Evening Star Newspaper, May 30, 1931, Page 19

FIN BETTER TREND SEEN INBANK CONDITIONS Crop Qutlook and Demand for Bonds Are Also Held Good Signs. BY EDWARD C. STONE. Financial conditions in the South- eastern section of the Un ted Siates are summed up as follows by the mewly established magazine known as Invest- ment Banking: “Banking conditions in this territory are improving rapidly and a dec'ded trend toward more normal conditions is seen in the reopening of a number of institutions which suspended opera- tions in the closings which started shortly before the end of 1930. A num- ber of banks have again thrown aopen their doors, and banking officials see a continuous upward movement &s new confidence is gained and &s the pendu- Jum of optimism begins its upward swing. A decided change has been noted in the lowering of bank interest Tates on savings accounts and time de- posits. “Crop_conditions appear enccuraging. A mild Winter has done much to bring | about an excellent condition of the soll. | Because of existing c'rcumstances crops | are being produced at a much reduced | cost, with little or no improvement in | prices for staples. Econemy in produc- | tion will go a long way to protect the | planter against further decline in com- modity prices. “The - strawberry industry in the! South eontinues to expand. It has been estimated that the South will produce | approximately 54,667,000 ~querts of strawbarries, or 4 per cent more than last year. This crop annually brings several millions of dollars into the Southern States. “Although the timidity of the inves- | tor is still apparent, there has been a good demand for municipal issues, re-| sulting from the extensive road build- ing programs. “All indications point to the fact that public_confidence is being restored, and that the peaple generally are willing to | join hands in building upon a safe and sound basis.” Ludington Line Officers. At the annual stockholders’ meeting of the Ludington Line yesterday the following directors were elected for the year: C. T. Ludington, N. 8. Ludington, ‘W. L. Morgan, W. W. Kellett and R. S. Saltus, jr. At the directors’ meeting immediately thereafter the following officers were elected: C. Townsend Ludington, chairman of the board; Nicholas S. Ludingion, | president; Eugene L. Vidal, executive vice president; Paul F. Collins, vice president; Amelia Earhart, vice presi- dent; Walter L. Morgan, treasurer: R. S. Saltus, jr. secretaiy, and N. iangl’t‘e, assistant secretary and treas- rer. A. B. A, Membership Lower. The chairman of the American Bankers' Association Membarship Com- mittee, Gilbert L. Daane, president of the Grand Rapids Savings Bank, Grand Rapics, Mich., advised the eourcil re- ANCIAL. Exchanges Closed In Annual Custom On Memorial Day By the Assoclated Pre NEW YORK, May 30.—Business was at a standstill in the financial district today in obscrvance of Memprial day. The New York Stock and Curb changes, the banks and all commodity markets were closed. WOMAN, ON STAND, ACCUSES BANKER Mrs. May Asserts Visits of B. Agee Bowles Caused Breakdown. Special Dispatch to The Star. FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE, Va., May 30.—Trial of the $20,000 damage suit egainst B. Agee Bowles, vice president of the Potomac Savings Bank, George- town, drew to a close here today in Circuit Court with the plaintiff, Mrs. Mae B. May of Falls Church, under cross-examination. Mrs. May, who charges Bowles fis responsible for her becoming partly | paralyzed as a result of his two visits to her home in February, 1930, testified under cross-questioning that she feared Bowles and was afraid he would “put me in jail.” Bowles, it was charged in the suit, came to the May home and angrily a cused Mrs. May of “spreading stories” about him and a woman. As a resuit of these visits and the “loud manner” in which Bowles ac- cused her, Mrs. May claimed she suf- fered a nervous breakdown and lost the use of her left arm and leg. Defense Counsel Frank L. Ball, State Senator of Virginia, failed to “shake” the story of Mrs. May or her husband, B. Prank May, who testified yesterday. She said from the witness stand that she was afraid of the Georgetown banker because he “kept running his hands through his pockets.” “You didn’t think he had a weapon, did you, Mrs. May?” asked Ball. “I didn't know what to think; he threatened to put me in jail,” she an- swered. ACTRESS ESCAPES SUIT Helen Twelvetrees and Chauffeur Held Not Liable in Accident. LOS ANGELES, May 30 () —Helen Twelvetrees, film actress, and Edward Slater, driver of her motor car, were held not liable for damages in Superior Court Trursday in the $100,000 suit of Anna Ruth Price, injured in a col- lision in April, 1929. The suit against them was dismissed, but action proceeded against a motcr company and Clayton E. Kramer, driver of the car in which Miss Price was cently that membership in the associa- | riding. tion as of August 31, 1930, numbered 19,738 out of 27,423 eligible institutions, and on March 31, 1931, it was 18,188 out of an eligible total of 25911. In percentages the membership on March 31 of this year represented 69.2 per cnt of the eligible total, compared with 69.8 ! per cent a year ago. The net loss in membership for the year was reported as 1,548. Mr. Daane asked co-operation ! in the task of selecting State vicz presi- dents willing to give the necessary time and eficrt to membership work in their respective States. Bank Failure Plague Subsiding. The epidemic of bank f:ilures which prevailed last year in various sections of the country, and particularly in emall and agricultural communities, shows marked signs of abiting. The turn of the year has shown a decided reduction, says Trust Companies Mag- azine, in the number of bank suspen- sions er insolvencies. In December last year there were 344 suspensions. In January of this year the number drop- ped to 199, in February to 78 and March the total was 89. This is a dis- tinct change for the better, showing that the drastic process of eliminating weak banks is abous over. Another source of encouragement is the fact that a considerable Jaroportlon of closed banks have reopened for business, while the merger and absorpticn movement continues most active. B. & O. Hits Eight-Year Low. It was necessary to turn back the financial files to 1923 to find a time when Baltimore & Ohio had sold as Iow as it did yesterday when a price | of 49 was ticked off on the New York tape. Winding up the session at 50, the price of this rail stock was ham- mered down 4% for the day. At yesterday's depressed level, Bal- timore & Ohio was gatting back where it was when the stock was off the dividend list, though it still had some distance to tumble before the price wone of the 1921 depression would be reached. The drop in Baltimore & Ohio was no more than proportionate, however, to the decline suffered by the earlier group in g-neral. Volume of transactions in the stock was not especially large, totaling 4,000 shares, Arundel Breaks All Records. An increase of $5,676 or 2.4 per cent in net income of the Arund:l Corpora- | tion after depreciation for April was announced yesterday in Baltimore l:iy Frank A. Furst, chairman of the board. Total net income for the month was $239,985 as compared with $234,309. In the four months ended April 30 net income was $646,124 compared with $629,823, a gain of $16,360 or 2.5 per cent. Net income for both April and four-month period was the best in the corporation’s history. Dividend requirements were covered by a substantial margin. The balance sheet showed current assets of $8,707.- 409, as against current labilities of $328,000, a ratio of about 11 to 1. Gleaned in Financial District, ‘The Street was quiet today with every bank, broker office, house closed for Memorial ‘day. President Robert V. Fleming of the Riggs National Bank is passing the week end and holiday cn a motor trip | Bos in Pennsylvania. The auditors' section of the District | Ghire: Bankers' Association has examined the ‘Washingion High School found them in excellent condition. Arthur J. Linn of the Federal- American National Bank & Trust Co. Tecently gave & very interesting talk bafore the auditors’ section on “Ccost Accounting for Branch Banks.” During April 195 establishments in| 47 industries reported wege rate de- | Los creases, according to Bureay of Labor statistics. These decreases averaged ; 10.1 per cent and affected 22,543 em- yes. In March 175 establishments 38 industries reported decreases averaging 10.3 per cent and affecting 22,502 emploves. G. M. P. Murphy &' Co., members of | 2o th: New York Stock Exchangs, an- nounce the opening of an office in Bos- ton at 50 Congress street. NEW VENIRE CALLED months was: and investment A banks and | Clevelan THE WEATHER District of Columbia and Maryland— Local thundershowers tonight and to- morrow; slightly eooler tonight: cooler tomorrow and tomorrow night; gentle | to moderate shifting winds, becoming northwest. Virginia—Local thundershowers to- night and tomorrow; slightly cooler in eme north portion tonight; cooler morrow; - moderate winds, mostly south and southwest. West Virginia—Showers and cooler tonight and tomorrow. Record for 24 Hours. Thermometer—4 p.m., 89; 8 p.m,, & 12 midnight, 74; 4 am, 69; 8 am, T 29.99; 4 8 am, 20.96; 11 aJ 29.92. Highest temperature, 90, occurred at 4 pm., yesterday. Lowest temperature, 67, occurred at 4 a.m., today. Temperature seme date last year—| Highest, 65; lowest, 50. Tide Table. (Furnished by United States Coast and | Geodetic Survey). Today—Low tide, 12:55 am. 1:38 p.m.; high tide, 6:44¢ a. m, 7:15 p.m. ‘Tomcrrow—Low tide, 1:47 am, 2:28 pm.; high tide, 7:32 am, 8:05 pm. The Sun and Moon. Today—Sun wose, 4:46; sun sets, 7:25 p.m. ‘Tomorrow—Sun rises, 4:45 am.; sun sets, 7:26 p.m. Moon rises, 6:53 p.m.; sets, 3:38 am. Automobile lamps to be lighted one- | half hour after sunset. Rainfall. | Comparative figures of the monthly | and ! and and and rainfall in the Capital for the first five months against the average are shown in the following tabie: AVERAGE. January..3.55 ins. February, .3.27 ins. March. April.....327 ins. May. .3.75 ins, .3.70 ins. Record rainfall for the first five January, 1882, 7.09 inches; Februery, 1884, 6.3¢ inches; March, 1891, 8.54 inches; April, 9.13 inches; M: 1889, 1069 inches. Weuther in Varlous Cities. ; Temperatur I50m0T Stations. Weather. sses--z039w01 | scnd them to a hospital and let that { Teplace them. . | was decided to remove the hydrant from THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. €., SATURDAY, MAY ‘30, 193T.’ | BILL HELD ILLEGAL, | COUNTY PAYS IT Doctor Given $20 for Treat- ing Prisoners in Arlington. Appeal Threatened. By a Staff Correspondent of The Star. ARLINGTON COUNTY COURT HOUSE, Va., May 30.—Disregarding a ruling by Commonwealth’s Attorney William C. Gloth that such action was illegal, the Board of County Superviscrs yesterday voted to pay a special bill of $20 for the treatment of prisoners who bad been taken to the jail following automobile accidents and fights in which they were seriously injured. Among cther matters considered yes- terday was that of the construction of sidewalks for the benefit of children attending Washington-Lee High School, Robert E. Lee Elementary School and Woodrow Wilson Elementary Schcol, all receiving a favorable vote; the question of the injunction suit filed by Lyon & Fitch against the board and 283 resi- dents of Lyon Park, zoning matters and the water hydrant situation. Bill Causes Trouble. Presentation of a bill fcr $20 by Dr. B. H. Swain, physician for the jail, pre- cipitated an argument of considerable heat and duration between Gloth and Sherift Howard B. Fields. Dr. Swain, it was pointed out, is allowed 75 cents per prisoner for treatments admin- istered to prisoners, this being paid by the State. It has been necessary recently, how- ever, for him to give surgical attention to four badly injured prisoners, and he felt that he was entitled to an extra fee. State duthorities refused to pay the bill, even after Gloth had enlisted the assistance of Judge Walter T. Mc- Carthy, and Dr. Swain presented the bill to the Board of Supervisors. Payment Called Illegal. Sheriff Fields stated that it was un- fair to expect any physician to admin- ister surgical nticn in emergency cases for 15 cents per person and asked that the bill be paid. Gloth interposed with a statement to the effect that tue law holds the inmates of the jail to be prisoners of the State and that the county could not legally pay the bill, “I object to the payment of the bill, he declared. Fields again interposed, declaring that he was responsible for the prisoners and that it was only a humane act to provide them with surgical attention when they needed it. f both the county and State refuse to pay for such treatmeént, it will be necessary either to deprive them of the treatment or i institution assume the responsibility of § collection, he said. Vote Is Unanimous. At this point Supervisor B. M. Hed- | rick declared that, “law or no law, I think the bill should be paid, and 1 so move.” The vote was unanimous. [ Gloth declared that he would appeal the case to the Circuit Court. William H. Duncan, clerk of the court, agreed with him hat the payment of the money is illegal. Tear for the safety of approximately 2,000 schoal children by their parents and other interested citizens yesulted in the vote for the sidewelks for the schools. At the present time this host of students is forced to either walk on the Toacway or in the gutter, and are | in constant danger from vehicular traf- | fic, since all three schools are located | on main thoroughfares. A campaign | for this work has bcen under way for the past several years. Referring to the injunction suit filed | by Lyon & Fitch to Testrain the cili- zens of Lyon Park and adjacent sec- | tions from further use of the aewer- | age system that was installed at the time Lyon Park was subdivided, Super- | visor Hedrick daclared that the people | of that section had done everything in their power in behalf of a county-wide sewerage system nd therefore were en- titled to all of the help the county can give. Case to Be Studied. Gloth was instructed to make a study of the case and redort to the board. Fearing future trcuble with respect to changes in zoning, the board de- cided to require each person making an application for a change in zoning of property to file a plat of the prop- erty and some evidence of ownership. A request by the Beautification Com- | mittce of the Arlington County Bicen- | tennial Council for the erection in the court houss of a case for the display of prizes and photozraphs of prize-win- ning properties was referred to the county directing engineer for a report. | An attack was made by Col. J. G. Pepper of Barcroft on the recent action of the board in discontinuing 22 tem- porary water spigots and the installa- tion of but 5 permanent hydrants to “I hope I am not on the next grand jury,” he declared, “for it is nothing more nor less than murder to deprive these people of water who are unable to obtain it in any other way except through municipal spigots.” Anncuncement was made that the board had not definitely committed itself to only five permanent hydrants and would consider any future applica- tions for community hydrants on the merit of the particular case. On the motion of Superviscr E, C. Turnburke it Cherrydale to Halls Hill and to install an additional hydrant at Leeway. Washington Produce Butter—One-pound prints, 29; tub, 28. Eggs—Hennery, 18al9; current re- ceipts, 16a17. Poultry, alive—Turkeys, 20; Spring broflers, colored, 35a37; Leghorn broil- ers, 25a28; hens, colored, 23a24: Leg- horns, 17; roosters, 13al4; ducks, 15; keats, young, 70a80; old, 40. Dressed— Spring" broilers, colored, 38ad2; Leg- horns, 35a37; hens, 24a36; Leghorns, 18; roosters, 16; keats, young, 70a80; old, 40. 0.16 Raining Pt.cloudy ar Ft.cloudy lear lear Ft.cloudy 22223I22R282 - qumn_ave elena, Mo Huron' 8 Dak 30 ndiunapolis,ind 3 JacksonulleEls. 29 30. Kanas City,Mq ngeles Louisville, Ky. i, ¥ New York, N. Oklahoma’ Ciiv. 30. Omaha, Nebr Philadelphia Phoenix, At Bittsburgh, Portland, = Me Lfforts to Get Jury in “Love Mar-| WASH ket” Case Delayed in 8an Diego. SAN DIEGO, May 30 (/). —Attorneys in the trial of Alexander Pantages, | Lon theater magnate, and_three others on | conspiracy and morals charges, have failed to select a jury in five days of questioning. ‘Three venires, totaling 61 talismen, have been exhausted and another of 25 was summoned yesterday as court ad- urned until Monday. . 22B2SVTIEL32323LS23S (7 a.m., Greenwich time, today.) Stations, Temperaiurg, Weather. dop, Englane : }4 é}uy 3 lear 8 ¢ 4 4 [ Paris. ' France - ‘tme, toda: 68" " Part cloudy rvations.) 2 rt eloudy 8 loudy s Hamilton, Hitana, Gubs Colon,. Caus) ‘Zowe, Meats—Beef, 11a13l,; veal, 12al4; Spring lamb, 21; Western, 15816; pork lotns, 19; fresh hams, 19; fresh shoul- ders, 14; smoked hams, 20; smoked shoulders, 1215; strip bacon, 33; lard, in_packages, 12; in bulk, 11. Live stock—Hogs, heavy, 6.00a6.25; light and medium, 6.3526.50; pigs, 6.50; loughs, 3.00a4.50; calves, 4.00a8.00; Spring lambs, 5.0029.00. Fruits—Watermelons, 1.50; canta- loupes, jumbos, 3.75a4.00; standards, 3.25a3.50; ponys, 2.00a3.00; strawberries, 2.50¢5.00; apples, box, 2.5082.75; ba- nanes, 1.00a2.0 pincapples, 4.00; oranges, 2.5024.50: lemons, 5.0085.50; limes, per 100, 3,09; honeydews, 3.00; grapefruit, 3.0023.50; rhubarb, per 100 bunches, 3.00a5.00. Vegetables—Potatoes, new, per barrel, 3.5024.00; old, 150-pound sacks, 3.00; 100-pound sacks, 2.25; Idaho bakers, 100-pound sacks, 2.75a3. tomatoes, 8- pan containers, 3.00a: cabbage, 758 1.00; kale, 25240; spinach, 35a40; peas, 1.0021.50; string beans, 1.00a1.50; Sum- mer squash, 1.5022.00; cucumbers, 2.50; eggplant, 4.00a4.50; lettuce, Iceberg, 3.00; homegrcwn, baskets, 25a75; car- rots, California, 2,7523.00; beets, per 100 bunches, 6.00; Spring onions, per 100 bunches, 1.50a2.00; Bermudas, 50-pound sacks, 1.50; peppers, 4.00; asparagus, 2.0024.00; caulifiower, 2.50: corn, 2.508 2.75; mushrooms, mostly 1.25. Couple Wed After 60 Years. After 2 scparation of 60 years, Mrs. Isabella Greenfield, 75, and James Tott, 77, were married recently at Edmonton, England. They were sweethearts when they attended the same school, but afterward drifted apart and for three- score years saw nothing of each other until, ‘& month ago, they met in the streed “It” Girl May Retire CLARA BOW. BOWS RETIREMENT SEN BY PRODUCER Paramount Executive Says She Has Asked to Be Re- leased From Contract. By the Associated Press. DENVER, Colo, May 30—B. P. Schulberg, production manager for Paramount Pictures, has expressed the opinion that the screen carecr of Clara Bow is nearing termination with her immediat: retirement contingent upol her releass from a contract with Para- mount. The executive, who discovered the act- ress, revealed last night that she had informed Paramount cXecutives of a desire to quit the movies and that her request to be released from her contract was under advisement. Schulbirg vas here for a conference with New York executives of the company. In Poor Physical Condition. “There is no question the girl, for two years, in my opinon, the greatest actress on the screen, is in poor physi- cal concition and there is a big chance she will nev:r make another picture,” Schulberg said. Schulbarg said that behind Miss Bow': collapse was a series of difficulties, cli: maxed by the trial of Daisy Dz Boe, her former secrétary, on charges of grand theft. “It was one of the most tragic things I ever witnessed,” Schulberg said, dis- cussing the hearings. “Why, it actually developed inio a trial of Clara Bow.” Victim of Her Friends. “Poor Clara is the friends. She has the biggest heart in the we and now, because of her kind- ness to others, she confronts termina- tion of h'r really great career.” Schulberg said Paramount was hold- ing up production on “Manhandled” un- til it is determined whether Miss Bow shall take the leading role. Schulberg conferred here with S. R. K<nt, general manager, and Emmanuel | -| Cohn, in charge of the Weekly News | Reel, on the production plans. ACTRESS IN HOSPITAL. Has Given No Statement Regarding Reported Retirement. LOS ANGELES, May 30 (#)—Clara Bow is in a Glendale Hospital recover- ing from a nervous collapse. Neither she nor her suitor, Rex Bell, actar, could be reached immediately for com- ment on a report that she might quit the films. Her hospital confinement is the most Tecent of a series of tribulations. Dur- ing the last several months her parts lx; §wo picturcs have been taken by other girls, ‘The present illness followed the arrest of Pred Girnau, weekly magazine pub- lisher, on a charge of sending obscene matt:r through the mails in connection with stories purporting to disclose her private life. Before that, Miss Bow col- lapsed during a trisl which resulted in grand theft ccnyiction of her former secretary, Daisy De Boe, The Denver statement of B. P. Schul- berg, Paramount executive, that Miss Bow might leave pictures, was the first official intimation of that sort. When she went,to the Glendale Hospital, it was said she was merely taking & good rest and did not plan to leave the films. Plans Six Months’ Rest, Dr. Wesley Hommel, her physician, announced May 3 that she would rest six months. The Paramount studio re- vealed that Peggy Shannon would take STOCK AND BOND By the As: victim of her | her place in a picture for which she had been rehearsing. Miss De Boe, who has appealed con- viction on a charge cf stealing an er- mine coat, sald when she went to trial, “one more slam in the papers and Clara is through.” Miss Bow's asserted romance with a gagement with Harry Richman, New York actor and night club entertain had received wide publicity. Then th was the incident at Oalneva, | where cperatars of a gambling resort, | claimed she had canceled checks total- ing upward of $50,000 given for gaming debts. The actress had recovered from the illness which came with the trial and was preparing to make a new picture when Girnau' began publicatton of the serfes of Bow articles. | “Miss De Bow filed suit against Gir- | | nau for $100,000 damages, charging he | had wrongfully used her name as the source of informaticn. | Girnau is awaiting trial in Federal | Court, JEWISH EDUCATION " GROUP FORMED HERE Aims at Co-ordinating All Existing Orthodox Institutions in City. Officers Elected. | The Jewish Education Association | has been formed here to co-ordinate all the existing Orthodox Jewish edu- cational institutions in Washington, in- cluding the various Hebrew schools and Talmud Tcrahs, “on tie basis of a unified program of operation and currieulum.” ‘This was announced Thursday night following a large meeting of the Hebrew | Home for the Aged, attended by rep- resentatives of practically every ortho- dox eduecaticnal and religious Jewish organization in the city. Heretofore the various Jewish con- gregational schools were separately operated and maintained. Permanent organization was effected st the meeting. Officers elected in- cluded Bernard Danzansky, prominent local communal leader, president; Semuel Freedman, M. Garfinkle, L. Mirman and Nathan Plotnick, vice presidents; Alex Koplin, secretary; Jacob M. Schaffer, assistant secretary, and Paul Himmeifarb, treasurer. It was decided to take steps looking to the early employment of an_ execu- tive director. Committees cn Curricu- lum, Organization, Location, Propa- ganda, Publicity and Budget were ap- pointed. The rabbis of the leading orthodox synagogues, ineluding Rabbis Solomon H. Metz of Adas Isracl, Sixth and I streets; J. T. Loeb of Ohev Sholom, Fifth and I streets, and Aaron Volk- man of B'nai Israel, Fourteenth and Emerson streets, expressed their hearty indorsement of the association in ad- dresses at the meeting. Mr. Danzansky indicated that in so far as possible the present personnel and location of the various educational institutions will be retained. | | KING GEORGE RIDES First Time on Horseback Since Ill- ness, Two Years Ago. LONDON, May 30 (/).—For the first time since his grave illness of two years ago King George went horseback riding yesterdey in the famous “Rotten Row’ of Hyde Park. On Saturday, June 6, the King will attend the trooping of the colors in be- lated celebration of his birthday, which falls this' year on Derby day, June 3. At that ceremony hz will be in the saddle for s considerable time. AVFRAGES From Yesterday's 5:30 Edition. STOCKS. 50 20 Industrials, Rails. .o 98.8% 60.5% 20 Utilities, 150.3* | ;Fon Worth doctor and her broken ‘en- | Nev., | RAIL DEPRESSION SEEN NEARING END Historical Record of Five Other Slumps Shows Two Years Is Term. _I_(CanvglinqedA!‘ryp Pirst_Page.) stant decrease. In 1930 the curve had dropped until it corresponded to the point reached in 1907. in pessenger treffic has been traced first of all to the privately owned au- tomobile, secondly to the motor bus operated between cities and towns. But_despite the reduction in T traffic the volume of that traffic the country over is still very large, and it does not seem pcssible to visualize the traveling public in this country without the railroads. Indeed, the roads are seeking by every means to meet the competition afforded them by the automobile and bus and even more recently the competiticn af- forded by the air carrier—constantly improving the service and speed of their trains. Despite all the competition which the rallroads are now forced to meet, a re- turn of business seems bound to relieve the roads of most of their present diffi- culties—difficulties which they are seek- ing now to offset by huge reductions in operating expenses, including curtail- ment of labcr and outlays for main- tenance, and me ecently by demands for increases in rates. Rates Tend Down. The railroads point out today, how- ever, that in the last decade there has been a general tendency to lower rates. | The roads themselves have made volun- | tary reductions of rates to meet compe- tition of other carriers. But, on the whole, the tendency has been toward a reduction of rates fixed by the Inter- state Commerce Commission for the railrcads. In the year 1921 the revenue er ton mile for freight was 1.275 cents. his has steadily dropped until for the 1.063 cents. This may not appear to be a material reduction on a hundred tans, for example. But when it is | applied to hundreds of millions and bil- liops of tons it becomes great. The same reduction is found in the revenue per pessenger-mile for that period. tarting in 1921 with a reve- hue of 3.086 cents per passenger-mile, | this has bezn reduced to 2.716 cents. So far as the freight is concerned, other elements have entered into the lcwering return than th: mere reduction basic freight rates. There may have been a shifting from high grade to low- 'er giade commodities, bringing in a lesser revenue, and there may have been a lengthening of the distances the freight was carried, bringing with it a ‘reducuon in the average revinue per | ton-mile. However, the rallroad of- | ficials contend that there has been a | growing tendency to reduc: their rates |at the instance of the shippers, and that is one of the matters y must | combat. Taxes Are Heavy. Another of the factors in the present- day situaticn of the railrcads is the Federal, State and local taxes they pay. Railway taxes in 1930 mounted to $354,- 000,000. This was a decrease of $49,- 000,000, or 12 per cent, from ths amount paid in 1929, and reflects the reduced net income of the roads in 1930. De- spite this reduction, the ratio of taxes to operating rev:nues rose to a higher level in 1930 than ever before, averag- ing 6.6 per cent throughout the year. This means that 6.6 cents of every dollar of railway revenues in 1930 was absorbed by Federal, State and local tax requirements. It indicates that there was no lightening of the tax bur- den in 1930, but rather that the bur- den was increased. Tn 1921 the railroads paid 5 cents per dollar of revenue in taxes. There has bsen an almost steady rise in the ratio since that time, and for the first three months in 1931 the railroads paid 7 cents per dollar of revenue in taxes. The ratio of taxes paid by the rail- roads for every dollar of net operating revenue shows a far greater proportion than the ratio for the gross revenue just given. This year so far the roads have paid 37.13 cents in taxes for every dollar of net operating revenue. Last ' year the figure was 30.02 cents for every dollar of net operating revenue. In other words, the revenues of the railrcads have decreased, but the taxes; remain practically the same despite the fact that there was a reduction in the amount paid for the Federal in- come tax. The roads complain that there is a tendency to increase local and State taxes. The rate of return on the property in- vestments of the roads rose gradually from 2.84 per cent in 1921 to 4.8 per cent in 1926, sagged to 4.29 per cent in 1927 end then advanced to 4.85 per cent in 1929. This rate of return drop- ped off to 3.36 per cent in 1930 and for the first quarter of 1931 it has been down to 2.07 per cent. Expenses Are Cut. Some of the raflroads by drastic re- ductions in their operating expenses have been able to show an actual in- crease in their net operating incomes for the first quarter of this year as compared with the first quarter of last year. The Erie Rallroad is one of these, with a net operating income of $3,384,- 163, as compared to $3,124,259 in 1930. ‘The gross operating revenue, however, for the first three months in 1931 was only $23,171.959, as eompared to $27,- 229,537 in 1930. The total operating expenses, how- ever, were reduced from $21,695,166 in the first three months of 1930 to $17,- 629,449 in the first three months of the present year. On the other hand, the net operating income of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad. for example, fell from $19,935,036 in the first three months of i of 1931. Here and there are a few railroads, though not the larger ones, which actually have shown an increasc in both business and net income, as well as gross income, for the first quar- ter of 1931, as compared with 1930. So far there has been no proposal in railroad cireles for reduction in wage scale. The labor charge is the greatest single item in operation of the rallroads, running somewhere from 55 to 60 per cent of the total. Any effort to bring about a reduction of wages undoubtedly would lead to serious labor trouble, perhaps precipitating a general strike. A reduction in wages, there-| fore, is regarded as a last resort, and everything possible will be done before that is resorted to. While, they have kept up their wage scales, the railroads, | nevertheless, haye been forced to reduce by many thousands the numbers of their employes because of lack of business. Many of the men are working on part time today. Railroad employes, as a whale, are as interested in relief meas- ures for the roads as are the owners of securities, and perhaps more so. Pay Rolls Reduced. The average number of men and women on railway pay rolls during the year 1930 approximated 1,510,000, com- pared with 1,686,000 in 1920, a decrease of 10.4 per cent. Aggrega tion to employes fell from $2,940,000, in 1929 to about $2,620,000,000 in 1930, ! a reduction of about 10.9 per cent. This decline was not due to wage reductions, but to a lessening in hours of labor. The average number of employes on the pay rolls in February year was 1,319,000, The railroads point with pride to the fact that during the depression of 1930 . fl nded a total of $872,608,000 d that this years f except 1926, its capital program, it is declared, was the contribution of the railroads to the fi"i‘p“’d‘. of the unemployment problem year 1930 the revenue per ton mile was | d: 'MARINE COM 1930 to $9,309,04¢ for the first quarter || FINANCIAL. Players Who Lack Poker Face Urged To Wear Monocle Head of Optical Company Returns From Abroad With Tip. By the Assoclated Press. NEW YORK, May 30.—Emil B. May- rowits, head of an optical company, returned yesterday to the United States from & tour of Europe and the Near East with & money-making tip for poker players whose faces betray their cards. ‘The answer is a monocle. “The monocle hes a way of masking the face completely,” he sald. “I have ofien wondered why American poker players do not adopt it. Put a mon- ocle in the eye, and the rest of the face loses all expression.” London, Mr. Meyrowitz said, monocles are bought by the dozen, and 1o one ever picks up one that has fallen because it is considered “bad taste.” REPORT DUE TODAY ON MODERNISM CASE Presbyterians Study Reopening of Charge Against Arkensas Pastor Cleared by Symod. By the Associated Press. MONTREAT, N. C, May 30.—The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States was ex- pected to get a report today from its * L7 WARSHIPS AWAIT MIDDY GRADUATION Arkansas and Wyoming to . Carry Embryo Admirals on Training Cruise. Special Dispateh to The Sta ANNAPOLIS, Md., May 30.—The presence of the battleships Arkansas &nd Wyoming, two of the vessels which will carry the midshipmen on their practice cruise this Summer, is an cdded feature of June week at the Naval Academy, which is in its second day. ‘The two ships are under the com- mand of Rear Admiral C. C. Bloch, who will command the training squad- ron in an itinerary which touches upon penhagen, Glasgow, Cadiz and Gibral- Ohio State Plants Tree. While athletic contests are the main features on the program at the Naval Academy today, there are other events of interest. One, unusual one, is the planting of a buckeye tree this morn- ing by representatives of the Ohig | State University, which is sending two | teams, base ball and track, to meect the Naval Academy today. Athletic relations Letween the two are growing very close and include also foot ball, in which they will meet dur- ing the next two seasons. The Ohio- ans decided to real this friendly ri- valry by planting the buckeye at the edge of the main athletic field of the academy. Bowstrom Accepts. Judicial Commiitee on the question of reopening the case in which the Rev. Hay Watson Smith, D. D, of Little Rock, Ark., was accused of heretical theological beliefs. ‘The committee met last night, but failed to ccme to any decision and 2d. journed to continue its discussions to- William Crcwe, D. of St. merits of the eppeal. If it should rec- ommend the case be reopened, the As- sembly will appoint a commission to try the case. ‘The appeal is from a decision of the Arkansas Synod, which upheld a com- mission in clearing the Rev. Mr. Smith. It was brought by the Rev. J. E. Mc- Junkin of Forest City, Ark., and others. Among committee reports to come up today was a report from the Commit- tee on Title to Church Property znd Sefeguarcing Against Excessive Debts of Synods and Presbyteries. MISSIONS GIVEN 3 WASHINGTONIANS Michael J. x—:ll—yEClptniu and J. P. Collins and D. R. Hyland Are Named Lieutenants. Commissions were presented to three new Marine Corps officers yesterday by Maj. Gen. Ben H. Fuller, com- mandant of the U. 8. Marine Corps, in recognition of duty permormed with the 6th Marine Brigade of District of Co- lumbia reserve troops in the 20th and 23d Marines. Michael J. Kelly. athlelic coach at Eastern High School, was commissioned a captain for duty as commanding officer of the 2d Battalion, 20th Marines, Capt. Kelly served with M rines in France 2s a lieutenant. John P. Collins, assistant principal at Eastern High S , was made a s2cond lieutentant for his duty as com- manding officer of Company E, 2d Battalion, 20th Marines, a unit com- posed of high school students and alumnl of Eastern and other high schools. Donald R. Hyland, 2830 Forty-fourth street, was commissioned a first lieu- tenant for duty in command ef Com- pany F, 20th Marines. Lieut. Hyland attended Staunton Military Academy three years and served for three years in the District National Guard. Last year he was aitached to Company G, 20th Marines, with the rank ef corporal. BANKRUPTCY PETITION FILED BY HABERDASHERY J. A. Kaufman and A. E. Steinem Are Appointed Receivers for 8. N. Meyer, Inc. S. N. Meyer, Inc., operating a retail clothing store and haberdashery at 1331 T street, yesterday filed a petition in vol- untary bankruptcy. At the request of Attorney Alvin L. Newmyer for the company, Justice Jennings Bailey ap- gmmed Joseph A. Kaufman and Albert . Steinem as receivers and fixed their bonds at $60,000. No schedule of assets and liabilities | accompanied ~the petition, the court | being advised the schedules would be i filed within the 10 days allowed by | the law. ‘The court was told the store fixtures would be worth about $4,000 at a forced sale and the stock would ~nprox- imate $35,000 Frank Meyer, secretary of the com- pany signed the petition asking for appointment of receivers. He explained it is necessary to conduct the business pending negotiations with the creditors and that the place, having been occu- pied by the company for more than 15 years, has considerable good-will AFE ay. The work of the committee, the Rev. | X Louis, | chairman,” said, is' to decide on the | ‘The ceremony tock place this morn- | ing, the speech of acceptance being de- | livered by Midshipman Robert M. | Bowstrom, captain of the foot ball | team. A little later the ceremony of | the dedication of the foot ball field | in henor of Col. Robert Means Tromp- | son, a great friend of the academy and | the midshipmen, took place. It will be called the Robert Means Thomp- son Stadium m the future. The speak- ers were Rear Admiral William L. Rogers (retired) and Rear Admiral Thomas C. Hart. superintendent of the Naval Academy. WOMAN DRY INFCRMER SEIZED ON FIVE CHARGES Agent Fined $08 cn Liquor Counts as Fedcral Men Are Arresting 14 She Turned Up. By the Associated Press. MACON. Ga, Mezy 30.—Tbe record of Miss Helen Respess as a Federal prohibition informer todcy included | errest of 14 persons for selling her | liquor end five charges against her for alleged consumption of intoxicants. The arrests, including five women, ‘were made by Federal agents yesterday while Miss Respess was in City Re- corder’s Court answering counts of being drunk, driving an automobile while drunk, reckless driving, violating the rules of the road, and speeding. | Officers said they arrested her with young man compznion on & dow town street Thursday night. Pelice Judge Hatcher fined her a totai of $98 on four charges and committed her to City Court on the charge of driving | an automebile while drunk. | Miss Respass worked “under cover” | here for several weeks as assistant to D. V: Rcbertson, non-resident Federal agent. \THREE KILLED IN AUTO CRASH IN INDIANA Woman Among Victims and An- other Injured, All Chicagoans, on Wey to Speedway. By the Assoclated Press. LEBANNON, Ind., May 30.—Two men and a woman, all residents of Chicago, were killed when their car crashed into a truck eight miles north of her2 today. Another woman was seriously injured. ‘The men were identified as M. Bohne, 55, and Arthur Walter. The party was en route to the Indian- apolis Motor Speedway. Physicians said recovery of the injured woman was doubtful. Identity of the wamen could not be_established immedietely. First Mortgage Loans | Lowest Rates of Interest and Commission Thomas J. Fisher & Company, Inc. Money to Loan real Money on Hand to Loan on First Deed of Trust 6% Interest Reasonable Commission and Prompt Replies to Applications JAMES F. SHEA 643 Indiana Ave. N.W. “BUSY MONEY” That is a good name for the money that you will have invested in our 6% FIRST MORTGAGES —for it will be busily at work every day of every year—irom investment to maturity—and always paying this liberal in regularity. Over a Third S : Safe m of a Century Without a Loss p properties. terest with unchanging oney, too—for it has back of it First Mortgages on conserva- tively appraised, improved Washing- ton real estate—largely new home I May be purchased in amounts from $250 National 2100 THERE up. B. F. 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