Evening Star Newspaper, December 22, 1932, Page 1

creasing rain in hest, 51, at nhoon at §:30 a.m. today. cloudiness, late afternoon. . ; lowest, 33, report on page 3. Closing N. Y. Markets, Pages 14 and 15 No. 32,377, Entered_as second class matter post office, Washington, D. C. HOOVER Correspondence Made Public by White House. ACTION DELAYED UNTIL MARCH| Governor Unwilling to Accept Joint Responsibility By the Associated Press. President Hoover, having been informed by President -elect Roosevelt that he cannot accept “an apparent joint responsibility” between now and March 4 for war debt and related policies, has abandoned his plan for naming a commission to deal with press- ing international problems. Corresporndence between the two over the past few days, as made public this afternoon at the White House, showed them at sharp divergence. It was said in administration quarters familiar with the situa- tion, that dropping of the pro- posed commission plan meant that the debts situation would be at a standstill until after inaug- uration. President Hoover, in a brief formal statement announcing the correspond- ence, said: “Gov. Roosevelt considers that it is undesirable for him to assent to my suggestions for co-operative action on the foreign problems outlined in my recent message to Congress. I will respect his wishes.” Four Telegrams Exchanged. The exchange between the President «and his successor-to-be consisted of four lengthy telegrams. Tn his brief statement attached to the correspondence, Mr. Hoover added: “Situations will, no doubt, develop and will be dealt with by the adminis- tration as they arise, but, of course; no commitments will be made for-the next_administration.” Before the texts were made public, Mr. Hoover had conferred at length with Secretaries Stimson and Mills. Mills had told newspaper men earlier that he favored making public the communications between the President and the President-elect. Correspondence Initiated Saturday. The correspondence was initiated by President Hoever on the evening of Jast Saturday, two days before his mes- sage to Congress. He wrote that the debt problems “cannot be disassociated from the problems” to come before the world economic and disarmament con- ferences. He asserted that “exchange of views in respect to debts cannot be accom- plished in satisfactory manner through the ordinary routine of diplomatic con- tacts,” but require “free and direct | round table discussion with each gov- ernment_separately.” “The routine machinery of diplomacy neitiner affords the type of men re- quired nor can they give the time from other duties,” said the President. Diplomatic channels were the means | previously espoused by Mr. Roosevelt for debt discussion. Roosevelt_replied December 19, after Column 4.) JAIL THREAT DEFIED BY LLOYD GEORGE Declares He May Bare Cabinet Secrets if “Partial Dis- closures” Continue. By the Associated Press. LONDON, December 22. — David Lloyd George, the former Liberal leader, made a sensational declaration in the House of Commons this afternoon, in- timating he was ready to go to jail, if it came to that, on the issue of further disclosure by him of cabinet proceed- ings which he threatened should any further “partial disclosures” be made. What led up to this was the recent partial disclosure by several members, including Mr. Lloyd George himself, during debate in the House, of proceed- ings in Lloyd George’s own cabinet in connection with the 1923 debt settle- ment with America. Mr. Lloyd George at that time de- manded publication of the full min- utes, but this was refused. Today's outburst was occasioned by a warning by Lord Hailsham, secretary for war, and other lords in the House of Lords last night that disclosures of cabinet_secrets made the offender lia- ble under criminal law. Mr. Lloyd George hotly declared today that it was a new thing when the Jords began to threaten members of the ‘House. “I know,” he said, “that last night there was talk about liability to two years’ imprisonment. I beg to say that if partial disclosure of this kind is given again I shall, without any hesitancy. take the responsibility of publishing the whole transaction.” If he were sent to jail there would be others who would have to be sent there too, he said, including “two or three members of the present govern- ment.” Mr. Lloyd George also accused Prime Minister MacDonald of an insalt to the House for absenting himself from de- bate on unemployment recently on a plea of indisposition, although “he was able to travel to Lossiemouth and speak there on unemployment on the very night that the House was debating the question.” HOUSE VOTES RECESS The House today passed a concurrent resolution for a four-day Christmas Tecess, adjourning tonight to reassemble Tuesday noon. This resolution goes to he b ABANDONS PLAN TO APPOINT DEBT BOARD:; ROOSEVELT AID REFUSED Credit to U. S. Cuts British Gold Supply £19,677,185in Week By the Associated Press. LONDON, December - 22.—The effect of earmarking gold for the account of the United States in connection with payment of the war debt installment was indi- cated in today’s Bank of Eng- land return showing the holding of gold coin and bullion to be £19.677,185 lower than in the previous week. NEW TRADE DRAFT TAKENTO FRANCE Edge Has Treaty in Practic- ally Complete Form to Be Gone Over Again. By the Associated Press. PARIS, December 22.—It was report- ed reliably today that Ambassador Wal- ter E. Edge has returned here with the draft of a new Franco-American com- mercial treaty practically in complete form, so far as American desires were concerned. The treaty must be gone over again with the French, it was said. (The Ambassador went to the United States in September with a draft of French counter proposals to an Ameri- can bid for a new treaty. Previous re- ports said French failure to pay the government's debt to the United States last week would force an indefinite sus- pension of the trade negotiations.) It was reported the French have some new ideas concerning the list of goods to be affected and that the matter re. quired further negotiations. Aml dor Edge has been unable to do any- +thing yet because of the change in the French government. Between France and Canada. Preliminary steps have been taken treaty to replace the one recently de- nounced by Canada es a result of the British Empire preference agreements drawn up at Ottawa. Negotiations, how- ever, have reached only a preparatory stage. ‘Some impressions _exist in_French circles that France would prefer final commercial treaty negotiations to go over until the advent of the Demo- cratic administration in the United States, believing Prance then could ob- ;‘.m more advantageous tariff condi- ions. Ambassador Edge is invested with treaty negotiations at the most favor- able opportunity. However, ~there seemed to be a growing belief that neither the question of the government debt owed the United States nor the treaty will be definitely settled until the Democrats come into power. French manufacturers and exporters hoped that France’s unfavorable trade balance would be reversed in a new treaty. Since the high peak of 1926, French foreign trade has gone steadily downward and by 1930 it had shrunk 28 per cent. The decrease since then has been even more marked. D Government trade figures show th United States over a period of years has sold more to France than France has sold to the United States. But these figures take no account of money spent in France by American tourists. The tourist trade, however, has dimin- ished greatly. Commodities in Trade. Principal French purchases in the United States are cotton, mineral oils, crude oil and oil products and ma- chines. France sells the United States skins, cheese, table fruits, vegetable ofls, perfumery, soaps, cotton tissues, wool and silks. Ambassador Edge proposes to resume commercial treaty negotiations with the French at the earliest propitious mo- ment when the French cabinet has time to settle itself down to work. He apparently has no intention to allow the debt question to interfere with future negotiations concerning a com- mercial treaty. It is understood America has prac- tically decided to accept a list of articles prepared by the French, where- upon France will extend most-favored- nation treatment. It is possible that the French may produce some new claims concerning treatment of French merchandise ex- ported to America and may prefer to have a treaty concluded when the Dem- ocrats come into power. SOVIET DIPLOMAT DIES Dmitry Koursky Recently Retired as Envoy to Italy. MOSCOW, December 22 (#).—Dmitry Koursky, who only two months ago was recalled at his own request as Am- bassador to Italy after four years in that post, died today at Kremlin Hospi- tal of blood poisoning. He was 58. He was an old-time Bolshevik who participated in the revolution of 1905. He served as peoples’ commissar for justice from the time the Soviets as- sumed power until he was appointed to his diplomatic post in 192§. In- fection following an injury to his hand caused his death. between Canada and France for a new | tha! full power to wind up commercial | P! Paul-Boncour to Follow Herriot Policies. STAND TAKEN FOR ‘PRUDENCE’ New French Cabinet Keeps U.S. Political Situation in Mind. By the Assoclated Prese. PARIS, December 22.—Joseph Paul-Boncour intends to follow the policies of the Herriot govern- ment with regard to negotiations in connection with the American debt, he revealed today in his first appearance as premier before the Chamber of Deputies. His primary objective will be a conference to effect a general set- ‘tlement, but he warned that the political situation in the United States makes it advisable to con- duct the negotiations with the greatest care. The text of the declaration on debts reads: “The second of the essential tasks imposed upon us is the gen- eral settlement of the war debt question. We intend to consecrate all our efforts to that end, we promise you.” The text of the declaration on debts reads: “The second of t{:}: menfl?l t:fiu imposed upon us is the general settl:- ment of the war debt question. We intend to consecrate all our efforts to t end, we promise you." “With the same frankness we esteem that the circumstances, as well as the complexity of the present political sit- uation in the United States, oblige our conducting with an extreme prudence the negotiations whose orientation was traced out by the Chamber's vote on December 12.” Contact Maintained. “Since that vote, communication of which was given the same day to the United States Government, a contact has happily been maintained during the ci by the eminent chief of the e g_government. And we are grateful that a serious effort has been made at Washington in an attempt to smooth over the difficulties which have - “Only too happy to seize every possi- bility of reconciliation in viewpoints, we will conduct the negotiations with the firm purpose of preparing a solution of the question in its entirety, which would put an end to the disorders which have come, in the general economic restoration, from the burden of inter- governmental debts.” “At the same time, in full accord with the states to which France is united by the bonds founded on common aspira- tions and 'without any hindthought with regard to others; strong in effica- cious friendzhip of our neighbors across have recently received additional evi- dent proofs—desirous of smoothing out any difficulty which might exist with the countries to which an ancient cul- ture and such recent recollections bind us, we shall strive to bring to a good gmclusnm other international negotia- ions. “These negotiations are also pressing. On them depends in large measure the sclution of the crisis, the deep-lying cause of our budgetary difficulties. For this crisis is not only of an economic nature; it is also of a psychological na- ture and made up of the international uncertainty, of misunderstandings and rivalries between the peoples.” Deputies Listen in Silence. When M. Paul-Boncour slowly read the section concerning the American debts, the deputies listened to him in silence, almost indifference, and regis- tered neither approval nor disapproval. The ministerial declaration, apart from the question of debts, proposed putting in order France's finances, wip- ing off the deficit and establishing a budgetary balance. Premier Paul-Boncour called for “energetic economies” in order that the treasury not be emptied. ‘When he concluded he was generally (Continued on Page 2, Column 4.) e DENTIST ACQUITTED Freed of Conspiracy in Iowa Offi- cial’s Kidnaping. CHARLES CITY, Iowa, December 22 () —Dr. R. H. Koenig, Charles City dentist, charged with conspiracy in con- nection with the kidnaping last August of Marian Stull, overseer of the poor for Floyd County, was freed yesterday when the judge ordered a directed ver- dict after the State rested its case. Of the 40 persons involved in the case, Dr. Koenig was the only one not to plead guilty the charge. i*STAMPED SCRIP” TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FACTORY By the Associated Press. PADUCAH, Ky, December 22—Pa- ducah next week will launch a cam- paign to obtain a clothing factory em- ploying more than 1,000 persons by adopting the “stamped scrip” plan of raising money. You can’t call it “serip.’ though, since sponsors of the Delieve the term “certificate” will have a better psycho- logical effect, because of the wide pub- licity given the t of 1 paymen t:‘chefi here and in other citles with e “certificates” will be.ssued in the Senate for concurrent action, the pay rolls of local com; The half the salary of each employe .3 be paid PLAN DEVISED Paducah Will Launch Drive to Open Factory Providing Work for 1,000. in cash and half in certificates. Each certificate will be accepted as currency affixes a 1-cent stamp, clothing ducah and ‘wnemployed wil the channel—a friendship of which we | eni ‘WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION AGREILTIRE BILL REPORTEDTOHOLSE 207 Millions Cut From Last Appropriations—Road Aid Loses 65 Millions. | By the Associated Press. The $110,981,000 Agriculture Depart- ment supply bill, setting aside only $35,000,000 for Federal highway aid in the next fiscal year, was reported to the House today by its Appropriations Com- mittee. It was the third of the nine big an- nual appropriation measures to be re- ported since Congress convened. One, the Treasury-Post Office measure, al- ready has been sent to the Senate, and the House planned to conclude consider- ation of the Interior Department bill today. Carrying out President Hoover's rec- ommmendation for reducing the Federal highway aid allotment by $65,000,000, the committee allowed only $35,000,000 of the usual annual $100,000,000 outlay. The Bureau of Federal Roads said this ‘would meet the maturing obliga- tions tc the States for the full fiscal year of 1934, due partly to the $120,000,- 000 emergency employment relief ap- propriation made at the last session. $206,902,000 Saved. The bill for the fiscal year 1934, be- ginning July 1, 1933, is $206,902,000 less than appropriations for the present fis- cal year, which were $317,883,000, of which $194.733,000 was allotted to high- way construction. It is $7.833,000 less than Pr-sident Hoarfi,r‘s budget esti- mates cf $118,814,000. This saving largely wes from Federal highway, for- est roads and trails estimates. In his report, Representative Bu- chanan of Texas, chairman of the sub- committee which drafted the measure, explained that after deducting the $35,- 000,000 highway allotment and other funds that go to help States, only $60,468,000 is left for the department’s ordinary activities. The budget, he said. asked for a re- appropriation of $500,000 for collection of seed loans, but, he added, the com- | mittee allowed $350,000, believing that “sufficient.” “For the current fiscal year, at the beginning of which there was ocut- standing approximately $40,000,000 of seed loans,” he continued, “the appro- priation carried $500,000 for collection of the loans. The department has es- timated there will be but $20,000,000 outstanding at the beginning of the fiscal year 1934.” A legislative provision for the aboli- tion of the Advisory Federal Plant Quarantine Board, created in 1929, was included in the measure, which allows a few increases of smail amounts in budget estimates. Among them are $25,000 for eradication of the pink boll worm in Southern States, $65,000 for reforestation, $25,000 for eradication of the Japanese beetle and $40,000 for the 2ypsy and brown-tail moths. Altogether $379,804 was allotted for eradication of the pink boll worm, $408,- 388 for gypsy and brown tail moth con- (Continued on Page 6, Column 1) INSULL HEARINGS BEGIN IN ATHENS ON TUESDAY Date Fixed for Extradition Pro- ceedings After Lawyers Ask Time to Perfect Defense. By the Associated Press. ATHENS, Greece, December 22— Hearings in extradition p: against Samuel Insull will begin next Tuesday, it was decided today by Vice President Alexander Georgacopoulos of the court of appeals, after an inter- view with Public flgtwmey Riganacos. i to perfect the defense. Members of the court also were occupied today in the Insull documents which were submitted to them this morning in Greek translation. ACT AGAINST OIL PACT Persian Assemblymen Transfer Annulmet Approval. (OSCOW, December 22 (/).—The cor- o OPPORTUNITY No. 19 “ADOPTED" BY MONARCHS OF WASHINGTON Club Gives Charity Fund of $140—Dentist and Doctor Members Offer Their Pro- fessional Services for Children. ‘The Monarch Club, an organization of local business and professional men, dedicated to service, has “adopted” Christmas Opportunity, No. 19, in The Star's list of 20 destitute Washington families for whom relief is sought this Yuletide. The club, at a meeting yesterday in the New Colonial Hotel, appropriated not only its entire charity fund of $140 toward this needy case, but offered the professional services of two of its members, one a dentist and the other a child specialist, for the children of the stricken family. ‘The donation of the club was brought | to the cashier of The Star today by Charles P. Balsam, chairman of the Benevolence Committee of the Monarch | Club. He also conveyed the generous offer of the two club members. Sends $508 Check. In the meantime, however, a woman ‘who prefers to be listed only as * e had sent The Star a check for $508; $208 was for opportunity No. 19 and $300 for No. 20. When advised of the action of the club yesterday and of its desire to continue its interest in No. 19, the woman agreed to permit part of her | donation to be used to close No. 19, with the balance to go for No. 20. Arrange- ments for this transfer were made too late for the adjustment to be shown in today's list of contributions, printed herewith. Another woman, who was a liberal contributor to the Community Chest but who desired to make an additional ft to Washington's needy, today sent er_check for $365_to The Star to be (Continued on Page 4, Column 1) NORRIS SUGGESTS PROBE OF R.F. C. Corporation Report Reveals| Loans of $107,653,587 in November. By the Associated Press. A suggestion for investigation of the | Reconstruction Finance Corporation was | made today in the Senate at about the | same time that a report reached Con- gress that the corporation had author- | ized advances of $107,653,587 in Novem- ber. . Senator Norris (Republican) of Ne- braska made the suggestion after he had read a magazine article in the Senate telling of operations of the corporation. He did not offer a resolution for the in- vestigation, but said such a study should be made to let the country know what was being done with the millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money. ‘The corporation’s report related that $71,541,854 of loans had been authorized to banks in November. and that of the remainder of the total advances author- ized during the month, $18,687,373 had been to Governors for relief work in different States. Of the $71,541,854 authorized to financial institutions, the report said, $22,258,996 was for banks and trust cm'::nu' including $2,836,500 to aid in reorganization or liquidation of closed banks; $3,376,199 for building and loan associations, $2,151,000 to in- surance companies, $2,730,800 to mort- gage loan cbmpanies; $66,746 to a credit union, $2,126,000 to joint stock land banks, $132,547 to agricultural credit corporations, $473,565 to live stock credit corporations, $38226,000 to rail- roads, including $1,500,000 to a railroad receiver. $5,824,931 Cash Balance. Most of the loans to the financial institutions were at 51; per cent inter- est, with some to receivers of banks at 5 per cent. The report showed a cash balance of $5,824,931 in the corporation's treasury at the close of business November 30, and that during the month it sold to flz ‘Jt:l“ed States Treasury $25,000,000 notes. (Continued on Page 2, Column 1.) PR S A ST JANE THURSTON GRANTED DIVORCE IN PITTSBURGH Daughter of Magician Plans to Go Back to Show Business—Says Husband Beat Her. FARM LEGISLATION MAPPED AT PARLEY Democratic Leaders in Con- gress, Farm Groups and Roosevelt Aides Meet. By the Associated Press. The board outlines of a far-reaching program to relieve the agricultural credit situation at this session of Con- gress were mapped today at a confer- ence of Democratic congressional lead- ers, spokesmen for farm groups, and representatives of President - elect Roosevelt. Nearly a dozen proposals for lifting the strain of mortages and’ debts on | the farmers were discussed at the confer- ence attended by Henry Morganthau, jr., as representative of Gov. Roosevelt, including the creation of “debt corcilia- tion commission.” Bill to Be Introduced. Senator Robinson of Arkansas, Demo- cratic leader of the Senate, who pre- sided, said legislation would be intro- duced and referred to committees to carry out the idea with a view to enact- ment at this session of Congress if Db posals ted at the er proj 8 a con- ference, Robinson m,a included: Jjoint stock land banks. Deferment of payments for a limited period as to cipal and _interest where it appears possible to refinance o Shae, WASHINGTON, D. C, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1932—FORTY-FOUR PAGES. ##» service. (UP) Means Associated in Washington the Press news Yesterday’s Circulation, 118,276 Press, TWO CENTS. SENATE JUDIGIARY |DEADLOCK BROKEN COMMITTEE GETS 22 BEER NEASIRE House Democrats Deferring Tax Legislation Till Late January. UPPER CHAMBER TO GIVE BILL STUDY NEXT MONTH Drys Are Optimistic Over Chances of Rejection There or of Presidential Veto, By the Associated Press. ‘The bill to legalize 3.2 per cent beer passed by the House yesterday was pre- sented to the Senate today and referred immediately to the Judiciary Commit- tee without discussion. Meanwhile, it developed that House Democratic leaders plan to defer until late January the consideration of any tax legislation aimed to produce revenue to supplement what they hope to be derived from the beer bill. That taxes beer at $5 barrel, and plays a large part in Democratic fiscal plans. Will Study Treasury Situation. Speaker Garner said today he as- sumed “the Senate Finance Commit- tee will take in the whole Treasury situation” in hearings on the beer bill. “We will want to see what the Treas- ury'’s condition is late in J > added. Y. he Garner had just conferred with Sen- num letnhiem Senate Moses of New Hamp- m,z Pruhglde':gl prg tempore, was pre- when brought in the ;:;:‘:ie RS Democratic leaders and members of the committee have promised conwsmatmn. B e the Judiciary Committee fin- ishes its study the measure will be sent to the Finance Committee for study of the revenue provisions. Democrats Not Optimistic. Prompt consideration was promised in the Senate, probably in mid-January after a vote has been had on prohibi- tion repeal, but Democratic leaders were not voicing the optimistic predic- tions which preceded victory in the House, While the wets continued jubilant over the 230-to-165 vote which spelled thelr first successful attempt in 12 years to modify the Volstead law, dry mem- bers confidently asserted the measure would be defeated at the other end of the Capitol. If not there, they held that President Hoover would not ap- prove it and that it could not be passed over his veto. Shouts and applause greeted Speaker Garner's announcement of the bill's passage yesterday after three and a half hours of tense debate and quick rejection of approximately two dozen amendments, including one to cut the alcoholic content from 3.2 to 2.75 cent by weight. = Licenses Are Provided. Soon thereafter, Senate leaders an- nounced plans for early consideration of the measure, whicn places & $5 tax on each barrel of beer and imposes no restrictions on sale other than existing laws, excepting that wholesale and re- tail sellers must obtain Federal licenses. Saying he saw no reason for delay, Senator Robinson of Arkansas, Demo- cratic leader, stated he would ask to have the beer bill referred to the Finance Committee as well as the Judi- ciary Committee. That committee, however, will not meet until after the Christmas recess, and its subcommittee, which will study it, is now framing prohibition repeal legislation. Garner and other leaders of his party, who said they were surprised at House majority, had advanced the bill as a major point in the Demo- cratic legislative program for the short session, designed to produce revenue to help balance the budget. Their es- timates of such revenue from the $5 tax have ranged as high as $300,000,- 000-annually. Crowded. galleries, including & num- I:L:C{ s:gmm. attended the exciting le] and parliamentary maneuvering ;hlchm preceded the final roll call. Early Pith mh“"n":%‘é‘ry s e 3 wets gained confidence and in quick nlecum‘:: Te- Jected proposed amendments. On the final vote, party lines were split, with 133 Democrats and 96 Republicans and one Farmer-] “aye” ballots, -Labor casting and | and 64 Demmfa and 101 Republicans voting in lon. “Lame ducks”—those who will not re- turn to the House for tne next Con- gress—voting for the bill included 17 (Continued on Page 2, Column 5.) (Continued on Page 2, Column 5.) POET (MAYBE) PLEADS IN RHYME _ FOR RELEASE BY CHRISTMAS-TIME Jurist-Says He’ll Turn Him Loose, but Should Verse Be Another Ruse It May, Perhaps, Just Cook His Goose. By the Asiociated Press. e spoke scorn for the “eye-for- NEW YORK, December 22.—If An-|eye” philosophy and implored: thony Kramer, handyman, lets Pegasus throw him now, his goose is cooked, his name is mud and there won’t be any IN CONFERENGE ON TRACTION MERGER All Disputed Points Troned Out, Clearing Way for Its Passage. SUBSIDIARIES DISPUTE IS ENDED BY ACCORD Final Agreement Also Eliminates Provision in Regard to Indeter- minate Franchise. A final agreement on all disputed points in the street railway merger Tesolution was reached today, clearing the way for passage of the legislation after many years of consideration. The last few controversial features, the power clause and the section deal- ing with franchise rights, were ironed out at a conference this morning among members of the Senate District Com- mittee, spokesmen for the railway com- panies and members of the Citizens’ Joint Transportation Committee, The agreement ended a deadlock, which for a time seemed destined to prevent Senate action at this session, with Senators Blaine of Wisconsin and Capper of Kansas insisting on changes which they believed essential to the public interest. New Power Amendment. On the power clause Senators Blaine and Capper were victorious in having a new amendment agreed to which will enable the Public Utilities Commission to regulate the rates at which all of the current required by the consolidated railway system will be furnished by the Potomac Electric Power Co. The or- iginal power clause, to which they ob- jected, provided that for the next 15 {Years 63 per cent of the power for street car operation would be furnished at a price agreed upon between the companies and only 37 per cent to be regulated by the Utilities Commission. The final agreement does not embody the so-called indeterminate franchise provision, but language was agreed upon reserving to Congress the right in fu- ture to alter, amend or repeal anything jin the merger resolution or in the unification agreement contained in the legisiation. Subsidiaries Dispute Ended. Another feature ironed out was the section relating to subsidieries. Blaine and Capper had objected to giving the merged company the right to operate through subsidiaries, and this was = ified to make this right apply only to operations outside the District of Co= lumbia in nearby States. The minority members of the Senate committee did not insist on a cha in the universal transfer section. drafted by the majority.:the bill makes universal transfers mandatory between all street cars, but leaves it to the dis- cretion of the Utilities Commission to ,detErmine the conditions under which transfers shall be issued from street cars to bus lines. One of the conten- tions of the minority was that there | should be universal free transfers from car to bus as well as from car to car, but_this was not inserted. ‘Throughout the merger consideration in the past few years Senator Blaine also has advocated amendments which would _change the basic_public utility law of the District on the subject of valuation for rate-making purposes and also to outline a new method of court procedure when utilities appeal from decisions of the Utilities Commission. His general contention has been that the law should make the commission the determinig body on questions of facts, confining the courts to passin, on_questions of law in utility cases. The indications when the conference adjourned today were that Blaine would not seek to attach these changes to the street car merger legislation, but let them be considered as separate leg- islation. Blaine “Contented.” As the conference which brought about the agreement was breaking up, Senator Blaine told the assembled groups that he is “contented, but not satisfled,” adding that he believes the representatives of the utilities should get together on legislation dealing with the general law on valuation and court procedure. The Senate was preparing to meet to resume debate on the merger as the final agreement was reached, and the Senators on the District Committee had to hurry from the conference room to the Senate floor to be there in time to preserve the parliamentary status held by the merger resolution. Senator Austin, in charge of the res- olution as originally reported, and Sen- ator Blaine, representing the group who opposed the original draft, were pre- pared to explain to the Senate the de- led terms of the agreement. The merger resolution passed the House at the last session of Congress, and if the Senate acts on the compro- mise agreement today or tomorrow, the measure will then go to conference be- tween the two houses for settlement of the changes the Senate rfiakes. One of the features of the compro=- mise was the writing into the unifica- tion agreement of the 3-cent fare for school children. Congress some time ago fixed this rate by separate law, but the companies have been contesting it in court, where an appeal is now pend- ing. The original merger agreement ‘would have given the Utilitles Commis- to fix a reduced rate (Continued on Page 2, Column 1.) —_— NEXT FEDERAL PAY DAY WILL FALL ON DEC. 30 knows |Several Departments Advance the of Ella w;mdmmcmflmewxnm‘;: opus as any found certain mflw Time to Obviate Three- Day Delay. Government workers probably