcopal Church Board. “Friends of law and order should bend their efforts during the coming year to the placing in office of local officials who will enforce the law against moonshiners and boot- leggers. A greater effort must also be made toward the creation of an overwhelming body of sentiment in favor of the prohibition law. CANTONESE DEPLORES! SURTAX PROPOSAL Tells Kellogg Enforcement of Agreement Would Add to Chang’s Revenues. By the Associated Press. HANKOW, January 1. — Eugene Chen, Cantonese minister of foreign ! affairs, has sent a note to Secretary of State Kellogg in Washington say- ing he hears that the United States intends to agree to the British pro- posal for immediate enforcement of the so-called Washington surtaxes. Mr. Chen deplores the recent British memorandum. which “despite its sen- timents really means that two-thirds | of the new revenue will go to political enemies, whose war chests, being re- plenished, will continue the civil war which bleeds the nation, delays the liberation of China from its present | international control known as for- eign imperialism.” The note complains that by virtue of the resolution of the foreign powers to put into effect the surtax rates provided for at the Washington con- ference, Chang Tso-Lin, Manchurian dictator and leader of the army re- sisting the advance of the Cantonese, will be enriched and that the millions derived from the new revenue will provide a reason for continued war between the militarists for the control of Shanghai “like raw meat to beasts of prey.” Fall’s Condition Satisfactory. EL PASO, Tex., January 1 (#).— The condition of Albert B. Fall, for- mer Secretary of ‘the Interior, who been.dll at his home here since h pneumonia, continued today, attendants said. He a re- “From Press to Home Within the Hour” ‘The Star’s carrier system covers every city block and the regular edi- tion is delivered to Washington homes ‘Wayne B.| as fast as the papers are printed. Yesterday’s Circulation, 100,920 (#) Means Associated Press. Heavy Loss of Life Now Is Feared in Floods in Malay By the Assiciated Press. SINGAPORE, Straits Settle- ments, January 1.—Latest dis- - patches indicate that the flood dis- aster in the Malayan state of Perak is of appalling magnitude. Villages over an area of many square miles have been swept away and it is believed there has been great loss of life. | The river at Kuala Kangsan rose | 40 feet, and reports say some of the bridges are blocked by bodies | swept. down by the flood waters. | Thousands are homeless, and the | damage is incalculable. | The country has been stiired by | dispatches telling of the bravery of the Sultan of Perak, who led the official relief party and risked his life many times in the work of rescue. A WHITEHOUSE TAPS SPEED OLD YEAR 2,000 Gather on Lawn to | Witness Ceremony—City | Celebrates Quietly. A beautiful New Year's ceremony was inaugurated at the White House last night. | The grizzled old year, strifeworn and glad to dle, was buried with mili- tary honors—"Taps” sounded from the roof. The gawdy new year, raw recruit from the country of Time, was hustled out of his blankets by the notes of “Revellle” sounded by the same Marine trumpeter. About 2,000 persons, standing under the bare trees on the White House lawn, watched the ceremony. ‘Tt was? a drab night, cloudy and starless, but | not too cold to remain out-of-doors in | comfort. The crowd began gathering | {2 half hour before midnight and con- tinued to arrive until the yard was | well filled. Mrs. Coolidge in Window. ped in a shawl, sat on the window ledge on the second floor and leaned jout, smiling graciously at the crowd. {The President joined her for a mo- {ment before the open window and bowed, but he. withdrew before the ! opening note of “Taps” was sounded. | At the conclusion of the ceremony { Mr. Coolidge again appeared and tried i to pull down the window. He gave it a powerful push and it came down about two-thirds of the way. There it st and he -to it completely m‘fiy he gave it up and the crowd went away in Chief Executive balked in a familiar household task before bedtime. Following the ‘“Taps” and ‘“‘Reveille,” | four Marine Band trombonists played Beethoven’s ‘“Creatoin” and = Abt’s “Over the Stars.” The players were not visible to the spectators, as it had been announced they would be. Din Greets New Year. The midnight musicians were | | Arthur Whitcomb, cornetist, who | sounded “Taps” at the funerals of | Queen Victoria and President Harding | and at the rite for the Unknown Soldier; Albert E. Bennert, Herbert Erisman, Albert Gummel and Harold Heard, trombone players. All were | from the Marine Band. At the stroke of 12 there was a mighty din of auto horns and cow-| from Peace Monument to La- | fayette Park which continued for 15 or 20 minuted, with spasmodic noise the rest of the night. But the occa- | sion was far from noisy, as New Years go in Washington. Before mid- night the streets were silent and by | no means crowded. The atmosphere | of previous years largely was lacking. | There was little confetti thrown. The sidewalks did not require a great | deal of cleaning this morning. There was a strange absence of costumes. high good humor at having seen the ' PRESIDENT GREETS GREAT AND LOWLY AT OPEN RECEPTION Executive and Mrs. Coolidge Extend Hospitality to All at White House. DIPLOMATS GIVE TOUCH OF OLD WORL0 SPLENDOR All Creeds, Races and Levels Re- ceive Welcome as Custom of Washington Is Followed. A custom that was born almodt with the Nation was renewed today when the White House threw open its doors to the lofty and lowly of all the world while the President and the First Lady of the Land extended them a friendly hand and a word of New Year greeting. 2 Inaugurated during the first admin- istration of George Washington, the New Year day reception at the White House today presented all of the mingled color and simplicity that have made 1t legendary with American idealism—an occasion when the Hxee- ity from no citizer. The pageantry of the old world passed in review as the diplomatic corps, most of the members wear- ing the glittering uniforms of their office, brought the greetings of dis- tant lands. The democracy that is America. was vividly picturized by the long line of just plain citizens, of all creeds, all races and all planes of so- clety, that followed. Mistletoe Adds Sentiment. A big spray of mistletoe, suspended from the main entrance, lent a senti- mental touch to the decorations in the foyer. Splashes of scarlet poin- settas, scattered among the customary banks of friendly palms and ferns and boughs of hemlock and holly, | added a new touch to the scene tliis Mrs. Coolidge, her shoulders wrap- | year. In the quiet atmosphere of the | old Colonial surrounding the effect ‘was impressive. " None of the eagerness with which the citizenry of America has gather- jed to greet the President and First | Lady at their New Year receptions was missing this year. Although it {was 1 o'clock before the general [ public was received, the crowds be- | gan gathering at the customary gate {on Pensylvania avenue before them, jand from that moment the police had Follow Tradition Closely: Tradition was followed to the letter today. On either side of the plate glass doors entering the foyer from the main portico the United States Marine Band Orchestra was grouped two sections. Promptly at 11 o'clock the Marine trumpeters, wear- ing their distinguishing scarlet and biue dress uniforms, sounded a flours sh, announcing that the President and Mrs. Coolidge, accompanied by the members of the cabinet, were about to descend the state stairway and enter the blue room. A few minutes earlier the Presi- dent and Mrs. Coolidge had re- ceived the members of the eabinet and their wives in private in the library on the second floor of the ‘White House. For fully 15 minutes the diplomatic corps, most of its rep- resentatives wearing the colorful umi- forms of their office, had been ering in the big state dining room, and by the time the President and Mrs. Coolidge were ready to receive the room was a buzz of hurriedly exchanged greetings and of politely modulated conversation. To many of the diplomats the color- ful scene was a new one. In the year since the Executive Mansion greeted the corps on New Year day many changes have occurred in its ranks, The restaurants along the Avenue and F street seemed comfortably full, | | but there were no very large overflow | | crowds. H It would have been a rather color- | less New Year had it not been for | the lovely ceremony provided by. Pres- | ident and Mrs. Coolidge, which prom- | ises to establish a precedent to be followed for years—another such | ‘Washington tradition as the Christ- | mas eve carol singing near the White House and the Easter egg rolling. | Crowd Is Reverent. Gathered In the White House yard was a reverent, rather than a merry- making, crowd. The revelers were in the cars which began to fill the streets | shortly before midnight and in private clubs and restaurants. So far as the people on the streets went, it seemed like an exceptionally | sober New Year eve. Washingtonians | seemed tired with the year that was passing rather than jubiltan and ram- { bunctious wtih the raw recruit who had come to take the veteran's place in the skeleton company of the years of life. Film Producer Bankrupt. i NEW YORK, January 1 (#).—Harold,| ‘W. Bennett, motion picture producer and formerly production manager of the Famous Players-Lasky Corpora- tion, has filed a. petition in bankruptcy in Federal Court here, listing his lia- Dilities at $160,474.96 and his assets at 21,982. Prize-Winning Photographs in The Star’s “You and Your Pet” Contest ‘Will appear in the Graphic Section Of Sunday’s Star A full page of photographs of Washington' children and their pets. and new faces were to be found on every hand. The passage of the months, however, had not dimmed the sparkling brilllance of the spee- tacle. Framed by the dull blue color scheme of the room, the scene looked liked a canvas of some gay Napoleonic court brought suddenly to life. Japanese Envoy Absent. ‘There were some striking absentees, the Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Mat- sudaira, Mme. Matsudaira and the en- tire embassy suite being excused from the reception on account of court mourning for His Imperial Highness the Emperor of Japan, which placed court mourning on all its embassies and legations for 55 days from the time of the Emperor’'s death. The Ambassador of Great Britain, Sir Esme Howard, though in mourn- ing for the death recently of a son, led the embassy staff, while Lady Isabel Howard was absent. The white uniform of the Minister from Persia, heavily braided with gold, offered sharp contrast to the scarlet coats of the British attaches. All of the studied pomp of smartly tailored military uniforms and clinking trap- pings was presented in a gay array of color. Blending with these were the modish gowns, colored in all of the latest shades of the season, of the ladies of the embassies, the wives and sisters of the Ambassadors, Min- isters and attaches. As the flourish of trumpets ended in the soft march, “Hail to the Chief," the President came down the main stairway to the foyer, with Mrs. Cool- idge beside him, smiling graciously in response to the solemn, low bows of every one as she passed. Immediately behind them came the members of the - cabinet, in the order of their office, the Secretary of State being first. Receive ir Blue Room. Everything was carried out accord- ing to precedent. When the President || | and Mrs. Coolidge took their places in the blue room, where the executive couple always receive, the diplomats began to pass into the room. They greeted the President and Mrs. Cool- idge in the order of their length of service in Washington. Baron de { Cartier de Marchienne, the Ambassa- dor from Belgium, is the dean of the Ambassadors now, so he and the baroness were the first, together with the embassy staff. Next came Sir Esme Howard, Am- utive Mansion withholds its hospital- . A