Evening Star Newspaper, February 5, 1927, Page 9

DEHAND FOR NN " SO N MARKE Lower Prices of Fish and Eggs Believed Factors in Draggy Condition. believed that in- r prives of sortant bear- &y condi It is generally ereased receipts fish and eg ing upon the generally d tion of the meat market. reported moving much than usual at this of t c, the chiet demand tor choice roasts and steaks. Therc s a fair demand for lamb and pork, and pork products also are in fair demand. Dealers have ample s of meats of all kinds on hand es, but the condition ardly suggestive of before the Lenten of the m S much increased actlvity close of the approaching season, Heavy receipts of fresh eggs has resulted. In decidedly lower prices, 33 cents being the lowest price reported for current receipts this morning. Re- tail prices also are lower, although, it in stated, many dealers are keeping prices up as high as possible, Little Reduction Foreseen. It was predicted this morning that prices probably will not go much low- er during the next week or so, nor are they likely to go much higher. Cold storage eggs are practically off the market, it is stated, consumers not wanting them at any price. Recent warm weather decreased the demand for turkeys, making the market a trifie easier, but prices re- mained unchanged today. Poor qual- ity and crooked-breasted turkeys, dressed, sold as low as 30 and 35 cents this morning, fancy stock sell- g at 44 and 46 cents. Very few early Spring broilers have appeared in the local market, receipts being too emall to make & market. They sold as high as 56 and 60 cents & pound, however, while young Win- ter stock for broiling were quoted at 35 and 38 cents. Fancy fowls sold at 27 and 28 cents. Strawberries, shipped in pony re- frigerators from Florida, are in good condition, the market being firm on such stock. Some in ordinary to fair condition sold at 60 and 65 cents, poor quality selling at even lower prices. Only moderate supplies of oranges end tangerines were reported this morning, makigs a steady market with a moderaté demand. Apple Supplies Liberal. Liberal supplies of apples from mearby Maryland and Virginia grow- ers and points in the far Northwest met a moderate demand. Fancy stock First Professional “Best Man” Makes His Bow in London By the Associated Press. LONDON, February 5.—The first professional “best man” has ap- peared in England. “My friend, who was to be my best man, has taken {ll. Can you help me with a ‘best man’ for my wedding next week? If so, please state your terms.” This only one of sev- eral extraordinary requests made recently to a big London firm of caterers. A best man was found, a handsome, well-dressed, well- spoken member of the outdoor ca- tering staff, who, in addition to his duties at the church, acted as mas. ter of the ceremonies at the follow- ing reception, arranging the speeches, all for an inclusive fee of three guineas. FORD STOCK HIGH, SAY WITNESSES Compromise Is Denied by Both Sides—Hearings Re- cess Until Monday. By the Aesociated Press. Cumulative testimony placing the value of Ford Motor Co, stock as of March 1, 1913, considerably higher than the appraisal made by the Bureau of Internal Revenue in 1919, when Senator Couzens of Michigan and other minority holders sold out to Henry Ford, continues to be a teature of the evidence given in the hearings on the Government's attempt to collect $30,000,000 additional taxes on the sale of the stock. The hearings late yesterday re- cessed until Monday. Four experts in industrial securities placed 1913 values ranging from $10,000 to $12,000 on the stock, and STAR, WASHINGTON, STOCKS IN SHARP RISE DESPITE BY STUART P. WEST. Special Dispatch to The Star. NEW YORK, February 5.—The salient feature in this week’s financial situation is the sharp rise in stocks despite the further decline in com- modity prices. This is a reversal from what has happened in the re- cent p Usually a lowered com- modity scale has meant a lowered list of stocks. At least this was the experience during the greater part of the Autumn and Winter. It had become traditional to look for a de- clining stock exchange movement whenever Dun's index eased off. Nobody has attempted an explana- tion for the wild speculation in the low-priced rails. They are admitted- ly not worth their new selling prices on the basis of present earn- ings or dividend prospects. As units in new mergers a case might be worked out in their favor. But even this would be very hard to do. There was legitimate buying at the start in stocks like Wheeling & Lake Erfe and Western Maryland. This so reduced the floating supply as to encourage a speculation which grew more and more reckless as it was discovered how easy it was to put the stocks up. Market Responds Readily. In most instances the bulk of avail- able supplies had become so small that speculators were able to do al- most anything they pleased with the remnant. Venturesome traders who had made big money had done so well in the first series of trades that they felt plenty of confidence in going into other groups. It was not a general railway speculation, but it was a mar- ket which was responding readily to new leads. The upward movement in the rafl shares extended to the rail bonds, as was natural. The demand continued active for foreign dollar bonds and at the close of the week there were all agreed that the company’s pros- pects for further lucrative expansion were securely reflected in its opera- tions then and the years immediately preceding and tollowing it. Compromise Idea Scouted. A published report that the present litigation would be compromised out of court attracted considerable atten- tion, but it was summarily denied by counsel for both the Government and the former minority stockholders, The Government's recent reassess- ment of Ford stock on the basis of $3,647.34 a share, as of March 1, 1913, as against the evaluation of $9,489, pronounced by the Bureau of Internal in boxes were quoted as low as $2.50 and as high as $3.75, while nearby stock at from 60 cents to $1 a bushel. Spring parsnips from Marylan Virginia and local growers were plen- tiful at 75 cents’and $1 a half-bushel basket and cut-off carrots of local grower! were quoted at 75 cents the alf-bushel basket. Dealers are receiving liberal sup- plies of potatoes from Maine and Michigan, prices ranging from $3.50 to $4.25 a sack. Nearby stock brought $1.50 a bushel. Sweet potatoes, prod- uct of nearby farms, were quoted at $1 and $1.25. 5 There were plentiful supplies of white and yellow turnips on hand to- day, the white stock selling at 76 cents and §1 a bushel, the yellow stock bringing $1.60 and $1.75. Good Supply of Spinach. Light supplies of kale and liberal supplies of spinach were reported. The liberal supplies of spinach from Texas and South Carolina made the market weaker and prices cheaper. Prices ran, from $1 a bushel to $3 e barrel. le sold as low as $1.50 a barrel. Salsify, in plentiful supply and good demand, was quoted at 7 and 8 cents a bunch. Hotbed parsley ‘was quoted at 6 cents, and hothouse radishes sold at 6 and 7 cents. Buyers were out early this morning to get the pick of foodstuffs for their week end trade. Trading was not especially brisk, however, but whole- salers had ample supplies of every- thing in season from which retailers were able to make splendid selections. Today’s Wholesale Prices. Butter—Fresh, 1-pound prints, 55a 86; tub, 53a54; store packed, 30. Eggs—Fresh, selected, 35a36: hen- nery, 38; current recelipts, 38a34. fowls, 27a29; roosters, 20; ducks, 20a 25; keats, young, 6! old, 30a3 Dressed—Turkeys, 45a46; old toms, 3 fowls, 28a30: capons, fancy, 37a40; smaller, 30a32; fowls, keats, young, 80a85; old, 50; 2 33a85. 15a17; veal, 25a27; fresh hams, shoulders, 21a22: loins, 25a26; smoked hams, 28a30; smoked shoulders, 20. Live stock—Calves, choice, 14a15; medium, 11a13; thin, 7a8; lambs, 13. INDUSTRY PICKS UP. NEW YORK, February 5 (P).—Brad- street’s says trade and industry show- ed slightly increased activity this week, and future buying of goods wi more in evidence, but the movement of commodities and the rate.of manu- facturingg operations failed to reach the levels of a year ago, except, per- haps, in cotton’ goods, aithough this line was a little less active than dur- Ing the earlier weeks of the year. Retail trade was still aided some. what by clearance sales, and in most sections of the ecouniry by mild weather, which also operated to re- duce the movement of coal, removed the snow cover from a large part of the Winter-wheat belt, hindered cot- ton picking in some districts by pro. ducing muddy flelds, but ailowed building operations to be carried on. | tio::n'fl\]' ’ramsdcu\n‘l‘d local floods and etarded trade in some see D! the Missisaippi Valley. TRl Weekly bank clearings were $10.- 907,708,000, an increase of 2.1 cen: over last year. e COMMODITY NEWS WIRED STAR FROM ENTIRE COUNTRY NEW Vegetable grow and shippel southern Louls have organized a co-operative shipping and selling or- ganization in which the railroads are participating to control shipments of | vegetables to Northern markets, The crop of Winter vegetables is unusually large, much land having been diverted rom ‘sugar cane to truck. A.—The outlook for a good 1 vear in the Southwest is ght, especially in the wheat States, #ccording to the agricultural depart- ent of the Santa Fe Railroad. heat is reported generally to have come through the cold months with- out serious injury. AMARILLO, Tex.—Hundreds of per- sons are leaving here for Ramsey Well In Cim: on County, Okla., the westernmost county in the Oklahoma panhandle, frequently called no man's Revenue when the transfer of the stock to Henry Ford took place, forms the basis for the present litigation, In testimony yesterday Arthur E, Andersen, certified public accountant, and Plerce C. Ward, an investment banker, both of Chicago, estimated that the stock was worth $10,000 a share in 1913, while Prof. Ralph E. Badger, investment counsellor of Providence, R. I, and Charles L, Bradley, vice president of the Union Trust Co., Cleveland, expressed the opinion the shares were worth §12,. Mass Production Ace. “Henry Ford is the greatest ex- ponent of mass production the world has ever known and a pioneer in the aplication of sound policies to manu- facture and finance,” Mr. Andersen testified, He said he placed the value of Ford shares in 1913 at $10,000, in view of the company’s assured annual profits of $20,000,000 and more for a range of years beginning then. Andersen saild that the company already was so thoroughly founded in 1913 that the “disappearance of Henry Ford from the picture would not have menaced its further expansion.” Brands Rumor Bunk. The only comment of Alexander W. Gregg, who is handling the case for the Government, on the rumor that a compromise might be reached, was: “It's bunk—just 100 per cent bunk.” ‘We have heard nothing of any com- promise, and, as a matter of fact, we confidently expect a refund of several million dollars to each taxpayer,” said Joseph E. Davies of counsel for the appellants. Arthur J. Lacy, Detroit, the per- sonal legal representative of Senator Couzens, declared the appellants were satisfied to leave the question to the Board of Tax Appeals, and added: “Not a cent less than the Roper val- uation of 1919 of $9,489.34 a share is | the attitude of every taxpayer.” VALUES FUN ABOVE CASH. Ford's Rejection of $1,000,000,000 Bid P Is Explained. NEW YORK, February § (P).—How Fdsel Ford refused an offer of $1,000,000,000 for the Ford Motor Co., because he and his father were “having too much fun,” was revealed re today. hgstum‘lm“’. ‘Webb, president of the Eastern Manufacturing Co., said that in 1924 he made the offer to the Fords on behalf of the New York brokerage house of Hornblower & Weeks. ‘Webb said that Edsel Ford declined to consider an offer of $200,000,000 for a quarter interest in the Ford n 1923. ! The next year, Webb said, he offered $1,000,000,000 in cash for Ford stock. Too Much Fun. “What would I do with all that money?” Edsel Ford asked. “You have It now in a different form,” Webb replied. “We couldn’t do that; we're having too much fun,” said Edsel. John W. Prentiss, senior partner of Hornblower & Weeks, testified in Washington that his offer of a billion to Henry Ford had been declined. Big Motor Combine. The New York World says today reports are current in automobile circles that a motor combination rival- ing the Ford Co. and General Motors is seen sponsored by a Well Street banking group. Dodge, Packard, Nash and Mack Trucke are said to be included in the proposed combine, which in point of assets, capitalization and production capacity would rank as one of the big- gest corporations in the world. OLD-TIME BAND ARRESTED German Players Stir Wrath of Day- time Sleepers. NEW YORK, February 5 (#).—An old-time itinerant German band of the kind little seen since the war was arrested en masse while blaring forth the strains of “This Is My Lucky They had been playing in the streets of the theatrical district, and it was actors and musiclans disturbed in their noonday beauty sleep who complained. The members of the band—Carl Mohr, leader; John Schneider, piccolo; Gustave Kleiman, violin, and Kari Gerhardt, trombone—said they had been abroad for several years and had no idea that their music would not be appreciated. They were given suspended land. They are lured by reports that the Ramsey Well has come in big and that prespects are good for other big wells. sentences and advised by the magis- trate to try their music on the Bronx, where sleeping is not a day- time occupation, no signs of any let-up in the upward movement which has been going on DECLINING COMMODITY PRICES Wild Speculation in Low-Priced Rails Leaves Market Without Explanation. Response Ready to New Leaders. New issues The in- is far off for the last two months. have been readily absorbed. vestment market seeming from the stage of satiety. It is often asked what can develop to change or modify the situation. In the past a tremendous bond market has grad- ually run out as a result of an over- supply, that is, of the volume of new securities catching up and passing the old. Huge Surplus Funds. But there is nothing to indicate that this will happen now. An enormous surplus of funds gradually becoming more and more difficult to lend may force a further concession in money rates which will automatically involve higher investment valuations. Or there may be eventually such a com- mercial expansion as to create a de- mand that will take up the slack. Neither of these phenomena has shown tself at present. The common Prognosis about money is that it will continue in the present condition in definitely, working lower rather than higher. " The Europcan exchanges have done little worth noting. Cotton and grain, which showed definite signs of a turn more than a month ago, have contined to im prove. They age selling at the best prices of the ‘seas here is no doubt that more confidence is felt in the agricultural commodity situation than has been felt in some time. The vast production of the last three years has been faced and it has lost 8 terrors. The cotton trade is look- ing at the future with more cheerful- ness, and legitimately so, than it ha: felt in a good while. Wheat feels the same as cotton. Both commodities have finally reached the stage, where they are realizing the effect of the economic law that no commodity can continue indefinitely to sell below cost Declining _prices in the commercial fleld are of more consequence than big output, This feature of commod- ity prices declines is the most impor- tant of anything in the business sit- uation. MEN AND MONEY By M. S. Rukeyser. (Copyright. 1927.) High local and State tax rates are gradually driving progressive business men to take a more active interest in politics. The movement is still in its early stages, but in several communities definite results have already been ob- tained. On the Pacific Coast, Dr. Milbank Johnson of the Pacific Mutual Life In- surance Co., at Los Angeles, is arous- ing business men to challenge public expenditures with the idea of making sure that every dollar spent is pro- ductive. Dr. Johnson's association makes independent studies of pro- posed public improvements and fre- quently makes valuable suggestions. The mere knowledge that an outside agency is checking up on estimates is itself a factor making for prudence on the part of public officials. Business Men Co-operate. On the otler side of the continent in Baltimore, Md., business men have been effective in actively co-operating with the city government. -Some: of the principal business institutions of the city, at the suggestion of. William J. Casey, vice president of the Conti- nental Trust Co., lent their experts to the city for the purpose of developing an economy program. With the sup- port of the mayot, the so-alled ef- ficiency committee undertook to re- organize the city government and place it on a business basis. The in- ception of the idea took place four years ago. The new machinery checked the advancing tax rate, and started a downward movement. Al ready 58 cents has been taken from the tax rate. These initial tangible results of the awakening of business men and finan- clers to their civic responsibilities and opportunities make especially timely the query of Frank R. Kent, Balti- more editor, in the Nation's Business, as to whether the business man is a boob in polities. Thinks He's a Boob. Mr. Kent thinks he is, saying: ‘‘The business man in Chicago, as in New York and in every other great city, is really a boob. There isn't any other way of explaining his utter neglect of a thing as vital, as general, as in- evitable, as politics. “The great industrial corporations, the railroads, the banks and business houses upon which the prosperity of the country is concededly based—the management of these concerns closely watch every payment to see that full value is received. They scrutinize cost sheets with extraordinary concentra: tion and care. They plug up leaks, keep a vigilant eye on the overhead. They labor ineessantly: at ways and means. of cutting costs. They go to the source of every expenditure and make it a matter of pride—even the richest of them—to cut out waste, to eliminate extravagance, to promote & | efclency and economy in production, ta-get at the bottomn of every outgolng dollar. “They do all this with every dollar to save the tax dollar.” In spite of the lamentations of the moralists, H. J. Kenner, manager of the Better Business Bureau of New York City, is authority for the asser- tion that the good name of commer- cial New York has been enhanced materially during the last year, Mr. Kenner believes that the im- provement springs from the day to day activities of the better business movement “for accuracy and fair play in the distribution of merchan- dise.” The bureau in eleven months found out that in 1,601 cases of alleged inaccuracy or unfalr practices in mer- chandising at least 60 per cent of the complaints were justified. Business throughout the country has been rousing itself to clean house, and free itself from sales' resistance caused by bragging and deception. The Role of “Yes Men.” Dictatorships ordinarily contain within themselves the seeds of their own destruction. The absolute ruler ultimately blun. ders irreparably because he denies himself the safety valve of independ- ent advice and criticism. The dictator is prone to surround himself with admirers, flatterers— “yes men,” who will indorse every suggestion, wise or unwise, which he makes, and never risk crossing him with a dissenting voice. Such a re- sponse may be pleasing to the vanity of the dictator, but the system is not serviceable. One of the great dangers of men in high places is that they may become so exalted that they will be above criticism—or at least that they will no longer get the benefit of unbiased criticism from their asso- clates. Guard Against Dangers. ‘Wise rules recognize these dangers, and seek to ‘guard against them. Presidents, recognizing the subordi- cabinets,” con holders, ‘who are r ing with the chief. Captains of industry and finance are exposed to similar hazards. Percy Johnston, president of the Chemcial Natlonal ‘Bank, lets his assoclates know that he does not wish them to be “yes men,” but desires to have them speak out what is on their minds, criticising plans and programs of the chief exccutive when they honestly differ with him. Mr. John- ston said that he does not wish to be associated with automatons, but with capable executives with ideas of their own. The wiser corporate heads follow similar plans. They give their asso clates and department heads consid erable freedom within their own sphere of activities, but as chiet executives make sure that they fol low the general policy of the corpora tion, rather than go off on separate tangents. The job of the chief executive is tc co-ordinate activities and to articulate policies. 1t is easy to agree with the boss and flatter his vanity, but it takes a real diplomat to disagree without giving offense. As a matter of fact, a sub ordinate should be sure of his ground before expressing dissent—and in any circumstances he should do so with the utmost courtesy and discretion. Will Welcome Attitude. If the chief executive is a big man he will welcome stch an attitude of honesty, but, unfortunately, man men in big places are not £ in this respect. Such men resent dis- agreement. In a well conducted enterprise sub- ordinate executives should be en- couraged to disdgree on matters of details, and even to express disagree ment on major policies. However, after ample discussion, the subordi- nate should follow the policy which his concern has adopted or should get out. Occaslonal disagreement is healthy and desirable, but chronic disagreement is a sign of mismating and should lead to a separation. g of non-office ady to risk differ SEVERAL ARE INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS Two Women and Child Struck by Autos—Two Cars Collide at Ninth and U Streets. Miss Susan Paxton, 47 years old Woodward Apartments, was knocked down at Nineteenth street and Kalorama road early last night by an automobile driven by Sylvan Ben- singer, 2833 Twenty-seventh street, her collarbone being injured. She re- ceived treatment at rfield Hospital Nancy O'Rourke, 31 years old, 1619 Thirtieth street, crossing from the safety zone to the curb at Dupont Circle yesterday afternoon about 4:30 o'clock, was struck by an automobilc driven by Lydia Haup, 2116 P street, and slightly hurt. She was taken home. Mrs. Ollle Williams, colored, 31 years old, 2185 Newport place, and Andrew Smith, colored, 134 Thomas street, were drivers of motor vehicles that collided near Ninth and. U streets early this morning. The woman wa: injured and taken to Freedmen's Hospital. Mrs. Agnes lLong, 49 years old, 923 Sixth street, was knocked down at Massachusetts avenue and Seventh street early last night by the auto- mobile of Ernest Taylor, Woodbridge, Va., sustaining bruises. She received treatment by her family physician. CONVERSION BILL 0. K.D The bill introduced by Representa- tive Rathbone ot Illinois authorizing $100,000 for the conversion of the old Ford Theater, on Tenth street, as a museum for the Lincoln relics was reported favorably to the House late today. Under the bill as reported the Grand Army of the Republic will be the only veterans’ organization permitted tc use the museum as a headquarters, the committee naving refused the plea on behalf of the American Legion, Spanish War Veterans and other vet- eran groups for the same privilege. Instead of calling the building the National War Veterans' Memorial, as proposed in the bill, the committee changed its name to the Lincoln Memorial Museum. The $100,000 appropriation will be expended in remodeling the building, which is owned by the Government, so as to house properly the Oldroyd collection of Lincoln relics, now oceu- pying quarters across the street in the old Patterson boarding house in which President Lincoln dled. LR b Observation Car Added to Memphis e uary Beginning Tuesday, ‘ebr 8. any Wesklogton BAb Si0) (avail- able for occupancy 10:00 p.m. night previous) arrive Memphis 7:26 a.m. Through historic Virginia and Tennes- see. Observe the scenery from the ob. servation end. Southern Rail A nate position of their cabinet mem- 1510 H St. N.W. Phones Main ugx bers, also get the benefit of “kitchen fand 7063.—Advertisement, . D. C, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1927. Roger Ack;'dy(i By AGATHA CHRISTIE. Copyright by Dodd, Mead & Co. CHAPTER I Dr. Sheppard at the Breakfast Table. Mrs. Ferrars died on the night of the 16th-17th September—a Thurs- day. I was sent for at 8 o'clock on the morning of Friday, the 17th. There was nothing to be done. She had been dead some hours. It was just a few minutes after 9 when I reached home once more. 1 opened the front door with my latch- key, and purposely delayed a few moments in the hail, hanging up my hat and the light overcoat that I had deemed a wise precaution against the chill of an early Autumn morning. To tell the truth, I was considerably upset and worried. I am not going to pretend that at that moment I foresaw the events of the next few weeks, 1 emphatically did not do so. But my instinct told me that there were stirring times ahead. From the dining room on my left there came the rattle of teacups.and the short, dry cough of my sister Caroline, “Is that you, James?" she called. An unnecessary question, since who else could it be? To tell the truth, it was precisely my sister Caroline who wag the cause of my few min- utes' delay. The motto of the mon- s00se family, so Mr. Kipling tells us, is, “Go and find out.” If Caroline ver adopts a crest, I should certainly suggest a_ mongoose rampant. One might omit the first part of the motto. Caroline can do any amount »f finding out by sitting placidly at heme. I don’t know how she man- ges it, but there it is. I suspect that that the servants and trades- men constitute her intelligence corps. When she goes out it is not to sather in information, but to spread it. At that, too, she is amazingly expert. It was really this last-named trait »f hers which was causing me these pangs of indecision. Whatever I told “aroline mow concerning the demise »f Mrs. Ferrars would be common knowledge all over the village within he space of an hour and a half.. As v professional man, I naturally aim 1t discretion, Therefore I have got nto the habit of continually with- holding all information possible from ny sister. She usually finds out just he same, but I have the moral sat- sfaction of knowing that I am in 10 way to blame. Mrs. Ferrars’ husband died just ver a year ago, and Caroline has con- ntly asserted, without the least cundation for the assertion, that his wife polsoned him. She_scorns my invariable rejoinder hat Mr. Ferrars died of acute gas- ritis, helped on by habitual overin- Tulgence in alcoholic beverages. The ymptoms of gastritis and arsenical ‘olsoning are not, I agree, unlike, but iroline bases her accusation on quite 1iff t lines. You've only got to look at her,” have heard her say. Mrs. Ferrars, though not in her st youth, was a very attractive voman, and her clothes, though sim- nle, always seemed to fit her very vell, but all the same, lots of women their clothes in Paris and have . on that account, necessarily »oigoned their husbands. As I stood hesitating in the hall, with all this passing through my mind, Caroline’s voice came again, with a sharper note in ft. “What on earth are you doing out here, James? Why don't you come nd_get your breakfast?” “Just coming, my dear,” I said stily. “I've been hanging up my vercoat. “You could have hung up half a lozen overcoats in this time.” She was quite right. I could have. T walked into the dining room, gave “aroline the accustomed peck on the ‘heek, and sat down to eggs and sacon, The bacon was rather cold. “You've had an early call,” marked Caroline. “Yes,” 1 said. Mrs. Ferrari “I know,” said my sister. “How did you know?" “Annie told me."” Annie is the house parlormaid. ¢ girl, but an inveterate talker. There was a pause. I continued to ~at eggs and bacon. My sister’s nose, which is long and thin, quivered a lit- re. “King's Paddock. A tle at the tip, as it always does when she is Interested or excited over any- thing. Well?"’ she demanded. “A bad business. Nothing to be done. Must have died in her sleep.” “I know,"” sald my sister again. This time T was annoyed. “You can't know,” I snapped. “I didn’t know myself until 1 got there, and I haven’t mentioned it to a soul yet. If that girl Annle knows she must be a clairvoyant.” “It wasn’t Annie who told me. It was the milkman. He had it from the Ferrars' cook.” As I say, there is no need for Caro- line to go out to get information. She sits at home and it comes to her. My sister continued: “What did she die of? Heart fail- ure?” “Didn’t the milkman tell you that?” I inquired sarcastically. Sarcasm is wasted on Caroline. She takes it seriously and answers accord ingly. “He didn’'t know,” she explained. After all, Caroline was bound to hear sooner or later. She might as well hear from me, “‘She died of an overdose of veronal, She's been taking it lately for sleep- lessness. Must have taken too much. Nonsense,” said Caroline imme- diately. “She took it on purpose. Don't tell me!” It is odd how, when you have a secret belief of your own which you do not wish to acknowledge, the voic- ing of it by some one else will rouse you to a fury of denial. I burst immediately into indignant speech. “There you go again,” I sald ‘“Rush- Ing along without rhyme or reason. Why on earth should Mrs. Ferrars wish to commit suiclde? A widow, tairly young still, very well off, good health and nothing to do but enjoy hfe. It's absurd.” “Not at all. Even you must have noticed how different she has been looking lately. It's been coming on for the last six months. She’s looked pos- itively hag-ridden. And you have just admitted that she hasn’t been able to sleep.” “What is your diagnosis?”’ T de- manded coldly. “An unfortunate love affair, T suppose?" My sister shook her head. “Remorse,” she said, with great gusto. “Remorse?" “Yes. You never would believe me when T told vou she poisoned her hus- band. I'm more than ever convinced of it now." “I don’t think you're very logical,” I objected. “Surely if a woman com- mitted a_crime like murder she'd be sufficiently cold-blooded to enjoy the fruits of it without any weak-minded sentimentality such as repentance.” Caroline shook her head. “There probably are women like that —but Mrs. Ferrars wasn't one of them. She was a_mass of nerves. An over- mastering impulse drove her on to get rid of her husband because she was the sort of person who simply can't endure suffering of any kind and there’s no doubt that the wife of a man like Ashley Ferrars must have had to_suffer a good deal- al 1 nodded. “And ever since she’s been haunted by what she did. I can’t help feeling sorry for her.” T don't think Caroline ever felt sorry for Mrs. Ferrars while she was alive. Now that she has gone where (presum- ably) Paris frocks can no longer be worn Caroline is prepared to indulge in the softer emotions of pity and comprehension. I told her firmly that her whole idea was nonsense. I was all the more firm because I secretly agreed with some part, at least, of what she had said. But it is all wrong that Caroline should arrive at the truth simply by a kind of inspired guesswork. I wasn't going to encourage that sort of thing. She will go round the village airing her views and every one will think that she is doing so on medical data supplied by me. Life is very trying. “Nonsense,” said Caroline, in reply to my strictures. “You'll see. Ten to one she's left a letter confessing every- thing." “She didn’t leave a letter of any kind,” I said sharply, and not seeing where the admission was going to land me. 1JOHN WITHERSPOON'S “Oh!” sald Caroline. “So you did in- quire about that, did you? I believe, James, that in your heart of hearts you think very much as I do. You're | & precious uld humbug.” 1 “One always has to take the pos. | sibility of suicide into consideration,” I said repressively. “WJIl there be an inquest?" “There may be. It all depends. If I am able to declare myself absolutely | . satisfied that the overdose was taken accidently, an inquest might be dis- pensed wit] “And are you absolutely satisfied?” asked my sister shrewdly. T did_not answer, but got up from the table. (Continued in Tomorrow's Star) MEMORY IS HONORED Sons of Revolution and Group of Presbyterian Ministers Pay Tribute to Patriot. The spirit of Valley Forgs was re- called with reality this morning when 30 members of the Sons of the Revo- lution stood in the wet snow at the foot of the Witherspoon statue, Con- necticut avenue and N street, to con- duct memorial services on the 205th anniversary of the birth of John Witherspoon, Revolutionary War pa- triot. Rev. James H. Taylor of the Central Presbyterian Church reviewed briefly the life and service of the patriot in | the War for Independence, and Rev. | Freeley Rohrer, pastor of the Metro politan Presbyterian Church, pro- nounced the benediction. A large wreath, the floral tribute of the Sons, was placed at the base of the statue by Charles Henry Butler, attorney. Those present included a committee of Presbyterian ministers and the officers and members of the board of managers of the Sons of the Revolu- tion, headed by Dr. Marcus Benjamin, president. ‘The committee in charge of the cere- monies included Charles Porterfleld Light, chairman; Lieut. Comdr. Joel T. Boone, U. S. N.; Edmund D, Campbell, George T. Dunlop, John B. Gordon, Thomas W. Lockwood, jr.; William Scott Lyon, Duer McLanahan, Harry M. Wheeler and George W. White. MRS. G. F. HUNT DIES. Lifelong Resident of Capital Buried at Mount Olivet. Mrs, Marian C. Hunt, 42 wife of George F. Hunt, secretary of the Swartzell, Rehem & Hensey C died Monday at her residence, 1450 Monroe street. Funeral services were held Thursday morning at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart Church, Rev. Father Thomas A. Cunningham offi- clating. Burial was in Mount Olivet . Hunt was a lifelong resident of Washington, being the daughter of the late John O'Toole and Mary Mc- Carthy. She had been ill more than a year. She is survived by two daughters, Marian Clair and Dorothy Rose, and a son, John at home; a sister, Mrs. John Harmon, Woodside, Md., and three brothers, John E. McCarthy, New York City, and Willlam S. and S. Leo McCarthy of ‘Washington. —— F. J. MONTGOMERY DIES. City Post Office Employe to Be Buried' Monday. Frank J. Montgomery, 47 years old, a clerk in the City Post Office for many years, died of pneumonia in a local hospital Thursday. Funeral services will be conducted at his late residence, 1423 Pennsyl. vania avenue southeast, Monday morning at 8:30 o'clock, followed by services in St. Peter's Catholic Church at 9 a.m. Interment will be in Con. gressional Cemetery, Mr. Montgomery is survived by his widow, Mrs. Nellle M. Montgome: his mother, Mrs. Annie Montgomer; three sisters, Mrs, May Hell, Mr Annle Deal and Mrs. Teresa West, and three brothers, William, John and Charles Montgomery. P A CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY ‘G Street between 13th and 14th With an enrollment of nearly NINE HUNDRED MEMBERS our Adult Bible Class is studying the greatest book in the world Subject—Sunday, February 6th You are cordially invited to attend the class for cach Sunday morning at 9:30, THE BIBLE 60 Minutes Especially Tomorrow Center Market Covers Two City Blocks AND | THEIR LIDS” | No, we don’t mean hats, and 1t| |is not a “movie” title, but an In-| | cident! | | One day last week three ladles | walked into a local drug store and | drew from their purses an alumi-| num Jar lid with the words| “Weck's Healing Cream,” stamped |in the metal. These discrim- | inating ladies wanted the real | thing: they d1d not propose to accept a substitute, or something | claimed to be “just as good,” be- | cause they knew there was “no | such animal!” They wanted and | they got— WECK’S “THE CREAM THAT HEALS” An_antiseptic ointment—white. stain- | Jess “and_painless in its treatment—for | cute. " sores, burns. skin dissases. etc. | Sold by all drugists for 50c with money- back suaranten. Out of town orders | flled by Wash. Wholesalers or Wash Chem. Corp.. Wash. D. C. | Gargle Aspirin for Tonsilitis or Sore Throat A harmless and effective gargle is to dissolve two “Bayer Tablets of Aspirin” in four tablespooniuls of water and gargle throat thoroughly. Repeat in two hours if necessary. Be sure you use only the genuine Bayer Aspirin, marked with the Bayer Cross, which can be had in tin boxes of twelve tablets for few cents, Mrs. Adams Took Good Care of John HE attended to the marketing person- ally, even when they were in the White House. It was very regular, indeed, that the servants who accompanied her re- turned burdened with whole wheat flour for the baking. Wholesome eat- ing aided the wholesome :hlghng v:’l:g J‘vhlch its leaders o nation. ‘wmle whl,:tul: essential to you as it was to them. It not only nour- ishes but energizes the mind and body and de- lights the palate with goodies more quickly made, from Wheatsworth Whole Wheat Self Rising FLOUR The whole grain ground by improved methods in a mill which ground wheat in_ 1807. Wheatsworth makes children grow stalwart and adults store up health with their pleasure in eating the fine waffles and muffins it makes. Get Wheatsworth at your grocer’s— mail the coupon today sure! ‘Wholesale Distributors Harry L Carpel, 1361 H St N.E. FLOUR Free~ Tear off — Mall NOW F. H. Bennen Biscuit Co. 10th St. at Ave. D, Dept. 3 Nn!«h&y.N.Y.