Evening Star Newspaper, December 24, 1931, Page 2

A2 w2 ~ REALTY TAX CUT URGED FOR CITY Collins Would Make' New Levies Replace Burden on Home Ownership. BY WILL P. KENNEDY. Increased revenue for the District of Columbia which might be collected through new or substitute tax measures not vet enacted, but which were put through the House last week on recom- mendation of the Mapes Special Com- mittee on Fiscal Relations, should be applied toward a_reduction of real estate taxes. according to Representa- tive Ross A. Collins of Mississippi, a member of the Mapes committee and formerly a member of the Subcom- mittee on tre District Budget This proposal, he explains, is not ad- vanced to give special relief to property owners in the District of Columbia, but as a progressive, modern method of taxation, toward a model tax system in the Capital that would be copied throughout the States and in local communities. Holds Levies Too High. Mr. Collins is emphatic in his dec- laration that real estate taxes in Wash- ington and throughout the country are getting too high, and that one of the most wholesome provinces of legisla- tion will pe to so reduce real estate taxes as to promote home ownership and encourage all tha people to own a bit of their national soil. In explaining his line of thought on his propsal for reducticn of real estate taxes, Fep tative Collins said to- day “Prastisally all the taxes collected in the Itstrict of Columbia have been levied on real estate. Even the intangi- ble taxes largely come from mortgages on réhl estate. Real estate, therefore, has borne practically the entire burden of taxatfon in the District. The same situation exists in practically all of the States, but not to as large an extent as prevails in the District of Columbia. I think real estate taxes in the District are too high. They are still higher in other cities of comparable size through- out the United States and are ver much higher in the rural sections and the small towns Favored New Bills. “The time has come, I think, when a person should be taxed according to his income. Progressive thought throughout the country is demanding a distribution of tax burdens according 1o ability to pay. As a member of the Mapes Committee I was very heartily in favor of the proposed income tax law, an estate tax law and the other different new forms of taxation recom- mended in that report. It was, how- ever, my personal opinion that the taxes to be raised from these new progressive ways should be used to reduce the tax burdens on real estate within the Dis trict of Columbia, especially on resi- dential propegty. I have always felt that our tay la onerous _as hpre\'?nh an _individual from owning Ms home. I have always felt that home owning should be en- couraged. I know of no more success- ful way to accomplish this than by making the tax burden of home owner- ship teasonable. a District of Columbia, as is well Rnown, is governed by the Con- gress of the United States. The Con- gress Should certainly provide the Dis- rict &n example in taxation to be fol- lowed by legisrauve bodies and munis pal authorities throughout the countr: HOOVER TO BE HOST AT OLD-FASHIONED YULE PARTY TONIGHT (Continued From First Page) He had been detained at his office by a mass of business and as soon as he put his signature to the moratorium ratification he hurried back to the White House to join in the gayety Peggy Ann and her brother, affec- tionately known as “Peter,” with Mrs. Hoover ~ standing between them, re- ceived each of the more than 200 lit- tle guests. All the children came laden with packages which, at the con- clusion of the party, were packed and shipped to poor children. Most of the gifts were sent to Morgantown, W. Va., where there are many destitute fami- lies of coal miners and whgre the Friends' Committee has been doing charitable work. Part of the presents, however. were sent to destitute families In Washington. Several handsomely trim med Christmas trees that were erccled in the east room for yesterday's parte also were sent away. Sume of the littie guests brought sev- eral presents and others needed the help of their parents, chauffeurs and nurses to assist them in lugging in the big packages. One of the features of the gay affair wes the presence of Mrs. Santa Claus, the role being taken by Mrs. Juiia Williamson of Philadelphia, it was necessary for her to come in place of her husband. who was busy back at the North Pole completing ar rangements for his great reindeer ride tonight. She told the children all about the North Pole and her wonder- ful husband. It was Mrs. Santa who received the presents from the children and placed them in piles to be packed and sent away Toward the conclusion of the party there was carol singing by a group of Girl Scouts, some of whom carried lighted English lanterns. Mrs. oover stood with these daintily uniformed serenaders as they sang. The Hoover grandchildren were up and about early this morning, intent upon missing nothing and having all the fun possible. They had an early breakfast with their grandfather and later, when he went to his desk in the executive office, they accompanied him, with Mrs. Hoover and their father and mother. For nearly 20 minutes, the happy family group sat talking in the President's office. Each Christmas since occupying the | White House it has been the custom of Mr. and Mrs. Hoover to give a poin- setta plant to each attache and em- ploye of the White House. Peggy Ann and her brother today were delegated to_distribute the flowers. Boris Kosta, the President’s valet, as- sisted the youngsters in making the distributions. Mrs. Hoover, during the forenoon assisted in the Christmas arty of the Central Union Mission and ater In the day assisted in a similar pasiy conducted by the Salvation Army. BAND CONCERT. By the United States Soldiers’ Home Band this evening. at Stanley Hall, at 5:20 o'clock. John S. M. Zimmermann, bandmaster: Anton Pointner, assistant. March, “Semper Fidelis” (Always Faithful) .... 5 ..Sousa Overture, “Herod" . Hadley | Christmas suite, “Around the Christ- mas Tree” . Tobani | “From Heaven I Was Sent to Earth.” “O Come, Little Children.” “Cantique de Noel.” “O Faithful Pine.” *Praise to the Lord.” “Sacred Night, Holy Night.” “Adestes Fidelis.” “Tomorrow Will Re Christmas.” “'O Sanctissima.” "The Clock Strikes the Hour of 12.” “Tne Passing of the Old Year.” Pinale, “The Hour of Parting.” “The Sleighride and Return Home.” Gems zom comic opera, “The Oolah,” Locoq Fox trot, “Have You Forgotten?” Suesse | Waltz suite, “Lure of tge Night,” 3ri Finale, “The Hour of Partiny, Spoliansky “The Star Spangled Banner ham ws should not be so Mrs, | Santa explained to the little ones how | CITIZENS' JOINT COMMITTEE TO FIGHT FOR FINANCIAL EQUITY Plans to go before the Senate Dis- trict Committee in opposition to the four Mapes bills, designed to increasc District taxes and cut down the amount of the Nation's lump-sum payment and to repeal the substantive law providing a 60-40 ratio of fiscal relations, were laid yesterday by the Citizens' Joint the United States and the District of Columbia. At its first meeting since the passage of the bills in the House last week, the committee adopted a resolution which urges retention of the 60-40 ratio in the substantive law, a return to that ratio in appropriation practice and as long as the Jump-sum payment practice continues substantial increase mn these annual lump-sum payments. The resolution also urges that no in- crease of the District's present heavy tax burden be made, solely or pri- marily to facilitate the cutting down in the amount of the lump-sum pay- ment: or unless after thayough exami- nation it is found that such additional taxation is absolutely necessary to meet urgent municipal needs which cannot otherwise be satisfied. The group, which is composed of leaders of Washington's trade, civic and financial ofganizations, will make careful preparations for its concerted drive on the Capitol for “financial equity” for the people of the District. The “committee plans mass of authentic facts and figures on which to bese its plea to Congress. The meeting of the committee, held in the board rooms of the Washington d of Trade in The Star Building, s presided over by Theodore W. Noyes, chairman of the Executive Com- mittee of the group. The text of the resolution which was introduced by E. C. Brandenburg, follows. in full “Whereas, there are now pending in the Senate and before the Senate Dis- trict Committee H. R. bills numbered 5821, 5822 and 5823, which impose new and increased taxes amounting annual- ly, it is estimated, to three million dol- lars for the apparent purpose of reduc- ing by that amount the annual lump- sum appropriation from the Treasury for the maintenance and development of the Nation's city; Bills Strongly Protested. *“And. whereas, there is also pending before the Senate District House bill 6285, which repeals the pro- vision of substantive law of 1922 that established the 60-40 ratio of definite proportionate contribution by the Nation and local taxpayers toward the main- tenance and municipal development of the National Capital, repudiates any continuing financial obligation on the part of the Nation toward the Nation's or to nothing in accordance with the changing views of successive appropri- ation committees; “Resolved, by the Citizens' Joint Committec on Fiscal Relations between the United States and the District of Columbia, “That the committee vigorously pro- tests against any increase whatever in the District taxpayers' already heavy tax burden solely or primarily to facili- tate a reduction by millions of the lump- sum payment by the Nation toward Capital maintenance and upbuilding: “That the committee urges that no additional increased tax be jmposed un- less after thorough examination it is found that such additional taxation is absolutely necessary to meet urgent municipal needs which cannot other- wise be satisfied: “That, in framing any new tax legis- lation, care be taken lo give assurance that the proposed form or method of taxation is sound in principle, and that the legislation is so worded 8s to be Urges Return to 60-40 Ratio in A Committee on Fiscal Relations between ! to assemble a | Committee | city, and permits the national payment | on this account to be reduced to little | A THE EVENING . 8 v TAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, THURSDAY, DI EOF G 24, .1931. ppropria- tion Practice, and Meanwhile Su‘i&tan- tial Increase of Lump-Sum Payments. equitable in application to all tax- payers ““That the committee urges the Te- jection by Enngress of the House bill which would repeal the provision of the substantive law of 1922 establishing the | 60-40 definite proportionate ratio, and which legalizes a lump-sum appropria- ation in its stead, or no appropriation at all, in accordance with the will of suc- ! cessive appropriation committees and | changing Congresses; | Urges Increase of Lump-Sura Payments. “That the committee urges retention in the substantative law of the 60-40 definite proportionate ratio; a return in appropriation practice to the 60-40 definite ratio of contribution and as long as a lump:sum payment is the ap- propriation practice temporarily on an- nual appropriation acts, a_substantial increase, both on general and specific grounds, in the amount of these lump- sum payments; “That the recommendations of action herein contained are in accord with the | platform of principles laid down by the committee in 1915 and reaffirmed re- peatedly since that date; “That the committee will appear through representatives at the hearing by the Senate District Committee and by petition and argument will submit the facts and reasoning which sustain its urgent plea to Congress for financial equity.” The meeting was opened by Mr. Noyes, who, in outlining the recent de- velopments in Congress _concerning | | fiscal relations, described the situation | as a “serious condition, not a theory, | that now confronts the people of | Washington." | = Several members of the committee discussed various phases of the resolu- tion before it was finally adopted. Full Discussion. Before adoption the resolution W thoroughly discussed in detail. Among | those who spoke were Theodore W. | Noyes, chairman of the committee; Ed- ward F. Colladay, vice chairman; Rob- ert J. Cottrell, secretary; Harry King, president of the Chamber of Commerce; Evan H. Tucker, president of the Northeast Citizens' Association; Thomas P. Littlepage, representing the Chamber. of Commerce; Edwin C. Brandenburg. of the Board of Trade; Dr. George C. Havenner, president of the Federation of Citizens' Associations; George E. Sullivan of the Federation of Citizens’ Associations, Robert V. Fleming, presi- dent of the Riggs Bank: Joshua Evans, jr., president of the District National Bank, and Francis G. Addison, presi- dent of the Security Savings and Com- mercial Bank. Campaign Is Outlined. The committee voted to authorize Mr Noyes to appoint such subcommittees and agents as he saw fit to carry for- ward the campaign tentatively outlined at_the meeting. The following members of the com- | mittee attended the session: Theodore | W. Noyes, chairman; Harry King, presi- dent Washington Chamber of Com- merce; Evan H. Tucker, president | Northeast Washington Citizens' ~Asso- | ciation; Thomas P. Littlepage, vice | president Chamber of Commerce: M. O. Chance, president Kiwanis Club; Ed- | ward D. Shaw, secretary Merchants and | | Manufacturers’ Association: Dorsey W. | Hyde. jr. secretary Chamber of Co: | merce; Edwin C. Brandenburg, Wash- | ington Board of Trade; George E. Sulli- | van, vice president Federation of Citi- | 2ens’ Associations; Jesse C. Suter, Dr George C. Havenner, president Federa- |tion of Citizens' Associations; M. L Beale, Robert V. Fleming, Joshua Evans. jr.: Francis G. Addison, District | of Columbia Bankers' Association; C. H. Pope, acting president District of Columbia Bankers' Association; E. F. Colladay. and Robert J. Cottrell, secre- | tary Board of Trade. TYDINGS ASSALS D.C.INCOME TAX Senator Declares He Will Oppose Bill as Unneces- sary at This Time. trict income tax at this time, Senator Tyding of Maryland, one of the Demo- cratic members of the Senate District Committee, today announced his oppo- sition to the Mapes income tax meas- ure as it came from the House. In addition to calling_ attention to the possibility that the bill would re- quire Virginians working in Washing- similar tax in the District and a Fed- eral income tax, Senator Tydings point- ed out that Federal income taxes may be increased. King Wants Survey. Senator King, Democrat of Utah, also night he would want some other agency, as well as the Bureau of Efficlency, to study the various taxation bills. Sena- tor King favors local income and es- tate taxes for the District, but is not 5o enthusiastic over the other two bills to raise the gasoline tax from 2 to 4 cents and to tax automobiles by weight. airman Capper of the District Com- mittee plans to suggest to the commit- tee after the Christmas hclidays that the Efficiency Bureau be asked to an- alyze the tax bill before they are acted on Senator Tdyings made known his measure in the following statement: “After examining very casually the bill for levying income taxes for the District of Columbia, I am inclined to oppose it, for the following resspns: “1. Because I have not yet reached the conclusion that such taxes arc necessary. Sees National Need. “2. It may be necessary to save the income tax revenues for the national mstead of the local governments in order to tike care of the imminent two-billion-dollar deficit in the National Treasury. Already there js .a pre dentfal recommendation for an increase of income taxcs to take czre of Federal nesds. This increase, coupled with the additional cne for loc21 purposes in the of Columbia, would make a “3. In Virginia, for example, there is a State income tax law. Thus, a man living in Virginia and working in Wash- ington would pay income taxes upon his income-in Virginia, an income tax on the same income in Washington, where he works, and, in addition, would have to pay a Federal income tax, or three income taxes in all on the same income, “Such a burden is so heavy that it should condemn itself to every fair- minded person as bemg inequitable and unsound, and I am, therefore, opposed to the measure as it has come to the Senate.” ATTORNEY TO SPEAK Herman Felter, attorney of the In- terstate Commerce Commission, will be the guest speaker at the Friday evening services of the congregation B'naj Is- rael, Fourteenth and erson streets. _ His subject will be “What Every Jew Ought to Know About the Talmud.” Questioning the necessity for a Dis- | ton to pay a Virginia income tax, a|T a District Committee member, said last | = views with regard to the income tax | increase for this class of citizens. | FEDERAL RELIEF DRIVE GOES OVER “ QUOTA OF MILLION | ___(Continued From First Page.) departments and independent offices, with the percentage that the total con- stitutes of the full three days' pay from | each employe, so far as this estima‘e is possible: Amnt. sub. Pct. of final report. yuota $1.823.80 100 - 191218.71 17.825.18 Department 2.74 Department of Labor.. var O en W Treasury Department.. . . Post Office Dept. and City Post Omee. Navy Dept, N. Yard, etc, | Dept. of Agriculture.. ... | Di: t of Columbia Govt ational Boundary Commission ational Joint Com< lien Property Custodian, ederal Board for Voca- tional Education..... he Budget aterways | Ce | A P Administration. .. ne Arts Commission.... Board of Mediation 5 Federal Power Commis- SIoNi 2 Personnel Classification Board Panama Canai Recorder of Deeds. Pan-American _Union. ... Emplove s Compens, Com.. National Advisory Com- mittee for Aeronautics National Training School for Boye %55 Federal Reserve Board... U. S. Marshal's Office Soldiers’ Home = Tariff Commission Smithsonian Instituti Shipping Board Supreme Court. D. C. .. Colonial and Overseas Ex- pedition. Paris Veterans’ A on. Interstate Commerce Com. Federal Trade Commission Public Buldings and Pub T B i U. S. Sup art [ Architect of the Capitol. Total .. UNCER;I\TNTY VEILS WAR DEBT’S FUTURE; DEFAULTS FORECAST (Continued Prom First Page.) the President issued the following state- ment: . “I have signed the act authorizing the foreign debt postponement for one year. I am gratified at the support it received in the Congress as indicated by the approval (including those ab- sent, yet who expressed their views) of 79 Senatcrs as against 15 opposed, and the approval of 317 members of the House of Representatives as against 100 opposed. It is further gratifying that both political parties strongly support- ed this proposal. “The suggestion of our Government for the year's postponement of inter- governmental debts among all principal nations of which ours is only a part, averted a catastrophe, the effects of which would have reached to the United States and would have caused the Amer- ican people & lees many times the s rehi 3.355.31 $1,085,754.53 NATION'S YULE TREE Will Greet Americans Every- Wwhere in Coast-to-Coast Radio Broadcast. (Continued From First Page) recreational activities of unemployed young women df the city, will be gaily decorated for the Yuletide perfod. A special Christmas eve party will be held at the center, under the auspices of the Optimists’’ Club. Santa Claus visited the Providence Hospital this morning and distributed gifts among the many children who attended the various clinics maintained under the auspices of the Community Chest. The Sisters of Providence Hos- pital arranged and decorated a Christ- mas tree for the children The Volunteers of America, from it relief mission at 471 Pennsylvania ave- nue, gave away baskets of food and bundles of clothing for approximately 500 families this week, according to Lieut. Col. Frank H. Wise, head of the organization. Each basket contained sufficient food to serve a Christmas dinner to a family of 10. The charity group is sponsoring a | Christmas party for poor children at the mission tomorrow morning, when toys and candy will be distributed. Aid Veterans' Children. Last night 25 children of needy World War veterans were guests of the Sergt. Jasper Unit, No. 13, American Legion Auxillary, at a Christmas party in the ‘Thomson School, Twelfth and L streets. Warm clothing, gifts and toys were provided for the children and each family was the recipient of a basket of groceries. A stockingful of nuts and fruit was given to each child. Kemper F. Cowing, a member of the unit, impersonated Santa Claus at the ceremony and music was provided by the Mount Vernon Methodist Church Choir, the Meyer Goldman Orchestra and radio entertainers. A party for peor children will be held tomorrow at the Washington- Hoover Airport under the joint auspices of the American Legion, the Club Michel and the Ludington Air Line. Santa Claus will arrive by plane at 5:15 p.m. and will deposit his many presents at the front door of one cf the hangars. His plane, descending about dusk, will be colorfully illuminated. The orchestra of the Club Michel will be on hand and a huge Christmas tree will stand in front of the hangar where Santa Claus is expected to arrive. Transportation for the children is being provided by the Capital Tracticn Co. and the Arnold Bus Line. Temple to Distribute Gifts. spirit of Christmas will be br t to many of the less fortunate children of Washington tomorrow ing when Almas Temple, A. A. O N. M starts a fleet of trucks and private cars loaded with toys and food for more than 600 children. The uni- formed bodies of Almas Temple. under the supervision of Potentate Robert S Regar. will distribute the presents. Shrine officers estimate that two ton: of food. sufficient for 1000 families, and 150 s will be the group’s con- tribution toward bettering Christmas for_the poor Raymond M. Florance is chairman of the Christmas Charity Committee of the Shrine, ted by Thomas L Miller, vice chai treasurer, and F. A. C. Shepard, secre- tary Other events scheduled in and about the city include singing of Christmas carols around a tree by children of the Episcopal Home for ~Children, Rock Creek Ford road, tonight at 7:30: dis- tribution of toys by members of the Lions Club at the Neighborhood House, 470 N street southwest, tonight at 7:30 Christmas party for approximately neighborhood _children at the ~Noel House Boys' Club. 1663 Kramer street northeast, this afternoon, and carol singing Columbia Hospital for Women, Twenty-fifth and L streets, to- at 6 Tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock the Lions Club will journey to the Wash- ington Home for Children at 4610 For- cond street, to distribute gifts to the ycungsters at the home. Boys at St. Joseph's Home and School, Eastern avenue and Bunker Hill road northeast, will receive toys at the same hour. Santa Claus also is scheduled to visit the St. Anne's In- fant Asylum, 2300 K street. at 9 o'clock and Children's Hospital at 7 pm. The The {Columbia Polytechnic Institute for the Blind will nsor a Christmas party for the blind in the Hamilton Hotel Monday. A Christmas party was held this morning at the Children’s Country Home at Eighteenth street and Bunker Hill road Three branches of the Marine Corps held their individual mas parties in various parts.of the city yesterday. The Adjutant and Inspector Depart- ment staged its party in the large room in the third wing of the Navy Depart- ment Building, while the Quartermas- ter's Department held its second an- nual Christmas luncheon in the Gar- den T Shoppe, 1835 Columbia road. The Christmas luncheon of the Pay- master's Department was held at the | Lee Housr. Fifteenth and L streets. The Government Printing Office organized a Christmas party for 35 needy families, with all divisions con- tributing foodstufls and presents The central feature of all the Christ- mas activity in the Capital revolves about the lighting of the community Christmas tree by President Hoover, which has taken weeks of work to pre- pare. The Community Center Depart- ment, of which Mrs. Elizabeth K. Peeples is chairman, has been in charge of arrangements for the event, aided by the Electric League of Washington, Boy and Girl Scouts and musical organizations. The TLibrary of Congress will be closed all day tomorrow, but will be cpen from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday. it -— Divorcee Beaten to Death. TULSA, OKla., December 24 (A).—Mrs. Hattle Dowse, 30, divorcee and beauty shop operator, was beaten to death in her shop with an electric iron late Tuesday. Joe King, 40, a trucking contractor, against whom the woman recently had filed a breach of promise suit, sur- ;ex’lldered to police. He was held without a amount involved. No part of the debt owing to us has been cancelled or reduced; the postponed amounts are repayable ei‘cr a period of 10 years with inters at 4 per cent. “In. saving the collapse of Germany by the year's postponement the Ameri- can people Have done something greater than the dollars and cents gained from the mantenance of our agricultural mar- kets, the prevention of panic and un- limited losses. They have contributed to maintain courage and hope in the German nation, to give opportunity for the other European countries to work out their problems.” Senator Johnson’s Comment. In the light of the Basel report, Sen- ator Hiram Johnson of California, chief of the moratorium opponents, comment- ed that ratification of the latter was a “pyrrhic victory.” “The fight on the moratorium was one of those losing fights that is won,” he said. “* * ¢ % The American people, having now been saddled with $250,000,000, they will not tolerate any endeavor to pay the whole cost of the horrible World War.” Senator Reed.of Pennsylvania, sup- porter of the administration on every- thing but debt revision, greeted the re- ?ort with the assertion that the Na- lon's debtors are,amply. able to pay without reference™to reparations. | sons in favor of postponement. nan; Jesse T. Nussear, | 185,000,000 in expenditures by the dele- IPRESIDENT T0 LIGHT BRITAIN FAILS 10 DELAY PARLEY Feels Present Inauspicious Circumstances Will Injure Gause of Disarmament. BY PAUL SCOTT MOWRER. By Cable to The Star PARIS, France, December 24.—Great Britain's latest and most serious efforts | to get the General Disarmament Con- | ference scheduled for February post- poned appear to have completely failed These efforts, it is generally recog- nized, were due not to the British de- sire to delay disarmament, but on the contrary, to the British feeling that to hold the conference in the present in- auspicious circumstances would do per- haps permanent injury to the cause of disarmament. However, it is evident that Great Britain itself is disinclined to take the responsibility of formally proposing | postponement. British diplomacy there- fore has been sounding out other pow- ers with the view of possibly persuad- ing them to make this proposal, which, it is thought, would then be quickly supported. Great Britain's first idea seems to have been that Germany might take the lead. Some three weeks ago arti- cles began to appear in certain of the more liberal German newspapers sug- gesting this postponement. But the German government seems to want the conference to be held as scheduled at Geneva, February 2 and the incipient press campaign subsided. Tokio Delegation on Way. Knowing that neither the United States nor France nor Italy was de- sitous of suggesting this postpone- ment, Great Britain now tried Japan, whose new Conservative government is thought to be firmly opposed to reduc- tions of armaments or of its military budget. A note was sent to Tokio December 17 intimating indirectly that Japan has replied that it is willing to delay it a few weeks if the others wish, but that its delegation to the confer- ence has already sailed and expects to be in Geneva in January. The affair is thus seemingly settled The discussion surrounding it, how- ever, has brought out several interest- ing points of difference in the French and British views. British newspapers. like the London Times and the London Daily Telegraph, give the following rea- The governmental Conference War Debts and Reparations i» going| to begin in January and will, there- fore, overlap the Disarmament Con- ference. on | Atmosphere Is Unpropitious. With the Franco-Italian naval dis- pute unsettled, with tension between France and Germany and the possi- bility of Adolf Hitler's taking power in Germany, and with elections in Ger- many in March and May and elections in France in May. the international atmosphere is unpropitious. The Manchurian affair is still trouble- some, and popular confidence in the League of Nations as a result of its handling of this affair is greatly dimin- ished. Finally, the conference is said to be insufficiently prepared. The Daily Telegraph even adds that the costs involved in the present time of depression will be extravagant- namely, an $800.000 supplementary charge on the League budget and some gations, Final Settlement Impossible. To all this the French press replies: The reparations conference will be | brief because the attitude of the Ameri- can Congress makes & final settlement now impossivle. ; The international atmosphere admit- tedly is bad, but disarmament is not a | matter of atmosphere. but of doctrine. | and this can be discussed now as well: as at any other time. The conference is unprepared, but this is the fault of its chairman. for- mer British Foreign Minister Arthur Henderson, of whom it was known for months that he was to preside. In any case. a postponement of a few week, &S suggested in the British- Japanese talks, would be quite useless All this does not mean that France is eager to disarm, but simply that France feels that the affair must be gone through with and that this is as good a time as any—perhaps, from the| French viewpoint, the best possible time. France Prepares Arguments. France intends to make disarm: ment depend on the conclusion of defl- nite regional security agreements and considers that the Manchurian affair definitely proves its point that existing peace pacis give no real security. Some of the best political and tech- nical minds of France have been work- ing steadily on the preparation of the French case during the last four months. It is understood that they are not only armed on all sorts of sta- tistics and arguments, but also with a series of definite proposals which, they hope, will form the basis of the con- ference’s deliberations. Incidentally, the Paris newspaper Journal des Debats reveals that if Ger- many cites its alleged right under the treaty to demand general disarmament and declares that otherwise it intends to rearm itself, France will demand an inquiry into the present state of German armaments with a view to es- tablishing whether Germany has not been systematically violating the treaty. (Copyright. 1931 . JONES TO OPPOSE CUT IN SALARIES OF FEDERAL WORKERS (Continued From First Page.) indicated the Democrats in the Senate “are going to aid us in holding down ations.” Ip&l;opsra\‘; he had written a letter to Harrison asking where the cuts could be made. Harriscn, in proposing the reductions Tuesday, said the committee should investigate where they could best be effected. “The most important thing to be undertaken,” Senator Borah said, “is to balance the budget. We never can balance the budget unless we cut Fed- eral expenditures, and it is all non- sense to say we cannot cut expendi- tures. And I am in favor of begin- ning by cutting every Federal salary above $2,000 or $2,500 by 10 per cent. Of course, we cannot reach the Federal Judiciary.” Constitution Protects Judges. 3 re is a provision in the Consti- tu;.xl.gren agnlmtpreduclng the salaries of Federal judges during their terms of office, and another provision against changing thehfgngensatlon of a Presi- ring rm. deg:n:umr lg!onh has not esl:lmuted l'fih; robable saving from such a salar itting program, but indicated his be- lief that the budget should not be bal- anced solely by increasing taxation. While strongly voicing his own views on the subject, Senator Borah did not say he would urle(; z‘}‘w initiative in ing salal luctions. ms‘:?:r.f Ben:{m‘l have said recently they did not believe the Government should set an example of salary cutting -z%flumwa ess in 1925 raised the salaries of its members, Cabinet officers, | ’ Mrs. Hoover Aids Santa - MISSION'S YULE PARTY PACKS THEATER. Right to left: Santa Claus (John S. Bennett, superintendent of the Central Union Mission), with Betty Henderson, 3, in his arms; Mrs. Herbert Hoover, Mrs Herbert Hoover, Jr., and Mrs. John S. Bennett. __ ITH shouts of “Merry Christ- mas” from thousands of young_throats, Santa Claus Mrs. Herbert Hoover reccived a lusty welcome at the annual Christmas party of the Central Union Mission, which filled the Fox Theater to capacity. Mrs. Hoover, accompanied by her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Herbert Hoover, jr., arrived just in time for Santa Claus to announce her to the 3,000 or more children, many of whom she knows from previous visits to the mission's Christmas parties. Two big Christmas trees, ablaze with a myriad of lights, | stood on cach side of the stage and the center was piled with hundreds of gaily colored bags The United States Marine Band and Homer Rodeheaver, famous song leader, had been giving the youngsters a lively entertainment while they were waiting for Santa Claus. That robust person, who turned out to be Supt. John S. nnett, spied Mrs. Hoover in the wings and led her out onto the stage, where she smiled and waived to the happy children. want to introduce to you POPE SENDS YULE PEACE MESSACE Refuses to Discuss Arms Problems Because Advice Has Been Rejected. By the Associated Press VATICAN CITY. December 24.— Pope Pius received a score of cardinals at noon today and through them sent a Christmas message to the Catholic world, He refused to discuss or advise on disarmament and peace because he said “Very often it (advice) has been given by us and by our predecessors, but it has never been heeded. As a matter of fact, it has very often been transformed so as to become a cause of discord. Therefore, it is much bet- ter to speak to God and to ask from Him true peace among men." Plans Encyclical He announced he would encyclical on the fifteenth ce Council of Ephesus and told of his sorrows and joys in®reviewing the work of the church for the past year He spoke particularly of th collapse of the Vatican Library day and asked the cardinals ber the five victims in thei morrow. “Books can be replaced, but not,” he said. He expressed s the bereaved families and that “the buildings were old built in a hurry.” Among the sorrows of the church, the Pontiff mentioned the Church’s diffi- culties in Russia, Mexico and Spain, and said he was pleased to see present Car- Soon. partial they can- orrow for remarked and were dinal Segura y Saenz. who was expelled | from the latter country. In Mexico, he said, “the struggle| against the Church is still grave and sharp. However, recently the situation has been relieved by the smile of many in the Guadalupe celebration.” Spain, he remarked. “has torn out the most beautiful pages of its history. dese- crated the family and desecrated the n a manner which is truly Ha praised Cardinal Segura “heroic_and spontanenous Te- nunciation, not because of the real dif- | ficulties, but to obviate protests.” “Russia, Mexico, Spain.” he added. “This is a sort of triangle over which hovers the greatest menace.” Cites Fascist Trouble. ‘The move against Catholic action by the Fascist state last Summer; he said, was one of those ‘“great sorrows that bring great pleasures, for the princi- ples cof justice, equity and peace” were establiched and all is now right with the organization. The Pontiff said the world economic crises had brought pain and misery to l’rl;nny and caused much unemployment. | e had done what he could to help the jobless, he said, and had found work for more than 8,000 in the Vati- can, although all were not needed. He regretted “that statesmen do not think of the hand of God and do not turn to God.” He referred to Thanks- giving. however, and said, “It is true that in America it has been remem- bered to thank God for past benefits and also to thank Him that in America troubles are not so grave as in other countries.” CORRECTION Erroneous reports printed in The Washington Star that the shotgun “death trap” reported to the Prince Georges County sheriff's office had been set .in the caretaker's house at Cedar Hill Cemetery were based on in- formation obtained from an apparently rellable official source. The “death trap” was actually set in a house on the grounds of another cemetery nearby. The Star regrets the error, and, al- though, it has previously published a correction explaining how the error was made, it again wishes to note that the mysterious “death trap” was not on the Cedar Hill Cemetery property. the Vice President and Speaker, Sena- tor Borah declined to accept the in- crease, taking the view that he had been elected to a $7,500-a-year job. There were a few other members of Congress who took the same view. After the people of Idaho had re-elected him for another term in 1930. Senator Borah considered the office a $10,000 one and ‘accepted the increase. 5 the nicest and most gracious lady in the land,” Santa Claus said. Mrs. Hoover and her daughter-in-law assisted Mrs. John S. Bennett pass out th first bags to the 1,500 boys and 5 Santa had carefully checked on his Little Betty Henderson, 3 years old, was the first youngster to receive her bag from Mrs. Hoover and then had the honor of being hugged tight by | santa himself | It was a scene in which the “First Lady” was happy to participate and she stopped in the midst of everything when one frightened tow-headed little boy, with tears running down his face, ran to the comfort of her arms. He had shied at Santa’s whiskers. Mr. Rodeheaver entertained the chil- dren with magic tricks and then led them in the singing of Christmas carols and “Jingle Bells,” just before Santa made his appearance. Capt. Taylor Branson conducted the Marine Band in numbers throughout the party and Manager Harry W. Crull of the Fox Theater delighted the youngst a never-to-be-forgotten “Mick: Severe Earthquake Causes Eruption of Volcano'in Hawaii Tremor and Kilauea's Activity Described as | Worst in Years. By the Associated Press l HILO, Hawaii, December 24.—A hug: | volume of lava flow into Halemau- mau Crater, Kilauea tion started late yester earthquake, had covered of the floor of the gigantic pit earl today. Approximately 50 lava fountains sent up a glow visible from half the Island of Hawail Sulphur fumes kept hundreds of would-be spectators away from the rim of the crater. the usual vantage point for the thousands of tourists who visit the volcano annually. The trail across \S!r{‘((hxng the | volcano house g the lava desert three miles from the to Halemaumau was | safe. however, and hundreds of persons | L made a perimage to a point as s e ne crter as possible. It was as- d here that every automobile on the island was either at the volcano | or headed that way. ‘ Preceded by Severe Tremor. | Halemaumau Crater when last meas- | ured was 3.500 feet long. 3.000 feet wide and 1,050 feet deep. Its last previous | eruption started November 19, 1930, and continued until December 7 of that vear 3 ’ | The tremor which shook the island vesterday was the most severe in many years and the eruption was described by observers as the most violent since 1924 Sulphur fumes hung over the crater |like a huge blood-red cloak. Braves Possible Asphyxiation. | _ Braving possible asphyxiation, J. N. Gandy, manager of the Volcano House, | struggled through the surface wind: to |gaze into the pit of fire, more than a | thousand feet deep. He held a wet handkerchief over his nostrils so he | could breathe through the fumes, but | warned others not to follow him Gandy reported four of the many | fountains were 150 feet high and others rose as high as 30 feet from the seeth- ing floor of the fire pit. The quake, which preceded the erup- tion by nearly four and a half hours, | toppled over sign posts around the crater and was felt throughout the island. KNOWLTON AMES, SR., COMMITS SUICIDE Chicago Social Leader and Former Newspaper Publisher Had Been Near Breakdown. By the Assoclated Press. CHICAGO, December 24.—Col. Knowl- tor. Ames, sr., 63, social leader, finan- cler, former newspaper publisher and chairman of the board of Booth Fisher- ies, shot and killed himself last night in_his automobile. Members of the family said he had been near a nervous breakdown because of business worries and that he had been unable to sleep for a week. Mrs. Walter W. Ross, wife of a prom- inent attorney and sister of Col. Ames, aid that Mrs. Ames had been hurriedly summoned home last Monday night be- cause of her husband’s condition. Col. Ames dined with the Ross family last night and appeared, they said, to be in a better frame of mind than in recent weeks. Attorney Ross said Col. Ames appar- ently was troubled over financial mat- ters, most of them imaginary. Ames was one of the greatest half- Stagg of the University of Chicago said toda: y. Stagg was an all-America end at Yale when Ames performed as an all- American halfback at Princeton and the two met often on the foot ball field of battle. “Mr. Ames was one of the shiftiest backs I ever met,” said the grand old man of Chicago foot ball. “While Ames was famed for his ball carrying, he also was a fine punter.” Coach’ Stagg also recalled that he engaged in several pitching duels with Ames in the Yale-Princeton games of 1887 and 1888, ° 3! backs of his day, Coach Amos Alonzo | |JAPAN IS WARNED BY THREE NATIONS Great Britain, France and U. S. Protest Activities in Chinchow Region. (Continued From First Page.) their anti-bandit missions, hav® started returning to their original stations along the South Manchuria Railway. Last night's communique was silent regarding operations in the southwest, which were regarded as a military se- cret, but it was understood the troops were progressing over snow-covered plains, bound for the Liao River. The river has been frozen over for some time, and it was believed the troops would cross for the purpose of crushing the guerrilla concentrations on the other side The headquarters’ statement revealed that in fighting Tuesday morning 10 miles south of Fakumen the Japanese losses were 3 dead and 3 wounded, while 100 Japanese were killed Guerrillas Retreat Quickly. A Japanese armored tered 300 Chinese train_encoun- guerrillas 25 miles northwest of Ant. g, and the guerrillas fled after a brief conflict, leaving 5 dead and several wounded The headquarters’ announcement con- cerning “bandit suppression” in the district west of the Liao was couched in strong terms. It declared tnat in that district there were 100,000 troops, in= cluding Chinese regulars—which means the Chinchow army It was informally explained that the | Japanese commander in this area has | been g T ut how far | to pursu: and that the Chinchow need not be in- | volved unless it interferes with anti- bandit operations It was made clear the Japanese would not se their utmost force against ‘the Chinese regulars if the lat= ter attempted to aid or shield guerrillas, Irregulars Gain Strength, “Chinese irregulars and bandits, who have long been active in South Mane churia, have bee easing in nume bers and_strengt those west of are gradually being ime nese Army late 1 Hsin- expedi= promote 1 been moving | east of breaking the Ja D! which [i3e m the P 1 his forces operations, action to undesirable forces conqueror nd of the west mis- directing detachments we om Liao Chung, west Liaoyang, and north from New= chwang. | Not Aimed at Regulars. said the op- lely at irregular se regular forces er points on the way. | T along the Mukden- of the South Man. | churia Railway. as well as in the Chin. | wangtao-Shanhaikwan area, increased | with the departure of Japahese troops +to the territory west of the trunk line, two Japanese destroyers wers erred from Port Arthur to Chine . matter of precaution One Japanese soldier was missing toe day and seven were injured as a result |of a fire which destroyed all the bar- |racks of the Japanese garrison at Chuliuho last night. Chuliuho is 31 miles west of Mukden. Fire Caused Explosion. The fire caused an explosion in the munition sheds connected with the bar- racks and injuries were the result of this blast The fire destroyed all food and cloth. ing stores of the whole battalion, which has been occupying the temporary buildings since shortly after upation of Mukden Japanese troops occupied Tienchuang- yesterday, according to a telegram g h after a clash between Chinese and Japanese armored trains, Tienchuangtai is 12 miles northwess of Ying Japanese aviators reported the Ying- pangtze Railway destroved in five places, presumably to prevent s | Japanese advance on Kaopangtze, CHIANG ASKED TO RETURN, Former President Invited to Take Part in Nanking Deliberations. NANKING, December 24 (#)—Chiefs of the Kuamintang (National party), who are meeting here attempting to form a new Chinese government, today telegraphed former President Chiang Kai-Shek requesting that he return to participate in the party deliberations. Chiang, who resigned the presidency last week, is living in retirement on kis farm at Fenghua, his birthplace, in North Chekiang Province. Fundamental changes in the Chinese foreign policy. especially as regards the Manchurian dispute, are contemplated by party leaders meeting here to form a new government group, their spokes- man said today. He declined to furnish details of the contemplated changes, but commenting on the policy under Chiang Kai-Shek, he said, “It placed unreserved confi- dence in the ability of the League of Nations to solve the problem.” This statement inclined observers to believe the new leaders may attempt a stiffer attitude toward Japan ““The garrison at Chinchow will re- sist any Japanese attempt to capturs the city,” the spokesman said. “We do not pretend to hope that the Chiness troops can make a successful stand at Chinchow, but the morale of the Chis nese army and the opinion of the en- tire nation will not tolerate any further suggestion of a policy of non- resistance.” Tenin Lighthouse Planned. LENINGRAD, U. 8. S. R. (®.—A light house as a monument to Lenin is to be erected here to guard the com- mercial port, translating into practical form the Communist doctrine that “Leninism is the light house for the proletariat of the world.” The structure will be 120 meters in height and coincident with its completion the channel of the port is to be named “Lenin’s channel.” University Is Burned. JOHANNESBURG, Transvaal, De- cember 24 (/) —Fire destroyed the main block of buildings of the univer- sity here today, including the library, which contained 30,000 books and many priceless historical documents.