Evening Star Newspaper, December 20, 1932, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Fair, continued cold tonight; mum temperature about 23 degrees; to- morrow partly cloudy, warmer; gentle winds. Temperatures: Highest, 12 noon today; lowest, 22, at 7:30 a.m. Full report on page 9. today. Closing N. Y. Markets, Pages 14 and 15 mini- 37, at ch ¢ Foen L 4 WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION No. 32,375. post office, Entered as second class matter ‘Washington, D. C WASHINGTON e ny Star. Associated service. ‘The only evening paper in Washington with the Press news Yesterday’s Circulation, 118,496 D. C., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1932—THIRTY-EIGHT PAGES. DEMOCRATS BAL IN'WAR DEBT MOVE Roosevelt Sympathetic, but Will Leave Issue With Administration. MESSAGE GIVEN STUDY BY EURCPEAN NATIONS Press Comment in Great Britain Faverable, but Peris Papers Express Skepticism. By the Associated Press. Democrats today were clearly shy- ing away from active participation in President Hoover's proposal for a com- mission review of the war debts prob- lem, and he was expected at the Capi- tol to go ahead on his own initiative. The President and Gov. Roosevelt were understood already to have ex- changed views and that the Democratic President-elect is leaving the issue with this administration. The Gov- ernor’s attitude was described as sym- | pathetic but firm against dividing re- sponsibility with the President. Friends of the President-elect were convinced he would stand by his previ- ously announced policy that debt negotiaticns should be conducted through regular diplomatic channels and separately with the debtor nations. Meanwhile, it became apparent that| Democrats in Congress were not in- | “clined to listen to the presidential sug- | gestion that members of Congress serve on the debt commission. Favors Separate Negotiations. Senator Swanson of Viiginia, a; Democratic member of the American | arms celegation, ! who had been re- | garded as perhaps the first choice of | the President for a place on the debts| ate all foreign | relations is left with the President un- | der the Const.tuticn. The methods he} adopis have been left entirely with him | under law and custom. I think a situ- | ation has developed that amkes ic wiser for the United States to conduct sep- arate negotiations. The United State: is really the only creditor Naticn. and | joint negotiations wcuid only bring a | solid front against us “Of course, any negotiations that the | President may effect are not operative | until Congress has asproved. “I concur with th: sentiment ex- ressed by President-elect Roosevelt at is conference here with President| Hoover that the negotiations be direct and separate. I have had no cccasion to change my vlews since then, I think Gov. Roosevelt was wise in his deci- sion, Confer With Economic Experts. Swanson spent several hours in con- ference with President-elect Roosevelt before the latter issued his debt state- ment. Meanwhile Secretaries Stimson, Mills and Chapin held a conference at the; State Department with Edmund E. Day and John H. Williams, the economic | hom the United States desig- | r with experts from other | preparation of a program for | Eccnomic Conference. ies talked with the ex- ' an hour and at the con- tie meeting. Stimson and | : to ihe Whnile House to con- 1 the President. | son said no definite date has xed for a meeting of the inter- | 1 experts at Geneva to arrange | vorld economic program. Mecanwhile speculation was rising over the possibility that the President might chcose Stimson to head his Debt Comumission. Stimson was chairman of the American delegation to the arms} conference and the President wants to link these two prepositions. Other Names Heard. | Otier names heard in the specula- | tion over memborship ¢n the debt commission included Secretary Mills. | Ambassador Mellon, who was ths chair- | man of the old War Debts Commission, which negotiated the precent settle- | ments; Senztors Reed of Pennsylvania and Harriscn of Mississippi, members | of the Senate Finance Committee, and | posed reduction of both armies to peace | Thirty children, en route to a con- Representatives Collier of Missiscippi | and Hawley of Oregon, ranking mem- bers of the House Ways and Means Committee. | Hope persisted at the Capitol that! the presidential message of yesterd opening the way for a study of dobte, would lead to an ultimate settlement with France of her December 15 pay- | ich she defaulted. ! ol foreign | government would make a move in con- | nection with debts until there has been ! time for further study of the President’s message of yesterday and some assur- ance that negotiations begun under President Hoover may be continued un- der the new administration, The view also was expressed that untii more definite proposals from Great Britain or other debtor nations are laid before the administration there " (Continued on Page 4, Column 1.) P = MANCHURIAN ISSUE SETTLEMENT FAILS| League Committee Adjourns, Un- able to Reach Agreement in Sino-Japanese Dispute. e By the Associated Press. GENEVA, December 20.—The League of Nations Assembly's Committee of 19, finding itself unable to agree upon any proposals for settlement of the Sino- Japanese controversy in Manchuria, ad- Jjourned today until January 16. Meanwhile Sir Eric Drummond, sec- yetary-General of the League, assisted by a subcommittee of five members. will continue negotiations in search of a basis for conciliation. Negotiators appeared somewhat more hopeful today, expressing the view some evidence of conflicting positions taken by Chinese and Japanese representa- i Europe. The bulk, however, it is said, ANONYMOUS DONOR INCREASES GIFT TO OPPORTUNITIES FUND AT JUlNlNG HUUVER Note Accommecoj(:ontribution Evidences Spirit of Benevolence Toward Christmas Relief. “I cannot go to sleep tonight until I give a little more to the Christmas Opportunites.” This was the brief, hastily-written note that accompanied a second dona- tion by an anonymous contributor to The Star's Christmas Opportunity Fund for relief of 20 destitute Washington homes. The note succinctly epitomizes the widespread heartfelt spirit of Yuletide benevolence manifested in response to The Star's revelation of definite in- stances of misery existing in the Capital this Christmas season. Similar Letters Received. The feeling o poignantly expressed in the note from the doner, who could | not sleep until a further gift was mace, is cpparcnt in cther letiers reczived by ‘Th- Star. - Censider the emotions of the grieving mother who wrote: “Inclosed find a check which I wish given to Opportu nity No. 16 ‘in memory of Jennet." Ha' ing lost my own young daughter, who loved Christmas and all it means, I would like some other little girl to have the little I can give.” This opportunity cited the needs of a 12-year-old girl, Alice, who lost both her own parents and her foster parents before reaching the age of 5. This case now is closed, and surplus gifts will bel turned over to other worthy oppertuni- ties in the absence of objection by con- tributors. Another letter follows: “I want to add a widow's mite to your | fund for helping Opportunity No, 8. Sorry I am not able to make it more. I think this is certainly a most com- mendable service The Star is rendering, as many people are anxious to help but (Continued on Page 3, Column 2,) HOOVER 10 DRIVE FOR CHACO PEACE Special Message Will Ask| Authority of Congress for Arms Embargo. By the Associated Press. President Hoover has prepared a special message to Congress asking zuthority to declare an arms embargo | as a means of ending hostilities between | Bolivia and Paraguay in the Chaco. The message which is ready for transmission makes no special reference to those countries, it was uncerstood, but rather seeks congressional approval | for a futi prohibition against arms | shipments to any country regarded as | a possible or actual threat to interna- | tional peace. The United States is a member of | the Neutral Commission which has been | endeavoring to effect a settlement of[ the Chaco dispute. While these peace efforts have been going forward both | countries have been able to purchase war supplies in the United States and | | comes from Europe. | The Neutral Commission’s most re- | cent proposals to Bolivia and Paraguay | have requested immediate cessation of | hostilities. ¢emobilization of troops and | observance of a neutral zone in the Chaco pending submission of the fun- | damental boundary question to arbi- | tration. | While President Hoover was consid- | ering the language of his message to | Congress the neutral commission met | with Assistant Secretary Francis White | at the State Department to discuss Paraguay’s intention to withdraw its | delegate from th> peace negotiations. | The message was on the President’s | desk, but it could not be learned at the | White House when he planned to send | it to Congress. { President Hoover's intention has been described here as a move to strengthen | the position of the administration in its | co-operation with Mexico, Cuba, Colom- | bia and Uruguay to terminate hostili- | ties between Bolivia and Paraguay and bring them to an agreement to arbi- rate their conflicting territorial claims. | CONCILIATION FAILS. | Paraguay Declares Retirement [rom Parley Is Final. ASUNCION, Paraguay, December 20 (/P —An official source said today that Paraguay’s retirement from the con- ference of neutrals at Washington in connection with the dispute with Bolivia is complete and absolute. Therefore, it was said, the efforts of the neutrals to conciliate the dispute | are ended, for they cannot be con- tinued without Paraguay's co-operation The latest terms called for wit] drawal of both the Bolivian and Para- | guayan armies from the entire area of the Gran Chaco in which fighting is | now 1n progress. Each side would get an area to police, with a “precaution zone” between the two areas into which these police could venture only after | informing the other side of the neces- \ sity for doing so. The plan also pro- time size and submission of the whole | dispute to arbitration. ' BOLIVIA REJECTS PLAN. Cites Paraguzyan Attitude in Note to ‘Washington. LA PAZ, Bolivia, December 20 (#).— The fortign minister, answering the Ncutral Commission’s latest note frem Washington. cabled the commission that in vicw of Paraguay's refusal to accept the newly proposed terms of peace, “there is no need to take up the pro- | poszl on any of its points.” The note sent to Washington last | night says: “I consider that in previous replies to your communications my govern- | ment has accepted in principle all the | main features of the proposal. “Should the occasion have arisen to | treat it more concertedly, my govern- ment would have presented some ob- servations and remarks of differing na- ture regarding some of its articles. | ut in view of the absolute rejection by Paraguay, this government does not | believe it useful to touch upon any of its points. *(Signed) Tamayo, foreign mi: of Bolivia.” GERMANY DEMANDS: | inent in polities. Frenchmen in Favor Of Paying Debt Send Small Sums to Edge By the Associated Press. PARIS. December 20.—Lbtters from Frenchmen expressing re- gret because of the Chamber of Deputies’ deferment of the De- cember 15 debt payment to the United States and inclosing con- tributions of 40 or 50 cents each were being received at the Ameri- can embassy, it was learned today. Ambassador Edge was return- ing each contribution with a note of thanks and appreciation. More than two dozen from various parts of France thus far have been received. The inclosed Sums varied from 10 to 12 francs. QUICK ARWS ACTION Warns Against “Dilatory| Tactics” at Conference to Delay Equality. By the Associated Press. COLOGNE, Germany, December 20.— The Cologne Gazette, in an editorial | inspired by the Wilhelmstrasse, today took sharp issue with the Fremch in- terpretation of the Geneva five-power | agreement regarding arms equality. “Germany will not stand idly by if when the arms conference reconvenes dilatory tactics are to be employed to delay or hinder the realization of her equality,” the editorial said. “The time for preparatory meetings is over. The arms conference must quickly conclude a convention, other- wise its failure must be acknowledged. Such a failure would create an entirely new situation. “Germany will not sign any conven- tion in which special provisions are | laid down for Germany, for that would be very contrary to equality. Others | will 4o well not to deceive themselves ! regarding the determination of Ger- many’s will in this question.” BERLIN BACKS WARNING. Spokesman Says Cologne Paper Summed Up Situation. BERLIN, December 20 (& .—A gov- ernment spokesman said today that an editorial on armaments in the Cologne Gazette summed up the German atti- tuze correctly. BUS ERASH INJURES 30 Children on Way to School Hurt| in Collision With Auto. DAYTON, Ohio, December 20 () — solidated school southwest of here were injured more or less seriously today when a school bus collided with an automobile driven by Albert Grubbs. Robert Grubbs, riding with his father, ! suffered fractures of both legs, while Melvin Sears, 17, and George Smith, | lle, pupils in the bus, suf-| fered a fractured arm and leg, re- spactively. Others were cut and bruised. | Lawrence Kesling, 17, Farmersville, river of the school bus, told officials a Heavy fog obscured his vision. 184 ARRESTS MADE Argentine Authorities Put Down Anti-Government Plot. BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Decem- ber 20 (A).—Federal authorities have made 184 arrests as a result of dis- closure of an anti-government plot and the decalartion of a nation-wide state of siege. Government agents said they had found documentary evidence implicat- ing a number of persons formerly prom- The government ap- peared to be in complete control of the situation. POLICE V_IGILANCE IN GERMANY IS RELAXED BY NEW DECREE Emergency Courts Abolished and Press Restrictions Eased by Government. By the Associated Press. BERLIN, December 20.—Chancellor Kurt von Schleicher today made public a political decree abolishing emeigency courts, easing press restrictions and | tending generally to give the German | people an opportunity to show they can tives might eventually be modified so as to permit the beginning of a pro- cedura for friendly adjustment. Questions of invitations to the United States and Soviet Russia to participate in & conciliation body and of non-recog- on of the Manchukuo government'in anchuria remained in abeyance. behave without police vigilance. Effective yesterday, when signed by President _von Hindenburg, the decree supplanted three previous political de- crees which kept the menacing situation during the Spring and Summer in con- trel and supplanted the law for protec- tion of the republic, now expiring, 4 A clause dealing with attempts on the life of the Reich’'s president was new and made provision for heavy punish- ment. Libel was to be prosecuted upon the President’s with. Also n:w was a measure providing impriscnment for abuse or defamation of the Reich states, its flags and the German Army. A statement accompanying the de- cree made an appeal that political con- troversies take “a form worthy of a civilized nation.” It warned that apphi- | cation of a drastic emergency decree, to which the chancellor referred in a pub- lic address recently as “ready in the plgeo&l'mle." would be invoked if need | i mended by the Budget Bureau and | i Daniel | tello, Democratic National Committee- | official duties at Wachington today to| HEARING REVEAL DESPERATE PLIGHT OF CAPITAL NEEDY District‘ Officials and Social Workers Plead for $1,250,000 Fund. MAKESHIFT METHODS DECLARED INADEQUATE Deficiency Appropriation, Backed by Hoover, Declared Imperative. The desperate plight of the poor and needy in Washington was described before the deficiency subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee today by a score of District officials and social workers, who pleaded for prompt passage of a deficiency appro- | priation of $1,250,000 for relief. It was pointed out the makeshift re- lief now afforded will have been ex- hausted after the firsi of the year, when the need for the additional funds will become imperative. The legislation has been recom- President Hoover. Sidney F. Taliaferro, chairman of the Executive Committee on unemploy- ment relief, placed bsfore the com- mittee 13 special cases of distress and | destitution, illustrative of tne char- acter of relief work and the desperate need for public funds to supplement ; private contributions. He also fur- | nished the subcommittee a complete report of relief work since October. Byrns Favors Division, Representative Byrns, chairman of the subcommittee, has :tated his belief that the $1.250,000 :hould be divided to allow approximately half the sum to be carried as a deficiency item. The! balance would be incorporated in the! regular District appropriation bill for the fiscal year beginning July 1 next. | Among those who testified at the hearing today were District Commis- | sioners Luther H. Reichelderfer, Herbert | B. Crosby and John C. Gotwals; Maj. J. Donovan, District auditor; Newbold Noyes, chairman of the Com- munity Chest, znd other representatives | from that welfare crganization, Mr.| Taliaferro. W. W. Millen, chairman of | the Public Welfare Board: George S. Wilson, director of Public Welfare. Dr. John O'Grady, director of Catholic | Charities; Mrs. Willlam A. Roberts, representing the Ccuncil of Social | Agencies; Dr. Prederic W. Perkins, rep- resenting the Associated Charities of the Universalist Church, and Mrs. Charles Goldsmith, _representing the Jewish Charities; Evan H. Tucker, president | ot the Northeast Washington Citizens’ | Assaciation; Walter S. Ufford, repre- senting the special committee of the Monday Evening Club; John F. Cos- man’ John B. Colpoys, chairman of the District Democratic Committee and representing the Central Laber Union; Frederic A. Delano, representing the Citizens' Committee of the Council of Social Agencies; Miss Louise McGuire, assistant professor of social economy at the National Catholic School of Sccial Sclence, representing .the Wash- mngton Chapter of the American As- sociation of Bocial Workers. Gives Chest Figures, Mr. Noyes, speaking for the Citizens' Committee organized by the Council of Social Agencies, told the committee the Community Chest campaign this year resulted in pledges totaling $1.900,000. Last year $2,419.000 was pledged. Discussing the relationship between the Chest and the 63 agencies it sup- ports, Mr. Noyes said the Chest offi- cials could not itemize the expenditures by the various agencies, explaining such information would have to come from the agencies. Some members of the committee had indicated a desire to " (Continued on Page 2, Column 3) MRS. WINGO AT BEDSIDE OF SON HURT IN CRASH! House Member Will Stay in Bridge- port Until Auto Victim Passes Crisis. By the Associated Press. BRIDGEPORT, Conn.,, December 20. —Representative Effiegene Wingo of Arkancas put aside indefinitely her tis T. Wirgo, in an remain close to her son, jr. who was injured sericusly 2utomobile accident. Officials at Bricgeport Hospital re- | ported Wingo still in danger. His| mother said she would stay in Bridge- | port while his condition remaired dan- gerous. Wingo, a Princeton student, was in- jured Sunday when his automobile skidded on the snow-covered Boston Post road and crashed into a trolley car. Miss Barbara Hollsworth, 20, of Brook- line, Mass., his companion, was also in- jured, but’her condition was reported good. SLAYING OF AMERICAN AIRED IN FRENCH COURT Parisian on Trial at Versailles for Killing Victim and Throw- ing Body in Seine. By the Assoctated Press. VERSAILLES. France. December 20. —Guy Davin, 25, a Parislan, went on trial today for the murder of Richard Wall, an American, who was slain & year ago. Police announced shortly after Da- vin'’s_arrest that he had confessed kill- ing Wall in the forest of St. Cucufa, near Paris, and stealing Wall's $300. Alienists pronounced him sane. Wall's body was recovered from the Seine a month after his death. e SEIZE $36,692 Four Robbers Hold Up Philadel- phia Branch Bank. PHILADELPHIA, December 20 (P).— Four robbers today escaped with $36,692 after holding up, with sawed-off shot- guns, employes and customers in the branch bank of the Pennsylvania Co. for Insurances on Lives and Granting Annuities, at Forty-fifth and Walnut streets, West Philadelphia. G (#) Means Associated Press. TWO CENTS. UESS W EARNED A \\\‘ REST FOR A COUPLE OWEEKS BUDGET BALANCING WITH TAX ON BEER DEBATED IN HOUSE Vote on Rainey Bill for 3.2 FILIBUSTER BLOCKS TRACTION MERGER Blaine Still Has Floor, Ready to Read 40 Pages of Material. No sign of a break in the filibuster against the District street railway mer- ger plan was apparent at noon today as the Senate entered the second round of a parliamentary battle over the reso- lution. Senator Blaine of Wisconsin, who is bending every effort to keep the question from coming up, still had the floor and was prepared with more than 40 pages of material to continue speaking throughout the afternoon. He served notice yvesterday that he would oppose action on the pending consolidation plan as long as his strength held out. Senator Blaine did not immediately resume debate on the merger when the | Senate convened, the first hour being taken up by & speech by Senator Bank- head of Alabama on a farm bill re- lating to wheat and cotton. Await Chance to Vote. Advocates of the plan, meanwhile, were standing by, awaiting an oppor- tunity to vote. The pending question is whether the consolidation resolution is to be con- sidered. The motion. if carried would | make the merger the unfinished busi- ness from day to day until disposed of, either by a direct vote or by an effort to displace it with some other business. | For_approximately two hours yester- day afternoon. with interruptions. Sena- tor Blaine spoke on the list of amend- ments which he ard Chairman Cap- per of the District Committee contend should be attached to the pending reso- | lution. Reviews Long Effort. Senator Austin of Vermont. leading the fight for adoption of the merger plan as drafted by a majority of the District Committee, opened the discus- sion with a brief resume of the efforts which have been going on for many years to bring the two traction systems of Washington together. He read to the Senate a long list of the civic and trade organizations of the city that are urging | action at this time. Senator Blaine contended that. with- out the amendment advocated by him- self and Senator Capper, the merger would not be in the public interest. and he warned supporters of the resolution that “they might as well dig themselves | in_for the Winter.” Late yesterday Serator McKeller. Democrat, of Tennessee, joined Blaine in the discussion by declaring the mer- ger should not be permitted until fares are reduced. La Follette Starts Skirmish. The first parliamentary skirmish came when Senator La Follette of Wis- consin, Blaine’s colleague, called for & quorum. La Follette was endeavoring to have the Sen3te adjourn rather than recess, which would have meant the first two hours of today's session would have to be devoted to miscellaneous maiters. On the first call a quorum was not cbtained, but Senator McNary of Oregon, assistant Republican floor lexder, indicated he would insist on re- cessing and had a motion adopted di- recting the sergeant at arms to round up absent members. After a brief wait a quorum was obtained and McNary succeeded in bringing about a recess. Subcommittee Meets. Members of a subcommittee of the Citizens' Joint Transportation Commit- tee, which is seeking a solution to the whole transportation problem in Wash- ngton, met yesterday, with People's Counsel Richmond B. Keech and As- sistant, Corporation Counsel William A. Roberts acting in behalf of the Public Utilities Commission, to discuss phases of the pending legislation which are subjects of controversy. Following the meeting it was an- nounced on behalf of the committee | that an understanding had been reached as to objections of Mr. Keech and Mr. obe: The subcommittee, appointed R z by Chairman Thomas P. Littiepage to pave the way for agreement 50 as to expedite Senate action on the merger, was to submit a detailed report to the whole committee at a meeting today. Representatives of the Interfederation Conference called on Chairman Patrick and presented him with a resolution adopted by that body last night, which suggested the pending controversies on the merger bill be solved by a conference to be summoned by the Public Utilities Commission. The resolution suggested the people’s counsel and representatives of the transit companies be summoned by the commission “with a view to ad- justing all differences so that the bill may receive universal approval and thus insure the passage of an acceptable merger bill at the present session of Congress.” James G. Yaden, E. L. Bennett and Stephen James formed the committee which called on Gen. Patrick. R dio Programs on Page C-5 \ | | Dropping Title ‘Miss’ In Telephone Listings Cuts Book 10 Pages | 1| By tre Acsociated Press NEW YORK. December 20— | Chivalry bowed to cold economy | today. | The most widely read book in New York—the directory of the New York Telephone Co—ap- peared in its Winter edition with the courte8y title “miss” elimi- nated from the names of more than 12,000 unmarried female subscribers | The company said by deleting | the title it cut 10 pages from | each of the hundreds of thou- sands of the bulky books pub- | ] lished. FIRLOUGH STUDD Y SEWTE GROP Small Additional Pay Cut Under Consideration of Economy Committee. Although it may be several more days | before the Senate Economy Committee | completes its work, there were indica- tions today that the committee still is | seriously considering continuation for | another year of the 815 per cent fur- lough for Government employes, with the possibility of a small additiona! percentage cut. ‘The committee had no announcement to make at the end of another execu- tive session today and is mot expected to make known its decision until its recommendations are submitted. With no definite time fixed for the next meet- ing. it may be a day or two before definite conclusions are forthcoming. May Restore Promotions. It is understood that if the commit- tee finally determines to add some slight percentage reduction to the 8'3 per cent furlough cut, it would be coupled with restoration of the power to make salary promotions within grades of the | classification law. The economy act as it now stands prohibits these effi- ciency promotions - within grades.. al- | though it does not prevent the reallo- cation of a position to a higher grade. Whether this proposal will be recom- | until the committee is ready to report. Meanwhile, the regular Treasury-Post Office Subcommittee, headed by Senator | Oddie of Nevada, will meet this after- noon to work on the detailed money | allowances for the various activities. | The general policies on economy, in cluding salaries, are expected to be de- termined _in connection _with this | Treasury-Post Office bill. It appeared | probable today that the regular Treas- | ury-Post Office Subcommittee and the special economy group would report simultaneously to the entire Senate Ap- | propriations Ccmmittee within the next | few days. Commitice Has Last Word. That comriittee will have the last word as to what should be recom- mended to the Senate. Besides _the salary question, the Economy Committee has been consider- ing requests for modification in a num- ber of other features of the economy law, but nothing definite is known yet as to what other changes may be rec- ommended. —_— 300 Coal Miners Strike. RESERVE, Nova Scotia, December 20 fields here went on sirike today in pro- Le;t ‘ngalnst “inadequate unemployment rolief ! mended will not be known definitely | () —Three hundred miners in the coal | 1.5, OFFICES GIVEN HOLIDAY SATURDAY | {Hoover Orders Full Day Off | Before Both Christmas ‘ and New Year. Employes of the Federal and District | Governments in Washington will have a full day's holiday on the day before | Christmas and the day before New Year day. | This was made possible by an execu- | tive order issued today by President | Hoover closing on the two days all executive departments and independent establishments, including the Govern- ment Printing Office and the Navy Yard and stations. The granting of the Christmas eve holiday is primarily to afford employes time to do their “eleventh hour” shop- ping. and to give more time to those who plan to leave Washington for their homes in the States to spend the holl- ys. z The President's order follows: “It is hereby ordered that the sev- eral executive departments and inde- pendent Government establishments in the District of Columbia, including the | Government Printing Office and _ the Navy Yard and stations, be closed on Saturday, December 24, 1932, and Sat- | urday, December 31, 1932, and all clerks and other employes in the Federal serv- | ice in the District of Columbia, except | those who may for special public rea-; | sons be excepted from the provis.ons of | | this order, or those whose absence from duty would be inconsistent with the provisions of existing law, are hereby excused from duty on those days.” Although the President’s order does | ! not specify the District Government. it | has been the custom for the Comnis- sioners to apply orders of this nature to the employes of the local govern- ment. BURNS IS ACC3SED | OF BETRAYING TRUST !Georgia Prison Commission De- | mands Fugitive's Return to Chain Gang. | By the Assoclated Press ATLANTA, December 20.—The Geor- | gia Prison Commission in a telegram to | Gov. Moore of New Jersey today said | Robert Elliott Burns had “betrayed his trust” as a chain gang trusty by escap- ing and he was not cruelly treated while a convict. The telegram asked | that he be returned here to complete | his term for robbery. | Murphy Holloway,® Atlanta lawyer, ! | said an affidavit of Ben P. Gillespie. | retired detective. one of two officers who | arrested Burns, Sidney George Flegg and | John Moore, had been sent to Gov. Moore in an effort to aid Burns in his fight against extradition to Georgia. | : The afficavit, Holloway said. will | “throw a different light” on statements of Flegg, or Flagg, in a copyrighted interview in the Seattle Post-Intelli- gencer, that he and Burns were part- ners in two Atlanta hold-ups. Gillespie in his affidavit said he and a fellow officer arrested the three men shortly after the hold-up of S. Bern- stein’s store, in which $4.80 was taken, and that Flegg readily “assumed the role of spokesman for the trio." The retired officer said he did not believe Burns knew the mission when he accompanied the other two men to the Burnstein store. Gillespie also said | Flegg told him Burns took the money from the cash register at his (Flegg's) commancd *FORGOTTEN” AL By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, December 20.—Mrs. Mary Politano must show cause Why her husband “must be a prisoner for Lfe” in a Brooklyn jail just because he is unable to pay $12 a week alimony. Supreme Court Justice Edward Riegel- man listened to the story of Umberto Politano, the imprisoned husband, yes- terday and then issued the order. Politano told the court: “I have been in this jail for two and s half yoers and each day my sentence becomes longer. I want a chance to get [] ? IS FOUND AFTER YEARS IN JAIL Wife Must Show Cause Why Mate “Must Be Prisoner for Life.” IMONY HUSBAND out so I can get a job and obey the court order. Must I be a prisoner for Politano said he came to this country in 1921 and had $3,000 in the bank when he married. Trouble started. he said, when the wife’s family came to live with them. $3,000 soon was eaten up and the wife got a separation decree and the alimony order in 1929. Since then Politano has been in jail, unable to pay. “I've been in this jail longer than any one else,” he told Justice Riegelman. “I have even learned to read and write English while here.” Per Cent Brew Is Ex- pected Tomorrow. COMMITTEE WON'T ACT ON SALES LEVY NOW Movement to Have Senate Add Manufacturers’ Tax Is Under Discussion. By the Associated Press How far taxes derived from beer will go toward balancing the budget pro- vided the core of a swirling debate in the House of Representatives this after- noon, with the merits and demerits of a 3.2 per cent brew at issue as well. Democratic proponents of the Collier bill hailed it as a revenue producer and looked to overwhelming the opposition on a vote by late tomorrow. Representative Rainey, the majority leader, insisted that 3.2 per cent alco- holic content by weight, or 4 per cent )y volume, was a non-intoxicating beer. To the applause of some in the ronged galleries, Representative Crowther (Republican) of New York declared it was unconstitutional to “put a beer bill into the law so long as the eighteenth amendment is in the Con- stiwtion.” Sees $75,000,000 Revenue. He estimated only $75.000,000 a year would be obtained from the proposed $5 a barrel tax, many millions less than friencs of the legislation claim, and asserted that if a balanced budget de- pends on income from the er bill, “the budget is going to be out of bal- ance a long time.” Representative Snell, the Republican leader, also made inquiries of Rainey as to Democratic plans lool ancing the budget. He was t white-haired Democrat frox that “we are going to do all we can to balance the budget but we don't control the administration or the Senate.” Regardless of the strenuous oppasition to legalizing a 3.2 per cent brew to be taxed 85 a barrel, Chairmzn Collier clung to his perdiction that a majority would favor his bill. A final vote is expected tomorrow. “I belleve it will pass.” Collier said as he entered the chamber He and Representative Rainey led the pre-beer ranks, while Recpresenta- tive Hawley of Oregon, ranking Repube lican on the Ways and Means Com- mittee headed the opponents. Won't Act on Sales Tax. Before the debate opened Collier told newspapermen he would not call the House Ways and Means Committee to- gether to consider levying a general sales tax at this session of Congress. While the Democrats are relying on beer to balance the budget, the admin- istration favors a sales tax, Hoover having recommended a 214 per cent rate in his message to Congress et the opening of the session. upheld, too, in_testimor and Means Committes last Secretary Mills, whose estimates of revenue that might be derived from beer were far below what proponents of the Collier bill up today have claimed for it “We will not even consider the sales tax, unless the committee, by a ma- jority vote, directs me to bring it up.” Collier said. He has taken the position that the sales levy should be left for States. f we have an upturn_in Continued on Page PERSIAN DEMANDS SEEN IN OIL ROW Government Expected to Ask Fourth of Income and Strict Con- trol Over British Company. , Cclum: By the Associated Press MOSCOW, December 20.—The Tass (Russian) News Agency correspondent at Teheran, Persia, reported today that the Bagdad newspaper Al Emol Arabi said that if the Persian government grants a new concession to the Anglo- Persian Oil Co. it intends to demand 25 per cent of income from wells The newspaper was quoted as saying the Government 2lso would demand di- rect control of the company's opera- tions, payment by the company of in- come taxes and a share in its sea transport revenues. The correspondent reported that the Teheran _newspaper Shafaki-Sorkh in- dicated Persia may challenge the juris- diction of the League of Nations in the dispute by categorically denying re- ports that the Persian government con- sented to an examination of the con- troversy by the League. Protesting cancellation of the concession by Persia several weeks ago, Great Britain re- ferred the dispute to the League of Nations Council. The newspaper wi clared the Persian gov. to the League that England was at- tempting illeg2l interference in & strictly Persian domestic and financial matter. “The regime of capitulation has been canceled long ¢go in Persia.” the news- paper was quoted as saying. DR. YEN DUE IN MOSCOW said to have de- ernment reported Chinese League Delegate to Take Post as Envoy to Soviets. GENEVA, December 20 (#).—Dr. W. W. Yen, head ef the Chinese delegation to the League of Nations, was prepar- ling today to leave Geneva soon to as- {sume his new post as Chinese Ambassa- idor at Moscow. His appointment was announced after the recent resumption of diplomatic_relations between Soviet Russia and China. McKee Has Bronchial Attack. NEW YORK, December 20 (#).—Act- ing Mayor Josepn V. McXee was in- structed to remain in bed for five days or a week yesterday to recover what his physician described as ad bronchial condition” due to overwork and a cold. Steps to cut $40,000,000 from the city budget are scheduled to be taken at City Hall tomorrow. J