Evening Star Newspaper, March 12, 1931, Page 1

WEATHER, (U. Pair it about Bureau Forecast.) tomorrow; slowly ris- lowest, at 6 am. rwun" 8, F # and g on page 4. 2 Closing N.Y. Markets, Pages13,14 & 15 No. 31,726.3 NORRIS SEES NEED OF ‘TRUST BUSTER' AT NATION'S HELM Power Attack: Links Present Administration With That Industry. “ANOTHER ROOSEVELT” TAKEN TO MEAN “T. R.” Agency to Plan National Economic Policy Proposed at Progres- sives’ Parley. BY G. GOULD LINCOLN, “We need another Roosevelt in the White House,” said Senator Norris of Nebraska in a vigorous speech attack- ing the power trusts and linking the Entered as second class matter post office, Washington, D. C. Wooden Indian Found And Editor Proposes " Him for Legislature By the Associated Press. COLUMBUS, Miss, March 12. ~—Quest of Birney Imes, editor of the Daily Commercial Dispatch here, for a survivor of the vir- uuuy vanished race of wooden ians has been crowned with Rnnlld H. Fel on, city editor of Manchester, Conn., wired the local publisher he had located an Indian and asked “what must I do with it?" Imes replied: “Run that wooden Indian for Connecticut' Legisla- ture or send him to me and I'l him in Mississippl. He will be better than anything any of the States have now.” Imes’ request came of a desire to learn what had become of the disappeared sentinels of cigar stores {n the days before “smoke shoppes” were heard of. LIQUOR PURCHASE DENIED BY DENISON present administration with that trust, at the afternoon session of the Pro- gu.uve Conference at the Mayflower Senator Norris did not say’ he had Pranklin D. Roosevelt, Governor of New York, in mind when he made his statement.’ He obviously was referring to the late Theodore Roosevelt, who headed tife Progressive party in the 1912 national campaign. - Nevertheless, Gov. Roosevelt was one of those /in- vited to attend the Progressive Confer- ence here and he has been -highly praised by Senator Norfis and other memben of the Progressive group for his stand on the water power nmblem. Says Progressive Is Needed. Senator Nofris said that it was im- perative that ves elected to the!cnmmdtheflnuu He pointed out that the Progressive group would hold the balmce of power in the com- "'ut urenclnn he said, referring f:ent ‘Hoover, “will still be in the Wmte House. What the eountry must have is a President who is himself pro- gemvz. ‘We need another Roosevelt the White House.” ‘The Nebraska Senator said it would impossible to establish a third polit- ical party at this time becai of the political system which prevails. Economic Agency Preposed. Establishment by Congress of a pub- lic agency to~work: out a ~'-mwmu economic policy” was George E. Soule of the Labor Bureau o{ New York City and associate editor of the New Republic. A similar proposal was advanced also by Leo Wolman, an employment ex- pert, connected with the National Bu- reau of Economic Research. In co-operation of industry :.nd hhfl! nomie wuzy to be v’rkel aut for the country. The for the creation of an vhm the subject up for considera unemployment gnd stabilization of llfl\lllr! /'Sees Added Responsibility. Senator La Follette opening the &mhudmh?dbeml'wm- nied that tional life” had been caused by over- pmductinn and urged the Progressives h.bur down & sound program for re- ‘The wl.leonlln Senator called atten- tion to the fact the Progressives in the new Congress will hold the balance of power in both houses. “It is not enough to_criticize,” sald Senator La Follette. “We must find effective solutions for this tremendous problem. Its magnitude, the human Values involved, present a challenge to the economic, political and industrial leadership of the Nation. “Holding the balance of power in ,” he sald, “places an added n;uuy on us to press for sound the great issue con- tmnun' Lhe Nlnon It is to the end that we may have the benefit of your advice and counsel in formulating such a pr that this round table on unemployment. and industrial stabil- ization was organzed. There are present here experienced economists, labor lead- ers and business men who have studied these problems.” Senator La Follette said there was *“overwhelming ‘evidence of desperate human suffering on the part of millions of our fellow citizens.” He said that not less than 25,000,000 people in the United States “have suffered hardship, privation and went in the midst of Pplenty.” Lacked Will or Courage. “Only & few days ago,” continued Senator La Follette, “Congress ad- Jjourned without taking any action to relieve the distress caused by unem- ployment. The - Federal Government gave assistance only to those farmers in the drought-stricken States who could furnish adequate security. ““Fhe administration lacked either the will or the courage to meet this crisis. | At first President Hoover minimized the problem, and then when the facts could no longer be denied he used the influence of his nat office to block the relief measures d in_ Congress and insisted thlt relief be left entirely to ‘voluntary assistance.’ Nor the administration made effective prepara- & provide smplogn ?'“#Z"co’"ngz.““' provide e: n finally met in ber, the adm! tration w‘:lud upo?‘umun. m;mc;r- gency public works program n -mogm which could not materially re- ployment. The Former Representative Says He 'Never Bought Rum for Shipment toU. S. A blanket denial that he ever had purchased any liquor in Panama or elsewhere for shipment to this coun- try was made today by former Rep- resentative Edward E. Denison of II- linois at his trial in District Supreme Court on a charge of violating the nhtional prohibition act. ‘The former member spoke in a voice audible throughout the court room when questioned by William E. Leahy, chief of defense counsel, con- cerning such a purchase. “Did you at any time while in Panama or any place else purchase any liquor to bring into the United States?” Leahy inquired. “No, sir,” the witness responded. Denies Using Liquor. “Did you, or did any one at your direction, pack any liquor to be brought into the United States?” “No. sir.” +Do you use liquor?” #No, sir.” “Are you a drinking man?” “l am not. I don’t mean to say T've never tasted it. I've tasted it, bu'. I never did drink it.” less switching of baggage was re- sponsible for Lhe alwwery of a liquor- laden trunk posm n, Mr. Deni- son_of Illine ‘The former R.evmentanve. defeated for re-election last November, when his opponent made capital of his arrest, gave the jury a detailed account of the eircumstances leading up to the visit of prohibif agents to his rooms Iil; ;I;g.muu e Building January Purchased Dishes. Denison declared he had purchased a llr:e amount of dlahm, pedume nna other articles, while in member of the Interstate and Pbrelrn Commerce Committee of the House. He said his purchases were packed in boxes, trunks and suit Chsps for shipment to this country. The vmuu testified it was unusual- ly cold when he arrived in New York en route from Panama to Washington. He conceded he was careless in pick- ing out his baggage on the pier and instructing an express mm to forward it here. He explained he was about to “freeze to death.” He :dded he had spent considerable time before attending to his own in providing for the comfort of several women who were scantily clad due to their visit to the tropics, and were annoyed by the lower tem- perature. Search Is Futile. Denison said the trunk involved un- doubtedly had been inadvertently trans- ferred with a trunk of similar appear- ance belonging to some one else. He declared he had been unsuccessful in his efforts to trace the identity of the individual to whom he gave instruc- tions for tkhe shipment of his property. A motion for a directed verdict of “not guilty” was overruled this morning by Justice Peyton Gordon. Denial of the motion marked the High point of the long drawn out litigation which an in January, 1929, with the seizure of a trunkful of alleged liquor in the rooms of Mr. Denison in the House Office Bullding. His arrest figured prominently in his defeat for | re-election last November on a dry platform. Knowledge Held Lacking. Justice Gordon denied the motion immediately after E. Hilton Jackson of defense counsel had completed a 20- minute argument with the jury absent. ‘The Government had rested its case a few minutes before. The trial began yesterday before a jury of eight men and four women. Jackson contended the testimony pro- duced by the Government had been consistent with the innocence of the defendant. He stressed the contention that the prosecution had failed to prove Denison possessed knowledge of the contents of the trunk until Federal pro- hibition agents had smashed it open l'-hen a key he tendered failed to fit the | lock “There has been evidence here.” Jack- son declared, ““to convict the Prohibition Department of the most gross and sinis- ter disregard of the rights of cmuns. Every step the Government in this case from January 19, 1929, until August 12, 1929, casts suspicion on the integrity WASHINGTON, D. C., THURSDAY, MARCH 12, FAGTORY PAY ROLLS SHOW APPRECIABLE GAINS IN FEBRUARY Situation Appears Best Since Stock Market Crash, Says Doak. INCREASE PUT AT 1.4 PCT., WAGES 7.5 PCT. HIGHER Figures Based on Department Sta- tistics Compare Favorably With Years Preceding 1930. By the Associated Press. Secretary Doak today reported the:e had been a general increase in the volume of industrial employment during February. Doak based his announcement on de- partment statistics. He said the increase constituted “the first satisfactory indication of & general upward trend since the stock market collapsed in October, 1929.” He estimated the total number of per- sons employed in industry had increased 1.4 per cent in February as compared with January, and that the wagcs paid for February would be 7.5 per cent greater than in the preceding month, Labor Gain Is 1.4 Per Cent. “The volume of employment index of Bureau of Labor statistics for manufac- turing industries for February will show 2 gain of 1.4 per cent in employment in February over that of January of this year,” the secretary’s statement said. “The volume of payrolls will show an increase of 7.5 per cent in February over January. “These figures are based upon a com- parison of 13,377 identical manufactur- ing establishments employing in Feb- ruary 2,772,219 workers having a weekly pay roll in February of $66,- 567,283. Upward Trend Seen. “Usually employment and pay roll indexes show an upward trend in, Feb- ruary, following the customary decreases m January due to inventor, and re- pairs. The increase in employment, however, in January, 1930, was only one-tenth of 1 per cent and thé increase in pay rolls only 3.5 per cent. The present increase compares favorably with -those in years: prior to 1930 and is the first satisfactory indication of a general ufulrd trend since the stock market psed in October, 1929.” Reorganization Begun. ¢ Foeni ‘WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ing Star. 1931--FIFTY-TWO PAGES. Associated service. FpP (P) Means Associated Press. The only evening paper in Washington with the Press news Yesterday’s Circulation, 118,511 TWO " CENTS. PRESIDENT PLANS TWO-MONTHS' TRIP First Real Vacation Since En- | tering Office Will Be to Pacific Coast. BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG. It was learned today that it is Presi- dent Hoover's present intention to take & real vacation this coming Summer, and -unless something unforeseen de- velops he and Mrs. Hoover will leave the Capital the last week in June or the first week in July for a trip through the national parks in the Far West, to their home in Palo Alto, Calif. Just as soon ‘as the wcyries of the Congress were removed, M. Hoover's | mind drifted to thoughts of a vacation. ‘With the exception of a week’s fishing A general reorganization of the em- nlvymem scrvice now rendered VJ the Fedéral Government was begun today at President Hoover's direction, undzr leadership of John R. Alpine of York City. ‘The enterprise was expected to con- tinue for several days. It 1olla'td the veto last week of the Wagner bill which proposed both extension and recon- struction of the present organization under the United States employment service and co-operation with State government activities in the same field. Secretary Doak, who with the Presi- dent, arranged for the reorganization program, conferred today with Mr. Alpine as he. took up the task. t was indicated a study of the pres- ent ' employment service ornnlnuun would be the first activity in the reor- ganization. SOVIET STRIKES BAOK AT BAN ON ITS GOODS New ‘Congren Recommends Retaliatory Measures Against All Countries With Russian Embargoes. P the Associated Press. MOSCOW, March 12.—Resolutions recommending retaliatory measures against nations which, like the United States, have impose* embargoes on Russian imports, were approved today by the sixth all-union Soviet congress. One such resolution, coming at the close of discussion on Premier Molo- tofl's opening speech last Sunday, “in- structs the government to take meas- ures restricting imports from countries debarring our exports.” The United States was not specifically mentioned, but the resolution was presumably aimed in ‘that direction. The congress urged the government to carry forward its policy of interna- tional peace and to continue strength« ening trade relations with other na- | tions, at the same time recommending that more attention be given the army in view of the “capitalist war threat.” Complete collectivization of the farms was urged, with elimination of the Kulaks, or rich peasants, as a class. 30 RUN FOR CONGRESS HAMMOND, Ind., rch 12 (#).— Gov. Leslie’s signature ‘' on the rea portionment bill making Lake County a separate congressional district signal- ized a mad scramble for the new seat in Congress. Thirty gandidates thus far have appeared, among them several and identity of these samples.” The defense lawyer summed up the| reasons for his motion as failure on the | (Continued on Page 2, Column 4.) women. Those who have formally en- expedition in Plorida last Winter and three days' fishing in the mountains his week end journeys to his fishing camp on the Rapidan River, Va., Mr. Hoover has been in Washington strug- gling with the affairs of his office ever since he became President. | Plans Still Indefinite. Mr. Hoover has not reached any con clusion as to the time of his departure. Before anything definite is agreed upon the President must first make up his mind regarding a number of invitations | he has under consideration which call | for speeches. It is thought possible | that he might accept two or three of | these, | He has definitely agreed to speak at | the dedication of the memorial to War- | ren G. Harding, at Marion, Ohio. The date for this has been tentatively set for June 16. He also has an invitation to address the Grand Army of the Po- tomac Encampment at Columbus, Ohio, on the same day. Either a day before | or a day after that date he probably will make an address at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in rrmzfleld‘ Il. Former President Coolidge, who succeeded to the presidency on the death of President Harding, also has been asked to participate in the Hard- Ln? memorial dedication. t is possible that Mr. Hoover might accept the invitation he has had under consideration for some time to address the annual meeting of the Indiana State Editors’ Association, in India apolis, Ind., an ytime early Sum- mer suitable to the convenience of the | President. He has an invitation to| take part in the dedication of the | canpoy over the log cabin in which Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, the parents of Abraham Lincoln, were mar- ried, which has been placed in a park at Harrodsburg, Ky. Among some of the other invitations to speak in the Middle West is one from Chicago, and another from Cincinnati, Ohio. Speaks Herg April 14, The President already has agreed to speak at the Pan-American Union in th city, April 14, on the occasion of the observance of Pan-American day. It is understood that the Presi- dent _is considering Valley Forge, Pa., " (Continued on Pau 2, Column 7.) ARKANSAS HOUSE MEMBER IS SHOT Georgi‘l Salesman Held in Wound- ing of W. U. McCabe, State Legislator. By the Associated Press. tered the race inclyde Frederick Crum- packer, son of the late Representative E. D. Crumpacker. (Continued on Page 2. Column 2.) —— Wood Aleohol Kills Three. GLACE BAY, Nova Scotia, March 12 alcohol sterday . Thick Floe By the Assoctated Press. TORONTO, March 12.—There is & wolf_in northern Ontario who apparent- ly knows that it is dangerous for air- planes to land on slush ice. Capt. W. Roy Maxwell, director of the provincial air force, was back from a fiight to the north country today telling how this wolf out-maneuvered the plane to save himself and hree com- panions. nio Four timber wolyes were sighted on Bromley Lake, north of Cogawa, and the fiyers started in uill bent on mlnl the pelts and paid for dead wolves. WOLF ON ICE OUTSMARTS FLYER BY DODGING SAFE LANDING SPOT |tne snooiins. Canadian’ Aviator Tries Vainly to CHase Animal on to to Get Pelt. The plane followed the fri huned wolves for three miles, trying them on to a section of uuh.nwhzre the ice afforded a safe landing “But,” Maxwell said, “the biggest wolf, a born leader, interpreted our in- tention and headed out onto the un to a point where the slush was deepes and dangerous. There he formed hlx platoon into single flle and just ran around in a circle. We couldn't budge him from this line of defense and when ‘we gave up in disgust and veered off, domere ':ere “v.:e t{?lu;h o’r‘n:hem. .w'n.g wn to & walk, st ring aro rosy and ing us the laugh for our wasted hous.” LITTLE ROCK, Ark., March IZ—W U. McCabe, Representative from Baxter County in the Arkansas State Legisla- ture, was shot and uflmuly ‘wounded by a bullet which passed through the door of his hotel room early today. H. Lansdale, an Atlanta, Ga., traveling salesman, was taken into custody after Officers said they found a xmlll cal- iber nvo]ver in Lansdale’s room, hall from that occupied by !(Wlbe. McCabe's condition was so critical officers. were unable to question him. No cl was filed Officers said he was held for question- ing after they were told by the hotel clerk and those occupying neatby rooms that McCabe was intoxicated and had becn‘.h creating a disturbance just before e 8. The clerk said he had reccived sev- eral complaints about nofse’ from Mc- Cabe’s room. ‘Linm:le is reported to have told the clerk: ;Ig ynlu gun’t stap him, lW':m." sigate e clerk was preparing to iuvestigal when he heard the shot and hurriead to the sixth floor, where he found McCabe mnl on the floor, a bullet wound in his Radio Programs g Page D4 MRS. F. G. NIXON-NIRDLINGER. PRIZE BEAUTY HELD the | near Willlamsport, Pa., last Spring, and | IN SPOUSE'S DEATH Former ‘“Miss "St. Louis” Kills F..G. Nixon-Nirdlinger. in Nice, France. By the Associated Préss. NICE, France, March 12—A story of her husband’s nagging jealousy, which he climaxed with an attempt to strangle her, was told police today by Mrs. Fred G. Nixon-Nirdlinger, who at midnight shot and killed the Phila- delphia theatrical magnate. Mrs. Nixon-Nirdlinger, who - was “Miss St. Louis” and runner-up in the 1923 Atlantic City beauty pageant, was arrested and *held by police pending a complete investigation of the slaying, which took ‘place in their flat here. In substantiation of her plea of self- defense, she exhibited red marks on { her throat, which she said were caused by her husband's fingers as he at- tempted to end a* jealous quarrel by choking her to death, Casts Pall Over Colony. ‘The death of Nixon-Nirdlinger and the subsequent detention of his wife today cast a pall of gloom over thc Riviera’s American pleasure colony, of which both were popular members. The slain theater man was 54 years old, his wife 26. They were married in 1925 and had two children, one 3 years old, the other 18 months. ' In her statement to police, Mrs. Nix- on-Nirdlinger said she was sitting in the salon of their apartment late last evening when her husband asked her what she was doing. She answered that she was studying an Italian lesson, “Because you are interested in that Italian fellow,” he retorted. Words followea and she retired to her bed room, where her husband followed her and continued to upbraid her as he disrobed. She said he worked himsel up to a high pitch of anger and then grabbed at her throat. Kept Pistol Under Pillow. She snatched at a revolver which she always kept beneath her pillow and fired wildly. Nixon-Nirdlinger staggered shrough the door into the next room and fell in a heap, one bullet in his temple and ‘another in his heart. The two babies, asieep in the adjoining room, | were not awakened. Distraught, ~Mrs. Nixon-Nirdlinger hurried to the police station and burst upon the astonished officers with the words, “I have shot my husband.” When doctors arrived at the flat the man was beyond help—he apparently had dled almost instantly. Her account of the shooting. as given (Continued on Page 2, Column '1.) “No Peace Until Germany Is Comchtely Crushed” How 1 PERSHING predicted to Foch end of war in 1918. Tomorrow in The Evening Star "UNWRITTEN LAW Grand Jury Fails to Indict Husband Is Undecided on Reconciliation. ‘The “unwritten law” was upheld today, when the grand jury returned an igno- ramus in the case of Hurtha Ira Du- laney,, 34 years cld, charged with mur- | Huff, whom he found visiting his wife in | east, Monday night. The ignoramus, which was returned in a special report, sats free Dulaney, | the father of four small children. “Tickled to Death.” As soon as the grand jury made its report Dulaney's attorney, James A. O’Shea, left for the District Jail to obtain his client's release. Meanwhile, it ey h:‘c(l) be;;n informed of a ry’s action by guards. seemed “tickled fo death,” it was said at_the jail, Dulaney was ready to leave when O'Shea arrived." Still wearing his con- ductor’s uniform in which he was ar- rested, Dulaney stepped from the jail into an automobile, in which he was whisked away. Before leaving the lock- up, ‘however, Dulaney said he was the ppiest man in the world.” “T'm glad it’s all over,” he declared, smiling broadly. “I'm so happy that I don't know what to say. I'm going home.to my kids—I'm so anxious to see them again!” Asked if there was any possibility of a reconciliation between him and his wife, Dulaney replied: “I should say not. Even if she’s at my mother-in-law’s home when I get there, it won't do her any good. I'm through with her. I could never take her back after what has happened.” Once he was united with his children, however, Dulaney seemed to waver in his previously expressed determination to have “nothing more to do with my wife.” When newspaper photographers asked him if he would pose with his wife on her arrival from the House of willingness to pose. with his wife indi- cated he had changed his mind anent, effecting reconciliation, he replied: “I don’t know. I'm still so much up in the air that I can't say exactly how I feel or avhat I'm going to do. All I know now is that i'm darn glad being here with the kids.” He punctuated the last remark by enveloping the chil- | dren, who were sitting on his lap and close beside him, in his arms. Seven Are Questioned. The report was presented after the grand jury had heard seven witnesses. ‘Two of these—Policeman George Thorn- ton, who helped investigate the slaying, and Tom ley, a neighoor of the Du- laney's—testified this morning. ‘The others—Policeman W. L. Dant of the ninth precinct, who was at the H street address at the time of the shooting; Detective Sergt. Cdtlton Tal- ley, who investigated the murde» for the homicide squad; Louis Huff, brother of the slain man, and Fred Schwarz- lénfin a fellow employe—testified yester- a; Dulaneyx wife, Mrs. Mary E. Duhney, 27 years old, was not called upon give her version of the shooting, whlch occurred in the bed room of her apart- ment while two of her four children lay asleep nearby. The other two youngsters, all of whom are suffering with whooping cough, were at the home of their grand- street northeast. Called for Policeman. Huff was shet when Dulaney, return- ing home after completing his run as a conductor, saw his rival enter the apart- ment. He telephoned the ninth precinct pllice station and, explaining that “a man is in my house,” asked that a po- liceman be sent to the scene. Dant re- sponded and was told by Dulaney to watch the rear of the d'emn(. ‘while the husband, with his shoes his hand, tiptoed upstairs. ‘When entered the apart- _(Continued on Page 2, Column 6.) ANTIMERGER ACT CLEARS DULANEY der in the fatal shooting of William L. | their apartment, at 1317 H street north- | He | that Detention he acquiesced. Asked if his | mother, Mrs. Madeline Johnson, 1204 H | 1 SUIT MAY FOLLOW GAS FIRM INQUIRY Brlde Investlgates Slgnm- cance of Transfer of Con- trol to New Company. | LEGAL ACTION. IN CASE APPEARS INEVITABLE Central Public Service Corporation Heads Deny Owning Any | ‘Washington Stock. Steps to jpvoke the LaFollette lI'AM~i merger act against the new owners of the Washington Gas Light Co. and its subsidiaries, appeared imminent today as a result of the recent series of de- velopments in the gas situation. Public utility officials admitted that in the light of the somewhat puzzling stock manipulations, and the change in management, coupled with the infor- mation developed more than a year ago during an investigation of the Seca- board Investment Trust when it, ac-j quired control “of the gas properties, | legal action appeared to be inevitable. Awaits Bride's Inquiry. At the Public Utilities Commission, however, it was said no definite action would be taken until Corporation Coun- sel William W. Bride, its general coun- sel, completes an inquiry into the sig- nificance of the transfemsof the control of the gas properties to the Washington and Suburban Cos. and the ting of a $6,500,000 bond issued by it con- cern, together with the sudden shift in the management of the pperating com- panies to the Central Public Service Corporation of Chicago, a gigantic pub- lic utility outfit, The utility officials have certain opin- ions as to who owns the gas companies now and why, and think Mr. Bride may develop enough evidence in his investiga- | tion to warrant court action under the | La Follette act. This.law forbids a for- eign public utility corporation, or any | foreign or local holding corporation, | directly or indirectly, to own, control or | hold or vote the stocks or bonds of any | public utility corporation in the District. Act Previously Invoked. The Public Utilities Commission in- voked the La Pollette act against the | Seaboard Investment Trust aiter it ac- quired control of the gas properties by suing to compel it to dispose of 108,806 shares of eapital stock of gas company. The court, however, held the, law had not been violated in this case, because the Seaboard was a common law trust and not a corpora- tion, ‘The Washington and Suburban Com- P anies which now control the gas stock, nsist they are a common-law trust, having the same legal status as the Seaboard Investment Trust. But the chief concern of the utility officials is the relationship between the new_hold- ing concern and the Central Public Service Corporation, headed by Albert L. Pierce, the Chicago public utilities’ mz;m Pierce as well 'as W. H. Wildes, executive vice president of the Central Corporation, announced in press dis- patches from Chicago, that the concern id not own directly or indirectly any stock in the gas companies and their concern would merely manage these utilities. Despite these announcements Donald | McPhersan, general counsel “for the Central Corporation, through Wilton J. Lambert, attorney for thc Washington Gas kight Co., issued a sweeping denial that the Central Corporation has a “management contract” with tne Wash- ington and Suburban Cofmpanies. The statement of Mr. McPherson at first served to confuse the situation, but after some consideration, the utility | officials ¢ame to the conclusion that it meant, in view of the announcemenfs of Mr. Pierce and Mr. Wildes, that the Central Corporation proposed tc manage the properties without a coutract. Link May Be Found. Utility officials point out that while there may be no relation between the Central Public Service Corporation and the Washington and Suburban Com- Dlnlinmr Bride’s inquiry may develop a ection between the corporation and some of its allied interests under which the provisions of the La Follette act might be applied. ‘The court’s decision in lhz Seaboard Investment Trust case was not appealed by the commission, but if any basis is (ound for legal action as a result of the recent developments, it was indicated at the commission that the case would be carried to the Supreme Court if neces- sary. - WAGES CUT IN BELGIUM AS WORKERS PROTEST Senate and House Expected to Re- duce Own-Salaries as Civie Pay Is Slashed. | By the Associated Press. | -~ ANTWERP, Belgium, March 12— Introduction of a bill reducing civil employes’ salaries and pensions by 6 per cent, commencing April 17, was de- cided upon by the government today. Members of the Senate and House are expected to reduce their salaries by 10 per cent to render the public serv- ant’s wage cut acceptable. This will be followed by all-around industrial uhry reductions, sta: with metal workers. The latter are preparing Inr a public demonstration on March 22 in protest against the pro- rosal. GALE SWEEPS WES 20-Inch Fall Reported in Special Dispatch to The Star. CUMBERLAND, Md., March 12— For the third day snow continued to fall in the Garrett County territory ing a gale and d:uu piling high. At some points the fall is nearly 20 inches on the level. The State Roads Com- m kunln; the ano:s H&{nwuy oflfn bel; PILING SNOWDRIFTS 10 FEET HIGH west of Frostburg, with the wind blow- | TERN MARYLAND, Garrett County as Blizzard Continues; Tractors Clear Roads. . road has been kept open, with one-way "Tw l“ z‘n‘; is upwmd t Th elve es is re omas, W. Va. with the uurmomeur at 12 above zero and a biting wind blowing. At Alta mont, Garrett County, a real blizzard ted extendin and large y Jateral n of WETS GOT “BREAK” INDRY ACT REPORT, SAYS WICKERSHAM Board Chairman Surprised Over Vehement Criticism Coming From Antis. DECLARES STUDY COST LESS THAN $100,000 Conflict of Board's Conclusions and Recommendations Denied in Boston Address. By the Associated Press. BOSTON, March 12—Chairman Wickersham of the Law Enforcement Commission today interpreted the com- mission’s prohibition report as holding more comfort for the “wets” than the “drys.” He expressed surprise that “the most vehement criticism” had come from anti-prohibition sources, adding he thought “the ‘wets’ would have derived imore encouragement from the report and the separate statements of the com~ missioners attached to it than the ‘drys. " The 72-year-old commission chairman included this statement in a luncheon address before the Boston Chamber of Commerce. Hitting out at various criticisms of the prohibition report, Wickersham asserted it was untrue that the com- mission’s conclusions and recommenda- tions “were utterly at variance with the report.” $500,000 Cost Denied. He denied flatly statements that the dry law study had cost $500,000 or “up- ward of $5 a word.” The total amount expended upon it, he said, was $56,- 958.59, addition of overhead expenses leaving the cost below $100,000. The time spent upon it, he said, “has left us with too short a period in which to complete with satisfaction’ the ade- quate consideration of the reports of experts upon other matters, which are either now before us or in preparation.” The commission technically ceases to exist after July 1. Discussing reactions to mmmh'- sion report, Wickersham said comments g of “the dry press nmtdl;l dry organiza. tions” had existing con- c‘u:‘i’om the i?ed of nu,'lnc their !otcu reconsidering their plans in light of tke facts set forth. o “In the past there has. bee; well founded ccmphint of the extreme intolerance of the ibitionists. Their puulhr charac uu of late appear to have been appropriated by their w— ponents. - Apparently a large body of lnfi-progbmanms expected the com- mission to find 2 way for them fo secure liquor with ease and were enraged when we failed to do s0.” “Differences” Discussed. Wickersham spoke at len; uj the reported “differences” M‘::‘en m individual reports of the 11 commis- sioners and their brief conelusions. He contended the differences mainly were confined to remedies suggested for recog- n""T?u ills. o report frankly recognizes the evils which have dz\nlol;‘dn in the course of 10 years of the administration of the national prohibition act, but nevertheless points out that the great achievement of the act has been the lbiodlfllcn of the legalized saloon,” he sal The commission chairman acknowl- edged differences of opinion among the members especially over the proposal to revise the eighteenth amendment, but gave no_figures on how the commission- ers had™divided. “The question of alternatives to the existing ofder gave members of the commission great concern,” he said. “Some of us, of whom I am one, feared that any of the modifications proposed would inevitably lead to the restoration of the licensed saloon, with all the evils of this institution in the past, and therefore were unwilling at this time to abandon all further efforts to bring about a general observance of the zuhl- eenth amendment.” l.lsl.l Experis Preparing Report. igkersham listed the experts who nre reparing reports upon various phases of crime, including data show- ing “much rank maladministration” re- garding the deportation of aliens, a study of lawlessness of governmental of- ficials and an inquiry into Federal and "Stfi!u prisons and approximately 18,000 Despite the broadness of the field, he said, the commission on March 1, had Jon hand $172,600 of the $500,000 ap- propriated to it. This was due, he as- iserted, to work done without compensa- tion by both commission members and experts. “I cannot but -think,” Wickersham concluded, “It will be a misfortune if in the development of our political con- ditions the only reward of such efforts should come to be misunderstanding, misrepresentation and abu: ———— CHINA SHIPS $6,500,000 IN GOLD BARS TO U. S. Move to Bolster Silver Seen in Transaction Surrounded With Secrecy. By Cable to The Star. SHANGHAI China, March 12.—Gold bars valued at $6,500,000 are to leave here tonight aboard the President Cleveland for San Prancisco, according to plans made by the Central Bank of China, the only institution permitted by the government to gold. This shipment is d to bolster China’s silver. The also hoping w:nkz a profit on the exchmce trans- action. The utmost secrecy is maintained over the shipment, though enough erroneous reports leaked out last week to enable speculators to reap rich re- wards. (Copyright, 1931.) Gastonia Bank Reopens. GASTONIA, N. C., March 12 (#)— The First National Bank oF Gastonia, which closed December "&1“’;:““ $500,000 new upl stock o n much *