Evening Star Newspaper, January 21, 1929, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Cloudy with slowly rising temperature tonight and tomorrow; probably occa- sional rain; lowest temperature tonight about 36 degrees. Temperatures—High- est, 54, at 2 p.m. yesterday: lowest, 31, at 6 am. today. Full report on Page 9. Closing N. Y. Markets, Pages io and 11 he Foening Star, No. 30,946. FrvrShes “Wo Entered as second class matte shington, D. o WASHINGTON, - D.-C., MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1 The only evening paper in Washington with the Associated Press news service. Sunday’s Saturday's Circulation, 106,861 Circulation, 112,624 29 -THIRTY-EIGHT PAGES. # (#) Means Associated Press. TWO CENTS, SLI0 REALTY TAX RATE IS CONTINUED IN MEASURE GIVING DISTRICT $38.213.150 Bill Reported to House Pro- vides for $9,000,000 Con-| tribution From Federal| Treasury. TOTAL OF $575,842 GAIN OVER CURRENT FIGURE Proposed Act Does Not Contain the Second Installment of Two-Year| Program to Bring Salaries of | Local Employes Up to Level of | Workers in U. S. Service. The District appropriation bill | for the fiscal year beginning July 1, next, was reported to the House | today. For current expenses of the National Capital as a munici- pality, with appropriations on ac- count of park areas under the Jjurisdiction of theé Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks, the National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Zoolog- ical Park and for certain work being performed under the super- wvision of the Engineer Department | of the Army, the bill carries a total of $38213,150. To this is added $3,052,500 in permanent annual and indefinite appropriations. ‘The bill is based on continuance of the policy of having the Federal Treasury contribute a lump sum of $9,000,000 as the Federal Govern- ment’s share of maintenance of the Capital City. It provides for | taking from the District revenues; $300,000 for the fiscal years 1929 and 1930, and $150,000 a year ! hereafter as the District’s share of | the accrued liabilities in the Civil Service retirement fund. $1L.70 Tax Rate Provided. It provides for continuing the present | $1.70 real estate tax rate and the same tangible #ax,~with a ! those in pmvmcml that, m'gn card and | auto tags not be issued where taxes are due on an automobile. It includes the supplemental esti- mates sent to Congress the other day by the President, amounting to $1,674,- 000 for major municipal development projects, and promises continuation of this program of betterments. It also recommends early legislative action on the bill providing for acquisition of a site for a new municipal center. It does nat contain the second install- | ment on a two year program Jast vear to bring the salaries of Dis- trict empldyees to a level with those in other branches of the Government service, contending that this has in ‘effect been done by the Welch pay act. The $38,213,150 total is an increase of $575,842 over current appropriations and a decrease of $343,972 of the Bud- get Bureau recommendations. $1,565,600 From Gas Tax. Of the total, $1565600 is payable from the gasoline tax fund; $1.495,330 from water revenues; $26,152,220 from District revenues and $9,000,000 from the: Federal Treasury. Chairman Simmons, of the subcom- mittee that drafted the bill, explained: “The regular annual appropriations, under which the District of Columbia government is operating for the fiscal year 1929, total $37,637.308, which in- cludes $12,100 contained in the second deficiency act of 1928, The amount recommended for the fiscal year 1930 as contained in the President’s Budget (and including the supplemental esti- mates amounting to $1,674,000) total | $38,557,122. The amount that has been recommended by the committee in the accompanying bill is $38,212,150, an in- crease of $575.842 over the 1929 appro- | priations, and a_ decrease of $334,972 under the total Budget estimates sub- mitted for the next fiscal year.” An accompanying table shows the distribution of funds between the va-| rious divisions and services of the municipal government. $9,000,000 Lump Sum Sustained. In announcing the continuance of the £9,000,000 lump sum policy, the present tax rate and a program of municipal betterments Chairman Simmons said: “The committee has recommended the Federal contribution of $9,000.000, which amount has been carried for the veral years. No increase in the| ent tax rate of $1.70 is made neces- sary by the total of the appropriations | recommended in the accompanying bill. ‘There has been recommended in the bill & provision continuing for the fiscal year 1930 the same tax rate on real estate and tangible personal property as has been maintaine * during the cur- yent year. The 1-port made recently by the United States Bureau of Effi- ciency, at the request of the Committee on Appropriations, upon the fiscal rela- tions of the District of Columbia in the opinion of the committee clearly dis- closes, first, that the contribation of the Federal Government meets fairly and generously all obligations toward the I ict government by the United and, secondly, that it shows that when compared with other cities of sim- ilar size the District is in a very ad- geous situation as to its tax bur- den and general fiscal condition. The committee finds no on for changing the method of the Federal contribution, in increasing the amount, or decreasing the District’s tax rate. Rather, as has been indicated by the committee’s ac- tion in ils recommendations in this bill, it feels that the District should very properly go ahead with a program of municipal betterments.” $150,000 Anndally for Retirement. Explaining the new proposition of having the District taxpayers contribute $150,000 a year, retroactive for one year, as their proportionate share of the approximately $20.000,000 a year which “the Federal Government has started paying on its acerued liability w the Civil Service retirement fund, Mr. Simmons sald: “Officers and employes of the mu- nicipal government of the District of Columbia are eligible to the retirement rovisions of the act of M 19: ‘Wontinued on Page 4, Column Authorities Seek Man Who Phoned False Fire Plea Police and fire officials today were trying to identify a man who called fire headquarters yes- terday and pleaded with them to send fire engines to La Plata, Md., “if they wanted to keep the whole town from burning down.” Investigation disclosed the call was made from a Washington telephone, ‘and that there was no fire in La Plata. About three years ago a similar call was recelved from a man who said there was a fire in Bal- timore which threatened to de- stroy the city. Chief Watson was preparing to send apparatus when a telephone call to Balti- more disclosed there was no fire there. The man who made the call was arrested and sentenced to prison. 79,000,000 LIMIT 100.C. ATTACKED Griffin Promises Fight for| More School, Sewer and Salary Funds. Vigorous protest that Congress has| released a great deal of its authority to| the Budget Bureau and that subcommit- | tee chairmen seem afraid to exceed the limits set by the Bureau was made today by Representative Griffin, Democrat, of New York, ranking minority member of the subcommittee on District appropria- ions, when the District appropriation bill was reported to the full House com- mittee today. After the meeting Mr. Griffin said that he proposed to make a protest against an absolute limit of $9,000,000 in the lump sum contribution from-the United States in maintaining the Cap- ital and would urge that more money be allowed for schools and sewers and to complete the two-year program started last year to bring salaries of District employes up to a parity with those in other branches of the Federal services. Mr. Griffin said that he desired to have a determination of the present procedure by the committee, so that a member would not feel that he had been relegated to the position of an automaton. These and other controversial mat- ters, he said, the minority membership of the subcommittee had not had op- portunity to thrash out in subcommittee conferences. Representative Casey, Democrat of Pennsylvania, another member of the District subcommittee, offered an amendment to include in the bill $165,- 000 as the second year’s quota in the two-year program of increasing salaries of District employes comparable with other branches of Government | service. This amendment was rejected by Mfl-“’{e unanimous vote of the committee r Chairman Simmons of the subcommittee explained that the program - had been undertaken before the passage of the Welch pay bill, and that this latter legislation, coupled with the item for increased pay in last year's District appropriation bill, has brought the salaries up to a fair level with those paid throughout the Federal service. PARLIAMENT WAR AWAITED IN JAPAN Tenseness Prevails on Eve of| Premier’s Convening of New Diet. By the Assoclated Pres: TOKIO, January 21.—Japan's tens- est parliamentary battle in a decade will open tomorrow when Premier Tan- | aka, in his capacities as head of the | government and foreign minister, ad- dresses both houses at the first real business session of the first Diet whose lower house was elected by universal manhood suffrage. Perfunctory ses- sions today ended the new year recess, the organization of committees being the only business. Special interest has been focused on Premier Tanaka's foreign address, in which it is understood he will defend his much-assailed China policies. Dra- matics on this point are likely to be introduced by the opposition’s evoking the ghost of Chang Tso-Lin, one-time head of the Northern government. For a fortnight, deep mystery has shrouded the plans of the opposition, the newspapers obeying a police pro- hibition never to mention the assas- sinated Northern dictator -specificaliy. ‘The papers have referred to the mat- ter only as a “certain grave Manchurian affair.” It was authoritatively learned that Premier Tanaka, disturbed at this prospect, today called in leaders of the House of Peers and urged a hands<off policy on the Chang Tso-Lin issue. . No parliamentary prospect for a long time has thrilled the nation as this one. The ministry claims enough votes to stave off a non-confidence vote, but its dependable majority is only two or three apd any dramatic change may bring down the cabinet. Severe Quake Recorded. A severe earthquake estimated to have occurred 3,400 miles from Wash- ington in a northerly direction, was recortied at 5:32 a.m. today on the Georgetown University selsmograph. Director Tondorf said the disturbance lasted 3 hours and reached its maximum intensity at 5:56 o'clock. MELLON REPEATS ORY FUND STAND TOBHOP AN |Disapproval of Proposed| $25,000,000 Measure Is Reiterated. |DRY LEADERS AMAZED AT OPPOSITION TO BILL Acceptance of Money Would Vio-| late Governmental Principles, Secretary Declares. By the Associaled Press. Reiterating his disapproval of the proposed additional $25,000,000 for pro- ! hibition . epforcement, Secretary Mellon, today advised Bishop James Cannon, jr., of thé Methodist Episcopal Church South, of his epinion that acceptance of the money at this time would violate fundamental principles of good governs. ment. The Secretary set forth in detail his objections to the immediate appropria- tion of more money for enforcement in a reply to a telegram’ bearing the signatures of Bishop Cannon, Bishop Thomas Nicholson, head of the Anti- Saloon ' League, and Eugene L. Craw- ford, sécretary of the Board of Temper- | ance and Social Service of the Method- ist Episcopal Church South. The dry leaders had expressed amazement at Mr. Mellon's rejéction of the appro- priation offer. - Acceptance of the money, Mr. Mellon said, “would break down the safeguards of the budget system and the effective and proper control which Congress ex- ercises over the expenditure of pub- lic funds.” “More Would Be Lost Than Gained.” “I think that upon second consider- ation,” the Secretary wrote, “you will realize that this is not a minor ques- tion, but a fundamental one and that in the long run, whether in the prohibition field or in any other field of Govern- ment, infinitely more is lost than gained if for the sake of accomplishing immediately a purpose, no matter how desirable, a foundamental principle of good government and sound practice is violated.” Mr. Mellon recalled that the $25,000,000 proposal, sponsored by Senator Harris of Georgia, includes no restrictions as to expenditures, and he asked Bishop Can- non “whether you consider it good prac- tice to place so vast a sum in the hands of a public official with unlim- ited discretion as to its use?” “It makes no difference,” he con- tinued, “whether that official be the Secretary of the Treasury or some other chief of an Executive Department of Government, I do not believe that ade- quate protection of public interest and the proper safeguards that should ways surround the expenditures of wi lic funds can fairly be said to have n provided for if an appropriation of this character is made.” Cannon Explains Stand. Elaborating on his telegram to Sec- retary Mellon urging the proposed $25,- 000,000 fund, Bishop Cannon, jr. sald the dry law's enforce SMITH MAY VISIT HOOVER IN MIAMI Al Evades Direct Question, but Friends Believe He Will Congratulate Victor. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, January 21.—Cryptic remarks by Alfred E. Smith on his departure for a vacation were inter- preted by his friends today as indicat- ing that he would call on Herbert Hoover in Miami. Mr. Smith did not answer a direct question whether he would call on Mr. | Hoover, but a friend who saw him off yesterday said there was a probability such a meeting would take place. Mr. Smith was reminded of Mr. Hoover’s trip to Miami today. “Will you call on him down there and congratulate the victor”? A reporter inquired. “Yes, I will be in Miami, too,” said the ex-governor, with a broad smile. “But will you call on Hoover?” The questioner persisted. hat will be news when I do, if I do,” was Mr. Smith's verbal sidestep. His plans call for a stay in the South until March 1. The Smith party will first go to Savannah, thence to Sarasota, Fla., to visit Carl Espy and John Ring- ling. ‘They will visit the Ringling Brothers Circus in Winter quarters and then go to Miami. John J. Raskob, chairman of the Democratic national committee, joined the party at Wilming- ton, Del. Mr. Smith said he did not plan to see any Southern political leaders dur- ing his stay. He said the only purpose of the trip was a desire “to have a good time.” Asked what he would do on his return to New York, he responded: “I am not talking about that now.” A large number of friends were on hand when the Havana Special pulled out of Pennsylvania Station. The party traveled aboard Willidm F. Kenny’s pri- vate car, St. Nicholas. Mr. and Mrs. Kenny, close friends of the Smiths, were in the party. As the train started Mr. Smith waved his familiar brown derby to those who had come to see him off. Revised Diplomatic By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News. LONDON, January 21.—An accident legation in London is involved is likely to lead to a complete revision of diplo- matic privileges, which. of late have been the cause of serious complaints in various countries of Europe and in America. A British citizen was knocked down and severely injured on Saturday by a motor car driven by a Siamcse student who is also a member of the staff of | the Siamese legation, As the driver was attached to the diplomatic service and the car regis- Itered as “diplomatic,” the, police could * not_prosecute. The foreign office s annoyed at i in which an employe of the Siamese | Privileges Likely As Legation Car in London Crashes the occurrence, since several members | tention of raising the question in the House, Diplomatic immunity, which is granted to Ambassadors, Ministers and their staffs, puts all these persons be- yond the reach of civil or criminal law. Lately, especially in England, these privileges have been much abused by minor officials, Last June when a doctor tried to sue A member of a legation of one of the {and police patrols were booked for of Parliament have announced their in- | cannot be divided. 3,000 ARE JAILED AS CHIGAGO OPENS CLEAN-UP CRUSADE Police Raid All Known Habi- tats of Gangsters in Sud- den Drive at Crime. “GET EVERY CROOK WITH RECORD,” STEGE ORDERS Captives Held in Cells for Inves- tigation, Despite Pleas for Bail. By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, January 21.—Three thou- sand persons were arrested between Sat-{" urdag nightfall and today’s dawn inone of ‘th¢’ most ‘siidden, widespread and successfal ‘police drives in the history 014 Chicago. Raids- were conducted against every- known habitat of the gangster, gunman and robber, doors were smashed open. district swarmed with plainclothes men, seeking the “dress suit” crooks; hours ahead, so swift were the arrests. The drive was Police Chief Wmlflln, Russell's answer to a week of crime marked by 102 robberies, in which four persons were shot dead and several others seriously wounded. ' Stege Issues Ultimatum. ‘Two-thirds of the city's force of 6,000 policemen were kept on double duty over Sunday to insure the success of the drive, Squad leaders got their orders from| Deputy Commissioner John Stege in these words: “Every joint in this town is to be vis- ited. Never mind injunctions. ¥f you're barred, grab an ax and chop your way in. Grab every crook with a record that you see Don't bother seizing booze. Leave the working man and the respect- able people alone. Raid the night clubs, the theaters, the hotels, the beer flats. I want every crook in Chicago in a ccll by Monday morning.” Besides the raids, police had random squads at work everywhere, making ar- rests at swreet corners—anywhere they might come upon persons with police records or who were unable to give sat- isfactory accounts of themselves. With every police district in the city gfiruflpnun& arrests were made by the undreds every hour. In many cases officers and their prisoners waited for | hours on the street before the arrival of a patrol to transport them to the police station. Several names often found in police records were listed among the persons arrested, although so far as was known.| no “wanted” man of especial note was taken. The full result of the drive re- | mained to be seen at the special “show-up” today, when those arrested were to be paraded before the victims of recent hold-ups and robberies for possible identification. Two ‘Arrested Robbing Sleuths. One incident of the drive was the arrest of Richard Klein, 24, and James Murphy, 28, said to be men with sen- tences at San Quentin Penitentiary be- hind them. Klein and Murphy were holding up two plainclothes detectives, not knowing they were officers, when a raiding squad arrived and arrested them. A close watch was kept on theater crowds, police following the theory that underworld leaders would pursue their usual custom of attending opening nights. Nathan “Bunk” ~ Goldberg, known to police as a racketeer and bootlegger; Joe Glaser, resort keeper, and Ben Sopkin, wanted for question- ing, were among the dress clothes vic- tims taken. At the opening of “Diamond Lil” a show of the underworld, where officers expected to find several gangsters, no arrests were made. In the outlying sections, after the drive had been in progress several hours, officers found evidence of the fear that had been inspired. At one place they came upon several men hastily dismantling five stills and load- ing them on trucks in an alley. Politicians, bondsmen, lawyers and judges were kept busy answering calls for aid from those arrested, but all captives were ordered held “for investi- gation,” and pleas for -release were turned down. Several hundred prison- ers, however, were freed when investi- gation showed them to be law-abiding. Up to 4 a.m. today, the raids had re- sulted in the seizure of 75 shotguns and pistols, Sunday, while the raids were in progress, only two minor holdups were reported. D. C. HEADS QUESTIONED ON AIRPORT NECESSITY Senate Committee Desirous of Learning of Urgency if Cost Cannot Be Divided. ‘The District Commissioners have been asked to give the Senate District com- mittee their opinion as to whether the need for an airport is urgent enough to be provided for at this time, if'the cost cannot be divided equally between the Federal and District governments. ‘The query is being sent by Senator Vandenberg, Republican, of Michigan, chalrman of the airport subcommittee. As drafted by the Commissioners “the bill recommended that the airport be provided for on a 50-50 basis, but the Budget Bureau did not sanction that provision. Senator Vandenberg is walting to see what action the House will take on the airport measure before bringing - the matter before the Senate committee, and in the meantime he wants to find out what the“viewpoint of the city heads would be if it is found that the cost Supreme Court Recesses. The Supreme Court recessed today until February 18. Maryland and Central American states for fees amounting to some $400 he was told | that he would have to wait until the |-diplomat returned to his native coun- try and then sue him as a private in- | dividual theres Virginia News Where doors were locked |- The theater | 1930D.C.SURPLUS 10 BE S10000 Commissioners Sharply Crit- icized for Allowing Huge Sum to Pile Up. ‘The District will have a surplus of approximately $10,000,000 to its credit in the Federal Treasury by June 30,! 1930, it was shown during hearings on | the District appropriation bill, reported | to the House today. Chairman Simmons of the House subcommittee on District nppropria-: tions, sharply criticized the District Commissioners during hearings for fail- | ing to provide for the expenditure of any of this surplus revenue. ‘The surplus was accumulated over a period of years, since the District went on a cash-paying basis accordance with an act of Congress —from revenues collected in excess of the appropriations made. The figure includes an estimated excess of $1,060,~ 152 for the present fiscal year. The estimated excess for the coming fiscal year is $3,227,208, about half of which is allocated in the District bill sub- mitted today for supplemental items included following conferences between the District subcommittee on appropria- | tions and Budget Bureau officials. { ‘The defense of the Commissioners was that they did not know this: vast | sum was accumulating until last August. $5,000,000 Ready to Spend. Of the $10,000,000 surplus the Com- missioners #laimed that about $5,000,000 is available for immediate expenditure, as they plan to reserve one million for | deficlency and supplemental appropria- tions and $4,000,000 to maintain the District on a_cash-paying basis. Chairman Simmons pointed out that the District has been piling up this surplus while criticism had come from official sources in the District Building and outside, directed at Congress, to the effect that money was not available under the present tax rate and with the present contribution of the Federal Government to make needed improve- ments in the District, “The criticism that has been directed at Congress and this committee,” said Mr. Simmons, “has been that we are unwilling to furnish money for needed improvements and betterments, such as schools, parks, playgrounds, roads and things of that kind. The money is available, but we have not here before us a request to cover anything near the income of the District at the pres- ent time. Explains Situation. “That is a thing which, between the Commissioners and the Bureau of the Budget, it seems to me could have been well worked out before you got to this oint. P “As I understand the situation, after the Bureau of the Budget refused to approve certain of the items presented to them, the Commissioners sat back and did nothing further in the way of the consideration of any items that could be included in this bill as sub- mitted to Congress, to take care of the surplus.” Following this_ criticism the District Commissioners submitted a list of ad- ditional estimates for inclusion in the 1930 appropriation bill totaling $6,609.- 700. These were in two groups—group one calling for appropriations totaling $4,979,700 for the more pressing needs, and group two, totaling $1,630,000. The Commissioners pointed out that the approximate amount which could be safely appropriated at this time is $4,- 979,700, and includes the ijtems in group one. The items in group two are designed as alternate proposals. ] ‘When Chairman Simmons called the attention of the Commissioners to the mounting surplus and asked what bet- terments or capital items should be (Continued on Page 5, Column 3.) RUM RUNNER.ELUDES DRY SQUAD IN CHASE| Driver Escapes After Car Plunges From Highway—432 Quarts of Liquor Found. Pursued by Sergt. George Little and members of his liquor squad, the driver of a high-powered touring car escaped the officers when his machine left the highway and plunged into a field at Silver Hill, Md., after a 15-mile chase. A search of the abandoned machine revealed 432 quarts of liquor. Sighting the car at Cedar Hill road and the District line, the liquor squad gave chase. Returning after seizing the ma- chine, members of the squad captured Robert Duffel of the 1400 block of N street, who they allege was transport- ing more than 35 gallons of liquor. ‘When arraigned in Police Court today, Duffel pleaded not guilty and demanded a jury trial. Radio Programs—Page 23 ! Cracks in Streets Will Demolish City, Inhabitants Fear By the Assoclated Press. CERRO DE PASCO, Peru, Jan- uary 21.—The newspaper Grito del Pueblo says today that cracks which have appeared in several streets and the public square, were caused by the underground operations of the Cerro de Pasco Copper Co., an American corpo- ration. The paper says that the situation is one of extreme danger and that inhabitants fear that the whole city will be demolished. The mines under this com- munity have been worked from the time of the Spanish conquest. In some places the excavation has been total. Most of the works beneath the town now belong to the American company. SENATE CONFIRMS WEST NOMINATION Approval by 54-to-27 Vote Follows Three-Day Secret Session. By the Associated Press. Roy O. West of Chicago was con- firmed today by the Senate as Secretary of the Interior. ‘The vote was 54 to 27. Confirmation followed three days of Senate discussion in executive session. Opposition to the nominee was voiced by Republican independents, who com- plained particularly of Mr. West's former holding of stock in the Samuel Insull utility interests. The attack on West was led by Chair- man Nye of the lands committee, which recommended his confirmation by a vote of 9 to 4, along with Senator Norris of Nebraska. Senators Dencen and Glenn, Repub- licans, of Iilinois, defended the cabinet officer, joined by several Democrats. Mr. West is a former secretary of the Republican national committee and he was appointed last August by President Coolidge upon the retirement of Secre- tary Work, when he became chairman of the Republican national committee. TWO DIE IN HOTEL FIRE. Ten Injured and 100 Guests and | Employes Routed. MINNEAPOLIS, January 21 (#).— ‘Two persons were dead today, 10 were injured and 100 guests and employes | were driven to the street by a fire which burned the National Hotel, in the | downtown district, late Sunday. Both victims were suffocated, though one body was partly burned when found. They were identified through names on the register as John J. Jones, 45, Wil- liston, N. Dak., and Albin Scott, 26, | Frederic, Wis. PACIFIC FLIGHT PLANNED. NEW ORLEANS, January 21 (#).— Maj. Tien Lai Huang, 27, Chinese aviator and author, announced here yesterday that he planned to return to is native country by flying across the ;’a‘cdiflc from one of the California air ields. ‘The proposed flight, he said, would HOOVER AND PARTY LEAVE FOR FLORIDA President-Elect Expected to| Return Several Weeks Be- fore Inauguration. President-elect Herbert Hoover turned southward today for a brief vacation in Florida before he becomes Chief Executive. The special train bearing | Mr. Hoover and the party accompanying him jeft Washington at 10:30 o'clock this morning. It is to reach Miami Beach about 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, and at Miami a State-wide welcoming cele- bration will be accorded Mr. Hoover. As the President-elect, accompanied by Mrs. Hoover, passed through the concourse of the Union Station a group of admirers and friends several hun- | dred in number, who had gathered there to see them off, applauded. The President-to-be waved his hat and smiled in response. His two weeks of close application to work and confer- ences with Republican leaders in Wash- ton since his return from South America apparently has not wearied Mr. Hoover and he seemed in the best of health and spirits. Members of Party. During his stay in Florida, Mr. and Mrs. Hoover will be guests of J. C. Penny at the Penny estate at Belle Isle. In the party which accompanied Mr. Hoover was Dr. Hubert Work, chairman of the Republican national committee; Lawrence Richey, Mr. Hoover’s personal secretary, and Mrs. Richey, and James Francis Burke of Pittsburgh, general counsel of the Republican national com- mittee. Mr. Burke is to leave the party, however, at Palm Beach. Two score newspaper correspondents and news photographers were on board as the train pulled out of the station. Mr. Hoover’s return to Washington is expected two weeks or 10 days before his inauguration on March 4. During his stay in Washington, just completed, he was in conference with many of the Republican members of Congress and other party leaders. In Florida it is expected that still other conferences will be held, though Mr. Hoover is plan- ning to give his attention to fishing, his favorite sport, as soon as he reaches Florida. Morrow Will Be Visitor. Among those who are expected to visit Mr. Hoover is Dwight Morrow. Ambassador to Mexico, who has been mentioned prominently as a possible se- lection for Secretary of State in the Hoover cabinet. Mr. Morrow is now at Nassau on a vacation. His appoint- ment has been urged on Mr. Hoover by Senator Edge of New Jersey and others who believe that the selection of Mr. Morrow to head the State Department (Continued on Page 2, Column 1.) PARKER CONFERS HERE. | silent on Reparations Problems. | Sails Friday for Europe. S. Parker Gilbert. agent general for reparations at Berlin, conferred here ! again today with Government officials preparatory to his sailing Friday for Europe. He refused_comment on the problems to.be taken up by the committee of experts which will meet in Paris next not be a non-stop attempt, but land- ings would be made at Hawaii and the | Midway Islands. He said the total dis- tance would be about 9,000 miles. | month to decide on the final settlement of reparations payments. Reports of his intention to resign, he said, were not correct. .S Supreme Court Consents to Pass On the Validity of “Pocket™ Vetoes The Supreme Court today consented to pass on the validity of “pocket” vetoes by the President, of especial importance in determining the status of Muscle Shoals legislation. The question is involved in the case of Okanogan and other Indian tribes of the State of Washington vs. the United States. In this case a bill, passed by both houses of Congress, was presented to the President for consideration June 24, 1926, ight days thereafter the first ses of the Sixty-ninth Con- gress adjourned for the Summer recess. The President did not sign the bill or return it with his objections to the House. Action was brought by the Indians in the Court of Claims to re- cover compensation provided in the act and the court held that the bill had never become a law. The Constitution provides that if a bill is not returned by the President within 10 days, Sundays excepted, it shall be a law in the same manner as if he ed it, “unless Congress by their adjournment prevent its return,| in wi it shall not he a law.” The questifl Lo this case 1 whether te word “adjournment” in the provision of the Constitution refers only to a final adjournment of Congress, or covers the case of an adjournment of a session. This is a question which has never been decided by the Supreme Court of the United States. It is regarded as a question of great importance, because that was the fate of the Muscle Shoals bill passed by both houses of Congress during the last session of the present Congree. The President took the posi- tion that by not returning the bill he had vetoed it. Senator Norris, who sponsored the Muscle Shoals bill in the Senate, and other members of Congress, have taken the position that the bill had become a law, since the President could have returned it to the officers of GIRL, 24, 15 FATALLY BURNED IN 4-ALARM FIRE AT APARTMENT 25 Forced to Flee in Night Clothes as Blaze Sweeps Sixth Street House. VICTIM’S DRESS CATCHES AS SHE PEERS INTO SHAFT Twelve Trapped by Flames in Fourteenth Street Home Yester- day Saved by Firemen. One woman was burned fatally and more than 25 other persons made their way to safety in night clothing when fire broke out in the Glendower apart~ ment house, 21 Sixth street northeast, early this morning, and gained such headway that four alarms were sound- ed, bringing a large part of the ap- paratus of the city, before it was put under control. Failure of the fire alarm system in the building, occupants declared, de- layed spreading the alarm and caused many to narrowly escape being trapped by the smoke, Miss Carrie Goodman, 24, of apart- ment 103, the Glendower, died in Casualty Hospital from burns suffered when she opened the dumbwaiter shaft in which the blaze is believed to originated. . Clothing Catches Fire, Miss Goodman fell to the floor with her clothing afire and her mother, Mrs. Dora Goodmnn,pém}‘ sister, Miss Ada Goodman, wrapj er in blankets to extinguish the flames. F. A. Weissmiller, a fireman of No. 8 Engine Company, carried the woman to Third Battalion Chief E. Howards automobile and sped to Casualty Hos- gx;.al. He then returned to help fight the e. ; The fire was the second in 24 hours in which firemen were forced to rescue persons. Early Sunday morning 12 oc- cupants of 922 Fourteenth street were ooden stairway floors of the build- g. William Clemmer and P. T. Moss, residents of the Sixth street apartment, smelled smoke shortly after 4 o'clock this morning. They endeavored to arouse other occupants of the structure, but the automatic alarm system failed to work. Clemmer cut his hand on the glass in attempting to sound one of the alarms, and received first aid at the home of a neighbor later. Rouse Tenants, The men quickly located some of the fire in the basement and endeavored fo fight it with extinguishers, but these, too, failed to work. They then rushed through the building, knocking on doors and arousing occupants of the various apartments. an alarm had been leading to the upper 1nj| Me:ju‘x‘w;me. sounded from the street box at Sixth and A streets northeast at 4:41. Suc- cessive alarms were turned in - then every few minutes until the fourth nl:g‘m gm lsoundm at 5:01. # re ef George S. Watson respond- ed on the second alarm and directed the work of the firemen. The blaze was confined to the dumbwaiter shaft. It was fought from every floor and a hole fivemen broke through the roof after scaling the front of the building by an extension ladder. The water tower and Trescue squad were among the pieces of apparatus called to the scene. FPifteen minutes after the last alarm was sound- <d the blaze was under control. Police Reserves Summoned. Police reserves from precincts 3 10, and all the extra n‘a’tn from No‘.ng were summoned to help control & crowd of spectators that qQuickly gathe ered in spite of the early hour. Maj. Edwin P. Hesse, superintendent of po- lice, who lives a few blocks away, and Police Inspectors Headley, Stoll and Hx!‘l:;'llmg were also on hand. B e fire was reported officially as undetermined origin. umgx-mor: Detective William Messer, who ques- tioned Charles H. Wells, colored, jani= tor at the apartment, learned that, though there is a rule against throwing refuse or trash down the dumb waiter, inflammable material sometimes is found in the shaft in the morning. Some one called the fire board at 4:31, and after reporting a fire at 21 Sixth street northeast, immediately hung up. The telephone operator help= ed secure verification of this report, and a few companies were on their way before the first alarm came in. Residents who escaped from the burn- ing building found shelter at the homes of neighbors. Shortly after daylight many waded through the corridors to their apartments, which were flooded. Damage Unestimated. The Glendower is owned by David Notes, furniture dealer, living at 2025 Ordway street. No official estimate of the damage has been given. The fire extinguishers in the build- ing bore tags showing they were last "(Continued on Page 2, Column 4.) SENATE LEADERS ACT TO SPEED NAVY BILL Plan Would Give Measure Abso- lute Priority—Filibuster Move Looms. By the Assoclated Press. Senate Republican leaders wére pree paring today to bring the cruiser cone struction bill to a vote by giving it ab« solute priority. Under their program the bill would be placed ahead even of the urgent appro- priation bills, after disposal of the dee ficlency measure, with its controversial prohibition nad tax refunds items, to- night or tomorrow. Rumors of a filibuster against the cruiser bill are circulating at the Cap- the Congress, which was still in exist- ence, In view of the importance of the question involved, the Government did not oppose the Indians' petition to re- view the decision of the Court of Claims. review | ang T request- Salendar ba ‘saienga during he week calendar and ass weel itol. Some of its mnu ’l.l] that debate occurring at stalling action on that ition. + Republican independents who are n:hnnl the cruiser bill assert of any filibuster tactics, poin! that not a speech has been against the