Evening Star Newspaper, March 17, 1929, Page 2

SENATORS AMALYE AGRICULTURAL ILLS | | | McNary and Smith Outline Remedies in Address Over Radio. (Continued From First Page.) ern life He said the relief of the sit- uation, if it comes, “must come by pro- viding for him the means by which he can protect himself agal the ruinous exactions now made upon him.” Musical Program Given. A musical program was rendered by the United States Navy Band, directed by Charies Wise. assistant leader. The | two Senators were introduced to the ra- dio audience by Owen Kuhn, managing editor of Evening Star. | The speeches of Senators McNary | and Smith follow Senator MecNary. “My friends “There are a number of fundamental eonsiderations underlying a sound and effective program for the aid of Ameri- can agriculture. In the first place it should be recognized that the agricul: tural problem is not a single one, but | rather a bundle of problems. While it | is true that the troublesome surplus | proposition has loamed ]ar(elml]xamz\;r national thought, there are - l;lecdlm(ull‘llegS in the fields of both production and marketing to which serious attentfon must be given. It should be recognized that there is a short-time approach to the solution of the so-called agricultural problem, as well as a long-time approach. “A measure for the handling of the in -its very nature, contem- plates more or less immediate results. On the other hand. many subs!nnfl:fl and frequently overlooked problems will require much time for their study and solution. Again we must recognize that many of the economic questions now | confronting American farmers are of such a nature that they can be solved only by the individual producer or through collective action of the farm- ers themselves. Facts Must Be Basis of Action. “Underlying all effort at agricultural yelief must be a sound basis of facts. Without adequate information, it would be quite impossible intelligently to leg- islate or operate wisely in the interest of a better agriculture, This need points to & substantial broadening and strength- ening of the research work in which the United States Department of Agri- culture and other Federal and State in- stitutions are now engaged. Coupled with our knowledge of the facts must go an intensive program of education, the purpose of which is to place in the | hands of producers, individually and | collectively, those facts which. will en- able them to better solve their produc- tion and marketing difficulties. “Several factors appear fundamental in any long-time program for agricul- ture. Since no small part of the diffi- culties of farmers during the past sev- eral years have grown out of the cre- ation of surpluses, every effort should be made to prevent the effects of dam- overpreduction, through a better adjustment of supply to market require- ments. This calls for the energetic sup- port by Congress of price analysis and outlook work, which is fundamental in any effort to adjust acreage to the needs of the market. It calis. for intensive salesmanship of outlook information through the extension forces, both Fed: eral and State, through co-operative organizationgof producers, in order that farmers acquire that socisl conscious- ness that will cause them to increase or decrease their production as required by market conditions, and not selfishly look merely to their own personal interest, Cost Reduction Vital. “Coupled with a program to adjust production to market requirements should go a plan of nducin&pmductwn costs wherever possible through the adoption of more efficient methods of farming. The degree of efficiency varies widely in agriculture, as in any industry. ‘The technique of farming continually is changing. The adoption of the most approved principles and practices in farm organization and operation un- doubtedly will result in further re- ducing the cost of producing many farm products. “Much undoubtedly can be done to broaden the domestic markets for many farm products. This can be accom- plished in part by expanding the ‘in- dustrial and other uses of agricultural products. ~We may well encourage, wherever feasible, substitution of do- mestic for imported raw materials. We should speed up our studies of the in- dustrial uses to which farm products may be put. Foreign Markets Important. “Foreign markets and foreign com- petition are no less important. A large part of the products produced on Ameri- can farms finds its way to foreign mar- kets, and about 90 per cent of Ameri- can farm products are affected by for- eign competition. Promotional work, the purpose of which is to expand the markets for farm products, should be continued and expanded by the United States Departments of Agriculture, Commerce and State. These same de- partments should provide a market in- formation service on foreign competi- tion and demand which will keep Amer- ican farmers thoroughly appraised of the influences which tend to increase or decrease the foreign outlets for their products, as well as the outlook for in- creasing or decreasing competition in foreign countries. “In the marketing of farm products there undoubtedly is room for the elimi- nation of much waste. The spread be- tween the prices paid by the consumer and prices received by the producer has widened tremendously in recent years. ‘The development of efficient co-opera- tive marketing associations in some cases has resulted in effecting signifi- cant economies. ‘There also is room for the consolidation of the innumer- able units now in the many fields of distribution. Unsouni and improper practices in certain <ic¢s of distribu- tion should be deal’ with adequately and firmly. Broader Credit System Urged. “Perhaps one of the most promising avenues of approach in the marketing field is through the further developmens of sound co-operative marketing asso- ciations. Through such associations it should be possible to better adjust pro- duction to needs of the markets and also market products in an eflective manner. The research and informa- tionals service now provided for co-opera- ive associations by the United States Department of Agriculture should be strengthened and credit facilities shoula be provided with which to finance the | acquisition by co-operatives of physi- | cal facilities | “In this connection, I desire to em- | phasize the need of broadening the ! Federal Intermediate Credit System. | | i | STAR RADIO FORUM SPEAKERS Senator Smith of South Carolina, standing, and Senator McNary of Oregon. —Star Staff Photo. these hazards, as business men now in- sure against risks in other forms of business. At the present time, how-| ever, there is no adequate information with which to measure these hazards for the making of insurance rates. In order to meet this defect in our infor mation, I have had before the Senate a measure providing for careful study| of the hazards in growing crops in the | various sections of the country and the feasibility of writing insurance protec-| tion against such hazards. On the basis | of such information, 3t should be pos-| sible for the commercial insurance agencies successfully to write general | crop insurance which would be of great | benefit in reducing the hazards in ag- riculture. Such information, too, might | indicate the- feasibility of crop reinsur-, ance by either commercial or Govern- ment agencies. Taxation Commented Upon. “Our consideration of a long-time| program for agriculture would not be complete without a reference to the farm taxation situation. Taxes are now unbearably oppressive on farm lands in | most sections of the country. Some-| thing must be done to shift this burden from the shoulders of producers. Whether this is aecomplished through greater economies in the expenditute of State and local revenues, the increase in the size of the taxing unit or the opening up of new sources of revenue, it is a problem that must be seriously reckoned with in any solution of the present difficulties of farmers. Since most taxes paid by farmers are colldct- ed by State and local units, relief must | come through legislative. action by the | States. “In my opinion the ultimate solution of the perplexing problem of farm re- lief involves these long-time phases which I have just discussed, as well as the immediate one of emergency legis- lation which Congress has been called in special session to consider, and which indisputably constitutes our country’s major economic problem. “Without question, a tariff bill fash- foned adequately to protect the pro ducers of farm products against ruinous foreign competition will passed, as well as a farm bill to provide abundant | funds to assist in the orderly marketing | of the products of the farm through the | instrumentality of a. Federal farm board, | but I must not attempt to anticipate or forecast what measure or manner of relief the Congress will enact into law, but I do know that the Congress will labor with courage and promptitude to | effect a sound and satisfactory remedy, or remedies, conformable to the aspira-1 tions of those engaged in this besic in- dustry and the wishes of our distin- guished President, Herbert Hoover.” Senator Smtih's Speech. Senator Smith of South Carolina said: “The agricultural problem includes more difficulties of diverse and diffe ence of character than any problem af- fecting modern civilization, und yet its proper solution will benefit more people and have a far more reaching beneficial effect than any other possible achieva- ment that can be attained. “Those engaged in agriculture repre- sent_every shade of human intelligerce, as 1llustrated by the scientific metho emplayed by certain individuals and the Government in our experimental farms and the most elementary processes still used “The primary processes of agricul- tural production are natural altogether. The presence of heat and moisture and light and soil is all that is necessary to bring about germination #nd start the process of production. This differs radically from the primary ‘processes necessary to manufacture. 'If the soil naturally be fertile and the seasons fairly favorable, there is very little call for extra intelligence in producing an average yield. For years the applica- tion of certain chemicals to depleted sofls has been thoroughly understoos the process necessary to produce maxi- mum crops on all the various soils of America are understood thoroughly; the production of wheat, corn, cotton, vege- tables and truck of all descriptions, is thoroughly understood. The different regions in which the various crops are grown and where they may be grown successfully also are thoroughly under- stood. Stock Raising Cited. “The same is true of the stock rais- ing industry. The methods of breeding and feeding of stock also are thoroughly understood. The effects of weather, of course, cannot be anticipated from vear to year, but they are fatrly sub- ject to discount, so that the problem of farm legislation and the unsolved difficulties lie outside of production. These differences are as clearly defined and are as thoroughly understood as are the processes of production and fer- tilization already enumerated. but their solution constitutes the problem First, the vast majority of farmers supply for the next succeeding 12 months. Forced Depression Called Evil. “The natural result of this procedure |is to depress the price on all agricul- tural products. In addition to this, there is deducted from the farmer's product every cost necessary or inci- dental in getting it to market. The | freight is deducted; the salaries of those engaged in representing the miller and spinner in procuring their supplies of raw material also are deducted, taxes are deducted, all expenses incidental to preparing his product from the raw state to the finished article is deducted, while the things that he buys, all the expenses incidental to preparing it in the form in which he is to ultimately use it, are added; in a word, the farm- ers of America, particularly those en- gaged in producing what commonly are termed the standard crops, grain and textiles, pay all the costs incidental in marketing his stuff and in the process- ing and marketing of what he buys. “Throughout the entire country, under the present system of marketing farm products, he is forced to sell by neces- sity in such a comparatively short time s to depress his own commodity first, and second, having all the costs de- ducted from the already depressed prices and then to buy with all the costs and profits added to what he pur- chases. | “In & word, the problem of the farmer | is not in production. It is not so much | in the skill and scientific development of the processes of production: the solution of it ultimately must come by the farmer having the same bargain- ing power in the market places as those who buy his products. “Until there shall have been made a process by which he may add all the overhend costs plus a reasonable profit and ean so distribute his sales that he can supply the market at a price which will eover these, the farm preblem will be ‘a® it has been through the ages, a perennial one. Consumption Figures Known. “One of the difficulties that has added to the farm problem heretofore was the lack of facilitles for communi- cation and transportation. These have been practically eliminated. The tele- phone, telegraph and now the radio have brought all the world instantly together. ~Steam, electricity and gas have revolutionized transportation. ‘The conditions existing throughout the world as to the probable consump- tion of any given article or any given product can be known instantly so that it would be possible for the wheat growers of America to know the needs of the world for American wheat and what prices he might demand. The same is true of cotton and wool. “These facilities for transportation and communication should be available | for the farmer as they are for other | trades and industries and the costs of | their using charged in the prices that he should receive so that in the last analysis, the American farm problem resolves itself into the solution of these factors. How to organize and finance his business as to give him the power | to fix his price so as to absorb the | cost of production, plus a reasonable | profit. | | bes has no power to fix the price of his | product so as to benefit by the tariff. | So long as the buyer of his article has the power to fix the price at which he shall buy, he can and has and will | fgnore any tariff that may be placed ‘on the farmers’ product. “A few years ago, we passed an emergency tariff act increasing the duty of wheat 42 cents a bushel and wheat went down something -like 40 cents a ‘hushvl. The industries of this coun- | try are and have been so organized and { combined that they can and have and { do profit practically to the full extent of the tariff. They have practically eliminated competition in the quality, | quantity and price of their products ‘and the only question with them | production to meet the demands of the American consumer at the tariff raised prices. | "I will not say that the elimination ‘nf all foreign farm products might not (In the speculative market help the | farmer, but it would be a very indirect help because his prices would not be the measure of his needs, but the rela- tive strength or weakness of the specu- lative element in the market that has no regard for him whatever. And as to | cotton, a tariff could not aid at all because the price of American cotton the world price. Problem Tremendously Difficult. “The enormous number engaged in farming, the different conditions under Tariff Considered Faulty. “It is idle to speak of the tariff as In sections of the country where the|.o.igape their probable production be- « which individuals comprising this mass &#mall banks are not adequately serving | agriculture, there undoubtedly is a piace for the establishment of credit corporations, live stock loan companies and other financial units through which agriculture may tap the reservoir of credit provided by the Intermediate Credit Banks. Freight Rates Are Factor. “America undoubtedly efficient transportation’ system in the world and yet, at the present time, freight rates in some sections of the country are bearing down with undue weight on agriculture. Examination of the freight rate structure should be tened, with the purpose of relieving h those sections which are now bearing an | undue part of the freight burden. “T have time and again maintained fore the harvest. The obligations they assume for means to produce a crop mature when the crop is ready to har- vest. Therefore a sufficient amount of their crop must be marketed immed: ately to_meet the obligations thus m turing. From time immeorial the prices realized are such as to take the entire crop to meet these obligations, leaving “Thus the farmer begins another year entirely upon credit and so ‘the Vicious circles has continued until the vast majority of agricultural lands, the basis of the maintenance of life in America, is mortgaged to its full mar- ket value. As indicated on account of the financial condition of the individ- | ual farmer and gherefore applicable to the aggregate, {9 total erop s dumped *hat agriculture in its very nature is tubjected to innumerable hazards. It »ehguld .be . possible 1o insure ggainst on the mark ough necessity within .marketed or disposed of is the total | operate, their unorganized condition, | their lack of adequate finances and | organization to market their product, | the difference in the sizes of the farms, makes the problem a tremendously diffi- cult one, but it can and must be solved. | “It will take a resolute determination ! on the part of the Government with the full support and co-operation of the has the most | absolutely no profit and often a defieit. | farmers to solve this problem. It can- : not be solved in a day nor a year, but | the foundations can be laid upon which an ultimate solution will be achieved {and a measure of immediate relief ob- | tained. The farm problem is not a new one. | "It has been rendered more acute and | pressing since the World War and par- ticularly since deflation in 1 ‘The plane of living has been tr ndously rajsed in comparatively a few years, Agriculture has been totally unable to keep step with the rising tide of modern neficial to the farmer so long as he | LEGATION LIQUOR TEST CASE S SEEN Capital Recovers From Shock of Siamese Shipment Seizure. By the Associated Press. Diplomatic Washington recovered yes- terday from its first shock over the seizure by the police of 60 cases of diplo- matic liquors consigned to the Siamese legation and apeculated on the prospect of & test being made of the case to de- termine once and for all the rights of diplomats to any liquor they may desire to import, and establish a legal way for the movement of the liquor. ‘The first inclination of the diplomatic corps had been to regard humorously the seizure of the liquor, its subsequent delivery to the legation by the police and the arrest of the private driver and his helper. After a night of sleeping on the subject, however, the realization came that the case might be of vast benefit to the corps. Reinforced by more help and an- other truck, the police vesterday pulled the truck in which the liquor was de- livered Friday to the legation out of the soft mud of the legation grounds. The truck had stuck there after the dry officers and police had placed the burden of 1,440 hottles of choice wines and spirits in the legation’s wine cellar. Evidence Is Refused. Although the driver and his helper are being held under $500 bond and the truck was confiscated, none of the liquor was taken by the officers for evidence. An attache of the Siamese legation told the Associated Press yes- terday that none of the shipment would be turned over to the police for evidence “under any circumstances.” The legation now is awaiting the re- turn of Edward H. Loftus, charge d'af- faires of the mission, wno was in New York ‘at the time of the seizure. The legation telephoned the State Depart- ment about the seizure, but no formal protest has been made. Centurfes-o'd rules of diplomatic courtesy and usage make all goods con- signed to a foreign mission immune from search, seizure and from being de- tained. Opinions.of American courts given as early as 1849 established this principle, as being upheld both by the “law of nations and act of Congress.” Since the police were unable to search the consignment to determine whether it actually was liquor and since the le- gation will not turn any of the liquor over for evidence, the question has been raised of how a conviction might be obtained and the whole matter threshed out in court Since the freedom of the foreign mis- sions to have whatever liquor they de- sire is given by diplomatic usage, there is no inclination in diplomatic circles to believe that the American Govern- ment will set a precedent by placing obstacles in the way of the missions veceiving what they desire. Diplomats Cite Cases. Some diplomats in discussing the case remarked that in several countries cer- tain foods, which are eaten by Ameri- cans almost as a matter of dally routine, are considered luxuries and their im- portation is forbidden. American diplo- mats are permitted foods they desire under immunity extended to foreign diplomats, In many countries abroad, it was pointed out, American and other diplo- mats are able by diplomatic immunity to indulge their tastes as they see fit, while citizens and even officials of the governments are prevented by law from importing such srticles. In the absence of Secref Kellogg, who is in New York on private business, the State Department refrained from making announcement. The sugges- tion was advanced, however, that the Secretary of State might ask the At- torney General for an opinion on the case. In the meantime, the case against the two truckmen, Gilbert L. Wilt, and his colored helper, Roy Miller, both of Baltimore, yesterday was continued for two weeks by United States Attorney Rover, just before they were to be ar- raigned on charges of transporting liquor. Mr. Rover also recommended to the prohibition authorities that the truck be returned to its owners, hold- ing they had acted in good faith in wccepting the shipment. CANDLER LEFT ESTATE OF LESS THAN $500,000 Atlanta Capitalist Had Distributed Most of 850,000,000 Before His Death. By the Associated Press. ATLANTA, Ga, March 16.—Less than $500,000 was left by the late Asa G. Candler, he having distributed the bulk of his estate, estimated at one time at $50,000,000, before his death, according to his will filed in Common Form with Ordinary V. S. Morgan of DeKalb County today. ‘The largest bequest in the will, which was written January 7, 1925, with a codicil attested July 23, of the same year, was to his widow, Mrs. Mae Little Candler, who will receive $250,000 in cash, net, after all expenses incident to the administration of his estate have been pald. The bulk of Mr. Candler’s estate was distributed by him during his lifetime among his children, and to Emory Uni- versity and other institutions and causes. SKIPPER OF FREIGHTER REPORTS RUM SEARCH Béetty Weems’ Captain Says Coast Guards Men Boarded His Craft in Chesapeake. By the Associated Press. BALTIMORE, Md.,, March 16.—A re- port filed by Capt. E. M. Hudgins of the freight steamship Betty Weems with agents of the Weems Line, revealed to- day that his ship, bound~ here from Florida, was stopped off Cove Point, in Chesapeake Bay, by the Coast Guard Cutter Apache, and searched for liquor. The ship was stopped Thursday, after the Apache signaled twice by whistle blasts, the captain reported. He ex- plained that he was carrying perishable cargo from Miami to Baltimore and was reluctant to stop. A party of five boarded the Betty Weems and searched it during the remainder of the trip up the bay, but no liquor was found, the captain_sai life. The farmer is being bankrupted by the demands made upon him. The relief of the situation, if it comes, must come by providing for him the means by which he can protect himself against the ruinous exactions now made upon him. “This may be achieved only through organizing and financing. The logic of modern events is organization and com- bination and through these, the control of production and prices. “Much has been said about the in- creased taxes the farmers pay, increased freight rates, the epormous increase in the prices of the things he has to buy, such as labor, farming Iimplements, fertilizer, etc. “If he can be so organized and fl- nanced that he can charge costs and profit, legitimate and necessary costs and profits, in the price of the thing that he produces, as industries do now, the burden will then be lifted from his shoulders and passed on to those who purchase his products and those who! consume them. The burden then will be distributed universally rather than korne by him alone.” of the crash. The motor of the craft w: is shown in the inset above. THONAS ATTAGS HODVER O POLIY Program Termed “Nullifica- tion” by Colorado Demo- cratic Senator. BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILE. | President Hover's declaration that | | dria, after its pilot, J. H. Tilden, Alexandria airman, height of 200 feet and the plane struck within 10 feef the parachute. The photo above shows the fuselage of the plane, surrounded by buried in the ground by the force of Atlanta ‘Warden. “the people of the West” do not ob- ject to the administration’s newly an- nounced ofl-conservation policy is bit- | terly challenged by former United | States Senator Charles S. Thomas of | Colorado. Mr. Thomas, a former gov- | | ernor of the Centennial State and an | influential member of the Senate pub- lic lands committee while in Congre: foreshadows that the public-domain States of the West will challenge the stopping permits to prospect for petro- leum. Incidentally, the Coloradan a: serts, the Hoover ol policy is bound to promote the long-smoldering move- domains beyond the Mississippi. At present, Texas is the only State in the Unlon which controls its public lands. ‘When admitted to the Union at the end of the Tyler administration Texas re- tained proprietorship of her public do- main and has remained unique in that respect, ‘Will Jar Prosperity. “Mr. Hoover's new land policy,” sald Mr. Thomas in an_interview with this writer, “may not destroy the modified prosperity now enjoyed by the public- domain States. But it wil jar it con- | siderably. One cannot say with ac- curacy how many wells are being sunk, how many roads are bullding, or how much machinery is being utilized in the development of ofl permits. One m: assert with confidence that a small army of men is steadlly employed on this work at good wages. Their jobs will cease dutomatically, with Ilittle prospect of other jobs. ~Neither they nor their employers will derive much comfort from the reflection that the ruin of their modest prospecting com- panies will benefit the going oil con- cerns of the country. They may, and it is to be hoped that they will, chal- lenge the legality and the justice of the President’s policy of nullification, for which the only precedents I know of come from Mexico. It will only tend ton increase the sentiment for State ownership of the public domain—T mean by the individual States in which |lands are located—and crystaflize that sentiment into solid non-partisan or- ganization, the disregard of the writ- ten law donated by the new ofl-lease program will have at least one most valuable consequence.” Explanation of Policy. “What do you mean by ‘the Presi- dent’s policy of nullification’ Senator Thomas was asked. “Just this,” he replied, “The leasing act of 1920 was the result of over three vears of constant legislative effort to solve the problems caused by Presid-nt Taft's executive orders of 1909. These were the orders which withdrew the of bearing portions of the public domain from location and entry under the mining laws. On the one hand the in- terests of citizens were vested repre- senting millions of dollars. On the other was the need for the establish- ment by law of a fixed governmental policy for the operation and develop- ment of the public oil lands, The act of 1920 was a series of compromises satisfactory to nobody, but accepted & the sole alternative to the indefinit: continuance of the status quo. Itatany rate provided a method both for the relief of ‘locaters and for the future development of the industry on a bosis of profit to the Government, to the | States containing the oil fields, to the | | contiguous communities and to the tors. op‘r‘“’l‘.ime has thus far justified the en- actment of the 1920 law. Thousands of permits have been issued annually of dollars have been expended. Some of these permits have proved profitable. The majority of them has not, but the capital mobilized has been a source of untold benefit to the laborers and ma- terial employed, and to the communi- ties in which the money has been dis- bursed. Reyalties from the productive leases have poured a steady stream of revenue into the national and State treasurie: In one State, at least, the operation of the Federal leasing act has been the principal source of its pros- perity. It has been capably and suc- cessfully administered by the Interior Department, whose regulations have been uniformly observed by lessees and their subordinates.” The writer suggested ‘Thomas that the intes age cititzen in Mr. Hoover to Senator of the aver- proclatmed ‘What about that phase of it?” the Coloradan was asked. Law Innocent of Abuses. “The President surely knows," he re. plied, “that the law which he has sup- pressed is innocent of the Navy reserve sbuses. The naval reserves were leased by the authority of the rider to the Navy act of June 20, 1920, dealing with | them exclusively. The leasing act ex-| pressly excludes all reserves from its jurisdiction. This was done upon the} insistence of Secretary Daniel who was also the author of the Navy rider. The executive repcal of the leas- | ing act would seem to be a vicarious punishment of those operating under it for the misconduct of the men who | conspired to secure control of the naval reserves under a different statute.” Mr. Thomas is not impressed by | President Hoover’s argument that drastic measures of ofl conservation are the need of the hour. ‘“The lenslnfl; act,” says Thomas, “necessarily clothed the Secretary of the Interior with the legality of the President's program of | ment for State ownership of the public | and in their development many millions | ofl policy is the assurance that there | ill be no more Teapot Dome scandals. | JOHN SNOOK. ATLANTA WARDEN ASKED TO RESIGN IN “SPY” PLAN FIGHT (Continued From First Page.) st of Senator Borah, the Idaho Sen- ator has declared himself. a foe of the “spy” plan on several other occasions. “The system involves, in the first in- stance,” Senator Borah said, “in order to get the spy, or undercover man, into the penitentiary, fake qr fraudulent commitments and then fake or fraudu- lent representations or procedure order to secure his release. These com- mitments must either ostensibly, or in fact, involve the courts or the officers of the courts. Any plan which draws the courts, or the officers of the courts into & scheme for issuing fake or fraud- ulent processes or_commitments is es- sentially vicious. I would not hesitete myself to vote to impeach a judge who had signed or issued such papers.or who would authorize it to*be done. Urges Confidence in Warden. “Secondly, if it is necessary to place men undeg, cover: in a penitentiary, it would seem that it ought to be done by the authority and with the knowl- edge of the warden. If the warden himself has not the confidence of the department so that it is necessary to spy upon him, then he had better be dismissed out of hand. There must necessarily be the utmgost faith and confidence in the head of such an in- stitution upon the part of the Govern- ment, or the Department of Justice. When this confidence ceases, the plan ought not to be to put a spy in the penitentiary, but to put another warden {at the head of it. Unless this confl- | | dence exists, a spy can not make the administration a success. “There is the other question—its effects upon the prisoners also. Penol- | ogists very generally condemn it as de- alizing. ‘But the whole system is based upon to deal other than that of debasing and pros- tituting the courts or reflecting upon the wardens of the penitentiaries. In addition to this, it is about 300 years behind the times in prison manage- ment.” Warden Snook's protest against the placing of Department of Justice agents in the prison as bona fide prisoners fol- lowed published reports here of agents being placed in the penitentiary on two occasions. The first instance published was that of “Peter Hansen,” who the published report identified as Willlam Larsen, Department of Justice agent from De- troit. Parole Request Denied. “Hasen” was committed to the prison January 6. 1928, on commitment papers | from Detroit to serve a year and a dav. His application for parole in April: 1928, was denied and he later was transferred to Leavenworth and re- | leased. The second prisoner, that published | reports said was a Department nf‘ | cinnati, where he pleaded gulilty to violating the Federal automobile theft act under the name of Joseph Mon- tana and was sentenced to three years in the Federal penitentiary February 120, and came directly to the prison. Released to U. S. Agent. | Montana was released to Thomas Wilcox, Department of Justice agent, about two weeks after he entered the prison, under orders of Mrs. Mabel :W;:ker ‘Willebrandt, published reports said. ‘Warden Snook when the reports were published, said he did not know the prisoner was a department agent, but | declared if the system of ‘“placing | | agents in the penitentiary as bona fide | prisoners under falsified court order: continued he would be forced to re- sign “to keep my self-respect.” A congressional committee investi- gating conditions in Federal prisons last November in its report praised Warden Snook’s administration here as efficient. | i | | | power to pasg upon applications for leases and permits, and to grant or deny them as his judgment should de- termine. If arbitrarily exercised, this authority could, of course, bé made to defeat the object of the law. But even 80, the citizen has the right, as long as the law remains upon the statute books, to make his application for lease Justice agent, was committed from Cin- M Photo shows what was left of the commercial plane which crashed yesterday afternoon 3 miles south of Alexan- jumped from the craft in a parachute. Tilden leaped from a | ¢ of him on the greund, part of the wreckage striking the bag of | a group of boys, attracted to the scene the impact. Tilden, who was uninjured, —sStar Staff Photo. PARAGHUTE SAVES PILOT IN VIRGINIA Berliner Plane Crashes With-| in Ten Feet of Where J. H. Tilden Comes Down. J. H. Tilden, pilot of the Berliner Aircraft Corporation of Alexandria, Va. narrowly escaped fatal injuries yester day when he leaped in his parachute rrom a disabled plane less than 200 teet from the ground. He fell a few moments before the plane crashed to earth scarcely 10 feet away. The plane | zell'across the partly opened parachute. | The accident occurred on the Rich- burn farm, three miles south of Alex- andria, Although he landed heavily, Tilden was unhurt and walked to the Hyba { Flying Field to obtain assistance. When word of the accident was received at Bolling Field aviators from both the Army and Navy posts set out to look for the wreck. A pilot from the naval ation was the first to locate Tilden, | who waved back that he was unhurt. |~ Leonard G. Frye, the first to reach the scene, said he was standing outside the | barn watching the machine when the engine suddenly stopped directly over the building, and the plane went into a tail spin. Ae he neared the ground the motor again started, but the pilot, apparently realizing he could not right the plane, jumped with his parachute. Tilden said it was a test plane being tried out for just such emergencies, and that his principal difficulty when he jumped was trying to keep clear of the machine. The plane was comp¥tely wrecked and the engine burled itself two feet into the ground. Sirrounding roads were filled with automobiles, following the crash, which occurred in such an obseure place that few of those who sought its location were successful. The exact point was on the road about a mile below Penn- daw, and about half a mile on & hill- side from that road. Several pilots from Hybia Valley said they flew over | the scene of the crash several times| before observing the pilot, who was| waving his coat at them. HUGE POWER PROJECT HAS LOCAL BACKING $32,800,000 Hydro-Electric Per- mit Asked by Maryland Concern for Aurora, Ky., Plant. £l | 55,000,00 ROAD BILL STRIKES SNAG South Carolina Citizens. { Throw Measure Into Courts. Opponents Mobilize. | | | | Special Dispatch to The Star. COLUMBIA, 8. C, March 16.—Al- | most immediately following the sign-. ing of the $65,000,000 road bond bill !by Gov. Richards, the measure was | thrown into the courts in a test case Iby two Columbia citizens. In the: | meantime, opponents of the bill in the House and Senate were organizing their forces to open their own' legal battle against the measure in the: courts, 3 Late today further protest was made at a joint meeting of the House and Senate against the six cent gasoline tax hill and an effort was made to get the protest printed in the “journal in order to give the courts the right to {take up the bill and pass on its con- stitutionality. Clarence E. Richards of Columbia, brought action against the Statewide provisions of the $65,000,000 highway measure and the two-district: plan was attacked by J. S. Farr, also of Colum- bia. Chief Justice R.'C. Watts of the Supreme Court signed a rule to show cause April 8 in both cases. When the two houses met today to ratify acts,-the six-cents gaSoline tax bill being among the number, the pre- siding officers handed down their rul- ing against a protest begun several days ago to the effect that the gasoline tax bill had not received three separate readings on three separate days in each house. Opponents of the tax bill then of- fered a motion to have the protest printed in the journal. This motion was taken up by each house separately and both refused to have the protest, entered. Without such a record of pro- test it would be without the jurisdic- tion of the courts to take up con- sideration of the constitutionality of the bill. Under the rules of the general assembly some entry will have to be made in the journal on the action taken against the protest, even though the protest itself is not printed and further action against the bill will de- pend on the manner in which the Jjournal entry is made. Both houses recessed from_business for supper but the house met again at 8 and. the senate at-8:30 o'clock. PRESIDENT MAY-NOT ~ USE MOUNT WEATHER AS A SUMMER HOME (Continued From First Page.) away from the White House from time to time for a few dayg of relaxation, but it is thought by those who are familiar with his nature ‘that he will seek this relaxation at different places. It is belleved that he will go sometimes to Chesapeake Bay for a day or so of fishing, and will try the Potomac., Ay other times he will make week end cruisés aboard the Mayflower, which might take him out on the acean. is thought very likely also that he will fish some of ‘the sireams in, western Maryland and up in Pennsylvania. Plans to Visit Cook Lstate. Therd" is veasoh to fesl that hé is already ‘.contemplating a visit to the estate of Jay Cook, 3d, at Jersey Shore in Lycoming County, Pa., where he will fish for trout in Loyal Sock Creek and nearby streams. It was in those streams that Mr. Hoover fished last -Spring as the guest of Mr. Cook. The late Presi- dent Rooseveit and his son, Col. Roose- velt, are. understood to have been espe- cially fond of fiching in that neighbor- hood. Mr. Hoover assured his friends in Florida that he would be back to fish the Florida waters before the-year was out, but it is thought unlikely that he will have time to do this before the ex‘reme heat.of the Sunmmer sets in. However, because of the pace Presi dent Hoover has set since assuming office, there “is every reason to feel he will very shortly be seeking a few days’ recreation, net so. much for the fun of it as for the necessity. He is mind- ful of the fact that he is under a heavy strain and that with the coming of the special session of Congress his burdens will grow go lighter. D The chances are very strong that Congress will not get through with its work in the extra session befofe the latter part of June or the middle of | By the Associated Press. - | NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 16.—The | Southern Industrial & Utilities, Inc,, | of Maryland, asked a permit today from | the Tennessee Public Utilities Commis- | |slon to build a 240,000-horsepower hy- dro-electric plant near Aurora, Ky., on| the Tennessee River. | The initial expenditure would be $32, 800,000, but the contemplated uitimate development is a 528,000-horsepower plant to cost $43,000,000, Robert H. Mc- [ Neill of Washington notified the com- mission. Aurora is about 8 miles from the Tennessee line, but the proposed dam would impound water in Tennessee. | The project. contemplated the overflow of some 132,000 acres. The plant would be in position to serve western Ten- nessee and Kentucky, southern Illinois Sm?i probably parts of Missouri, it was sa McNelll: urged & joint hearing by the Tennessee commission and the Federal Water Power Commission at an early date. \ SOLOMONS MAN IS HELD FOR GRAND JURY ACTION Benjamin Grover, Pseudo-Under- taker, Denies Two Charges of Forgery in Court Here. Benjamin Grover, 27, of Solomons, Id., charged with two cases of forgery and one of passing worthless checks, was held under $1.000 bond pending | grand jury action® by Judge lsaac R. Hitt yesterday. ) Posing as an undertaker and em- balmer, the defendant was arrested Thursday, when detectives learned that a young woman attempted to cash a worthless check at a downtown bank for a man said to be awaiting her at the Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis Railroad Station. Going to the ter- minal, detectives arrested Grover. The young woman, whose name was not dis closed, was not charged, as police be. lieve she was only a dupe. Grover pleaded not guiity and de- manded a jury trial. COUPLE BURNED TO DEATH Daughter Missing in Fire Which Destroys Virginia Home. DRAKES BRANCH, Va., March 16 (#)—Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Griffith, aged couple, were burned to death in their bed, and their daughter, Ruth, is missing following a fire of undeter- mined origin which destroyed their home here today. Although the body of Miss Griffith had not been found late this after- noon, neighbors who reached the home too late to rescye any of the occupants, said she was there last night. | | 1 July. In anticipation of this, Mr. Hoover is known to have given not the slightest thought to the establishmen: of a Summer White House remote from the Capital. He has not indicated that he is contemplating a visit to his home in Palo Alto, Calif, during the Sum- mer. There are some very close to him who now are inclined to feel that he may postpone visiting his California home until next year. May Visit Several Places. ‘They feel also that he may not fel- low President Coolidge's custom of set- ting up a Summer capital in some cool spot, but that he will visit several dif- ferent places while seeking rest and ye- laxation away from the heat of the Summer after Congress has adjourned. There are rumors that early in the Fall he will visit Cuba and Porto Rico and other islands in the-West Indies, and probably Mexico, but this is by no means certain. Mount Weather, which is about two | hours’ automobile ride from Washing- |ton, has been in the posgession of the | Government for a score of years. The |tract of land on the mountain slope upon which the building intended for the presidential home is situated was ol ally acquired by the United States Weather Bureau to be used in connee- tion with its experimental and observa- |tion work. It was abandoned several years ago as not being practical for the purpose for which it was intended, and |since that time the bulldings have been | used only by a caretaker. The house in | question is by no means pretentious, and (it is thought doubtful that it could be |altered to meet the demands of housing |a President and his family. If Mr. Hoover does follow his present inclina- {tion not to use this place for a tempo- |rary home and does not spend the money appropriated by Congress to put the place in proper order, the $48.000 | Congress provided will lle idle in the | Treasury Congestion Point. Reached. ‘There is every reason to feel that Mr. Hoover would like to devote -this sum | appropriated for Mount Weather to the | alterations he has in mind for making the executive office the kind of office he thinks that a President should have, The present office, which was built orig- | inally by President Roosevelt at an ex- penditure of nearly $100,000 and which was added to by President Taft at an additional exfi:ndlture of about $50,000, is in the opinion of President Hoover wholly inadequate. The President's work has multiplied with the years, ne- cessitating an increase in thes taff of | employes and requiring more space for files until the pomt of congesti begéx r;:{lched‘hpo s Ay Mr. Hoover has at disposal $50, to spend in an effort to Immve‘ lh;um conditions, but the survey he has made since becoming President has indicated that he could use considerably’ more As a matter of fact, he would like to see a real office building for the President and his staff, but this is out of the question, if the office is to be kept within the confines of the White House grounds. President is restricted in or permit and demand disposition by the department. invoke the aid of the courts. " (Copyright, 1920.) If need be, he cnn|‘ The bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Griffith m;el' together in bed in which they planning alterations because the lines of trhe e;:;cu't‘l‘vg 'olloeh‘ lbe kept in conform! scheme the White House “ It .