Evening Star Newspaper, September 21, 1932, Page 2

T A2 gaw WITNESS ACCUSED ~ INTRIAL OF DAVIS U. S. Charges Brandon . Changed Testimony Since Grand Jury Probe. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, September 21.—Rodney H. Brandon, public welfare director of Illinois and former supreme dictator of the Loyal Order of Moose, was accused By the Government today of changing his grand jury testimony when he took the stand at the trial of James J. Davis, charged with violation of Federal lottery laws. Assistant United States Attorney Louis M. Treacwell, acting as chief prosecutor, sought to show through questioning Brandon ®at Davis had approved an ch o Government contends ‘9as held in connection With the 1930 charity ball of the Moose. Brandon said he attended the 1930 prize drawing, but Davis was not pres- ent, although he saw him at a luncheon later. Doesn’t Remember, He Says. “Did Senator Davis say anything about the charity ball?” Treadwell gsked “I don't remember,” the witness re- plied and the prosecutor handed him a 1ianscript of the minutes of the grand jury before which he testified and Which indicted Davis and six others, who are to be tried later “Doesn't it express his approval?” Treadwell asked. Brandon replied it expressed Davis' approval of any enterprise which brought money to the fraternal order. Treadwell pressed him for an answer as to whether Davis did not express approval of the whole plan for the charity ball recollection is that T don't recol- fon - snapped, and further Teadwell to compare Bran- and jury testimony with his ¢ today were objected to by ense. One question showing ison, the prosecutor insisted Surprised at Change. “Your honor.” he said, “I am sur- prised at the change in the witnesse's I think I have a right tion.” The court took der advisement. Giles of Baltimore. su- of the Moose, whose nterrupted by adjourn- ernment has sought to show holds the position of | of the order for life, ! s ir the “Mussolini” of the | Moose, directing all its actions and cognizant of the alleged lotteries from | which the prosecution has alleged he profited perscnally by almost $200,000. e defense has concentrated on try- tng to prove that, since his entry into politics, the Senator has held a “merely honorary” position with the Moose. Giles, the fifth witness™ was sub. poenaed along with records and min- utes of the order. Prosecutors delved into these records in_an attempt to| learn the activities of Davis within the Qrder. Treadwell questioned Giles about the | Moose propagation department, of | which Giles testified yesterday that he | knew little. “Did the propagation department op- | erate certain charity balls?” asked Treadwell. “They did,” replied Gfles. First Prizes Given in 1930. “Was the 1930 charity ball the first ball in which cash prizes were dis- tributed?” ‘And they were distributed in 1931?” “Yes.” Giles testified he attended the 1930 drawing. “The propagation department was sugzested by Senator Davis at the 1929 convention, wasn't 1t?” asked Tread- well ¥He never suggested the name.” Giles was not clear whether Davis suggested a department of the kind vith Theodore G. Miller as head of fit, but caid he would say so if the minufes of the 1929 convention so stated. The minutes were taken into evidence end Charles H. Tuttle, chief of defense counsel. took over the witness. He read rom the minutes a speech hy Senator Davis in which it was suggested that money be raised to “bulld a house of 1" at Mooseheart. address.” Tuttle asked the wit- was followed by the two charity | ‘Ves,” replied Giles. * “And so far as you know there were Do awards of any kind in that ball?” Reads Davis’ Suggestion. Tuttle read Davis' suggestion for “wholesome entertainments” into_the q, this supposedly being the birth 1e charity ball idea. les testified Davis always objected bling and prize-giving in the sald one specific thing which s criticized was the manner in which the Chicago lodge once raised m lodge was left with obligations 25,000, he said. There were num- jerous cases where promoters came in with schemes to raise money by which ‘there would be no cost to the lodges— ‘but always the lodges were left with the bills to pay.” Tuttle asked Giles for the actual situation at Mooseheart in 1929. “We had between 1300 and 1.400 children supported by charity dollars,” he said. “We had hundreds of cases outside to take care of with charity ,dollars—these doubled in two years.” “Did Miller co-ordinate these charity balls for the Jodges?” ~ “He did. He centralized the efforts.” .. “So then, the lodges needing central ihelp, got tbat help-from Miller?” Secretary of Assembly. “ers i Giles testified Miller was secretary of ithe Ceneral Assembly of the Moose, Iwhich he described as “a sort of mail- i r lodge.” “So his having offices at Mooseheart 4 r th the 1930 and 1931 witness said there was no refer- the minutes of the Legislative ttee or the Supreme Lodge to the balls and awards. He was asked if the Supreme Lodge pzid Senator Davis a salary. ~Only $1,500 a year for office rent.” ‘The court interposed a question. {_ “You stated to Mr. Tuttle that Mr. # Davis never received any payments from the Supreme Lodge other than this matter of $1,500.” . “Eighteen’ hundred,” corretted the witness. “Well, 18 hundred. Now, do you wish . to say that Mr. Davis got nothing from THE EVENING STAR, WA Associates Honor Pole RETIRING CONTROLLER OF CURRENCY PRESENTED GIFTS. to Mr. Pole (right) on behalf of SSOCTATES in the Treasury Department presented Controller of the Cur- Tency J. W. Pole with an after-dinner coffee set. golf clubs and bag and numerous flowers yesterday on the occasion of his retirement from office. Above, F. G. Awalt, deputy controller, is seen making the presentation his fellow employes of the department. GANDH DEATH FAST MAY END SHORTLY Compromise on Untouchables! Expected to Make Hunger Strike Unnecessary. By the Associated Press POONA, September 21.—A group of Indian political leaders from Bombay | visited Mahatma Gandhi in his cell at Yeroda Jail today and submitted to him a plan for a compromise on the communal elections question, which, | they hoped, would end the hunger strike he began yesterday. They spent two hours closeted the Mahatma and when they although no formal statement was made, the belief was expressed that Gandh!'s fast would be ended before many days. The committee included his son Devidas, Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru and M. Jayakar. The Mahatma was up early and showed little effect from his abstinence, which began at noon yes- | terday. Safeguards Are Provided. The plan presented to him embraced a suggestion for joint elections, with | proper safeguards for the untouchables, in whose interest he began the death fast. The Mahatma himself informed the government at Bombay that there need be no undue anxiety, since he believes he can stand the strain of his fast for some time. “Mr. Gandhi appears famished, but otherwise he is well,” said Rajah Gopal Achariar, acting president of the In- dian National Congress, after visiting the Mahatma. Il From Seeing Visitors. As he began the fast yesterday, the Mahatma smilingly announced he had been appointed superintendent of the bakery in the prison. But he became ill from the press of friends who called to see him at the prison as soon as the government lifted the ban which has barred visitors from the jail since he was imprisoned last January. On the advice of his physi- cians he turned away many callers. ALABAMANS INTERVENE IN RAIL CONSOLIDATION I. C. C. Asked to Reopen Case for Study of Chicago and East- ern Illinois Railroad. with left, By the Associated Press. The Alabama Public Service Commis- sion and various other Alabama crgan- 1zations today asked the Interstate Commerce Commission to reopen the Eastern railroad consolidation case and make a new study of the Chicago & Eastern Illincis Railroad Co. The Chicago & Eastern Illinois, one of the bones of contention in the con- solidation case. was assigned to the Chesapeake & Ohio-Nickel Plate system. In the 1929 consolidation plan this road was assigned to the Chicago & North- western. g The Alabamans said that in its recent decision the commission failed to men- tion the Alabama interveners. wrote the letters on request of the offi- clals mentioned in them. Giles testified on re-direct examina- tion that Senator Davis is chairman of the General Assembly. “Same as.any dictator of any lodge,” he added. “Isn’t it a fact,” asked Treadwell, “that for the 1929 ball Miller merely | supplied the tickets?” “Yes" Treadwell read to the jury an address made by Davis in 1931 in which he told | Moose members that, despite his public duties, he was keeping in constant touch with the Moose, attending Gen- eral Council meetings and maintaining a special staff to take care of Moose business. Tuttle leaped u speech,” he said, * more paragraphs. He then read a portion in which Davis said he served without pay and the initiation fees he received were not ample to cover the time and labor ex- PRI e ¢ o eadwe , who is also under indi nt fiu“m “From the same want to read two initiation fee&?” “The Supreme e has nothing to o with jnitiation fees” said Giles. “That was handled by the organization : doe&lr!ment by contract with the local ‘ lodgee. Admits Signing Letters. Tuttle took the witness back to let- ters which he wrote to identify Miller and Bernard C. McQuire to a bank, and to identify Edward McMahon to the American Express agency in connec- tion with a shipping agreement. Giles yesterday testified that he did not know the nature of the shipping -~~agreement and did not remember the letters; in fact, doubted that he ever @aw fhe letters. Todsy he sajd ictme: connection with the lotteries, that he “was just a chesp chiseler with a ich- board until that great mind éDlVIl) came along.” Miller has been described by Treadwell as a financial agent for Treadwell drew 8 picture of Davis as n organizér who built the Moose from 'a minor affair” of 250 members {nto a 340,000,000 corporation of 600,000 members. But Donald P. BStewart, editor of the Moose Magazine, yesterday described Davis’ position as “honorary” since he entered politics. Treadwell read from the general laws of the Moose: “No lodge conduct He a lottery or raffie in any manner.” BORAH SEES DRYS IN VOTE DILEMMA Amendment’s Supporters Disfranchised for Campaign, Senator Is Quoted. By the AssociateddPress. BOSTON, September 21.—Zion's Her- ald today quotes Senator William E. Borah as saying in a letter in reference to the Republican and Democratic plat- forms, “Those who are in favor of the eighteenth amendment have been adroitly and effectually disfranchised so far as the presidential election is con- cerned.” ‘The Herald prints & letter which it says was received from Borah in answer to one from its editor. It quotes Borah | as saying, “* * * I can see no difference whatever in the practical effect between the platforms reference to the eighteenth amendment. They both, in practical effect, mean the repeal of the eighteenth amendment. The Republican platform pledges the party to do that which cannot possibly be done without a specific repeal of the eighteenth amendment. Saloon’s Return Inevitable. “Both parties also profess to be in- terested in protecting the dry States and preventing the return to American life of the saloon. Yet their program will inevitably bring back the American saloon as against anything which the Federal Government may be able to do. “¢ ¢ « The leaders in the party badger one another during the c paign. But when the campaign is er there will be one concerted movement upon the part of the leaders of both parties for the repeal of the eighteenth amendment, and the dry States and the saloon questions can take care of them- selves. S e ere is one proposition in both platforms which mnpkes them un- mistakably the twins they are, and that is the provision with reference to sub- mitting this question to conventions in- stead of State Legislatures. That was the thing which the repealists wanted above all things else. That is the thing which they felt they had to have in order to effectually bring about repeal when the matter was submitted. To m; mind it is the most significant and tell- ing clause in both platforms. Lack of Platforms. “* * * There may be reasons why those who are opposed to the repeal of the eighteenth amendment should vote for Mr. Hoover. There may be reasons why those who are opposed tothe repeal of the eighteenth amendment should vote for Mr. Roosevelt. But those rea- sons are not to be found in that part of the platform which deals with the liquor question. Upon that matter there is absolutely no difference in practical effect between the two platforms. Those who are contending otherwise will find out within 90 days after the election is over, if not in 90 minutes, that they have been misled. Those who are in favor of the eighteenth amendment have been adroitly and ef- fectually disfranchised so far as the presidential election is concerned. Whichever way they vote, they vote for o Herald is a N lan ‘s Heral a New d Methodist weekly. e e BANKER’S SON KILLED IN EIGHT-STORY FALL New York Police Question Compan- ion of W. B. Knox at Fashion- able Apartment House. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, September 21.—William B. Knox, 28, socially prominent son of the late Willlam Elliot Knox, banker, was killed early today In a mysterious 8-story drop from his apartment in a fashionable house in East Fifty-fousth street. E Detectives,- seeking to learn -whether he jumped or’ fell, questioned Larry Morgan, who, detectives learned, was asleep in an adjoining room at the time Knox hurtled from a window. Morgan, a checker on the Chelsea plers, said he met Knox for the first time last night, when latter went to see s friend off on the liner Paris. He said they visited a drinking resort and then Knox invited him t the apart- ment, He said that there they fell into a dispute and then retired to sep- “}(':wx was employed by a brokerage firm. His father, president of the Bow- ery Savings Bank, shot himself to death several years ago. Von Gronau-at Kagoshima. KAGOSHIMA, Japan, September 21 (#)—Capt. Wolfgi von Gronau, Ger- man fier, whnh:‘aufiyumfl the world, landed here today, after & flight | from. N [agoys. < L4 the two parties with | Peop! o SEEKTOPUNPLIE INTO ARMS PRLEY Britain, Franoe and U. S. Still Hope Germany Will At- _'tend Conference. BY CONSTANTINE BROWN. Every effort is being made by the British, French and American govern- ments to pump some new life into the Disarmament Conference, the hureau of which has met this morning at Geneva. For the'time being the prospects’are decidedly gloomy, but the statesmen who are directly interested in the success of the conference are far. from giving up yet, and the. work behind the scenes is more strenuous than ever. | % Baron Konstantine von . Neurath, Germany's foreign secretary, is expected to arrive at Geneva this week, not to at- tend the work of the Bureau of the Limitation of Arms Conferepce, but to attend the meeting of the Council of the League. His presence at Geneva is important. It is not unlikely that the secret diplo- matic conversations which are reported to be proceeding at present between London, Paris and Rome, and to which Germany which might conceivably in- duce Germany to change her present at- titude and again attend the disarma- ment parleys, German Door Left Open. In the excitement caused in the last few days by Germany's withdrawal from the conference a very important statement made by Germany’s foreign secretary on September 7 has been overlooked. Baron von Neurath at that time stated that, while Germany must insist on her right to a national de- fense force adequate to her needs, the German government is prepared and willing to discuss this matter with thg interested powers. As far as is known the German for- eign secretary has never withdrawn that offer, and the hope of the well wishers of the Disarmament Conference is based on his statement, which is inter- preted as leaving a door open for Ger- many's re-entering the parleys. It is admitted, however, that the task of the European diplomats is a difficult one, because the German government, leaving aside its cut-and-dried views on the question of equality in arm: ments, is confronted with a difficult in- ternal situation, due to the forthcom- ing elections for the Reichstag. Supported by Voters. ‘The attitude of the Von Papen gov- ernment regarding armaments has the support of a very large section of the German people. If Von Papen were to recede from his present position, the situation of his cabinet would be seri- ously endangered. But_it is believed the Prench and the British may find some modus vivendi to suggest to Germany in order to bring her back to the disarmaments conference. Should this be the case, it is certain they will have the full support of the American Government. e statement made by President Hoover yesterday has cleared some of the apprehensions of the German le who were led to believe America had sided with France and Great Britain against Germany. This was never the case, but the President’s statement, that the only thing that concerns the United States Govern- ment today is a substantial reduction of all armaments and nothing else, is likely to create a more favorable atmos- phere in the Reich, and thus facilitate the task of those diplomats who are anxious to see Germany return to the disarmament conference. INSURANCE FIRM HEAD KILLED WHILE HUNTING North Carolinian Accidentally Shot While He Looks for Squirrels With Aide. By the Associated Press. GREENSBORO, N. C., September 21. —Charles W. Gold, 56, president of the Pilot Life Insurance Co., was shot and killed while hunting squirrels near Ran- dleman, N. C, early today. He was 56 years old. Officials’ of the Pilot company an- nounced he died shortly after his gun accidentally discharged as he hunted during the early morning hours with H. C. Deeson, assistant secretary of the Pilot_company. Gold was rushed here, but he was dead when the ambulance arrived. John D. Gold, a brother, is a news- aper publisher at Wilson and another grothe'r, P. D. Gold, lives in Florida. Surviving also are Gold's widow and his four children. Box Score (FIRST GAME) : : ° oaea-n»—u—eeen!g ) - O OMMOAH= URR O~ DUOOR R R RS © ®@0000ro 00000l 'e onoomMpwoOrOowoOl | I | | oleoos000000000m @ & - L] @ ] - » West ran for Spencer in tenth. Harris batted for Coffman in fenth. LR TN eoo000o0000 0o oMmONOO N ‘a.i".;i‘flfi Ieoo—o—eoo‘f wlocoococomeoo® 8¢ 0 538014 ‘McManus bstted for Rhodes ia tenth. SCORE BY INNINGS. Wash. 0000000001 Boston 0 60 0000000 SUMMARY: B e o lae. soter. Oteon. Stolen base—] Sacrifce—Myer.. Lef Bave on balis—0f : 3 o Rhdes, 1 aas, 3 of Sifsekovt—8y Coftmas, b1 b7 oo 5 Ball—Rhodes. * 'Hits — Off Coffman. 8 in § Brows nons 18 1 ning. eimas. -1 -0 tanings; o | Cron! 1INGTON, D. C, Young | Fascisti Perform for Mussolini 50,000 REVIEWED BY PREMIER NEAR EOME. IFTY THOUSAND members of Italy's young-Fascist! organization shown as they gathered in a h opes field Just outside Rome, Italy, where they went through massed gymnastic drills for the benefif of Premig¢f* Mibsfolfft and other high Fascisti leaders. —Wide World Photo. CHESAPEAKE BEACH FERRY LOAN ASKED Railway Seeks Approval of $900,000 Debt to Install Service Across Bay. ‘The Chesapeake Beach Railway Co. | has petitioned the Interstate Commerce | Commission for authorization of &/ $900.000 loan from the Reconstruction | Finance Corporation to install ferry | service across Chesapeake Bay, it was learned today. | According to Eugene Fox, executive vice president of the railway line, the | proposed ferry would shorten the dis- tance between Washington and Cam- bridge, Md., gateway to the southern half of the Bastern Shore, by 36 miles, and also would place Cambridge 18 miles nearer Baltimore. | He sald plans are ready to go for- | ward with construction of two boats | and of plers and docks on both shores of the bay. Dredging operations also | would be required on the eastern side. | It is estimated the project would give work during the Winter to approxi- mately 550 men. ‘The proposed line would run from Chesapeake Beach to Hudson in Dor- ‘The Chesapeake Beach Railway pe- !titioned the Interstate Commerce Com- mission for permission to inaugurate ferry service in 1929 and the petition was granted. However, appeals which finally were carried to the United States | Supreme Court, tied up plans until April 11 when the Supreme Court reached a decision to uphold the Inter- | state Commerce Commission order. | ‘The proposed ferry would make the 14-mile trip in an hour and each of the two boats would have a capacity of 70 automobiles and 200 passengers. FPreight also would be carried. SAND FLEET STOLEN | IN ‘SQUATTERS’ WAR’| Pittsburgh Post Office Work Tied Up by Strike in Midst of Other Trouble. By the Associated Press. PITTSBURGH, Pa., September 21.—A | “squatter’s war” between two sand and | gravel companies over wharfage hts | on the Allegheny River took a serious turn today. John F. Douglas, jr., owner of the Union Sand & Gravel Co, reported to police that his fleef, valued at $150,000, was stolen from its mooring and towed down the river. Two hours later it was found, tied up securely, not far from its Police reported the Vang Construction Co. moved its equipment into Douglas’ place along the wharf. The trouble re- volves around an argument as to which concern ehould furnish sand and gravel for Pittsburgh’s new post office building. Douglas carried his fight into court and secured a “squatter’s” right. Crimi- nal charges are pending against city officials and others in consequence of his attempts to furnish sand and gravel for the post office building and the ac- tion in refusing him wharfage along | the river. The city contends he has no lease for’the site and is trying to oust Meanwhile, work is suspended on the post office structure by a strike of hoist- ing engineers. The men were called out to force employment of union engineers | | chester County just west of Cambridge. i on the sand and gravel hoists on the job. Efforts to effect a truce have failed. NATIONALS DEFEAT BOSTON RED SOX IN FIRST CONTEST (Continued From Pirst Page) Manush fiied to Stumpf, Rice taking third after the catch. Cronin flied to Stumpf. No runs. BOSTON—Bluege threw out Alexan- der. Johnson struck out. Jolley filed to Manush. No runs. SEVENTH INNING. ‘WASHINGTON—Reynolds to Jolley in front of the plate. Kuhel sin- gled to left and was out trying to stretch it, Johnson to Olson. ~Bluege singled to left. Bluege stole second. Spencer fouled to Johnson! No runs. BOSTON~Pickering singled to cen- ter. Warstler popped to Kuhel. Rhodes struck out, bunting foul on the third strike. Pickering went out stealing, Spencer to Cronin. No runs. , EIGHTH INNING. ‘WASHINGTON — Coffman fanned. Rhodes - tossed out Rice. Rhodes de- flected Myer's grounder to Olson, who threw him out. No runs. BOSTON—Cronin threw out Olson. Stumpf fanned. Oliver walked. Alex- ander forced Oliver, Myer to Cronin. No runs. NINTH INNING. WASHINGTON—Olson _ tossed _ out Manush. struck out. Pitkering threw out mmmm No runs. BOSTON—Johnson filed to Reynolds. Jolley.lined to Rice close fleld bleachers. Pickering Tuns. fanned. No TENTH INNING. WASHINGTON—Kuhél fijed to Oliver. | wages %0 third. . West | aae Bluege- singled to right. to _right, sending Bluege th ran‘for Spencer'and Harris batted for Coftman and forced West, Warstlér- to ol Bluege.. scoring. . Rice grounded to_Aléxander. One rum. -Browh now pitching and Berg catching for- Washington. . Rice went to right and West to center. in threw out Warstler. McManus batted for Rhodes and Myer threw him out. Olson was called out on strikes. No runs. i Curtis’ Eye Injured ‘When Lurch of Car Hurls Bim to Berth By the Associated Press. ROANOKE, Va., September 21. —Vice President Charles Curtis, en route to Knoxville, Tenn. aboard Norfolk & Western pas- senger train No. 41, received a gash over his eye when he fell against a berth as the train Tt passed through Dublin at 7:35 this morning. Railway officials here said that President Hoover's running mate apparently lost his balance while on his way to or from the wash room and fell against an upright “feeder” of a berth on a Pull- man car. The cut bled freely and first aid was given by the train crew. He continued to his destination at Knoxville, where he left the train unaided. RAIL LABOR WONT CONSIDER PAY CUT Carriers Notified Conference on Wages Regarded as “Unwise.” Railroad labor today served notice on the carriers that it would not consider a voluntary wage reduction. ‘The views of labor were embodied in a letter from the Railway Labor Execu- | tive Association addressed to W. F. Thiehoff, general manager of the Bur- lington. ‘Thiehoff is chairman of the Railway Management Committee, which vesterday conferred informally with the laber leaders who are in sesston at the Hamilton Hotel. The 1uuuon of wage reduction has been agitated in official rallway circles for some time, inasmuch as the agree- ment between carriers and employes under which the latter took & voluntary wage cut of 10 per cent last January, expires January 31, 1933. Conference “Unwise.” The letter to Thiehoff was signed by A. F. Whitney, chairman of the Labor Executive Association and head of the Brotherhood of Railway Train- men. He said the labor leaders be- lleved a wage conference would be “unwise,” and said also that referring to the condition in which employes find themselves that they “certainly have no gdesire or willingness to co- operate in' making them worse.” The text of his letter follows: “At our meeting yesterday we under- stocd that your committee sought to ascertain whether the members of the Railway Labor Executives' Association would care to facilitate conferences on the matter of wages to be effected after February 1, 1933. We understood that your committee had in mind that it would seek authority to represent the railroads in this matter if a similar thority should be sought for a commit- tee to represent the employes. We did not discuss any wage issue yesterday or answer your suggestion, but undertook first to ccnsider it by ourselves. “We are of the unanimous opinion that a wage conference at this time would be unwise, and that, having no authority to enter upon such a con- ference, we should not either seek such authority cr encourage any effort to in- augurate wage negotiations. Expectations Failed. “The agreement of January 31, 1932, between substantially all the carriers and their employes provided that the 10 per cent deduction from pay checks should cease automatically January- 31, 1933. That date is over four months distant. Many of the expectations which led to the signing of the exist- ing agreement have noi been fulfilled in the past eight months and few per- sons will assume the foresight to prophesy the conditions which will exist at the end of the next four months. “You know that the railway employes have suffered not only a 40 per cent loss of employment, but that a ma- jority of those working have had only part-time employment with a 10 per cent deduction from compensation. You know that our conditions have grown steadily worse since January JI&IOSZ. ly have no desire or operate in making worse. This should certainly be evident by the state- Eent tm::ie public by our association “To avold any public misunderstand- ing of our position we are making public this letter.” Conferred Yesterday. The wage reduction to which the em- ployes submitted last January was through negotiation between employers and employes. The notice served upon the carriers today by the workers means that if the carriers desire either that OFFICIALDOM RATED | Consolidation of Governing | Units Urged to Relieve Tax- payers of Burden. (Continved From First Page) “that any politician who has the inter- | est of the small home owner and rent | payer at heart cannot sincerely and | conststently urge the substitution of a general sales tax for real estate taxes. If we are to adopt sales taxes, let us do so after an intelligent appraisal of their merits and defects. ‘Fo propose substitution of general sales taxes for taxes on real estate as a measure of relief for the small man is an insult to intelligence and an affront to com- mon_ sense. “I believe that the taxes on real es- tate are heavier than desjrable. Waste |and extravagance is present in some of our New York municipalities. It is | present in an unpardcnable degree in |my home city of New York. I pay | very heavily for what I receive from | the city and would like to have my burden reduced. “On the other hand, however, I see no reason why some stenographer should | pay more for her stick of chewing gum or her movie ticket or why some truck driver should pay more for his cigar- ette or his seat at the ball game to pay for the collection of the garbage from | my kitchen.” New Tax Sources Seen. A third speaker, F. L. Bird, assistant director of the Municipal Administra- tion Service, New York, pointed out such undeveloped sources of municipal revenue as vaults under sidewalks, cellar | doorways which use a portion of the public thoroughfares, and sewers which provide a purely private accommodation for the taxpayer and which, he con- tended, should be taxed. | Charges that a saving of 50 per cent jcould be made in the Post Office De- partment l]d!f by application of sound business prinéiples to the problem of | personnel were made by H. Eliot Kap- lan, secretary of- the National Civil Service Reform League, speaking at the Municipal League luncheon this after- noon. “The growth of the civillan army in the past quarter century,” he de- | clared, “has been tremendous, and at | present totals over 3,000,000. One per- |son in_ every 40 draws compensation | from the public treasury, cither na- | tional, State or municipal, The annual | pay roll of this civillan army is more | than $4,000,000,000.” Huge Loss Estimated. He said the absence of & sound per- sonnel system through a properly de- vised competitive system of selection of | public employes based on competence, | training and experience is costing the | American taxpayer at least ‘a quarter |of a billion dollars a year. ‘The other speaker at the luncheon, | Henry Bentley, president of the Cin- cinnati City Charter Committee, said the form of most municipal govern- ments in this country “tends to ex- clude the ordinary citizens from any share in political control. “This _exclusion,” he said, “has re- sulted from three defects in the struc- tural provisions of our municipal charters; the first, a system of pri- mary elections that separates persons from principles, although every one knows that a principle has power only when incarnated in a. person: the second, a multiplicity of elected offi- clals with divided responsibilities and the third, a system of general elections that grants undue influence to an or- ganized minority.” Virginia Tour Planned. A party of more than 100 of the delegates to the Bicentennial Confer- ence on Planning, Parks and Govern- ment, will leave tonight on the Norfolk boat for Old Point Comfort, and to- morrow will tour the Colonial Na- tional Monument and other historic areas in Tidewater, Va. The group, including men and women from practically every State, will board busses at Old Point Comfort tomorrow morning, and ride to Jamestown, York- town and Williamsburg, having lunch- eon at Williamsburg. There they will | inspect the restoration of the town and then leave for Wakefield, birthplace of ‘Washington, for an inspection of the old colonial home recently reproduced. The delegates will have a buffet sup- per at Wakefield and then return to Washington. Friday afternoon they will leave by private automobiles for a week end in- spection of the Shenandoah National Park, Va., in time , arriving at Skyland. for & banquet at which Horace M. Al- bright, director of the National Park Service, will preside. Speakers at Banquet. Speakers at the banquet will be the associate director of the park service, Arno B. Cammerer; Harlan P. Kelsey, noted botanist, and William E. Carson, chairman of the Virginia Commission o Conservation and Development. Mo- tion pictures of the Shenandoah coun- try will be shown by Dr. Roy Lyman the present status be maintained or | Sexton. that a further cut of 5 or 10 per cent, which is the figure generally the discussion, be made that it necessary for them to proceed through the governmental machinery set up in the Board of Mediation. In connection with the statement today, Whitney issued a.memorandum in which his previous statement was emphasized that the conference yester- day was not arranged in connection with but that they simply met with rail executives at Thiehoff’s in- Whitney's memorandum was as fol- “We have not held or conference with railway ittee of nine railway eaded by Mr. Thiehoff. What to the center- | vitation. the managers, who are at the Shoreham Hotel, might confer again today with the labor leaders, but such a meeting was in progress early this afternoon. Some statement on behalf of used in will be | pol any | Pul On Saturday there will be hikes and back trips to outstanding scenic ints and a trip through White Oak Canyon, followed by a barbecue chicken dinner at Crescent Rock Cliffs. ‘The delegates will be taken to Sky- land over the scenic new Skyline Drive, not yet opened to the public, for which passes have been issued by the Nation- al Park Service. Grant Debates Brownlow. Lieut. Col. U. S. Grant, 3d, of the gio Tl Bl o Tl with Louils ownlow, director of Y.h: bite Administration Clearing- House, on the advisabily of municipaltes dis- nicipalities: recreational ~factlities to other municipal organizations ss an e Giimnt) Who was toastmaster at the dinner of all organizations attend- ing the conference, rose to the defense of the park boards after Brownlow had finished a speech suggesting d awa; with the boards. S v ‘The Washington park executive ex- the view the parks administr: TOPHEAVY IN 0. S, ECECALLEDHERE. FROM PARIS POST Ambassador Sails Tomorrow to- Discuss French Issues With State Dep=rtment. By the Assoclated Press PARIS, September 21.—Called to Washington to discuss Pranco-American affairs, United States Ambassador Walter E. Edge, will sall on the steam- ship Manhattan tomorrow and go di- rectly to the National Capital upon his arrival in New York. The embassy announced the Ambas- sador was called home especially to dis- cuss French counter propowals for & trade treaty with the United States, Personal Contact Desired. The embassy announcement. said: “Ambassador Edge is sailing on th Manhattan tomorrow, going dxre"l‘l'.’ t; Washington where he was called by the State Department to discuss Franco- American problems which require a per. }"rfl:;l hcon(erence. especially details of ch counter proposals for - mercrlal treaty.” F e After the consultation with the State Department, the Ambaseador will take a short vacation at his home in New Jersey. Then he will return to his post here with Mrs. Edge and their children, who spent the Summer in Maine The embassy announced the French proposals were received officially by the Ambascador late this afterncon. Per- sons close to embassy affairs described them as conciliatory with the American position. Reed Also Returning. The early departure of Mr. Edge for home was expected in view of the ap- proaching _presidential campaign. i * which it was believed he would par- ticipate. Senator David A. Reed of Pennsyl- vania. who has conferred recently with Premier Herriot, Prime Minister Mac- Donald and other British and French officials, planned to leave tonight for the Riviera and probably will sail for | New York September 29. He is expected to report to the Pres- ident and the Senate concerning disar- mament and the situation in the Far East. |, Those in a position to know describe | the American attitude toward Franco- | German issues as a “hands off” policy, | the American Government merely hop- {ing that Germany will return to par- { ticipation in disarmament negotiations, |8 course which the United States be- | lieves will best serve the cause of dis- armament. e | city government and that development of parks can cnly be wisely and eco- nomically carried out under a group of men interested in them. The program last night was a series of three-minute talks on the general subject of parks, with delegates from the American City Planning Institute, the American Civic Association, the American Institute of Park Executives, the American Legislators’ Association, the National Association of Civic Sec- retaries, the National Council for the Protection of Roadside Beauty and the National Municipal League and Pro- | portional Representation League at- tending. Frederick Bigger, president of the American City Planning Institute, dis- cussing park planning, voiced the be- lief every American city should have a definite park planning program mapped out and be following a master plan of recreafion center development. Frederick A. Delano. president of the American Civic Association, urged the delegates to gather support in their respective localities for a well-rounded park program. Alfred McDonald, pres- ident of the American Institute of Park Executives, told of the work of park ex- ecutives, while Willam B. Belknap, president of the American Legislators’ Association, discussed State parks. Dr. Cloyd Heck Marvin, president of George Washington _ University, dis- cussed the National Capital's system of parks and recreational facilities and the part they have played in providing recreation for the thousands of visitors who have come to the Capital for the bicentennial celebration. Bl‘llbolfd Evil Is Topic. ‘The country’s parks, local, State and National, are leading the rest of the country in the elimination of the bill- board evil, Mrs. W. L. Lawton, chair- man of the National Council for the Protection of Roadside Beauty, de- clared. She advised all interested in parks to see that the roadside sign and billboard are kept out of the parks and approaches to parks for the preserva- tion of the parks’ beauty and recrea- tional integrity. The city's park system is a major problem in_municipal administration and should be treated as such, and not left to haphazard control, Murray Sea- songood, president of the National Mu- nicipal League, told the delegates. Jay Downer, chief engineer of the ‘Westchester County Park Commission, discussed the management of his county’s parks, and Horace Albright, director of the National Park Service, discussed the Government's administra- tion of the National parks. Yesterday afternoon the delegates to the meeting of the American Institute of Park Executives inspected the Arling- ton Experimental Farm and were told of the research being done there for production and maintenance of fine turf. Delegates attended a colonial tea yes terday afternoon at the Women's City Club. In the receiving line were Mrs. Roy D. Chapin, wife of the Secretary of Commerce; Mrs. Ray Lyman Wilbur, wife of the Secretary of the Interior; Mrs. Frederic A. Delano, Mrs. Horace Albright, Mrs. U. S. Grant, 3d.; Mrs. John M. Gries, Mrs. Joshua Evans, jr., and Miss Harlean James. Officers Are Elected. Discussion of problems of operation of parks and the care of their plants marked the morning session of the American Institute of Park Executives, at which the delegates heard talks by Government experts. Frank Shearer, superintendent of the Los Angeles City Park Department, was elected president of the institute. He succeeds Alfred MacDonald. Other officers chosen were: Henry Cliffe, Bridegport, Conn., superintendent of parks, vice president; E. H. Bean, director of the Chicago Zoological Park, treasurer, and John G. Morley, San Diego, Calif, superintendent of parks, and James R. Bond, superintendent of the Niagara Parks Commission, direc- tors.” Results of the election were an- nounced at a buffet lunchecn in the National Zoological Park, where the delegates were the guests of Dr. William Mann. A. F. Burgess of the Bureau of Plant Quarantine, Agriculture Department, discussed “Control of the Gypsy Moth.” P. L. Mulford of the Bureau of Plant Industry presented a discourse on .. " during Park Trees Discussed. A paper on “Park Tree Conditions and Situations That Favor Insect At tacks” was ‘gnenud by Willlam Mid- dleton of Bureau of Entomology. “Training for the Profession of City Forestry” was the topic of discussion by R. C. Morrison. The al of England will receive Wmfim in the