Evening Star Newspaper, December 30, 1930, Page 2

A—2 »¥¥ TWO GROUPS JOIN BILLBOARD FIGHT Montgomery County Civic, Federation indorses Mary- land Campaign. ‘With Maryland civic forces uniting for anti-billboard legislation at the next | session of the Legislature, in January, a resolution indorsing the civic campaign against defacement of the highway ap- proaches into the National Capital by advertising signs and other unsightly objects was introduced at a special meeting of the Montgomery County Civic Federation last night in Bethesda. The movement for the beautification of the highway entrances to Washing- ton in time for the George Washington bicentennial celebration in 1932 also was favorably discussed at a meeting last night of the Rhode Island Avenue Citizens' Association in the Sunday school hall of the Sherwood Presby- terian Church. Federation Plans Action. e resolution of the Montgomery cafity organization called for a study | by its Committee on Internal County Improvement of the existing law, besides pending and proposed administrative activity relating to elimination of bil- The damaged automobile of Lieut. Bruce Settle which police inspected today in connection with their investi- gation of an accident in which four persons were run down in a street car safety zone. Licut. Settle (below) died t the navy yard yesterday, apparently fter a fall. —Star Staff Photo. boards and beautification of highways leading into the Federal city through suburban Montgomery County. If ap- proved by the federation at its regular January meeting the resolution will require the report on the billboard study to be made at the February meeting. The federation long been on record as opposed to defacement of roads by billboards, but the resolution was offered last night just before ad- journment. It was introduced by Fred- eric P. Lee of Edgemoor, vice president of the federation, as follows: “Resolved, that the federation heart- 1ly indorses the campaign of The Wash- ington Star for the total elimination of Dbillboards on all approaches to the Na- tional Capital, and urges that the coun- ty and State authorities co-operate with e Washington Star to this end; and Report to Be Provided. “In order that the federation may be informed as to existing situation re- lating to the improvement of the sight- liness and appearance of suburban Montgomery County to the end that the federation may take further steps for the improvement of the sightliness and appearance of the suburban county prior to the Washington Bicentennial celebration in 1932, and obtain any necessary legislation therefor from the 1931 sbeesdgn of the Marylanc - ture, “Resolved further, first, That the Committee on Internal County Im- provement is directed to report to the federation not later than the regular February meetlng upon ths existi !lr.l' and pending and proposed a - tive n’ffivfly relating to the following: “a. Elmination of signboards and similar structures. “b. Location, maintenance and de- sign of filling stations and refreshment stands. “c. Planting and care of trees and shrubs along arterial highways and other streets, including center parkings. “d. Landscaping of grounds of coun- ty buildings, including schools. “e. Removal 0]: ng‘uhdm v:::ld:t vately owned and along 2 fiu. the enforcement of the law against dumping of trash and the cleaning of streets in the business dis- tricts. “And second, that the Committee on Legislation and Legal Action is Mflm trash to report to the federation n status of the project for an | and garbage removal system.’ First Action im March, 1929. On March 11, 1920, the federation took a definite position l:flld’n{ bill- boards with the %fln the follow- committee rt: ing report: “It has come to the attention of your committee t.h.{. ':he tions under the present statute prol of new signs along the highways of Montgomery County without first ob- taining a permit therein, and that ar- rests have been made recently for the violation of such regulations, and your committee recommends that this fed- eration request the immediate - cution by the State’s attorney of all persons arrested for such violations. “Your committee further recommends - that this federation go on record as favoring the enactment of laws prohib- iting the erection of any new signs within Montgomery County except for the sale or rent of property on which a sign is displayed, and prohibiting the Tepairing or repainting of any signs now existing within Montgomery County ex- cept those for the sale or rent of the property in which they are displayed; provided, however, that such laws make exceptions for legitimate business and amusement establishments to display signs on their own or leased premises where such business or amusement 18 carried on, covering announcements of such business or amusements offered to the public. It is the unanimous opinion of this federation that legislation of as prohibitive a nature as can be con- sidered constitutional should be passed.” Boycott Is Suggested. At the meeting of the Rhode Island Avenue Citizens' Association, the out- door advertising situation and general condition of highway approaches was brought to the attention of the associa- tion by George S. Dodge, chairman of the Parks Committee. He declared it appeared to be the concensus of the opinion of members to whom he had talked that the Rhode Island avenue citizens should align themselves with other civic groups working for beautifi- cation of highways. After stressing the need for beautifi- cation of many traffic arteries leading icto Washington, especially the Balti- more Boulevard and the Defense High- way, President Thomas J. Llewellyn declared it might be advisable for the citizens to announce their intention not to patronize the products of advertis- ers who use billboards. The matter having been presented Just before adjournment and no definite recommendation having been , U president referred the question to the association’s special committee on the bicentennial celebration, for a report at the next meeting. WORLD FAIR TO DEPICT PROGRESS OF SCIENCE HEADLINE HUNTIG GHARCED 10 MVE Nutt Renews Criticism Fol- lowing Senator’s Interview Given in Florida. Joseph R. Nutt, treasurer of the Republican National . Committee, yes- terday renewed his criticism of Sena- tor Nye, chairman of the Senate Campaign Investigating. Committee, charging that Senator Nye was con- ducting a headline-hunting investiga- tion of the Republican party. Mr. Nutt took cognizance of an in- terview given by Senator Nye in Florida, after Nutt had demanded an apology from Senator Nye because of his charge that the National Com- mittee had a “slush fund” to be used against Republican progressives seek- ing re-election to the Senate. “As was to have been expected,” Nutt sald, “Chairman Nye of the Senate Elec- tions Investigating Committee, declines to apologize for his unwarranted asser- tion that I set up a ‘stash fund’ in wuhln&:m for the use of the Republi- can National Committed during the last campaign, but he grudgingly states that ‘it is barely possible that further in- vestigation may reveal that the $40,000 was not a slush fund.” Nutt said he had given an accounting of the expenditures from the fund and this accounting was avaflable to Nye iwhen he made his unfounded asser- “The chairman of a Senate Commit- tee conducting an impartial investiga- tion of elections would be presumed to fofe "Tashing it pHt with. charees lore Wi that could not be substantiated,” he sald. “A fallure to do so lays Senator m to the suspicion both of in- ity and of a desire to have the all ‘was in. for Densguper headinge s hia 35: an ap- E‘n o be mostly a hndnne-humlgl ivestigation, with the Republican party, its officers and some of its can- didates as the particular targets.” CHARGES COVER-UP. Nye Avers Certain Parties Are Evad- ing Real Issue. By the Associated Press. MIAMI against pul party. “It is very apparent,” Senator Nye sald, “that certain parties are deter- to cover up the real issue in- in the work done by Lucas in conducting the campaign in Nebraska against Senator Norris. His statement completed the second cycle of interchanges between the two men in regard to the Senator’s refer- ence to what he sald was a “slush fund” conducted by Robert H. Lucas, execu- tive director of the committee, toward the defeat of Senator Norris, Republi- can, Nebraska, in the last election. “We have subpoenaed the account,” Nye said in referring to the fund. “The fact that the account was used as se- curity for a loan of money for the pur- pose of financing an unscrupulous pro- gram of propaganda seems ample evi- dence that the funds were- at least available for slush purposes.” “There should be no discount of the actual thing done by Lucas in making it appear as a mere effort on his part, with the aid of the Republican National Committee {0 defeat Norris, a Repub- lican,” Senator Nye said. “The un- Jjustifiable thing about Lucas’ work was the nature of the propaganda circulated and the concealed manner in which the work was done.” Senator Walsh, Democrat, Montana, who is here with Nye and other Sena- tors on an inspection of a propoSed tropic national park, added comment to the discussion and drew in recent action of the Federal Power Commission in discharging- Willlam V. King, chief ac- countant, and Charles R. Russell, solicitor. FOUR GET TREATMENT FOR FIGHT INJURIES Three White Men and Colored Woman Go to Hospitals as Result of Altercations. ‘Three white men and one colored woman received hospital treatment as the result of injuries sustained in fights last night. Harvey W. Corbett, in Addres:s Predicts Marvelous Display at Chicago Exposition in 1933, Progress made by sclence in the century will be erprassed by the 1933 World Fair in ©hicago, Harvey Wiley Corbett, ¢hairmedn of the Architectural Commission of the enterprise, declared mst night In a speech at Central Com- munity Center. Corbett sald efforts would be made to enable visitors to the fair to see every- thing possible without exertion. He ex- plained there would moving stair- ‘ways and lorries to aid the public in viewing exhibits from the air. Ground leveéo:r':mpmution. he added, will be ¢ Fair of 1893, Corbett America Eury and m:em, The'émnhluh of 1933 will focus the eyes of ope on America, the great bullding center of the world.” Poultry Expert Expires. ROCHESTER, N. Y., December 30 (). ot e ey trbune and iy nmmwmmy. ] William L. Jenkins, 21 years old, of 1444 W street, and Wesley M. Dander- cook, 20 years old, of 1432 Clifton street, were treated at Emergency Hospital for scalp wounds as the result of an alter- cation with a colored man at Four- teenth and Fairmont streets early this morning. No arrests were made. About the same time two young col- ored women staged a battle in the 1200 block of Half street southeast, with one of the participants, Geneva Haithman, 38, of 1224 Half street southeast, re- celving cuts about the body. She was treated at Casualty Hospital. ‘The fourth victim, Frank L. Edwards, 30 years old, of 1745 First street, w: treated at Emergency Hospital for a stab wound in his back, sustained in an eltercation with a colored man in Plerce court. His condition was said to be not serious. Cab Driver Routs Bandit. A would-be bandit last night was by Joseph Carnaggio, taxicab treet northea: th fist. en man held him up with a tol the driver ickly dealt him the single blow 'hTelh was followed by the former beating & hasty retreat. THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 193¢. DEAD OFFICER AND BATTERED CAR SETTLE’S BATTERED AUTO INVESTIGATED IN DEATH INQUIRY (Continued From First Page.) legal aspects of the lieutenant's death. The Bureau of Navigation will also called u?on to make its comments upon the fatality, and then Secretary Adams will study the reports of these various naval agencies and will likely make any report public around the middle of the c week. oming 3 Lieut. Settle, his associates said, was found lying on the floor of the interior communications electrical school at the Washington Navy Yard, of which he was the head, shortly after noon yes- terday. Lieut. James N. Mc’ n, U. 8. N, who found Lieut, Settle short- ly after he was supposed to have been injured in a fall from the ms e floor of the school down to the main floor, had him rushed to the dispensary at the yard. There it was found that Lieut. Settle was dead. At the Naval Hospital late afternoon an autopsy was performed, but officials declined today to reveal the findings of the naval physiclans, ex- plaining that this information was for the Board of Inquest. His fellow officers said that Lieut. Y | Priday.” Settle was apparently in good health and spirits and they were at a loss to account for his sudden death. ‘The Board of Inquest, examinin, circumstances of the death and all relative information, consists of Lieut. Comdr. L. B. Green, 2d, and Lieut. Comdr. L. N. Hart, who is an officer in the Medical Corps, in addition to Capt. Foote. ueut&Semedmmz .w:.znuhmmw n “'f September and was 28 one of the aides at the White House. Naval officials_explain that he was not the aide to President Hoover, as that post is held by Capt. Allen Buchanan. A na- tive of Gainsboro, Tenn., where he was born in 1898, Lieut. Settle was named to the Naval Academy in 1917 and was graduated four years later. He was ularly known in the service as “Tex.” Following his graduation, he was as- signed to a destroyer on the West Coast, completed a post-graduate couse in en- ring at Columbia University and aboard the U. Bfif. Raleigh. Jr., :)ho Ls‘ ?hn dwgty at the x}}lvnl {u:; ma ry at the Washington Navy Yard, an is also_an aide at the ite House. Lieut. Donovan was out of the city on leave, but has been recalled by naval authorities in the hope that he may contribute valuable information to the circumstances preceding the death of Lieut, Settle. Lieut. Settle’s body is to be taken to Double Springs, Tenn., for burial, at the request of his mother, Mrs. Mary Settle, who, with a brother, Everett, survives him. CHARLES H. WHORRALL SECRETARY TO DOAK Former Executive Assistant to New Cabinet Member—Will Take Up Duties January 1. Charles H. Whorrall, who was execu- tive assistant to Willlam N. Doak before the latter became Secretary of Labor, has been appointed private secretary to Secretary Doak. ‘Whorrall will take over his new duties with the advent of the new year. orrall is thoroughly conversant with labor affairs, particularly as they pertain to transportation. He had been associated with Doak in a secretarial cnplcngemr about seven years, and is a member of the Brotherhood of Rail- road Trainmen, of which Doak was the national legislative representative. He is 37 years old and maintains a legal residence in Illinois. His career has been a varied one. He is a graduate of the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University, served in France and was cited for merl service during the World War, and has held numerous posts the Government service, | After the war he was employed for a short period at police headquarters here as secretary to the late Inspector Grant, chief of detectives. While in France Whorrall married | Jeannette Louc of Nice. They have an h’;hnt daughter and reside at 444 Manor place. ASSOCIATES PAY HONOR TO RETIRING EMPLOYE Farewell Tribute Accorded George G. Anderson Who Ends 30-Year Service in Forestry Bureau. On the occasion of his retirement at the age of 70, after 30 years' employ- ment with the Forest Service, Depart- ment of Agriculture, George G. Ander- son of 3908 Ingomar street, Chevy Chase, was paid tribute at a farewell ceremony yesterday by several branch | chiefs and by Maj. R. Y. Stuart, chief | forester, After being a school teacher, news- paper man and railroad employe, Mr. Anderson ente the Government mvn‘:l. in 1801, Later, as the per- son! olfleu.l;themvloe.hng; wo fleld DAWES PAYS VISIT | 10 JOFFRE BEDSIDE Envoy Finds Marshal “Cour- ageously Fighting” Death. Doctors See Little Hope. By the Associated Press. PARIS, December 30.—Ambassador Charles G. Dawes, who visited Marshal Joffre today and was admitted to the bedside, found his old war-time friend “fighting courageously,” he sald. He expressed warm admiration for the old warrior's battle against death. Mr. Dawes came from his post in London with his family to attend the formal taking over today of the Amer- ican site at the French Colonial Expo- sition. Bascom Slemp, American com- missioner to the exposition, arrived here some time ago for that purpose. A bulletin issued by Marshal Joffre's physicians at 8:15 this morning read: “The patient spent a calm night and d? not again sink into coma. He was il able to take some nourishment and to say a few words. Situation Still Grave. “Nevertheless his lungs are filling up and respiration remains irregular. The situation continues very grave.” One of the doctors in a more informal statement sald the end was imminent, but that the marshal's unconquerable will and vigorous constitution might stave it off for several days. Since rccovery from the coma into which he sank yesterday the marshal has continued conscious. This morning his surgeons dressed his leg, which was amputated above the knee 10 days ago, and the patient endured the operation without apparent weakness. , who has visited his old imes, saw him again this morning and left the hospital shaking his head in amazement. “It's extraordinary, the energy he shows,” the general sald. “What will, ‘what power.” Gouraud Visits Chief. Gen. Gouraud, who lost an arm in the World War, told a touching story of a brief visit with the marshal this morning. “Marshal,” he said, bending over his old chief’s bed, “do you remember Tim- buctoo? I was at your side. I am your soldier.” ‘The marshal looked up at him with sad eyes. “Je m'en vals,” the sick man said— “I am going.” Marshal Joffre's leg was cut off while he looked calmly on, refusing to take ether and allowing use of only a local anesthetic. He told his doctars, it was revealed today, that he wished to see what they were going to do to him. Cut Off at Midthigh. ‘The left leg was cut off at midthigh. Ten minutes after the operation the marshal received Gen. Issaly, who to- day related: “When the marshal saw me his face lighted up in a bright smile. He seemed transfigured and suddenly re- vived by the operation. His condition gave us great hope and the operation seemed entirely successful until last While the marshal lay at death’s door the government announced renomination to the Supreme War Counctl, of which he has been a mem- ber eince 1920. He has given all of his time and efforts to this council since the war, —_— BAN ON R-K-0-PATHE UNIFICATION ASKED Holder of Exchange Debenture Bonds Seeks Injunction Against Absorption. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, December 30.—The Federal Courta ay were asked to gestrain the Radio-Keith-Orpheum ol tlon from absorbing properties of the Pathe Exchange. The A. B. C. Corporation, as a holder of debenture bonds of Pathe, instituted action. Both R-K-O and Pathe are named defendants in the petition for an injunction, the action being taken under the Sherman anti-trust act. ‘The Chase National Bank, as trustee under the debenture agreement, also is named defendant. ‘The court was told a stockholders’ meeting has been called for January 5 for ratifying a proposed agreement under which Pathe Exchnnfe would sell its properties to R-K-O, liquidate its inventories through a distributing con- tract and become primarily a holder of the capital stock of the du Pont Film Manufacturing Co., a Pathe subsidiary. ‘The agreement, the bill sets forth, rovides for payment of $4,637,789 by ~K-O to Pathe—$500,000 in cash and the rest in 6 per cent notes maturing in five equal installments, beginning January 1, 1932. POLICE TOLD TO BAR NEW YEAR EVE ROWDYISM Ban Applies Particularly to Bell- Ringing, Whistle-Blowing and Discharge of Firearms. Captains of the several police pre- cincts have been told by Maj. Henry G. Pratt, chief of police, to instruct members of their commands to be on the alert tomorrow night to prevent acts of rowdyism in connection with the New Year eve celebration. “This applies particularly to the Hngi.n( of bells, blowing of whistles and discharging of firearms,” Maj. Pratt pointed out,” all of which are in viclation of the regulations. “A great many persons are apparently of the opinion that such things are permitted on New Year eve and where the violation is not a serious one, persons should be vised as the law, and if the violation is persisted in arrests should be made. “In all cases of persons discharging firearms, prosecution should be insti- tuted, as this is a most dangerous practice and will not be tolerated.” e A il BAND CONCERT. By the United States Marine Band this evening at 8 p.m,, at the Audito- rium, Marine Barracks. Taylor Bran- son, leader. Arthur Whitcomb, sec- ond leader. “The Ride of the Valkyries.” Overture, “Flying Dutchman.” Cornet solo, “Walter's Prize Song” from “Die Meistersinger.” Prelude to “Lohengrin.” Overture, “Die Meistersinger.” “Isolde’s Love Death” from “Tristan and Isolde.” Overture and bachanale, “Tannhauser.” Mlflnu:' hymn, “The Halls of Monte- Zuma.’ “The Star Spangled Banner.” By the United States Soldiers’ Home Band this evening at Stanley Hall at 30 o'clock; John 8. M. Zimmermann, bandmaster; Anton Pointner, u;lns.‘nt March, “Clown Capers' v Overture, “The Hermits Bell”.Maillart Ent't Acte— ‘A Cloister Meditation” Spilak “Cathedral Chimes”. Arnol¢ Excerpts from musical comedy “The | Rise of Rosle O'Reilly”.George Co Fox trot, .“Can’t Just be Botherec ‘With Me”... Sim Waltz, “M “The Star Spangled Banner. PROPOSE RAIL CHIEFS AGREE ON MERGER PLAN Hoover Announces Decision to Form Four Major Systems in East. (Continued From First Pag carrying out the wishes of Congress, but they have ved abortive. “A year ago the Interstate Commerce Commission issued a suggested plan for consolidating these roads into five sys- tems. This plan, like others, has met with objections which apparently made it an unsolvable basis. These uncertain- ties and delays aver 10 years have seri- ously retarded development of the rail- ways and have prevented & desirable growth in many directions, and have diminished their ability to compete with other forms of transportation. Such questions as electrification, linking up of different railroads, development of terminals and many other major im- provements have been retarded because of uncertainty with respect to the posi- tion which particular roads are to oc- cupy in the permanent grouping. Minor Point Remains. “It is my understanding that the plan provides for the protection of the in- terests of the employes and full con- sideration of the interests of various communities and carries out the re- uirements of law in protection of pub- lic interests generally. The presidents of the major systems have agreed upon the many details of the plan, with the exception of a minor point, which is left to arbitration. ““The plan, of course, must be sub- initted to the Interstate Commérce Commission, which has the independent duty to determine whether it meets with every .requirement of public interests.” Meanwhile, members of the Interstate Commerce Commission declined to com- his | ment on’ published reports of the new plan. The American Railway Association officials also refrained from any imme- diate announcement of dei=ils of the proposed plan. R. H. Aishton, president of the association, conferred lote yester- day with President Hoover. Shortly before Mr. Hoover made the announcement he conferred with Chair- man Couzens of the Senate Interstate Commerce Committee, who has a bill pending to suspend for one year all rallway consolidations. Plan Not Yet in Writing. In railroad circles it was stated that although there had been agreement as to virtually all points, the consolidation Eln had not yet been reduced to writ- g. This is to be done at future con- ferences. The report that the Nickel Plate and Baltimore & Ohio had at last suc- ceeded in getting their long-sought en- try into New York City was said to be substantially correct. Under the plan, as understood by railroad men, the Pennsylvania Railroad | would turn over the Lehigh Valley Rail- road to the Nickel Plate; the Nickel Plate would waive claims to the Dela- ware, Lackawanna and Western to the New York Central, and the New York Central would cede its interest in the Reading company, which controls the Central of New Jersey, to the Balti- more & Ohio. Thus the Nickel Plate and Baltimore & Ohilo get lines direct into New York City. In return for its contribution to the plan, the Pennsylvania would secure trackage rights over the Nickel Plate along the south shore of Lake Erie. This was the big stumbling block to the plan, it was understood, the New York Central objecting to the Pennsyl- vania getting the rights which give it easy access 1o Buffalo. Couzens Wants to Study Plan. At the Capitol later, after the Presi- dent's statement, Couzens said he want- ed to study the plan in detail before expressing any attitude on it. “No consolidation scheme so far has been in the public interest,” he added, “and if this is in the public interest it will be a novelty.” ‘The Senator also challenged the con- tention of President Hoover that the consolidation eventually would open the ‘way for lower rates. He said such an argument was contrary to the testi- mony of the railroad presidents before the Senate Interstate Commerce Com- mittee. He quoted Daniel Willard, president of the Baltimore & Ohio, as saying that no hope should be held for lower rates as a result of the proposed consolidations. If the study of the proposed realign- ment leads him to conclude it would be a poor one, Couzens sald he would renew his efforts to obtain action by the House on his resolution to prohibit consolidations prior to March 4, 1931, ‘The Senate approved that resolution. It was reported at the Capitol Couzens protested to the President against issuing a public statement on consolidation at this time, but he de- clined to comment on that. SUPPLANTS I. C. C. PLAN. Lengthy Conference Held by Rail Leaders in New York City. NEW YORK, December 30 (#).—Re- ports that heads of the four largest rail- roads in the East had signed an agree- ment providing for four major trunk line systems, as an alternative to the five-system consolidation plan of the Interstate Commerce Commission were published by the New York Herald- Tribune today. W. W. Atterbury, president of the Pennsylvania Rallroad; Patrick E. Crowley, president of the New York Central; Daniel Willard, president of the Baltimore & Ohilo, and O. P, and M. J. Van Sweringen, owners of the Chesapeake & Ohio (Nickel Plate) were among those in attendance at a lengthy conference yesterday. By the of the plan, the paper sald, the New York Central would ac- the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western; the Baltimore & Ohio would acquire the Reading and the Jersey Central; the Chesap2ake & Ohio would ecquire the Lehigh Valley, and the Pennsylvania would na‘ulre trackage rights over the Nickel Plate along the scuthern shore of Lake Erie into Buf- felo. N. Y. i e i The commission pro ve systems Lelwen the Atiantic seaboard and Chi- rago. with the fifth system to be com- L of the Wabash and a number of o FOUR TRUNK LINE RAIL . W PLAN Upper, left to right: W. W. Atterbury, president of the Pennsylvania Rail- road; Patrick E. Crowley, president of the New York Central, and Daniel E. Wil- lard, president of the Baltimore & Ohio. Lower, left to right: O. P. and M. J. Van Sweringen, owners of the Chesapeake & Ohlo. City Forsakes Age Of Machines to Use Jobless Hand Labor By the Associated Press, MONTGOMERY, Ala., Decem- ber 30.—The City of Montgomery forsook the ways of the machine age and went back to work by hand yesterday for the benefit of the unemployed. Municipal = Commission awarded contracts for construc- tion of sewerage lines with the g:ovmon that ditches be dug by nd instead of entrenching ma- chines in order that more work ;n{,gcht be furnished men out of jobs. The commissioners estimated hand-dug ditches would cost a great deal more, but would afford 75 per cent more employment than would the machine. the smaller lines. The alternative plan is expected to be submitted to the com- missior. at once. Officials in attendance refused to say whether an accord had been reached, would be necessary before an announce- ment could be made. AISHTON SEES PRESIDENT. Merely Wished Hoover Happy New Year, Rail Association Head Says. R. H. Aishton, president of the Ameri- can Railway Association, called on Pres- ident Hoover yesterday. Upon leaving the White House after a 15-minute visit, the railway head said he had called “merely to wish the President a happy New Year.” EARLY AGREEMENT IS SEEN. L C. C. and Congress Aid Counted on to Expedite Action. BY DAVID LAWRENCE. Prospect of an early agreement on four trunk lines in the East is expected to advance the subject of railroad con- solidation during the next few months. While the Interstate Commerce Com- mission plan announced just a year ago provided for five systems, the possibility that the railroads themselves might agree on four is now being held as a basis for an amendment of the original lan, Just how all minority interests the larger railroads as well as the owners of some of the smaller railroads are all going to be reconciled is not yet clear, though it is apparent that the advocates of early action are count- ing upon the moral support of the Inter- state Commerce Commission as well as approval of Congress to expedite the whole business. Consolidation Idea Grows. ‘The fundamental principle on which the Interstate Commerce Commission has been working has been that compe- tition shall be maintained between the various systems. 1t has been argued that railroad con- solidation will mean operating econ- omies and that it will have a profound effect on the cost of distribution as well as on the efficiency of trans- portation. The subject has been more or less academic for several years, with railroad executives in the last two years arguing that while greater efficiency would result it could hardly mean any Nation-wide reduction in transportation costs. The problem has become con- crete now that the railrcads are them- selves faced with serious competition by bus and truck companies as well as inland waterways and coastwise transportation. There is a bigger urge behind the consolidation idea today than at any time since the subject began to be dis- cussed years ago. Many of the rail- roads are naturally hesitant to expand or to replace old equipment because they do not know what their new needs will be when the consolidation plans are completed. The first step in the program has been to get the railroad executives themselves to agree on a practical method of operation in Eastern ter- ritory—that is, between Chicago and New York. The importance of an early decision has been recognized in recent weeks. There have been almost constant conferences during the last month and, now that it is officially announced that the railroad executives are in substantial agreement, it is expected that President Hoover l'im- self will transmit to Congress recom- mendations that during the short ses- sion an effort made to pass the necessary legislation which wall au- thorize a further development of the plan by the Interstate Commerce Commission. Mr. Hoover’s interest is that the rail- roads shall not only be able to main- tain their guruent employment and level , but that they m;{ be able to large quantity labor now idle, especially when new construction or reg};cemenu are . The steel indust is dependent to no small ex- tent on the prosperity of the railroads. The railroad problem has become a part of the general plan of employment relief “wfi l‘b”u on this ground that & gress sideration to the recommendations that may come to it some time during Jan- uary, (Copyright. 1939, by Comsolidated’ Press and several said further conferences | asked to give early con- |N. Y. 1 TEACHERS DISCUSS FREEDOM OF PRESS Minnesota Statute Allowing Paper Suppression Is Considered. By the Associated Press. BOSTON, December 30.—A growing tendency toward restriciing freedom of | the press and abuses the press makes | of its freedom were discussed today by Prof. Ralph L. Crosman of the Univer- Association of Teachers of Journalism. Prof. Crosman listed as chief among the outstanding developments of 1930 that affected the freedom cf the press | the Minnesota statute permitting sup- pression of newspapers by injunction. The constitutionality of the Minnesota statute is to be settled about January 15, ge u?t‘d' by the United States Supreme ourt. President Hoover Quoted. “Significant,” Prof. Crosman said, “though not legal or legislative. have been the utterances of President Hoover regarding the right of newspapers to criticize Government officers and the threat of the Nye Investigating Com- mittee to bring libel actions against all newspapers_publishing the charges of Mrs. Ruth Hanna McCormick, the clear purpose of which was to throttle the press by means cf intimidation. “Mr. Hoover, in attempting to define ‘proper’ criticism in connection with charges brought by Ralph S. Kelley against the Depariment of Interior, is taking unto himself a function that is the province of no individual, be he menial or be he President.” Abuses of Privilege Cited. The “injury of innocent persons by newspaper publications” was listed by Prof. Crosman as one of the abuses by the press of its freedom. in so-called enterprise during the past 100 years,” he said, “but they have not ' progressed in their intelligence in their | exercise of their legal rights. sity of Colorado before the American |be “Newspapers may have progressed | tha VOTELESS CITIZENS - GAST ART BALLOTS Corcoran’s Referendum on Biennial Exhibit Brings Quick Public Response. Voteless Washington has responded quickly to the opportunity given its citizens to cast their ballots in the Corcoran Art Gallery's referendum to determine the most popular picture in the Twelfth Biennial Exhibition of Contemporary American Oil Paintings. ‘The public referendum, which began yesterday, will continue through this week. visitor to the exhibition will be given the-privilege of casting a vote for the picture he likes best, and when the votes are counted a special prize of $200 will be awarded the artist whose work is most favored by the general public. Attracts National Attention. ‘The public invariably chooses a good plcture, but one which has been passed over by the ofiicial jury of artists in se- lecting the four paintings for the Wil- liam A. Clark and Corcoran awards, it has been found. Ballots may be cast tomorrow, Fri- day and Saturday between the hours of 9 and 4:30 o'clock and New Year day and Sunday from 2 to 5 o'clock. The exhibition continues to attract national attention in art circles. One of the more recent published reviews of the display was that of Royal Cortis- soz, art critic of the New York Herald Tribune. An excerpt from his article follows: Referring to the Corcoran biennials, he writes: “Always these shows put the artist on his mettle. Their character from the beginning has been such as to build up a certain prestige. The rooms are spacious and well lighted. The hanging is judiciously looked after. * * * Every- thing, in short, conspires to make the C'u;rcorm biennial an important occa- sion. Important Because Representative. “It is important because it is about as representative an exhibition as we have. The- extremists of the modern- istic wing would probably deny this. Their productions are, indeed, conspic- uously absent. But this is not by any means to say that conservatism prevails to the arrogant exclusion of all else. “On the contrary, the walls disclose a pronounced tincture of liberalism, and the point is emphasized by the nature of the awards. There is nothing radical about a jury composed of Daniel Gar- ber, Childe Hassam, Charles Hopk!nm% Leon Kroll and W. Elmer Schofield, one may judge by their works. Yet that on the whole conservative jury gave the first prize of $2,000 to a stiil life by Maurice Sterne, who is hardly of an academic habit, and the second rize of $1,500 went to Gifford Beal for s ‘Circus Girl’ similarly free from the supposedly deadly taint. Edmund Archer and Joseph M. Plavean, win- ners of the remaining prizes, are equal- ly ‘emancipated.’ “The truth is that the spirit of in- dividuality and freedom is far more widespread in American art than is ad- mitted by those who think that modern painting began with Picasso and Mar- tisse, and this jury has found that it could function more or less adventur- ously without pouncing on the latest Parisian formula. “By the same token the show in its entirety indicates that it is possible to conservative—if we must use labels— without any loss of vitality.” SIMMONS ATTACKS SCHOOL HEADS FOR DELAY IN BUILDING (Continued From First Page.) jonly anticipated steps taken to prevent that congestion. “In February, 1930, the school au- thorities asked for money to complete jthe Western High athletic ‘field.” So lar as 1 can find, it is the only request made for funds for that school. Most | certainly proper administration would | have determined last year the possibile ity, if not probability, of this conges- tion at Western arising. But if '.h'&{ anticipated it, they kept mighty il about it. In February, 1930, the school authorities submitted to our committee. figures showing an actual decrease in | attendance at Western High as of Feb- ruary, 1930, over February, 1929. Situation Is Reviewed. “The school officials should not now evade their responsibility by saying that they do not control the building of new buildings. The statement is true it they do not control the building of buildings—but two years ago Con- gress provided for a blisiness manager. One of his jobs was to be to co-ordinate the activities of the school officials with CHARGES DIVERSION OF PEPCO PROFITS TO PARENT CONCERN (Continued From First Page.) light of then existing conditions. The court recognized the fact that the en- tering of this decree did not wipe out the public utility act nor remove the commission or the power company from its jurisdiction. It is self-evident that the commission at no stage has been its ratemaking power. Therefore its duty has been at all times, ' notwithstanding the decree, to see that the rates charged are reasonable under existing facts. Calls Return Excessive. “The Commission should not adopt the schedule submitted by the company. The rates proposed are not reasonable nor just, for they insure the company . a return which is excessive.” The course for the commission to follow, Mr. Keech submitted, was to estimate a valuation as of December 31, | 1931; give due consideration to any, reasonably expected increase in con- sumption and operating expenses and then work out a schedule on this basis instead of using its present method of declining to look to any future increases in the company’s business. He pointed out that his first motion for a public hearing had been filed No- vember 17, and that the delay in calling the public hearing is the commission’s own fault. The whole matter could! have been adjusted by now, he said, had the commission acted upon his motion when it was first introduced. Then Mr. Nicholson introduced his testimony in the shape of the exhibits, and Mr. Bowen made an attempt to have them all stricken from the records. Assistant Corporation Counsel Wiliiam A. Roberts then began to examine the witness on the detalls of the figures con-~ tained in the exhibits. It is expected that a night session will be held tonight in order to complete the hearing, if possible, before the close of the year. i CAPITALIST DIES Matthew Elser Made Fortune From Money for Sandwiches. MIAMI, - Fla, December 30 (#).— Matthew Elser, reputed to have multi- plied a small saving gained in Buffalo, ., from -1 of sandwiches into stock, rtune gad here at the age He and by am to Miami man the Elser Pier, PEin it center here for a lon v ago pal me. | cut out the' entire $255,000. the District officials. Instead of giving him that job the school rd mace him, among other things, a superin- tendent of Janitors. If the business manager were allowed to function prop- erly, he could have expedited the build- ing of accommodations to prevent con- gestion at Western High School, appro- lpfllflcm for which have been made. “The appropriation for the start of the Deal Junior High, which Dr. Ballou asked for and described as ‘most urgent’ in January, 1929, was given and became available July 1, 1929. contract for the construction of the building was let 14 months later, on August 26, 1930. That unnecessary delay in starting construction could have been avoided by proper administrative . “But no District or school official undertook to_expedite that con- struction, so far as I have been able to determine. It is now anticipated that that building will be complete August 15, 1931, and will relieve the situation at surm elays Cited as Unnecessary. “Last year the Budget recommended the building of auditorium-gymnasium additions to Gordon Junior High to cost $75,000. The Committee on Ap- propriations of the House increased that amount, at the request of the Parent-Teacher Association, to $255,- 000 and provided for the construcstion on the Gordon Junior Building of 12 additional class rooms, as well as the auditorium-gymnasium. The school of- ficials did not support the item before the ‘Senate Committee and th?f. body n con- ference the amount was restored to the bill. The money to construct that ad- dition, that would also relieve the West- ern High situation, became available July 1, 1930. The contract will not be let for that building until February 16, 1931, and the building will not be ready for school next Fall. “Proper administrative foresight on the part of school and district officials would have prevented that delay and expedited that copstruction. Had the school authorities anticipated th:ls con= gestion—as in my judgment they should have—and made the proper request to the district officials, the Gordon Junior addition would have and should have been put first and not almost last on the list of this year's construction. The desire to meet school needs would have dictated that course. “I am advised that when construc- tion of the Alice Deal and Gordon Junior is completed the congestion at Western will be relieved. The ap- propriations have been made. The remedy is in the hands of the school and district officials. They can speed up or further delay the program.” e Baptist Leader Dies. DOVER, D:l, December 30 (#).—Rev. Dr. Charles A. Walker, 62, pastor of the First Baptist Church and statistical sec- retary Associa- of the Northe: it uon,dudhengodlyfna-m [