Evening Star Newspaper, November 17, 1928, Page 1

[ WEATHER. (U. . Weather Bureau Forecast.) Showers tonight and tomorrow; slight- 1y warmer tonight; colder tomorrow aft- ernoon, much colder tomorrow night. Temperatures: Highest, 76, at 2 p.m. yesterday: lowest, 53, at 7:45 am. to- day. Full report on page 9. Closing N.Y. Markets, Pages 26 and 27 No. 30,881. post office, Entered as second class matter ‘Washington, D. C. @ ‘WASHINGTON, D. WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION C., SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, ¢ Foening Shar. 1928 —THIRTY-SIX PAGES. “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 are printed. (#) Means Associated Press. Yesterday’s Circulation, 107,351 TWO CENTS. FAILURE TO INSPECT VESTRIS COAL PORTS ADMITTED BY OFFICER Captain’s Aide Says He Did Not Examine Coal Doors and Gaskets Were Not Used. CONTRADICTS HIS DEAD CHIEF AND RADIO OPERATORS’ STORY Blames “Bad Weather” for Disaster in Indefinite Answers to Establish S Br the Associated Press. FEDERAL BUILDING, NEW Y! at Probe—Attempt 0 S Delay. ORK, November 17.—Frank John- son, a wind-browned wisp of 2 man who was promoted to be first officer of the steamer Vestris just before it sailed on its fatal voyage, testified today that he had not inspected the coal ports, although their condition was his responsibility. Other survivors of the Vestris disaster have charged that coal ports just above the water line were improperly closed and that water poured into the ship through them, at least contributing to the sinking with the loss of more than 100 lives. Johnson, who took the stand at the Federal inquiry today, after Department of Justice agents had had ordered the ship’s carpenter sought him for two days, said he to close the ports, but had not himself looked to see if the work was properly done. He said he never had examined the ports. Promoted Day Before Sailing. Johnson said he was promoted to post. of Jgrst officer on the Vestris the day before she sailed on her last voyage a week ago today. ” had charge of loading coal on thew\l;:stfl.!?“ United States Attorney Tuttle asked. & “Well, the chief engineer.’ 4 “You had nothing to do with 1t? “No.” “Where was it put in?” i coal ports 5 feet above the or ) 'Fgey were about 3 feet uare.” 'q"How were they closed?” fastened from “A :Lo‘o; on a hinge, o ‘h‘E‘Aax1‘§7 way to’close them from inside?” “No Sought for Two Days. Johnson, who appeared after Depart- ment of Justice agents had sought him with a sub) for two days, that he the responsibility to see *What did you dc about it on this b _l?x gave amwmm the carpenter, a man name: 19 B “Was he among the survivors? hnson said he “didn’t think” there we‘:-g any p)uuh for dgukeu to seal the und these doors. ‘dggn;: othere ever been any such gaskets?” not sure.” “As a matter of fact, weren't some of those gaskets missing?” “There was no place s Sacre mever ad beon an nevel Es»o far as I know there never were any.” Never Inspected Ports. He United States Commissioner O'N:fleL at the hearing, asked the witness if he never had any occa- sion to examine the ports so that he would h‘k‘fwge about :hetgg:sket.s. the oppertunity. never did inspect those rsonally?” *Tuttle asked Johnson to describe in detail how doors were closed. He said each door had 12 or 16 bolts. “How were the bolts fastened?™ “The bolts were screwed into the hull of the ship. There was a thread in the hull and a thread on the bolt.” “How soon after you sailed did the of- ficers discover something out of order on the ship?” “Seven p.m. Sunday.” Contradicts Radio Operator. “yYour radio operator yesterday said he noticed a 10-degree list Saturday night. l;le's wrong?” o here have said they ob- “Passengers served theg list long before Sunday night. they?” ‘They are wrong, are "T’i'lere was a spnggn }:lst sc\:nmdny"by wind and sea on side A ‘You say there was no Mst Satur- day night?” “es” : “Then your radio operator doesn’'t know what he's talking abo “I don't say anything about the radio erators.” op“when did you first discover any- thing wrong?” b “Seven-thirty Sunday night. “Don’t you know Capt. Carey sent a radio that t"he ship had hove to since unday noon?” S"Thfit was because of bad weath- pr——" e apt. Carey said sea was only mod- erately rough. He was wrong, was he?” “It, was more than moderately rough.’ Also Differs With Captain. “Yes.” “When did you land here?” “Tuesday 2 *Where have you been since then? “At the Holley Hotel.” “with what representatives of the tine have you talked?” “Mr. Clark, one of the lawyers of “Who told you Sunday night that something was wrong?” “The ship took a heavy lurch and I went around to see what, if any, dam- age had been done. I was anxious about the deck cargo. They reported to me that the cargo had shifted—that bulk- heads had broken down and that the cargo was in the fo'castle.” Found Water Coming in Door. Johnson said he made an inspection and found the half door was making quite a lot of water. The half door, he said, was aft of the coal ports and about the same distance from the wa- ter. It was fastened with about 10 bolts fastened from the inside. “Where was the water coming in?” “From the fore side, about half way “Whose business was it to see that the b‘:‘.!f door was properly fastened?” Mine.” “What did you do about it on that trip?” 'P! examined it myself.” low much water .was coming in “About like a 2einch pipe.” “When the cargo went th the bulkhead, how far through did it go?” “About 15 feet.” “How much cargo was there on her u trip?” “I don’t know.” “What is your explanation of why the ship sank?” “Exceptionally bad weather.” Questioned as to Cargo. “What was the weight of the cargo that shifted?” “1 can’t tell.” “You said three automobiles and packing cases shifted, didn't you?” “Then the weight of cargo shifted would be ut 10 tons?” “Make it 12 tons.” “And those 12 tons shifted 15 feet?” “About that.” “What was the weight of ship?” “6,622 net.” “What maximum weight of cargo would she 7 “Net 6,000 to 6,500 tons.” “How much cargo was there on her b this ? “I don’t know.” Does Not Blame Shifting. “You don’t claim that the 12 tons of cargo shifting 15 feet sank the ship?” “No. “In a boat that carried 6,500 tons of ca: how much list would result from shifting 12 tons 15 feet. “Nothihg you'd see.” “So the shifting cargo does not ex- plain t}_:e sinking of the ship?” “There must have been water in her holc;l( somewhere, wasn't there?” “Yes.” “What was the capacity of your umps?” “I don‘t know.” “They'd throw over more than a 2- inch stream, wouldn't they?” s “There was water coming into that ship somewhere. Where was it com- on ing_from? “That's just what we tried to find ut.” “You were the first officer of that ship. Have you no explanation as to why she sank?” “No.” “Have you got even a theory?” As Johnson hesitated Tuttle flung another question at him. “The colored members of the crew,” he said, “men nowhere nearly so well educated as you, say that the coal bunkers filled with water. Didn’t you hear that the coal bunkers were filling with water?” “My opinion was that it was not the coal bunkers,” Johnson replied. “Then where was the water coming from?” ‘Water Came Between Decks. was coming in between decks.” “Was the side of the ship broken?” “Something must have sprung.” “The coal in the bunkers—where was “Amws'hips." “What was the way of getting into at | the WORLDTRADE GA SN A OBECT O AT ANERAS Desire for Increased Volume With Europe as Well as U. S. Indicated. LEAGUE SESSION PLANS EVIDENCE NEW POLICY Mexico and Ecuador Participation Given Special Emphasis—Peace Benefit Pointed Out. By the Associated Press. GENEVA, November 17.—With the economic aspect of Herbert Hoover's trip to Latin America attracting par- ticular attention in international cir- cles, there were indications at Geneva today that large Latin American coun- tries were making special efforts to increase thelr trade with Europe as well | as the United States. In this conmnection League of Na- ‘tions circles gave special importance to the participation of Ecuador and Mexi- co, which are not members of the League, in the economic and statistic conference W 1ich convenes on November 26. This will also be attended by two other non-member states, the United States and Russia. This participation is believed to in- dicate the increasing significance of economic understandings as the surest road to incieased prosperity and the consolidation of peace. Ecuador, which is thought to be draw- ing closer to the League, is now making a drive to obtain markets for cacao and rubber. Other Latin American states are known to be systematically seeking to develop their immense natural re- sources, Therefore, Mr. Hoover'’s tour is deented to be of the greatest impor- tance to ecoromic co-operation. The American delegation to the con- ference will include Dr. E. Dana Durand, chief of the Division of Statistical Re- search of the Department of Com- merce and one of Mr. Hoover's coun- selors; Asher Hobson of the Department of Agriculture, James F. Dewhurst of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadel- phia and Elbridge D. Rand, consul at Geneva. U. S. ACTIONS WATCHED. Eyes of World Statesmen Focussed on America’s Next Move. BY PAUL SCOTT MOWRER. By Cable tg The Star and the Chiceso Daily S, S e, Tt occuj e center e international poutgcal forum. The eyes of statesmen everywhere are turned with expectation and not without anxiety toward Washington. On Tuesday when David Lloyd George and Premier Baldwin crossed foils in the House of Commons and on Thursday when Premier Poincare ad- dressed the French chamber, references to the United States, direct or indirect, might almost be said to have dominated debate. With respect to world peace, it 1s not the League of® Nations which for the moment is focusing attention, but question whether the United States Senate when it meets in Decem- ber will actually ratify the Kellogg pact outlawing war, and with what reservations. In the forthcoming reparations nego- tiations it is less the French and Briti and German views than the somewhat obscure American view which promises to be decisive. Legation Change Studied. Far Eastern experts are studying the possible effects of the announced deci- sion of the United States to raise its diplomatic post at Nanking from a lega- :’l tion to an embassy. Latin American experts are studying the possible effects of Herbert Hoover’s good-will voyage. Naval experts are studying the newly published report of the United States General Navy Board calling for more | big cruisers, more airplanes and the extension of the 5—5—3 ratio to 2ll classes of ships. Political experts are studying the character and past utterances of the American President-elect with a view to foreshadowing his future attitude in great world problems. Above all, President Coolidge's armistice day speech is being studied, for it is reported that Mr. Hoover read the manuscript and that he is likely to adhere in the main to the so-called Coolidge policies. This speech seems to do three things. It reopens a brisk polemic with Europe regarding misun- derstandings between the two conti- nents which the Atlantic, with its busy sea ways, now unites as much as it separates. It clarifies and emphasizes the new international situation and the forzsign policies of the United States. And finally it hints, somewhat enigmat- ically, at the terms on which the United States would be ready to compromise with Europe in some kind of new financial settlement. Coolidge View Opposed. ‘Whether regarding war losses, naval disarmament, the causes of antagonisms between nations, the distribution of the former German colonies, or our vaunted generosity in all matters, there is scarce- Iy a point on which sincere, though possibly mlsfuided‘ European opinion is not diametrically opposed to President Coolidge’s statements. Practically all the rest of the world looks upon us today as the great rising financial and political imperialism, en- gaged for the time being in a peaceful, but strenuous rivalry with the older im- perialism of Great Britain, in which the (Continued on Page 2, Column 3.) the line, another lawyer—I don’t re- ber his name.” m?"::lhen did you talk to them?” “Tuesday evening.” «Talk to anybody else representing line?” 5 u"e'capt. Heasley, the marine superin- tendent of the line.” “Any mlx; else?” ‘Capt. an.” “l:m‘ij yougtalk to any of these men Wednesday, Thursday or Friday?” “I went to the lawyer's office Thurs- day evening.” ; “Whom did you meet there?” “Mr. Clark.” Did Not Make Report. “Did you put in a written report after landing?” “No." it :’Yo'g'Ve me no yritten report yet?” G e ¢ (Continued on Page 3, Column 3.) An Intelligent Audience The Star has the greatest and most intelligent audience of any newspaper in any city of the United States comparable in size to Washington. For the protection of readers and advertisers, The Star uses the greatest care in the acceptance of all ad- vertisements. For years untrue and misleading state- ments have been barred. 1 Any complaint will be ‘l@@eguvteb' investigated, For PRESIDENT \ HOOVER FINISHES DEPARTURE PLANG Awaits Conference ~ With Fletcher Before Deciding Details of Itinerary. BY REX COLLIER, Staft Correspondent of The Star. PALO ALTO, November 17.—His passport made out and his luggage ready, but his itinerary still in the forimative stage, President-elect Hoover today was clearing his desk of last- minute details incident to his 15,000~ mile good-will journey to Uncle Sam’s sister republics beyond the Rio Grande. He expected to dispose of all major pending problems in tfme to attend another foot ball game in the mon- ster Stanford Stadium—scene of his acceptance speech ceremonies three months ago. ~ He wished to see his alma mater tackle the formidable grid warriors from the University of Wash- ington here this afternoon. He hoped to complete all prepara- tions for the trip today, because tomor- row is another day of rest, and hi Quaker reverence for the Sabbath day rebels at the thought of transacting ‘business, however important, on Sun- day. Will Board Train. It was expected he would again at- tend the undenominational services to- morrow morning in the Stanford Me- morial Church, and then, late in the afternoon, he will board a special sec- tion of the Sunset Limited and begin the first lap of a history-making trip to the tropics. The train is due at San Pedro Monday morning at 9:30 o'clock and without delay he will board the battleship Maryland and signal for the start of the voyage. The matter of a definite itinerary is being held in abeyance pending a con- ference with Ambassador Henry P. complete schedule will not be nounced until the ship is well at sea, was indicated. There are numerous dip- lomatic questions to be discussed in con- nection with the tour and onl; horized representative of the partment can pass upon them. One of the problems is revolution- scarred Nicaragua. Mr. Hoover has planned tentatively to have the Mary- land gut in at Corinto as the first stop, but this will not be determined finally until he confers with Ambassador Fletcher. The situation there has been complicated by the election two weeks ago of a Liberal President, Gen. Jose Maria Moncada, opponent of President Diaz, Conservative, whom the United an au- tate De- States has recognized. If both Presi- dent Diaz and President-elect Moncada appear to greet the American President- elect extreme caution must be used in framing a message that will be satis- factory to both. Statement is Awaited. The Nicaraguans will await with in- terest any statement Mr. Hoover may make about armed intervention. United States Marines guarded the polls during the recent election, which resulted the overthrow of a regime supported Uncle Sam. President-elect Hoover is known to regret the necessity of send- ing armed force to other countries, for in his acceptance speech he expressed the hope that armed intervention abroad would not occur again. It was thought he may amplify his views this connection at Corinto. Another member has been added to the personnel of the mission.- He is John Griffin Mott, Los Angeles attorney and close personal friend of Mr. Hoover. The entire group will number approxi- mately 40, including 19 newspaper cor- respondents and 7 camera men. Will Irwin, classmate of Mr. Hoover and author of a “Reminiscent Biography,” is the latest addition to the limited corps of writers. Mr. Hoover’s chief worry before leav- (Continued on Page 3, Column 2.) is pai it in by in Sleuth’s Pencil Used to Pen Note, But Hold-Up Fails| By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, November 17.—Frank Swarthout, 22, came from Detroit yesterday and one of the first things he did was to borrow a pencil from Detective Sergt. Dan Kenny. With the pencil he wrote: “Dear Sir or Madame: This is to inform you that you are being robbed. -Don’t holler, and give me the money.” « Still carrying the sergeant’s pencil, Swarthout entered a candy store at ‘Wabash and Lake streets and pre- sented the note to the cashier, pro- ducing a revolver to show he meant what he wrote. Sergt. Kenny took the gun away from him. “You crook,” Kenny said, snapping on the handcuffs, “give me back my pencil.” ARPLANE IS USED TO EFFECT ARREST to Carolina to Identify Accused Secretary. The airplane has made its debut in local police use and as a result Edward H. Brimley, 26 years old, 1460 Irving street, until a few days ago the secre- tary of the District of Columbia Air Legion, is being held to face a charge of embezzlement of $63 from the legion’s fund. He was arrested in Greensboro, N. C.. Thursday, after Lieut. Walter A. Brooke, chief pilot and instructor of the legion, and Alvah Sole, president of the legion, had flown to that city to_identify him. Brimley had been under surveillance by the Greensboro police, but had not been arrested, as they were not sure of his identity. Sole and Lieut. Brooke were notified here and, although Brooke then was stffering from a heavy cold, they immediately took off in the Legion plane Wednesday afternoon. Battling strong headwinds, they were two hours reaching Richmond, where they stopped overnight. Still fighting adverse winds, they completed the flight after four hours of flying Thurs- day, and immediately joined Greens- boro detectives. They identified Brim- ley, who was placed under arrest Thurs- day evening. Headquarters Detective E. E. Thomp- son was sent to Greensboro and brought Brimley back this morning. Brimley denied that he had embezzled the money, declaring that he had taken only what was due him as salary. Offi- cers of the Legion are checking the books to determine whether Brimley's accounts were in order. As a result of his hurried flight to Greensboro and back, Lieut. Brooke, who also is a Naval Reserve Corps in- structor, was confined to his bed today with a severe attack of the grip. NOTED MARINER IS DEAD. Capt. C. A. Smith Famed for Trans- porting Troops to Gallipoli. LONDON, November 17 (#).—Capt. Charles Appleton Smith, one of Great Britain's best known seamen, died to- day. He was known to thousands on both sides of the Atlantic as the man who first commanded the Berengaria, when, as the Imperator, she was taken over from the Germans. He retired from the Cunard Service five years ago after nearly 30 years with that company. His war service included the feat of taking 6,000 troops and a crew of 1,000 aboard the Aqui- tania in 1915 from leereool to Galli- li. It is said that this was the largest number of persons ever car- ried on one ship. Coolidge Anxious to Safeguard Copies Of Message From Unintended Persons President Coolidge is extremely anx- jous for newspapers throughout the country who are given copies of his an- nual messages to Congress in advance of their being submitted to that body to take more care in preventing advance copies from gemng into the hands of persons for whom they are not intended. The President is now engaged in the preparation of the final annual mes- sage he will retiring, and he is hopeful of com ing it in sufficlent time ic permit its being mailed to papers throughout the eountry before 1 i make to Congress before | last e | possil tion, but he has cautioned those who will distribute it for him to warn the newspapers to treat this message in a more confidential manner than has been done in the past. The President has learned that former messages have fallen into the hands of brokers, lobbyists and others for whom it was not intended. nt is éx?dng to make his and concise as STUDENT BURNED N AGD ATTACK Central High School Senior Seared in Mysterious Locker Room Attack. Herman Gumenick, 17-year-old sen- ior at Central High School, and son of a prominent local contractor, was painfully burned on the face and neck Woman Burns Self To Death in Despair Over Poor Health By the Associated Press. LAUREL, Miss., November 17.— Despondency because of failing health today was believed by Allen Boyd to have caused his wife to saturate her clothing with gasoline and fire herself with a match at their home here last night. A coroner’s jury.investigated the tragedy and returned a verdict of suicide. NEW SIGNAL LIGHTS HIT BY INSPECTOR Rhode Island Avenue Instal- lation Changes Are Advo- cated by Brown. The installation of traffic lights on Rhode Island avenue, as now operating, has been condemned as “unsatisfactory” spector E. E. Brown of the Traffic Bureau, and Inspector William S. Shelby of the Police Department, and drastic changes in the system are rec- ommended. The recommendations include aban- doning or removing 12 of the lights, creation of one-way streets where four east and west bound streets intersect Rhode Island avenue and replacing of “Stop” signs at the intersections of Q R, S and T streets. The recommendations were made in writing today to Maj. Edwin B. Hesse, superintendent of the Police Depart- ment, and he will take them up with Commissioner Proctor L. Dougherty, who has supervision over the police and traffic departments. Made Careful Check-Up. “Since these lights were put in opera- tion,” Inspector Brown wrote, “I have very carefully observed the traffic condi- tions at the several intersections on Rhode Island avenue and I find that the traffic light signal control installed on Rhode Island avenue at the inter- sections of Q, R, 8 and T streets does yesterday afternoon in the locker room of the school when acid from a test- tube hurled by some unknown person splattered on him when the vial burst upon striking a locker over his head. He may be permanently scarred. He had just gotten out of class, gone to the locker room and was about to open the locker. The test tube appar- ently was thrown from the other end of the room over several rows of lock- ers. It burst agahist the steel door about a foot above his head, the burn- ing liquid spraying downward in his face. Part of it barely missed his left eye. The pain was so great, Herman said, that he did not even think to see who was in the room at the time or try to find the hurler of the test tube. He immediately ran upstairs to the second floor chemistry laboratory, where Dr. Guy Clinton, head of the chemistry department of the school, applied bi- carbonate of soda to the burns to neu< tralize the acid and then sent him home. treatedthe rea e wounds again yesterda; afternoon and last nlgahst * " Meanwhile the affair was reported to police nnéi s&k’l’od of‘l:filla T‘odny both were conducting an investigation to.fine who threw the acid. o G Young Gumenick said today that it must have been thrown by some one who “skipped” class the preceding period, since if he had attended the class he would not have been able to reach the locker room by the time he himself got there. The reason, he said, is that his class just before the oc- currence was held across the hall from the locker room, while the chemistry laboratory is on the second floor at the farther end of the building. The physician who treated the boy was unable to say whether the scars would prove permanent. $500,000,000 TRUST IS BEING ORGANIZED Fisher Brothers Reported Behind Venture, Largest of Its Kind in the World. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, November 17.—The New York Times says today that the largest investment trust in the world, in which will be held $500,000,000 of security holdings at the outset, is being organized here by representatives of the Fisher Bros. of Detroit. The capital wil be $210,000,000. It is expected that eventually a $1,000,000,- 000 organization will be built. Among those mentioned as interested with the Pisher Bros. in the project is Arthur W. Cutten of Chicago, one of the largest holders of securities in the country. . The idea for the trust originated after the Fisher Bros. and associates niad in- vested large amounts of surplus funds in various companies. They saw the need of an organization to hoid these securities, and considering the idea de- cided to expand the plan to allow some public participation. Hendry of 1810 N street | signs. not work satisfactorily and is very con- fusing to motorists and liable to cause accidents. “It is my opinion that to properly and safely regulate traffic at these four intersections it will be necessary to put into effect one of the two following sug- gestions. First suggestion: “Make Q street from Rhode Island avenue to Tenth street one way west- bound; Q street from Rhode Island ave- nue to Ninth street one way eastbound, and prohibit the left-hand turn north- bound on Columbia street into Q street. “Make R street from Rhode Island avenue to Seventh street one way westbound; make R street from Rhode Island avenue to Sixth street one way eastbound; make S street from Rhode Island avenue to New Jersey avenue one way westbound: make T street from Rhode Island avenue to Second street one way westbound; make T street from Rhode Island avenue to First street one way eastbound. His Second Suggestion. “Second suggestion: If the first sug- :escum as to ‘one-way’ streets is not leemed feasible, then control the traffic entering or crossing Rhode Island ave- nue at Q, R, S and T streets with ‘stop’ If the latter is considered ad- visable this would give Rhode Island avenue traffic the right of way over traffic entering from these streets and would be similar to the traffic control now in effect on Sixteenth street and and “liable to cause accidents” by In- | FOUR MATTERS SET BY GIBSON GROUP FOR EARLY SURVEY “Prime Importance” Is At- tached to Question of Street Railway Merger. POLICE INVESTIGATION WILL BE POSTPONED Fiscal Relations, Licensing and Taxation Will Get Imme- diate Study. The street railway merger, fiscal re- lations, the licensing system and tax- ation problems will have precedence be- fore the Gibson subcommittee, which is making a survey of the municipal ad- ministration, before the police trou- bles are again taken up for study. Chairman Gibson, who returned to ‘Washington yesterday, made this state- ment today and is busy marshaling detailed information on these subjects for presentation in the coming short session of Congress. He said that the merger report is of prime importance because this matter has been reported to the House and is awaiting action there. Groupes to Meet Soon. Mr. Gibson expects to call the sub- committee together within the next three or four days. The legislation authorizing a mer- jger of the street railway companies is jof direct concern to many thousands of car riders and all of Washingtotn has taken a great interest in this question for the last 20 years, Mr. Gibson said, and expressed hope that some definite action may be taken at the incoming session of Congress. A report on this subject from the Bu- reau of Efficiency, as requested by Sena- tor Capper of the Senate District com- mittee, should be ready by November 27 or.28, Mr. Gibson said, and his subcommittee hopes to have this report available for information of the with the expectation that the mer bill will be the first District :t‘gnhbebmugmuplnv.h:a n. Fiscal Report Asked. Another report in regard relations has fim asked from reau of Efficiency by the Gil committee, which Mr. Gibson says prol nlzl!yuv.l\ll be ready as soon as Congress ting the cor- in the drafting A fourth item that will be given prompt consideration is in regard to the system of taxation in the District, which was covered to a considerable extent in the report made by the Gib- son subcommittee at the close of the last session of Congress. Practically every member of the Gibson subcom- mittee has taken an individual interest in this subject and chairman has made 2 special study of it. Should Precede Police Probe. Mr. Gibson emphasized that these O, Church, Corcoran, Swan, Fuller and other short streets intersecting along the line of Sixteenth street and which has worked out very satisfactorily. “Either of the two suggestions, if put into effect, would eliminate the four traffic lights at the intersection of Q street, four traffic lights at the inter- section of R street, one traffic light at the intersection of Sixth and R streets, one traffic light at the intersection of Florida avenue and Rhode Island ave- nue that was placed to control S street traffic, and two traffic lights at T street; approximately 12 lights.” Shelby Backs Brown. In indorsing the suggestion of In- spector Brown, Inspector Shelby wrote: “Pursuant to your instructions, I have carefully observed the movement of traffic on Rhode Island avenue since the installation of the lights, confining my observations especially to points where Q street, R street, S street and T street intersect Rhode Island avenue, and I am convinced that the system is most unsatisfactory at these points, is most confusing to motorists and its continuation will inevitably result in many serious accidents. “In the interests of public safety, I earnestly recommend the adoption of the first suggestion contained in the report of Inspector Brown, and I fur- ther recommend that it bé established and adopted as a policy that whenever traffic lights are installed on avenues where streets intersect such avenues under similar conditions, such inter- secting streets be made one-way streets one square back from the avenue upon which the lights are installed.” Australians “Go to Polls. MELBOURNE, Australia, November 17 (#).—After one of the most flercely- fought campaigns in Australian history, | * voters went to the polls today to elect a new parliament. Premier . Stanley Bruce sought a third term in office as prime minister and head of the Na- tional party, while the opposition came from the Labor party. The third party in the fleld was the Country party under Dr. Earle C. Page, federal treasurer, which has been allied with the Nationalists since 1923. Order your copy of The newsdealer today. “While Ship Was Going Down!” Picture Story of Great Disaster Photographs Taken Aboard the Sinking Vestris A Full Page of Remarkable Scenes An Exclusive Feature of the Rotogravure Section of Tomorrow’s Star Sunday Star from your four subjects should take precedent aver the investigation of the police sit- uation, because Congress is demanding mittee belkve {hat. giving. priority 8 m] ve thal ity these other four subjects will mean that the police investigation will be forced to simmer until the new Congress con- venes. Prohibition enforcement in the Dis- trict of Columbia will, however, get prompt consideration before the Gibson subcommittee. C! Gibson for- mally invited Douthitt, formerly inves- tigator for Citizens' Service Association, to appear before the subcommittee on Tuesday, December 4, at 10 am. Mr. Douthitt will be given an opportunity to tell the committee fully regarding his claim that there are 3,000 places in operation in the District, where intoxi- cating liquor can be purchased. The subcommittee, Mr. Gibson said, had never had an opportunity to cross-ques- tion Mr. Douthitt on this claim and as Representative Blanton of Texas ex- pressed a particular desire to go thor- oughly into this matter Mr. Gibson has placed the date for the hearing at a time when Mr. Blanton is expected to be back in Washington. 12 ARE FOUND GUILTY OF AUTO CONSPIRACY Two Former Leaders of Indiana Klan Among Those Convicted, Three Acquitted. By the Associated Press. INDIANAPOLIS, November 17— Twelve persons, including two former leaders of the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana, were convicted in Federal Court here today of conspiracy to violate the Dyer automobile theft act. They will be sen- tenced next Saturday. ‘Three other persons were acquitted of the same charge. The reputed interstate auto theft ring was revealed shortly after an incendiary fire and explosion in the clothing store here of Edward V. Tr‘-x?xon. who was among those found guilty. Othets found guilty were: W. Lee Smith, former grand dragon of the Klan; Robert F. McNay, another for- mer Klan leader; Harry Sussman, a partner of Traugott; Elmer Sussman, William Laffey, Jacob and Mortimer Wohifeld, all of Indianapolis; Dr. Fred fi&m&ngzum; Bertram Libo- and Mrs. Harrison. icago. Those acquitted were Wolf Sussman, Willlam Jones and Mrs. Pink Jones of Indianapolis. < During the trial the Government in- troduced evidence designed to show that expensive automobiles stolen in Chicago, Cleveland and other cities of neighbor- ing States were brought to Indianapolis