Evening Star Newspaper, June 26, 1927, Page 4

U1 S-HAWAIIAN HOP FLYER'S AMBITION Lieut. Maitland Has Cherish-i ed Dream of Pacific Trip for Six Years. It Lieut. Lester J. Maitland suc ceeds in linking the American W coast with Hawalli by air he will Lieut. Albert J. assembled on their tri-motor monoplane the most modern naviga tional instruments ecience has vised. In addition they will a course that is calculated to afford the least obstacles to overcome. Spurred on by the possibility that many unattached pilots may hop off any_day for the prize money offered by James D. Dole and others for the Pacific Coast to Hawaii flight, Mait 1and and Hegenberger are anxious to get away at the earliest possible moment. Weather conditions, in fact, are about the only thing that may delay the flight, as the tests of the instruments carried in the plane and its airworthiness have both proved satistactory. The recent cross-the-country cruise of Assistant Secretary of War F. Trubee Davison, in charge of aero- nautics, was made in a plane of the sane type as that to be used by Mait- land and Hegenberger, and the suc- cessful performance of the ship on this occasion was one of the elements which convinced the Army that the Hegenberger, Hawaiian flight could be accomplished. | ©On the Davison flight, approximately 6.000 miles are covered, and Lieut. Maitland served most of the time at | the controls. Davison Aiding Flight. Secretary Davison is intensely in- terested in the proposed flight Hawaii, and is giving his personal at- tention to many of the details of the venture. In Maitland and Hegen- berger, Secretary Davison believes he has designated two of the most ex- pert aviators of the Army Air Corps for the Pacific Coast-Hawaiian fiight. . 8ince Mr. Davison assumed the post as Secretary of War for Air, an office created as one of the direct off-shoots of the ‘“greater air service” contro- wersy led by Col. William Mitchell, Lieut. Maitland has been serving with him as an executive assistant. The two have considered all elements of the attempt to span the Pacific, and the development of the Fokker trans- port plane, with adequate room for ‘fuel for the hop of 2,100 nautical miles, is an outgrowth of these stu- dies. Maitland, in fact, has cherished . the ambition to make the flight for six years and sought the assignment { to lead the expedition. Both Davison and Maitland have regarded the hop to Hawail as o uncertainties ex- ‘ sible, and if any }::ed in their minds, the historic flight . of Col. Lindbergh to Paris and the cruise of Chamberlin and Levine to Berlin served to remove these doubts. The Lindbergh and Chamberlin planes are motored by the same engine used in the Maitland ship, and its de- ‘ dability is regarded as proven. On the navigational instruments and ra- dio; however, Maitland will:place his greatest dependence. Navigation Most Important. That the navigational features of the Hawalian flight are of prime im- portance was dvanced by no less an ' authority than Lieut. Erik Nelson, . who is generally regarded as the most ' ekilled of the American round-the- world pilots. The man who lands on Hawatian soil, Nelson contends, will be { %the luckiest pilot who ever held a _stick or an extra first class naviga- “As compared with the problems of ‘u-o:ng e Pacific and striking the | islands, the problem of crossing the Atlantic and landing in Burope is ! simple,” Nelson said. A three-degree error in navigation, | Nelson said, would have thrown Lind- bergh off his course, and perhaps sent "him over the North Sea. A three-de- | gres error the other way woul i y have meant that Lindbergh might ve landed on the coast of Spain. But the man headed for Hawaii who | makes a thrée-degree error in naviga- tion will be thrown off the course | enough to pass the Hawailan Islands entirely and head off somewhere into the open sea. Methods Are Approved. The Maitland-Hegenberger expedi- tion, however, appreciate fully the wvalue of navigation on the proposed cruise, and every precaution has been taken to provide equipment with which to steer their course for the Hawaiian mainland. In fact, the Hy- drographic Office of the Navy Depart- ment, at the request of Maj. Gen. Mason M. Patrick, chief of the Army Alr Service, has just completed a de- tafled inspection of the astronomical navigation methods proposed by Lieut. Hegenberger, and has approved them. The Hydrographic Office is peculiarly fitted to render this service, having at its disposal expert theoretical and practical navigators and over a half century of record in oceanography and meteorology, sailing and current di- rections. The Weather Bureau also has been called in to assist the Army in provid- ing information as to the wind di- rection on- the surface and aloft; the condition of the sea in Haw: waters, the clouds and their di tion, and data on fog, rain and other meteorological information. In sup- plying the information the weather station at Pearl Harbor. Hawali, will co-operate with the West tions. Weather experts he the outlook as most favorable for the Army's flight as far as prevail- ing winds are concerned. For more than two-thirds of the distance sepa- rating San Francisco from Hawaii, weather experts say, the winds will be from the eastward and thus favor the aviators. ‘While the winds along the California coast are generally from the north- ‘west during this period of the year, the tendency is to shift =0 as to come from the northeast and from the east. Experience has shown that from about 130 degrees west longitude the winds are from this direction, which would be most helpful in driving Maitland and Hegenberger toward Hawall, just as Lindbergh was aided by favorable winds driving the Spirit of St. Louis safely toward Ireland, Belgium and France. Another favorable consider: tion for transpacific flying is the ab- | sence of fogs at this time, in contrast to the prevalent North Atlantic fog hanks. Have Charts Computed. “Hegenberger and 1" Lieut. Mait- land said the other day, “have so com- puted our charts that we will know by pre-computation exactly where we are while in flight. In other words we won't have to pore over charts to figure out our Jatitude and longitude.” ‘The cabin of the big monoplane, reports from San Diego disclose, re- sembles a combined meteorological, aerological and navigation room, so completely is the ship equipped with navigation instruments. Lieuts. Maitland sald the navigation Instru- ments would iInclude a British aperiolic compass, one of the best of its kind in existence; an earth in- ductor compass, of the kind that Lindbergh used so successfully; a magnetic compass, a standard Army compass and th Noel Davis air sextant, said by Lieut. Hegenberger to be one of the most valuable instru- ments of its kind. This compass was invented by Comdr. Davis, who jwas killed in the crash of the trans- M Dlane, Amexicn Fokker de- | to | Leglon,, elaberaie | | | U.SARMy Ain Conps - during a trial flight near Norfolk. To further test the compasses car- ried, Maitland and Hegenberger plan a number of night flights this com- ing week. The two Army flyers are expected to steer a course that will land them near the same spot sought by the late Comdr. John Rodgers, hero of the PN-91, attempted to reach Hawaii in 19, The size of the Hawaiian group of five islands in- cludes a target that is more than 300 miles long, with fair landing territory in either Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui or Hawail. The whole area is about the size of Ireland. In addition there are two mountains which loom up as beacons for the airmen. These are known as Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. While it is generally stated that Guam is the next stop after passing the Hawailan group, if the Army airmen miss their ~original destination, 850 miles bevond is mid- way, a cable station with sandy soil, said to be suitable for landing pur- poses. No Thought of Failure. No thought of failure to reach their their goal, however, is entertained by Maitland and Hegenberger or any of their brother cfficers in the Army Air Corps, but they are taking no chances. ‘While much of the navigation will be by astronomical observation, great de- pendence is being placed on the earth inductor compass carried. As is well known, this Instrument is an Army development, aided by experts of the Bureau of Standards and private com- pass manufacturers. Work on this device was started in 1921, when the first working model was tested by Dr. Paul Heyl and other experts of the Tureau of Standards. This model in a flight test reacted to the pitch and roll of the airplane by oscillation of the galvanometer pointer. Refine- ments were made on the instrument, however, with the result that it is now regarded as essential to lung flights. One of the earliest experi- ments with this type of compass was made by Lieut. Hegenberger in | 1923, It was used as a part of the equipment on the Round-the-World flight; the recent Pan-American £00d- will fiight and by Lindbergh. Withhold Data on Plane. Anxious to accomplish the Pacific Coast-Hawailan flight with the least possible recourse to the spectacular, the Army authorities are withholding full details of the Fokker plane select- ed for the flight. as well as the man- ner in which it is to be finally equip- ped. It is known, however, that space which might be utilized for passen- gers or peace time, freight, or was supplies, has been converted into fual holders so that there may be 1o pos- sibility of failure through lack of g: oline.” The plane is known as a t port, and was built by the Atlanti Aircraft Corporation co-operation with Army builders. Iquipped with three Wright Whirlwind motors, of the same type as those used on the Lindbergh and Chamberlin planes, the ship is capable of a cruising spee: of 100 mi an hour under full load. 1t has a wing spread of 71 feet, | slightly less than the PN-9 seaplane flown hy Comdr. John Rodgers and his crew, and has proven in tests 10 have flown with a gross load of 12.715 pounds, not only proving satisfact in getting off the ground, hut also for climbing at a good pace once .t had taken the air. Of the ship and the aviators selected for the ambitious endeavor, Assistant Secretary of War Davison says: “There is no doubt in my mind as to the efficiency of the plane selected for the proposed Hawaiian flight. It as been tested in every particular to its mic lond capacity and aero- alities. 1t has met these Licut. Maitland and Lieut. genberger are splendid pilots. : The former has flown nearly 6,000 miles in a sister ship of the plane slated fot the Hawafian flight, so he knows it thoroughly. Lieut. Hegenberger, be- sides being a pilot, is a competent | navigator. I sincerely hope that the | flight will be successful. It would mean much to aviation if the flights over the Atlantic by Lindbergh and Chamberlin_could be duplicated over the Pacific in Years, Old in Flying. Both Maitland and Hegenberger comparative youngsters, but re as old in the flying game. Where one . ed i speed tests land holding one present record—the other has attained distinction in the { more technical side of aviation repre sented in the in pent and navizi tion branch. They both Army by enlistment shortly after the United States entered the World War {dyn ining courses n their prescnt status While all naval vesseis and com- mercial ships on the Pacific will be requested to watch out for the Mait- | joined the | ively through | right, Lieut, Upper: Hawaiian flyers and families. At left, Lieut. and Mrs. Lester J. Maitland; at right Lieut. and Mrs. Albert F. Hegenberger and their chil- dren; center, the Fokker tri-motor to be used in the flight; lower, left to aitland and Lieut. Hegenberger. BLINDING LIGHTS ARE AUTO DANGER Many Motorists Driving in Capital Have Ghviously lilegal Equipment. BY WILLIAM ULLMAN. Automobile Editor of The Star. Blinding motorists so that they mo- mentarily are unable to drive their cars with safety and rendering pedes- trians incapable of stepping from the path of peril, out-of-focus automobile headlights continue to make the streets of Washington definitely dun- gerous once darkness has descended upon the city. Although the glare of countless “cockeyed” headlamps dazzles the city as a whole, the eyesight of members of the poljce force seem to be im- mune and unaffected by the blinding beams. Motorists and others protest that cars on which lighting equip- ment points in every direction but down toward the roadway are allowed to be driven in Washington to the eme discomfort of all users of the streets and in many cases with positive danger to life. Many Violations to Be Seen. District traffic at night, observers find, is & continuing story of collisions or near-collisions caused directly by drivers and pedestrians becoming tem- porarily blinded by dazzling headlight beams. At times, there is a pedestrian who eitker 1s blinded and steps before an oncoming vehicle or is the victim of a motorist who, because of his inability to see clearly before him, loses that control of a car which is to the safety of driving Scores ot violations of the light provisions of the traffic code are to be observed any evening as one tra- verses the sireetd of Warhington. They may be seen everywhere, on Sixteenth street, on Massachusetts avenue, or elsewhere in the north- west or in the southeast. That they |are more hazardous and annoying on surface vessels is being arranged for as in the Navy't attempt to span the | Pacific In 1925. The expedition of Comdr. John Rodgers and others in the PN-) seaplanes was announced months in advance of the hop-off and naval vessels were stationed at inter- vals along the entire route. Constant communication between the seaplanes and the surface ships was maintained by radio, and each vessel had a spe- cific_function to fill. The flight of the Rodgers plane, between San Pablo Bay, San Francisco, and the point near the Hawalian Islands where lack of fuel forced the seaplane down, was recognized officlally as a world record. The distance covered was 2,963 kilo meters (1,841 miles, or 1,620 nautical miles), being figured from the point of starting to the destroyer Farragut, whose observers were the last to see the plane in flight. Rodgers and his | crew drifted for nina du. nd were finally found off Kauai by the Sub- marine R-4. |~ Rodgers, the hero of this flight, was | killed in an airplane aceident at Phila- delphia, during the Sesquicentennial | celebration, when he was testing a plane in which he hoped eyentually Maitland-Hegegderger expedition, no for protection by to take to the West Coast again attompt a non-stopAight to Mopolulu. | this sort, some thoroughfares than on others is due only to the greater volume of traffic on some strects than on others. Warm weather, with its greater night iriving, has served to accentuate the situation. As a result, there is held to be overabundant proof that the irreg- ular automobile lamp is shooting its shafts of peril night after night. Motorists may be heard lamenting the widespread evil continuously, but it is always the headlights of the other fellow that are wrong, and thus, offenders in this respect continue to be unaware of the potential danger of which they often are the unin- tentlonal source. Many Unconscious of Defects. What measures may be taken to control a condition of ness may vary in the minds of those who have observed the menacing glare that adds to the complexity of increasing traffic problems. The swelling protest leaves little doubt that the majority of residents of the National Caplital see the need for forceful and immediate remedial measures. The means of disposing of such a definitely objectionable and haza ous condition is held to be in the hands of two parties to the situation— car owners themselves and the police. If the former acted as a group, each motorist checking his own lights or seeing to it that they are adjusted by some one competent to perform that task, action by the latter would be unnecessary. It may be said, of course, that there is a large num- ber of motorists who use cars with decidedly unfocused headlights and are wholly unconscious of the danger. Ignorant of his offense, this type of car owner continues to add to the discomfitura and insecurity of his fel- low users of the city's streets. Here, experience indicates, is where a word from a policeman, if no other warn- ing awakens a response, may be productive of the necessary action on the part of the unthinking motorist, Many will respond to a warning of but there always be found a number of car users who are unwilling to act upon anything so pa i stances clared necessary and, here again, the Police Department must be depended upon to bring about the improve- ment by moving promptly when the warning is allowed to go unheeded. Immediate arrcst and the imposition of an adequate fine is held to be the remedy for indifference to this vital regulation. Law Is Two Years Old. Nearly two years ago an amend- ment to the traffic regulations, which made it obligatory for motorists to carry properly adjusted lighting equip- ment, became effective. This pro- vision of the regulations reads as fol- n and after August 1, 1925, every motor vehicle, whether new or used when sold, traded or unchanged, must be examined and necessary cquipment added or adjustments made to insure the lighting equipment complies with these regulations, provided the ve- hicle is to be operated during the hours when lights are required.” This regulation was intended to eliminate the glaring headiight evil. 1t did on occasions, but the present tide of protest indicates they huve been rather infrequent and the grent. er part of the time that portion of the traffic code which makes it possible to bring about an improvement in the automobile lights is ignored by At many motorists and seemingly otten by the police. From time to time warnings have been issued, but they have been heeded only for a while and then the matter completely passed out of mind. There are many motorists, it is found, who believe that their lizhts need no adjustment. They think that because the lamps have not been. this serfous- | b LINDBERGH PLANS QUIET TIME TODAY Expected to Remain at Davi- son Home—Attends to Personal Affairs. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, June 25.—Col. Charles A. Lindbergh returned to the home of F. Trubee Davison, Assistant Secre- tary of War for Aviation, at Glen Cove, Long Island, late today. after hurrying through a day of conferences in_New York. The New-York-to-Paris fiyer refused t see reporters, and his spokesman stated briefly that he had accepted nothing and declined nothing as yet in the way of commercial offers. Is Free Today. “Col. Lindbergh has had a very busy day attending entirely to his own per- al business affairs, and none of which has been definitely ~decided upon,” said Harry S. Knight, one of Lindbergh’s backers from St. Louis. “No final arrangements or agreements have been reached, nor is it expected that anything of this nature’will be available for a few da He has n official engagements for tomorrow." Mr. Knight and Harold B the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce accompanied Lindbergh to the city. They returned to the Davison estate in Mr. Davison's yacht. Sleeps Before Dinner. Lindbergh retired for a nap before dinner. It is exvected that he will remain at the Davison home all day tomorrow. Two detectives are on constant guard at the gates of the estate, changing shifts every 12 hours, and they stop all comers, afoot or in automobile, “How does Lindbergh time?" inquir —does he read? ““Oh, he has a great time pouring over atlases and maps!” a member of the household replied. WOULD PRESERVE FIELD. ROOSEVELT FIELD, N. Y., June 5 (A).—Comdr, Richard E. Byrd to- y indorsed the plan to preserve Roosevelt Field as a flying center, turning it into an airport instead of allowing it to be cut up into building ots. In a letter to Col. Benjamin Foulois, commander of Mitchell Field and sec- retary of the committee raising a fund to save Roosevelt Field for fly- ing, Comdr. Byrd expressed his hearty approval of the plan and his confi- dence that the necessary money would be raised. Tt is estimated that $2,000,000 would be needed to buy the field, turn it into a modern airport and construct hangars. Subscriptions of $50,000 have been received. spend his asked. “Does he talk noticeably awry that they are in proper adjustment. Experts, how- ever, say that it is impossible for au- tomobile lighting equipment to be given wide use over rough roads without lamps becoming tilted within a comparatively short time. They assert most positively that realign- ment of the lights is an absolute necessity at intervals. Many Make Frequent Tests. ‘There are many motorists, who take pride in keeping every bit of their motoring equipment in proper operat- *|ing order. These give occasional at- tention to headlamps as well, but those who give the tests say that the motorists who apply oftenest to have their lights examined have the least need for anxiety as to proper adjust- ment. The reasons, it is pointed out, are that the constant attention given by such motorists prevents a great departure from proper alignment, while many of them own better cars with equipment that is not so easily misplaced. Traffic experts agree that there is no season of the year when unfocused headlights are not a serious menace to public safety. They are dangerous in the Winter because of the more difficult driving conditions caused hy slippery streets, but they are doubly hazardous during the Summer motor- ing season because of the enormously greater number of cars that are being driven at all times and particularly after sundown. The impor{‘ance of Insisting upon all motor cars being equipped with headlighting equipment, which always is in correct adjustment is indicated v the fact that the question has been given special attention by all who have studied traffic problems. Was Studied by Conference. Particular emphasis was given this question by the Hoover conference reet and highway safety, because as pointed out by the traffic ex- perts comprising the membership of that conference that safety in motor- ing cannot be accomplished when night _driving remains so definitely hazardous from the presence on reets and ighways of countless thousands of “‘cock-eyed” headlamps. Traffic experts assert most posi- tively that great importance must be attached to the proper focusing of au- tomobile headlights. It is up to the law-enforcement officers, they point out, to see to it that the regulations which have been framed are observed. Motorists have a right to demand that the authorities upon whom enforce- ment of traffic regulations devolves do their share in endeavoring to_ elimi- nate the menace of the glaring beam: The regulation which stipulates that a license may be issued only for a car whose headlizht equipment is ‘of an approved type assures initial means of providing correct lighting of automobiles. Those familiar witk conditions be- lieve that only by continuous atten- tion by motorists to the headlights of their cars and constant vigilance on the part of the police in regard to those car owners who definitely are negligent can the widespread menace to safe motoring in the Natlonal Gapi- tal be removed. Whether the neces- sary steps are taken, of course, finally is up to the Police Department, but motorists have it within their power to effect a noticeable improvement in the hazardous condition at present evoking an ever-swelling protest alike from motorists and pedestrians. 1805 G St. N.W. $ .00 Down Yield on tang!- ble and intan- gible property, ‘public service corporations. banks, etc. 71,874.91 066.38 £9,798.80 Real estate tax yield. $6.031,488 6,152,604 6,219,160 354 . ,078,849.18 06.443.13 91 87 60,311. of appropriation was in effect. 60-40 principle. +Previo two-thirds valuation. to the fiscal year of 1923 the asss This year assessments were made on full valuation. ‘Tangible property assessment. $38,316,667.00 43,140,336.00 56,226,510.50 66,821,047.00 83,844,796 25 84,566,755.68 87.588,795.93 97,360,486.50 99,977,565.80 100,718,103.00 104,623,370.00 | Tax rate. Real estate assessment. $402,099,232 410,173,609 414,610,691 50,000,000 2 ess and the 50-50 system The rise in tax rate was brought about par- tially by the abolition of the 50-30 proportion and the substitution of the EDWARDS INSISTS ON5-3-3 RATIO Senator Protests Dropping of Naval Plan for Three Powers. Protest against an abandonment of ot the 3 naval ratio at the Geneva naval limitation conference, involving the States, Great Britain and Japan, is voiced by Sen- ator Edwards of New Jersey, member |of the Senate committee on naval af- essments had been based on a IThe 60-40 system of proportionate contributions was dropped, the lump- sum contribution from Congress being substituted DISTRICT SEEKS MEANS TO RELIEVE RISING TAX BURDEN (Continued from First Page.) inth and F streets, property is as a square foot. Busi- ness must be bright indeed to support such a rate. h Rise at Thomas Circle. The assessment on a section ,of land on Thomas circle a few ye%s ago was $309.780. This has now risén, un- der the new assessment, to $418,040. On Ninth street between F and G property assessed recently at $150,800 has risen to $208,800. On the same block, another property recently us- 5 d at $51,660 is now assessed at $90,405. Tax Assessor Richards states that the law is for assessment at real value, and he is only carrying out the law when the assessments are made. To furnish an example of how the as- sessment in 1924-1926 on a number of close they are to the actual value of property as demonstrated by real es- tate transfers, records compiled by Mr. Richards show that the total as- sessment in 1924-26 on a number of properties was $44,944,785. The tenta- tive assessment for 1928 was placed at $55,403,231. The consideration in sales of the land involved in these properties was §$58,538,237. The ac- tual value of these properties, as de- monstrated in the sales, was only $3,- 135,006 greater than the assessed valu- ation, upon which taxes were levied. In some cases the assessment exceed- ed the purchase price. Complaint is made that the method of obtaining these assessments is wrong. for the purchaser of a prop- erty because he wants it for some epecific purpose, may pay more than it is actually worth to obtain posses- sion. If the price is high, the as- sessments upon all surrounding prop- are increased on the assumption that the surrounding property has likewise increased in value. Mr. Richards states, howover, that his records show that assessments are, on an average, very close to the real value. He is ordered by law to assess real estate_at its true value. Allow- ing always for the possibility of a “break” in the real estate market here, the assessors, he states, nave al- lowed for this eventuality every by taking it into accourt in tasir sessments. But experience has shown that the 1eal value of fowniown prop- erty has heen increasing steadily ahead of the assessments, he states. Levy Depends on Budget. As a matter of faet, the amount to be raised by taxation in the Dis- trict depends upon the size of the hudget. If the assessments were low, the tax rate would be high, while the higher the assessment, the lower the tax rate. In the end, it makes little difference, for the money must be paid—whether the amount is based on a high tax rate or whether it is based on a high assessment. But the example given above, showing how this assessment has risen with the tax rate from year to year, forcing a double taxation burden on property owners within the space of a few years, ig considered sufficient need for some new arrangement by those ad- vocating it. The only advantage to the property owner of a high assess. ment is in case his property is to be sold, when it may influence the pur- chase price. Otherwise, he must bear the increasing burden, taking comfort in the fact that the higher assess- ment reflects increased business. In addition to the fact that the general trend throughout the country has been for reducing taxes, and that the National Government is striving to do this in all Federal taxes, Washing- ton's tax rate and assessment basis rank high among those throughout the country, and Washington's tax rate {3 on the increase. For instance, Detroit, with a popu- lation of 995,668, assess its real es- tate at $1,621,275,520 on the same basis that Washington, with a population of 528,000, assesses its real estate at $1,150,000,000. Detroit is the only ofie of a long list of cities which claims to assess its real estate anywhere near its true value, with the exception of Boston, which, assessing its real estate on the basis of 95 per cent, ar- rives at a total of $1,553,957,500. The population of Boston is 770,932; yet its assessed real estate is only 2303, 000,000 higher than Washington's, Triangle Adds to Problem. In addition to the already high ex- isting tax rate and high assessment: notice already is being taken by citi- zens of the possible effect upon the District’s tax rate of withdrawing the iand composing the “Avenue triangle” from taxation in connection with the Government's building program. There are two ways of looking at the possibilities involved. One view is from the standpoint of the tax col- lector. The chances are that property owners, removed from the Avenue tri- angle probably will locate their busi- ness elsewhere, and that the invest- ment of many of them in new proper- ty will be greater than in the property sold to the Government, Their taxes is always figured to a certain extent on the basis of population, and the acquisition by the Government of the Avenue triangle will not reduce the District’s population it is pointed out. But there is another view, from the standpoint of the property owner. The man who sells his property on the Avenue triangle, in moving elsewhere, July and August Places in Your Home— Ready to Use—a Automatic Gas Water Heater (Instantaneous or Storage Type) A Year to Pay the Balance 'Edgar Morris Sales Co. . Factory Distributors Main 1032-1033 probably will be forced to pay higher price for his new location than the prevalling price of surrounding pro erty ordinarily would justify. This have the effect therefore of increasing the value, and thus the assessment, on all property which surrounds h new location. From the tax payer's viewpoint, a heavier burden is in pros- pect, perhaps to be mitigated by more business, On every hand in the District among the business men, Who are now discussing the situation, the pre- vailing thought is that the District is asking Congress to look into the matter only from the standpoint of a student in economics, rather than from the position of the politician, who by large words, fills pages in the Congressional Record. If such an in- vestigation is ordered, there is little doubt in the minds of those now advo- cating it that Congress will see fit in some way to remedy a condition that they maintain, is growing more seri- ous every year. This view is generally held despite the fact that the fiscal inquiry of 1915 led to no definite con- clusion on the part of Congress. - APPREHENSIONFELT OR NAVAL PARLEY London Fears Failure That Might Affect Forthcoming League Conferences. BY. A. G. GARDINER. By Radio to The Star. LONDON, June 25.—Much anxiety prevails here regarding the prospects of armament conference at Geneva. It is recognized that failure of Amer- ica, Great Britain and Japan to ar- rive at a naval agreement would have fatal repercussion on the forthcoming disarmament conferences, while on the other hana a successful issue to the present conversations would change the whole current of the world movement in regard to ccmpetitive armaments. In view of the wide disparity dis- closed in the proposals of the three powers, regret is felt that the schemes were not exchanged before the con- ference, in order that the grounds uf difference could be more adequately explored and explained before formal negotiations began. It is generally agreed here that the British scheme is the most logical and far reaching of those put forward, and that it applies fundamental principles of limitation which are absent in the other proposals. The criticisms di- rected against it are based on the ground not that it 1s insufficiently drastic, but that it goes too far. Some disappeintment is felt at the rigidity of the American attitude with regard to capital ships and the dispositien to place an excessive valuation on mer- chant ships as potential auxiliaries of navies. The most hopeful factor i3 the sin- cere desire of all parties to reach an agreement, and private information obtained by the writer indicates that the preliminary conversations have so far cleared the ground that a plenary conference may open Monday. CITY NEWS IN BRIEF. TODAY. The Wanderlusters' will have a short hike, starting at 2:45 o'clock from Wisconsin and Massachusetts avenues. The League for the Larger Life is giving an aquatic party today at its clubhouse at North Beach on Chesa- peake Bay. Linn A. E. Ga.e will lecture on “Interference With Individual erty,” this afternoon, 3 o'clock, be- fore the Progressive Club, 61 Melwood avenue, Cherrydale, Va. FUTURE. The University Club will hold its an- nual field day tomorrow at the Colum- bia Country Club. Dinner will be served at 6:30 o'clock. Mid-City Citizens’ Assoclation will hold its final meeting until Fall to- morrow night, 8 o'clock, at Thomson School, Twelfth and L streets. Col. James S. Pettit Camp. No. 3, United Spanish War Veteraas, will meet Tuesday night, 8 o'clock, at 921 Pennsylvania avenue southeast. The Ergatocrats' Club will meet Tuesday night, 7:30 o'clock, at the home of Mrs. Emma C. Marsh, 119 C street northeast. Towa-Thomas Circle Citizens' Asso- clation will hold its final meeting until Fall Tuesday night, 8 o'clock, at the Logan_Hotel. Thirteenth street and Towa Circle. There will be an enter-| tainment program and refreshments. R i There are no millionaires in North Dakota, according to income tax fig- ures quoted in the Liberty magazine. ldaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and South Dakota each has one. an accoun For each $50 or fractionborrowed you agree to de- sit $1 per week n an Account, us the note when due. Deposits may be made on a weekly, semi- monthl or monthly as you *Character and |Easy to Pay fairs. said: “The present sea strength of the United States should not be weakened or tampered with one fota by our rep. resentatives at the tripartite navul conference at Geneva unless the other two contracting parties are willing to conform to the 5—5—3 ratio estah- lished at the Washingron conference of 1922. a member of the Senate naval affairs committee I must forei bly disagree with those who feel that a ‘reduction in the iser. destroyer and submarine strength of this Na- tion should be a fait accompli before England and Japan are willing to abide strictly by the Washington con ference agreement. This they have | not done to d “I se ¥ doubt if there is a more ardent advocate of universal peace in America than myself, and yet I earnestly feel that an adequate and complete preparedness, both on land and sea, is the only sure safe- |8uard against war. In my humble judsment, America, because of her thousands of miles of coast line and her Atlantic and Pacific possessions, cannot afford to be second to any nation on earth in the matter of naval strength. And by naval strength I mean all known forms of fighting water craff as well as an air force rate with our seagoing ves- sels. England is essentially a sea- faring nation. Because of her e pansive colonial possessions, she must, perforce, maintain a sea force 100 per cent efficient. “But what about America? Is Uncle Sam a colossus who can bestride the Atlantic and Pacific with nothing more tangible than promises on the part of foreign sovereigns who say one thing and do another?" OFFENDERS PUNISHED | BY SITTING IN COURT “Squatters’ Bench” Established by Judge to Keey Vagrants and Petty Offenders Quiet. In a statement the Senator By the Associated Prébs. . BIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 25.—A squatters’ bench” is the newest form of punishinent meted out to va- grants and petty offenders by Judge Al'rnethy in the Court of Misde- meanors here. His system is this: When the va- grant appears, usually armed with letters showing he is working at odd jobs, Judge Aberneth, who is doubt- ful about the odd jobs, simply con- tinues the case and assigns the of- fender to his “squatters’ squad.” He is directed to a long bench in the rear of the courtroom and told to “squat.” He is at liberty to go to his home at night, but each morning when court opens he must report to the judge. “As long as they're sitting on that bench,” Judge Abernethy said, as he surveyed the long line of “squatters.” “they won't get into any other devil- ment.” . VISITORS MAROONED ABOARD U. S. WARSHIP Storm Keeps 60 on Detroit as Sailors, Ashore, Are Un- able to Return. By the Associated Press. HASTINGS, England, June 25.— ‘Thresscore visitors aboard the U. 8. 8. Detroit, anchored five miles off shore, unable to leave the ship tonight owing to a sudden gale, had to be accommodated there, while 200 blue- jackets from the Detroit, for the same n;flls;:n, were marooned ashore for the night. The Jackies spent the eveni in places of amusement. Many of them ran short of cash and sought aid from the police, who found them lodgings for the night. Owing to the huge seas the Detroit was unable to hoist her boat aboard and sent it back to the shelter of the Hastings pier, where a large crowd applauded long-distance Jumping ds:m'e from the tossing craft by the crew. MOSCOW THIEVES DARING. MOSCOW, June 25 (#).—With the coming of Summer Moscow thieves ara becoming more daring. Recently in broad daylight, and under the eyes of hundreds of bathers and passersby, one of them stopped 1 man who had just finished his after. noon bath in the Moscow River, threatened him -vith a pistol, ordered him to cover himself up in the sand and rode away with his clothes on the victim’s bicvele. In another case a gang of thieves managed to carry away an electricil street clock. Injuries Fatal to Broker. MOUNT HOLLY, N. J., June 23 (#).—John McElroy, member of the New York brokerage firm of J. R. Williston & Co., died today of injurics recelved Wednesday night when motor car left the highway and over- turned near Masonville. He was born in Keokuk, Iowa, 52 rs ago, and began his finan in a bank in that town. The Bank that Makes You a Loan with a Smile The terms of Morris Plan Loans are simple and practical and fair —it is not neccessary to have had t at this Bank to borrow. Loans are pass- ed within a day or two after filing application— vith few excep- tions. MORRIS PLAN notes are usually made 1 year, thou; tllqmcy' be given for mz 0] 20 12 months. MORRIS PLAN BANK Under Supervision U.S. Treasury 1408 HSt. N. W., Washm