Evening Star Newspaper, March 21, 1927, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Rain tonight and possibly tomorrow morning, slightly Temperature—F p.m. yesterday; lo today. ®Closing N.Y. Stocks and Bonds, Page 10 No. 30,274. Erierehmes Full report on page 6. Bureau Forecast.) colder. {ighest, west, 47, at Entered as second class matter Washington, R @h WASHINGTON WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION , D. C, MONDAY MARCH 21, 1927 —-THIRTY-FOUR ¢ Foening Star. PAGE The only evening in Washington wi Associated Press news *s Circulation, per the 101,214 112,346 TWO CENTS. 1., MARINES LAND AS CHAOS FOLLOWS FALL OF SHANGHA 1,500 Patrol Mill Districts as Chinese Troops Loot In- ternational Area. TWO SOLDIERS KILLED, 10 WOUNDED IN RIOTING 15,000 in Foreign Forces Repress- ing Disorders as Cantonese Enter City—Genera] Strike Called. By the Associated Press. SHANGHAI, China, March Chaos reigned in Shanghal tonight after the fall of the city to the Can- tonese this morning. Rioters ran loose in the native quar- ter all day, and tonight a band of Chinese troops, presumably attached 1o the retreating northern army, broke through the barrier to the north of the International settlement and began looting. Up to 11 p.m. the forces defending the foreign settlements from the riot- ing Chinese had suffered 12 casualties, including two killed and ten wounded. Two Punjabi soldiers of the British force were killed by salpers. The wounded comprised five Punjabis, Russian policeman.and four British soldiers. A British armored car pushed up in response to a police call for aid. The car was subjected to continuous ma- chine-gun fire. Lieut. Newman, Corpl. Alnslie and two soldiers were wounded. Another British armored car, which ‘accompanied the one in which the four men were wounded, towed it away un- der heavy fire, which the British re- turned. The four men were not seri- ously hurt. Shantungese Army Flees. The vanguard of the Cantonese army entered the native city this morning. The Shantungese fled at thelr approach, and the city was taken without fighting. The municipal council declared a state of emergency, and landing par- ties of all nationalities represented in the Shanghai naval concentration, in- cluding 1,500 American Marines, dis- embarked to defend the foreign settle- ments against invasion from without ar trouble from within. Possibility of setious disorders wus intensified by the calling of a general strike of Chinese workers to celebrate the fall of the city to Chang Kal-Shek's Southern forces, which now hold virtually all of China south of the Yaugtse River, " Marines Fully Equipped. The foreign defenders ashore here total 15,000 men, part of whom are holding the 20-mile exterior defense line, while others strongly patrol the streets of the foreign settlements. The 1,500 American Marines are pa- trolling the northern and western mill districts, where trouble is most likely to break out owing to the general strike and the gathering of crowds of idlers. The Marines came ashore with full equipment, including machine guns and metai helmets, ready to remain until the trouble is over. They landed laughing and joking, glad that their Jong inactivity cramped aboard ship was over. The Japanese landing party also totals 1,500, and the French, Italians, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish like wise debarked strong detachments. The British already have numerous forces on duty ashore. Trouble in Native Districts. The native districts of Nantao and Chapel were the scene of trouble all day long. There was incessant rifie and raachine-gun fire and the occa- sional boom of artillery _throughout the arfternoon. All the barriers between the native and foreign districts were closed and beavily guarded. The foreign de- fenders suffered their first casualties when a British Punjabl trooper was killed and two were wounded by gunmen firing from an alleyway at the border of the international settle- ment. Two foreign policemen were injured by bricks thrown from the top of a building on the Nanking road. A few shells fell into the French concession this afternoon. There were no casualties. The authorities do not know where the sheils came from. Outposts on the furthermost border of the concession had a brush with a small detachment of Chinese troops this afternoon. Shots were exchanged end the Chinese were driven off. Naval forces were landed from all warships in the Whangpo River off the city. The troubles in the native city were largely blamed upon Kuo- mintang (Cantonese) plain clothes men, who attacked the police stations, cap- tured several and burned one. The shooting in the Chapei and Mantao districts was belleved to be chiefly the work of fleeing northern troops 21.— and of looters and other lawless ele- | ments, which have full sway owing to the entire absence of authority in those districts, Stray Shots Wound Several. Several bullets and some shrapne! fell in the international settlements and one Russian civilian and several Chinese were wounded by stray shots Fifty Chinese police from the ( district, unable to cope with the Jess element, took refuge within th forelgn lines after surrendering their weapons. Two companies of British soldiers established positions in British-owned properties several miles beyond the settlement boundary to prevent the ation and looting of these places se Lroops ginning at noon, the Kuomintang a red banner with a white sun blue field in the upper left cor ~began to appear throughout the forelgn settlementts and was even flown from atop the post office. which 1= again tied up by a stiike. The general strike is apparently thoroughly effective. All the cotton ills are closed down and the trans: yort. services paralyzed. Police Charge Crowmis. Several times this afternoon the for- eign police found it necessary to charge crowds and break up gather- ings which threatened trouble. The Cantonese troops reached the Shanghai native city onlt in small Dumbers. The majn forc: occupled Lunghws and the Kiangnan ursenal, placing them in~ control of the city, “ontinued on Page 2, Column 4) *|maiden season, despite her elaborate row; Cherry Blo . With faltering, timid step, Spring marched down the alsle, a sniffiing bride, this morning. Her bridal gown was of fog. Occa- sional tegrs fell from her eyes. preparafions weeks ahead of time for her advent, took no pleasure in the day. Officially and astronomically she ar- rived at 9:59 a.m., when the sun in its northward progress crossed the equator, bringing the vernal equinox. But something happened to. upset her The Weather Bureau, godfather of the season, explained that it will be some time tomorrow before she is her- self again—blushing, smiling and coy. Winter is due to give the East and South a taste of its vigor today. The single-blossomed Japanese chei- {Ty trees, bursting into clouds of pink and white petals Saturday, toddled ahead of the procession like flower girls and attracted nearly 15,000 mo- torists and great crowds of pedestri- ans to the banks of the Tidal Basin vesterday. They are belleved to be in no danger, however, from the cold weather predicted. The temperature will not fall to freezing, at the worst. No checking of the growth of shrubs and fruit | trees is expected, as would certainly result if the mercury went below treezing. . So great were the throngs at the SPRING COMES WITH FALTERING STEP AS WINTER DISPUTES WAY Warmer and Clearer Weatheerue Tomor- ssoms, in Bloom, Declared to Be Safe. Tidal Basin yesterday that Capt. M. H. Parsons of the Park Police called out a squad of 35 men, three times the normal Sunday force, to direct traffic. Traffic was rerouted east across the Inlet bridge, which was widened recently to accommodate four cars abreast. The only jams were at the southern ‘end of Fourteenth street, where Highway Bridge traffic conflict- ed with that entering and leaving Po- tomac Park. Between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. 13,532 autos were counted crossing Inlet Bridge by Lieut. P. J. Carroll. Last vear 14,600 cars were counted cross- ing the same bridge in the same perfod during the first Sunday of the cherry blossom season. Lieut. Car- roll estimated that about 5,000 pedes- trians strolled around the Basin dur- ing the day and that probably about 1,600 autos passed before and after the time included in the count. There were no serious accidents and no traffic arrests. Three youths, students at a local college, were ar- rested by Park Policeman Jackson Edwards for breaking off cherry tree branches. They deposited collateral at the third precinct. The double-blossomed trees dfe ex- pected to come into bloom in about 10 days—when they probably will be entirely safe from any danger of frosts. They will be in their full glory at the time of the cherry blos- (Continued on Page 4, Column 5.) WIFE SAYSLOVER KILLED ART EDITOR Husband Beaten to Death as He Slept, Mrs. Snyder Tells Police. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, March 21.—Mrs. Ruth Snyder today asserted, in a statement | to police, that Henry Judd Gray, now |under arrest in Syracuse, had mur- dered her husband, Albert Snyder, art editor of a magazine, In order that he might be free to marry her. Press dispatches from Syracuse said that Gray was in that city last night. According to the alleged statement, Mrs. Snyder sald that Gray was con- cealed in their home, In Queens Vil- lage, when she, her husband and their 9.year-old daughter Lorraine returfied ‘early Sunday morning from {a card party. | Gray, according to the statement, | beat Snyder to death and then wound |a picture wire around his throat. After the murder Gray bound Mrs. Snyder in order to throw an aspect of burglary over the crime, Card Players Cleared. Police said Mrs. Snyder had told them she had known Gray for two land onehalf years and that she | wanted her husband out of the way in | order that she might marry him. | District Attorney Newcombe said that a charge of homicide would be filed against Mrs. Snyder, but declined to say what charge would be placed against Gray. The district attorney sadd the in- | vestigation had resulted in exonera- | tion of those who attended the bridge whist party the night before the mur- der. There had been some drinking at the party, it was sald, and differ- {ences arose between Snyder and | George Hough over a trivial matter |and friends separated them. | Newcombe said Snyder apparently {had been under the influence of liquor and went to bed as soon as he ar- |rived at his home. | Physiclans said that he had been |dead at least six hours before his !body was found. His neck had been torn by the fingernails of a person of unusual muscular strength. Piec- ture wire had been tightly wound |around his neck, a napkin forced |down his throat and he had been struck on the head by an Instrument of undetermined character. The blows were the primary cause of death. Married 12 Years. | Mr. Snyder was 45 years old. His {wi They had been married 12 ye 1d so far as known, their married life was happy. Their tem- | peraments were totally different. | Mrs. Snyder, who has closely-cropped | blonde hair, was known for her | vivacious, jolly manner and was |often sought at the nelghborhood parties. The husband was of a more retiring disposition, although among | his intimate friends he was popular { for his witticisms. According to the story Mrs, Snyder told to the police, “she re- turned home from a ‘“rather wild party” with her husband and their daughter at 1:30 am. Sunday. They 1t to bed at 2:15 o'clock. Her hus- id went to sleep immediately, she 4, lving on his left side so that 1 his left e: was muffied by the pil- |low. He was deaf in his right ear land so could not easlly have been Snyder is reported to have talked for a while with and it was decided that the lat- ¥hould kill her husband, the police reported. Snyder was struck by an iron har while he was asleep, | Try to Mislead Police. Then, to stimulate robbery, all the ‘niture in the house was turned | yturvy and Snyder's pocketbook, | ning $110, was taken. Mrs. s pearls were hidden under the | s of the bed and she had Gray | fu toy cont: | Snyde: 1t | (Continued on Page 7, Column 3) | [} | THREE KILLED IN PLUNGE. | Auto Dives Off 275-Foot Cliff. Girl Clings to Rocks—Saved. | PENDLETON, Oreg., March 21 (). Three persons were killed and an- other was injured when their automo- | bile plunged over a 275-foot clift west of here yesterday. | preparation | mercial ATTACKS ON JEWS UP N FORD SUIT Editor Testifies Articles at First Were Aimed at Race as a Whole. By the Associated Press. . DETROIT, March 21.—The question of the possible connection of inter- national Jewry with the $1,000,000 libel suit of Aaron Sapiro against Henry Ford came to the front again today. The jury was dismissed and decks were cleared for extensive argu- ments by opposing counsel. It was the second time the question had cropped up. The first time, Fed- eral Judge Fred M. Raymond tempo- rarily got rid of the long delay it promised to cause by stating that he would rule when it became. necessary. That moment arriyed today. “Trac- ing the inception of the attacks upon Sapiro, Chicago attorney, who became an organizer of farmers' co-operative assoclations, it was brought out from William J. Cameron, editor of the Ford-owned Dearborn Independent, that the series of articles Sapiro claimed libeled him and caused a mil- lion-dollar loss to his business at first were Intended to concern only Jews as a whole, and that later they turned to Sapiro as an individual. “Serious Thing,” He Says. If the articles had said only that Aaron Sapiro, the individual, was try- try to subjugate American agricul- ture, the world would have laughed, ‘Willlam Henry Gallagher, counsel for Sapiro, told the court. It was a much more serious thing, he said, when the articles charged that Bapiro was connected with an inter- national Jewish ring by the Dearborn Independent, backed by all the wealth and power of Mr. Ford. Sapiro, he stated, had not been charged merely with individual acts, but with being a member of the alleged combination. Ford's attorneys sought to bring from the court a ruling that the suit was one merely of Sapiro, the indi- vidual, race or creed to the contrary notwithstanding. From Cameron the information was elicited that the Inception of the at- tacks upon Sapiro came from a let- ter H. W. Roland of the Dearborn Independent's editorial department wrote to Harry H. Dunn, Berkeley, Calif., August 6, 1923, and that Dunn, who assumed the pen name of Robert Morgan, was chiefly responsible for the investigation necessary and the of the articles Sapiro holds libelous. Baruch’s Name Mentioned. The letter: “Don't snicker when I tell you that the Jewish boys are putting the works on the farmers. It began when Bar- ney Baruch first became interested in Kansas after Wilson left the White House. Since then there has been a great deal of Jewish interest In the plight of the farmer, especially as to mortgaging their souls and bodles through the Government agencles, plus the various co-operative move- ments. “We have heen desirous of getting something tangible, and here seems to be the opportunity to clean up the West Coast_situation. I don't imagine that you will have much difficulty in rounding the facts up on this, although all of it will take considerable time. If you can get it, we'll protect you, of course, and it will be as fully remu- nerative, if not more so, than the Abrams material. “Let me know from time to time how the work Is progressing, and if (Continued on Page 5, Column 3.) e E {SUBMARINE SURVIVO IS KILLED IN BUS CRASH ! Michael Lira of St. Louis One of Three Saved on S-51-—Woman Is Also Dead. By the Associated Press. JOLIET, I, March 21.—Michael S. Lira of St. Louls, one of the three survivors of the submarine 8-51 when it was rammed by the City of Rome, was killed last night when a’com- bus en route to St. Louls crashed into a concrete abutment near Joliet. Mrs. Emma Reed of St. Louis also was killed, and eight other persons were injured. The party was return- The dead—Benjamin Griggs, 21, and | ing from a basket ball game at Great Barbara Watkins, and Willlam L. Holt, 26, Baker, Oreg. Helen Whitted, Pendelton, was thrown from the car and clung to rocks on 18, of Pendelton, | Lakes Naval Training Station. The injured were removed to St. Joseph's Hospital, Joliet. Will County police took the driver of the bus into | the face of the cliff until her screams 'attracted passing motorists, who res- cued her. / custody for questioning. Lira had lived in St. Louls with his widowed mother. PONERS APPEAL TOTALY A5 WAR PER INCREAGES Almost Certain Conflict "Feared if Mussolini’s Troops Occupy Albania. ENGLAND AND FRANCE BRING PRESSURE TO BEAR Jugoslavia Declared Ready to Op- pose Rome’s Plan Despite Tirana Treaty Rights. BY HIRAM K. MODERWELL. By Cable g0 The Susmiehts 16850 P27 GENEVA, March 21.—The secre- tariat of the League of Nations was on the gul vive today, awaiting de- velopments in the Italo-Serb crisis over Albania, which threatens to cast an fronic gloom over the opening ses- sion of the disarmament conference. Tension here has been increased by the virtual certainty that if Italian troops, however few, are landed In Albania, Jugoslavia would Instantly demand that the League's, as well as other diplomatic machinery, be set in motion, either to force a withdrawal or permit her to deal alone with the situation. British Pressure Felt. Europe's chancelleries were obliged to bring pressure on Rome and Bel- grade. Whether this pressure—espe- clally that brought by Foreign Min- ister Chamberlain of Great Britain— tator Mussolini to desist from his pre- sumed intentions to occupy Valona and Durrazo, In agreement with the Albanian government, is pre-occupy- ing League officials more today than the routine of the meeting. It is recognized that while hostili- ties can probably be averted through diplomatic _pressure, the which has been created will continue to hold the germ of future wars. It is almost universally believed that Dictator Mussolinl of Italy firmly in- tends the military occupation of Al- bania. This is entirely within his rights under the Tirana treaty if the Albanian government 8o requests. But if Jugoslavia consented to Italy's having a military stronghold in Al- bania she %ould give up her preten- tions to being the leading Balkan state. Therein lies the danger that she will fight, Italy Denies War Move. Ttaly semi-officlally asserts that she is not preparing an aggressive mili- tary action against any one, and this is unquestionably true, since Musso- lini’s interest is to occupy Albania without opposition on the Invitation of his obedlent ally, Ahmet Zogu, the Albanian President. If Jugoslavia at- tempted to such an occupation in a military way it would technically constitute an act of war against Al- bania and would confirm Italian asser- tions that she has been preparing for such an invasion. Jugoslavia's difficult legal position is | further complicated by the presumed | neutrality of Rumania in case of an { Italo-Jugeslav conflict—a neutrality which, #t is generally belleved here, was purchased by Italy's ratification of the Bessarablan annexation. Although no direct evidence yet ex- ists that Mussolini Intends to land troops in Albania, the maneuvers cf banian_mobilization in view of the al- leged Jugoslav menace) are exactly an occupation. May Ask League Action. M. Jovanovitch, the Jugoslav minis- ter to Berne and official representative of Jugo-slavia at the preliminary dis- armament conference, told the corres- pondent today: ““I deny categorically that there has been any mobfilization or military pre- parations by Jugoslavia. Our entire interest is to keep the peace and be- come friends with Italy. My govern- ment is willing to submit the mobiliza- tion story to the commission of league military experts.” M. Jovanovitch indicated that if the (Continued on Page 4, Column 4.) BOERSIG IS INDICTED IN CLUBBING MURDERS Change of Venue Asked at Fair- fax, Following Grand Jury Investigation. By a Staff Correspondent of The Star. FAIRFAX, Va,, March 21.—Two in- dictments charging murder were re- turned by the grand jury in Circuit Court here today against Louis Boersig, accused of fatally clubbing the two yvoung daughters of Mrs. George Ridzeway of Alexandria, beat- ing Mrs. Ridgeway with a chair and robbing her. The grand jury also returned true bills charging felonious wounding and grand larceny. Mrs, Ridgeway and her children, Katherine, 4 vears old, and Loretta, 7, were found in their home on the afternoon of March 4. The children were unconcious and Mrs. Ridgeway, bad)y beaten, was sobbing hysterically in a chair. Roth children subsequent- ly died from wounds said to have been inflicted with a chair. A few hours later Boersig was arrested and whisk- ed here from Alexandria after threats had been made to lynch him. He was later removed to Winchester. Claiming that open threats of lynch- ing had been made here and that Boersig could not get a fair trial in this court, Frederick L. Flynn, attor- ney for Boersig, today asked Judge Samuel G. Brent for a change of venue. The motion will be argued tomorrow morning at 9:30 o'clock. Commonwealth's Attorney Wilson Farr opposes the motion. The courtroom was packed this morning when the grand jury return- ed the indictments. Interest in the case has been in fever heat here as well as at Alexandria. to forego thelr usual week end rest | has been sufficlent to persuade Dic- | disarmament | situation | the past three days (including the Al-| those which would legally justify such | 1 | = | 7/ 77 > I»‘;‘/ 7 Z 7 / Z CARROLL PRISON SENTENCE UPHELD Supreme Court Refuses Re- view of Bathtub Party Case. By the Associated Press. Earl Carroll, theatrical manager. must serve the sentence of a year and a day imposed upon him for perjury as an outgrowth of his famous bath- tub party. The Supreme Court today refused him a review. He may delay com- mitment by asking a_rehearing, but such requests are seldom granted. No Grounds Found. The highest court refused to find any ground for action in the volumin- ous arguments of Carroll's lawyers, who contended that his indictment and trial in New York were not in accord- ance with sound legal practice. Carroll was taken before the grand jury twice during investigation of the party, at which it had been re- ported that a chorus girl, partly im- mersed in liquor in a bath tub, served drinks to the guests. After he had denied that the girl was in the tub, he was indicted and convicted of perjury. He claimed, and was granted, immunity, however, from prosecution under the national prohibition law. Indictment Called Defective. His lawyers argued that the indict- ment for perjury was defective, be- cause an unauthorized person was in the grand jury room during the in- quiry, and insisted that the verdict should be set aside for the additional reason that his counsel was not per- mitted to examine the talesmen. ZONING IS UPHELD BY SUPREME COURT Right of Municipalities to Make Restrictions Is Affirmed—Rea- sonableness Only Issue. By the Associated Press. The right of municipalities to enact zoning ordinances was sustained by the Supreme Court today in a case from Minneapolis. The court interpreted its recent de- cigion In the zoning case from the vijlage of Euciid, Ohio, as having established the validity of zoning reg- ulations as proper restrictions upon property rights, leaving open only the question of the reasonableness of par- tieular regulations. The order of the lower courts In the Minneapolis case, which was brought by Charles B. Berry, was afirmed without comment. Berry did not challenge any specific restriction, but contended that zoning ordinances as a whole constituted un- constitutional interference with prop- erty rights. ATTACHE IN SPEEDING CASE SOON TO GO HOME Case Against Ivan Jurkovich Dropped Upon Advice He Is Leaving Country. Complaints against Ivan Jurkovich, a member of the staff of the Legation of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, for exceeding the District speed limit, has been dropped, as he is to return to his native country soon, according to an agreement reached through diplo- matic chdnnels. Several days ago Jurkovich was stopped by a traffic officer for driving his car over the Connecticut avenue bridge at the estimated rate of 40 miles an hour, but was not, arrested on his claim of diplomatic immunity. The incident was reported to the District Commissioners and by them was referred to the Secretary of State for such action as was, deemed proper. Following the usual course, the at- tention of -the chief of the legation was called to the matter and in his reply stated that Jurkovich is about to return to his native country, his services being no longer needed at che Washington legation. That solu- tion of the case was satisfactory to the officials of the State Department and the incident was closed with the transmission of a copy of the cor- respondence to the rict sloners for their information. Week’s Ban on Jazz Asked in Mexico to | Honor Beethoven By the Associated Press. MEXICO CITY, March 21.—All Jazz musl in Mexico City will cease for a week beginning March 26, if an appeal Issued by the music masters of the capital is | heeded. The masters have called | for the abstention from jazz as a tribute to tha memory of Beethoven upon the 100th anniversary of the death of the composer. In their appeal the professors say that the musician can be hon- ored in no way so fittingly as to silence in his name ‘“the terrible discords called jazz, with which the world shrieks.” “If Mexico can suppress jazzeven for a_week in the name of Beetho- ven," they declare, “it will show that this country is more advanced and cultured in music than any other in the world.” BARRY ASKS TIME FOR LEGAL ADVICE Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Says Probers’ Order Con- flicted With Law. Declaring that he had “‘merely asked for opportunity to take legal advice," David S. Barry, sergeant-atarms of the Senate, last night denled he had “defled” the Reed slush fund commit- tee when he declined to accede im mediately to an order of the commit- tee to proceed to Pennsylvania and im- pound ballots in four counties, cast in the Vare-Wilson senatorial election. In a statement issued by Mr. Barry he objected to this interpretation of his course. He said he wished op- portunity to obtain legal advice as to the right of a chairman of any Senate committee, actual or theoretical, to “order him to spend private money on official busine: The committee pro- posed to advance him $1,000, from the personal funds of Senator Reed of Missourl, chairman of the committee, to meet the expenses of going to| Pennsylvania for the ballots. | Says Law Bars Trip. “The status of the so-called slush fund committee, whether it exists or does not exist,” Mr. Barry said, not in controversy between Senator Reed and the sergeant-at-arms of the Senate. Senator Ke, Republican, New Hampshire, chairman of the committee on contingent expenses, thinks the committee does not exist and declines to approve vouchers for expenditures by it. “The sergeant-at-arms has responsk ble duties, for the proper performance of which he 1s accountable, under his oath of office, ‘to the Senate. He can find no law which authorizes him to recefve or expend money coming to him from a private source. He is authorized to spend no money not coming to him through the disbursing officer, who can not hand It over except on proper voucher. Another Man to Be Sent. “Is it not reasonable, therefore, that the sergeant-at-arms should ask for a brief time to obtain legal advice when confronted with an order, in the form of an ultimatum, expiring three hours and a half after it was received, which conflicts with the and the Senate rules?” Barry's refusal to carry out both verbal and written orders of the com- mittee, pending receipt of legal ad- vice, resulted in a decision by the co mittee yesterday to commission Jerr South, a former clerk of the House and now a Washington lawyer, to proceed to Delaware, Lackawanna Luzerne and Schuyikill Counties to obtain the election material the com- mittee considers essential in its inves- tigation. Mr. South expects to leave Thurs. day for Pennsylvania to carry out his instructions. _South expects to be met with an injunction by more friends of Vare, Republican. This would carry the question of the authority of the Reed committee into the courts, Louisiana 0il Leader Dead. BATON ROUGE, La., March 21 (). —C. T. Clarke, president of the Stand- NEW DRVE OPEN AN SHARS Stephens Urges Borrowers to Demand Return of Excess Interest. n Corporation Counsel Francis H. Stephens launched a new offensive at “loan sharks" today, when he issued an official statement advising all per- sons who have borrowed money at interest rates exceeding 8 per cent that they have a legal right to demand figure. Companies which refuse to accede to legitimate requests for such reim- bursement, Mr. Stephens declared, will be haled into court without further delay, obliged to return the whole in- terest and 25 per cent of the principal to the borrower, and run the risk of being sent to jail for 30 days. “The law is explicit,” Mr. Stephens said. “I have studied it carefully, have weighed all of the score or more cases that have been submitted to me, and have decided upon a definite course of action. run loan sharks out of business here within the next 30 days. Penalties Under Law. Inder the loan shark act of 1913, a person who charges more than 8 per cent interest on a written con- tract can be forced to refund the en- tire interest and 25 per cent of the Principal to the borrower. In addition, the court can impose a fine or a prison sentence, or both, within its discretion. “T want every person who has been forced to visit a loan shark to figure out how much interest they paid. The 8 per cent is on the basis of a year. If a man borrows a sum of money for six months, at the legal rate of Interest, he may be charged only 4 per cent. “Those who find they have paid more than 8 per cent should go to the lender and demand a refund of the excess charges. If he refuses, let take the offender to court without evidence that the law has been vio- lated. Evidence Against Several. “I have ample evidence against a | number of firms right now to show | that they have violated the law per- | sistently. When I take these cases| to court I shall ask the judge to im- vose the jail sentence. The law in- tended the fine only for the man who transgressed its limits once or twice. Mr. Stephens was visited this morn- ing by « man who had made three | loans from a garage and repair shop. For at least one of them he had paid | an interest rate exceeding 100 per | cent, computed on a yearly basis. Mr. Stephens said each instance seemed to be a clear-cut case against | the lender. He told the man to go to the garage immediately and demand that the excess Interest be returned. Judge Gus A. Schult and Judge John P. McMahon, two of the presid- | ing justices in Police Court, volun- tarily commended The Star this morn- ing for initiating the present (‘islm-l paign against usury in the District of Columbia. They predicted that it | would have highly beneficial and last- | ing effect in ridding the city of the loan shark. Campaign Is Commended. “The most unfortunate part of such business enterprises,” Judge Schuldt said, “is that they fleece the very class of citizens who can least afford | to pay thelr exorbitant charges. I} cannot commend The Star too highly We have seen enough of these goug. ers, and T shall co-operate in every way that I can in driving them from | our midst forever." Long after The Star's campaign ! has been forgotten, its benefits will live,”" Judge McMahon added. “This is a_genuine public benefit The Star is working, and I know it will suc- ceed. If there is any place in the country where financial transactions should be above question, it is the National Capital, and I shall lend my hearty support to any movement head- ed in that direction. The Star's com- paign is just such a movement.” BROWNING WINS SUIT. Gets Separation From ‘“Peaches” by Judge’s Decision. By the Associated Press. CARMEL, N. Y., March 21.—Ed- ward West Browning, wealthy New York real estate man, today won his ard Oll Co. of Louisiana, died here this morning. Radio Prpgrams—Page 23. separation sult against his wife, the | former Frances “Peaches” Heenan, in | a decision handed down here today by | Supreme Court Justice A. H. F.| Seegar. | designed to clarify a refund of payments in excess of that | g I belleve it will| them come to my office and T \\‘Hl‘ further delay in cases where there is | ELDRIDGE URGES A AMENDMENTS O TRAFFIGRULES Right-Hand Passing and Uni- form Left-Hand Turn Reg- ulations Asked. MANY CHANGES SOUGHT IN PARKING RESTRICTIONS Director Proposes Autos in Funerals Burn Two Headlights—New One-Way Streets Recommended. Forty amendments regulations recommended Director M. O. Eldridge considered by the District Commis signers, it was announced today by ‘[)nnlvl E. Garges, secretary to the Board of Commissioners. The majority of the changes are existing regula tions, but there are a number of pro { posed additions which would extend to the traffic by Traffic are being | the parking restrictions, create new one-way streets and make uniform the lefthand turn rule at intersec tions controlled either by an officer or an automatic signal device. Outstanding among the proposed amendments is one which would make it lawful for a vehicle to pass another on the right, providing there is suff cient room. Another would prohfbit parking within 20 feet of .the approach side of a car stop sign. Headlights for Funerals. Other new regulations recommended would require funeral processions to display two iluminated headlights on each vehicle and prohibit all vehicles, with the exception of fire apparatus, from displaying headlights throwing a red tint. The amendment which would make uniform the left-hand turning proce- dure at all controlled intersections reads: ““Where traffic is controlled by an_ officer or electric trafic devices a driver making a left turn shall keep as far to the right as possible and op until receiving the proper signal. t other intersections the turn shall be completed by passing around or over the central point of intersection of the two streets, having due regard for the right of way given other traf- o ‘The essential feature of this change would make the left-hand turn rule now in force on light-controlled streets applicable to intersections at which traffic officers are stationed. Instead or driving close to the officer and stopping, as is now the practice in making left-hand turns at Inter- sections where officers are on duty. motorists would be required to stop as nu{ as possible to the right-hand curb at the cross walk and complete !!he turn when signaled by the officer. Plan Tried Once. lan is the same as that experi {mented with sometime ago at \Four- teenth street and Pennsylvania ave- ynue and abandoned. Mr. Eldridge |feels now that motorists are famliliar | with the system as a result of makine {left-hand turns at the light-controlled intersections. The new regulations would extend | parking restrictions to Georgetown by fixing a two-hour parking limit on M street between Twenty-ninth and Thirty-sixth streets and on Wisconsin avenue between M and N streets. Streets on which it is proposed to | prohibit parking at any time follow: Kalorama road between Ontario road and Champlain street (south {side); Highland terrace (north side); Corcoran street between Fourteenth and Nineteenth streets (north side). both the outer and inner curbs around Dupont circle, and on the west side of Eighteenth street from ¥ to Cal- vert streets, from 8 to 9:15 a.m., and on the east side from 4 to 6 p.m., and lon Mount Pleasant street between Park road and Newton streets. The one-hour parking limit would also be extended on Thirteenth street from H to I streets. New One-Way Streels. The | The new one-way streets proposed ar F street from Seventeenth to Twenty-sixth streets, for_east-bound traffic only: G street from Seventeenth to Twenty-sixth streets, for west bound traffic only; Highland terrace, for west-bound traffic only, and Ce ter street, for south-bound traffic only The amendments recommended also specifically stipulate that pedestrians shall vield the right of way to vehicu- lar trafic whenever traffic is moving on a proper signal at intemections controlled by officers. Pedestrians, however, would have the right of wav over vehicles making turns. A sub. sequent paragraph provides that neither the pedestrian nor the motor- {st shall disobey signals on all high- ways where traffic is controlled “by any device.” No change is proposed in the regulation which gives the pe- destrian the right of way at all cross Walks not controlled by either officers or signals. Action to Be Delayed. wd the Commis- lic safety and were based on petitions and suggestions from citizens and on traffic studies conducted by the traffic department, some of them covering many months. All change: the parking restriction on Wisconsin avenue between M and N streets and around Dupent Circle, he said, have been approved by the District traffic council. The restriction on Wisconsin ave. nue, Mr. Eldridge explained, was recommended by Capt. Collins of the' seventh police precinct, who reported that the majority of those interested are in favor of a two-hour parking lmit. The Commissioners, it was indi- cated, will not take action on any of the recommended changes until the sentiment of the public is determined. i FAMILY OF FOUR KILLED. Meet Death When Auto Is Struck by Passenger Train. C ND, March 21 @) .— Driving into the country to buy eggs. as was their custom on Sunday, a family of four—father, mother and two ymm{l daughters—met death yes- terday when their automobile was atruck by an Erie passenger train. The vigtims were Mr. and Mrs. R, H. Bull of Cleveland and their children, Frances, 13, and Elizabeth, 10.