Evening Star Newspaper, March 17, 1928, Page 2

. » o 'ENING STAR.. WASHINGTON, [ARCH 17, 1928 D. O, SATURDAY. M CLEC "|CAPITAL IRISH JOIN TO MARK SEESUHUW HAN“ \ BIRTHDASJ{ OF ST. PATRICK INPRESS PURCHASE lliinois Official Writes Letter| Read by Senator Norris. Charges that Ira G. Copley of Tlinols. | was buving newspapers in that State | wnd California as a “defense measure “bn the part of the public utility inter- wsts who are providing funds for these ‘purchases” were contained in a letter raad before the Senate yesterday by Senator Norris, Revublican, of Nebraska. | and brought to the attention of the * Federal Trade Commission. *" The letter was from Commissioner| wWillia J. Spaulding of the Springfield.| 9. department of public property.| Aside from reading the letter. the Sen-/ ator's only comment was a suggestion t the commission consider the corre- ndence in connection with its inquiry -into the financing of pubdlic utility cor porations recently ordered by the Sen Mentions Purchases. Ar. Spaulding called attent }\I:'\.x Copfil_\' was formerly inter Public utilities and declared th: his | contention that he was no longer inter- | ested in this business was “absol e\y} untrue.” He said that Copley had re- cently purchased the Illinois State Journal for $900.000, which he de- Scribed as “$300,000 more than the property is commercially worth.’ He recalled that Copley also ha acquired the San Diego Union and | Tribune and had purchased a number of newspapers known as the Fred Kel- logg chain, and added that “ne:on-; ations are under way for the purchase | of the Los Angeles Express.” " “How far this monopoly will go. Spaulding wrote, “nobody knows, but it 1=, indeed. a menace. and an investi- gation: which would show the actual | financial support behind this venture | ‘would reveal a direct utility connection | and would be a splendid and far-reach- | ing contribution toward the protection | of the public.” Spaulding also pointed out that . Copley. a former member of Conxre-‘ { from Tilinois, owned the Aurora Beacon News, the Elgin Courier News and the ! Joliet Herald News in that State and said “it is rumored his chain is to be} extended up the Pacific Coast. including the cities of Oakland, San Francisco. Seattle and Tacoma.” Calls It “Defense” Move. Referring to his contention that {Copley is still interested in public | utilities, Spaulding declared “he re- | . ceived in exchange for his public utility property shares in the Insuil properties and, incidentally, he confessed to hav- Ang contributed $25.000 to the Smith fcampaign fund” (Frank L. Smith of Ilinois. Senator-elect in the 1926 lection). +_“Observers in southern California.” -Spaulding wrote, “are convinced that ‘this purchase of newspapers there is ;merely a defense measure on the part 10f the utility interests who are provid- .ing the funds for these purchases and Zthereby occupying the newspaper field jto shut out possible support from the in'Ac side.” H DEFENDS COPLEY PRESS. e President of Firm Denies Charge in Letter. CHICAGO, March 17 (#).—Replying to the letter made public yesterday by Senator Norris of Nebraska, which ;:l;:*rged that former mmmmu:ln Ira Y Was a cl of news- papers 6 Wm utilities. John Calian O president of the Copley Press, Inc., last night sent 2 telegram to the Senator denying the e teiegram follo egram follows: “The Associated Press have asked the m ” sion to investiga recent purchases of newspapers in Iilinois and California by Ira C. Copley. suggesting a connec- | tion between such purchases and the financing of public utility power cor- tions. “Mr. Copley is in Burope, but I koow | it he were in the United States he would demand that the investigation | to the fullest extent, and ~ould insist that you present all the ‘evidence or information in your posses- sion which might directly or indirectly | ‘connection. As wice president of Copley Press, announces you | Commis- | Inc., 1] am in charge in Mr. Copley's absence. | and wish to say there is not and never | | to whether one should celebrate Controversie Saint Fail to Detract From Celebration. The fact that Ireland's patron saint, Anclent Order of Hibernians led In the vas not Irish, but either English or | obsrvarice here of the lrish national d | . e v rel us French, and that uncertainty exists as | IodRY. | TCre Ho e rch bearing to \hether one should celebrate. his|the name of St. Patrick. and this eve St e Bt ait mobiatar the api- | DosiE stded WL OISR deass tal's Trich from going right ehead with | “‘The hireh services were conducted fheir annual observance of St. PAUFICK'S by Rev. Joseph M. Nelligan. _Repre- O ivasNapparent tHiat el b peaa s ases AU EIyOf DD o a ARy S 4 84 ), W C] mistic nen;l-\‘t;als's in the ‘mirld- "!1;‘.“1\:’90'1‘:::5:\“:! ?}::tblnqnet ton! m.“ Pltr‘l’ck and abetsd by veritable armies of dis- |y Haltigan, a member of the national putative chronologists, could not fore- | dircctorat® of the order. will be toast- stall today the “wearin' of the green ‘mas(cr and other speakers will include n_honor of the first Bishop of Ireland. | Rev. T. Vincent Fitzgerald, chaplain of 1S5 . Ve gl | minican ce udies, much as drove the snakes out of Ire- P, Downing. James T. McCarthy ‘s land. because there never were ANV chairman of the committee on arrange- there to speak of, anyway. Some critical | ments. , \ | hagiologists—those nosey persons who |inquire into the lives and times of City Clubs to Entertain. | saints and such-—contend, moreover.| The Men's and Women's City Clubs that St. Patrick was neither born nor | will observe the day with appropriate jon that |elevated to St. Peter's throne on March ceremonies this evening. estsd in | 17. but that the day was selected as & | club will hold & St. Patrick’s dance in compromise, Held English-Born. Most authorities seem to agree that Glastonbury, England. but others claim to have traced his birthplace to Tours, France. At any rate, it seems, he was 4 | Kidnaped by pirates and sold as a slave | Jackson pl {0 the then wild Irish natives. To make a long story short, Patrick suc- ceeded in civilizing and converting the heathen Irishmen and he has been their hero ever since. As ever is their wont, members of the Public Their Views, Trade Body Learns. Br the Associated Press The National Electric Lighting Asso- | ‘The men's the big ballroom on G street, beginning at 10 o'clock. Mark Lansburgh, Ru- | dolph_Jose, Mrs. T. W. Barrett and | Lew Paync are in chargs of the party. | St. Patrick was born in 386 A.D., nea: | There will be numerous features. |~ Judge Mary O'Toole will preside at |a St. Patrick’s day dinner at 6:30 | o'clock in the Women's City Club, on ace. Rev. Ignatius Smith |also will " speak at this celebration. ! There will be a program of Irish melo- | dies and legends. | "Many other organizations will foin the observance with dances, card par- ties or dinners. Conciliation Body, Up- holds Company.. By the Associated Press, 1 HAZLETON, Pa.. March 17.—In a de- | CONTRACT MNING SYSTEM SLSTANED ;Fund Used Partly to Give:NeiII, Umpire for Anthracite! | ment by his plea that it wa ciation has submitted to the Federal | cision handed down here today, Charles Trade Commission figures showing that | p. Neill of Washington, umpire of the ::: “:lmmw‘mfltc'lffl S“Kh;‘y more anthracite conciliation board, sustains n rom its member con- e | the contract mining system which has cerns in the fiscal year which ended in | heen under 'attack, especially in the June, 1927. The statistics were presented | Pittston district. in the commission’s investigation of ’ yiThe ruling was made n} favor of the Co. financing under | Hudson Coal Co., of district No. 1, and wlfiyfis‘fi;}’;fi;‘, i upholds the right of that corporation to . 3 | letcontracts for machine minine work. ‘The statement sald that a portion of | " yracnine mining is not the issue di- | this amount, limited by the constitu- | rectly involved at the operations of the jtion iithe :fi;"‘fllfif;‘d’fif}? g‘";g} Pennsylvania Coal Co. at Pittston, but tions in 12 g aphical districts. Thrgprlctkzt)ly the same principle applies, remainder was used to meet the running expenses of the association and for the { issuance of pamphlets to the public and to employes of the power companies for | | radio lectures, moving pictures and advertising. | | The statement is to be amplified in | {oral testimony before the commi:=ion. | At a preliminary hearing it was testified that the membership of the association according to the interpretation of the umpire'’s finding, which makes no reference to the Pittston situation. ‘The umplire says that there is nothing | in the agreement between the operators and miners which prohibits contract work. . In making the decision he refers to a dissenting opinion of Nell J. Ferry, as member of the Federal Coal Com- mission in 1920, to the award made at that time In settling an anthracite wage dispute. The umpire says that | Ferry. as representative of the ntiners on the body, nowhere contended or im- includes the ‘goduun of 90-per cent in kilowatt ho of the electrical energy generated in the United Bta! tes. | olied that the letting of contracts was | & violation of the findings of the Roose- | velt commission of 1903 or subsequent h " agreements. ‘ upon the propriety of Secretary Wil- | UNLICENSED PLANES | CARRY 131 TO DEATH. FLEES ACCIDENT Car Speeds Away After Hit-j ting Pedestrian—Pollce Seek Driver. Federal Report Lists Civil Air Ac- cidents for 1927—200 Mis- haps Are Noted. One hundred and thirty-one pilots and passengers fiying in unlicensed | | | | | | Police today are on the lookout for | been any connection direct or in- | fne i e a young woman, richly dressed and | Airect between Mr. Copley's acquisi 4ion of newspapers and the public utll- Aties industry. * “I shall be in Washington on Mon- Yay and will be glad to testify before ihe commission or a committee of the Benate as to the absolute independence of all the Copley newspapers of any interests of any kind whatsoever.” SOCIETY OF NATIVES 'PLANS ANNUAL PARTY Cards and Dancing Will Replace Banquet at Celebration April 20. A cerd party and dance entertainment Aoril 20 will replace the banquet with which the Bociety of Natives of the Dis- trict of Coiumbia heretofore has cele- brated its snniversary, it was decided at tine monthly meeting of the society last night &t the Weshington Club, Beven- een'h and K streets. As the proposed snniversary affalr war presenied o the members present Jast night by Lee D. Latimer. pre ident, Who sought the opinfon of the wiciety on the change from the customary ban- e heid in the Washingion will include, in addition o cing 2nd card tanles for those who wish W plsy, & program of entertein- anent. Piens for the celebration will be msde shortly In the business meeting of the soclety Jast night Mrs. Lyas L. Oldfield and Thomes . Bpence were elected W membershlp. Thelr names were pro- powd ws eligible candidates by Ralph | 1 chalrmsn of the membership . At the suggestion of Percy sympathy will famiiles of Gen. Charles Y. Bradie Iast meeting Hall 208 Andrew s since the Miss Margarel ¥orbes led the soclety I the ealute U e fiag Miss Zmma A Brignt secretery read the minutes, snd 31 Lavimer presiceq Entertain was furnished st the one on of the meeting by Gillbert w0 en Cisrc. Mre. M. M. Fuirer and L Delia Underhill, vocailsts is K CRobinson chalrmen of he COUNBILUSG. LomIniiee, WaE R ] WIFE ASKS DIVORCE. Mis Anus V. Cooper Churges Mate With Neglect Asoeiting thet she snd bher smisll Caughier were frequently foreed Uy lve ) eup 1or u week aL 8 Ume Mrs Ans yi V. Tooger, 1405 Korth Capitol stivet polerGey sued Wendell Cooper tor a i@ Chvorce Bhe seys thelr o the b PFhie berd vere meriied Feip y 21, 1921 ey Faimond Lieunerker sppesis Ednvuu a high-powered car, who last | |night struck and knocked down Jane | | planes were killed during the calendar year 1927, while 33 pllots and passen- gers met death in craft licensed by the Department of Commerce over that ences were Gue U e neglect of period, according to statistics of civil airplane accidents just made available by the aeronautics branch of the De- rtment of Commerce. | Cornish, ealored, 70 years old, of 312 B street southeast, seriously injurin her, and then left the scene of the ac-| icident without making her identity In all, there were 200 accidents re- | known. I ported to the department, and, in addi- | " Police say that the driver got out of [tion to those killed, 149 were reported her car after the accident, looked at|Injured. Alrplanes to the number of |the victim and then drove away with- |167 were complete “washouts”—dam- lout offering assistance. The accident |aged heyond practicabllity of repair. |took place at Third and East Capitol| 1In scheduled flying over the air |streets, The injured woman was taken |routes of the Nation during the past home in a passing_automobile and |year, six pllots and one passenger were treated by her son, Dr. Louis Cornish, |killed. ~ Deaths under the “experi- for severe cuts on her face and head. ' |mental” classification of flylng, with | Floyd Blackburn, 24 years old, 123 |ocean contests predominating. amounted | | € street, was another victim of a hit- (to 24, but the aeronautics branch de-| | and-run’ driver. He was knocked down |clares they are “not properly chargeable | | at Fourteenth street and Rhode Island | to aeronautics as a means of public or | {avenue last night. At Emergency Hos- | private transport.” | pital he was treated for brulses and a| Seventy-nine of the 164 fatalities “error in pilotage,” possible fracture of his right erm | were aseribed to Knocked down by one automonile | while the remainder were due o {under the wheels of another last n'ght, | weather, structural fatlure and collapsc | | Harry L. Arnold, 20 years old, 220 R 'of “homemade” sirplanes |streets northeast, escaped with a minor | By the end of 1927, the aeronautics | {laceration of his scalp, Arnold was branch emphasizes, 4145 persons ap- |thrown under a car duven by Dr. | plied for pilot licenses ”';7"’ M. (iraydoun_ 1833 New Hamp. . shire eriue, and run over, The doctol wok him t5 Sibley Howpital, wnere i | POPE SEES PROFESSOR. | received treatment | & Seven olRer persons recelved siight ! | ininiries a8 results of trafc accidents | Leon Wu of Cathollc U. Geta Pri- last night. All of them are pedestriaus. | o They were: Ernest E. Dack, 44, 112 et e LR |New Hampshire avenue, 4. Harvy| ROME, March 17 (4).—Pope Plus | Eaton, 52, 404 Eightih street northeas(; |@ranted a privale audlence today to Dennis Thompson, colored, 32, 2204 | Prof. Leon Wu, Chinese member of the Ninth street; Herman Holmes, colored, |5clence faculty of Catholic University, 47, R. F. D, Ballston, Va.: Willlam A, | Washinglon, Buter, 22, Brunswick, Md.: Hiram John- | _The pontiff asked « number of ques- »on, 42, Woodside Park, Md , and Major |tons about the administration of the J. Wood, eolored, 41, 218 P street =:n-ll:tulluu and showed intense Interest n s progress. Thomas Ball Wins Decree. | LOB ANGPLES, March 11 (&) —An { interlocutory decree of divorce yesterday | MADISON, 1L, March 17 (). Elmer was granted ‘Thomas Ball, brother-in- | G, Baltz, 36 cashier of the Pirst Na- liaw of Alfred Du Pont of the powder | tonal Bank of Madison, who was shot menulacturing family, from his wife, | vesterday by 10bbers who escaped with Mary Ball. Ball charged various mcis 00, died today of his wounds, Four of mental crueity in his complaint, which | pesions gave their blood for transfuston { were supported by witnesses al the trial ' in an effort 1o save s hife Rare Tortoises and Birds Captured | By Vandcrbilt party on pacffic Tour sy r1ue Aseoiiated Press | MIAMI, Fla, Msich 17 Six glant |y, | mountain-climbing tortolses snd " two | 12 elieved weie t | wairs of wimost extnet species of vickous, | C8ptves. While some of the other hirds | Rigntiess cormorants were wmong the | brought back have become pets of the | hundreds of specimens of rare topical | expedition, the coriiofen's rematned | mnimals, birds and fish brought here |isolatca and as vicions vhen taken o yesterduy by Willlam I Venderblit, 20, | the yucht ss when captured millionaire yaehtsman wnd scientist, | wings, which are oo small whourd his yacht Ara, wfter & Lwo- them i Might, wre used for swimming, month crutse in the Pacific [ Mr Vanderbilt said “The turtles, each welghing 150 pounds | Fish ro tame thev conld be tuken or more. were captured 1,000 feel shove | hy hand were found I e Lopical | sew Jevel In Ve craters of extinet vol- [ waters of the Pacif: My Vanderill cances on Duncan dslend i My eald Vanderbilt, whe sdd.d thcy weie fhe M fired Lo be brought, 1o 1iis countiy alive | Ve expedition by Mrs. Vandeibilt sand One sk been ciptared befoe, bt WL Comdi. HoOW Lane, U, B N They aea welore siving here, he toin | piam b sall for New York in e fow daye » “ Bank Hold-up Victim Dies. The cormorais, My, Vanderbilt sad, Nist to be made Vanderbilt was wecompinied on NAVY BILL READY $274,000,000 Measure, With Arms Parley Plea, Up To- day ioi Final Vote. Carrying an amendment Toquesting President Coolidge to urge the “neces- sity” for another international confer- ence for the limitation of naval arma- ments, the $274,000,000 new warship construction program was before the House for a final vote on passage today. The construction program, according to its proponents, represents the mini- mum tonnage needed by the United States Navy and conforms to the original . Amerfcan proposal at the Geneva conference. ‘The amendment paving the way for another arms parley was sponsorcd by Representative Sproul, Republican, | Kansas. .and was nccepted without a | vote.” Just before its acceptance, naval supporters in the House had beaten a | struction program. The House accepted by & vote of 115 to 102, however, an Republican, Massachusetts. to provide that 8 of the proposed 16 ships be constructed in Government yards. Opposed by Butler. The Dallinger amendment precipitat- ed a sharp debate and was cpposed by Chairman Butler of the naval affairs committee, and Chairman Madden of the appropriations committee, the lat- ter contending that it probably will eosi $1,000,000 more per ship to have the work done by naval yards. On the other hand. Letts, an Iowa Revublican, and Bland of Virginia and Black of New York. both Democrats, supported Dal- linger's position. g Mr. Biack then offered as an amend- ment the 71 new warship construction program originally submitted by Secre- tary Wilbur. This was turned down by an’ overwhelming majority. He then chided the Republicans at the failure of a single member of that party to support the naval Secretary's recom- mendations, which were presented at the time of their submission to Congress as being in line with the fiscal pro- | gram of President Coolidge Dallinger won the fight for his amend- s only fair that at least half of the proposed 15 cruisers and one aircraft carrier should be built in navy yards and several members, supporting his stand, said that the statement had been made that the program had been offered to Congress for the relfef of private saipyards. Throughout consideration of the bill a half "dozen unsuccessful _attempts were made by Representative McClintic, Democrat, Oklahoma, to materially amend it. One of his proposals sought the construction of 15 submarines rather than cruisers, and also the provision of funds to equip the 18 American capital ships with additional airplane launching facilities. This was rejected 100 to 22 Blanton Blocks Vote. The Oklahoman likewise was unstc- cessful in an effort to provide that the proposed crulsers be specifically as- signed as leaders for destroyer squad- rons. He ped with an adequate number of air- craft. could be used more effectively in this wav than the Navy probably wo&fld use them. epresentative Blanton, Democrat. Texas, blocked final vote on the bill just before adjournment yesterday. He demanded the reading of the engrossed measure, which would have necessitated sending the bill to the Government m:gnr amce ‘r;:r printing as amended. leaders thereupon final vote until tod-v.w Pl Preceding the voting on amendments the House consumed four or more hours n debate, a part of which touched bur’s presence on the floor. MAKES TWO ATTEMPTS James Oscar Robertson, 27, Placed Under Observation in Gallinger Hospital. James Oscar Robertson, 27 years old, of 1133 Fourteenth street, {s undergaing observation in Gallinger Hospital today cide last night in a cell at the second police precinct. himself from the bars with his shirt When cut down he attempted to trottle himself with his hands. Robertson had been arrested on charges of Intoxication, disorderly con- duc’. and transporting liquor. by Lieut. J. W. McCormack. The lieu- tenant cut Robertson down and hur- ried to summon an ambulance. When he returned he found the prisoner on the floor of the cell with his hands about his throat trying to choke him- self. At the hospital he was sald to be apparently unhurt, FIRM HELD TO BE UNFAIR. Trade Order Checking Protested Methods. The Federal Trade Commission has Issued an order prohibiting the Robert M. Lease Co, Inc, of Long Island City, N. Y, and assoclated respondents from continuing alleged unfair methods of competition and irregularities In ex- port trade of automoblles, motor trucks and chassis, ‘The respondents wi charged with representing themselves able to furnish automobiles in greate quantities than they could supply and WIth misr: peresenting thelr products. The associuted respondents against v om the order was s uded Lease Bros. Motor Co, Inc.; Acomo Motors Co., Inc.; Lease Motor Co., Inc.; Lease Motors Export Sules Corporation, Panther Motor Co, Inc.; Irving Lease and Albert Lense The complaints against the Exporters *nd llnlmllnlh' A Iation of the World wnd John P. Agnew of New York were dismissed by the commission Commission Issues o o Two Delegates for Lowden. FLAT RIVER, Mo, March 17 (4" Republicans of ‘the thirteenth - district In convention here yesterday instructed twodelegates to support former Ciov. Frank O. Lowden of Dlinols for presi- dentlal nominee at the national cons vention at Kanas City Growth of Diocese Progress made by Vpiscopal the Diocese its divi the old Diocese of new Protestant of Washingtan since st from Maryland 33 years ago will he shown i an article i tomer vow's Sunduy Star, illustrated with portvaits of the bishops Pt tcipatig i this growth I cutertam the Gongral Conven the Fpiscopal Charch Do Ontabier 1010 27 Washington Diocee will ( Vi ol - FORHOUSE ACTION s Over Nativity of Patron series of attempts to modify the con-| amendment bv Representative Dallinger, | rgued that cruisers, equip- | TO COMMIT SUICIDE | 1s| following two attempls to commit sul- | He first tried to hang | He was found hanging by his shirt | DEFEAT OF ESCH GROWS OUT Southern Soft Coal Region Retaliates for Failure to Get Reduction. | Commissioner’s Vote in Fa- vor of Northern Fields Leads to His Defeat. By the Associated Press. Defeated in their fight before th: Interstate Commerce Commission for lower freight rates on lake cargo coal, | { the States In the Southern soft-coal region have retaliated by waging a suc- cessful drive against confirmation of John J. E:ich of Wisconsin for a sec- ond term on the rallroad regulating body. Esch, who had served on the com- | mission for six years prior to his re-| nomination by President Coolidge last | December, lost his fight for confirma- | tion late yesterday when the Senate, after five hours of debate behind closed doors, rejected the appointment, 39 | o 29. The opposition, led by Senators from the Southern coal States, was based almost entirely on the 67-year-old com- missioner’s change of attitude in the long-pending contest between the mines of Pennsylvania and Ohlo and those of West Virginia, Kentucky, Ten- nessee and Virginia, for the lake cargo coal, whereby he favored, after once opf;slng, lower rates for the Northern fields. The commission recently rejected a petition of Southern rallroads for a 20 cents a ton reduction in lake cargo coal transportation charges, and the is- sue is under consideration for possible court action. Senator Neely, Democrat, West Vir- ginia, who led th> fight against confir- mation, charged Esch, who also voted against the Southern roads' cut pro- Northern proposition because of pres- sure from Pennsylvania and the admin- ! istration. | Chairman Watson of the interstate commerce committee, which had re- ported adversely on the nomination, and Senator Fess, Republican, Ohlo, ings that political pressure had caused him to change his vote. Senators Glass of Virginia and Reed of Missouri, Democrats, aidocd Neely in the battle against confirmation, boih gOR L CC F RATES FIGHT JOHN J. ESCH. attacking Esch's action in the lake cargo case. Alter the executive session, Neely said the vote “is very emphatic warning “Tony Da Barb” Says He’s “Very Mooch Alive” In Note to “Newsapape” Editor Star Newsapape:— Today wan Washeenton new: apape try to talla me I am dead man. Som’ peepla theenk I ai uppa from da Adam’s App’. orright. 1 sticka mysal weeth da raze. It maka me jump justa lika Sainta Pat. jump when he killa da snake. We feela vera mooch alive to- day. Glad we no have job for undratake. We hope to write basa ball news about Clarka Da Griff deesa depe dead Its thirt’. 5 Coma to da shop seon. 1 prova te you. Editor of ether newsapape will keepa away frem da shop; you bat yeur sweeta life. Hope you feela good, foo! Besta wish!! Con tutte il mio cuore. , TONY DA BARB'. CITY 0 REBULD that the Senate will not tolerate the posal, had switched his vote on the| supported Esch, calling attention to his | emphatic denial at the committee hear- | packing of these jmportant commis- sfons by President Coolldge in favor of Pennsylvania or any other section, or in favor of any particular interests of the country,” In a minority report from the inter- state commerce committee, Senator Fess declared that from the standpoint of ability and experience, Esch was “emi- nently fitted for the position and from the basis of honesty and integrity he is equal to the best in public life.” Minority Report. The minority report called attention that in between his two votes, Esch, like all other members of the commission, ad the benefit of “extended further hearings, a mass of further evidence which embraced some 2,000 pages, and two days of oral argument before the full commission.” Esch, who had been serving under a recsss appointment since his first term expired three months ago, is co-author | of the Esch-Cummins railroad act. Be- fore going on the commission he served 22 years as a member of the House and 18 years on its interstate and foreign commerce committee. Born near Norwalk, Wis., March 20, 1861, his first appointment to the com- mission also was contested, but he won | out easily, 52 to 3, in April, 1921. | “Fighting Bob” La Follette, of the same State, who led the opposition then, con- tended Esch "ad been “consistently friendly to the rafiroads.” WILLIS STRESSES PRESIDENT FAVORS DRY ISSUE IN OFHIO Must Take Definite Stand By the Associated Press. LANCASTER, Ohio, March 17.—With what appeared to be an indirect shot at Herbert Hoover, prohibition was brought to the fore in Ohio’s Republican pri- mary campaign here today by Senator Frank B. Willis, who declared in a speech that the voters this year will stand for no dodging on the issue by presidential candidates. “Campalgns cannot be won by eva-| sfon,” said the Senator, who is fighting | it out with the Commerce Secretary for Ohlo's 51 delegates to the Kansas City | | convention. *Consequently, in the con- | |test of 1928 it may as well be under- | | stood at the outset that the people will | demand and are entitled to receive defi- I nite and unequivocal assurance of the | position of candidates regarding the | { elghteenth amendment and the enforce- | ment of law. | Evasions Assalled. | “Voters will respect candidates or | parties that clearly state their posi- tion, but they will not give their sup- port to those who seek to equivocate, | to evade and to camouflage. Partial | answers will not do. The statement of | principles must be definite and cour- ageous; otherwise, defeat will come. It 15 too late in the history of the Repub- lican party for it t otread the paths of cowardice or nullification.” With this, Mr. Willis dismissed the | subject in the speech prepared for de- | livery here, not far from Westerville, birthplace ot the Anti-Saloon League which, In the past. has consistently supported him In his political cam- paigns. In connection with prohibition and law enforcement he made no direct reference to Mr. Hoover, who, like him, has replied to the dry law question- naire of Senator Borah of Idaho. In his reply the Commerce s(-muri-, while taking a stand for rigid prohibi- tion enforcement and agalnst repeal of the elghteenth endment, refrained from answering specifically the queries whether he favored a dry law plank in the Republican platform and would leave it to the States to delermine the alcoholle content of liquor. Challenges Secretary. Senator Willls, in his speech, re- sumed his attack on Mr. Hoover on the ground that his Republicanism s not genuine, that he was a Wilson follower on the League of Natlons fssue, that he 15 opposed to the protective tarift and that he has worked agalnst the best Interests of the American farmer. Willis charged that the Ohlo “polit- leal bosses” were for Hoover, and added ““There never was a more absurd and indefensible deceit than the claim that the delegation pledged to support my candidacy 15 hand-picked and that the epresenting Secretary Hoov- s the free cholce of the people. Such characterization 1s the exuct reverse of the fact.” ‘The Ohlo Senator advocated retention of present Immigration restrictie with slight modincations to prevent ships among familles, and protection by the ited States of Central Amerion trom pine and luwlessness.” Th addition to assailing Hoover anew on the farm relief question, Willis sald that, In his judgment, “before Congress adjou 1t will enact, and ought to en- ael, & measure of adequate farm ro- ler.” Although there have been reports that the Senator Is leaning toward the McNary-Haugen bill, which he opposed before it was modified Into Its present form, he gave no kling i his pre- pared reas that this was the case, and refrained from outlining just what kind of a farm bill he belleved should be pasaed DR. J. f. EVANS BURIED. Widely Known Mason Held Deco rations for Rellef Work, Funeral services for Dr. John Harry Evans, World War vetevan and holder of decorations from the Armenian gov- ernment for his work in the Near Kast llef, who dled In Brooklyn, N. Y, esday, were conducted tn Arlington Oemetery loduy Dr. Evans alo was a widely known Mason, his work for the Masonle tra- ternity Including the discovery of Masonte inslgnin on ancient bulldings 1 the rins of the ¢ity of Anl ln Turk 15l Armenta, Without Equivocating. | RAIL MERGER LAW Senator Holds Candidates Coolidge Believes Voluntary| Consolidations Should Be Allowed as Efficiency Move. President Coolidge is especially an- xfous to have Congress at this session enact legislation making voluntary rail- road consolidation possible. He thinks it is highly desirable to facilitate these mergers inasmuch as many of the roads are holding back their expansion plans because of the uncertainty of the con- solideton situation. The President has recommended leg- Islation making voluntary mergers pos- sible ever since he has been in the White House and from the advices he has received there is very little opposi- tion to the general proposition. He thinks the time is now ripe to put this legislation through and he is known to have urged the Senate and House lead- ers to expedite matters. Economic Advantage. Mr. Coolidge is satisfled that besides adding greatly to the general efficiency of the carrlers of the country consolida- tions would be highly beneficial in a general economic way, inasmuch as the railroads would undertake extensive im- rovements and expansions. Their uying power would be materfally stim- ulated and employment would be fur- nished on a large scale. FLOODED VALLEY Los Angeles, Assuming “Mor- al Responsibility,” Starts i Reconstruction. | By the Associated Press. i LOS ANGELES, March 17.—Having acknowledged through Mayor George Cryer its “rgoral responsibility” for the loss of hundreds of lives and millions of dollars’ .worth of property in the St. Francis Dam disaster, the City of Los Angeles today assumed the task of making restitution to the stricken valley. ‘The mayor, who spoke in behalf of the municipality at a conference of city councilmen and other officials, did not ‘say to what length the city would g0 in restoring the valley, but the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce an-! nounced it would propose to the coun- cil a rehabilitation program based on an estimate of $1,000,000 ' property damage. This is at least $4,000,000 below the lowest estimate of the damage. The last check-up on the number of bodies. recovered from the flood-swept valley showed & total of 243 known dead. Of these, 209 had been identified and 34 remained unidentified. The number of persons left without homes, food or clothing stood at 768, with relief organizations taking care of that number. Official figures from Ventura County showed that 273 homes in the Santa’ Clara River Valley alone had been destroyed, in addition to number- less small homes in the groves imme- diately below the dam. Hundreds o acres of orange and lemon groves were burfed under the silt. At Santa Paula preparations were under way for a public funeral Mon- day for the flood victims. In other communities, Fillmore, Oxnard, Moor- park, Piru and Ventura, plans are being made for similar services, C. W. English, pilot of a plane which took off Tuesday to survey the flooded district, yesterday was found dead be- side the wreckage of his plane 30 miles nonhnof"hm.h vhe; {4 struck a rmam. Bert D. , who acompanied Eng- ‘:fiu. but had suffered a PRI MARCH ON CAPITOL BY WORKERS URGED TO VOICE FEELING (Continued from First Page.) | e e e - annual leave and come or send & repre- sentative in your About 2,000 circulars were mimeo- graphed and distributed to “nearly all the Government departments,” Mrs. Worrell sald, with the request that vhen each employe has read one they pass it on to others. Mrs. Worrell early this afternoon was unable to estimate the number that would respond to the call beyond pointing to the fact that ‘The President has stated that, in five years ago 5,000 employes, by sign- | order to increase the efficiency of trans- portation and decrease its cost to the shipper, railroad consolidation must be brought about. In his opinion legislation is needed to simplify the necessary pro- cedure to secure such agreements and arrangements for mergers, always under the control and with the approval of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Pending this, he belleves no adequate or permanent reorganization can be made of the freight-rate structure. Moreover, President Coolidge looks upon this as a purely business question. which should be stripped of all local and partisan bias and decided on broad principles and its merits In order to promote the public welfare. Stresses Ecomomy Program. President Coolidge is still insisting that Congress in its consideration of legislation keep in mind his economy program. He has let the Senate and House leadership know that he does not approve of the enactment of legislation calling for appropriations which are not provided for in the budget and for pur- poses which are not considered to be absolutely necessary at this time. In his admonitions the President has pointed to the drain to be made on the reasury for flood rellef, and he has given the reminder that if Congress is too reckless in appropriating money such A tging as tax reduction will be out of the question. SENATE GROUP FAVORS FORT DONELSON PARK Commission of Three Would Study Military Reservation—To Cost $50,000. ‘The resolution passed by the House to establish a national military park at the battlefield of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, was veported favorably by the Senate military affairs committee yosterday, ‘The measure creates a commission to be composed of & commissioned ofMcer of the Corps of Engineers, and a Unlon and & Confederate voteran, to make recommendations (o the Secretary of War on establishment of the park. An appropriation of $50.000 for crea- thon of the park is provided. By the Associated ¥ OHICAGO, Mareh 17.-Oscar Man- hardt's trousers provoked the intevest Of two detootives last night From the pants legs the ofcers took two chickens, a veal loaf, a 2-pound vake and a pound of butter CHULY rémonatrated Manhavdt, a baker at the Palmer House, "1 am a WA hero, Come” gentlemen, o my home and see my medals * medpls At the house there were Two Chickens, Ve:d Loaf angéake }“;;\nd w' Hidden in “"Hero's ing a petition, authorized her to repre- sent them at hearings on employe legis- lation. She would not say whether this number would turn out or not. Gets Parade Permit. After forming at the Peace Monu- | ment, the employes who assemble Mon- day moming will march up First street to C street, thence to North Capitol to the entrance to the Capitol grounds and on to the committee room. | could leave thelr duties for two hours to “show their interest by marching from the Peace Monument to the Capi- tol" She added that a permit ior the parade has been issued. ‘The Welch bill provides for increases | in salaries of from $300 to $700, while the annuity bill would place retirement at 60 vears of age, or 30 years of serv- and a $1,200 annutty. ‘We want the public to understand | our side of the matter,” sald Mrs. Wor- | rell, “and for that reason we will have banners, now in the carpenter shop of the Interior Department, setting forth some pertinent facts of our cause' Among these banners will be one stat- ing that the average sick leave taken by the Federal employes is 4 per cent. Mr. Steward declared that the legts- Iation now pending. in the opinion of the federation, “is the most important™ before Congress. CONVICTED OF KILLING. Woman Held for Manslaughter in Husband’s Death. Susle Brown, colored, 23 years old, victed of manslaughter today | ¥ in Criminal Division 1 before | Chief Justice MeCoy in connection with the death of her husband, William | Brown, 31 years old. The shooting oc- | curred at their apartment, 441 O street, | September 13 last, following an alter- cation between them. The woman was | Indicted for murder in the first degree | but the jury reduced the crime to man- slaughter. The verdict carries a max- Mrs, Worrell urged all employes who | . PRTES FIVNGAL AGREEMENT DENED Hull Holds He Knows of No Pact to Conceal 1920 Campaign Fuqding. Testimony that an agreement had been made between the Republican and the Democratic national committees in 1923 not to publish statements as to deficit financing of the 1920 campaign given yesterday before the Benate oil subcommittee at Chicago was emphati- cally denied Jast night by Cordell Hnll, former chairman of the Democratic na- tional committee, who replied he had no knowledge of “plans, agreements or arrangements of the slightest natire with any official of the Republican aa- tional committee.”. Representative Hull also made public a telegram’to Wilbur Marsh at Water- 100, Iowa, urging mm to “pubHsh -amy facts within your knowledge,” Marsh was treasurer of -the Democratic na- ‘tional committee in 1923, the time the Senate committee was told yesterds’ that there had been an -understandinz between him and Fred W. Upham, ths = ~~a Republican treasurer. Wants Facts Published. Hull's message to Marsh, which was sent after he had been in conference with Senator Walsh of Montana, the ol committee prosecutor, called mtven- '-‘33 ;o the Chicago testimony and ed: “Cannot accredit “this imputatioa. 1 have no knowledge of such plan ‘and Democratic committee had no ‘motive for slightest concealment &t any time during my incumbency. Suggest you promptly publish any facts within your knowledge.” > 5 Senator Walsh took the same’ posi- tion, and said he favored calling Marsh as & witness before the committee, but would await develglmflenum o Accompanying Hull's m: lengthy statement, pointing out that he had béen head of the Democratic com- mittee from November, 1921, Summer of 1924, but had “no w edge or any reason to suspect” - that there had existed such an agreement between Marsh and Upham ofr sny other officials of the two party of- ganizations of the kind described st Chicago. “I ‘carinot believe that Mr. Marsh individual account. entered Mr. Hull's statement follows: “The testimony in Chicago toddy be- fore the Sinclair 6fl investigating sub- commitiee of the United States Senate imputing - some_sort of agreement be- tween Wilbur W. Marsh, treasurer of the Democratic national committee, and Fred W. Upham, Republican treasurer. to the effect that neither of the two national committees make . pub- Vcity of contributions received during the year 1923, is out of the whole éloth so far as I have any knowledge or'any reason to 3 > ce, Mr. Marsh. “In the first plas N i b vember 1, 1921, when I assumed as chairman, until I retired in the mer of 1924. This was his original announ that he could not de: i ju.g i of raising money, nor quarters, it is evident that any imputed between M Marsh and Upham as that indicated by the witness in Chicago would have been unreasonable. “In any event, Democratic national ‘without i $155,000 from contributions durin: 1823, of which amount $86,700 cam from Victory Clubs in sums of $5 for each contributor. - From general con- | tributions the sum of $60,974 was raised durigg 1923. These general contribv- Hons came from scores and, as I recall, hundreds of contributors. . “The net indebtedness of the Demo- cratic national committee when I as- only $15,000 less than $186,000 outstanding on November -1, 1921. These figures are published th detail in the appendix to the report of ug-e' Democratic national convVention, 1924, Conducted Headquarters. “I. as chairman, was in immediate charge of the activities of the Demo cratic national headquarters from N vember, 1921, to the Summer of 197¢. and the financial and all other activities of these headquarters were conducted during 1923 and at all other times in this period without the rematest . AT~ rangements or agreements of the siight- est nature with any official of the Re- publican national committee. I cannot baleve that Mr. Marsh. on his own in- dividual account, entered into any such arrangement with Mr. U . a3 the testimony today In Chicago would indi- cate, but if such were possible it was not made known nor sctad vpon v na- tional Démocratic headquarters to my knowledge. “Mr. . Marsh, as stated. was not en- gaged in g monev. and hence knew little or nothing about the plans ar policles of the natiohal headquar- ters in this respect for 1923, In the secand place. we had no reason to con- template any source what is re- ferred (0 as Jarge conjridbutions during | that year, and as the figures alreads cited show, no such contributions were in fact received. The truth is that the commitiee borrewed about $10.000 o Imum penalty of 18 years in the peni- | tentlary. | Attorney 8. L. McLaurin represented | the woman, while Assistant United | States Attorpey Willlam H, Colling cor ducted the prosecution. There we two women on the jury. | | | " Trousers by Police g alore. Mrs. Manhardt watched silent- ¥ her husband proud! them. Just when th oory were wondering how one m oould be so brave so many times tn one war, Mvs. Qot ‘em from allled prisoners m (German prison campa. He was {n the (erman Army “And the food - he's been bringing | that from (he hotel and feading W ‘“l [ enaiomers n - his awn restauranh® S0 Manhardh was arvested, mare during 1923 to enable it to pav current expenses. interest on indebi- edness and certain pressing accounts BURGLARIES REPORTED. Store, Apartment and House En tered by Thieves Richard Berg, manager of the Morrie son Clothing Co, 1108 F atreet, repori- *d to the palice of the fest precinet that same one entered his store ¥ alternoon and stole dresses em‘:l diaplayed | §15. “l.uloll:r :m:ll:l\,:‘ D street, tald po- oo the th preciugt dhat his apartment was onuMMy by neans of a loato Key and a revalver \u"l‘m‘ AL 13 and & watoh worth 33 stolen. Earl K. (loss. 1009 Decatur sireet, e« ported that & $200 diamond ting and & Shver moat fuk were stalen frm his redldence same time botween Maeh I and Mareh 1% : : . \