Evening Star Newspaper, January 6, 1929, Page 38

10 MARKET DISPLAYS AMAZING STRENGTH Heavy Reinvestments Stocks Cause Enormous Price Gains. in BY CHARLES F. SPEARE. 8pecial Dispatch to The Star. NEW YORK, January 5.—In the short span of five weeks the curve of stock market prices. has shown the most abrupt changes of the past four years. On November 30 the highest level for Industrial shares in history was reached. On December 7 the average of these same shares was 22 points Jower. On Thursday of this week the average was higher than at the end of November, and Friday that of rail- road stocks rose above the high of 1928, which means that it overtopped }2126 average for the rail group since Both in vitality and in volume the | market in the closing days of 1928 and in the opening sessions of 1929 has astonished those who are its | strongest advocates and brought con-| fusion to the minds of those who are conscious of its dangerous tendencies. Investors Buying Stocks. Some of its vitality is due to the; Ipjection into it of funds released from January interest and dividend payments, which have sought out stocks for investment rather than flowing in- to the traditional channels of the bond market. It is significant of the trend of the times, as well as of the contradictions that are to be found in security markets these days, that while high money rates have caused several hundred bond issues to sell lower than they did during the quiet panic of last Summer, scores of stocks that yield only half as much as these same bonds are higher today than they were in November. ‘The cartoons that depict Decrepit Old Age passing out at the end of the year and Buoyant Youth coming in might also be employed to contrast the pres- ent bond market with the market for stocks. At the end of 1929, however, the caricatures may be reversed. The psychology of the speculative aituation seems to favor higher prices though increasing selectivity in stocks rather than undiscriminating gambling in them. It is argued that with the dy and heavy volume of new listings ere will be sessions of high total 4ransactions. One session of 3,000,000 shares may be considered dull; one of 5.000,000 shares normal. This is in line with the expansion in all units of busi- ness measurements in a country whose raito of growth in the past 10 years is not readily comprehended even by those who make a business of statistical research. Market Values Startling. For those who feel, however, that there is no limit to prices of stocks d that however much these prices y have risen in 1928, they will ap- preciate as much in 1929, it would be well to look over the change in market values of some of the leading shares Aduring the past 12 months and ask the question whether expected new busi- ness, possible increases in dividends, the benefits of consolidation or any other favorable factors would justify even one-half as much again of price n as has recently taken place. ‘To illustrate: During 1928 the value of the stock of the Anaconda Copper Co. increased $200,000,000. With this week’s gain that of General Electric, since the end of 1927, has arisen $800,- 000,000. Chrysler stock was worth $300,000,000 more on December 31 than a year earlier, and that of the du Pont Corporation $500,000,000 more. During 1928 the valuation of General Motors Corporation common was $1,150,000,000 over the same period the year hefore, . 'This appreciation equals the total amount of the bills discounted of all gg banks in the Federal Reserve Sys- m. International Nickel stock increased $330,000,000 and Kennecott Copper about the same. The gain in the value of Montgomery Ward and Sears-Roe- duck stocks was between $350,000,000 and $400,000,000 each, or much more than the total gross sales of either company. In a comparatively poor | year for the industry, the stocks of the ‘Standard Oil of California, Standard of New Jersey and Standard of New York showed a combined market gain of $1,000,000,000. Packard Motor stock was up $250,- 400,000, or two and a half times the to- - tal gross earnings for this company for “'‘the year ending August 31. Racio Cor- poration’s vglue increased by $325.000,- 000 and that of its associate, Victor Machine, by $75,000,000. Union Carbide & Carbon_stock rose $150,- 000,000. Alladin’s Lamp has never been rubbed to greater advantage than in this era of extravagant estimates of stock values. Its efficiency has been reduced by overuse. Money Strain Passes. Judging from subsequent movements, The break in stocks in the early part of December was not due so much to the rise in money rates of 10 to 12 per cent as to the weak technical condition -of the market at that time. The mar- ket was overbought and overwrought. Money has been higher since and just as scarce as it was then. With a sounder technical condition the market has borne this burden and risen in the face of it. It is again getting in some- what the same state that it was in a month ago. Therefore, another break of considerable proportions is not im- probable, although the strain of the Year end money settlements has passed and rates today on call are only half as high as they were on Wednesday. ‘There is, however, slowly creeping over the business situation the shadow ‘of these same money rates. This time it casts itself on commercial commit- ments as well as on those for specula- tion. If the Federal Reserve has not been successful in the past 10 months in checking inflation in stocks by the use of its rediscount policy, it has given business fair treatment in keeping down the rate for commercial loans. It can- not, however, continue to do this when Yolums of credits absorbed into specu- lation is so high and so insistently tending to expend. Rates for accept- | ances this week are approximately at the rediscount rates. The next step is likely to be an advance in rates on commercial paper. Unless there is a correction in the speculative market | -a further advance in the Federal Re- | serve rate is probable. Gold Outfiow Foreseen. ‘This country faces another consider- able drain of gold for French account. It would not be surprising if France took back from $100,000,000 to $150,- 000,000 of the credit of $600,000,000 which she still has here. There is no effcct in any direction for this loss | except that which comes from the liquidation of securities. Sooner or later the volume of trade will be af- fected by the difficulty that high inter- est rates impose on business, which can not today borrow to advantage. This is true most of all with the State and municipal governments, which are among the largest employers of labor | and the most extensive purchasers of | ‘building materials. Evidencc that the stock buying public is looking askance at some of the in- flated prices of industrial and public utility issues and seeking out others that have not been so much exploited is given in the constantly broadening market for railroad securities. It is true that they, too, are on a high price pinnacle. Still, they do return more than bonds, and the railroads are not paying out nearly all they earn in dividends. In fact. they are not dis- tributing to their shareholders as much as the net returns of the past three THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, Baltimore Markets Special Dispatch to The Star. BALTIMORE, January 5—With the exception of turkeys, demand for which has eased off since the holidays, the live poultry market holds firm and values on nearly all lines show an ad- vance over last week. Live turkeys rule much easier, with values from 5 to 10 cents a pound. Lower since the holi- days and only small to medium sized young hens and gobblers meet with fair sale at 30 to 35 cents a pound, while large heavy gobblers and old toms are hard to move at 28 to 30 and poor and crooked breasts are neglected at 25. Medium to large Spring chickens in good demand at 32 to 38, but all poor thin fowl weighing less than 114 pounds move slow at 20 to 22, light receipt and fowl weighing 3 pounds and over in good demand at 26 to 32, but smaller, thin stock neglected at 20. Capons in light receipt and all birds weighing 6 pounds and over meet with ready sale at 38 to 40, while small- er stock sells fairly well at 33 to 35. Old roosters in ample supply and gen- erally slow sale at 17 and 18. Market for ducks and geese holds steady under moderate receipts and a fairly good de- mand for choice birds at 27 to 30 for the former and 22 to 25 for the latter, but small, poor stock is generally neg- lected at 20. Guinea fowl and pigeons continue in fair demand at 40 to 80 each for the former and 30 for the latter. Choice to fancy dressed capons, 5 pounds and over, which bring a premium of 3 to 5 cents a pound, are the only lines that will bring a premium dressed over live poultry. Not much demand for dressed turkeys, but fairly good demand for straight lots of choice young chickens and smooth fat fowl, bult ducks and geese are generally slow sale. Egg Market Slump. The market for native and nearb eggs slumped the latter part of the week and values declined from 3 to 4 cents a dozen on both current re- ceipts and firsts, due to receipts, which have generally exceeded the demand. Many of the receipts from nearby points consist of white undersized pullet eggs, and this char- acter of stock is not desirable and prices have to be shaded. The mar- ket closed today at 36 cents a dozen for firsts in free cases and 30 to 35 cents for current receipts, and it takes special grading of large white eggs to bring a premium over quotations for firsts. Receipts of white potatoes have been light from all sections the past week and under a good demand the market holds steady with values a shade higher. For well graded round pota- toes there is a good movement, but Reds and McCormicks, while selling somewhat better, are arriving mostly ungraded mixed stock and all such offerings have to be sold at inside prices, while it does not pay to ship No. 2s nor culls. No. 1 well graded round potatoes are bringing L30 to 1.40 per 100 pounds while 150-pound sacks sell mostly 1.75 to 2.25. Sweet potatoes and yams in more liberal receipt and under only a fair demand the market rules easy, with prices mostly in buyers' favor, Demand centered on clean, bright stock and anything off grade, small or irregular quality, is hard to sell, while No. 2s and culls are not wanted at any price. No. 1 sweets are bringing 2.50 to 2.75 a barrel and yams 2.50 to 3.25. but large, rough and dark stock will not bring over 1.50 to 2.00, while bushel baskets sell mostly 75 to 175, as to size and quality. Garden Truck. Demand for native and nearby garden truck continues good and the market holds steady at the following quotations: Beets and carrots, 4.0026.00; broccoli, 60a75 bushel; kale, onions, 150a4.00 per oyster plants, per parsnips, 50a65 basket; savoy cabbage, 75a1.00 bushel; spinach, 75a90 bushel; | turnips, 50a75 basket. | The live cattle market has ruled | quiet with no snap to the demand all week and values show little change from last week. Receipts continue light on the wharves and fair at the stock yards, but mostly of common to or- dinary cattle, which is slow sale at inside prices. Demand, which is ex- pected to show an improvement next week, centered generally on first quality stock. Quotations today at Light street wharf: Beef cattle, first quality, pound, 12a | 12%5; common to medium, 8all; bulls, as to quality, 7a9; cows, choice to fancy, 829; common to fair, 5a7; oxen, as to quality, 6a8; calves, veal, choice, large, fat, 13al15; large rough, 10al: thin, 9a10; rough and common, 7: sheep, choice, 5a6; old bucks, 3a lambs, choice, 14al5; fair to b | 11a13; common, thin, = 8a9; hogs, straight, 81529; cows, 7a8; live pigs, 10a11; shoats, 8a9. Closing grain quotations—Wheat, No. 2, red Winter, garlicky, spot, 1.22%; January delivery, 1.223%: corn, No. 2 export, January delivery, 981;; No. 2, yellow, domestic, spot, 1.02a1.03; cobcorn, 4.80a4.85 per barrel. white, domestic, spot, 57};a58; No. 3, white, domestic, spot, 56a36l2; rye, nearby, 1.15a1.25. EPIDEMIC CHECKED BY FLYERS’ DARING Canadian Outposts Report but| One Death as Diphtheria Is Halted. 7l By the Associated Press. EDMONTON, Alberta, January 5.— An epidemic of diphtheria which threat- ened the 200 inhabitants of the Far Northern trading posts—Fort Vermilion and Little Red River—has been checked, | said a report reaching here from Capi. May and Victor Horner, who flew to the | settlements with anti-toxin. Old hens in | increased | and McCormigks and Reds, 1.10 to 1.20, | BY NANNIE LI BABA'S FORTY THIEVES have been shoved back into the kindergarten class by Washington's 10,000 box-bur- lars! Visitors to this city have endowed it | with many symbolic titles, in deference to its beauty, its {i\'ex"flom fnm} 3’:: ! f trade, an ecause O i white silence of its national buildings set in jungles of green, but: Its lat- est tag has been supplied by a na- tive who knows all and a trifle more, for good measure. He told an aston- ished woman about it in a_ way that went about like this: Yprow 42000 Ye: s ~ office you have here | —that window lets > in too much draft # —down with the flu, first thing you know—well? I see, | by good authority, that upward of 110,000 newspapers are stolen daily from the self-service boxes that have been installed over town on the honor-system iplan. And as each fellow who prigs a | paper is a thief, that lets us in on the fact that this city is swarming over with petty pilferers. Nice advertisement for those of us who are trying to interest the country in helping get the vote. “A newspaper is the only cheap- priced product left us, so I figure it out that a man who will sell his decency by stealing one, instead of dropping 2 cents n a slot—or 3 cents, at most, is a fel- | low who falls into every temp tion that icomes his way, without waiting for satan to set the trap. “It is the lure of wanting something { for nothing—and since there is no dan- ger of being caught, no thought of Bible or law or personal respect pre- | vents the little swipe. Consequence is: | Ten thousand thieves around us and with us—on streets, in cars and cafes and hotels and homes—maybe going to church on Sundays and to the movies all week. Well I see you want to get to | work—Happy New Year.” Which left the astonished woman free | to peg it down, verbatim—which is all there is to say about it, except—that: | A rogue is a rogue, of course, but ! there are grades: Robin Hood, who | filched from the rich to feed the poor was in one class, and Noah Claypole, | who worked the “kinchen lay” of steal- | ing pennies from little children sent on | errands to the corner store by their | mothers, belonged to that sphere de- scribed by Dante as one of the lowest circles in that region that all of us know about, but which nice ladies do not name. f | The box-burglar seems to be his near neighbor, though, naturally, a newspa- per is by no means of the helplessness of a little child. By no means, Sir. And likewise, Ma’am! ; Especially, as the newspaper, itself, supplies bait for the pilferer. And the world's greatest pleas is: “Lead us not into temptation.” After all, the story may not be true. Sometimes a story is the other thing. * ok k% SHE had plano legs and a body like a tub—a combination that would have been less conspicuous had she kept to ankle skirts, but—- into unexpected money: You simply must buy new clothes to fit new con- ditions, and the suit department clerk, { knowing her business, fits you out in { the latest. Hence the piano legs and | body like a tub. | And having bought Christmas wreaths, strung on an arm like so many bracelets; a bunch of flaming holly to accent her portliness, along with a sprawling spray of red wax chrysanthe- mums that nature knows nothing about, she had to pause to mass her buying into closer contact so that she could buy some more. While she was about it, along came a friend carrying a basket of marketing that revealed a frizzle of celery tips and the hock end of a m. “My land, Sue, what you doing with all that stuff? Buying the market out?” The tub lady chuckied with the un- abashed frankness of a child. “Ain't T a show? But I tell you, Mag, I just couldn't help myself. It's been so many years since I could afford to spend a cent except for food, and not always enough of that, that I just turned in and bought, regardless—to pay up for all the Christmas times I couldn’t get a wreath for the window, even. Why, hon, one time when I was just famishin’ for a little Christmas and could only get bacon and four potatoes, I stooped down and picked up some crowsfoot that folks had been walkin’ on—and it looked real sweet on the table, too.” “ ‘Bless her heart'—but say, old girl, where did the money come from—huh?” The tubby one laughed out—like a boy: oy : “Why, I thought everybody knew! George sold some wild, good:for-noth- ing land that belonged to his father, who half starved on it tryin’ to farm— other side of Georgetown—for a peck of money, and we agreed to squander $10 aplece, just for joy. Ain't it grand?” “Sure is news—wish it was me! But, say, what you throwin’ it away on greens for, that you'll have to sweep up the day after New Year? You ouglt to a-celebrated by gettin’ yourself somethin’ useful—not foolishness like that.” But Mag was mistaken. If you have had to spend a life of hard work try- ing to make both ends meet—and fail- ing—and fortune finally gives you your heart’s delight, there is nothing so rapturous in the whole calendar of pleasures as the doing of something foolish—*"just for joy.” * ok X * ERE is an entirely new reason why flappers cake their faces with make-up. It isn’t vanity. It is purest philanthropy. Which sounds like news. And news is always worth passing on: A flock of noon-hour Junior High School pupils had crowded into a drug ‘There are now no cases of diphtheria at Fort Vermilion and the only death | has been that of a Hudson Bay's factor at Little Red River. There are, how- | ever, several suspected infections at the | latter post. The anti-toxin has been | administered by Dr. H. A. Hamman, provincial health officer in the North- | ern districts. The two settlements are 650 miles from Edmonton. | Capt. May and his companion left | here Wednesday morning and returnad | to the town of Peace River late yester- | day, telegraphing their report to pro- vincial health authorities here. Thei aviators were expected to return to Ed- monton today. They encountered no difficulty in the long flight to the posts, | although sub-zero weather prevailed and at times visibility was poor. WINE PRICES HIGHER. | French Report Record Sums Paid | For 0ld Vintages. PARIS, January 5 (#).—Fine wines have attained record prices this year. The high prices paid for unbottled 1928 wine has increased the cost of old wines and liqueurs. One hundred dollars was paid for three double bottles of Fine Nignon, 1795, at an auction. by an adverse or a non-commital deci- sion of the Supreme Court of the United States in the Si. Louis and O'Fallon case, which has just been argued before it. If the railroads are to hold their position in the first line of corporation borrowers they must be prepared to yield more to their stockholders and years justify A change in this policy is believed to be imminent. It may be delayed 1o shew less concern over political shadows than they have in the recent years. store, for lunch—sandwiches, soda, and the like—though a side counter had its girl patrons who chattered like robins {in Springtime, over the merits of this rouge and that. 4 One customer, whose only motive in going to a drug store is to buy medicine, was_so fascinated by the inrush of youth and laughter; paint, powder and the bolting of that thing that youth “eats,” that while she waited for a phy- sician’s prescription that called for a drug that was already bottled and on a shelf, but had to be wrapped, she watched first one batch of youngsters and then another, until her interest centered on one girl, who was penciling her mouth with a lipstick until the paint lay as thick as salve. but you know how women are—all of us. We will meddle, with the very best intentions in the world: & “You are a real pretty girl, honey, and you would be beautiful if you didn’t | mar your face with all that stuff. Why do you do it, as pretty as you are?” The girl must have been as good | natured as she was lovely, or perhaps, she felt the glow of honest admiration, for she bubbled out an intimate answer, | without in the least interfering with the working of the lipstick: “Have to! Why, what do you suppose this store would do for a living if girls were to stop buying make-up? It couldn’t possibly get along, even with the lunch counter, and souvenirs and candy and things.” ; This may not have been a just valua- tion of the store stock but it ended up the little confidence between the cus- tomer and the girl—with a chuckle on both sides. Which was all there was to | it—still: § It your memory is elastic enough to stretch back to that archaic era when drug stores stood out like lighthouses in the night—with tremendous glass Jars of jewel-colored water in the win- | You know how it is when you come | It was none of her business, of course. | THE CITY LANCASTER. dow, a lettered “Pharmacy” over the door—and a night clerk always ready to fill prescription—And with only a soda fountain to serve as a link between that far past and the present, you can see—in your mind's eye, Horatio, the astonishment of those once exclusive aids to Materia Medica, over such puz- zling words, as “lunch counters—sou- venirs, But it must be all right, seeing that this is an cver;ch:ngkmg’ world. CHRISTMAS red, in contrast with the lily-white of Easter, the fodder-gold of Thanksgiving, the yel- low-black of Halloween, and so on, naturally, makes the most colorful holiday of the year. Every memory of Christmas comes back to us tied in red ribbon or lighted with red | candles, or spread out on a table dec- | orated with holly berries. The color, | somehow, stands for love and laughter |and flamboyant youth, as well as for the flag of anarchy and the blood of “war. And Christmas is such a human | feast day, made so expressly for peace and men of good will, and for little nd all of us are children, |in a way—that, so far as earth-joy goes, the holy day would lose its place as a holiday if it wasn't for the | “merry” helps of holly, candle and | ribbon, assisted by the greens of % | wreath and garland—allowing a share, lof course, {and gilt. | There are, likewise, other reds that enliven the Yuletide, each a happy spot in ¥he making of the happy whole. A splash &I scarlet was made one day in the holidays—maybe for other days, as well—that Dirly lit up the vicinity of the Peace Nonument just where some workmen had been digging holes. It was a red coat. A high-class tailor might have had his little laugh at the cut of it, but there was no criticism among the passing crowds, either walking, motoring or going by in street cars, as the wearer of the | dazzling garment stood by to warn traffic of danger. And everybody smiled with the spontaneousness that only shows up when good nature is on tap—what you might call the “Merry Christmas” grin. Instead of the usual red flag the switchtender sported his red coat, and, though its flamboyancy may have re- | minded some people of Tommy Atkins, Santa Claus, the Marine Band and old-fashioned red flannel petticoats, the to strings of shiny silver D. C, JANUARY 6, Wholesale Market Yesterday’s daily market report on fruits and vegetables (compiled by the Market News Service Bureau of Agricul- tural Economics) said: Apples—Supplies moderate; demand light, market dull; few sales; barrels, Pennsylvania, 2% inches, U. S. No. 1 Yorks, 5.00; boxes, Washington, medium to large size, extra fancy, Delicious, 3.25a3.50; Staymans, 2.50a2.75; Romes, 2.25a2.50; Jonathans, 2.00a2.25; bushel baskets, Virginia, U. S. No. 1, 212 inches up, Jonathans, 1.50; 2%; inches up, U. S. No. 1, Black Twigs, 1.50a1.75. Cabbage—Supplies moderate; demand light, market steady; New York, Danish type, 100~pound sacks, 2.50; South Caro- lina, barrel crates, pointed type, 4.50. Celery—Supplies moderate; demand light, market steady; California, crates, best, mostly 7.00. Lettuce—Supplies of Western stock moderate; demand light, market about steady; Arizona, crates, Iceber~ type, 4-5 dozen, 3.00a3.50; few best, high as 3.75. Onions—Supplies light; demand light, market steady; Michigan and Ohio, 100-pound sacks, yellows, U. S. No. 1, medium to large size, 4.75a5.00. Potatoes—Supplies moderate; demand light, market steady; New York, 150- pound sacks, round whites, U, S. No. 1, 2.10a2.25; Michigan, 150-pound sacks, Russet rurals, U. S. No. 1, 2.15a2.25. Spinach—Supplies moderate; de- mand lizht. market slightly weaker; Texas, bushel baskets, Savoy type, 1.00a 1.25; mostly 1.15; Norfolk section Vir- ginia, veneer barrels Savoy type, 2.50a 2.75. Tomatoes—Supplies light; demand light, market dull; Originals, Florida sixes, green to ripes, wrapped, fancy count, 2.50a3.50; choice count, 1.50a2.25. String beans—supplies very ligh mand light, market firm; Florida, bushel hampers, green, best, mostly 6.00; fair to ordinary quality and con- dition, 4.00a5.00. Peppers—Supplies very light; de- mand light, market steady; Cuba, pep- per crates, fancy, 9.00; Florida, pepper crates, choice, 7.00. Eggplant—Supplies very light; de- mand light, market firm; Florida, pep- business alertness and efficiency accent- ed the business fact that here was a switchtender who was strictly on the job. : But if the red coat had been a fire bell, it could not have called out louder, or more joyously: “Merry Christmas—to all.” LY 1929—PART D. C. Naval Reserve With the turn into the new year, the United States Naval Reserve Battalion of the District of Columbia, command- ed by Lieut. Comdr. Finney Bascom Smith, is already directing its atten- tions to the preparations for the annual inspections to be held under the eyes of a special board of regular officers from the Navy Department. and to the annual cruises this Summer. An intensive training schedule has been laid down under the direction of Lieut. Comdr. Harry J. Nichols, execu- tive officer, which the men and divi- sional officers will be kept strictly to, both for the purpose of getting a high mark at the annual inspection and for receiving top marks on the annual cruises. One of the features which is to be pressed in the training this year is the assignment of men each week to the indoor rifle range at the armory, which will be used to the utmost for the pur- pose of developing a group of high- class gun pointers and trainers. It is the desire of both the headquarters and the divisional officers that the gun crews of the local battalion make very high scores with the big guns when they are on the annual cruises this per crates, small size. 7.00; choice, 6.00. Squash—Supplies light; demand slow, market slightly weaker; Florida, pepper crates, white, wrapped, fair quality, 4.5025.00; yellow, 4.00a4.50. Cucumbers—No supplies on market. Peas—Supplies very light; demand light, market steady, few sales; Mexico, 45-pound crates, 6.70a7.00. Strawberries—Supplies moderate; de- mand light, market slightly weaker; Florida, pony refrigerators, Missionarys, 60a65, few high as 70 per quart. Cauliflower—Supplies moderate; de- mand moderate, market about steady; California, pony crates, Snowballs, 1.90a 2.15; Pearls, slightly spread, 1.50a1.75. Carrots-—Supplies moderate; demand light, market dull; California, Western, lettuce crates, bunched, few sales, 3.50. Beets—Too few sales reported to quote. Oranges—Supplies moderate; demand light, market slightly weaker; Florida, boxes No. 1, medium size, 4.00; small size, 3.50. Grapefruit—Supplies moderate; de- mand light, market steady: Florida, boxes, medium size, No. 2, 3.50. fancy, year, so that they may come out on the top of the list. The fact that the United States de- stroyer Abel P. Upshur, training ship of the local battalion, has been here nearly a year, and practically all mem- bers of the battalion have made a sea cruise aboard her, means that they will be more familiar with their vessel when the inspection board makes its appearance. Each drill night that the weather permits the men are to be taken aboard the vessel and drilled, so that each of them will know his sta- tion, and can go promptly to it when emergency drills are called for by the inspection board. The lack of a vessel last year for training seriously handi- capped the training of the local reserv- ists, and pulled down their figure of merit because they were unfamiliar with the ship which had been here only a week or two when the last inspection board put the battalion members through their paces. The examination board is nearly fin- ished with its arduous task of individ- ually examining each man ordered up for promotion, and it is expected that within a few weeks ihe successful can- didates will be displaying new rating badges on their arms, or “crows” as they are termed in the service. When this group is completed the board will have nothing to do until after the coming Summer cruises, at which time it is expected that more men will be recommended for promotion as a re- sult of their display of seamanship and engineering tralning. The school system is just getting in full swing, and after a short general drill each night, the divisional officers are divided up into class groups, each under an officer-specialist. Comdrs. Smith and Nichols have mapped out a scheme of instruction which provides progressive instruction, and is intended to keep up the interest of the men by making it unnecessary for any man to go through the same subject twice, un- less, of course, he fails in the examina- tion given in each class at the comple- tion of a particular phase of the study. This taking away the monotonous routine, according to the officers, is helping materially in keeping up the interest of the men and of increasing the attendance average, which fell off somewhat following the annual cruises. However, it was shown to have picked up almost simultaneously with the re- establishment of the school system, and —and 70 house Yel —/ THE whole day utterly wasted in a frantic search for a suitable house to live in. A thoroughly exasperated father—a mother with nerves on end—children cross and cranky—all of them worn out and NO HOUSE YET . . . A careful reading of the houses for rent in The Star want ads BEFORE they began their hunt would have saved their time, their patience, their money and they would have FOUND the very house they were seeking. STAR Classified Ads serve your every need. See Pages 11 to 17, Part 2. A is expected to show an increase up to the time of the annual cruises. Only those men who attend drills regularly will be kept in the fleet re- serve, it was pointed out, as there are men in the volinteer branch ready i3 take their places and to attend drles at all times. Failure of any man & put in an appearance regularly for én.- will involve his transfer to the volun- teer branch, which does not carry any pay, it was said. Leroy E. Stickley, shipkeeper aboard the destroyer Abel P. Uushur, has been ordered promoted from coxswain to boatswain's mate, second class, it was announced at battalion headquarters The records of George E. Asserson, seaman, second class, volunteer reserve, have been transferred to the 11th Naval District Headquarters, it was an- nounced, as the sailor has removed to Coronado, Calif. Information was received at the local Reserve headquarters that Grant Cole- man, engineman, first class, a 20-year former regular service man, assigned to the local Reserve, died at Providence Hospital on December 27, as a result of injuries incurred when knocked off a runway by a crane. The record has been received here from the U. S. Submarine Base at New London, Conn., of Joseph Eiben, chief torpedoman. His local address is given as 504 B street northeast. He is a deep sea diver, and worked on the salvaging of the submarines S-51 and S-4, holding a congressional medal of honor and a gold star citation, the lat- ter for his work on the S-4. PICTURE MELTS DUCE. Portrait of Family of 15 Wins Mussolini’s Heart. BOSCOMARENGO, Italy, January 5 (#).—Mussolini has brcken his own rule about not sending his autographed photo to fathers of big families or par- ents of triplets and twins. A group portrait of a Lombardl family of this town—father, mother and 13 lusty off- spring—melted the Duce's heart. He sent his own in return, adorned with a warm congratulatory message in his bold hand. Russia Drinks Less Vodka. MOSCOW (#).—Recent official figures show that the consumption of vodka in Russia under the present system is 40 per cent less than before the war. In the past 12 months over 530,000,000 litres of vodka were sold by the state ‘monopoly.