Evening Star Newspaper, December 24, 1930, Page 2

A—2 GOVERNORS BACK ~ CBILLBOARD FGHT Pledges Made to Help Clear Signs From Approaches to National Capital. Ry Coupled with a statement from the | Board of Commissioners of the District | of Columbia that “the decrease of | billboards is making Washington a Capital worthy of a people of visfon,™ the American Civic Association today made public pledges from the Govern- ors of Maryland and Virginia for co- operation’ with the movement to beau- tify the highway entrances into the | Nation’s Capital. | Ritchie Pledges Support. From Gov. Albert C. Ritchie of Maryland, the highways of which| State lead into Washington from the North, East and West, came the fol- lowing statement: “The future of that large part of Maryland which lies contiguous to the District of Columbia is in a very real way linked with the future of ‘Washington. The plans and hopes and possibilities of this part of Maryland and of the District of Columbia must be co-operatively worked out for the common good of both, because they are Anterdependent. The plans of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission for adequate highway entrances to Washington will receive the sympathetic consideration of the people of Maryland, and we ex- pect excellent results from the zoning ordinances of Montgomery and Prince Georges Countes to protect these high- ways from rural outdoor advertising.” Pollard Backs Move. Gov. John Garland Pollard of Vir- ginia, where the Lee Highway and the Alexandria pike supply the great streams of motor traffic to Washington from the South, was equally interested in the movement to clean up roadside conditions. He said: “We in the Old Dominion are espe- cially interested in the development of the National Capital and its environs. On the Virginia side of the Potomac are the homes of our great heroes, George Washington and Robert E. Lee. ‘The co-operation of the people of Vir- ginia may be counted upon in this great movement to beautify the setting of our National Capital City, of which every American is justly proud.” Commissioners Take Stand. ‘The statement of the District Com- missioners, which was presented fol- lowing yesterday's board meeting, was signed by Dr. Luther H. Reichelderfer, president of the board; Maj. Gen. Her- bert B. Crosby and Maj. John C. Got- wals. It was as follows: “The tree-lined streets, the extensive ks and parkways, the fine public dings, the growing number of excel- lent private structures for business and residence, and the decrease of billboards afe making Washington a Capital worthy of a people of vision and wealth. ‘We note with interest and appreciation statements of the Governors of our neighboring States and their desire to co-operate with the movement to keep the highway entrances into the Nation’s Capital free from obstrusive ugliness and to preserve the natural beauty of the countryside within the Washington region.” Common Purpose Shown. ‘These mm?‘:he which reveal the {:n-nl af e of governing powers the three jurisdictio: y -be printed and distributed rt on the recent survey of" in. the Greater Washington area by the American Nature Assoclation early in January. Mrs. W L. Lawton, chairman of the National Souncil for Protection of Roadside Be:ity, made the survey. No action wa¥ taken by the District foners terday on the pro- posed amendme to the bill pending in the House District Committee increas- ing their powers to regulate and con- trol outdoor advertising signs in Wash- . It is probable that representa- tives of the American Civic Association, GOV. RITCHIE. NATION LAUNCHED UPON $5,000,000,000 BUILDING PROGRAM, (Continued From First Page.) into pay envelopes and materials based on contracts let durigg the year; the New York metropolitan area, $876,401,~ 000; New York up-State, $178,757,00 the Middle Atlantic States, $496,254,000; Pittsburgh, $549,256,000; Southern Mich- igan, $164,038,000; Chicago, $532517,~ 000; the Central Northwest, $93,173,000; St. Louis, $234,284,000; Kansas City, $287,244,000; Texas, $177,970,000; New Orleans, $95,016,000; the Southwest, $260,010,000, and so on over the Na- tion. The figures are based on con- tracts let during the war. The Federal Government has just made available $80,000,000 for the States to match in highway construc- tion, making the total for Federal aid roads in immediate prospect, $160,- 000,000. From Oklahoma comes the report that one of the greatest building pro- grams of its history is necessitated, not by unemployment, but by development, and Massachusetts is putting the finishing touches to $100,000,000 worth of public building—also & record. Varied Forms of Relief. Rellef is manifesting itself in many ways. New York is raising a fund of $10,000,000 and allowing its metropoli- tan unemployed to sell apples without the usual licenses. Pennsylvania is rushing public work and its cities are employing the idle to clean them up as N providing food and shelter from public funds. Delaware also is cleaning up to pro- vide work and is raising a public fund. Maryland is rushing road construction and permitting Sunday movies for the benefit of the idle. Rhode Island is sponsors of the campaign against bill- boards, will be heard by the Commis- :&nebrfil before final approval is given e bill. VIRGINIANS WAR ON SIGNS. Lyon Park Citizens to Increase Anti- /7 Billboard Campaign. BY LESTER N. INSKEEP. Staff Correspondent of The Star. LYON PARK, Va.,, December 24 —An acceleration of the campaign against billboards in Arlington County and throughout the State was voted last night by the Lyon Park Citizens’ Asso- ciation following an illustrated lecture on the biliboard situation by Miss Har- lean James, executive secretary of the American Civic Association. ‘The local citizens association had al- ready voted to co-operate with the Arl- ington County Civic Federation in the stand of that body in the elimination of il 'billboards in the county, and last night voted to reiterate that stand, offering any assistance possible. Included among the many lantern slides cf billboards in the vieinity of Washington that were shown by Miss James were several in Arlington County, notably those along the Washington- Alexandria pike, the Lee Highway and Lan, road (better known as Chain road). Miss James stated that In the opinion of her association the ‘most effective way to eliminate the rcadside signs was through zoning, and that since Arling- ton County has already been zoned that the campaign here must center upon those signs that were erected before the zoning ordinance went into effect and those on property zoned other than residential and where the ordinance permits their erection. ‘Two methods of accomplishing this have been resorted to and are proving effective in many sections, she said. The first is an appeal to the advertiser, prin- cipally by showing that any business he may get through the signboards is more than offset by the loss of the business of those who are opposed to the signs. The other is an appeal to the owners of property not to deface the ( natural beauty of their communities by renth space for the erection of the signs to the billboard companies. Several large Washington hotels have Joined in the campaign for the elimina- tion of the signs by refusing to renew contracts for large billboards on the roads entering Washington through the Virginia and Maryland suburban areas, she declared, and are satisfied that they have lost nothing through their de- cision. Many of the large oil companles have dis?:nsefl with the use of billboards, she declared, and are attempting to beautify their filling station so that they will enhance rather than mar the appear- ance of the sections in which they are located. There are many other stations, however, which resort to all kinds of ly in prohibiti he erection of signs closer than 3 to crossings. Citrus Praits Hit by Frost. BRAWLEY, Calif., December 24 (#). itrus fruits were damaged by frost here yesterday. Temperatures as low as PO 23 perial DR e aihou ot the not egimated. Tes! loss was speeding construction, though it finds existing social agencies can care for the needy. New Jersey has a State Com- mittee to help the mayors of its cities, who are joined in the work of finding Jobs. The unemployed gre registered in Massachusetts, and Maine started 10 State empldyment bureaus. Con- necticut and New Hampshire are ad- vancing Spring public work to January and Vermont has a State Committee at work. Throughout the Middle West roads and public works are being pushed at full speed. Ohio has 5,000 men mkms on roads on a four-day-week basis, an $29,000,000 worth of construction just starting in Cleveland, with a proportion- ate amount elsewhere. Free meals are being served the unemployed in its prin- cipal cities, which raised $20,000,000 in two months of Community Chest cam- paigning. Illinois Raising Big Funa.} Illinois has a State Committee re- lieving distress by finding jobs and rais- ing funds, Its employes are loaned without pay by business firms, and in Cook County alone it is driviog toward a 85,000,000 relief goal. Indiana is pushing public improvements and re- Ppairs and so is Wisconsin. Minnesota has two official commis- sions investigating the situation. Michi- gan’s labor department has its msrc- tors roaming the State to create Jobs, while Detroit pays out a million a month for relief. Waterloo. Towa, is seining the Cedar River, with permission -of the State Game Department, and feeding the fish to the poor. Kansas is working on an extra jcb plan and Nebraska and Mis- souri are losing no opportunities for roads and new public building. Chill winds sweeping over Idaho drive the drifting unemployed to warmer States, but the heads of familles are put to work pouring sand on slippery streets. Utah's official commission has created part-time jobs for 4,000. Mon- tana has a limited amount of unem- ployment and is handling it through regular agencies. Colorado has a com< mittee of 60 men and women finding work for the idle and New Mexico and Wyoming are projecting new construc- tion. Highway Work Pushed. Oregon has started emergency high- dent heads of families and in California construction by public utilities is re- ported a steadying influence. The Public Utilitles Co. announced all its employes would be retained throughout 1931 by a system of rota- tion. Los Angeles County is employing 1,000 jobless on firebreaks and 300 extras in park cleaning. Another 500 extras are at work on aqueduct and plant maintenance for the Bureau of Waters. Some Southern States, notably West Virginia and Mississippi, plan to seek relief through legislation in January. irginia is listing her jobless individuals and Alabama and her municipalities are pushing public work. South Carolina is concent on highways and furnish- ing direct relief. North Carolina has a State commission in the process of or- ganization. Florida Fruit Helped. ! Florida found increased ) ent | through the lifting of the h.'m? :’ymbun on its cltrus fruits. Georgia is pushing public work and feeding #ts idle at 2- cent soup kitchens. Lou'siana is build- ing & new State capitol and pushing highways ahead of schedule. New Mills are mmw"u’” n and depending upon relief, Arkansas has way construction to give work to resi- | up in Tennessee to augment | Fe ) public works | at a cost of charity benefits for line from Shamrock to south of Vernon o Stale Gommittes startel, THE EVENING CHRISTMAS MAIL ' SETS RECORD HERE Nation as Whole Reports Increased Volume of Holiday Traffic. (Continued From First Page.) delivered on Monday alone, as compared with 50,000 delivered on a comparable day a year ago. About two-and-a-half million letters have been canceled so far and the rush is not over. Last year the final total did not exceed 2,500,000 letters. ‘The burden of last-moment Christ- mas greetings and gifts sent out of the Natlonal Capital by airmail continued 50 heavy last night that the 14-plane- ! a-day schedule proved insufficient and en extra section had to be put on be- tween the Naticnal Capital and points to the South. Extra Plane Sent Out. Pllot John Armstrong came through from New York on the first night southbound run last night, arriving here at 11:30 p.m. So much mail was waiting here for delivery in the South that his plane could not carry it and C. C. Taliaferro was sent out with a second plane load. At Richmond the loads flown by Armstrong and Taliaferro were taken over by Larry Pabst and Johnny Kytle and flown on down the coastal route. Christmas mail for the Nation at large is expected to surpass last year's record of 1,670,000,000 letters, 20,000,- 000 packages and 17,000,000 postcards, according to Associated Press reports. General belief among postmasters is that the peak of the rush was reached yesterday and that the totals of today, while still great, will show a tapering off. In Manhattan and the Bronx 15,- 000,000 pieces of first class mail were handled through the canceling machines Monday, while an equal amount was handled in Chicago. The previous rec- ord for one day in New York was 14,- 000,000 in 1928, while that of Chicago was 12,000,000, also in 1928. Louisville Has Gain. pieces were mailed Monday, exceeding last year's high mark by more than 200,000. In Syracuse, N. Y., it was esti- mated more than 2,000,000 pieces of mail were dispatched in the last four days, reaching the peak yesterday with 640,000. Similar reports are received from virtually all sections of the country. At Defroit the postmaster reported this year's bulk a little below that of last year. All records fell at th: Mont- gomery, Ala., post office Monday, 145,000 letters and cards going through. Indianapolis cleared 1,350,000 pieces in 24 hourp, a record, and sold 1,400,000 2-cent stainps. All Christmas rush figures were broken in Providence, R. I., the new mark exceeding the previous top by 350,000 pieces. New Mark in Atlanta, The Atlanta post office hung up & new mark with $38,000 for the day's receipts, a gain of $8,000 over Christmas, 1928, and handled 1,217,368 Dpieces. Charlotte, N. C. distributed 350,000 leces of first-class mail, a new high. Columbus, Ohio, made a striking gain over last Christmas for the period December 15-20 with receipts of $85,715, against $82,662. Incoming and outgo- ing parcel post moved up to 316,260 packages from 267,350 in the previous correspon: period. Outgoing first-class mail from Cin- cinnati soared to 2,205,000, a‘record. A year ago it was 1,500,000. Stamps cancelled yesterday in Pitts- burgh totaled $1,460,000 with prospects of higher figures. Harrisburg, Pa., and Scranton, Pa., aiso had record days. St. Nicholas was unusually busy in Philadelphiq where 6,331,796 packages and letters were collected yesterday about 665,000 above the previ peak. Cleveland’s peak day was 5,000,000 pieces about a million less than a year ago. Stamp sales, however, reached $72,000 for that day, a new record for any day. Los Angeles Has Spurt. Postal receipts in Los Angeles touched $70,000 Monday against $57,000 the same day last year. Denver had its biggest day, 1,075,000 outgoing letters, while parcels post business was 10 per cent larger this Christmas. Kansas City handled more than 000,000 pieces, a record, and San Fran- cisco increased its figure to 2.800,000 for its biggest day, and today was even busier. Stamp sales in Sacramento were 30 per cent higher, a new record. Portland, Ore., also had a new high with 2,000,000 pleces. Christmas cards were more abundant in Boston. The mail as a whole in that city was lighter. All larger cities in Connecticut reported record handlings. New Haven moved 620,000 pieces, a gain of 80,000, First-class mail handled in Albany, N. Y., ran over 600,000 pieces, greater by 65,000 pieces than any other day on the records. New Jersey's largest city, Newark, had its biggest Christmas maliling. Business was four times heavier than on any previous day. Baltimore Results Mixed. Baltimore’s Christmas card distribu- tion was larger, but parcels post dropped slightly. Parcels post in St. Louis also was smaller, but letter mail "was a record. In New Orleans, parcels post fell off, { but Christmas cards made a new high. | Memphis showed a material decrease in parcels post, but a gain in Christmas cards. Jacksonville handled 475,000 pieces, 175,000 more than a year ago. Richmond reported that mail han- dled Monday was 23 per cent greater in volume than that of any previous “peak day” in the history of the office. Compared with the same day last year, incoming parcels post increased 69 per cent; outgoing parcels post increased 28 per cent; incoming mail of other classes increased 79 per cent and outgoing mail of other classes increased 128 per cent. MAN AND WIFE BELIEVED POISONED BY MISTAKE { New York Book Salesman and Wife Found in Apartment—Brown Fluid Blamed. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, December 24.—A book salesman and his wife, employed in the chemistry department at New York University, were found dead today in their Bronx apartment and in the suite ;’lild found a vial containing a brown uid. The couple, Joseph and Clara Wymbs, STAR, In Louisville more than 1,000,000 |¢na | 1. C. PARKER, SR., BURIED WASHINGTON, ICORCORAN GALLERY BUYS FINE PAINTING |“Portrait of a Young Girl,” by Speicher, Considered Notable Addition. Gratifying a long-cherished desire ! for a canvas by the well known Ameri- can artist, Eugene Speicher,. the Cor- coran Gallery of Art has purchased the distinctive painting, “Portrait of a Young Girl,” a Speicher work now on public view in the gallery’s Biennial Ex- hibition of Contemporary American Ofl Paintings. Acquisition of the portrait for the permanent collection of the Corcoran Gallery was announced today by C. Powell Minnigercde, director of the gallery. The painting was secured from a private collector, who had obtained it from the artist. | The portrait was not eligible for competition in the Biennial William A. Clark prize awards. Speicher won sec- ond prize in the 1928 awards for his “Girl in White Dress.” He had no works in competiiion for the 1930 awards, however. Home in -New York. Speicher’s home is in New York City, but he does most of his painting in the artists’ colony at Woodstock, N. Y. He was born in Buffalo in 1883 and studied art_here and abroad. The painter is regarded ifi art circles as a “slow producer,” completing an average of only two or three works a | year. For that reason his widely rec- ognized paintings are in great demand, and the Corcoran Gallery officlals feel !they are quite fortunate in being able fo acquire the portrait. Speicher is represented i many of the finest public and private art col- lections of the country, including those of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Detrgit Institute of Arts, the Cleveland Museum of Art and other galleries. The artist has a long-list of | honors and awards. He is a member of many art societies, Fifth Picture Purchased. ‘The Speicher picture is the fifth to be purchased by the Corcoran Gallery during the present exhibition. Among other paintings secured for the permanent collection is Maurice Sterne's still-life, “After Lunch,” which won the Clark first prize of $2,000 and the Corcoran gold medal. In this connection it is of interest| to cite that the jury's verdict for the Sterne picture is praised highly by Ralph Flint, art critic of the Art News, writing in the Christmas number of that | journal. i Flint declares the jury's decision “for once is a thoroughly uncontested one,” and characterizes “After Lunch” as| “the outstanding picture of the exhibi- lon.” The exhibition will be closed all day | tomorrow, but will be open New Year day from 2 to 5 o'clock in the after- noon. The regular week day hours of 9 to 4:30 o'clock will continue through January 11, except on Mondays, when the hours will be from noon to 4:30 o'clock. Sunday hours are from 2 to 5 o'clock. The last of a series of spe- cial night showings will be held January | 8, when the gallery will be open from | 8 to 10:30 o'clock. TWO DEAD WHEN GAS TRAPS SEVEN IN PIT Five Other'l Overcome When Pres- sure Blows Cap Off Main Pipe. Special Dispatch to The Star. 5 CHAMBERSBURG, Pa., December 24—Two men are dead and six others | are in a critical condition from the! effects of illuminating gas following an accident at the plant of the Cham- | bersburg Gas Co. shortly before noon | today. Seven men were working in a | pit leading from the main storage tank when the accident occurred. The dead are: John Homer, 38, and Edgar Wise, 22, both of this city. | Those critically injured are: Luther Diehl, manager of the plant who was supervising the work; James Wise, brother of the dead man; John Forbes, George Rickrode, Isaac Hecklan and State Officer Jerry Kelly. State Officer Kelly was overcome when | he tried to rescue the seven men| trapped in the pit. The men had taken off a cap pre- paratory to putting a valve in place on a gas main when the threads falled to | catch under the 200,000-cubic-foot pressure of the main tank. When the valve blew off the seven | men were trapped in the pit. Member of Merchants’ Association | Widely Known in Capital. Funeral services for James Clarence Parker, sr., 52 years old, vice president of the Foster-Reynolds Co. of New York and general manager of its retail de- partment, who died of a heart attack in the company's store, 1305 F street, Monday night, were conducted in the chapel of J. Willam Lee's Sons, 332 Pennsylvania avenue, this afternoon, Interment was in Rock Creek Cemetery. ! Mr. Parker was a member of the Merchants & Manufacturers’ Associa- tion and was wid:ly known in this city. D. L. He resided at 3319 Cleveland avenue. were last seen Saturday. Wymbs apparently was stricken as he was addressing Christmas cards. n bottle containing a cathar- tmmmmmd the poiaon Then rid. t0 by mistake their pain. ln&-nm“ County Committees for re- Texas and Colorado share the benefits of new rails. Work costing nearly $3,- 000,000 on a new branch of the Foxt Worth & Denver between Childress and Pampa will start before the first of the yeear and a new Santa line between Amarillo, Tex., and Las Animas, Colo., two " also is about to- be WEDNESDAY, DECEMBE R 24, - 1930. With a tree and all the other trimmings, and Judge Robert E. Mattingly officiating as Santa Claus, the veterans at the Government hospital out on Wisconsin avenue had a regular Christmas party last night. At “Santa’s” right is Mrs. Mattingly, and at his left, Mrs. E. V. Dann, one of the leading spirits in arranging the aftair. Next in order come Secre- tary of War Hurley, Mrs. George Barnett, widow of the former major general, commandant of the Marine Corps; Right Washington ball club. | Rev. James E. Freeman, Episcopal Bishop of Washington, and Clark C. Griffith, president, and Capt. Joe Judge, of the —Star Staff Photo. CALIFORNA BRANDY MAY BE BARKETED New Federal Regulations to Allow Manufacture for . Specific Purposes. By the Assoclated Press. California grape interests, the bene- ficlary of a large, Government loan, were in line for further Federal aid today in the form of a series of regu- lations designed to place high-proof fruit spirits, or brandy, on the in- dustrial market. Grape Surplus Use Possible. Dr. James M. Doran, commissioner of industrial alcohol, said these regu- lations had “been going through the mill” for several weeks. If finally ap- proved they must bear his signature, as well as those of Secretary Mellon, At- torney General Mitchell and Prohibi- tion Director Woodcock. Under the plan, Dr. Doran said, it might be possible to run off some of the grape surplus as high-proof brandy and to use still more of this product for the fortification of wine. It would however, be for non-beverage purposes. and would be issued to the holders of alcohol permits as a substitute. There is still some question as to just how commercially profitable such a plan may be, he added, since the brandy would come into direct competition with industrial alcohol. Brandy Use Authorized. ‘The alcohol commissioner pointed out that a clause in the Smoot-Hawley tariff bill authorized such usage. It provided that “high-proof fruit spirits made in distillerles connected with wineries for use in the fortification of wines anay also be withdrawn and used under the same laws and regulations applicable to the withdrawal and use of alcohol for non-beverage purposes.” It was recalled that since some brandy is still used for medicinal pur- poses, Dr. Doran, when prohibition com- missioner, authorized the distillation of some 50,000 lons of this product at the same time he ordered the dis- tilling of whisky to replentish the diminishing Federal suppiy. ' REDS ARE BLAMED FOR BANK CLOSINGS House Group Informed “Whisper- ing Campaign” Caused Runs on Institutions. By the Associated Press. Charges that Communist propaganda was responsible for runs on certain banks in the United States were taken under consideration today by the House Communism Investigating Committee. Chairman Fish issued a call to bankers for all information regarding “alleged whispering campaigns against banking institutions by Communists.” “I have received a number of letters from various sections of the country during the last six months,” the New Yorker said, “charging that Communist propaganda’ was responsible for runs on certain banks in widely separated sections.” Fish said the report of the compittee on Communist activities is now being pr?ured' for submission to Congress, and it is expected that it will be com- pleted by the first week in January. — . Spanish Infante Dies in Paris. PARIS, December 24 (#).—Prince Antoine Orleans, infante of Spain and | Duke of Gallieri, died here today at the ago of 64. He was born In Seville in 1866 and divided his time between the French and Spanish capitals. |CHILDREN’S LAUGHTER TO ENLIVEN CHRISTMAS DAY AT WHITE HOUSE (Continued From First Page.) lights. Through their windows they | may hear the caroling strains coming | |from the community tree celebration. Mrs. Hoover has personally superin- | tended arranging of the schedule of festivities for Christmas week as well as the decorating of the interior of the old mansion. Nothing calculated to add color and to contribute to the fun and joy of the children has been over- looked. Children to Have Party. She has taken g:rtu:ul-r pains with the trimming of the family tree in the state dining room; as & result she has achisved a real work of art in this re- spect. ‘This tree in all its raiment is a gay and brilliant thing. Besides the tinsel and many gayly colored glass balls, she has seen to it that there is a generous number of candy canes and { ocnes, containing candy, hanging from | the tree.” These, along with some minor | presents in the form of novelties, will be distributed from the tree during the course of the children’s party tonight. This party tonight is going to be a grand affair. In planning it, Mrs. Hoover has endeavored to overlook nothing that would add to the fun and happiness of the youngsters. Besides a glorious Christmas feast, featured with turkey, and the receiving of presents from ‘the huge Christmas tree in the dining room, there will be all sorts of games played, there will be music by the Marine Band. There will be candy and fruit and nuts in generous quan- tities, and all sorts of noisemaking in- struments, principally horns and drums. But the real feature of the Christmas eve party will be the “Parade of the Tin Soldlers.” This novel feature was in- troduced by Mrs. Hoover at the Christ- mas eve party last year, but its suc- cess was not complcte because of the interruption caused by the breaking out of fire in the Executive office. Bub‘ I.; rr-r as it went, the parade was lots of fun. Parade to Be Held. ‘The parade will start from the dining room at the conclusion of the tree cere- monies. The lights will be flashed off, the only illumination being afforded by the many little colored lights on the tree. Tall ecandles will be handed to each person, and with the President in | the lead, with the smallest of the guests, Herbert, 3d, next in line and Mrs. Hoo- ver bringing up the rear, the marchers will go from room to room in the big mansion, not only those on the first floor but on the second and top floors. In advance of the appearances of the parades the lights in each room and the hallways will be flashed off. It hasn't been explained just what or whom fis being sought by this line of candle bear- ers, but it is understood that the where- abouts of old Santa has something to do_with it. Just prior to sitting down to this dinner party, which is scheduled for 6:45 o'clock, the President and Mrs. Hoover and all the children will assem- ble in the east room to listen to carol singing by the Girl Scouts. To this party have been invited Secretary_George Akerson’s three boys, George, Fred and Charlie; Secretary Newton's boy, Marshall; Secretary French Strother's boy, French, jr.; Capt. Joel T. Boone's daughter, Su- zanne, and the little children of Sec- retary of War Hurley, Soon after 10 o'clock, long after Peggy Anne and Herbert have gone to sleep, a number of school children from Alexandria will sing carols in front of the White House. Mr. and Mrs. Hoo- ver will greet these young®singers from the main doorway of the White House. President to Broadcast. Mrs, Herbert Hoover, jr., has come on to the White House from Asheville to be with her children Christmas eve. She will leave after this party to rejoin her husband in Asheville tomorrow. Although he declared a holiday today for the army of Government workers in Washington, Mr. Hoover did not declare one for himself. As usual, he was at his desk in the executive office at 8:30 o'clock, and although he made no business e 'ments, he was hard at work up until the time he left for luncheon at 1 o'clock. During the forencon, Senator Smoot of Utah, chairman of the Senate Finance Com- mittee and ‘one of the party leaders, called for a half-hour conference. ‘The President and Mrs. Hoover will participate in the ceremonies tonight incident to the turning on of the lights on the community Christmas tree in the small park behind the Treasury and ad- facent to the rear grounds of the White House. This formality is sched- uled for 6 o'clock. He will then ex- tend a Christmas greeting to the people throughout the country by speaking into a microphone from which his words will be broadcast. Although a few trinkets and some candy sticks, as well as some noise- making articles, will be distributed from the family Christ tree to the children at the rty tonight, it will not be until tomorrow morning that the White House children, as well as the wn-ups, will recelve what Santa laus has brought. Hoovers to Exchange Gifts. Neither the President nor Mrs. Hoover have any plans for Christmas day other than to be with the children. Christ- mas dinner tomorrow is scheduled for 7:30 o'clock. This will be a real Christmas feast. One or two members of the cabinet and a few intimate friends have been invited. The President and Mrs. Hoover are understcod to have presents for each other which they have kept secret. These are said to be not of & very ex- Emlve nature, but something that each ows the other really wants or needs. Janet Large, 17-year-old niece of Mrs. has mt e to the White House tertainment & dance has been arranged for the night of December 30, when 200 young men and women prominent in officisl and social life of the Capital will dance in the east room to the strains of & jazz orchestra, Cabinet Plans Announced. Vice President Curtis and his sister- e A A e :huhvke President's - hter and n::i in-law, Maj. aud Mrs. C, B, George, children, their two 3 For Postmaster Brown S ‘day will-mean, an- SEABOARD AIR LINE HELD BY RECEIVER Railway Operating 4,500 Miles of Road in Finan- cial Difficulties. By the Associated Pre NORFOLK, Va., December 24.—The Seaboard Air Line Rallway Co. which operates 4,500 miles in the South, went into receivership late yesterday. The railroad concurred in the complaint of a creditor that it faced obligations it was unable to meet. Federal Judge D. Lawrence Groner granted the application of the Bethle- hem Steel Co. for the receivership and appointed Legh R. Powell, president of the rallway since 1921, and Ethelbert W. Smith, vice president of the Penn- sylvania Rallroad, as receivers. A statement by the railroad officials sald the road failed to earn its fixed charges by approximately $4,250,000 in 1930, and therefore was unable meet large approaching maturities. The Dbill of complaint set forth that the railway had refused to pay a debt of $234,481.98, due the steel company. The total indebtedness of the railway company, the bill alleged, is now $215,695,301.84. Failure to meet these obligations, the bill set forth, would render the railroad liable to foreclosure of mortgages se- curing its debts and to dissipation of its properties. The cause of the railroad's inability to meet its debts, the bill alleged, was a decline in its gross income which im- paired its borrowing power. WOMEN AT PARTY LAY DEATH OF MAN . TO “EMPTY PISTOL” cniathcicddl i (Continued From First Page.) NAVAL PEACE GAINS INPARIS ROME ROW Negotiations Sponsored by U. S. and Britain Considered in Promising State. . BY PAUL SCOTT MOWRER. By Cable to The Star. PARIS, France, December 24 —The brief ‘visit of the British naval expert Robert L. Craigle, to Rome and Paris is said to have brought nothing new in the Franco-Italian negotiations. The negotiations are considered here to be in a highly promising condition., The Brit- ish are still studying the French memo- randum, which, accepts in principle the proffered Anglo-American compromise. The so-called Franco-Italian naval holiday expired December 1, and on De= cember 9 fhe French minister of ma- rine signed an ordertfor resumption of new construction under the French 'building program of 1924, known as the “naval statute.” Compromise As Proposed. The Anglo-American compromise sug- gestion was for Franco-Italian parity in new eight-inch gun cruisers with seven for each, but in all other cate- gories construction was to be limited to replacements. The French memoran- dum, which accepts this idea in princi- ple, claims nine 8-inch cruisers instead of seven, but it is understood that Prance is ready to relinquish this claim for nine instead of seven cruisers, provided Italy is willing to agree not to utilize some 70,000 tons each of capital ship replace- ment tonnage allowed Italy and France by the Washington treaty, which France proposes to utilize in three new 22,000~ ton capital ships. The question is considered here to be largely theoretical, because it is be- lieved that Italy has neither the ship- yards nor the money to enter into capital ship competition with France. ‘The French memorandum further offers to forego even replacements in the sub- marine category, thereby making a considerable concession to the British viewpoint. Ttaly Dislikes Point. Italy also appears to be willing to accept the Anglo-American suggestion, bt up to the present refuses to promise not to utilize its available capital ship tonnage and would limit replacements in all classes solely to ships reaching the age limit within the next five years. This would prevent France from re- placing a ceftain number of units which have already passed the age limit and considerably reduce the French naval superiority over Italy. Franc, there- fore, refuses the Italian interpretation of replacements. Hugh S. Gibson, Ambassador to Bel- gium, for the United tes, and Mr. Craigie, for Great Britaln, are unde: stood to’ be seeking means for a com- promise both on the capital ships and Teplacements issues. For the present it is principally with Italy that the British and Americans are talking. More general conversations will, it is announced, be resumed toward the mid- dle of January. (Copyright, 1030.) MOVE ON TO OUST _ POWER BODY TRIO BY SENATE MEMBERS (Continued From First Page.) 15 minutes before young Mullen's father went on duty at headquarters as night chief of detectives. The veteran officer went to the scene in his capacity as a father rather than as an investigator. After the shooting Hale was rushed to Emergency Hospital and on arrival was pronounced dead from a single bul- let wound near the heart, Officer Pursues Car to Hospital. The first report was made by Park Policeman John W. Sheedy. Sheedy was mounted on the motor cycle at Du- pont Circle shortly before midnight when a speeding automobile passed down Connecticut avenue. He gave pur- suit, learned it was an emergency case, and trailed the machine to Emergency Hospital. There, while doctors examined Hale, the officer was informed that young Mullen was driving Hale to the hospital, accompanied by Miss Scotson. Mrs. Rosseau, the wife of a musician, remained at home until her husband could be notified. The latter was play- di ing in an orchestra at the time. The three young people were ques- tioned by officers, and Mullen was held for the inquest. Mullen, at first taken to No. 8 precinct, later was transferred to_No. 12 precinct. Detective Carlton Talley of the homii- cide squad was assigned to make an investigation. Hale was an ice dealer end lived at 456 R street. He died before he could make a statement. His mother hastened to the hospital when .iotified by reporters that her son had “been in an accident.” She was prostrated on learning later he was dead. Sergt. Mullen sald Hale and his son hid been the best of friends since their early ’teens. He said his son helped to decorate the family Christmas tree last night in their home, at 825 Crit- tenden street, and later went out with Hale when the latter called for him in his automobile. Prisoners Given Yule Parole. WHEELING, W. Va., December 24 (#).—Forty prisoners in West Virginia Penitentlary will receive paroles as Christmas gifts, Warden A. C. Scrog- gins announced today. One life pris- oner’s sentence was commuted to 18 years and four conditional pardons were granted. his mother-in-law, in Atlantic City, who has been ill for some time. For Secretary and Mrs. Stimson Christmas day will be a quiet one, but they may go to New York before the diplomatic reception on January 1. With his son Paul, Secretary Mellon plans to visit his daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. David Bruce, on Long Island. At the home of Secretary and Mrs. Hurley Santa Claus “in person” will visit the four children and present gifts. There will be no Christmas tree at the home of Attorney General and Mrs. Mitchell. Their children are grown. One son, Bancroft, will be home, while tPhe ’o'.her, William, is remaining in St. aul. Celebrations, Are for Youth. Secretary and Mrs. Adams are plan- ning a “homey” celebration with their son, Charles Francis, jr. A daughter, Mrs. Henry S. Morgan, will stay in New York with her husband and family. hter in her teens—Carolina, me for the holidays from Ann Arbor—will join Secretary and Mrs. Hyde in their celebration, while 17-year-old Ray Lyman Wilbur, ir, a Stanford University,” has continent to be with his Secref and Mrs. Wilbur, 3 tary e other é:ur ‘Wilbur children do not . Mr, d Belknap of New bring_gheir children to Was and trude Lamont, whose &p ment was announced recently, home, a cabinet couple without child tary and Mrs. Doak- ; —expect. 1o thelr Virginla home for the day. by Senators Borah, Republican, Idaho; Norris, Republic: Nebraska; Nye, Republican, North Dakota; Wheeler, Democrat, Montana, and Dill, Demo- crat, Washington. Senator Walsh, Democrat, Montana, 'suggested if the nominations were re- considered they should be recommitted to the Interstate Commerce Committee and that committee should demand an explanation from the commissioners why they dismissed the two employes. Walsh also wrote Smith a letter of protest. Internal Strife Charged. 'rhemcor%missinn chairman, in an- nouncing the action, sald the employes had been dismissed because of “internal strife of the past few months” He denied any influence had been exerted on the commission. . King pointed out he was a civil service employe and indicated he would challenge the commission's a: e uthority to Russell declared the commission’s :rcyz(lgg was g tdg;mihw nllbm!n who are protec e public inte: they had better be careful.» S Walsh, in his letter to Smith, ex- pressed “amazement” at the commis- sion’s action and said he was “unable to interpret it in any light except as punishment of -two devoted public servants for the faithful discharge of :g:m"i'mm that were devolved upon “So far as I have been able to learn,* he said, “not a word has ever been uttered against either employing any- thing more than excessive zeal in safe- guarding the interests of the public. Feels Profound Regret. “It 1s a matter of profound regret to me that the confidence I hog the country would have in the new com- gflafionh ofu;llgech you have become the ead, shoul 80 early and so disturbed. % ey “It seems to me a matter of no con- sequence whatever that differences had subsisted between the two gentlemen named and the executive secretary of the commission, who was widely d with being unduly friendly to the privi- lege-seeking power interests. The only offense of the other gentleman was that in devotion to the public interest they clashed with him.” Wheeler commented that the com- mission’s action was “proof that Smith :.ndtGl.rsaud were tools of the power rust.” Norris said the commission’s action was “almost unbelievable,” and Repre- sentative Kvale, Republican, Minnesota, called the commission’s action a “dis- grace.” o EMBARGO ON WHEAT SUGGESTED BY LEGGE Farm Board Chairman Proposes Meihod of Dealing With Im- ports From Canada. By the Associated Press. A temporary embargo on wheat has been suggested by Chairman Legge of the Farm Board to members of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Legge sald this would be “the most effective method” of dealing with im- mums of Cangdian wheat which he d might result if world prices de- cline further below domestic levels. Senator Capper of Kansas, a Repub- lican member of the committee, in mak- ing the letter P\\blw today, said in the event world prices slumped further and importations resulted he “would be glad to sponsor” legislation to that end. An embargo, in his opinion, could be obtained more quickly than an increase in the tariff on wheat, now 42 cents per bushel. Before Congress reconvenes January 5, Capper continued, he expects to ovije er further with Legge regarding (hy