Evening Star Newspaper, November 8, 1927, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Rain tonight and tomorrow: not quite 5o cold tonight; lowest tempera- ture about 38 degrees, Temperatures— Highest, at 2:30 pm. vesterday; lowest, 36, at Full report on . New York Stock Market Closed Today No. 30,506. post office. a.m. today. page 9. Entered as second class matter Washington, D. BURNS DETECTNE * FALSTO IDENTIY LANG AS TRALER Long Confronted by U. S. Em- ploye to Test Affidavit Statements. JUROR GLASCOCK DENIES VISIT TO FLYiNG FIELD Government Prepares for New 0il Fraud Trial—Seeks Black- mer and 0'Neil. detracking for a moment his pres ion of evidence to the grand jury jovernment ch s of in the Sinclair conspiracy 1. Assisl United Btates Attorney Neil J today investizated the claim of two Burns detectives that a “Government operative,” H. R. Lamb, shadowed and approached Juror Norman L. Glas- cock at Hoover Field October 22 and announced afterward that he was sat- {sfied Lamb in no manner was con- nected with the alleged act. William V. Long of Philadelphia, #he Burns agent who made the charge, was confronted with Lamb in Burkin- en in support of Jury tamper ant shaw's office and failed to identify him | as the man who followed Juror Glas I from the latter's home at 1013 th strect to the Potomac Flying ice Field. Glascock failed to iden Lamb as being a person he h seen before under any circumstances, and following on the heels of this scock denied' unequivocally that he sited the flying field on the after- noon of Octoher 22, as stated by Long. In connection with Burn’s testimony . United States Attorney Gor- - requested all newspaper correspondents who heard Burns' statements in the corridor following his appearance hefore the Grand Jury to hold themselves in readiness to ap- pear before that body if their pres- ence should be desired. No indication was given by Maj. Gordon as to the purpose of any testimony the news. paper men could give. Prepare for New Trial. George Aiken, a ga with whom Lamb, who i e for some stments, seemed to close the case s far as the Government was con- eerned by stating he tested the car, but did not drive to the flying field. Burns, it was explained. was brought to Washington for the pur- pose of “tel who emploved the ncy for the shadow work. Burns 'd newspaper men that Henry M Fon Day, vice president of the xploration Co, now under 000 bond. was the man who employed the agency through Sherman Burns, secretary-treasurer. In another part of the courthouse today the Government moved for- ward in its plans for the new trial of Fall and Sinclair on January 16. Justice Frederick L. Siddons signed authority for any American consul in France or any other country to serve subpoenas on Harry M. Black- mer and James E 'Neil, witnesses Burkinshaw | By the Associated Press. BOSTON, November 8. —New stories of distress came from northern Ver- mont today. with additions to the sven- growing list of fatalities from last | week’s flood. which has claimed more th 140 vietims. From Newport, Vt, near the Cana- dian line, came the latest tale of suffering when a party of four men tramped miles over torn roads and swaying bridges to Burlington to tell of a town that was face to face with starvason. They brought the intelligence that at least three men had perished there, with the possibility many more might have been claimed in the sudden rise lof the Biack River. | New Ha re, taking calmer few days following the storm. found them not as sreat as i been thought. | Connecticut, which had heen appre- hensive that the vast volume of water rolling down the river of the same name might do heavy damage, re- joiced at the decline of the flood crest. Springfield, Mass., also was com- forted by the continued fall of the YOUTHFUL SLAYERS ARE GRANTED STAY Execution of Moreno, Eaglés and Proctor Delayed Two Months Pending Appeal. Chief Justice McCoy of thesDistrict Supreme Court today postponed until Tuesday, January 10, the electrocution of lamuel Moreno, Nicholas Lee Eagles and John C. Proctor, the youth- ful bandits convicted of the murder of Policeman Leo W. K. Busch, Septem- ber 26, 1926, in Petworth. The men were under sentence of death, which was set by Justice Hitz as November 11, but because of the pendency of an |appeal to the District Court of Ap- peals, the date for the execution of the sentence had to be changed. The three young men came smiling into the courtroom and each, in turn, shook hands with James J. O'Leary, assistant United States attorney, who aided in their conviction, “We know vou only did your duty,” they said to n prosecuting us.” Jackson Sentence Stayed. Philip Jackson, colored, who as- saulted a young white woman in the Capitol grounds, had also been sen- tenced to die November 11, but his electrocution was deferred some days ago until April because of the pend- ency of an appeal. The trial of the three condemned men lasted about seven weeks, and ranked as one of the longest murder trials in the history of the District cou: John F. McCabe originally was indicted with Eagles, Moreno and described as being “vital to the Gov- ernment.” 3 Traveling expenses of $300 each were authorized for the two men to return to Washington for the trial Witnesses in Europe. Both have been in Europe since the Teapot Dome scandal broke and Blackmer was twice served with a subpoena for the trial, which just ended, but failed to respond. O'Neil never was reached with a subpoena Both are wanted to tell about “the oil d=al” in which Sinclair and others figured and which resulted in an enormous profit. This profit was in- vested in Liberty bonds and the Gov- ernment charges some of these secur- ities reached Albert B. Fall, then Sec- retary of the Interior, a month after the Teapot Dome lease was given by Fall to Sinclair. - United States Attorney Pevton Gor- don and special Government oil coun- ®cl, Atlee Pomerene and Owen J. Rob. erts, petitioned the court for the sub- poenas. Later Lamb was taken before Glas- cock and neither recoznized the other, “Well, ther been lots in the papers about you two, so I think you should know each other,” remarked Burkin- shaw, and the two shook hands. | Shortly after 12 o'clock the zrand Jury was readv to proceed with the alleged jury tampering matter and Burkinshaw took Long. Lamb, Gla cock and Aikens before it, presumably to re-enact the investigation previous- 1y conducted. Chief Clerk Subpoenaed. Tnusual interest centered on Harry | Jeffreys, chief clerk of the Sinclair Consolidated Oil & Refining Co.. who is under a subpoena to come before the grand jury. Jeffreys is the man whom Burkin- shaw charges actually employed the Burns detectives to shadow the t jurors, though William J. Burns and his son, W. Sherman Burns, both de. clared yesterday that the employer was Henry Mason Day, now out on $25,000 bond. Burkinsh aid today that Jeffreys is scheduled to come here Thursday. It is through Jeffreys and Sheldon Clark, the Chicago repres ntative of the oil magnate, the Government ex- pects to connect Harry F. Sinclair more directly with the epiracy to influence the nd decision of the trisl jur: case, Clark, who is vice president of the Sinclair Consolidated, was in Wash- ington early today advisin: zel, but was diue to appear the grand jury Jater. Burkinshaw does not minimize the fmportance which he altaches to these two Sinclair men, he be lieves they will furnisk the final link in the chain of circumst <on. neeting Sinclair with the activitles of the Burns agents during the trial. Sinclair is charged in a complaint still standing against him with con- spring with Day and others to in- fluence the jury. The warrant for his arrest s being held in abeyance pend- ing further developments in the grand jury investi n. Meanwhile five other witnesses d up today before the grand ju luded three the “triul jurors, Norman L. G . John J. Costinett and Gardner P. Grenfell, Othes witnesses today were Long, the Burns agent who reported on the alieged tra the jure cock and Aikens, the garage man. before Through the denials of Lamb and TContinied on Paze A, Colimn 80 Proctor, but, as the trial neared its close, he was exonerated not only by Government evidence, but by the three prisoners themselves, of any part in the shooting of the two offi- cers. McCabe was indicted because of the steadfast stand taken by Eagles that he was the “master mind” of the gang. Eagles, fromdhe witness stand, dramatically admitied he “framed” McCabe, and the jury, after it received the case for deliberation, acquitted McCabe within two minutes, The three bandits, by being found zuilty of first-dezree murder, marked the first time in the memory of oldest courthouse attaches that the Govern- ment ever sent to the chair three lives for the loss of one. Eagles Losing Sight. Since their incarceration within the District Jail Eagles, the oldest of the three, has about lost the sight of one eve. During the trial he made it evi- dent that his eyes were not in good condition and since that time they been growing weaker and weak- . Tagles is reported to bhe the most j crestfallen of the trio, while the other two have adopted an apathetic atti- tude toward their fate. The Government, represented by former Assistant United States Attor- ney George D. Horning, scored its victory by proving that a conspiracy existed between the three to “shoot our way out” after they had been taken into custody by the two police- men on suspicion of highway rob- bery, which they had committed an hour or two previously in Maryland. After this agreement the shots were fired and. although one bullet alone caused Busch's death, the Govern- ment argued that this one bullet, as a result of the conspiracy, was fired by all three, | . | SUSPENSION OF SANDE STANDS, DESPITE PLEA By the Associated Pres BALTIMORE, land Racing Novembey 8. —The Commission _to- refused to lift its ban against rl Sande, famous jockey, whom t body deprived of ‘his license for "ged foul riding at Pimlico last v. The commission said the or- der of suspension would he continued indefinitely, but that it would not be made permanent. This decision followed a hearing the commission granted the little turf idol | today. Sande left the room in tears. VERMONT VILLAGE, CUT OFF BY FLOOD, NEAR STARVATION Four Men Hike Miles to Bring News of * Suffering at Newport—Crest on Connecticut River Passed. | situation per: | stock of its losses than was possible | WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ¢ Foening Star, WASHINGTON, D. C, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1927—THIRTY-EIGHT PAGES. Connecticut. City inspectors were making an examination of all flooded houses before allowing reoccupation. In Vermont, however, the full blow the fell, and there a sted today that State while praising the ns in their efforts did not at- officials and other: attitude of the citi toward reconstruction, tempt to minimize. The four men who reached Burling- ton from Newport said that town wus staring starvation in the face. Flood waters still were rising, drink- ing water was being obtained from one small pipe that was carried across a cracked and tottering bridge., and food was hardly to be had at any price, Practically every house along the river bank was under water and many had been toppled into the stream. The veast supply has gone. There was no meat and little fuel. The live stoc most to a head, and eggs | had lived on | cereal and miik for four __Other stories of acute suffering and | immediate need came from the Wi- nooski Valley, where 86 persons are known to have perished. A rendering plant was offered more than 3,000 dead cows from the little (Continued on Page 4, Column 4 PRESIDENT AGAINST INHERITANCE LEVY Executive Said to Favor Re- peal of Federal Tax as Aid to States. By the Associated Press. President Coolidge favors repeal of the federal inheritance tax, it wae said today at the White House. The President’s position was made clear even while a heated controversy over the Inheritance tax was going on before the House Ways and Means Committee, where lobbying accusa- tions have flown thick and fast. He believed, as the Treasury recom- mended, that the United States Gov- ernment should withdraw from this field of taxation to permit the States to have this revenue which the Presi- dent believes is needed to care for the increased cost of State government. With the provision allowing the States 80 per cent of this tax, the Pres ident believes that it becomes a minor revenue measure and that the States should have the entire benefit of this form of taxation, The White House today denied that any person outside of Government offi. cials had discussed the tax with the President. Reports had heen circu- lated in Washington that lobbyists had called at the White House in an effort to influence the President. Council Income Probed. The source of income of the Na- tional Council of State Legislatures and organizations advocating repesl of the Federal inheritance tax was in- quired into closely today by the House ways and means committee. After William H. Blodgett, tax com- missioner for Connecticut, and spokes- man for the organization, had urged elimination of the tax on the grounds that it infringed upon State rights, a pumber of committee members asked concerning the body and its financing. These questions were in line with charges that a big lobby has been or- 8anized to force repeal of the tax. Representative Garner of Texas, ranking minority member of the com. mittee, asked what “steps had been taken at an organization meeting in Washington to finance its work. 0 far as 1 know there wasn't any matter of finance,” Blodgett replied. ‘My State paid my expenses. It pays them every time I am called away on tax matters.” Rainey to Ask Inquiry. Representative Rainey, Democrat, Tllinois, who intends to ask for a con: gressional investigation into charges that a lobby is being maintained here in behalf of repeal of the inheritance tax, quizzed Blodgett on the subject of the council of legislatures. Blodgett said he could not give any information about the number of council delegates here, and the din- ners, breakfasts and sightseeing ex. curefons arranged for them, and de- clined to agree with Rainey when he suggested that the expense must be around $50,000. “Well,” Rainey pursued, “it cost me $100 to make a round-trip to Tilinos: it must cost $20,000 to bring this dele- gation here.” Rainey then asked Blodgett if he had not received a letter saying his expenses would be paid. “I did not.” Perhaps you overlooked it in your mail.” “I frequently overlook much of my mail,” was the rejoinder. Green Charges “Packing.” The charge that advocates of the repeal of the inheritance tax had packed” the House ways and means committee room was made today by the chairman, Represent during the testimony of witnesses on tax revision. A hurst of applause had greeted a statement by John H. Kirby, Hous- ton, Tex., president of the National Council of State Legislatures, in favor of elimination of the tax, when Green leaned forward in his seat and de- clared: his room has been picked by i Befo the wit- “(Continued on Page 3, Column 2) By the Associated Press. PORTLAND, Oreg, November 8.— Discovery of letters advocating the spreading of leprosy and anthrax in America, alleged to have been recelved { by William Nash, today found him | held without charge in the city jail. | One of the letters was addressed to “Commisar, Department V-19, Depart- ment of Foreign Trade, Viadivostok, Siberia.” Another was one in Mexico Cit to Nash marked *un one had been sent to Ve SIaneira, Bragzih Seized Letters Reveal Plot to Spread Leprosy and Anthrax in United States The contents of the last-named letter opened: “Dear Brother: I received your let- ter requesting more leprosy germs, which I will xend at once by the same party 1 sent the others by In the letter sent to Mexico City and returned undelivered Nash says he had recently returned from Russia. The letter from Rio de Janeiro also told how anthrax could be spread, while the one from Siberia mentioned shipments of arms to China, SMITH'S 1528 B0OM MEASURED TODAY INNEW YORK VOTE Shift of Gubernatorial Elec- tions Into Presidential Years Fought. VICTORY FOR GOVERNOR SEEN BOOST FOR HUGHES Republicans Seek State Candidate for Next Year and Sentiment Swings to ex-Judga. BY G. GOULD LINCOLN, Staft Correspondent of The Star, NEW YORK, November §.—Gov. Al| Smith and his supporters are battling again today at the polls against his Repullican opponents. The only “na- tional" significance in today’s elections has to do with Gov. Smith himself. If he wins, his stock goes up. The de- mand for his nomination for Presi- dent next year will receive added im- petus. Smith has led the fight against amendment No. 6—there are nine con- stitutional amendments submitted to the voters today. Amendment No. 6 ‘would change the term of governor to four years and set gubernatorial elec- tions in the same years in which Presidents of the United States are chosen. The governor insists that such a constitutional change is unwise because if adopted, a weak candidate for governor migh ide into office on the coattails of a presidential nominee. To Elect Assembly. The only other fight of major im- portance in the State today is over the election of an Assembly. Political division of the Assembly has been: Republicans, 84. and Democrats, 66. Amendment No. 6 seems doomed. I.eading Republicans here admit that. But they insist that its defeat should not be considered a real measure of Smith's strength. Many Republicans have been opposed and are opposed to such a constitutional change. But this cgument is not likely to detract greatly from the probable increment to Smith's prestige if he is victorious in this fizht. His supporters for the presidential nomination will turn to his opponents and demand his nom- ination next vear. on the ground that he carries the Empire State in his en the Republican leaders admit, however, that if the Democrats should win control of the Lower House at Albany, it would be an impressive victory for the Governor. But they are confident this will not occur. Some of them see Democratic gains, how- ever, notwithstanding the driv Re- (Continued on Page 5, Column 2.) MARINE FLYERS KILLED BY REBELS Two Missing Airmen Victims in Nicaragua, Says Report of Natives. By the Associated Press. MANAGUA, Nicaragua, November 8.—A report that Second Lieut. E. A. Thomas and Sergt, Frank Dowdell American Marine aviators, who have been missing for more than a month, ever since they crashed in their plane while on patrol duty, were killed by followers of the former -liberal Gen. Sandino, after a fight at a cave en- trance, was received here today from Nilcnrugunns living in the Ocotal re- glon, The report is believed here to be authoritative, The report reveals that the Ameri- can flyers were killed only after put- ting up a desperate resistance against 30 or 40 guerrillas who trapped them in a cave after one of the flyers had been wounded by a machete in the hands of two men whom they met in the jungle undergrowth after abandon- ing ‘their plane. STORE MANAGER, BEATEN BY THUG IN HOLD-UP, DIES Charles F. Wpldron Succumbs to Injuries Inflicted by Bandit, Who Fled With Cash. Charles F. Waldron, Atlantic & Pa- cific store manager, who was slugged by a neero bandit in a_hold-up, Satur: day afternoon, while his wife looked on helplése, died this morning at Sib- ley Hospital from his injuries, in- flicted with an iron pipe. The slayer is still at ln Wallren, who was 3 lived at 3317 Fifteenth reet. Waldron we . in the store with his wif> and their two children, and a customer, shortly after ] o'clock Sat. urday afternoon, when' the colored man entered, and asked for some pears. As the grocer stooped over a crate to fill the order, the negro struck him from behind, then as his viciim foll ungonscious, jumped to the h register, grabbed the contents— erby said he 5 1 automobile Polica were furnished seription. old, “with a de- FORBUSH IN FLOOD AREA. CANANDAIGUA, N. Y, November 8 (#).—Rev. Dascomb E. Forbush of this city tramped 40 miles from Rut- land, Vt., to Canaan, N. H:, through the flood regions, to search for his wife, missing since October 19, it was learned here today. Mrs. Forbush dis- appeared in Washington. 'Mr. Forbush, in a telegram to Mayor Willlam J. MacFarland, related how he was stranded in his automobile near Rutland by the swollen streams and then started his long walk to Canaan to run down a report that a woman answering his wife's descrip- tion was seen near the Forbush Sum- mer home two weeks ago. Police indicated a sanity test would be included in the investigation of Nagh's activition, - Radio Proggm—Page 32 1 Diplomat Passes Away Fol- lowing Operation Which He Underwent Saturday. Pan-American Circles Shock- ' ed by News—Deceased Was | Popular in Capital. Senor Don Francisco Sanchez- | Latour, Minister of Guatemala to the | United States, died at his home, New Hampshire avenue, shortly after midnight this morning, following an | operation for appendici Saturday Apparently recovering over the week end, he expired, friends believe, due to being weakened since he was wounded near the heart in his study last July when an old pistol which he was examining was accidentally dis- charged. His death was a shock to pan- Ameriean circles in the Capital high officials expressed their pathy. The governing board of the Pan-American Union will hold a spe- cial meeting tomorrow at noon in con- nection with the funeral arrange- ments. It is considered likely that the funeral will be held Friday, and if burial is to be in his native land, the American Government will supply a warship to convey the body to Cen- tral America. * The envoy's brother, Delfino San- PRESIDENT STUDIES DEBENTURE PLANS Use of Tariff Revenues to Pay Stabilization Costs Inter- ests Executive. BY DAVID LAWRENCE. There's a story being told on Cap- itol Hill that President Coolidge has given his informal approval to a plan for the use of tariff revenues as a means of paying the costs of stabil- ization, which has been the princi- pal source of controversy in the last few years in farm legislation. As repeated among some of the Senators interested in the agricultural export problem. the President was given an informal outline a few day: ago by Senator Mc! of the va- rious proposals-being made. The port debenture plan of the National Grange was explained to him and he was advised that the formation of a corporation to handle the sale of the surplus was contemplated and that farmers would be given participation certificates which could be sold to im- porters, who in turn could use them to- pay their’ customs duties at the various ports of the United States. Indirect Levy on Treasury. In other words, the whole deben ture plan would be tied up with the tariff, especially since the. certificates would be approximately equal to the ariff on the agricultural product in stion. Whether the President understood fully the implication of the plan, or whether he was merely giving it an offhand consideration preparatory to further study by hia cabinet, is not known. The President is represented as having inquired whether the plan would not in reality be a levy on the Tre: ry and he was told that it was indirectly so, just as, of course, the money loaned to the War Finance € poration. or through any of the oth annels ot farm eredit to which Mr Coolidge is finally reported to have said he saw no objectio ‘When Senator MoNa got back to Capitol Hill and (alked with other Senators they questioned him closely as to the President’s attitude and some of them were surprised that the President .had been willing to go as far as indicated by the Oregon Sena tor. There are to ba further conv sations, of course, and there I8 no com- mitment as yet on the part of the President to any particular plan, He does feel sure that something concrete should be accomplished at the coming session of Congress with respect to the export surplus problems of the farm and he is prepaved to go as far as he possibly ean, consiatent with his earlier declarations about Government price fixing, to bring ahout a solution. The plans that have been ‘brought |- to the White House Intely as a ba: for _compromise contemplate a _man. (Continued on Page 3, Columa 3) & ane ‘of ¢ 'SANCHEZ-LATOUR, GUATEMALAN ENVOY. DIES AT HIS HOME HERE SENOR SANCHEZ-LATOUR. chez-Latour, is consul general for his country at New York. Senor Sanchez- Latour is survived by his widew, the former Lillian Hall Davis of Rich- mond, Va. The death of the Guatemalan min ister removes one of the most popular and_widely known of pan-American (Continued on Page 5, Column 4.) WATSON PROMISES FLOOD PROGRAM Congress to Get Relief Plan, Indiana Senator Says at Hearing. By the Associated Pres: Everything that can be done will be done by Congress in the solution of the flood problem, Senator Watson, Republican, Indiana, told approxi- mately 400 proponents of relief at to- day's hearings of the House flood- control committee, The Nation has come to realize that the control of the Mississippi River’s waters is a task of the National Gov- ernment, the Indiana Senator de- clared. A smaller attendance was at the hearing today, although Mayor Thompson and leaders of his Chicago delegation were present. Backed by Harrison, The flood has brought the South to the realization of the unification of the Natlon, Judge A. G. Little of Arkansas, the first witness, declared. That the flood legislation be the first bill on the congressional calendur and be the first measure placed before the President was urged by Senator Harrison, Demoe . Mississippi. S¢ ator Ha on said that all differences should be “composed and one compre: hensive plan be omplished.” Joth Senators Watson and Ilar- on expressed their view that the Kederal Government should assume full responsibility in the curbing of the river's high waters. John Walker, president of the Illi- nois Federation of Labor, told the committee that union labor was in vor of the National Governme«i assuming the task of flood control. Senator Watson said that he was assured there would be no polities in the flood legislation.. He added that the Government should_be prepared “(Continued on Page 4, Column 6.) “From Press to Home Within the Hour” ‘The Star’s carrier system covers every city block and the regular edi- tion is delivered to Washington homes as fast as the papers * P Means Associated Pr are printed. Yesterday’s Circulation, 101,219 TWO CENTS. REVENUE OFFICIAL NEW MERGERPLAN NEARS COMPLETION Cilizens” Proposal Involves Power Company and May Urge New Valuation. Another plan for consolidating the transportation systems of the District will be completed the latter part of this week by the engineering firm of Hansel & Hansel, Ralph B. Fleharty, | people’s counsel before the Public | Utilities Commission, was advised to- day by Maj. Clayton E. Emig and Hugh M. Frampton, members of the pubiic utilities committee of the Fed- ‘ration of Citizens' Association. he committee engaged Hansel & Hdnsel some months ago to make a transportation survey of the District and to evolve a plan of merger which would be sponsored by the organized citizens of the District. Just as soon as it is completed, the committee pro- poses to submit it to Mr. Fleharty for his consideration. Will Confer on Plans. It Is ths intention of the commit- tee to hold joint conferences with Mr. Fleharty and Harley P. Wilson, author of the latest merger plan, for the purpose of working out a scheme which would be acceptable to both interests. An effort will be made to arrange the first of these confer- ences early next week. While none of the details of the Hansel & Hansel plan has vet been revealed, it was intimated that it most likely would contain a pro- on for making the Potomac Elec~ tric Power Co. a party to the merger. The power company is omitted under the Wiison plan. The federation has taken the position that only through the merger of the power company with the two traction companies can the financial and engineering success of the unification be assured and the rights of the stockholders and patrons safeguarded, K William McK. Clayton, chairman ot the utilities committee of the federa- tion, has insisted that in advocating a merger through many years ihe organization has always meant and means today a consolidation of the three companies. Oppose Guaranteed Return. The federation also, Mr. Clayton said, is committed to the following principles with respect to a merger: Opposition to any guaranteed rate of return, a fixed rather than a vari- able rate of fare, a 6 per cent rate of return instead of 7. and that the base of the -merger company upon which the rate of return is to be com puted should be ascertained and es- tablished by a new valuation of the properties to be consolidated, and that these valuations be based on the actual investments made by the companies rather than upon the reproduction costs. The federation is in accord however, with the feature of the Wil son plan which would relieve the merged companies of payment of the salaries of the crossing policemen and street paving cosfs. The Wilson plan is still resting un- disturbed in the Public Utilities Com- mission, waiting for a move on 'he part of some one to bring about the conferences suggested by John II Hanna, president of the Capital Trae- tion Co., and indorsed by the auth Mr. W n has indicated that he § to proceed with the conferences but some doubt exists as to who should take the responsibility for initiating the discussions. The Utilities Commission today con- sidered the letters of Mr. Hanna advocating conferences on the merger plan and Mr. Wilson's approval, and | as a result drafted a communication to be sent to each of them endorsing the idea but declining to participate in the discussions. The commission’s letter pointed out that it would be glad to consider any plan designed to bring about a merger, which is highly desirable, but that it would be inconsistent for it to take part in discussions on a plan that it later would have to con- sider officially. The commission also offered to make helpful sugsestions to the merger conferees. Man Who Stole Overcoat Gets 90 Days After Judge Loses Own While in Church “Ninety days in- jail,’” declared Judge Isaac R. Hitt, presiding mag- istrate of the United States branch of the Police Court, as he pronounced sentence today on Ossie Jones, colored, who had stolen an over Judge Hitt knew what it meant to have an overcoat stolen in this cold weather, for last night the judge had his own coat stolen.. Stolen, further- more, while he was attending services at the Calvary Methodist Church on Columbla. road, of which Judge Hitt four chayter members, ‘When services were over Judge Hitt walked to the cloakroom, where he found his hat, but no overcoat. Re- leving that a mistake had been made, he waited until all the coats had gone with their owners, But his coat did not tome back. It was a dark blue coat of Chester. field cut, valued at $90. Inside the satin lining was the name of the maker and the initials of the fudge. ISHELD ON CHARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT H. C. Powell, Chief Collector in D. C. Office, Arrested at Hospital. WARRANT IS ISSUED BY U. S. COMMISSIONER Accusation Follows Probe by Bu- reau Agents—Formal Complaint Involves $2,500. H. Clay Powell, assistant chief field deputy collector of internal revenue, in charge of the Washington office, was placed under arrest today at a local hospital, where he has been ill for some time. Powell is charged in a warrant issued by United States Commissioner Needham C. Turnage with the embezzlement of $2,500 be- longing to the United States, which came into his possession as a deputy collected at Washington, Commiissioner Turnage went to the hospital where bail of 85,000 was ar- ranged for Powell's appearance before him on December 8. The complaint was sworn to by Frank J. Wilson of the Intelligence Unit of the Bureau, following an in- vestigation. of the accounts of Mr. Powell after he had been taken to the hospital. He was in charge of col- lecting delinquent taxes and it is claimed that some of the tax payers paid him in cash and others gave checl which, it is alleged, he en- dorsed and converted the receipts to his own use. 2,500 Theft Charged. The formal charge in the warrant is violation of section 47 of the penal code. It is alleged that between January 25, 1926, and August 7, 1927, Powell unlawfully and feloniously “did embezzle, steal and purloin cer- tain money. to wit, $2.500, lawful money of the United States, being then and there property of the United Stat which he had collected in his official capacity as deputy collector, the said money being due the United States as internal revenue taxes." Although the amount named in the warrant is only $2500, Assistant United States Attorney Leo A. Rover, who directed issuance of the warrant, declared that a much larger amount is involved. Galen L. Tait, collector for the Baltimore area, which includes the Washington rict, here today in connection with the investigation and turning over of the office to A. Parks Rasin, declared that he was doing some “necessary houseclean- ing” and sald that the information in the case had been turned over to the United States attorney. Mr. Tait issued the following state- ment: “It would appear that the amounts involved are not excessive and are co ered by bond of the individual re- sponsible.” Lies in Hospital. Mr. Powell, who was relieved of his position, was in George Washington University Hospital this morning from a recent appendicitis operation, but of- ficials there said he was in condition to be removed to his home, 1803 Cal- vert street, this afternoon in an am< bulance, Tait’s statement in full follows: With reference to my recent re- moval of H. Clay Powell from the position of assistant chief field dep- uty, in charge of the Washington Internal Revenue Office, I would say that I am doing some necessary housecleaning. “A few weeks ago I started a care- ful investigation by my force of the Washington office, which, to my re- gret. disclosed the existence of cer- tain reprehensible matters. I then asked Mr. Blair. commissioner of In- ternal Revenue, to instruct the Spe- cial Intelligence Division of the Bu- reau to asSsist my deputies in working them out. “I have today turned over the facts and further action in the affair to the United States district attorney for the District of Columbia. A warrant of arrest will undoubtedly be issue. It would appear that the amounts in- volved are not excessive and are cov- ered by bond of the individual re- sponsible.” Handles All U. S. Taxes. The local office handles not only in- come taxes, but all other taxes which reaidents of the District of Columbia pay to the Federal Government. Thousands of taxpayers file through the small place on each quarterly ine come tax payment period. March, June, September and December. Not all taxpayers, however, clear their accounts through the local office, as many are sent by mail to the col- lector's office at Baltimore. How much money goes through the local office as compared to the total collected for the District of Columbia, does not show in the latest reports at the Treasury Department. But the to- tal amount of internal revenue col- lected from the District for the fiscal Vi ending June 30, last, was $18. 2. Of this. $16,019,922 was in ax. and the remainder miscel neous. At the Treasury it was learned that operatives from the special intelligence unit of the Bureau of Internal Rev: enue have been working on the inves- tigation for some time. Several men have been detailed to the work, ac cording to Elmer L. Irey, chief, whe would not, however, amplify the mere announcement that his men iwere working on the case. Mr. Powell has been in charge of the local office for several years. PLANE SEARCH FUTILE. Police Find No Trace of Ship Re. ported in Crash. SAN PRANCISCO, November 8 (#), —Reports were received by Thomas F, Burke, chief of police of San Mateo, last night, from residents saying they had observed a large monoplane fall into inner San Francisco Bay. A search of the bay failed to reveal any trace of the plane, nor were any missing or reported overdue at local airports. come Vasquez Will Go to Havana. SANTO DOMINGO, November § (®).—~President Horacto Vasques of Convinced that it had been stolen, Ro made & report to Oscar W, Mans- eld, precinct detective of the tenth precinct, the Dominican Republic -has accepted an jnvitation from Presdient Machado of 1:\“‘?(» take part fn the forth coming Pan-American Congress at Havane | ciee ‘ “a |