Evening Star Newspaper, January 6, 1931, Page 2

POLICE AID ASKED TOEND ROAD SIGNS ) te Citizens_.of ~Cabin . John .Charge Zoning Law Is Being Violated. ¥ - . vy ‘Wiclations of Montgomery Coyaty goning laws which prohibit the placing of - advertising signs on public high- ‘waysin tie vicinity ‘of the” Cabin John Bridge were alleged by the Cabin John Park Citizens’ Association last night in adopting a resolution directing the mat- ter to the attention-of-the authorities. “In thi% immediate arex advertising signs are’ betig’ placed on' the public highways clearly in violation .of the law.” it was stated in a resolution adopt- ed on ihe. motion of C. H.-Godbold, chairmhty 6f “the association’s’ Commit- tee on Parks and Planning. It re- solved further,- that the association “réquests ‘the chief of police ‘to take action toward removing the objection- able signs on public property, which will be specially pointed out, this action being in conformity to the law.” The association also urged that private property owners, by & specific request, be asked to remove objection- able signs and that ‘owners and lessees of private commercial property be re- quested to eliminate offensive signs and Join the concerted effort to improve appearances.” Area Is Historic District. In addition to the chief of police of Montgomery County, the alleged viola- tions of the billboard regulations an other actions taken in connection with the campalgn were ordered brought to the attention of the State's attorney and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Be- sides Mr. Godbold, the other members of the association’s Planning Committee are Hugh White, Ralph Springman and ‘Walter A. Armstrong. ‘The Cabin John area is one of the most historic and ‘scenically beautiful districts in Montgomery County and the Citizens' Association is particularly interested in the movement sponsored by civic bodies to eliminate cutdoor advertising and other objectionable roadside nuisances from the highway approaches to Washington prior to the 1932 bicentennial celebration. Toward this end the association last night pledged full co-operation. Mr. Godbeld, who presented the reso- lution, called attention to the fact that the Montgomery County zoning laws. under control of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commis- sion, “prohibit billboards from all resi- dential and commercial districts, an the Maryland code of laws prohibits the placing of any advertising signs or notices directly on a public highway and makes the offender subject to a fine of $10.” Recommendations Made. In pled; the association to co- c'pentg wtgét:l'obher communities in the campaign to improve the highway en- trances to Washington, the resolution recommended the following action to the individual member of the organiza- tion: “Patronize gas and oil stations that do not dl-lplly‘n?enlive advertising and do present a neat appearance. “Give prefcrgnce to products not ad- wvertised on the landscape. “Use as stickers on your envelopes stamps bearing the legend, ‘I favor prod- ucts not advertised on the landscdpe.’ 1t was further ordered that the as- sociation purchase for distribution 1,000 of the “stickers,” which the American Civic Association provides at cost. isupporting the campal hlgmay gnpvro-ch:l before the great 1932 celebration. Efforts of the District Commission- ers to control advertising ngm in rashington were indorsed by the Du- pont Circle Citizens’ Association yester- day afternoen at the Mayflower Hotel, The resclution Stated: “This citizens association indorses the efforts of the District Commissieners to have Con- gress pass a law to have control, ‘under regulations established by them, to limit and control all signs displayed to the _public.” It was adopted unanimously. Other associations championing the anti-billboard campaign were the Ca- thedral Heights-Cleveland 'Park, the Washington Highlands, Forest Hill and the Kenilworth Citizens’ Associations. Mrs. W. L. Lawton, chairman of the National Counmcil for Protection of Roadside Beauty, one of the leaders in the campaign, has. returned to Wash- ington after a brief absence. Her re- port on the billboard situation in the Greater Washington area, made at the request of the American Civic Associa- tion, soon is to be circularized. BAY STATE BARS BILLBOARDS Manufacturer’s Bright Idea Fails to ‘Win Official Sanction. “Pigs is pigs,” the Attorney General of Massachusetts ruled recently in ordering a manufacturer of brushes .made from pig bristles to take down . advertising billboards erected on scores : of pig-farms in the State. The brush manufacturer caused the | signs to be erected und>r his own in- terpretation of a Massachusetts statute which permits bill boards advertising products sold or made on the premises. { When told that he could not advertise {his brushes on farms throughout the State, the manufacturer replied it was ridiculous to assume he was violating the law. “I sell brushes made from pig ibristles,” he explained. “I buy from these farms the pigs which are manu- \factured into brushes. What could be simpler?” | The Attorney General ruled that a § *bil ‘45 pigs!” and upheld the law. | This was one of a number of cases that have come to the attention of i Roland M. Brennan, chief clerk of the ! District Highway Department, who is jone of the framers of the District’s | janti-billboard measure. It goes to show, | he said, how far some people will go jin their attempts to circumvent biil- { board regulations. s PLEA FOR LIVING DOGS Maryland Society Asks Law to Pro- hibit Scientific Experiments. Prohibition of sclentific experiments upon_living dogs and provision of & penalty by law for a violation of such 2 code were asked in a resolution adopted last week at a meeting of the Maryland Anti-Vivisection Society. Copies of the resolution were trans- mitted to_the two Maryland Senetors i lboard 15 a billboard” and that “pigs | ‘Who was awaiting here to testify before NG STAR, WASHINGTON, JOSEPH R. NUTT, the Senate Compaign Funds Committee today as to the use made of a $50,000 account maintained here by the Republican National Committee. —A. P. Photo. NUTT AIDED LUCAS PAY CAMPAIGN DEBT G. 0. P. Director Tells Nye Group He Received $3,500 From Party Treasurer. —_— (Continued From First Page.) there was a special account in his name, and he would agree not to draw out $4,000 of that money until the loan was paid. “It was Lucas’ suggestion, not mipe,” said Mr. Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds said that he knew Mr. Lucas’ standing in his own State and city and supposed he could handle a $4,000 loan. Questioned Regarding $50,000. Mr. Lucas was questioned by the com- mittee regarding the checks drawn against the $50,000 special account in the Commercial National Bank, opened there last October by Treasurer Nutt, with the provision that Lucas could draw against it. Senator Nye, in an interview following the last meeting of , had characterized this it was to be used to defeat progressive Republican candidates for the Senate. ‘Treasurer Nutt denounced this char- acterization of the account and issued a statement wing just where the money from this account had been used during the camipaign—a total of lfl?l,%em. . “be- fore . The first of the checks to be submitted in evidence was a check for $4,000, drawn to Galen L. Tait, Republican chairman in Mary- land and also collector of internal revenue at Baltimore. The money was for the Maryland campaign. The sec- ond check was drawn to J. Matt Chil- ton, Republican national committee- man_for Kentucky. It was for $6,500. that this Mr. Lucas money was to be used to aid Republicans win elec- tion in the congressional districts of Kentucky. Cooper First Witness. Wade H. Cooper, president of the Commercial National Bank, was the first witness on the stand today and submitted various documents relating to the special account of th: Republican National Committee which he had been requested to bring by the committee. Mr. Cooper told the committee that no checks had been drawn against that special account since November 4. He revealed to the committee that Mr, Lucas had paid his personal note to the bank for $4,000 to the Commercial National Bank since Mr. Cooper was on the stand 10 days ago. Mr. Cooper also submitted to the committee a statement of the account of the Re- publican Senatorial Campaign Com- mittee, which also has an account in his bank. Senator Wagner asked Mr. Cooper: If Mr. Lucas had not paid his $4,000 note, is it not true that the Republican National Committee would have paid the note under the agreement that made part of the special account collateral?” Mr. Cooper replied that was subject to interpretation. He intimated that the question of Mr. Lucas’ authority to use the funds of the national com- mittee as collateral for his own loan might be raised. “I did not handle the negotiation, and a good banker gets all the security | he can,” said Mr. “Even _questionable Senator Wagner. Was Personal Affair, | Pressed by Senator Wagner Mr. | Cooper said that he did not recall any | other transaction in his bank where the loan of an individual had been secured T, security,” said | by the fund of an organization like the | Republican National Committee. | “Ordinarily a bank would not accept such security?” asked Senator Wagner. “No it would not,” said Mr. Cooper. He added, howeyer, that his bank had the special account and that Lucas had | authority to draw against it. “The fact of the matter was,” said Senator Wagner, “that the bank did not think there was much difference between the Lucas account and the special account, that both were political accounts.” Mr. Cooper said that was a matter of interpretation. When Mr. Lucas took the stand he told the committee that if he had really wanted to use the National Committee funds to send out the cartoon and lit~ erature to be used against Senator Nor- ris he could have drawn $4,000 out of the special account. “This was a personal affair,” said Mr.’ lLucu. “and that is why I made the oan.” and the Representative from the so- { ciety's district. The Senate already has approved s bill prohibiting such experiments on i Eving dogs and it now awaits House action. QUITS FARM BOARD C. L. Christensen, Secretary, Re-|int; Nebraska, signs—Accepts College Post. ed today . He|be against of Ag-|in other States where the wet and dry isconsin. the n in for three years N P ; !n"ld"dolt’un wNeba:kbl.#mtm ‘was Marketing Department of Montana, ), West, ture, Delaware, #entucky, North with Farm July, 1929, Christensen was head of the Division of stive Ag-jcul P I BN et Mr. Lucas said that he had told Mr. Stengle of the Independent Publishing Co., which printed the posters and car- toons and sent them to Nebraska and other States at Mr. Lucas’ direction, that he would pay him December 1. He said that Stengle had come to him about three weeks after the election in November and told him that the Nye Committee was investigating to find out cartoons and literature ‘The executive director of the Re- iblican National Committee defended right to send out the literature to used Norris and to be used who sent the g.mbn was an issue, He insisted t he had not taken any particular and Massachusetts, He said that Mr. Stengle had come to him with the proposition of using the cartoon in the campaign and that St-ngle had been looking for business for his publishing company. Mr. Lucas said that he had given Stengle a list of the States to which he wished the cartoons sent and also a list of 20,000 precinct workers and oth- ers to whom they might be addressed. This list, he said, was the property of the national committee. Senator Nye wanted to know why Lucas had wished to spend the money himself for literature to be used in States other than Nebraska, where thc literature was to be used in support of Republican candidates. Mr. Lucas replied that the Republican committee had not taken any stand on the wet and dry issue, and that there- fore he did not wish these cartoons, designed to help dry candidates, to be pflflor out of the national committee funds. He sald that he always had spent his own money in past political campaigns when he was asked by Sen- ator Wagner “if he had ever been as patriotic as that before.” Drys Not Helping Much. Senator Nye asked Mr. Lucas if the Anti-Saloon League and other dry or- ganizations were not doing their part in the campaign in States where the wet- and-dry issue was up. “They did not seem to be able to help much,” replied Mr. Lucas. “Don't you know that you were op- posing a when you opposed Senator Norris in Nebraska?” asked Senator Nye, “and that you were supporting a wet, his Democratic opponent, Mr. Hitchcock?” Mr. Lucas said that he did not know that Mr. Hitchcock was a wet. Senator Nye also asked why these cartoons had been sent to Montana, where Senator Walsh, a dry Democrat, was opposed by Galen, a wet Republican. Mr. Lucas said that John J. Raskob, chairman of the Democratic National Committee and "an ardent wet, had contributed $5,000 to the campaign to el Senator Walsh and that he| the sinterity of Semator stand. “You.are the first ever to questién the sincerity of Senator Walsh's stand on prohibition that I ever heard of,” was the comment of Senator Wagner. Mr. Lucas replied that Senator Wheeler of Montana, a Democrat, had declared he would abide by the referendum in Montena on_the liquor question, and that Senator Walsh had done practically the same thing. Mr. Lucds told the committee that he had not expected the cost of the literature sent out by the Independent Publishing Co. to be used in the cam- paign to run so high. He said that he had expected to have to pay himself around $1,500. While the contribution of $6,500 sent to J. Matt Chilton, Republican national committeeman for Kentucky, was und:r discussion, it was brought out that Mr. Chilton had reported this money to the clerk of the House in Washington as a campaign contribution, but had made no report of it to the State au- thorities. Senator Nye intimated that Mr. Chilton might be called before the Senate committee. 10 o’clock tomorrow morning, when Mr. Nutt, treasurer of the Republican Na- tional Committee, will be a witness LIMERICK INQUEST SET FOR THURSDAY; 40 TO BE QUIZZED (Continued From First Page.) authorities notified local police by tele- phone that Loskaris seemed to know something of the Limerick case. Sergt, Sweeney learned on question- ing Loskaris that he had come to Bed- ford from Washington, Pa. and not Washington, D. C., as the Bedford police had at first supposed. Sweeney satis- fied himself Loskaris knew nothing of the Limerick case. Further questions were put late yes- terday to Mrs. Julia Bywaters, sister of the dead girl; to Willlam Limerick, another brother, and to Reed. Police said they wished to check up on some “loose ends.” Another development of the mystery was an anonymous death threat re- ceived last night by a casual acquaint- ance of Miss Limerick, Mary Ale, of the 1400 block of Ridge place southeast. Miss Ale said the note, scrawled on a card and wrapped in a man's hand- kerchief, was found stuffed in a letter box outside her front door. ‘The note, the contents of which were withheld by police, was_understood to have referred to the Limerick case. Authorities belleved it had little bearing upon the investigation of the shooting. Miss Ale was at a loss to explain who sent the note or why. Suspicion was directed to Langdon when the dead girl’s mother, Mrs. Dora E. Limerick, informed investigators her daughter had complained that the patrolman had annoyed her on several occaslons and that she planned to move on this account. Langdon was on duty from midnight to 8 a.m. on the morning of the girl’s death. His beat embraced the Limer- ick home. So far Langdon has not varied his original story. BAND CONCERT. By the United States Soldiers’ Home Band Orchestra, this evening at Stan- ley Hall, at 5:30 o'clock. John 8. M. Zimmermann, ~bandmaster. Anton Pointner, assistant. —"Here Tl Guarany”.... Paraphrase—“The Lost Chore it Selection From—“Stabat Mater” Rossini Fox Trot Characteristic— The Kiddies" ition to prevent its being known 1 as financing this literature. Vi s Cabaret” . . .....Grossman Waltz Suite—“The Return of Spring” ‘Waldteufel Pinale-—"Hero of the Isthmus”..Lampe ‘The Star &pangled Banner.” The committee adjourned to meet at | karis, under arrest there. Pennsylvania | D, €, TUE CITY LOSES FINAL BORLAND ACT CASE Court of Appeals Rules As- sessment Void on Rec- tangular Lot. (Continued From First Page.) the majority, under the rulings of this court, would escape such assessments. It would seem preferable to have the law_declared inoperative and imprac- ticable as a whole.” In the petition for a writ of certiorari WOMAN’S PARTY DELEGATION to the Court of Appeals, Mr. West Sy 5 “The interpretation of the law in the present case, if sustained, will leave very little, if anything, of the so-called Borland laws. In other words, so much property that has been assessed for highway paving will be exempted from assessments under this ruling that it would be inequitable to require other and less numerous properties to bear the burden of these assessments.” COMMITTEE DEFERS ACTION. Holds Hearing on New Paving Assess- ment Bill, but Puts Off Decision. After a hearing today on the pro- posed new bill for levying special as- sessments for the paving of roadways and the laying of curbs and gutters, which is one of the two most important District measures on which the Com- missioners and the corporation counsel are endeavoring to get action during the present session of Congress, the subcommittee on streets and traffic of the House District Committee deferred action until a later date. It had been the hope of the District officials that the subcommittee would favorably report the bill today so that the full committee could take action upon it when it meets tomorrow for its first session in the present short session of Congress. ‘The Commissioners had also hoped to complete a hearing today on the new traffic bill which proposes to abolish the Traffic Bureau, but this hearing was postponed until Thursday at 10 o'clock. Representative Ernest W. Gibson of Vermont, chairman of a special sub- committee which several years ago made a comprehensive study of the District government and _recommended reor- ganization of the Police Department, is prepared to oppose the new traffic bill largely on the ground that it abolishes the Traffic Bureau and throws the ad- ministration of traffic laws onto the Po- lice Department. Admits Law Won't Stand. ‘The Corporation Counsel's Office at the hearing today on the new bill to take the place of the Borland act, which has been practically nullified by a series of court decisions including one ren- dered today in the Dodge case, ad- mitted frankly that it seems impossible to sustain any assessment under the ex- isting law. This statement was made on behalf of the corporation counsel by Vernon E. West of his office, who did most of the work in drafting the pro- posed new law. He stated frankly that the various decisions by the Court of Appeals has practically nullified the Borland act. He explained the various provisions in the new bill which excludes treat- ment of a roadway with penetration macadam from assessment against abutting property owners because that is nén considered a permanent pave- ment. He emphasized that there should be only one assessment for street improve- ments against any property, irrespective of ownership. Gutters and curbing are included for assessment. When paving is in excess of 40 feet wiath the cost would be paid wholly by the Distzict of Columbia. One section of the bill, he pointed out, attempts to iron out and limits assessment to $3.50 per linear front foot. In reply to questions by Represent- ative Whitley, Republican, of New York, as to what other cities assessed by that method, the corporation counsel’s office replied:that there are many throughout the country. Must Take Lowest Rate. In reply to a question by Representa- tive Whitehead, Democrat, of Virginia, it was explained that the new bill does give property owners the benefit of choice among various methods of as- sessment, because it provides that the assessor must take the lowest rate. Representative Palmisano raised the question that property owners ought to be given the right of appeal to the court. Corporation Counsel Bride ex- pressed the opinion that the District Commissioners’ findings should be con- clusive, but later on in the hearings said that there would be no serious ob- jection to providing for such rigat of appeal. Capt. Whitehurst of the Engineer Department explained that the method of transportation has so changed that on through thoroughfares it has become necessary to make streets capable of carrying concentrated heavy loads at a much greater cost than would be necessary for the convenience of abut- ting property owners and that for this reason assessment should be limited to what was thought to be the local benefit. He explained that in this bill the District officials were endeavoring to correct provisions the court says are unequitable and what they believe are unjust due to the excessive cost of construction for heavy through traffic and at the same time providing that the abutting property owners pay a fair rate for local benefits. He emphasized that the new bill will give big ease- ments on irregular shaped areas and corner properties. Dr. Havenner Testifies. Dr. George C. Havenner, president of the Federation of Citizens’ Associations, presented the views of the federation, explaining that it is composed of 62 member organizations with a total | membership of some 40,000 small prop- erty owners. He read at the hearing a resolution adopted on Saturday, January 3, with 75 of the 124 delegates to the federation in attendance. This resolu- tion was presented after two committees had studied the proposed bill. In this regular resolution the federation said that it “is of the opinion that the entire principle of special assessment for roadway paving is erroneous and unjust and results in the payment by the indi- vidual property owner of the cost of & roadway for the use of the general pub- lic without material, if any, increase in the valu§¢ of his property, and that the general ‘assumption of such benefit in a substantial amount or ratio has been held invalid. “If there is to be any legislation along these lines, such legislation shall, in any event, provide that no special assessment may be made for repaving of any permanently paved streets, and further provide for the establishment of a disinterested board, composed of five persons who have been bona fide resi- dents and freeholders of the District of Columbia for not less than five years prior to their appointment, such board 1o be appointed for a fixed term by the Commissioners of the District, such board to be in lieu of the proposal in the proposed bill, it District Commissioners exercise the power of review, and that such board would ac- cord a hearing upon evidence to every protesting property owner.” T. M. Charles, representing the own. ers of Corcoran Courts, 1526 Seven. teenth street, protested against an as- sessment that has been levied. Dr. B. G. Wilkinson of Takom: Park, ivan | personaily and through his attorney. John A. Chumbley, offered an amend- ment in regard to the underpass under the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad tracks in the vicinity of Chestnut street, where there is a proposal to Branch road from 30 to 90 feet, taking widen Piney! A delegation from the National Woman's Party called on Président Hoover spread tendency during the present period of unemp! of the council, and Mrs. B. S. Matthews of Mississippi, chairman of the party's national lawyers’ council. Winters of Dayton, CALLS ON yesterday loyment to give jobs formerly held by women to men. They urged passage of the equal rights amendment now before Congress. Left to rlsh‘: Mrs. Harvey Wiley, chairman of the party's national council; Mrs. M. Williams of New York; Mrs. V. HOOVER and told him there was a wide- Ohio; Miss A. L. zer, vice chairman —A. P. Photo. EXPECT WARDMAN 10 TESTIFY TODAY ISuit for Appointment of Cor- poration Receiver May End Tomorrow. Harry Wardman was expected to take the stand this afternoon as a de-| fense witness in the suit of minority stockholders for appointment of a re- ceiver for the Wardman Mortgage & Discount Corporation, which is being heard before Judge Willam P. Woolls in_Corporation Court at Alexandria. Plaintiff attorneys scored a point just before the court adjourned late yester- day, when Judge Woolls ruled that notices served on Harry Wardman and ‘Thomas P. Bones in the court room by City Sergt. R. H. Cox were valid. These notices make Wardman and Bones parties to the suit and require that they answer the bill filed by the plaintiffs not later than January 19. Defense Attorney Judge Daniel Thew Wright attempted to have the notices ruled invalid on the grounds that both Bones and Wardman were in court in answer to a subpoena served by one of his associates, but plaintiff attorneys were able to thow the court that the subpoenas had expired as they called for the presence of the men for a date early in December. Harry Wardman is expected to give testimony along the lines of that given by Mr. Bones, who occupied' the stand more than two hours in the closing hours of the case vesterday. Bones testified that the present condition of the defendant corporation and all of the Wardman companies was brought about by depreciation in the value of real estate in Washington, which he said began to be felt as early as July, 1928, and which he stated had in his opinion deflated real estate values here from one-third to one-half. Refinancing Called Desirable. Bones testified concerning the de- velopment of the Wardman Co. from a small beginning, the extent to which the business grew until, he said, it was the largest thing of its kind in Wash- ington, and the effect of the depression upon it. He said that at no time did he have any doubt as to the financial security of the company. The refinan- cing of the company, he said, was de- sirable in his epinion to give it bet- ter financial security. Plantiff attorneys sought to bring out from Bones' testimony that all of his actions were dominated by Harry Ward- man, and along this line Bones testified that anything Mr. Wardman did was all right in his estimation and that he had always had implicit faith in Mr. Wardman during the 30 years of their association. Bones further testi- fied that much of the real estate of the company was carried in the name of himself and Wardman and that he never questioned any papers he was asked to sign in regard to them. Concerning a large block of the shares of common stock of the defendant corporation, Bones testified that he did not receive the stock certificates until some time in 1928, although plaintiff attorneys showed from the books of the company that they were voted him in 1925. Bones said that he turned these shares over to Mr. Wardman when he was asked to do so. Audits Offered as Evidence. This morning R. Gordon Van Vran- ken, auditor of the Wardman Corpora- tion, testified concerning the stock pur- chased by the Wardman Co. Several books of the Wardman Co. were brought into court by defense attorneys to_support his testimony. Harold S. Roberts, formerly of Stoy & Roberts, who audited the blocks of the defendant corporation regularly from its organization early in 1924 un- til last September, occupied the stand most of yesterday. Defense attorneys sought to show from his testimony that there were sufficient profits from which to pay dividends at each dividend pe- riod. Roberts testified that he never found anything irregular in the books in all of the time he worked on them. Nine audits made by Stoy & Roberts were introduced as evidence. Roberts also testified that the Ward- man corporation paid the defendant corporation $283,407 interest in cash on loans made to the Wardman corpora- tion from December 31, 1924, to June 31, 1929. The case may be concluded tomorrow. ground of the Takoma Park School and would result in a demand for a new school property, and in addition that it would destroy eight beautiful subur- ban properties, whereas if taken from both sides of the street these evils could be obviated. He exhibited photographs to show the conditions on both sides c? the street. He was supported by eight other residents in that vicinity. Col. Robert L. Longstreet, 1627 K street, representing the Dupont Citi- zens’ Association, introduced Mrs. Archibald Hopkins, 1826 Massachusetts avenue, who protested against an assessment of $726 which she had paid under protest. Col Longstreet indorsed the bill as representative of the Dupont Citizens’ Association, and as a member of the Streets and Avenues Committee of the ‘Washington Board of Trade, declaring that it is a big improvement over the old law. A. J Driscoll, president of the Mid- City Citizens' Association, indorsed the new bill, saying that it goes a long way towards clarifying the situation. Corporation Counsel Bride empha- sized that the main opposition by District citizens is a general opposition to special assessments for street im- provements, but said that a survey of many cities throughout the country show that such a law is in o tion and told the subcommittee that the District Commissioners believe there is a direct benefit to abutting property owners for which they should pay. ‘The corporation counsel said that he would not object to the creation of a special board as proposed by the Fed- eration_of Citizens’ Associations. Mr, Chumbley insisted that the right of appeal to the courts from the deci- sion of the District Commissioners should be written into the bill in com- mitt tee. Dr. Havenner declared that the Fed- eration of Citizens' Associations believes that the bill under consideration is & big improvement over the old Borland law if any si special assessments are to be made. '}i | | His District Probed I ROWBOTTOM. rris-Ewing Photo. $4.500000 FUND FOR DROUGHT AID Red Cross Chairman Tells Senate Group $849,963 Has Already Been Spent. REPRESENTATIVE —Hal By the Associated Press. The Red Cross has an emergency fund of $4,500,000 with which to ad- minister relief to drought sufferers throughout the Winter. This the Senate Appropriations Com- mittee learned today from Chairman Payne of the organization, He said $849,963 had already been spent. If its funds are exhausted, he said the Red Cross will appeal to the Ameri- can people. 2 - The chalrman denied reports of & fcod riot 't Brigland, Ark., last Satur- da~ and related officers of the organi- zatlon reported to him that 40 men “with some excitement” came into Eng- land. He said these men were fed. “On the same day,” said Judge Payne, “as quietly as we are sitting here, our Red Cross Chapter at England fed 500 other persons. Why these 40 men did not call at the chapter for aid I have no idea.” He added: “I advised President Hoover some- time ago that if we were permitted to proceed in a normal way we might get through the Winter with our pres- ent resources.” $85,000,000 for Waterways. Maj. Gen. Lytle Brown, chief of Army Engineers, informed the Senate committee that $85,000,000 to $90,000,~ 000 would be spent this year on inland waterway improvements. James A. Wetmore, acting supervis- ing architect of the Treasury, reported $138,000,000 was available for public building’ construction. Senator Copeland, Democrat, New York, asked Mr. Payne if he was asking or would accept a contribution from the Federal Government for relief. “We never have received Government ald,” replied Mr. Payne. “A man can- not say whether he will accept a posi- tion until he has been tendered it. I have no doubt that the American peo- ple will see us through.” He emphatically denied statements by Senator Caraway, Democrat, Ar- kansas, that the Red Cross is not meet- ing the needs in Arkansas. Confined to Rural Sections. Mr. Payne said Red Cross relief was confined to the rural communities. He expected the cities to take care of them- selves through the Community Chests, charity organizations and the Salvation Army. He explained it was difficult to estimate how much would be required for meeting their own problem. Maj. Gen. Brown compared the pro- spective expenditure of $90,000,000 this year on inland waterway work to $72,- 000,000 which was spent last year and to $57.000,000 spent in 1920. Meanwhile, House Republican leaders planned to send its $45,000,000 drought loan bill to conference with the Senate, in an effort to eliminate the Senate amendment which would add $15,000,000 for food loans. Chairman Wood of the House Appro- priations Conimittee, said he believed ‘the House Republicans would insist upon removal of the amendment. Efforts will be made to expedite action so the De- partment of Agriculture may have the funds at the earliest moment. Aswell Gets Letters. Representative Aswell, Louisiana, ranking Democrat on the Agriculture Committee, who led the fight for food loans in the House, said: “Secretary Hyde and the Red Cross say they can handle the situation, but I keep getting letters from people starving in drought areas of Louisiana.” Judge Payne told the Senators cloth- ing and food had been given 49,963 families, or about 250,000 individuals, in 17 States, at a cost December 31 of $520,802, in addition to the distribution of pasturage and other seed at a cost of $329,162. ‘The program 1is being financed through local donations of cash and supplies, supplemented by its from the Muom reserve of national n. “If the Winter continues mild, if ent opens up in some flelds ‘Government’ lfl 3 the o ent’s -muuku::} loan meets a e o mmection Witk the Spring planting, the balance of this reserve will probably be sufficient,” he said. Venezuelan Envoy Dies in Tokio. TOKIO, January 6 (#).—Francisco Marabal, consul general for Venezuela at Tokio, died today of appendicitis. His widow survives. Burial will be to: MOITOW, PAXTON ART GIVEN Exhibition at Corcoran Gal- lery to Continue Through Sunday. Willlam M. Paxton’s painting, “Two Models,” a nude, is the most popular picture in the Twelfth Biennial Exhibi- tion of Contemporary American Oil ialntlngs at the Corcoran Gallery of rt. As such it will merit for its creator the special “popular prize” of $200, awarded by the Corcoran Gallery to the artist whose work reccives the great- est number of votes in the public refer- | endum conducted last week. “Antheia” Wins Second Place. Second place in the voting went to “Antheia,” another nude, by Paul Tre- bilcock of Chicago, and third place was given “Betty,” a full-length portrait of 3 vlvo}:x;:n, by Maurice Molarsky of Phila- lelphia. pproximately 5,000 votes were cast during the referendum which began December 29 and ended last Sunday night. Paxton's painting received a total of 145 votes; that of Trebilcock, 118 votes, and that of Molarsky, 87 votes. The remaining votes were widely distributed among the 392 other paint- ing in the exhibition. ‘The first place winner is'a striking painting of two feminine figures in a state of repose. Paxton’s pictures have proved popular in the past, for he re- ceived the popular prize on two prev- ious occasions, viz. seventh exhibi- tion at the Cocoran Gallery in 1920 and the eighth exhibition in 1922. The artist is a resident of Boston, Mass. Exhibition Continues Till Sunday. In connection with the Corcoran Gallery’s competition it is of interest to note that a similar referendum for a popular prize in the recent twenty-ninth Carnegie International Exhibition in Pittsburgh gave the popularity prize to a_portrait by Leopold Seyffert, whose “Portrait of F. P. Keffel” has attracted attention in the local exhibition. Ap- E’oxflmluly as many votes were cast the referendum here as in the one in Pittsburgh, according to reports. A special committee was appointed by Corcoran Gallery officials to count the votes, w] filled two ballot boxes installed at the exhibition. The re- fi;m of the tellers was made this morn- 8. ‘The exhibition will continue until next Sunday evening. The week-day hours are from 9 to 4:30 o'clock. There will be a final night showing Thursday evening from 8 to 10:30 o'clock. The holllrsk Sunday will be from 2 to 5 o’clock. ARTIST PRESENTS WORK TO LIBRARY J. B. Himmelheber's Views of Washington Placed in His- toric Section. Civic lovers will derive pleasure and delight from the recent generous gift of J. B. Himmelheber, young Wash- ington artist, to the Public Library of lithograph copies of his views of Wash- ington, 18 reproductions of which have already appeared in the rotogravure section of The Washington Sunday Star. An exhibit of the lithographs, whose delicacy of line and lights and shades create the impression that they are orig- inais from the artist's pencil, have been placed in a prominent part of the main library, outside of the Washingtoniana Divison on the second floor. It seems particularly appropriate that an artist's impressions of the famous buildings of ‘Washington should be placed on the opposite side of the bookcases con- taining exhaustive histories of the Capi- tal City. Seventeen of Mr. Himmelberger’s views are now to be seen at the Library. In glass cases outside the Washing- toniana division seven lithographs have been placed at each side of the divi- sion entrance. Inside of the Washing- toniana reading room are two litho- graphs, one of the Congressional Li- brary and one of the Scottish Rite Tem- ple on Sixteenth street. Downstairs a an announcement of the exhibit on the second floor. Mr. Himmelberger's works represent a valuable contribution to Washington's historical records. Of particular inter- est are his impressions of the new In- ternal Revenue Building, the new Com. merce Building, the new Arlington Me- morial Bridge, the White House, the Treasury and the Capitol. —_— DODDS NOMINATED AS MITCHELL AIDE TO FILL VACANCY (Continued From First Page.) assistant to the Attorney General for about seven vears, he first attracted | wide public aftention here by his able prosecution of the three former officers of the Smith Co. Assisted by agents of the Bureau of Investigation of the department and Assistant United States Attorney Neil Burkinshaw, he prepared a case which resulted in the prompt conviction of G. Bryan Pitts, C. Elbert Anadale and John H. iddm'zda. J;'., whfi:’: the case was pre- | sen a “jury ict Supreme | Court. i | The manner in which the case was| handled by Mr. Dodds brought forth widespread favorable comment and Is believed lun' ly responsible for his ad- Earller in his career at the depart- ment he had handled numerous impor- tant bank cases for the Government throughout the West and Middle West. FATHER’S DAY PLANNED A s been arranged for m". lay meetigg of the Park Platoon School { POPULAR AWARD view of Lincoln Memorial accompanies | frn,. SENTE TSP POV PERSONNEL Approaches Vote of Recon- sideration of Nominations - of Three Commissioners. By the Assoctated Press. The Senate approached & vote today on reconsideration of the nominations of three of President Hoover's appoint- ees to the newly organized Power Com- mission. Senator Walsh, Democrat, of Mon~ tana renewed his assault on the com- missioners for dismissing Charles A. Russell, the solicitor, and Willam D. King, chief accountant. Because of the dismissals Walsh has asked the Senate to request President Hoover to return the notice of the Senate's confirmation of Chairman George Otis Smith and Commissioners Garsaud and Draper, Terms Reason “Mere Pretense.” He termed as “mere pretense” the orsor” imiing. Romeell s Hing or g Russell and Ki lh:yt.eslrlcuon existed among the 01:1! “There was friction between Russell and Frank A. Bonner, the executive secretary,” said Walsh, “and there was Iriction between King and Bonner. But no inquiry whatever was made to de- termine whether Russell and King were right. For all we know, they right. Bonner was quitting and m would have removed the friction. There must have been some other reason.” Chairman Couzens of the Senate Interstate Commerce Committee, which considered the nominations, insisted that the new law reorganizing the power commission automatically dismissed all of the previous employes. . Walsh disputed this. The Senate’s authority to reconsider the nominations was challenged by Senator Hastings, Republican, Delaware. Hastings said he did not believe the | Senate could remove any nominee from office after he had been confirmed and administered the oath of office except by impeachment. Walsh said the Senate had not given its final approval until the time had expired for moving reconsideration un- deée the u:?'ix rules. nat arkley, Democrat, Kentucky, said he also doubted the Senate's au- thority, although he said the commis- sioners had dismissed Russell and King under “suspicious circumstances.” Walsh said the commission had diss 1 the employes with “undecent missed haste.” Hold Closed Sessions. Disregarding Senate efforts oust three of their number, the mzmtgen of the .commission inaugurated today a prog;un of daily sessions behind closed All five commissioners were in ate tendance. Chairman Smith pronounced the commission’s general policy one of :peeduenwmd smoothness of operation, in The vacancies left by the ousted com- mission officers are expected to remain opcn several weeks, Chairman Smith sald, but the commission expects to consider reappcintment of its remain- ing staff of some 50 or 60 employes dur~ ing the next several days. It must also name a chief engine:r and a general counsel. Exceptions to the closed sessions will be made, said Smith, in the case of hearings on disputed reports or appli- cations for licenses. PRESIDENT'S POWER INVOLVED. Walsh Action on Power Commissioners Virtually Form of Recall. BY DAVID LAWRENCE. Can the Senate of the United States remove from office any person who has once been confirmed and taken the oath of office and begun the performance of his duties? This question has been raised by the action of Senator Walsh of Montana, Who in an endeavor to bring about the reconsideration by the Senate of its Yote of a fortnight ago, has moved that President Hoover be requested to return to the Senate the nominations of the members of the Federal Power Commis- sion for further consideration. ‘Will Request Opinion. Should such a motion pass the Sen- ate Mr. Hoover will request an opinion from the Attorney General and it is confidently expected that the executive branch of the Government will take the view more or less outlined in a decision of the Supreme Court of the United States a few years ago, namely, that the President's power of removal is absolute and that he need not ask the advice of the Senate in removing from office. While the case in_ question, involving the appointment of a tmaster in Oregon by President Wl{!‘:: , was not exactly parallel with the present epi- sode, nevertheless Chief Justice Taft, in his opinion, made it clear that the Executive had absolute power over his appointees when once the Senate had confirmed the nominations, Several of the insurgent Senators have been aroused because immediately upon taking office the new members of the Federal Power Commission dis- missed some of the subordinates, charg- ing that such a step was necessary Ez eliminate friction. Several Senators said that had they known that the dis- missals would occur they would mnot have voted for the confirmation of Chairman George Otis Smith and his associates on the Power Commission, In Nature of Criticism. So far as the Senate is concerne the request {or reconsideration of mea: ation is based upon an act per- formed after the oath of office was taken and is therefore considered to be in the nature of a criticism of an activity by a duly confirmed officer. It is being suggested in o 1 quar- ters that if the Senate has the right to reconsider a nomination when once the oath of office has been_taken, tmie power of removal would really be vest- ed in the Senate and a system of re- call would grow up making it difficult for any officer of a commission or the executive branch of the Government to exercise judgment without fear of congressional distavar. e e pending motion been so worded that it permits of reconsider- ation if the President will send the nominations back to the Senate. There is nothing mandatory about the resolu- tion, and the President can decline to return the nominations if he desires. A serious question has arisen whether, even if the President wished to oblige the Senate, it would not be necessary for the officers who have taken the oath to resign and entirely new nomi- nations be sent to the Senate. Had the motion for reconsideration been made and adopted either on the same day that the nominations were passed upon or even the next day, be- fore the notifications had been sent to the new members of the Power slon, it would have prevented the ae- tual administration by Chairman Smith and others of their duties, (Copyright, 1931.) S s KAPLAN STORE LOCATED street, oppcsite the old Center Mark The store has been operated there sin the market structure was closed Jan- uary 1 to make way fc n- Vie ent-Teacher mnuzhuon Thursday niz. t 8 o'clock. W. C. Reudiger of G ‘Wash- n_University, will be th :-’ ncipal ) isp the Gover: ment buildings intolved in the expan- albll: program. % was erroneously reported in Sunday Star that Kaplan had been m!fl— able to find a new location. '