Evening Star Newspaper, June 4, 1929, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Fair tonight and tomorrow; rising temperature. Temperatures: Highest, 65, at noon today; lowest, 46, at 5 am. y. Full report on page 9. Closing N. Y. Markets, Pages 14 and 15. slowly b WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ¢ Toening Star. Associated service. The only evening paper in Washington with the Press news Yesterday’s Circulation, 108,213 31,080. post office, intered_as second cla Washington, s matter D, C. WASHINGTON, D. C, TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 1929—FORTY-TWO PAGES. * () Means Associated Press. TWO CENTS. BELGIUM ACCEPTS GERMAN PROPOSAL, ENDING DEBT ISSUE Direct Negotiations by Two Countries to Settle Marks Claim. FINAL REPORT EXPECTED TO BE SIGNED SATURDAY Agreement of Long Conference Now to Be Submitted for Ratification. PARIS, June 4 (P.—A plenary session of the German, allied and American Teparations experts was called late this afternoon after a busy day working on the final details of the reparations report. By the Associated Press. PARIS, June 4—The last barrier to 2 complete agreement by the experts committee on the reparations question | was removed today and the long out- | standing problem of Europe's post-war | life may be considered officially settled. The Belgians this afternoon accepted proposals presented by Dr. Hjalmar Schacht looking toward solution of the controversial problem of the redemption of German marks left in Belgium after the war, for which Belgium is demand- ing 37 annuities of 25,000,000 marks (about $6,000,000). With the acceptance of the Belglans | of the German proposal, approval of the experts’ report embodying the repara- tions annuities suggested by Owen D. Young, the chairman, now becomes unanimous, and the historic report, which must still be submitted to the governments concerned for ratification, will be signed either on Friday or Sat- urday. Accept Schacht Proposal. The Belgians accepted the procedure proposed in a letter presented by Dr. Schacht yesterday to Mr. Young. In this letter the German government stated that it had appointed Dr. Erwin Ritter, & ministerial director, as its spe- cial representative to handle the marks question, and that he was prepared to open the discussion promptly. The Germans suggested immediate negotia- tions with Belgium whereby the two governments would agree to enter into negotiations “on a new basis, looking o definite settlement of the marks con- troversy. While accepting the procedure, the Belgians made the express condition that no territorial considerations would enter into the conversations. This posed of reports that Belgium would cede back Bupen and Malmedy to Ger- many, both of which districts she ob- tained by the treaty of Versailles. It was understood, however, that the experts’ committee report would not be- come effective until the marks question was settled between Germany and Bel- gium. This was in line with the ex- pressed Belgian contention that she could not accept any settlement of re] arations which did not include redemp- tion of the German marks left in Bel- gium subsequently to become valueless. The reparations experts brought their efforts to solve the reparations problem to a successful issue about 1 o'clock this afternoon, when the Belgians an- nounced acceptance of the proposed procedure for settlement of the question of German marks. This disposed of the last contested points in four months of negotiations. in the course of which the conference was twice on the point of breaking up. Debt Is Reduced. The agreement, as will be notified to the Reparations Commission and th governments concerned, reduces Ger- many's reparations debt from about $33,000,000,000, present value, to] $9,000,000,000. Tt will eventually give France be- tween 40,000,000,000 and 50,000,000,000 francs (between $1,600,000,000 and $2.000,000,000) to reduce her interior debt, relieving the budget of from 2,000.000,000 to 2,500,000,000 francs. The accord incidentally is expected to facilitate ratification of the allied war debts toward the United States, since the settlement provides that an- nuities are to run throughout the period of the debt payments to amounts sufficient to meet them. Tt will also lead to evacuation of the Rhineland by the allied armies. of oc- cupation within the space of time re- quired for necessary negotiations and material arrangements to withdraw the forces now there. The expert's report will make the main recommendation that the annui- | tles proposed by Mr. Young, the Amer- ican financier, be adopted. These an- nuities call for the payment of 2,050,- 000.000 marks (approximately $492,000, 000) over a period of 37 years, 1,700, (Continued on Page 4, Column 2.) SUBMARINE EARTHQUAKE WRECKS ALASKAN BOAT Shock Hurls Rock in Way of! Vessel in 168-Foot Channel. By the Associated Press. SEATTLE, June 4.—A submarine earthquake which caused an upheaval in the floor of Uyak Bay, Kodiak Island, Alaska, was blamed yesterday for the wreck May 26 of the 8. §. Aleutian. At an investigation here by United States inspectors Capt. J. G. Nord and other officers of the Aleutian testified the ship struck a rock and sank where charts showed a depth of from 168 to 204 feet, ripping open the bottom of the ship. Those at the hearing blamed an earthquake for the apparent change in the ocean’s bottom. The Aleutian, valued at $1,000,000, was a total loss. DOCTO_R REPORTED FREE. Rumors Say American Physician Has Escaped Chinese Captors. AMOY, Fukien, China, June 4 ().— There_were unconfirmed reports today that Dr. C. H. Holleman, American missionary, who was captured recently by communists escaped from his captors. Dr. Holleman was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Holleman and their children escaped to AmQy when he was captured, May 23. Lungyenchow, had Details of Pact Eight Specific Provisions Agreed Upon in Debt Settlement. By the Associated Press. PARIS, June 4.—The specific recom- mendations in the report will be: 1. Substitution of Mr. Young's an- nuities as agreed upon for the Dawes plan. 2. Substitution of “the bank for in- ternational settlement” for reparations commission and agent general for reparations in receiving and distribut- ing payments. 3. Settlement by the governments as soon as possible and at the latest within two years of the question of the obligations incurred by the successor States to Austrian territory. 4. Reduction and recovery of taxes imposed by creditor countries on Ger- man imports from 26 to 20 per cent. 5. Modification of the Dawes lien on German railroads so as to permit Ger- mans to finance them. 6. Any eventual reduction in the allies’ war debts to the United States to be applied in reducing the annuities due from Germany. 7. A moratorium of two years to be eventually accorded on half of the pro- tected part or 1,390,000,000 marks of | the first series of annuities when finan- cial difficulties on the Reich may require. 8. Commercialization as becomes pos- sible of the amount representing the present value of 500,000,000 marks of the first 37 annuities. The original bill presented by the allies during the present conference called for 37 annuities of 2,200,000,000 marks, 21 annuities of 1,700,000,000 | marks and one annuity of 900,000,000 marks. It was estimated that this had a present value of between $10,000,000,- 000 and $12,000,000,000. The Germans rejected this as being too high and made a counter offer of 1,650,000,000 marks over a period of 37 years which was estimated to have a present value of between $5,760,000,000 and $6,240,000,000. TOWNSFOLK FLEE VESUVIUS ERUPTION Barre Evacuated as 160-Ft. Stream of Lava Sweeps Down Cone. By the Assoclated Press. NAPLES, Italy, June 4.—The erup- | tion which burst from Mount Vesuvius yesterday became more serious and caused the evacuation late this after- noon of the town of Barre before a heavily increased flow of lava from the crater. Molton lava was pouring from the eruptive con in a stream 160 feet wide at the rate of 10 feet a second, observ- ers reported late in the afternoon. ‘The Vesuvian Observatory watched the progress of the eruption with the closest attention and was ready to mo- bilize all available forces to evacuate other towns in case the situation be- came graver. Evacuation Orderly. The evacuation of Barre was carried out in perfect order. The scene was extremely picturesque as the inhabitants of the threatened town carried off all their belongings that they could load into carts. Vehicles of all kinds were pressed into service, mostly the bril- liant two-wheeled carts for which Southern Italy is famous. ‘The soldiers were turned into mov- ing-men and aided the inhabitants. Volunteers from other towns also came to the rescue. ‘The district threatened by the in- creased lava flow is a rich agricultural one. It is famous for a number of excellent wines and the lava is de- stroying part of vineyards which stretch for miles and miles and on which the grapes are just forming. Increase in Lava Flow. Director Malladra of the Vesuvian | Observatory said this afternoon that there was a decided increase in the lava flow from the cone through which the eruption burst. The interior of this cone in the crater is a lake of bolling rock and lava. Vineyards and woods near Terzigno were destroyed by the lava today. Although an early official statement from the Vesuvian Observatory declared that the eruption would gradually die away, the authorities considered the situation dangerous. Prompt measures were taken. A train- load of soldiers was sent to Barre to superintend the evacuation of the town. Gen. Taranto, commandant of the army corps in this area; Count Capialbi, vice prefect, and a number of engineers wen?, in a special train to Terzigno to survey the menaced territor: RASKOB SAYS VIRGINIA POLITICAL ROW LOCAL| Democratic Chairman Declares He Has Given No Consideration to Cannon's Call. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, June 4—The New York Herald-Tribune sald today that John J. Raskob, chairman of the Democratic national committee, views as wholly local for the present the contest in Vir- ginia of followers of Bishop James Can- non, jr, against the Smith-Raskob adherents of the party. He said he has given no consideration | to the call of the bishop to the dry and anti-Smith Democrats to oppose in the coming State election all candidates and policies of Smith-Raskob complexions. Mr., Raskob disclosed that several months ago he had offered to resign his position in the interest of harmony. but said that he was assured by party leaders that his resignation would effect nothing and was urged to continue as chairman. ‘Washington clearing house, $5,796,~ 387.66. Treasury balance, $139,730,024.55. New York clearing house exchange, $1,875,000,000. New York clearing house balance, | RAMSAY NDONALD, SUMMONED BY KING AS BALDWIN QUITS Leader of Victorious Labor Party to Visit Windsor Tomorrow. PRESS AND POLITICIANS SPECULATE ON CABINET But High Authority Declares All Names Mentioned Are Mere Guesswork. Bs the Associated Press LONDON, June 4—Stanley Baldwin resigned as prime minister of the British government today, handing his resigna- tion at noon to King George, who lay 11l in his bed at Windsor Castle. The resignation was accepted and the King immediately sent for Ramsay MacDonald, Labor leader, and former premier, presumably to ask him to form a cabinet. Mr. MacDonald will visit Windsor sometime tomorrow. | The events presaged a change in the | British government in accordance with parliamentary _elections last Thursday, in which the Labor party of Mr. Mac- Donald supplanted the Conservatives of Premier Baldwin as the numerically strongest party in the House of Com- mons. Leaves by Back Door. Premier Baldwin left his office at 10 Downing street just at 10 o'clock, de- | parting by a back door, thus escaping | any public demonstration. He was driven to Windsor, arriving at St. George's gate at 10:30 am. | The King's equerry, Sir Oliver Wig- ram, met him as he alighted and es- corted him into the castle, where he immediately saw Lord Stamfordham, private secretary to his majesty. He was conducted to the King's bedroom, where he had the first discussion with the monarch since the disaster of his party at the polls Thursday. Their conversation culminated with his handing his resignation as prime minister to King George, in effect end- ing five years of Conservative rule, which began in October, 1924, when his own party, the Conservatives, de- feated the Laborites on a vote of non- confidence. At that time it was Mr. MacDonala who called to_see the King and to re- | sign and Mr. Baldwin who was sent for to form a new government. | Receives Royal Summons. ‘Today Mr. MacDonald received the royal summons to appear tomorrow at Windsor at his Hamstead home, where he had just been in consultation with a member of his principal colleagues. It was his second such summons, the first having come just a little more than five years ago, when, after a coalition agreement with David Lloyd George, leader of the Liberal party, he | was given a working majority in the House of Commons. ‘Today as then the future of his gov- ernment-to-be depended largely upon what the Liberals would do, for as sweeping as was the Labor victory at Thursday's poll, it fell just short of giving the party a majority in the Commons, and the Liberals, now as| then, hold the balance of power. King George was in bed when he received Mr. Baldwin and the business transacted was very formal and brief. It was more than an hour and a half after the premier’s arrival at the castle that official information was given out he had resigned. Nothing Definite Decided. It was learned from high authority | that all names mentioned as prospec- tive members of the MacDonald cab- inet, if formed, were purely speculative. Nothing definite has been decided, and it was declared no decisions would be made until the joint meeting of the Labor party national executive com- mittee and the parliamentary Labor party executive committee tomorrow In the columns of London dailies and in political circles there was much speculation as to the composition of the MacDonald cabinet. On only one post were the prophecies as to the Labor leader's selection unan- imous, that being that Phillip Snowden would replace Winston Churchill as minister of the exchequer, the post he held in the former MacDonald cabinet.| For the foreign office portfollo were mentioned J. H. Thomas, former co- lonial secretary; Arthur Henderson, for- mer home secretary; Sir Oswald Mo ley, patrician Labor convert and son-in- law of Lord Curzon, and Arthur Pon- sonby, undersecretary for foreign affairs in _the first MacDonald cabinet. In the 1924 cabinet Mr. MacDonald was foreign minister himself in addi- tion to his duties as prime minister. The London Daily Mail printed a rumor that Viscount Cecil, formerly the British member of the Preparatory Commission on Disarmament at Geneva, (Continued on Page 2, Column 5.) Pkl HOOVER NAMES TILTON TO SUCCEED R. S. REGAR Detroit Accountant Is Selected to Be Third Assistant Postmaster General. Frederick A. Tilton, nationally promi- nent accountant of Detroit, has been appointed by President Hoover to be Third Assistant Postmaster General. Mr. Tilton’s nomination probably will go to the Senate late today or tomor- Tow. He succeeds Robert S. Regar of Pennsylvania. In making known this appointment at the White House today, it was re- ferred to as Postmaster General Brown's selection and as his first step in the re- organization of the Post Office Depart- ment. Mr. Tilton will have charge of the fiscal affairs and accounts of the postal service. 30 STRIKERS ARRESTED. Attempt Is Made to Throw Mail Truck Into Seine. PARIS, June 4 (#).—Striking letter carriers and mail sorters, emerging from a meeting, today attempted to throw an automoblle truck loaded with city mall, into the River Seine. Thirty were arrested. Paris was without mail service today, not a single letter being delivered in many districts in the city, after post- $173,000,000. Radio Programs—Page 30 - men had voted a sympathetic strike been replaced by a light pontoon and the record. seaplane record. 37995 feet, was established two ye Champion, flying from the Naval Air | Station. The regulation governing offi- clal world records requires that the pilot, in order to establish & new official | only & leather fur-lined flying suit, hel- met and boots. Accused of Partiality to “Certain against & month’s suspension of 200 of their fellow-workers, who went on strike last Priday against salary re- ductions for uniforms and the like. "neath the chicken house, sparred play News Note: Hoover received a black eye several days ago while angling. Ex-President Coolidge sprained his wrist recently while fishing and Presiden ALTITUDE RECORD ATTENPT 1S NADE Believe Lieut. Appolo Soucek Failed to Set New High Mark. Lieut. Soucek landed at 2:15 o'clock after he had exhausted his tanks of gasoline. His altimeter showed between 38 500 and 39,000 feet and it was believed that a test of the instrument would show that he had failed to break the record. An attempt to break the world alti- | tude record for seaplanes was being made at the Naval Air Station this afternoon by Lieut. Apollo Soucek, who established a new world record for all types of flying last month. Soucek took off at 12:27 this after- noon in the Wright Apache plane in which he established the new’ world record less than a month ago. The wheels with which the plane was equipped on the last record flight had wing floats had been added. Otherwise the planc Is the same as when he set Soucek must climb to an altitude of 38,323 feet in order to establish a new The present record, s ago with the same plane by Lieut. C. C. altitude record, must exceed the old record by at least 100 meters, or ap- proximately 328 feet. Soucek, as on his previous flight, wore | FAVORITISM CHARGED ! TO FEDERAL JUDGE| Lawyers” in Disposal of Liquor Cases. By the Associated Press. MEMPHIS, Tenn, June 4.—The Commercial-Appeal says today that Lindsay B. Phillips, Federal district attorney at Memphis, has placed com- plaints before the Department of Jus- tice at Washington charging that Fed- eral Judge Harry B. Anderson has favored “certain attorneys” in the dis- posal of liquor cases in his court here. The district attorney in a recent conference with Justice officlals at Washington complained because of ap- pointments Judge Anderson has made to the Federal jury venire. One account of a conversation be- twecn Phillips and the judge, which is said to have occurred when Judge Anderson learned of the charges and called Phillips to his office, describes a stormy scene between the two in the judge's chambers. Phillips declined to discuss the mat- ter. Judge Anderson is quoted as saying that no defendants have received mild treatment at his hands because of attorneys and that justice and humanity guide his decisions. Judge Anderson holds court for the western judicial district of Tennessee. He has been on the bench since 1925. No Formal Complaint Made. By the Associated Press. ‘The Department of Justice said today that Lindsay B. Phillips, United States attorney at Memphis, had made no for- mal complaint against Federal Judge Harry B. Anderson of Memphis. The department pointed out that it had nothing whatever to do with charges against a Federal judge and that allegations against any judge must be made to Congress. It was said, however, that Phillips was here recently, and in his conversa- tion with attorneys in the department charged with prohibition enforcement and with prohibition officials he did ex- press the opinion that Judge Anderson was too lenient in imposing sentences ;m’ violations of the national prohibition aw. Youth Burned Badly By 2,500-Foot Slide Down Side of Glacier By the Assoclated Press. HOOD RIVER, Ore., June 4.— Burned severaly by friction en- gendered when he slid 2,500 feet down the side of Mount Hood Glacier, William Meaney, Port- land high school junior, was in a serlous condition in a hospital here today. Meaney and 40 other boys were climbing the mountain yesterday when the mishap occurred. He was found in a 75-foot crevasse into which he fell after the long slide. Although he suffered no broken bones, hospital attendants de- clared the youth was as severely burned as though he had been in a fire. SENATE T0 PROBE REALTY FINANCING Committee Is Authorized to Make Inquiry Into Securi- ties Sales. The Senate this afternoon passed the resolution authorizing the District com- mittee to investigate real estate financ- 1 operations and methods of selling other kinds of securities in Washington. The inquiry was proposed several weeks ago by Senator Brookhart, Re- | publican, of Iowa, but his original reso- lution was modified by the District committee before it was reported to the Senate. No Particular Firm Named. As reported by the committee and agreed to in the Senate this afternoon the resolution contains no reference to any particular concerns, but sets forth in a general way the questions to be investigated. It is probable that the subcommittee on banks and insurance of the District committee, of which Senator Blaine, | Republican, of Wisconsin, is chairman, will conduct the inquiry and report its conclusions to Chairman Capper of the entire committee. It already has ben indicated that the committee will conduct the inves- tigation primarily with a view to draft- ing several new laws for the District, rather than to go in great detail into the taking of testimony. ‘The resolution as approved by the Senate contains the statement that “the lawg for the District of Columbia are eithef absent or ineffective for the protection of innocent purchasers of such securities and homes and real estate, in the following particulars, namely: “(A) No adequate law relating to the issuance and sale of stocks. bonds and mortgages and other securities as affecting real estate or otherwise. “(B) No law inhibiting unethical, unfair and unscrupulous real estate and finance operators. “(C) No law providing for an or- derly foreclosure of trust deeds, mort- gages or contracts relating to the purchase and sale of real estate, through court procedure.” $2,500 Fund for Inquiry. ‘The resolution authorizes the com- mittee to spend not to exceed $2,500 in conducting the investigation and to re- port to the Senate any recommenda- tions it may reach for new legislation. The preamble of the resolution de- clares that “whereas it is alleged that many millions of dollars of real estate mortgage notes and bonds secured by trust deeds or otherwise on real estate within the District of Columbia have been issued, in excess of the value of the properties so mortgaged, and which securities have been sold throughout the United States through alleged question- able means and method to innocent purchasers, and that purchasers of homes and other real estate are denied their day in court in default of their payment of principal or interest.” ‘Then follows the reference to the several features of existing laws in the District which the committee regarded as inadequate. Roosters’ Efforts at ™ Sweet Adeline” Lead to Discovery of Two Big Stills Bv the Associated Press. SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 4.— Two old roosters and their hen folks “made cock-a-doodle-doo” at high noon in an outlying residential district here and a suspicious prohibition officer un- covered two 150-gallon stills in a dug- out_beneath a chicken house. The officer's attention was attracted when the two cocks staggered from be- fully and then blended their voices in what might h: been their idea of “Sweet Adelin A flock of hens attached to the menage cackled a scandalized protest at such unseemly conduct just as the “dry” agent descended u&gn the chicken house. Investigation disclosed the source of the roosters’ gayety as fermented mash. A search warrant and a return visit disclosed the stills. TARIFF BILL GUTS - WILL BE FOUGHT Group of G. 0. P. Opposed to Some Increases—Veto Suggestions Made. BY G. GOULD LINCOLN. Downward revision of the Hawley | tariff bill will be fought for vigorously and in some quarters is expected during its consideration in the Senate. There is a group on the Republican side of the Senate chamber who are strongly op- posed to some of the increases granted in the House bill. The Democrats in the Senate have already attacked the measure as indefensible in increases granted on certain manufactured articles, The two groups are likely to vote together when it comes to some of the scheflules under attack, and if they do, reduetions will be the order of the day rather than increases. The prediction was made today by one of the most astute of the Republic- an leaders that not only would the Sen- ate fail to raise rates in the tariff bill, generally speaking, but that it would materially reduce some of the duties now cai in the bill. If there are in- creases made they will be in the agri- cultural® sghedules. Suggestions of Veto. If the Senate lives up to these expec- tations, there is no doubt but Whl{plehe Hoover administration will be pleased. The President has consistently recom- mended a “limited revision” of the tariff law. In the House, however, the law s very generally rewritten with many more increases in rates granted than had been expected under the program suggested by the President in his in- augural address. There have been suggestions of a presidential veto of the tariff bill if it is sent to the White House in anything like its present form. President Hoover has not committed himself to a veto of the tariff bill up to this time, however. The tariff bill has still to pass through the stage of Senate consideration and then through conference between rep- resentatives of the two houses. ‘The measure may be in vastly dif- ferent state from what it is today when it reaches Mr. Hoover. It is generally believed, however, that the bill in some of its schedules goes far beyond the limits which Mr. Hoover believes it should go. Furthermore, there are strong supporters of the President in both houses of Congress who would much prefer to see him veto the bill if it is sent to him in approximately its present form. Twenty years ago a Republican Con- gress, during a new Republican admin- istration, tackled the tariff and revised it upward in the Payne-Aldrich tariff act. It caused a breach in Republican ranks and was a talking point in the congressional campaigns which followed and played its part in the rift which came in the Republican ranks with the party dividing into Progressive and standpat Republicans in 1912. A con- gressional campaign is coming on now, only a year in the future. ‘There is very distinct desire on the part of many members of the Repub- lican House and Senate who must stand for re-election not to have the same fate overcome them that overcame Re- publicans a score of years ago following the writing into law of the Payne-Ald- rich tariff bill. Hearings Begin June 11. The Senate finance committee is to begin its hearings on the tariff bill June 11 and it has determined that the hear- ings shall not run beyond July 10. There is a real desire in some quarters to have the hearings completed at an even earlier date. However, the com- mittee has determined to hoid its hear- ings in public a,nd before three sub- committees which may sit simultane- ously. These are distinct concessions and are likely to expedite consideration of the tariff bill by the Senate com- mittee. Had the committee not agreed to open hearings, the fight to open them u? would have been carried to the floor of the Senate, Senator La Follette of Wisconsin, progressive Republican, had a resolution pending, calling for open hearings. Had it come to a vote in the Senate itself, the resolution un- doubtedly would have won. The do termination to divide the finance com- mittee into subcommittees for the pur- pose of holding hearings met with opposition, but in the end the course was adopted. Had still further sub- committees been created, the considera- tion of the bill might have been still more expedited. The President is studying not only the Hawley bill in its details, but he is also studying the reaction to the bill throughout the country as expressed in (Continued on Page 2, Column 2.) l I State News, Pages 10 and 11 l by WAY IS CLEARED FOR HOUSE ACTION ON CITY CENTER Appropriation Resolution Is Offered at Parley of Leaders of Both Parties. SIMMONS ANTICIPATES " RESULTS THIS WEEK Answers Made to Him Allay Fear That Fund Request Might Meet Opposition. The way was cleared in the House today for legislation at this session of Congress which would authorize the District to spend $3,000,000 to acquire the first of the property for the pro- posed new municipal center. The funds are in the Treasury now as part of the accumulated District surplus. At the conferences with the House leaders, both on the Democratic and Republican side, Chairman Simmons of the subcommitttee on District appro- priations, introduced a resolution ap- propriating the accumulated surplus for immediate purchase of the site. Representative Simmons conferred with House Leader Tilson, Speaker Longworth, Chairman Wood of the ap- propriation committee and Representa- tive Byrns of Tennessee, the ranking Democrat on the appropriations com- mittee. Their answers cleared away all fear on the part of the White House and Budget Bureau that submission of an estimate might be antagonistic to the program of the House leaders. The Budget Bureau was notified by Mr. Simmons and will immediately prepare the papers to accompany the estimate of District Auditor Donovan, now fore the bureau. Expects Action This Week. Representative Simmons said this aft- ernoon that he expects to get action on his resolution before the close of the present week. The site to be acquired comprises four large city squares, two of which are on the east side and two on the west side of John Marshall place and lying between Judiciary Square and Pennsylvania avenue. Impressed by Urgency. The House leaders were impressed by the urgency of the proposal be- cause several units of the District Gov- ernment have been ordered to vacate there is pressing need to find which they can occupy in addition to affording relief to already overcrowd- ed quarters in the Municipal Building. On the property to be a are several large structures, which could be used as tempoary homes for various District activities until it will be neces- {sary to clear them away for the con- struction work on the new buildings. Members of the appropriations com- mittee and other prominent House leaders see no objection to the Simmons | resolution, because it, inreality, takes no money from the Federal Treas- ury, as the accumulated surplus is made up entirely from District taxes and there is a sufficient amount to pay for the proposed site. They have been impressed by the fact that a consider- able saving can be made to the District taxpayers by purchase of this property now, as the present owners of the land will ‘advance the price if the purchase is delayed. Representative Simmons and Chair- man Wood of the House appropriations committee today expressed hope that by prompt acquisition of the site, the construction work on the municipal building project may be expedited. As the new municipal center will inawgu- rate and dominate the improvement of the north side of Pennsylvana ave- nue corresponding with the Federal de- velopment in the triangle south of Pennsylvania avenue, the House lead- ers are desirous that the municipal center be erected as soon as possible. HALF BILLION FARM FUND IS FAVORED Congress Leaders Indicate Appro- priation Will Be Sought When " Relief Bill Passes. By the Associated Press. Congressional leaders indicated today that after enactment of the pending farm bill they would favor a recom- mendation by the Agriculture Depart- ment to make available immediately the $500,000,000 appropriation proposed by the measure for stabilization of the agriculture industry. The farm bill, which is expected to be enacted into law within a week or to days, merely authorizes a half-bil- lon-dollar appropriation. It had been thought at first that the department would suggest an immediate appropriation of only one or two hun- dred million dollars, but some leaders now favor the full amount. These leaders take the view that the wheat situation demands immediate at- tention and that if the Farm Board is to buy up the surplus wheat crop, about SIE‘OGO.DGO would be needed alone for this. They hold the board ought to have the full amount, so as to be able to take full advantage of its powers under the bill to deal with the wheat situa- tion and that needing attention in other crops. ROVER VIRTUALLY PUTS END T0 USE OF PAID INFORMERS Opinion Holds Officers Should Gather Possession-and- Sale Evidence. SEEN AS SERIOUS BLOW TO DEPARTMENT BY PRATT U. S. Attorney, However, Believes Number of Liquor Case Acquit- tals Would Be Decreased. The Police Department will be forced virtually to abandon the use of paid in- | formers in gathering evidence against bootleggers and “speakeasies” as a Te- sult of an opinion today by United States Attorney Leo A. Rover. Holding that the only practical use of the pald informer 1s to ferret out places where liquor is unlawfully kept or sold, Rover ruled that all evidence of sale and possession should be ob- tained through police officers and pro- hibition agents. He predicted that if such a procedure is followed there will be a higher percentage of convictions and a corresponding decrease in the number of liquor cases nolle prossed and in the number of acquittals. Rover's opinion was transmitted to Maj. Henry G. Pratt, superintendent of police, who looks upon it as a serious blow in the department’s effectiveness in rounding up bootleggers and the proprietors of Washington's numerous “speakeasies.” Used for “Buys” in Past. Maj. Pratt interpreted the opinion to mean that the only purpose for which paid informers can be used is to locate places where liquor is sola and report them to the Police Depart- ment. In the jast the informer has been used principally to make “buys” in the “speakeasies” and swear to the raiding warrants. Now, however, this task will fall upon members of the gollu force or Federal prohibition of- icers. In the first place, Maj. Pratt said, many of the establishments where liquor is sold already are known to the police, but the difficulty in closing them has been the inability to procure suf® cient evidence for the issuance of raiding warrant. In such cases t.e service of the paid informer, he said, | has been invaluable. Since many of the places where liquor is sold are known to the police and the Rover opinion restricts the use of informers to tipping off places only, the police superintendent sees little value in his future service to the department. Opinion Based on Report. There are a number of members of the force who could be used to make “buys” and do the work formerly done { by the informers in gathering evidence, | Maj. Pratt explained, but their identity | would soon become known to the liquor sellers and their effectiveness thus be reduced. ‘Rover's opinion was based on a report of Capt. Fred M. Cornwell of the fourth Frec!nct. who complained that the Po- lice Court refused to take action in three recent liquor cases in which paid in- formers had been used to procure the evidence on which raids were made under his personal direction. The court declined to act, it was said, on the ground that the grand jury, in a recent report, stated it would not indict in liquor cases on informatjon of paid po- lice informants. Three Cases Are Cited. In each of the three cases cited by Capt. Cornwell the police raided the establishments on warrants secured from the United States commissioner’s office on the information of the informers. In two of the places the informers, it was said, were inside, with liquor in their possession, when Capt. Cornwell and his men entered, and marked money was found on the proprietors. A search of these establishments also revealed a quantity of liquor secretly cached in various parts of the building, it was claimed by Capt. Cornwell. Yet the Police Court, he said, would not issue papers against the proprietors. “The only practical use of the former is to ferret out places where liquor is unlawfully kept or sold,” Rov- er's opinion said. “Thus locating such places, the actual evidence of sale and possession should be obtained through police officers and prohibition agents. “This will result in a higher percent- age of convictions and a corresponding decrease in the number of nolle prosses and acquittals.” Conference Arranged. Obviously aroused by the opinion, Maj. Pratt has arranged a conference with Prohibition Commissioner Doran for tomorrow for the purpose of work- ing out a new plan that will be more effective in procuring evidence against the liquor establishments than the use of paid informants. The police superintendent, however, declined to reveal the scheme he has in_contemplation. The grand jury's eriticism of the paid informer, which'is believed to have in- spired Rover's opinion, came as & sequel to several cases in which it was dis- covered the informers resorted to per- jury. In spite of this, police officials are of the opinion that the practice should not be condemned and aban- doned, pointing out that there are a number of honest and truthful men serving the Police Department as in- formants. COMMUNICATIONS PROBE AUTHOR!TY IS ASKED SET DATE FOR TRIAL. Berkeley Enochs Will Face Court-Martial June 10. NEW YORK, June 4 (#).—Announce- ment was made at headquarters of the 2d Army Corps Area today that the general court-martial of Col. Berkeley Enochs on charges preferred by Mlj.’ Gen. Hanson Ely, commander of the corps area, would open June 10 on | ‘Governors Island. Col. Enochs was chief of staff of the corps area until relieved of duty re- cently by.Gen. Ely. The charge against him not been made public, but it is reported to be insubordination. He would have completed his four-year appointment as chief of staff on June 30 and had been ordered to report at San Antonio on that date. Col. Senate Requested to Give Commit- tee Power to Investigate Broad Field. By the Associated Press. The Senate was asked today by its interstate commerce committee for au- thority to investigate the whole field of interstate communication by radio, telegraph, telephone and cable and the transmission of power. Complaints made against telephone companies on the Pacific Coast were called to the attention of the commit- tee by Senator Dill, Democrat, Wash- ington, who suggested that a subcom- mittee might be sent there to hold hearings. No decision, however, was reached by the committee. ‘The committee now is considering a bill to create a new Federal commu- nications commission, which would res ulate all Jorms of interstate communi- cation. y