Evening Star Newspaper, February 26, 1930, Page 1

WEATHER. (U, 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Rain this afternoon lndmposslbly early tonight; colder tonight; nimum tem- perature about 37 Cegrees; tomorrow fair and colder. Temperatupres—Highest, 84, at 3:45 pm. yesterday; lowest, 57, at noon today. Full report on page 5. Closing N.Y. Markets, Pages 13,14&15 he No. 31,347, post office, Entered as second class matter Washington, D, €. WASHINGTON, D. ‘WITH SUNBAY MORNING EDITION Foening Star. ———— The only evening paper in Washington with the Associated Press news service, C., WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1930—THIRTY-EIGHT PAGES. TARDIEU RETURNS T0 POWER WHEN CHALTENPS FALS First Refuses Charge, Then Accepts, With Poincare to Aid in Task. “WIDE UNION” MINISTRY HELD TO BE ONLY HOPE Deadlock Between Left and Right Strength in Chamber Defeats Two Governments. By the Associated Press. PARIS, February 26.—With the Chautemps cabinet down in ruins, President Doumergue. today intrusted the task of forming a new cabinet to Andre Tardieu, who will seek to form & wide union cabinet with the aid of Raymond Poincare, veteran French | statesman. | ‘The President first called in Tardieu | this morning and asked him to form a | ministry, but Tardieu refused and sug- | gested Former Premier Poincare, offer- | ing to take a portfolio under him, | which would include his returning to | the London Naval Conference, .which | has been marking time pending solu- | tion of the French cabinet crisis. | Poincare, however, also refused the | post, pleading that his health would be | wrecked if he took the reins now be- | fore his strength was restored. He is still convalescent from his recent ill-| mess, He advised President Doumergue | %o insist on Tardieu serving as the new | premier, Progress to Be Given Tomorrow, Tardieu this afternoon definitely ac- cepted the task #nd told President Dou- mergue that he would report his prog- ress at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning. His call at the Elysee Palace this afternoon was to enable the President to renew formally his request to Tardieu this morning to form the cabinet Poincare said he had promised Pres- ident Doumergue he would help Tar- dieu form a wide union cabinet. Such a union cabinet appears to offer the only possible solution of the present deadlock, uch as the Chamber of Deputies now has defeated in turn a government with Right leanings and one with Left leanings. After last night's overthrow of the Chautemps cabinet on its first appear- ance in the Chamber, Tardieu was marked by President Doumergue as the obvious, choice. The President went through the customary formality of consulting President Doumer of the Senate and President Bouisson of the Chamber of Deputies and then sum- | moned Tardieu. ~ Tardieu Explains Situation. ‘Tardieu, however, explained that the Ppolitical situation in the Chamber, with the Right and Left so evenly divided, was such that he considered former’Premier Poincare most capable of forming a government “of broad union” in order to get the support of a wider range of parties than any one else. He added that Poincare was excellently equipped to govern at the present time when France faces four major problems—the Naval Conference, the Young plan ex- ecution, the Geneva customs conference and the Saar arrangements. But Poincare had his mind made up when the President’s car took him to the Elyssee Palace. As he mounted the steps of the palace he turned to the Tnewspaper men and sald: Poincare Says No in Advance. “You can say in advance that it is ‘no.’ I cannot. I cannot.” The former premier referred to his health. He recently canceled a pro- posed trip to South America and has said repeatedly that he must have a month or two of quiet rest. It was on leaving the palace that he | informed newspaper men that Tardieu had been charged with the mission of forming a cabinet and that he himself had promised President Doumergue he would help Tardieu form a wide union cabinet. ‘The upshot of these negotiations con- sequently was that Tardieu, who was | overthrown nine days ago, again will try to form a new ministry with Poin- care actively aiding although too frail to_take a portfolio. The former premier, if successful, consequently will return to London to | resume the naval negotiations where they were broken off when his cabinet met defeat. Political circles accepted the defeat of M. Chautemps as vindication of M. Tardieu, and indication that the adverse vote in his case had been not 50 much against him as against Henri Cheron, his finance minister. ‘The Chamber vote was taken after hours of fierce debate, during which crowds struggled to enter the galleries. (Continued on Page 2, Column 4. BANDITS RAID MISSIONS. Missionaries Learn of Approach and Escape to Shasi. HANKOW, February 26 (%) —Bandits were reported today to have raided and burned Catholic missions at Tsen- chinghue and Lachingkow, neigboring towns 120 miles up the Han River from UNITED STATES MINISTER CURTIS. GANESTERGALLS WARFORREVENG McErlane Tells Police He’ll Take Care of Himself for Attack in Hospital. By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, February 26.—The wound- | ed Frank McErlane, “the tough on!,"“ lay today with three bullet wounds in | his body and sounded the tocsin of a new gang war. From his sick bed at the home of his mother, where he was removed last night—police having no charge on which to hold him—McErlane said: “The war is on—and it won't be any Ppopgun war!"” McErlane, credited with having con- ceived the death strategy known as “the ride,” is recovering from an at-| tempt upon his life. The attack was made Monday night at the German Evangelical Deaconess Hospital, where McErlane, under an alias, was being treated for a bullet wound which he claimed was accidentally inflicted. His assailants stood at the door of the hospital room, emptied their pistols and fled when McErlane replied with shots from a pistol he had concealed under his piliow. Declines to Talk to Police. “Never mind who shot me,” he said, when police questioned him last night. “I'll take care of myself. McErlane takes care of McErlane, Remember the next time you find some rat dead in a ditch, like a sieve. Remember what happened to—never mind.” Efforts of police to keep McErlane | in custody failed when the State's at- | torney said there was no evidence on which he could be held. All he had done was to defend himself against attack, police were advised. Detectives are looking for Joe Saltis, McErlane’s former partner in the beer business; Danny McFall, Eddie and | George Kauffman and Danny Stantion, | all with reputations in South Side beer wars of the past. | FEAR KIDNAPING RETALIATION. | _ST. LOUIS, February 26 (#).—Gang- land’s retaliation was feared today for Louis Reimler, Granite City, 1Il., police- (Continued on Page 2, Column 1.) SISTER AND 8 CHILDREN DIE AS SCHOOL BURNS| | Young Indian Pupils Are Victims of Fire at Isolated Cross Lake Outpost. By the Associated Press. THE PASS, Manitoba, February 26.— Sister Superior Margaret of Mary and | etght young Indian pupils perished in | a fire yesterday at the Cross Lake In- | dian School, an isolated outpost, ad- here. vices reaching here today said. HOUSE PROBERS TOLD FRUIT FLY GUARDS PUT O. K. ON RUM CARS! Representatives in Florida for Investigation of Quaranti;le Funds Promise Inquiry Into Charges. By the Assoclated Press. ORLANDO, - Fla, February 26.— Charges by Chairman W. R. Wood that Mediterranean fruit fly quarantine guards are aiding bootleggers by placing cars of whisky under Government seal have been brought to the attention of a special House appropriations subcom- mittee investigating _expenditure of Federal funds in the eradication of the y. Chairman Wood said his charges would be given consideration during hearings in progress here. Dr. Wilmon Newell, State plant com- missioner, told the committee that Na- tional Guardsmen “do not touch” liquor found in baggage inspected for host fruits in any part of the quarantine area. Representative Louis Cramton of Michigan led the questioning. “If any of your inspectors find liquor in a suitcase or trunk, even more than enough to protect the person from any sudden illness, it is my understanding that the guardsmen do not disturb the baggage unless it contains host fruit,” Cramton said. “That is correct,” replied Dr. Newell. |:We have our own duties to perform and it is up to the prohibition forces t> do theirs.” “Well, have any specific instances been cited 10 you where such liquor has DOMINIGANREBELS SEIE CAPTALAND ROUT EXECUTES | President and Vice President Reported Refugees in French Legation. U.S. MINISTER C. B. CURTIS MAKES PEACE OVERTURES Emissary Sent to Insurgents Seek- ing Settlement Between Opposing Factions. By the Associated Press. SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Re- public, February 26.—Insurgent forces | today captured the fortress and public buildings of Santo Domingo, thus con- solidating their position throughout the Dominican Republic. President Horacio Vasquez, whose ef- forts to succeed himself in the coming elections were largely responsible for the movement against the gavernment, took refuge in the French legation with Vice President Jose Alfonseca, who had offered his resignation soon after the rebel movement began. There was no bloodshed or loss of life during today’s operations by the insurgents and the city was quiet. Peace Step Taken. Gustavo Diag, president of the Senate, took shelter in the Danish consulate, |but during the day was expected to seek refuge at one of the legations as the right of the consulates to offer asylum was not recognized by the in- surgent leaders. The movement against the Vasquez government held almost all the north- ern part of the republic, while Charles B. Curtis, the American minister, moved to bring about a peaceful settlement between the disputing parties. Last night the rebel band camped outside of Santo Domingo while an emissary of Mr. Charles B. Curtis at- mpted to make peace. u'lfl& insurgent movement had its in- ception last Sunday, when the National Guardia in the northern part of the republic revolted and occupied the towns of Monte Cristi, Concepcion de la Vega, Santiago and Mori. It was necessary Monday for Senora de Vasquez, wife of the President, to seek refuge at the American legation, while her husband fled to the fortress which guards the capital city, where the officers were said to be still friendly to him. . ‘The Vice Ptesident, Dr. De Alfonseca, resigned his office h!\,“ the (;fed of the owing o] ition, it yesterday was E‘ndtrsmod‘ "Tf'u reconsidering, with the possibility he would withdraw the. action Rebels Oppose Re-election. The insurgent disaffection grew out of President Vasquez's announced inten- tion of seeking re-election May 15. He was elected in 1924 for a four-year term, but in 1927 had the term extended two years. Proj Js for a provisional govern- ment which would assure a “free” elec- tion May 15 were submitted to him, but it was understood he turned them down. The insurgent movement so far has been free from excessive violence and has not taken on the character of a revolutionary attempt to overthrow the Vasquez government. Its leaders have demanded that the presidential elec- tions in May be free from political jug- gling, and the satisfaction of this de- mand would go far to calm them. As they control the principal cities of the republic, they are in a position to en- force the acceptance of their® will, Vasquez May Resign. The leaders of the government met President Vasquez yesterday to_study the means of placating the insurgents. It has been reported that President Vasquez will present his resignation. The newspaper La Opinion said that leaders in all political parties had joined the insurgents. It demanded that a provisional government for the whole Tepublic be set up to guarantee the freedom of the election, and called for the immediate cessation of the insur- gent movement. COTTON EXPECTS REBEL FAILURE. Acting Secretary of State Has Faith in Government. Joseph P. Cotton, Acting Secretary of State, said today that he does not expect the present revolutionary forces ih the Dominicani Republic to over- throw the government. Mr. Cotton said he was basing his supposition on the official reports com- ing to him from Charles B. Curtis, American Minister in Santo Domingo, and on the fact that there has been a great degree of stability in recent years in the governments of the Dominican Republic, He said he did not expect this prog- ress of stability to be hindered by the present disquietude and that he hoped the revolutionists had not overthrown anything. Other State Department officials feel that the present unrest is occasioned solely by the advent of the presidential election next month. NIGHT SESSIONS FOR TARIFF DEBATE Leaders Taks Action After Move to Limit Debate Is Blocked. By the Associated Press. Unable to obtain an agreement to limit debate, Senate leaders served notice today they would hold continuous night sessions beginning tomorrow until the tariff bill is disposed of. Senator Simmons, Democrat, North Carolina, proposed that debate be limited but was blocked by Senator Copeland, Democrat, New York. Senator Smoot, Republican, Utah, then told the Senate he would insist upon night sessions and leaders of the Democratic-Republican ind e p endent coalition joined in support. Senator Harrison, Democrat, Mississippi, wanted the night sessions to start tonight. SWINDLED NOTABLES. NEW YORK, February 26 (#).— been found”” Cramton asked. Newell replied that there had not. “Well, doétor,” continued Cramton. "Kvllsh&mx could come to Wi and testify to that effect.” Thomas Downey, a former convict, was in the police line-up today, charged with swindling James A. Farrell and sther notables by impersor & cus- £ L3 (#) Means Associated Yesterday’s Circulation, 115,093 TWO CENTS. Press. WALL OF THe OLD | ANDMARKSOVICH! BLUNDERING BOLSHEVIKS. HOOVER POWER AID SHOWN WITHHELD Letter Reveals Neutrality of President Toward Muscle Shoals. By the Associated Press. A letter from Chester Gray of the American Farm Bureau Federation read before the Senate lobby committee today said that Gray's efforts with re- gard to Muscle Shoals legislation with Ppesident Hocver while Secretary of Commerce were “not producing re- sults.” ‘Gray, who opposed Government op- eration of the Alabama power project, | wrote E. A. O'Neal, president of the Alabama Farm Bureau Federation, that Hoover was “almost of a mind to let the whole matter be settled by Con- gress without any interference by the administration.” “Wasn't Congress the one to decide it?” asked Chairman Caraway of the committee. Gray said this was true, adding that Hoover had attempted to bring about an _agreement on Muscle Shoals, but had not succeeded. He did not say what the effort was, but previously he had testified that the President had tried to bring the chemical and power groups together without results. Another letter read before the com- mittee today repeated Gray's assertion, first heard yesterday, that former Presi- dent Coolidge, when in office, had asked Gray to urge O'Neal to come to Wash- ington to use his influence with South- ern Senators in favor of a Muscle Shoals resolution then pending. This resolution would have named a joint congressional committee to consider bids for the property. NATIONALISTS PURCHASE 12 U. S. BOMBING PLANES Nanking Believes Shansi Governor Is Plavning to Launch Attack. By the Associated Press. SHANGHAI, February 26.—Military headquarters of the Nationalist*govern- ment today indicated that an order had been placed for 12 Ryan bombing. air- planes, costing $725,000 Mexican (about $240,000), for use against various ele- ‘ments which the government apparently believes are planning to launch a drive against the Nanking regime this Spring. The Nationalists believe that Yen Hai-Shan, “model governor” of Shansi Province, is the leader of the anti. Nanking elements. U. S.-Belgium Treaty Ratified. BRUSSELS, February 26 (#).—The Senate this afternoon unanimously rati- fied the treaties of arbitration and con- ciliation signed at Washington iast March between Belgium and the United States. The House already has taken similar action. The Reason Why— Why more space in The Star than in all four other Washington papers combined ? do advertisers use Because experience has proved to them that The Star 1s Washington’s family news- paper, and as such is thor- oughly read every day of the year in nearly every Washing- ton home. Yesterday’s Advertising (Local Display) LINES. The Evening Star. . 28,549 2d Newspaper. . ...12,309 3d Newspaper..... 9,416 4th Newspaper.... 3,326 5th Newspaper.... 3,312 28,363 Call National 5000 and have The Star delivered regularly to your door, P A . House Body Favors Proposal to Brin Dewey Ship Here Bill Would Make Olympia ‘Available to Nation’s School Children. ‘The House naval affairs committee today ordered a favorable report on the bill sponsored by Representative Coch- ran of Missouri, directing that Admiral Dewey's flagship, the Olympia, be brought to Washington and permanent- ly located on the Washington water front as a memorial to the men and women who served in the war with Spain. The bill was amended to au- thorize an appropriation of $25,000 for 'the expense of suitably locating the Olympia so that it will be easy of ac- cess for school children from all parts of the country. ‘When the historic vessel is brought to Washington, it will occupy a_site selected by the National Capital Park and Planning Commission and be placed in the custody of that commission. ‘When the bill was reported, Repre- sentative Coyle of Pennsylvania pro- tested that this national memorial should not be a burden for maintenance on the taxpayers of the District, but that all expenses should be paid from the Federal Treasury. NORRIS DEMANDS BONNER BE OUSTED Charges Executive Secretary Is “Power Man” in Sen- ate Speech. By the Associated Press. Immediate dismissal of F. E. Bonner, executive secretary of the Federal Power Commission, was demanded in the Senate today by Senator Norris, Republican, Nebraska, who complained the official was “a power man.” Citing what he termed evidences of “maladministration” by the Power Commission, revealed in -the hearings before the Senate interstate commerce committee, Senator Norris added that Bonner, as a “power man,” was trying to “cripple the commission.” Senator Nye, Republican, North Da- kota, suggested that a resolution be in- troduced expressing the sense of the Senate that Bonner be dismissed at once. Norris said he just wanted to call attention of the country to the situation, The Nebraskan said he had heard some Senators express the belief that all officials of the power commission should be dismissed, but he urged that Charles A. Russell, the solicitor, and ‘]:mllnm King, the chief accountant, be ept. They are “faithful public servants,” Norris sald. Complaints by Russell and King against Bonner before the interstate commerce committee led to the severe Questioning of the commission secretary. Norris also called attention to a hearing before the Federal Trade Com- mission on public utility financing and sald it showed that the power companies were issuing watered stock and mulcting the public. Senator Dill, Democrat, Washington, declared that Bonner was preventing an investigation of questionable valu- refusing to ask for sufficient appropri- ations to carry out this work. He asserted that he would open a fight on the Senate floor for additional appropriations for the commission despite the report by the commission to the Senate recently that it did not need additional funds. Chairman Jones of the Senate appro- priations committee, said he had re- cently inquired of the commission if it work and it had reported no more funds were necessary. “The reason the commission doesn't ask for more money,” said Dill, “is cause Bonner says it doesn’t need it.” Senator Norris added that “Bonner, in the name of economy, is trying to cripple the commission so it can't in- quire into these steals.” 150 Unemployed Arrested. CHICAGO, February 26 (#).—More than 150 unemployed men, who at- tempted to meet in Musicians’, Hall, on the near West Side, today were arrested on charges of vagrancy. Police estab- li.hed a guard about the hall and loaded the "gflmmn into patrol wagons as fast as they arrived. WA ‘IRadio Programs on-Page C-3 Lofiity Sod | ations of power company properities by ' needed more money to carry on its| BOARD UNDER FIRE IN WHEAT BUYING Kansas Operator Objects to Limitatiqn in U. S. Agency Purchases. By the Associated Press. HUTCHINSON, Kans., February 26. —George Gano, the largest inde- pendent grain elevator operator in Kan- sas, today protested to President Hoover -against what he termed the ‘“confisca- tion” of his business as a result of an order of the Farmers’ National Grain Corporation yesterday that wheat would be purchased only from co-operative elevators. In a telegram to the President, Mr. Gano said he owned 50 elevators, and that all would be forced to close as the Federal Farm Board's “stabilized | price is 12 to 15 cents above the open market, in which I am forced to sell my grain.” The telegram: “The Farmers' National Grain Cor- poration has issued an order to buy wheat at stabilized price only from co- operative elevators. Persomally, I have 50 good: country elevators in South- west Kansas and buy wheat direct from farmers and have for 30 years. “This order closes every elevator 1 have, as the stabilized price is 12 to 15 cents above the open market, in which I am forced to sell my grain. “If this order stands it is simply con- fiscation of a business built up in a life- time. You are appropriating money to this organization from which I contrib- ute a good share in taxes. Not more than half the farmers in this section belong to co-operatives. “This is the most vicious order ever issued by an agency of the United States Government and should be re- scinded at once. I am only too glad to assist in stabilizing the wheat price. All T ask is fair play and an even break. This not only applies to me, but to every other independent grain dealer in this section. Wish you would con- fer with Mr. Legge (Alexander Legge, chairman of the Federal Farm Board) and explain matte: Protest to Senators. OMAHA, Nebr., February 26 (#).— The Omaha Grain Exchange today tele- graphed a protest to Senators Norris and. Howell of Nebraska, against the ruling of the Federal Farm Board with- drawing the Government's agencies’ guaranteed price for wheat from all ex- cept member co-operatives. Minneapolis Protest. MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., February 26 (#).—Representatives of private grain traders today issued a memorandum summing up their views of the present grain marketing situation and criticiz- ing the Farmers' National Grain Cor- poration for its new ruling regarding pufchnslng of wheat from co-operatives only. SENATE ASKS DATA. Closing of Grain Exchanges Hinted in Resolution of Inquiry. By the Associated Press. The Senate adopted a resolution today calling upon Secretary Hyde of the Agriculture Department to make “such recommendations as he sees fit” to the Senate relative to the price of cotton and wheat “even to the extent of temporarily closing said exchanges.” Offered by Senator Heflin, Democrat, Alabama, the resolution was adopted after a round of discussion of thé causes of the collapse of prices on the cotton and wheat exchanges. ‘u Senator Heflin introduced the resolu-l on. Senator Caraway, Democrat, Arkan- sas, assalled Chairman Legge and Carl Williams, cotton representative, on the Farm Board. He said the speculators were trying “to discredit farm relief and they have no more valuable aids than Mr. Legge and Mr. Williams.” Senator Heflin and Senator McKellar, Democrat, Tennessee, joined in the at- tack on Willlams. The Alabaman in- sisted that the cotton representative on the board “is unable to get the view- point of the cotton farmer and the steps he has taken have played havoc.” ADMR. JONES WILL SAIL ON BERENGARIA TODAY Naval Physician, Who Accom- panied Officer to Ship, Is Con- -cerned Over Condition. By the Assoclated Press. LONDON, February 26—Rear Ad- miral Hilary P. Jones, naval adviser with the American naval delegation in London, left for home today, havin, been ordered to return to the Unihs States because of physician, admiral to Dr. M. E. Higgins, naval who accompanied the rear the ship, was deeply concerned over his patient’s condition. The admiral CARTER CHARGES GAMBLING CHECK 1S SOUGHT INVAIN Public Printer Scores Pratt for Failure to Curb Operations. POLICE PICKET CALLED “TIP-OFF” TO GAMBLERS Numerous Complaints to D. C. Heads Declared to Have Brought Formal Acknowledgment. Aroused by reports of extensive gam- bling operations in the vicinity of the Government Printing Office and declar- ing that he has been unable to obtain help from Maj. Henry G. Pratt, super- intendent of police, or the District Com- missioners, and further asserting that the new system of picketing such places is simply a “tip off” to the operators, George H. Carter, public printer, de- clared today, that “the whole thing needs a thorough investigation.” The head of the Printing office de- clared that numerous complaints made by him to Maj. Pratt to have the gam- bling establishments located ne the Printing Office closed, have ailed nothing, while a similar complaint made to the District Commissioners has been rewarded with only a formal acknowl- edgement of the receipt of the letter in which the complaint was made. Carter denied that he had mentioned specifically the names of the four places now being picketed by police in an ef- fort to learn if there are activities car- ried on in them that would justify their being run out of business, Five Employes Arrested. Carter also declared that five em- ployes of the Printing Office had been arrested in a raid on a gambling estab- lishment in the first block of H street and that four of those employes had sworn to affidavits that gambling was going on in the place and turned them over to Maj. Pratt on their own ac- cord. An arrest of an alleged operator was made in this case, but, he added, “it was dragged out for a long time in Police Court and finally was nolle prossed. Presented to the grand jury later the jury failed to return an’ in- dictment against the man.” Gross Laxity Charged. “In the face of such things I feel there has been a gross laxity on the part of the District government in the enforcement of the law,” Carter as- “There is something wrong with :ge administration of justice here and e whole thing needs a thorough 4n- vestigation.” e Carter_contended. that the establish- ment where the printing office em- ployes_were arrested was operating as (Continued on Page 2, Column 3. Penie e i TAFT GROWS WEAK; CONDITION SERIOUS Doctors Issue Discouraging Report, Indicating His Resistance Has Dropped. By the Assoctated Press. Former Chief Justice Taft was report- ed today as not being‘so well as yester- day and gradually growing weaker, His physicians issued this bulletin at o oon: “The former Chief Justice is not so well as yesterday. He is gradually grow- ing weaker. He suffers no pain, but his anndxtmn is more serious than at any e ‘The bulletin was signed by Drs. Fran- cis R. Hagner and Thomas A. Claytor. Earlier in the day Dr. Hagner had said he had no immediate apprehension but that the weakened condition of the patient and his advanced years made all predictions hazardous. The noon bulletin was the most dis- couraging in more than two weeks. After the collapse, which forced Mr. Taft's resignation from the bench and his confinement to his home here, he showed some improvement, and for a two-week period his doctors reported each day that his condition was un- changed. Yesterday he was reported not so well. The physicians did not disclose details of the further decline today, but indi- cated that the sustained attack which the patient’s system had undergone was r!?xl‘l:lnl his resistance below the danger point, TWO WORKMEN KILLED. Pair Are Buried Beneath Tons of Earth at Tunnel. ‘TACOMA, Wash., February 26 (#).— Two men lay buried today beneath tons of earth at the Cushman power tunnel here, while a third man was rescued alive after a cave-in yesterday. The victims were Roy Wal 41, of Union City and O. Hallstrom, 40. A 3haper of Tacoma was dug from the | € debris by rescuers. The sceident occurred at the face of RYAN CITES HOOVER AND ENFORCEMENT BODY AT HEARING Charges Excess in Trying to Force Moral Issue on People. BRANDS PROHIBITION ““LEGISLATIVE FAILURE” Holds Crusade Is for Liberties as Sacred as Those Fought for in Revolution, By the Associated Bress. Rev. John Augustine Ryan, director of the social acticn department of the National Catholic Welfare Council, as- serted today at the House Jjudiclary committee’s hearing on prohibition that« 25 a result of the dry laws President Hoover, Attorney General Mitchell and the National Law Enforcement Com- mission members had committed an ex- cess in public utterances in trying to force a moral issue on the people, Dr. Ryan, who also is identified with Catholic University, said that the “noble experiment” already belonged “definitely in the category of legislative failures.” “When a determined and conscious majority of the American people,” he declared, “decide that they no longer want national prohibition, they will find legal ways to end it, despite the un- democratic barriers erected by tories, fanatics, industrialists and autocrats. “No doubt it will be a long, hard struggle, but those who take it up can sustain themselves with the assurance that as I have written elsewhere, ‘they are engaged in a great crusade for fundamental liberties that are not one Whit less sacred than those which were fought for by the men who made the American Revolution.’ ” Another witness was Wilton Lambert, local attorney, representing the Federai Dispensary and Tax Reduction League. He declared that “conditions are far :l‘?.r:e mt.henn ever he!nref" He declared young people were nl, drinking in automobiles, Hip m he said, were common at - entertain- ments at night in the Distreit of Co- lumbia. - The courts, he said, in Wash- ington were crowded with prohibition Physicians he consulted, he added, had advised him that the general health of the poor people who were unable to buy good liquor was being broken down by_poisoned liquor, WS 58 S et e stomacl wery vats, he tinued, and as a 4 of homemade beer il were being Objection Is Ovetruled. Still another Washington witness, Rice Hooe, an attorney, was interrupted in a n of possible nullification of the eighteenth amendment through failure to enforcement laws by Repre- Sentative Dyer, Republican, 1, being in d the proceedings. Chairman Gra- ham, however, ruled the witness could talk about any phase of prohibition, and Hooe, who was for three years a prohibition prosecutor, continued. He advocated modification to permit the sale, under Government supervision, of liquor in packages. - Hooe said that he did not believe that the Volstead law would permit the manufacture of home brew and wines in the homes as proposed in the House recently by Representative Fort, Repub- lican, of New Jersey, & dry advocate, He said this would be unconstitutional. He charged that the Volstead act was class discrimination” because it tected the farmer and his “hard cic He held that the eighteenth ame ment would be nullified if the Volstead law was repealed and no enforcement lnv';hwu I:{:\:ecem e el nth amendment, he said, struck at the vel n ¢ Constitution” Ty foundation of the Demands Outright Repeal, ' Dr. Ryan followed Dr. Nicholas Mur- ray Butler, president of Columbia Uni- versity in'New York City and long a prominent figure in the educational and political worlds, and Wallace Irwin of the authors and artists’ committee, who demanded in statements the outright repeal of the eighteenth amendment. Dr. Francis J. Gherty, head of the Psycopathic Hospital in Cook County, IIL., where Chicago is located, said there had been a material increase in alcr - holic cases for both sexes since the dry statute was enacted. Dr. Gherty, who testified in person, was the first wit- ness before the Ho Judiciary com- mittee which is consiering bills and resolutions proposing repeal of the pro- hibition amendment or modification of the dry statute in one form or another, Dr. Ryan asserted the “noble experi- ment” had proved a failure and added that even if prohibition had “proved of a reasonable degrce of enforcement, I should want to see it abolished. “Deeper study of its effects and im- plications has convinced me that it is a soclally undesirable method of dealing with liquor traffic,” he said. “It violates personal liberty and per- sonal rights, is fundamentaily undemo- cratic and fosters widespread insin- ty. “While I was not in favor of national prohibition when it was enacted, I did the tunnel and was blamed on seepage of water through the gravel. accept it loyally and looked upon the (Continugd on Page 2, Column 5.) MELLON HOLDS BRANCH BANKING SOUNDER THAN CHAIN SYSTEM Secretary Writes House Committee, However, That Plan Should Be Limited B: the Associated Press. Secretary Mellon wrote the House banking committee today that in his opinion branch banking was sounder than chain or group banking, “but that even branch banking should be limited to definite economic areas.” “As to what those economic areas should be,” said the Treasury head's letter, “I am not prepared to state at this time without further study or thought.” Mellon was to have appeared as the second witness in the committee’s study of the Nation's banking structure, but wiil he said he would prefer not to testify until he had opportunity . “to study she to Definite Areas. facts which I hope your committee will develop.” “May I add,” he wrote, “that I think it fortunate that your committee has undertaken this study at this time, and that I am confident that much good will be derived from a careful ascertain- ment of all the facts in connection with the movement which has been proceed- ;ngldwim great rapidity in the banking e ‘The letter quoted at les from the secretary’s annual report for the fiscal year 1929, in which he said “the de- velopmen““dt %’y mxktl mlc‘“l’l' which permi existing arrange- ments has facilitated the adaptation of banking facilities to the requirements of urban lrril-!." ded The report also recommended & care= {ful study of branch banking,