Evening Star Newspaper, February 21, 1931, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau ’ Cloudy tonight; minimum temperature about 32 degrees; tomorrow fair. ‘Temperatures—Highest, 42, at 4 p.m. yesterday; lowest, 36, at 6: Full report on page 7. Closing N.Y. Markets recast.) , Pages13,14 & 15 Che Foeni ‘WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ny Star. Associated service. The only evening paper in Washington with the Pre news Yesterday’s Circulation, 118,506 No. 31,707., post office, ¥ntered as second class matter Washington, > T, WASHINGTON, D. C, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1931—-TWENTY-E}GHT PAGES. *% UP) Means Associated Pre TWO CENTS. WOODCOCK URGES “HOME OPTION" AS RUM RELIEF PLAN Plan Made While Prober In- cluded in Wickersham Data Presented Senate. GIVES IDEA PRIVATE LIQUOR-MAKING 0. K. Value of Swedish Control System Stressed—Labor Favors Beer and Wine. By the Associated Press. The Senate had before it today a be- | wildering mass of documents, data and testimony on liquor control from the Wickersham Commission. It represented part of thematerial on | which the commission made its con- flicting report on prohibition. Secret testimony was missing. The views of ‘ Secretary Mellon, Attorney General Mitchell and other officials were not included. Standing out from the mass was Prohibition Director Woodcock’s suggestion, made before taking the of- fice, that “home option” was the solu- tion of the liquor problem. ‘The pile revealed also that John Mot- ley Morehead, Minister to Sweden, urged a modification of the Swedish system ofl liquor control for the United States. Mabel Walker | Willebrandt's defense of the legality of grape concentrates was detailed. Recommendations for a veritable army of Federal officers to enforce pro- hibition, attacks on the dry laws by labor leaders and reports on conditions in 32 States were included in the data submitted. Action May Be Held Up. ‘The Senate is expected to take no action at present as a result of the glimpse behind commission scenes. It may cause argument, but even that is not expected to be extensive. March 4 is at hand and the Senate is weary. ‘The material was transmitted late yesterday to the Senate in respons- to a resolution by Senator Tydings, Demo- | i crat, Maryland, an opponent of the | liquor laws. Mr. Woodcock’s suggestion that leav- ing liquor undisturbed in private homes might close the lid on Pandora’s prohi- bition box was unique and startling. It was made while he was a special in- vestigator for the commission, orly a little while before he became prohibi- tion r. He said his plan could be pat into effect “by & stmple admin- ive % “The citizen could not claim the right to w or sell liquor,” he added. amily, this policy e that he be not disturbed. Punishments Are Provided. H “If he fails in & single public duty, 1f he breaks the peace in any way, if he fails to take care of his family, if he fails to keep himself fit to perform any | public duty, the State steps in and | ‘The home control plan was only & part of Mr. Woodcock’s report, but the Temainder was more orthodox. He was optimistic over couditicns generally and sald he believed they could be proved. Support for the revision program ad- vanced by Henry W. Anderson, Rich- mond, Va., commission member, was seen in testimony of Minister Morehead, who said the Bratt system in force in Sweden was successful because “it takes ay from the private individual any profit. He added, he believed it would be & success in this country with some modifications. “As a matter of fact,” he said, “it is the one system in the world that does work. It produces revenue for the country. The people are satisfied.” Grape Concentrates Defended. ‘Mrs. Willebrandt, former Assistant Attorney General in charge of prohibi- tion, who has as client California Fruit Industries, Inc, makers of grape con- centrates which turn into wine if given the opportunity, told the commission the grape concentrate business is legal, and said it was “the thought of Con- gress * * * to lift the heavy hand of the Volstead act from interfering with family habits so far as is possible under the eighteenth amendment.” “A study reveals that Congress was just as liberal and as plain as could be.” Mr. Woodcock was not the only com- mission investigator with recommenda- tions to help the situation. Henry 8. Dennison and Albert Sawyer b-lieved it could be done, among other 'things, by an increass of 60 per cent in the num- ber cof prohibition agenis. They also urged more Coast Guard and customs officers, a Nation-wide sys- tem of criminal information exchanges, a plain-clothes squad to supplement the border patrol force and Coast Guard intelligence unit. Report of Two Volumes. “There has not yet been any true test | they asserted | of the prohibition laws,” in_a two-volume report. Twelve labor leaders, who presented | their views to_a_commission subcom- | (Continued on Page 2, Column 7.) {heads of the movement, Gen. Pablo | taken prisoners. Col. Sanchez said se- |vere military penalties would be in- ! | day. . Traffic and motion picture shows | 1 i | 1] it Human Race Sprang Up in 4 Spots, Study Of Blood Indicates Theories of Haldane, Brit- ish Biologist, Discounts Accepted Beliefs. By the Associated Press. LONDON, February 21.—Prof. J. B. S. Haldane, famous British biologist, has given the” weight of his great au- thority to support a theory that the human race did not originate in any one place on earth. It is his belief that at least four diffetent places cradled the human race. He bases his conclusions on a study of blood transfusions which has shown that people of the world are divided into four blood groups, each type being quite distinct and unaffected by cn- vironment. A study of these blood groups, he says, has enabled modern peoples to be divided on broad lines nccordm? to their origin. It has shed a new light on the migration of peoples and has tended to discount accepted theories of anthropology. He says also that he believes cuiti- vation, or vegetable growth, originated independently in different places. one probably in Egypt and the other scme- where between Afghanistan and the Punjab. NEW REVOLT WAVE ENDS WITH 61 DEAD N SOUTH AVERICA All Casualties in Peruvian Uprising—Paraguay and Argentina Nip Plots. By the Associated Press. LIMA, Peru, February 21.—The revo- lutionary government, headed by Lieut. Col. Luis M. Sanchcz Cerro emerged triumphant today from a maze of in- trigue and reactionary plotting which culminated yesterday in an unsuccess- ful military uprising at Lima and Callao. At least 61 persons, among them 1 American and 20 rebels, were killed in the revolt: Many othcrs, including the Martinez, Col. Zorilla Lujan and Capt. Arenas, chief of the Callao police, were flicted. Both Lima and Callao were calm to- resumed last night despite a state of siege. Revolt Begins Early. ‘The movement appareptly was with- out repercussion elsewhere save at the town of Lamabayeque, birthplace of former President Leguia. A disturb- ance occurred there during a service honoring the former President’s birth- day. ‘The revolt began at 4 am., when members of an artillery detachment, commanded by Gen. Martinez, came in from Magdalena, a suburb, and attack- ed the presidential palace. Guards and civilians, who shouted, “We don't want | Leguistas,” drove them off and they proceeded to Callao, port of Limi where other plotters had taken char of an old fortress, the Real Felipe, used now as a custom house. President Sanchez Cerro mobilized the 7th Infantry Regiment and other troops, totaling about 1200, and at 11 a.m. they began a machine assault on the fort from the top of a nearby building. Civilians Are Slain. Civilians jumped into the fray with guns taken from fallen Federal soldiers and many of them were killed by the heavy fire from within the fort. At 1:20 pm., when three airplanes flew over the rebel stronghold and made as if they “were going to drop bombs, & white flag was raised. Some of the rebels attempted to escape but most of them either were shot down or were captur:d alive. All were brought to Lima, where they were questioned by loyal cfficers who an- nounced afterward that the plotters had hop°d to re-establish in power former | President Legtia, who is ill in the Lima Penitentiary. Some of the plotters released political prisoners on San Lorenzo Isle, in Callao (Continued on Page Column 3. MELBA HAS RELAPSE Physicians Describe Her Condition as “Very Grave.” SYDNEY, New South Wales, Febru- |ary 21 (#).-Physicians to Mme. Nellie Melba, who 15 serfously ill in a hospital here, said ‘tonight that her condition had grown suddenly worse and is con- sidered “very grave.” Starting Tomorrow SOCIALIST AND LABOR GROUPS MEET IN SPAIN A i Leaders Postpone Decision on Stand | to Be Taken Toward New Gov- ernment of Aznar. By the Associated Press MADRID, February 21.—Directors of the Socialist party and the General ‘Workers' Union met here today to de-; termine their attitude toward the new government of Premier Juan Bautista Asnar. After a discussion of several hours this morning the session was adjourned until afternoon to permit the Social- st president, Julian Besteiro, and some others to visit members of the party who have been in prison sinee the re- cent revolutionary disturbances. It was expected to obtain their views on the new government before a decision is Members of the cabinet spent the ‘Working odt departmental de- talls involved in the change of sdministration. Business, meanwhile, seemed to have taken courage and the peseta rose o 9.50 to the dollar, "George Washington's Travels" By James W. Brooks Director American Highway Educational Bureau. With Historically Correct Tilustrations. By Calvin Fader. This new series in “American History by Motor” which has been appearing 4n The Sunday Star | during the past two years will re- | veal much about the Founder of | the American Republic in his || travels and meditations on horse- | back and by stagecoach. | i |, Burdened as Washington was, || | the development of transportation || in the new Nation was ever in his || | mind. Readers who follow this || | serles will come to know Wash- || ington from a new angle as— || “FIRST IN ROADS.” f Turn to the Automobile SECURITIES BILL AGTION PRESSED IN SENATE BY BLAINE Passage of Mortgage Fore- closure Legislation Also Is Urged. DISTRESS OF INVESTORS PICTURED IN APPEAL Declares Bond Business Here in Some Instances Is Just “Crumbling Shell.” Asserting that in some instances the bend and investment business in the District of Columbia “is just a shell and is crumbling,” Senator Blaine, Re- publican, of Wisconsin, today urged the Senate to take up and act cn the two bills recommended by the subcommit- tee which investigated local conditions, one to regulate the sale of securities and the other to control the fore- closure of mortgages. Senator Biaine pictured the dis- tress in which he said many persons, including widows, have been left who invested life savings in some of these securities, Senator Blaine first asked unanimous ccnsent to take up the two bills, but Senator Hole, Republicen, of Maine, objectzd. He said he knew nothing about these bills, but that with the naval appropriation bill before th: Senate he would have to object to all | unanimous consent requests to lay that aside fer other matters. Moves for Ccnsideration. Senator Blaine then made a motion to have the Senate proceed to the con- sideration of the bill regulating secur- ities, and, while that motion was pend- ing, he began a detailed narration of specific cases connected with the work | of his subcommittee. Senat'r Blaine declared that he re- garded this legislation as of such im- portance to the people, both of the Dis- trict of Columbia end the country, that he would feel it his duty to stand on the floor of the Senate for the rest of the day and outline t> the Senate “the distressed condition of many peo- ple” because of the absence cf adequate laws to safeguard the sale of securitics. Scnator Blaine went over the ground | covered by the Senate subcommittee which invest'gated these subjects, and discussed in detail the refinancing of the Wardman properties in 1928, to- gether with the developments yestrday in_connection with those securities. Senator Blaine read to the Senate newspaper advertisements telling of the formation in New York of two protective committees, one, he said, for the bond | holders of Wardman Real Estate Prop- erties, Inc., and the other for the de- | benture holders of the Wardman Realty & Construction Co. After reading the announcement of those forming the Protective Commit- tez for the debenture holders, Senator Blaine declared: “This Protective Committee now be- ing organized in New York for the Wardman Hotel Properties is made up of people closely connected with Hal- sey-Stuart & Co and other investment bankers responsible for the issue. want this noted, that the chairman of the committee, Committee, is an employe or officer of Halsey-Stuart & Co. I refer to Leonard L. Stanley.” Senator Couzens, Republican, of Mich- igan asked Senatcr Blaine whether his committee made any inquiry as to the | methods used by Halsey-Stuart & Co. in promoting this issue. Charges “Changing Masters.” “Yes,” Senator Blaine replied. “I will disclose that as it occurs in the testi- mony. Halsey Stuart & Co., before they entered upon the sale of the stocks and bonds of the so-called Wardman Properties—there are quite a number of properties belonging to that organiza- tion, Mr. Wardman having disposed of his interest in them, I understand, some time prior to the issuing of the last issue of stocks and bonds—Hhad full ac- cess to Wardman's books before the bonds were sold. They knew that Mr. Wardman owed practically all of the banks in Washington, and it was to re- lieve the pressure on the banks were threatening to close in on Ward- man Properties, that the bond issue was conceived. “When the bonds were issued. new books were opened and the property was marked up, new valuations were given to the property, inflated valua- [tlons on the new books, over the old valuations, to.the extent of over $8,- 000,000, which represented nothing but water and air. It had no value at all. Yet that $8000.006 was used as an asset upon which to base a stock and bond fssue. “Halsey, Stuart & Co. knew at the time it was financing this new arrange- ment that the Wardman Properties had not been paying carrying charges. They knew that that organization was bound to fail. They could not help but know it. Yet they made representations to the public that these bonds and secur- ities were gilt edged, the very finest character of investment. “These same inv-stment bankers are now organizing a protective committee, and they ask default of the bonds 5o they can tie-up their victims' securities and prevent indep:ndent action by a friendly committee, a real protective committe®, for the bondholders. I pause now to express the hop=—and I hope my expression will be carricd to the innocent investors—that they will not deposit a single bond or other security with this so-call-d protective committee. They are simply changing masters, that is all, in a new form, but it will still be Halsey, Stuart & Co. that will have its hands 'in the pot.” Bill Pending in House. A third bill favored by the subcom- mittee, to regulate and license the real estate business, passed the Senate at the last session and is pending in the House. The mortgage foreclosure bill, as re- | ported from committee, contains pro- visions intended to prevent losses to investors in mortgage notes through re- lease of the mortgage instrument with- out payment of the funds loaned by individual note holders. The bill pro- vides that no release by a trustee or mortgagee shall affect the lien of a note secured by the instrument released unless the note or other evidence of indebtedness is presented to the record- er of deeds and stamped by him as “canceled and released.” The bill further makes it unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, except a bank, trust company or building and loan association doing business under the supervision of the controller of the currency, to act as trustee of a trust mortgage in excess of $25,000. The other bill to regulate securities Section of i The Sunday Star provides for registration and licensing of investment dealers and salesmen and for the examination of securities to e offered the public, prior to their issue and sales ’ 1] that is the Protective | IBEATRIGE WHOLEAN STANDARDS BUREAU ADOPTION VOIDING DEMANDED IN SUIT Mrs. Henderson Holds Justice Hitz Was Without Juris- diction in Case. HEIRESS WAS OVER 18 AT TIME, SHE CHARGES Bill Declares Widow of Senator STOCKS PUSHED UP T0 RECORD LEVELS INHEAVY TRADING Advances of $1 to $12 Scored at Active Short Session. By the Associated Press. | NEW YORK, Pebruary 21.—Bullish- ness rose to new heights in today's brief | session of the stock market, sending share prices $1 to $12 higher in the most active Saturday trading since last May. Transfers in the Stock Exchange for the two-hour sessicn aggregated 2,400,000 shares, of which 900,000 were traded in the last 30 minutes. ‘The so-called pivotal stocks recorded gains of $1 to $3, while a few issues were pushed up $4 to $12. The price trend wavered at times, but bulls made a supreme effort to close the list at tQe top, evidently to preserve speculative enthusiasm over the two-day week end, for the market will be closed Monday in observance of Washington's birthday | anniversary. Stocks making net gains of $2 to $5 included American Can, Air Reduction, | American Smelting, American Tobacco B. New York Central, Eastman, Good- year, Allied Chemical, Stone & Web- ster, Western Union, Gulf States Steel and United States Industrial Alcohol. | Such issues as United States Steel, Radio and American Telephcne gained about $1. Auburn was again the high fiyer, gaining about $12 a share, closing at | $210.75, a new high for the year, and $109.25 above its January low. FAIR WEATHER FORECAST FOR FIRST OF WEEK Rain and Cold Expected to Follow ‘Temporary Respite From Pre- | i | vailing Murky Gloom. Fair weather here tomorrow will bring a brief respite in the murky gloom that | has been prevailing, but rainy and cold- | er weather locms on the weather hori- | zon, according to the Weather Bureau. | A cloudy night with a temperature | around freezing is scheduled for tonight, | but the sun is expected to come from hiding on the morrow, accompaned by gentle northwest breezes. ‘The weather outlock for the week ahead calls for rains over the southern portion of the Middle Atlantic States and snow over the northern portion, be- ginning about Tuesday. More rain or snow is likely toward the end of the week. Slightly colder weather in this section is due Monday, a warming-up spell is looked for Tuesday and Wednesday, and then it may get quite cold again. g i, RED CROSS WILL PAY FREIGHT COSTS OF FOOD Caraway Notified by Relief Direc- tor in Answer to Complaint by Senator Dill. | By the Lssociated Press. | senator Caraway was advised today | by Harvey C. Couch, director of Red Cross relief in Arkansas, that the Red Cross would pay for transporting sev- eral carloads of foodstuffs to the State donated in the State of Washington. Senator Dill of Washington com- plained in the Senate recently that |the railroads had declined to “dead- head” the foodstuffs and the Red Cross would not pay for transportation. The Arkansas Senator, at the re- quest of the relief agency, has asked details from Seattle regarding the shipment. i | Zane Grey’s Son, 15, Aids Court to Curb His Auto Driving By the Associated Press. PASADENA, Calif, February 21.—Loren Grey, 15, son of Zane Grey, novelist, was under-orders today to keep out of motor cars for 60 days after he pleaded guil- ty to a speeding charge in Traf- fic Court here. The court ordered a letter writ- ten to the novelist requesting closer supervision of the son's driving. The elder Grey is vis- iting the South Seas for two years, but Loren came to the court’s rescue. “I'll take the letter to my moth- er and she will do what you ask,” he said. MLEAN FACES JAIL TERM FORHIS SUIT Adkins Orders Publisher to Show Cause Why He Is Not in Contempt of Court. Justice Jesse C. Adkins of the Dis- trict Supreme Court today issued a rule to thow cause against Edward B. McLean, millionaire newspaper pub- lisher, why he should not be held in contempt of court for instituting the suit for divorce in Mexico to circum- vent the order of the court to pay $7.500 monthly to his wife, Evalyn Walsh Mc- Lean, and why he should not be im- prisoned therefor. The rule to show cause is directed to Mr. McLean individually and to the American Security & Trust Co. and Edward B, McLeun, trustees under the will of John R. McLean, and covers the prayers of the wife's petition for an in- Junction against her husband filed a few days agd. ‘The court at that time |issued a temporary restraining order against proceeding with the divorce ac- tion, but took no action on the other requests of the wife. Mr. McLean is required to show cause why his estate should nct be seques- trated and the income applied to the support of his family and why he should not be required to make ade- quate provision for the support of the wife and three children. The trustees are required to show the eourt why they should not be enjoined frm paying any money to Mr. McLean and why they have not complied with the court order of January 17 providing for the month- ly allowance. Mrs. McLean has until Tuesday to file an answer to the divorce suit insti-f tuted by her husband at Cuernavaca, Morelos, February 4, attrneys at Mex- ico City said yesterday, according to an Assoclated Press dispatch. If Mrs. McLean's answer is not filed by Tuesday, they added, the case prob- ably will be heard shortly thereafter. In the State of Morelos divorces may be granted in the absence of either party. Lawyers in Mexico City said they were not sure whother or not the order chtained in Washington by Mrs. Mec- Lean restraining her husband from con- tinuing the Cuernavaca proceedings, would be recognized in Morelos. Victim Kills finndxt; Dies. CHICAGO, February 21 (#).—When three bandits attempted to hold up a soft drink parlor yesterday Benjamin Vaughn, a patron, ‘whipped out a re- volver and fired. He was killed in- stantly by the bandits, but not untl he had fatally injured one, Richard Alex- ander, 28, and wounded another, Thomas Raia, 19. By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, February 21.—Male and ! female snores are the same. Dr. Donald A. Lafrd of Colgate University, who has stayed awake many hours ltudylnf how other people sleep, is the authorily for this information. Smoring, he said in an address, is a saxophonic type of noise, not related to vocal sounds and it is impossible to distinguish between male and female snores. Dr. Laird, who is director of the Col- !gnte Psychological Laboratory, also gave his audience formula for the best way to sleep. Here it is: Get into & greely or blue bed room, ] MALE AND FEMALE SNORES ALIKE COLGATE PROFESSOR DISCOVERS Dr. Laird Advocates Sleeping Alone in Green or Blue Room in Pajamas of Same Hue. J adorn yourself in pajamas of the same hue, see that there are heavy rugs on the floor and then hop into & bed that has springs that are not too springy and a mattress that is neither too soft nor too hard. “Our experiments,” he said, “demon- strate that it is even best for a person to sleep alone in the room. Sleep units, occurring about every 20 minutes and marked by a restless moment or the sleeper turning over—are fewer when no one else is in the room. The other person's movements tend to disturb.” Radio Prognm. on Page B. POCKET VETO SEEN FOR SHOALS PLAN BY 6. 0., CHIEFS Passage Slated, but Execu- tive 0. K. May Be Withheld Until Adjournment. By the Assoclated Press. Destined soon for the White House and an uncertain fate, the Muscle Shoals legislation™ approved by the House came today before a r:sponsive Senate. Quick and favorable action was ex- pected by Senator Norris and other proponents of the resolution. The Whit: House was silent as to its recep- tion by President Hoover, but adminis- tration men on Capitol Hill predicted it would not get his approval. No matter how fast the Senate acts the legislation will reach Mr. Hoover within the pcriod he can kill it if he wishes by failing to attach his signa- ture before the March 4 adjournment. President Coolidge treated just that way the similar measure Congress s:nt him. ‘The House voted 216 to 153 to adopt the conference report on the resolution which had bcen in th: making ever since the present session startd. Taken late yesterday, the House action caused | the report to com: up in the Senate today. Meets Norris Demands. ‘The measure approved, while not exactly like the Norris resolution re- peat dly passed by the Senate, went almest 211 the way to meet the de- mands of the independent Republican from Nebraska. It bore little resem- blance to the privat: operation bill originally approved by the House. The power plant at the Shoals under it would be operated by the Govern- ment. Transmission lines would be built by the Government to carry cur- rent to the favored customers, nearby municipalities. Cover Creek Dam, up- stream from the Shoals, in Tennessee, also would be built by the Government at a $10,000,000 cost. A Government corporation would control the project. Only the nitrate plants could go to private interests. For these the meas- ure would offer the President wide pow- ers to negotiate a lease, but no lessee could buy Government curgent unless 85 per cent were used in fertilizer pro- duction. With the remaining 15 per cent, off Government property only, the lessee could manufacture other prod- ucts. Favorable power- rates would be given the fertilizer producer. Called Socialisti Here, too, however, a Government operation gngle enters, for if unleased at the end of 12 months, the Govern- ment corporation may take over the plants for fertilizer production, “Socialistic,” “invasion of States’ rights,” “waste of Government money” were terms applied liberally by oppo- nents of the measure in_the House de- bate. _Representative Eaton, Repub- lican, New Jersey, called it “a hunk of Sovietism described as a fertilizer bag.” But, equally strong, its supporters spoke for it, commending the resolution as one of the best farm-relief measures ever considered by Congress. House Vote, 216—153. ‘The Muscle Shoals House roll call follows: Republicans: For—Adkins, Andrese, Baird, Barbour, Brand of Ohio, Browne, Buckbee, Burtness, Butler, Campbell of Towa, Carter of Wyoming, Christgau, Christopherson, Clague, Clanncy, Coo per of Wisconsin, Craddock, = Crail, Davenport, Dickinson, Doweli, Dyer, Englebright, Fish, Fitzgerald, Frear, French, Garber of Oklahoma, Gibson, Goodwin, Guyer, Hall of North Dako- (Continued on Page 2, Column 3.) FORD FAILS TO GET OLD ROYAL FLUTE Frederick the Great's Instrument ‘Withdrawn From Auction Sale by Potsdam Prince. By the Assocliated Press. POTSDAM, Germany, February 21.— can't acquire Frederick the Great's flute,” Prince Friedrich Leopold, jr. said today in discussing withdrawal of the flute from an auction sale of family heirlooms. “Mr, Ford made a fabulous offer, the size of which I decline to divulge. But flute. won’t be sold. Our decision to withdraw it from the auction sale stands.” Mittag Zeitung today said that Ford’s offer for the flute was 250,000 marks (862,500). The Metropolitan Opera Co. was said to have offered $20,000. An American newspaper publisher, belleved to be Willi Rlndolnh Hearst, and an Ameri banker made off “Even Henry Ford, with all his riches, | so long as my father and I live the|| Has Estate Extensive Enough . to Meet Any Claims. Charging that Justice William Hitz of the District Supreme Court was without jurisdiction when he signed the order authorizing her to adopt Beatrice Hen- derson on December 30, 1924, Mrs. John B. Henderson, 89 years old, widow of the former Senator from Missouri, to- day filed a counter suit against Mrs. Beatrice Wholean, the former Beatrice Henderson, who recently asked the court to remove Mrs. Henderson as trustee of the extensive estates of John B. Hen- derson and John B. Henderson, jr. Mrs. Wholean also sought to prevent Mrs. Henderson giving away the mansion at 2437 Fifteenth street to the United States as a home for the Vice President. The counter suit charges that Beatrice Henderson in 1924 was over the age of 18 years and not subject to adoption, being no longer a minor. There was lack of consideration, it is charged, be- cause Mrs. Henderson was not then able to command and Beatrice Henderson was unable to give the proper consid- | eration for such adoption—-that is, the | affection, duties and obligdtions that a minor child owes to its parents—be- cause she had reached adul Parents’ Consent Lacking. Failure of the parents of Beatrice Henderson to consent to the adoption is given as an additional reascn why it is not valid, and the point is made that a guardian ad litem was appointed De- cember 22, 1924, and his report de prior to the date of filing of the ap- plication, December 30, 1924. The lock- ing up of the papers for a period of six years and the failure to spread the order of adcption on the minutes of the court are also urged against the validity of the adoption. Mrs, Wholean was accepted by society as the daught:r of John B. Henderson, jr., and granddaughter and ‘heir of Mrs. Henderson until after the filing of her suit several weeks ago. Then Mrs. Henderson declared sh> had been in- formed that her accepted granddaughter was a foundling. It was disclosd at that time that Mrs. Henderson in a secret proceeding had asked for and obtain‘d papers adopt Beatrice Henderson in 1924. ‘The counter suit attacking the validity of ths adoption proceedings accom- panied the answer to Mrs. Wholean's suit for removal of Mrs. Henderson as trustee of th: estate, also filed today. Denies Incapacity Charge. In answer to the trusteeship suit, Mrs. Henderson denies the charges of Mrs. Wholean that she is physically or mentally incapable of handling the estates. While she admits she has had occasional illnesses during the past 10 years, she asserts that she is not in: and weak either phyically or mentally. She declares that she is physically able to do anything that any one in her station of life is called upon to do. She demdes that her judgment is im- paired and asserts her ability to con- tinue to manage the estates. Through Attorney George E. Edelin, Mrs. Henderson also moves the court to dismiss the petition of Mrs. Wholean as being vague, uncertain and indefinite and because made by a person having only a contingent remainder in the real estate and not entitled to a discovery or accounting prior to the death of Mrs. Henderson, the life tenant. She also points out that she has complete power of sale under the will of her son, John B. Henderson, jr., and may not be di- vested of that power. 4 Mrs. Henderson tells the court that she made an irrevocable trust February 19, 1923, setting aside securities then valued at $675,000 from which the in- come is to be paid to Mrs. Wholean after the death of Mrs. ‘Henderson. During the year 1926, she says she gave the young woman securities worth $300,000 and has at other times given her large sums of money. She asks the court to vacate the order of adop- tion of December 30, 1924, and to grant her permission to withdraw her appli- cation. Denies Mansion is Involved. Mrs. Henderson admits that she has made no division of the real estate under the will of her husband, and that during the life of the son they used the father’s estate as owners of an un- divided half interest, and since the death of the son, Mrs. Henderson has continued the control of the properties as she nas a right to do under their wills. The Jcourt is told that Mrs. ‘Wholean never calied upon Mrs. Henderson for advice or informatibn as (Continued on Page 2, Column 1. SHIPS REPORTED SINKING Vessel in North Sea Sends Message of Collision. HAMBURG, Germany, February 21 (#).—Distress signals were picked up here today from the Elder, Dempster steamer, William Wilberforce, which is reported to have .been in a collision with an unidentified steamer off Nor- derney, in the North Sea, and so badly damaged as to be in a sinking condi- tion. - The Willlam Wilberforce was bound to Hamburg from Africa. AMERICAN ARMY LAUDED How Pershing won support of Irench General for separate army at front told— Tomorrow n The Sunday 513\ Gen. Pershing’s stcry to-' day will be found on page 3. | s ASKED T0 ANALYZE GAS IN MAINS HERE Commission’s Chemist Also Directed to Make Tests of Varying Pressures. EXAMINATIONS SOUGHT WEEKLY FOR 2 MONTHS Two Investigations Planned to Determine Cause of Wholesale Complaints on High Bills. Two more steps were taken by the Public Utilitles Commission today in furtherance of its investigation to de- termine the cause of wholesale com- plaints over high gas bills, Anxious to ascertain definitely whether the recent introduction of natural gas is responsible in any way for carbon- ization of gas appliances, the commis- sion requested the Bureau of Standards to make a series of chemical analyses of the gas being distributed in the District. At the same time the commission di- rected Elmer G."Runyan, its gas ch ist, to make at once certain tests de- signed to show the effect on consump- tion of gas under varying pressures. This' action was taken in view of the belief at the commission that the in- creased pressure at which gas is being distributed is unquestionably the cause of some of the mounting gas-bills. ‘Writes Bureau Director. The co-operation of the Bureau of Standards was sought because of the lack of equipment at the commission to make a thorough analysis of the gas. In a letter to Dr. George K. Burg:as, director of the Bureau of Standards, the commission said: “The commission wishes a chemical analysis of the gas being distributed in ‘Washington. “As you doubtless know, this gas is supplied through an interconnected main system by the Washington Gas Light Co. and the Georgetown Gas Light Co., so that for our purposes. a test made at the Bureau Standards or any other convenient location upon the interconnected main system would be satisfactory. “We realize that the chemical con- stituents of this gas vary from day to day, depending, among other things, upon the percentage of natural gas being mixed with the carburetted water g:’:n &n-nuhcwred at the companies’ 12 3 ‘Want Weekly Tests. “If you believe that it is within the proper province of your bureau to do s0, the commission would appreciate having such an analysis made weekly over a period of the next two months. We believe this would cover the period of experimentation on the part of the companies as to the of nat- ural and artificial gas which will final- ly be determined upon. “If you do not feel that such a series of tests is within the bounds of a rea- sonable request, the commission will be glad to have you proceed with one test, adyising us of the results obtained.” Mr. Runyan was instructed to make his tests with an ordinary gas burner. He was told to ascertain the time re- quired to heat water to a temperature of 100 degrees under varying pressures and the amount of gas consumed at the different pressures. ‘The commission believes that these tests will show cenclusively what effect the high pressures are having on the appliances of gas consumers. Extinguishes Flame. The analysis of the gas by the Bu- reau of Standards was requested as a result of complaints received by the commission that pilot lights and gas range burners were carbonizing and ex- tinguishing the flame. The commission thinks this condition may be due to the mixture of natural and artificial gas which is now being distributed through a portion of the gas system. The nat- ural gas, it was said, represents about 25 per cent of the mixture. Additional gomplaints over high gas bills are still coming into the commis- sion and also into the office of Rich- mond B. Keech, people’s counsel, who pannounced several days ago that he had been “deluged” with protests. In order to get all of the protests together, the commission and Mr. Keech have a ranged to exchange copies of the com- plaints so that each will have & com- Pplete file. Information Mr. Keech said he de- sired from consumers is the amount of the bills in November and December, 1929, and the entire year of 1930 and January, 1931, which will enable him to make a fair comparison. He also wants to know whether there has been any change in this period of gas appli- ances, personnel or general living con- ditions, If all of this data cannot be furnished, he said he desired as much of it as possible. Although the gas company has an- nounced that many of the complaints were satisfactorily answered by the ex- tended billing period in January, which covered 35 -days, Mr. Keech declared that a number of the protests received in his office related to December bills, which covered a short billing period of 28 days. For this reason, he thinks the extended billing period does not com- pletely show the reason for the higher bills, which, in some instances, were 100 per dent in excess of average bills. Neither does he believe that the in- creased pressure is entirely responsible for the increased bills. “It appears to be.” said Mr. Keech, “that there are other conditions re- sponsible for some of the high bills. I am not an engineer, or a chemist; and for that reason I requested the Public Utllities Commission to have its en- gineering department undertake a thor- ough investigation.” TORTURE PUNISHMENT LAID TO BOY’S FATHER Kansas Man Held After Son Is Critically Burned—County Presses Charge. By the Associated Press. at Girard, Kans., today accused ing punished his 5-year-old son Jackie by holding him against a hot stove, causing burns, which physicians said might p; Robert TS, Lo t7_attorney. E on, county af ] Folice” sa1d. neighbers complaimed: thcy lce saf neigl S ound the boy in the yard at his home, burneq severely from his chest to his