Evening Star Newspaper, March 1, 1927, Page 2

2 »» T HE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. €, TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 19 27. $50,000 POOL HERE PLANNED BY JULY T Proiect in East Potomac Park Would Accommodate 1,000 Bathers. Construction of a swimming pool in Bast Potomac Park, to be ready for the use of bathers by July 1, is being planned. The pool, which is to cost approximately $50,000, will be erected without cost to the Government, which, however, will become the owner when It is completed. While the project has not been formally approved, the consent for its establishment has gone =0 far as practically to insure it, it was said today by Capt. M. H. Parsons, chief of the Protection Division of the Office of Public Buildings and Parks, who initiated the plan. The general idea ot providing the pool at private ex- pense has been approved by Lieut. Col. U. 8. Grant, 3d, director of the office. The Commission of Fine Arts, to which was submitted the proposal, has reported that it can see no objec tion to the establishment of a pool at the site proposed. Plans Being Prepared. The plans for the pool now are being drawn, and when completed, to- gether with the details of building pecifications, will be submitted for approval to the public parks office and the Commission of Fine Arts. The pool will be of concrete, 150 by 85 feet, with a varyving depth of from | 1.to 10 feet. It will be located be- tween the wings of the field house for golfers in East Potomac Park and will be designed to accommodate about 1,000 persons at a time. In addition to its utility purpose it s now planned to provide attractive entrances in the center, flanked on either side by white stone colonnades, topped off with a pergola. In the middle of the pool it is proposed to put a spout which will eject a large stream of water high into the air and which may be observed from the riverside drives. The dressing. rooms ‘will be on the ground level under the pergola. ‘The offer” was submitted by the Parks Amusement Co., Inc., which operates the golf concession in East Potomac Park. The company offers to ‘build the project in return for the con- cession for a certain period of years. Engineers Now Working. Officials of this company, it was #aid, have called to Washingtor. a corps of engineers from New York to work on specifications, The District of Columbia Health Department is to be called upon to approv: the plans for purifying the water. The pool will be filled first with filtered water from the city mains and then only a certain amount of new water will be added each day. Preparation of the plan has gone so far that it is believed that final ap- proval will be given in a short time, 80 that construction of the project will begin about the middle of this month, with the hope of completing it between June 15 and July 1. ENTRANCE TO PINEY BRANCH IS APPROVED Planning Board Committee In- i dorses Project for Shepherd Street Route. A plan for proyiding an. efitrance into Piney Branch Parkway from Shepherd street today was approved by the co-ordinating committee cf the National Capital Park o¢nd Planning Commission. This is the first street extension which will provide an en- trance into Rock Creek Park by way of the roadway under the Sixteenth Street Bridge. The plan provides for an entrance by a curving voad with a grade of about 8 per cent. In view of the passage by the House yesterday“of ‘the ‘bill providing for the elimination of the grade crossing at Michigan ‘avenue, Brook- land, the committee decided to have its engineers study the construction of a viaduct there on streets that intersect Michigan avenue on_either side of the railroad tracks. It was ted out that some way must be ind for providing for the traffic on these streets, as the approaches to the viaduct will have the effect of cutting them off. ‘The committee had under consid- eration, but took no action on, the proposal for changing® the roadway at the southwset quadrant of Dupont Circle. The street paving here is soon to be rebuilt and the committee is considering the question of having the street railway company move its g;zllu toward the curbing of Dupont s HELD FOR GRAND JURY. Man Adnits Housebreaking When M‘o'ultnc;d; Bond Put at $20,000. John Thomas West, colored, charged with two cases of housebreaking, was held for the action of the grand jury by Judge John P. McMahon in Police Court today on a bond of $20,000. When arraigned by the clerk West he was guilty. Ralph Given, as- nt United States attorney, stated that there were nine other charges of. a similar nature pending against wbna and that he had a previous rd. 'oday he was charged with entering the residences of Percy Solomon, 1213 Seventh street, and Abraham Borak, | 200 Four-and-a-half street southwest. Money and tobacco were reported stolen. Policeman L. M. Wilson of the sec- ond precinct made the arrest. ‘Would Honor “Bird Woman.” By the Aseociated Press. ‘The erection of a tablet at a cost of $2,600 on either Wind River or the Shoshone, Wyo., Indian Reservation to Sacajawea, the “bird woman,” who accompanied Lewis and Clark as in- | terpreter and guide in the exploration of the Northwest, would be authorized under a bill passed by the House last night and sent to the Senate. Increase in Army Ration Called Spur To Enlistments By the Associated Pre NEW YORK, March 1.—Record- breaking peacetime Army enlist- ments for the New York district during February were attributed by veteran recruiting officers ‘to the presidential order increasing the Army ration from 36 cents to B0 cents a day. The 412 enlistments in February exceeded any monthly recruiting figurey in any other city of the ~A._Pivirotto saidy - "@"'A Mad It was “clean-up” day on District legislation vesterday in hoth houses |of Congress and both day and night sessions. President Coolidge signed the first deficiency appropriation hills, which carried items totaling $95.245 for the | District. These include $7.425 for the | District assessor’s office for the rest | of this year to care for the change |from biennial to annual assessment, | $6.200 for equipment for the Macfar- land Junior High School, $39,320 for uniforms of the Police Department, partment, $10.800 for salaries and sup- | plies for the Public Utilities Commis. |sion and $1,500 for jurors in the Juvenile Court. The House completed legislative ac- tion on the annual District appropria tion bill totaling $3: 2,385 by adopt- |ing the conference report, which had previously been approved by the Sen- ate. Buildings Bill Passed. The appropriations committee re- ported ‘to the House, and the House | promptly passed, the gpecial public | buildings appropriation bill carryving {funds for starting the first vear of | the five-vear building program, with |an appropriation of §2,275.000 for six Federal projects in Washington. and | increasing the limit of cost of the | new Commerce Ruilding by $3,000,000 land the limit of cost of the new In. | ternal Revenue Building by § 0,000, The Senate passed four District bills in the night session. and the House passed 13 District bills in the night session. Both House and Senate acted upon the measure amending the law passed by the last Congress to regulate the practice of architecture, so as to cor- rect a technical defect in the law. Ei- ther the House or Senate will have to move to substitute the hill passed by the other branch, so that the action ok be concurrent upon the identical raft. Guardianship Measures Pass. The Senate passed two bills previ- ously passed by the House, which com- pletes legislative action, and which now go to the President. These meas- ures grew out of the Fenning case and are part of the program to safeguard estates under guardianship. ‘The House passed six bills on which the Senate had previously acted favor- ably and which now go to the Presi- dent for signature. ‘These are: Permitting the Public Utilities Com- mission to assess against local public utilities the costs of making revalua- tions of these public service corpora- tions to be used as a basis for rate making. To eliminate the Michigan avenue f!‘lde crossing (Brookland) at a cost of 375,000. To eliminate the three other grade crossings, at Chestnut street, Takoma Park: Quarles street, between Benning and Kenilworth, northeast, and Bates road, near Terra Cotta, northeast, at a cost of $405,000. Providing for the widening of C street northeast, to form a boulevard approach to the Anacostia parkway. To clear the title to the Lucy Webb Hays National Training School. Regulates Bass Sale, ~ Regulating the sale of black bass in the District. Six other bills passed by the House last night which have not vet been aétéd upon by the Senate are: ‘Giving- the National Capital Park and Planning Commission control over land to be acquired under condemna- tion proceedings, which will prevent disfigurement of the property during the pendency of the court proceed- ings so as to unfit it for the purposes for ~ which the condemnation pro- ceedings were instituted. A fugitive law which would permit the District police to hold for not to exceed 30 days fugitives from jus- tice wanted in other States. Proposing reorganization of work in the recorder of deeds’ office, so as to give substantive law for establish- ment of modern methods of business administration and to make the work, where it has been 16 months in arrears, current and to effect a saving of $30,000 a year. The Gilbert bill to amend the law relating to descent and distribution, 80 as to give woman heirs equal prop- erty right with male heirs. Permitting the extension of a steam pipe line tmder a public alley from the Willard Hotel to Child's Restau- rant. Providing for the refund from the Federal Treasury of $25,000 to Co- lumbia Hospital, from which it was erroneously covered into the Treas- | | ury. The four bills passed by the Sen- ate are as fellows: Would Control Architecture. The Shipstead bill, which goes to the House for action, seeks to insure ap- propriate surroundings for Federal buildings by giving the Fine Arts Commission power to pass upon the height and exterior design of private structures. Under the measure the plans for private buildings would have to be referred to the Fine Arts body if they are to exceed 40 feet in height and if the site is within 200 feet of the Gov- ernment building or reservation. The bill carries an amendment stipu- lating that buildings fronting on La Fayette Square shall not exceed 85 feet in height, but shall be subject to the approval of the Fine Arts Com- mission if they exceed 40 feet. Senator Shipstead said he was prompted to introduce this bill in or- der to safeguard the Government's new bullding program, as well as ex- isting buildings, from unsightly sur- roundngs. Gives Right of Appeal. | The architects’ bill is to perfect cer- | tain features of the existing law for | the regulation of that profession. Un | der existing law the action of the architects’ examining board in can- | celing a registration certificate is final. | The bill passed last night gives the architect _the right of appeal to the District Court of Appeals. Another amendment made by the pending bill is to clarify the penalty section of the existing law, which the Senate committee found was so am- | biguous that the District attorney’s | office would not undertake prosecu- | tions under it. The general purpose | of the bill, the Senate committee re- | ported, is to protect the public from | “incompetent architectural service by | th not properly professionally | qualified.” The two House bills on which the Senate completed legislative action last night are part of the program of leglslation restricting the appoint- ment of legal guardians in the Dis- | trict, drafted following the congres- | aional investigation of last year. Bills | limiting the fees to be collected by | guardians had been previously enacted and last night the Senate completed the two bills limiting the number of cases a guardian may handle. One | bill limits legal guardians to five | estates of mental incompetents and | the other places a similar limit on | estates of infants. | "In the night session of the House | 1ast night, Chairman Zihlman of the District legislative committee got through every District measure on the $30,000 for uniforms for the Fire De- | CONGRESS HOLDS CLEAN-UP DAY ON DISTRICT LEGISLATION ;President Signs First Deficiency Appropri- \' ation Measure—Funds for Build- ings Also Are Allowed. single exception of the bill to increase the salaries of the District Commis sioners. Speed Is Surprising. The quick passage of the bill allow- ing the Public Utilities Commission | to assess costs of valutions against the public service corporations, which had been bitterly opposed, was a sur- prise even to -Mr. Zihiman. It was argued that it will give the nef Pub- lie Utilities Commission a means of combating the valuations set up by the corporations in demanding autho: ity to increase their charges. It is primarily designed, Maj. W. E. R. Covell has explained to the House com- mittee, to protect the consumers in the new valuation for which the | Washington Gas Light Co. has peti | tioned. The valuation already made by the company, if used hy the Pub- lic Utilities Commission, would mean an increase of 10 per cent in the cost of_fuel. The expense is to he added as a special franchise tax, in addition to all other taxes. The valuation charge, plus 6 per cent interest, is to be charged to operating expenses and amortized under regulation of the Public Utilities Commission, being al- lowed for in the rates to be charged by the company. The bill provides that when inves. tigations are begun the commission may call upon the company investi- gated to deposit an amount necessary to cover the cost. It is stipulated, however, the amount to be expended by the commission shall not exceed one-half of 1 per cent of the existing valuation of the company investi- gated. It is estimated that a proposed valuation of the gas companies alone will cost $50,000, and, under the bill, this must be made up by increased rates to gas consumers. May Save Thousands. The recorder of deeds bill, intro- duced as a result of the Gibson sub- committee's investigation, is expected to result in an annual saving of many thousands of dollars to the District, to permit a reduction of the number of employes in the office and at the same time to bring the work up to date. The condemnation bill passed by the House wbuld prevent cutting of trees in proposed park areas, grading or filling, or construction of any sort on any land during the course of con- lemnation proceedings. Under the bill, the District would be required to make a deposit when proceedings were begun to cover any damage to the owner from loss of the use of his land, in case the proceedings failed or were withdrawn. When the proceedings were completed and the land formally taken over by the Gov- ernment, the amount of deposit would ‘be applied as part of the purchase price. The passage by the House of the bill prohibiting the sale of black bass in the District of Columbia brings to a close a fight that has been waged by local anglers for some years past. The bill was introduced by Senator Hawes of Missouri and passed by that body in January, In the House Rep- resentative Hull sponsored the meas- ure and together with Mr. Zihlman, chairman of the District committee, and Representative Manlove, brought it to its successful conclusion. Ends Long Fight. The bill, wheih brings to an end for all time the many evils that have surrounded the members of the bass family, is as follows: “It is enacted by the Senate and House -of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress that the word ‘person’ when used in this act, shall include any com- pany, partnership, corporation, or as- sociation. “It shall be unlawful for any per- son to offer for sale or to sell within the District of Columbia either large- mouth or small-mouth black bass. “Any person violating the pro- visions of this act shall, upon con- viction thereon, be punished by a fine of not exceeding $100, or by imprison- ment for a term of not more than three months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court. “This act shall become effective im- mediately upon its passage and ap- proval.” The bill now goes to the President for his signature, along with the prayer of thousands of local anglers that he will lose little time in affixing his signature to this much needed legislation. It is purely a conserva- tion measure, the benefits of which will soon be felt by those fishing in local waters, the Potomac River and its tributaries. WOMAN IS ACQUITTED IN AUTO DRIVING CASE Miss Gladys L. Escher Was Ac- cused of Being Intoxicated in Car Last June. After deliberating 6 minutes a Po- lice Court jury today returned a ver- dict of not gullty in the case of Miss Gladys L. Escher of 2026 Third street northeas:, charged with driving while intoxicated. A previous trial three weeks ago re. sulted in the jury being dismissed when they failed to agree after being out for nearly eight hours. Representative Beedy of Maine, was the chief Government witness against Miss Escher. Mr. Beedy testified that Miss Escher drove past him June 6, around the Tidal Basin ,and that she was driving “on all sides of the roadway.” He turned around and summoned two Park policemen, who later found Miss Escher's machine mired in a flower bed. Miss Escher's attorney denied that Miss Escher had been drinking and said a bad rut caused the car to jump off the roadway. He charac- terized Mr. Beedy before the jury as “a fussy old maid, prying into other people’s affairs.” The defendant was one of few women to stand trial on the charge of driving while intoxicated. TWO D. C. MEN ARRESTED ON HOLD-UP CHARGES Walter Gayden, 26 years old, and | Joseph Thomas arrested last charged with participating in a hol up at Thompson's lunchroom, 1107 V street, the morning of January 24, and brought back to Washington. 2 At that time William Mason, 57 years old, 2511 Brentwood road, was thot in the shoulder and stll is at Sib- ley Hospital. He was a watchman at a nearby dairy and appeared in the door of the lunchroom just when the robbers were holding up Lewis C. Hines, the manager, at the point of a pistol. Gayden and Thomas are sald to have admitted taking part in the hold- up. They were arrested by Detectives U.S. BUILDINGS BILL Sent to Senate by 340-to-21 Vote Under Suspension of Rules. Acting with dispatch under suspen- sion of the rules, the House promptly passed yesterday the special public huildings appropriation bill, which had been reported after the House met at noon. This carrled $19,878,700 to initiute the administration's public building program throughout the country, of which $2,275,000 is for six projecta in the National Capital. It was sent to the Senate by a vote of 340 to 21. Buildings In 137 Citles, It provides for Federal buildings, most post offices, in 137 citles. The six Washington items are: Department of Agriculture build- ings, toward the construction of the central part of the administration building, $100,000. Toward the construction of an ex- tensible office buflding for the Depart- ment of Agriculture, $500,000. For- the Department of Commerce Building, toward the construction of the building, $500,000, and the Secre- Yary of the Treasury is authorized to enter into contracts for the entire es timated cost of such building for not to exceed $13.000,000. For the Government Printing Of- fice, toward the construction of the building, $250,000. or the Internal Revenue Building, toward the construction of the build- ing, $800,000, and the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to enter into contracts for the entire estimated cost_of such project for not to exceed $10.500,000. For the Liberty Loan Bullding, for completion of the construction of two additional storles, $125,000. Debate Limited. To expedite consideration, action came under suspension of the rules, a procedure that bars the offering of amendments, limits debate and re- quires a two-third vote for passage. The bill was attacked by ilepre- sentative Byrns, Democrat, Tennes- see, who said he was not opposed to which they ‘were selected, and by Representative Edwards, Democrat, Georgla, who claimed that his State had been discriminated =gainst. The Georgian asserted that the trading represented in compiling the hill amounted to a mational scandal. When asked by Chairman Madden of the appropriations committe> 1o state the nature of the scandal, Edwards said he could not make nis charges specific, EFFICIENCY BUREAU TO CONTINUE PROBE OF SIGNAL SCANDAL (Continued from Firat Page.) vestigator of the Bureau of Efficiency, and Arthur Halsted, electrical engi- neer of the Bureau of Standards. This trio intends today and tomorrow to tour the city on an inspection of every plece of signal apparatus installed as a_result of the contracts between the District government and the Crouse Hinds Co. for the equipment, and be- tween the District and the Potomac Electric Power Co. for the installation Since it will occupy virtually all of the time of the- investigators check: ing the equipment on the street and in storehouses today and tomorrow, it is expected that the hearings of the subcommittee on this specific point will_not be resumed until Thursday or_Friday. Representative Gilbert of Kentucky had expected last night to enter upon the investigation of the circumstances surrbunding the erection of the 28- room, 3-story addition to Western High School two years ago, but the fact that the House went into session last night, necessitating his presence on the floor, resulted in the meeting being postponed. There will be no meeting of the Gibsom subcommittee tonight. Mr. Gilbert said today that he must attend a caucus of the House Democrats tonight and therefore is obliged to postpone the scheduled hearing. Harris to Testify. Municipal Architect A. L. Harris, who had charge of the planning and general supervision of the buflding of the Western High School addition, is expected to be the first witness to be called by the committee. He was pres- ent last night when the meeting was postponed, armed with a mass of data for reference during testimony. The history of the Western High School addition started with the appro- priation of $550,000 for the building. A three-story building had been sought, but it was decided by Mr. Harris to limit the building to two stories because of the limitations of the appropriation. Accordingly, plans for a two story, 18.room structure were made, and bids were sought. Parsons & Hyman, Inc., was the low bidder, with an estimate of $478.000 for the two-story building. The bid was accepted, and when the second story was approaching completion the District authorities ohtained an additional sum of $32,000 in a defi- clenoy appropriation to complete the third story. $14,000 Above Appropriation. third-story additlon to the structure allowed an additional 10 rooms, and it was deemed best to al- Jow the contractors who had material and men right on the job and who furnished a general ‘“cost-plus” csti- mate of $90,000 to finish off the work. As a matter of fact, when the finlll balance was struck, the ‘‘cost-plus” addition amounted to $85,819.89, and the whole bullding cost $563,818.89, al- most $14,000 more than the original riation. .p’Fm did not include some $14,250 as the 235 per cent fee the municipal architect’s office was permitted to take from the appropriation, as is routine in such contracts, for overhead and superintendence. With that deducted from the total amount of the original appropriation, plus the deficiency ap- ropriation, which provided, all told, $582,000 for the building, there was just $5,531.11 left. The controller general of the United States, however, decided to look into this contract and a 100-page report was submitted to him the munici- pal architect, as well as a report by the District auditor, D. J. Donovan. Many of the items in the cost-plus addition were disallowed for reasons The time. The committee hearing, it is ex- pected, will attempt to delve deeply into all circumstances surrounding the making of the contract touching upon the action of the controller gen- eral. Special attention, it is under- stood, will be paid to the expenditures made with relation to the cost-plus contract. T R Would Raise Coolidge Doctor. Maj. James F. Coupal, personal phy- sician to President Coolidge, would be elevated to the rank of colonel, with corresponding compensation, under a House Keck and Thompson, who had 1 bill passed night by the ok thelz - and senk iorthe Benale. PASSED BY HOUSE the buildings, but to the manner in | then specified and this amount has| been more or less tied up since that P | she is superintending the arrangements SPECTS NEW “WHITE HOUSE” } Mrs. Coolidge at the Patterson mansion on Dupont Circle today, where for herself and the President. JACKSON INDIGTED IN ASSAULT CASE Three Charges Are Made by Grand Jury—22 Other True Bills Returned. Philip Jackson, colored, 30 years old, was indicted today by the grand jury for an alleged assault on Mrs. Daisy Welling, 35 years old, in the Capitol grounds, February 18, near midnight. Threé charges in as many separate indictments are made by the grand Jjurors. One charges a criminal assault, another an assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to kill and the third robbery and assault to rob. q Jackson was arrested the next day at his home by Lieut. O. T. Davis of the fifth precinct and police say he admitted the attack on the young woman, who was returning from her place of employment as g telephone operator to her home at 137 D street southeast. Twenty.two other indictments were reported by the grand jury to Jus- tice Hoehling today. Others indicted and the charges against them in- clude: Richard Nevell and Robert Ander- con, grand larceny; John Crow, John Russell, John Grant Lee (2 cases), Walter Melvin Fowler (4 cases), house- breaking and larceny; Bertha Man- ley, allas Bertha Davis, robbery; Willlam Pinkney and Walter W. Dyson, robbery; Harry Butler, rape: Gus Bowser, Morris Lusby and Frank C. Fields, joy riding; Raymond Gutrich, grand larceny and joy riding. Garnett Oswald (two cases), forge Richard Cooke, recelving stolen prop- erty; Joe Ferari, violating Mann act. RAINEY IS EXONERATED. Grand Jury Acts on Death of Man From Gas Poisoning. The grand jury today exonerated Robert Louis Rainey of responsibility for the death of James Lucas, Febru- ary 12. Lucas occupied a room at 902 Four-and-a-half street southwest, owned by Rainey, and was discovered in a gasfilled room and dled from gas poisoning. The gas was sald to have escaped from a gas stove. The grand jurors also refused to indict Carl Ramstad, a policeman of the tenth precinct, who had been charged with blackmail. Ramstad, it was claimed, accepted $40 from Major Taylor not to arrest him for a viola. tion of the national prohibition act. Other charges ignored by the grand Jury include Fred McClinahan, motor vehicle theft act; Helen Ford, rob- bery; James Robinson, rebbery; Al- phonso Beneditti, violating national prohibition act; Harrison Hawkins, grand larceny. PRESIDENT HOPES FOR 5-POWER PACT DESPITE REJECTIONS (Continued from First Page) for the success of the proposed con- ference did not run high, but there was concurrence in the view that Great Britain and the United States must_co-operate in the direction of the President’'s aspirativns whatever the obstacles. Comments by London Press. ‘The Westminster Gazette will say editorially: “The government has done the sensible thing. * * * It would have been unwise and almost impossible for them to have taken any other course. * * ¢ President Coolidge has appealed to a sentiment which is strong enough to overcome difficulties and it is mere wisdom to bow to the inevitable." The Morning Post, organ of the sup- porters of a big Navy, expresses the hope that “there will be no harm in the proposed discussion.’” The liberal Daily News says: “The merit of President Coolidge's plan 1s that within a limited sphere, besides arresting competitive building, it will give a moral lead to the league con- ference.” Meets Puplic Opinion. The Daily Chronicle asserts that the | British reply corresponds to British public opinion, but that it seems hard- ly likely, in view of the French and Italian refusals, that President Cool- |idge will invite a three-power discus- ‘The British answer impiies that extension of the 5-5-3 ratio is scarcely procticable anyhow,” continues the paper, “and it will be still less s0 in a pact binding no other European power. Nevertheless we should sin- cerely Tegret to see the President’s statesmanlike initiative fail of re- sult. BAND CONCERT. TOMORROW. By the United States Marine Band hestra, at_the Marine Barracks, ‘clock, William H. Santelmann; Taylor Branson, second | hed et UTILITIES BOARD DECISION EXPECTED Senate Subcommittee May Approve Adams, Childress and Fleharty Today. The special Senate subcommittee in- quiring into the nominations for the new Public Utilities Commission of the District may decide this afternoon what recommendation it will make on the names of John W. Childress and Benjamin F. Adams, to be members of the commission, and Raiph B. Fleharty, to be people’s counsel. The three nominees were closeted with the subcommittee in executive session for an hour today, following which it was announced the subcom- mittee had not reached a decision. The subcommittee, however, plans to meet again this afternoon. So far as can be learned, the sub- committes inquiry has been confined to the general qualifications of the appointees. Time Is Important. ‘With only three days remaining be- fore adjournment of Congress, time has become an important element in the outcome of the appointments. In view of this fact it is expected the subcommittee will endeavor to reach a decision at its meeting this after- noon. Even if the subcommittee makes a report to the full committee late today, the nominations would hardly get before the Senate until to- morrow. If, in the rush of the closing hours of the session, the nominations should fail to be acted on by the Sen- ate the President could make rece: appointments. It is belleved, how- ever, that if they are reported out from committee late today or tomor- row there will be time to act on them, unless the nominations should lead to lengthy debates in the Senate. President Coolidge feels hopeful that the Senate will confirm the nominations of Mr. Childress and Mr. Adams as members of the newly created Public _Utilities Commission and of Mr. Fleharty as people's counsel. Feels Men Are Capable. In expressing himself in this man- ner to callers at the White FHousa today the President did not, however, intimate what advices he had received from the Senate. The President feels that he selected men for these posi- tions who are capable and who are fully qualified, and is hoping the Senate. will act upon the nominations before the session ends. It is the President's intention to carry out the provisions of the public utiiities act, and he feels that the Sen- ate has had considerable time to inves- tigate the appointments. ‘The President is inclined to feel that the Senate may be experiencing some difficulty in its consideration of the appointees because of the restrictions placed upon the qualifications by the new utilities act. NOMINATIONS UP AGAIN. Senate to Act on Tariff Commission and Trade Board Posts. The Senate failed to reach a vote yesterday on the nominations of three members of the Tariff Commission after being jn executive session for two hours. They are Edgar B. Bros- sard of Utah, Sherman J. Lowell of New York, and Lincoln Dixon of In- diana. The Senate agreed to take the nominations up in executive session again today and after they have beeri disposed of to vote on the nomination of Abram F. Myers of Iowa to be member of the Federal Trade Commis- sfon, Wants U. S. Rights to Invention Ending Evaporation. By the Assnciated Press. LENINGRAD, Russia, March 1.— The Soviet government has taken steps to obtain patents in the United States for a new Russian invention which it is claimed eliminates the evaporation of gasoline and other volatile petroleum products. The new method, which is the in- REVENUE HOME 10 BE BUILT FIRST Work on Commerce Struc- ture to Follow, House Subcommittee Told. The next new construction in the great public buildings program will get under way this Summer on the Internal Revenue Bureau Building between the Post Office Department and the Mall, according to officials of the supervising architect's office of the Treasury. This was disciosed in hearings be- fore the subcommittee of the House committee on appropriations, made public last night, revealing the prog- ress on District projects. The work will entall excavation and foundation construction for half the revenue building, it was ex- plained by Supervising Architect James A. Wetmore and Louis A. Simon, superintendent of the archi tectural division. President plans, they explained, call for building half of the building, to accommodate clerks in the old tem- porary building on the site to be oc- cupled by the Department of Com- merce between Fourteenth and Fif- teenth and running northward from B street. Commerce Building First. The presence of this temporary structure will not, however, hold up the first construction on the mam- moth Department of Commerce Building, which, they said, could be started from the Pennsylvania ave- nue end. The huge Department of Commerce building was explained as standing in the most important position at the end of the triangle of structures, and as a part of the large group of monumental bulldings “‘must necessarily be design- ed as an edifice of pronounced monu- mental character,” with corresponding increase in cost. It will be a seven- story building and have accommoda- tions for 5,200 employes. Although this structure is to have architectural refinements on its ex- terior, it is to be bullt inside for busi- ness purposes only, according to testl- mony developed from a line of ques- tioning by Représentative Byrns of Tennessee and Chairman Wood. Assuring members of the committee that there would be rooms for confer- ences for the department, but no “‘aultes or anything of that sort,” Mr. Wetmore sald: “I know why you are asking that question. That comes down to us from the original plans for the Department of State building. “There is nothing of that kind con- templated here?” asked Mr. Byrns. Fancy Auditoriums Opposed. “No, sir,” replied the supervising architect. ““This building, so far as the interfor is concerned, is for utility. The exterior must have special archi- tectural treatment, if they do for ‘Washington what the legislation ap- parently means to do—that is, to make a start toward making Washington beautiful architecturally. There will be a large space In this building that will be used for meeting purposes, as it Is_absolutely necessary for the Department of Commerce to have space for conferences, because that is a part of its work.” “I suspect that is so,” sald Chair- man Wood, “but there should be no fancy auditoriums, staterooms or rooms for state dinners.” “No, sir,” rejoined the supervising architect. York & Sawyer, architects, were to do preliminary sketches and designing on the Commerce Building, it was explained to the committee. Plans on the Department of Agricul- ture central administrative wing to connect the two white marble wings were proceeding under outside archi- tects, who should have their work un- der way, so that “we can make con- tracts to an extent that will call for an expenditure’ of $500.000 between now and June 30, 1928, it was ex- plained. Drawings and specifications for the extensible building on the square across B street southwest from the administrative bullding of the same department will be ready by the latter part of the Summer, Mr. Simon told the committee. Plan Printing Office Addition. Plans are under way in the super- vising architect's office for an addition to the Government Printing Office, and work will be started ‘‘as soon as the plans are completed.” Mr. Wetmore dild not know exactly when that would be. “The computers who made up the figures,” he sai ‘estimated that we would need $250,000 for that bullding between now and June 30, 1928. That will be for the fiscal year 1928. It is probable that we will let the contract in time for that.” Some of the site has already been purchased, he said, but the rest is to be condemned. The Liberty Loan Building. adja- cent to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, it was explained, will have its two additional stories finished with stucco face, like the rest of the build- ing. instead of stone, which had been contemplated, Mr. Wetmore sald. The form of the Internal Revenue Building also has been changed con- siderably, it was disclosed. “The building as originally in- tended,” said a statement submitted to the record, “was to be of a com- mercial type, but since the plan has been developed by which the entire triangle is to be acquired and a monu- mental group of buildings con- structed, the Internal Revenue Buil ing is required to be designed also of a monumental character, a cor- responding increase of cost. Representative Taylor Sued. Representative Tavlor of Tennessee was sued for $10,000 damages today in the District Supreme Court by Mrs. Ellen Daniels, 621 Fourth street, for alleged personal injuries. Mrs. Daniels says she was riding in her automo- bile January 21 when the car of the Representative collided with her ma- chine at Seventh and K streets, demol- ishing her car car and injuring her. She charges that Mr. Taylor's car 'was Mg:d'orwr?ted negligently. At- orney Godfrey L. Munter appears for the plaintiff. g Joint Commission Proposed. Creation of a joint congressional commission to participate in observ- ance of the 150th anniversary of the meeting of the Continental Congress at York, Pa., September 30, 1777, is vention of an engineer named Afonin, is sald to be much superior to the present devices for preventing evapora- tion. proposed in a bill passed by the House last night and sent to the Senate. Coin- age of a memorial 50-cent piece also would be authorized. House, Amid Laughter, Approves Tincher Bill for Memorial in His Home Town By the Assoclated ) Representative “Polly” Tincher of Kansas, the largest member in Con- gress and one of the most jovial, was the butt of a joking remark last night as the House passed what probably will be the last bill to bear j his name. Represerffitive Luce of Massachu- setts urgedi¥Tincher's bill to nuthorlnl an appropilation of $2,500 for erec- tion of a mBmorial at Medicine Lodge, law depends rate the holding of peace treaties with the plains Indians in October, 1867, be passed by unanimous con- sent. “The gentleman from Kansas is re tiring voluntarily Mr. Luce said, a memorial back home for both hi; constituents and himself to look at. And, amid laught the bill nt through, but whether it becomes a on th the Senate may COOLIDGE HOPEFUL ABOUT NIGARAGUA Peace Proposal There Being Watched With Keen In- terest by President. By the Associated Press, President Coolidge belleves the sit- uation in Nicaragua is approaching stability and is disposed to sit back and quietly observe results. An alr of great satisfaction per- vaded the White House today when that subject was mentioned, and it was apparent that although he was not himself sponsoring the project, Mr. Coolidge entertained high hopes of the peace proposal launched in Nicaragua yesterday. Meantime, in other quarters it de- veloped that the State Department was taking no notice of the proposal of President Diaz for a new treaty with the United States virtually creat- ing an American protectorate over the little Central American country. De- partment officials would not discuss it, but there were indications that the suggestion had not been favorably received. Proposal Due by Mall, Technically, the Diaz proposal never has come officlally before the Ameri- can Government. It is understood to be on its way here by mail. ‘Whether there will be further com- plications in Congress affecting the Nicaraguan policy remains uncertain, the adjournment a few y any recurrence of debate would have to be short-lived. One unexplained factor on w £ome Senators may want information later has been presented by the resigna- tion from the diplomatic service of Lawrence Dennis, who was the American charge in Managua during the early days of the revolutionary outbreak. Recalled from his post for service in the State Department, Mr. Dennis promptly advised Washington he was through, but officials here hope to dissuade him, when he reaches this country. The Department is not dis- closing what was said in the letter of resignation. No Recent Battle Reports. One of the signs of hope in Nicara- gua pointed to at the White House today was the fact that officials have not heard of any recent fighting. This was interpreted as indicating that the new peace move might come at an opportune time. The disposition of the American Marines along the Nicaraguan rail- road from Managua to the sea was explained to the House foreign affairs = committee today in a letter from Secretary Grew, who said In reply to a resolution of inquiry that the pur- pose was to maintain communications for the American legation and the Marine guard at the capital. There was serious danger that armed bands of revolutionaries might interrupt communication on the rail- road, wrote Mr. Grew, ind possibly destroy a portion of the raliroad, thus leaving Americans and other foreig: ers in Managua without communica- tion with the sea. Protection for Americans. “Admiral Latimer was authorized in his discretion to use the forces under his command to establish neutral zones in such places along the iroad as might be deemed necessary for the protection of American and foreign lives and property in Nicara- gua, and for the maintenance of com- munications. “The additional forces now on the way to Nicaragua will be used to re- place certain of the forces now ashore, which will be, allowed to return to their ships, and also for reinforce- ments. . The Navy Department has received official word from Nicaragua that a train on which a number of American Marines were riding as guards had been fired on last week and that the fire was returned. No one was in- Jured, it was stated, an investigation showing that three hits had been reg- istered on the side of the train. The department also was advised that orders had been issued to the Marines to pursue and capture snip- ers if firing occurred again. FORD ATTACKS-PLEA IN SUIT FOR $1,000,000 Counsel Dispute Parts of Bill Filed in Libel Action Brought by Sapiro. By the Associated Press. DETROIT, March 1.—Federal Judge Fred M. Raymond yesterday took under advisement a motion of counsel for Henry Ford to strike out certain paragraphs of the plea of Aaron Sapiro, agricultural economist of Chicago, in his pending $1,000.- 000 libel suit against the automobile manutacturer. The suit, which Is scheduled to begin next Monday, is directed against Ford and the Dear- born Publishing Company, publishers of the Dearborn Independent. The suit, which was filed more than a vear ago. was based on ar. ticles in the Dearborn Independent criticizing Sapiro for his actions as attorney for co-operative wheat mar- keting organizations. Yesterday's motion was based on the rtion that the disputed sec- tions of the plea are irrelevant and in some cases repetitions of the arti- cles over which the suit originated. Senator Jam Reed, head of the Ford counsel. attended the hearing, but left for Washington late vester- day. Judge Robert B. Marx of Cin- cinnati, one of the Sapiro counsel, also was present. Detense counsel told the court they will produce 250 witnesses and it was indicated the plaintiff will pro- duce nearly the same number. MAS. MARY DALY DIES. Heart Attack Fatal to Retired Army Officer’s Wife. Mrs. Mary Daly, 68, wife of Maj. Henry W. Daly, U. 8. A., retired, died at her residence, 1440 Monroe street, yesterday from a heart attack. Mrs. Daly was a native of S8an An- tonio, having moved here with her husband and family about 16 years ago. She was a member of the Shrine of the Sacred Heart Church. The following children survive: Clara Daly, Catherine Daly and Rob- ert' Daly of Washington and Willlam Daly and Edward Daly of Yuma, Ariz. A sister, Mrs. J. J. Moore, and a brother, John Moran, both' of San Anton 180 survive, Funeral services will be held tomor- row morning, leaving the late resi- dence at 8:30 o'clock. uiem mass will be sung at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart Church at 9 o'clock. Rev. J. M. Moran will officiate. Inter- ment will be in Mount Olivet Ceme- tery. - Senator Jones Recovers. Senator Jones of New Mexico, who recently suffered a heart attack, was ufficlently recovered today to me= turn 1o bis seat in the Senatey