Evening Star Newspaper, November 23, 1933, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Cloudy tonight and tomorrow, prob- al rain tomorrow; slightly colder tonight, lowest temperature about 40 degrees. peratures—Highest, 67, 8t 3:30 p.n. yesterday; lowest, 46, at 5 a.m. today. Full report on page A-12. he Fpening Star (=== WASHINGTON, D. C, Yesterday’s Circulation, 118,360 UP) Means Associated Press. Closing N. Y. Markets,Pages13,14&15 No. 32,713. Entered as second class matter post office, Washington,. D. C. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER ' 23, 1933—FIFTY PAGES. *kkE TWO CENTS. [ GOLD PRICE HELD | AS FIGHT SPREADS ON MONEY POLICY Acting Secretary of Treasury Morgenthau to See Roosevelt. HOLDS FEDERAL CREDIT SOLID AS GIBRALTAR Agitation Against Inflation Voiced From Many Sources—Aid to Silver Seen. By the Associated Press. Paying little outward heed to the vehement controversy over monetary policy the administration proceded with its gold program today, holding the domestic price of the metal at the same level as yesterday. The quotation was $33.76 per ounce, while the world price was $33.96 at the opening London foreign exchange quo- tation of $5.40!2 to the pound. The dollar later improved carrying the London gold quotation down to $33.80. Acting Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau meanwhile made ready to travel to Warm Springs, Ga., where he will review with President Roosevelt the steps thus far taken and make plans for future operations. Morgen- thau leaves tonight to keep an en- gagement tomorrow Wwith the President. No authoritative official here had forecast whether the decision at Warm | Springs would be for continued ad- | ministration silence or a counter word- offensive to meet that set off by Dr. ©. M. "W. ‘Sprague’s resignation and criticism of the policy as leading to sunrestrained inflation.” Aid to Silver Seen. | Some consideration was given hese to | President Roosevelt’s speech last night in which he talked of fighting the| “powerful,” the “intolerant” and the | »obstinate” for “the things which we | believe to be right.” There were inti- | mations at Warm Springs that steps would be taken soon to aid silver. “An assertion that the Federal credit is “solid as the Rock of Gibraltar” was Morgenthau’s reply to the assertions of Sprague and others that it is threatened with ‘collapse by the administration monetary program. The Acting Secretary made this as- sertion in replying to_ the contentions that the weakness in Government bond | prices was attributable to depreciation | of the dollar abroad through the gold lan, O okt he nor members of the Fed- eral Reserve Beaed -would comment upon the reported action of the Federal Advisory Council in ordering a state- ment of attitude on the gold program prepaged for private distribution among member banks, No Official Status. The council, which in the past has not hesitated to speak its own mind, has no official governmental status. Tt consists of members chosen from the various Federal Reserve districts who meet in Wahington from time to time to exchange the views of the varlous sections of the Nation on business and | monetary conditions. Questioners who sought a text of the | resolution reported to have been adopted by the council were referred to Walter Lichtenstein of Chicago, the secretary. ‘The other members of the council are: Thomas M. Steele, Bostcn; Walter E. Frew, New York; Howard A. Loeb. Philadelphia; H. C. McEldowney, Cleve- jand; Howard Bruce, Richmond; John K. Ottley, Atlanta; Melvin A. Traylor, vice president, Chicago; Walter W.| Smith, president, St. Louis; Theodore Wold, Minneapolis; W. T. Kemper, Kansas City; Joseph H. Forst, Dallas, and Henry M. Robinson, San Francisco. Sprague, in_ resigning as ‘Treasury adviser, argued that gold buying de- preciated Government bonds and that if this were continued Federal securities could not be sold, making necessary the issuance of new currency to meet run- ning expenses. l\forgentmu disclosed that money de- posited with the Treasury from Postal | Savings, Farm Credii Administration, Federal deposit insurance and debt- sinking fund sources were being used to buy Government bonds, supporting their price. The law specifies that this oney be invested in Government se- curities. That will be done through the Faderal Reserve Bank in New York. Last week purchases by all Federal Reserve banks with their own funds ‘were $2,000,000, as against an average of $10,000,000 for the several weeks im- mediately preceding and about $35,000,- 000 just before that. Criticisms Disregarded. While the administration disregarded eritcisms of its policy, the word battle, over gold and the much-talked-of com- modity dollar was unbated. The latest to align himself with Dr. Sprague was James P. Warburg, heretofore, at least, a participant in many economic discus- sions with the President . In Philadelphia, Warburg, a bg'nker. said he must express “reluctant” op- position to “some of the methods by which he (the President) seeks to tain his goal, some of the misconcep- tions that seem to becloud his purpose. At the same meeting of the Amer- ican Academy of Political Science, Prof. Irving Fisher of Yale held the " President’s money policy “substantially right” The objective, he continued, is “stabilization. but not stabilization rel- ative to gold nor in terms of foreign exchange.” s:nltgor ‘Thomas, Democratic, of Okla- homa, drafter of inflation legislation, Temarked at that meeting, too, that he was “as much opposed” to “improper” inflation “as any money-changer in Wall treet.” swubm-g reminded that before the 1929 stock market collapse. Fisher in several statements said stocks were not too high. He l‘lpologlzed for quoting Fisher’s (Continued on Page 3, Column 5.) Guide for Readers Pages. Amusements | New York Federal Reserve Bank has | tions W helesale Prices At Highest Level In Last Two Years Week of November 18 Reported 20 Per Cent Above March 4 Period. By the Associated Press. Wholesale commodity prices reached the highest level in more than two years during the week of November 18, the weekly study of the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said today, making an increase of approximately 20 per cent since March 4, last. ‘The index number was 71.7, as com- pared with 715 for the week ended | November 11, and compared with 72.1 in August. 1931, and 64.2 for the cor- responding week in 1932. “Wholesale prices,” said Isador Lubin, commissioner of Labor Statis- tics of the Department of Labor, “reached the highest level since Au- gust, 1931, when the index figure was 72.1. “They are more than 2) per cent above the low for this year, which was reached during the week of Marcn 4 when the index figure was 59.6. Com. pared with the corresponding week of year ago when the index figure st at 64.2 the present index shows an in- crease of nearly 12 per cent during the 12 months. “The price rise was due to a general upward movement in most classes of commodities.” The Bureau uses 1926 prices as 100 for purposes of comparison. FEDERAL RESERVE T0 PROBE NARKET Short Selling of Government Paper Begins in New York District. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, November 23—The | begun a close examination of opera- | in Unitzd States Government | securities to determine how much, if | any, of the recent selling has come from | speculators seeking profits or: the short side, it was learned today. A questionnaire has been sent to all member banks of the district requesting a detailed account of the holdings of “Governments” on each day since the decline began late last month. Data | as to transactions that would lead to disclosure of liquidation or short selling from any source are required by the questionnaire. The Reserve Bank's decision to in- quire into the character of selling in United States Governments was due, it was said in banking circles, to the large increase in the volume of dealings during the past three weeks, and to ggestions in some quarters that the weakness of the bonds might have beer due in some measure to “bear” selling. “It was understood the reserve au- thorities did not believe the results of the questionnaire would turn up evi- dence of any widespread short selling. On the contrary, informed banking souces were of the opinion that the re- cent decline in prices would be shown to have resulted from “long” selling or liquidation operations with speculative shor' dealings a negligible factor. Banking interests also asserted that | the Reserve Bank's action should not | be interpreted as a radical inquisitorial step. The Reserve authorities, it was pointed out, as a matter of uSual policy keep in close touch with the markets | for United States Government securities. Reports that the bank has requested dealers to supply complete information respecting their own holdings and amounts loaned to complete deliveries were said to be erroneous. Such dealers, it was said, voluntarily disclose the trend of their operations to the Reserve Bank. 17-YEAR-OLD WIDOW HELD IN ROBBERIES| Bride of Hour Sees Husband Shot Dead After Wounding Filling Station Attendant. By the Assoclated Press. KENOSHA, Wis, November 23.—A 17-year-old widow and five other per- sons, one a girl of the same age, seized when officers shot and killed the’ for- mer’s husband of an hour, were charged by Kenosha County authorities today with a series of robberies and holdups. All were captured last night after offi- cers surprised them at a filling station and Walter Bergman, 21, West Allis, Wis,, the bridegroom, was slain after he shot and wounded Paul Cheney, 21, the filling station attendant. ‘Those held are Alice Pluta, 17, who was married to Bergman at Waukegan, IIL, an hour before the shootings; Jerry Schnomier, 21, and his wife Hazel, 17 Chicago; Joseph Miezejewski, 20, waukee; Don Donovan, 21, Lagarge, Wis., and Sterling Hart, 20, Chicago. Commissioner Resigns. GREENVILLE, 8, C, November 23 (/). —Earle R.'Britton tendered his resig- nation today as a m of the State Industrial Relations Commission. It was forwarded to Dr. Robert Bruere, chairman of the National Industrial Relations Commission at Washington. FOX TELLS HEARING OF VISIT TO HOOVER ANDG. 0.P. LEADERS Names Louis B. Mayer, Clau- dius Huston and James Francis Burke. ENLISTED AID TO BALK ANTI-TRUST PROSECUTION Declares Bankers Forced Him, “Under Duress,” to Sell Con- trol of Theaters. By the Associated Press. In a story as gripping as some he has placed on the screen, William Fox told Senate investigators today he was forced out of the movie business by a con- spiracy of bankers and then related negotiations with noted Republicans, including President Hoover,.to prevent prosecution under the anti-trust laws. The retired movie magnate told a story of paying $2,000,000 to Louis B. Mayer, California Republican leader, in settlement of a previous claim and then getting a promise from Mayer to aid him at the Justice Department. Fox, who- rose from poverty to great wealth, sald Mayer was suggested to him by Claudius Huston, then chair- man of the Republican National Com- mittee, and James Francis Burke, the committee’s general counsel. Fox Charges “Duress.” Senate Banking Committee members listened intently and the room rapidly crowded with spectators as Fox charged bankers had forced him to sell control of his 1,000 theaters “under duress.” He macde his conspiracy charges against Halsey-Stuart & Co., Albert H. Wiggin, former chairman of the Chase Naticnal Bank: John Otterson, official of the American Telephone & Telegraph Co., and others. Committee investigators, meanwhile, said they had evidence that the interests ‘which bought out Fox not only paid him $15,000,000 but paid $1,000,000 to Samuel Untermyer and $520,000 to the law firm of Charles Evans Hughes for legal services during his conflict with the bankers. The former theater magnate testified he was “forced under duress” by bank- ers to sell control of his chain of 1,000 movie houses, which he had developed frcm a single nickelodeon in Brooklyn. Betore purchasing controlling stock in Loew’s, Inc., in 1928, the witness said he conferred with Willlam J. Donovan, former Assistant Attorney General, to learn whether the Justice Department would object. “All Right,” He Is Told. He said he was informed later by the Attorney General's office it would be “all right” for him to buy the stock. When Hoover was inaugurated, Fox added, he became alarmed at what he called’ the hostile attitude of the mew administration He had expected Don- ovan to be named Attorney General, he said, but instead that post went to William D. Mitchell. “I was told by a friend there was a man by the name of Claudius Huston who might be able to help,” Fox said. Took Affair to Hoover. “1 asked to see President Hoover and talk to him about the matter,” Fox con- tinued. He said he took his troubles to Mr. Hoover at a White House lunch- eon. Hoover told him, Fox related, that he needed no intermediaries such as Hus- ton, and that he needed only to send word to his Attorney General at the Department of Justice if his story was true. A few days later, he added. Huston and Burke called on him in New York and suggested it would “pay” to have a talk with Mayer. He added that Mayer had a contract with Loew’s and was wondering about its future under the Fox management. Mayer felt he should have participated mdd?; profits from the Loew sale, Fox added. Burke Was Attorney. Senator Adams, Democrat, of Colorado, asked if Huston and Burke were em- ployed as attorneys. “Burke was attorney in the matter,” | Fox said, explaining he was a “friend of a friend.” “Huston was to receive no compen- sation and didn’t. When I sold out I did lend Huston some money for which I hold his note and I would loan Hus- ;on some money tomorrow if he asked for it.” Mayer came to New York Fox con- tinued, and was still bitter about his failure to participate. “I have reached the conclusion it is but fair for you to share in the profits,” Fox said he told Mayer, reversing his former position. $2,000,000 Promised. “What I would like to say is this: It and when the companies are merged I will see that the companies pay you $2,000,000 in cash, which wol have been fair in the beginning.” The movie man then said he told (Continued on Page 2, Column 8.) TWO SHOT IN OFFICE Newspaper Plant Attacked Mexico—Governor Accused. GUADALAJARA, Mexico, November 23 (4).—Several persons were wounded by gunfire when more than 200 men broke into the editorial offices of the in e newspaper El Diario last night and fire to the bullding, Ignacio Corona, brother of the edi- tor, and a newsboy were wounded seri- guily. A statement b lende editor. The men been led by a federal deputy. By the Associated Press. BERLIN, November 23.—I com- plete regimentation of German Protes: tants was foreseen today in an order Sunday of each month at which the same sermons will be preached and the same songs sung throughout the NEW GERMAN CHURCH FURORE SEEN IN UNITY SERVICE ORDER new order might add fuel to the smoul- dering -fires of since that a unity service be held the first | Germanic cult Gov. Al-|to POLIGE NET CLOSES ONTWO IN KILLING ‘Officials_ Center Wynekoop Inquiry on Husband and Mother-in-Law. By the Associated Press. CHICAGO. November 23.—Chief of Detectives William Schoemaker as- serted today that chemists and detec- tives had turned up evidence which “practically established” that Rheta Gardner Wynekoop was shot to death after partaking of Tuesday dinner at the Wynekoop home and that “the murder was committed by some one in the household.” It had been reported that Dr. Wyne- koop found the body after dinner. Chemical examination of the young woman's stomach divulged undigested food served at the meal which Dr. Wynekoop and Miss Enid Hennessey said they ate at 6 o'clock, the night of the killing, with Rheta absent. Dr. Wynekeop and members of her household were virtual prisoners over night in the old mansion that was the scene of the bizarre murder in her surgical room. They had been re- leased from police custody, but two officers were stationed in the home throughout the night. Husband Is Arrested. The missing widower of the 23-year- old victim, who had eluded police who tried to intercept him at Kansas City, returned to Chicago this morning and was arrested. The young widower walked down an alley to the rear door of his home. A few minutes later he was hustled out the front, minus his hat, overcoat and suit case, and taken in a squad car to the Fillmore street police station to be [questioned. Wynekoop, who had been apprised of the sensational death of his wife while in Kansas City yesterday, had returned by train without being noticed by police, who guarded every station. He denied any knowledge of the operating room murder. The American quoted an unnamed attorney as stating: “Dr. Catherine ‘Wynekoop (sister of Earle) has posi- tive information that her brother spent the night of the murder in Chicago.” This, however, conflicted with state- ments by Stanley Young, companion of young Wynekoop, who said they drove to Kansas City Tuesday. Chief Schoemaker, after receiving re- ports from special investigators as- signed to the case, said: “These statements are pretty serious, but I am sure we are on the right track. The solution of the murder, I am sure, lies between the mother and the missing hugband.” , Woman's Story Scouted. Chief Schoemaker said “No rigor mortis had set in when the undertaker, who called the police, first saw the body. This is contrary to Dr. Wynekoop's statement that the neck had stiffened when n&e said she found the body at 8 p.m. It takes at the minimum two hours for rigor mortis to set in. If that was the case and the body was still limp, as we have determined, when the came at 10 o'clock, it is wholly possible that Rheta could have been still alive at 17:30 or 8 o'clock that ht” ., It was about 7:30 o'clock that Dr. Wynekoop sent Miss Hennessey to the rner drug store for a package of a wdrux:henldlheofienusedwlndllce restful sleep. Return Trip Canceled. Wit G in the photographs AT a8 g § s i Marrying Parson, Who United 25,000 AtElkton, Expires By the Assoctated Press. WILMINGTON, Del, Novem- ber 23.—The Rev. William Moon, who by his own count had mar- ried 25,000 couples in 15 years at Elkton, Md., died here today. Mr. Moon, who was 76, was brought to a hospital in this city a month ago and underwent an operation yesterday. A retired clergyman. he lived on the outskirts of Elkton, on the highway to that town from Newe ark, Del. MERGER OF 3 UNITS WITH NAVY STUDIED Coast Guard, Lighthouses and Coast and Geodetic Survey Are Involved. In connection with reports published yesterday that the Coast Guard might be merged with the Navy, it was de- clared today that President Roosevelt was considering a sweeping reorganiza- tion order under which the Navy would take over the Coast Guard, Lighthouse Service and Coast and Geodetic Survey. It developed today that the Chief Executive discussed the subject with several of his advisors, before his de- parture for Warm Springs, Ga., particu- larly the Coast Guard merger and other phases of the subject. Economies Are Seen. ‘The Navy looks upon the projected ‘merger with the Coast Guard as afford- ing some opportunities for economies, but officials foresee many disadvantages. The Coast Guard would probably be | made a corps of the Navy, similar to the | Marine Corps. It is considered likely | that the Lighthouse Service and Coast |and Geodetic Survey would be linked with the Hydrographic Office of the Navy. Radio would be unified under one head and the Coast Guatd Academy at New London, Conn., would likely be made a post-graduate school of the Navy, with the regular Coast Guard officers trained at the Naval Academy as are Marine officers. At present the Naval Academy is crowded and the New London acquisition would afford an agreeable expansion from this point of view. Under present law only half of the Naval Academy graduates can be commissioned, but, with the Coast Guard taken on, a relaxation of this is looked for. Study for 60 Days. The merger order is anticipated shortly and the Navy expects to have 60 days in which to study it, so that it may be put into effect. Naval authorities consider the morale and seamanship abilities of the Coast Guard of a high standing, but point out that they are not trained in fire control and gunnery generally, as are naval officers. The Navy shies at the law enforce- ment aspect of the Coast Guard, fearing that it will be unpopular, in being tied up with a police organization, for the Coast Guard enforces the laws on smuggling and evading customs duties and recently was charged with the en- forcement of prohibition at sea, Some years ago the Attorney General ruled that the Navy could not be utilized in the enforcement, of prohibition. 170 WORKERS FLEE CALIFORNIA FIRE Motor Cycle Officer Rides Through Flames to Report Men Safe. ’ il LQUOR TAX URGED TOMANTAN GREDT Ritchie Opening Special Ses- sion Cites $1,800,000 De- cline in State Revenue. BY GEORGE PORTER. Stast Correspondent of The Star. ANNAPOLIS, Md., November 23.—Re- vealing that the revenues of the State | of Maryland have decreased about $1,- | 800,000 in the past year, Gov. Ritchie today asked the General Assembly at | the opening of its extraordinary session | to dedicate the proceeds of the proposed | State excise tax on liquors to the State treasury “in order to assure beyond any question, the past and present high credit standing of the State” He also recommended that the entire State tax be used for debt service. Delivering his message before a joint session of the House and Senate shortly after noon. the Governor further pro- posed several changes in the State liquor control plan ne announced last week, | called upon the lawmakers to strengthen the State’s anti-lynching law and to en- act measures permitting counties and cities to take ‘advantage of Federal grants and loans authorized by the na- tional recovery act. The principal change in the Gover- nor’s liquor control plan classifies light wines with beer instead of with liquor. “Subject to Revision.” “Even as now submitted, however,” the Governor said, “my plan and its details are intended to be subject to thorough scrutiny and consideration at your hands, and to revision where that seems desirable. “I recognize fully that any control plan to be effective must conform to the wants and must receive the sanc- tion of the people mn the political unit te which it applies. “This is vital, and such merit as the plan here recommended may have lies largely in the fact that it does away with the innumerable, diverse and often confusing local laws which have hitherto always been resorted to on this subject, and at the same time enables each political unit to have whatever class or classes of license its people want, under administrative and regu- latory provisions which will be uni- form with respect to the particular class or classes of license any political units sees fit to adopt.” A change in the license classification recommended by the Governor provide for a new type of license for beer and light wines, costing $10 a year more than licenses for the sale of beer alone. Describing a State excise tax of $1.10 a gallon, for liquors and “fortified” wines, the same as the existing Federal tax, as “fair,” Gov. Ritchie said the administration's liquor bill would allot the revenues from this tax to the State treasury. This will be done, he said, because the retail license fees are to go entirely to the counties and Baltimore City, and because the tremendous decrease in the State’s assessable basis agd contribu- tions from the State treasury made by the last Legislature for relief in Balti- more City and the counties make new (Continued on Page 2, Column 7.) JOHNSON FLIES SOUTH TO CALL ON ROOSEVELT and Spend a Day or Two at ‘Warm Springs. By the Associated Press. Hugh 8. Johnson, recovery .admin- istrator, left for Atlanta = accompanied by Assistant Administrator Edward P. McGrady and Miss Frances Robinson, his secretary. & number of codes to the President. Will Speak at Atlanta Tonight | Babcock said §107.278 REPORTED FOR CHEST ASD. C. 1S CITED AS MODEL New York Director Tells Campaigners Nation Looks to Capital for Leadership. CHILDREN’S BUREAU HEAD STRESSES NEED Crippled Boy Is Introduced as Surprise Guest by Chair- man Hogan, The Community Chest campaign rolled up a total of $707,278 today as Allen Burns, director of Community Chests and Councils, Inc., of New York, advised the campaigners that the whole Nation is looking to Washington for leadership in this year's drive for pri- vate relief funds. “The District of Columbia supplies the leadership for the National Com- munity Chest movement,” Mr, Burns told the workers at a luncheon in the Willard Hotel. “What the District of Columbia does in these campaigns is watched closely by other cities engaged in raising funds for the needy, It would be a distinct loss to the country's morale if the National Capital did not show the way in the present campaign.” Mr. Burns’ admonition came as it was becoming apparent that contribu- tions were lagging behind those of last year, Stresses Responsibility. Miss Grace Abbott, director of the United States Children’s Bureau, also stressed the responsibility that the people of Washington have in the pres- ent crisis. Sne declared it to be -un- thinkable” the citizens of Wuhlnrwx; D might “fail the children of the trict of Columbia in this emergency.” She pointed out that the 60 Chest agencies are not competing With pub- lic relief furnished by the Government for the unemployed. A touching incident of today’s meet- ing of canvassers in the large ball room of the Willard was the appearance at the head table of a 4-year-old crippled boy from the Children’s Country Home, one of the beneficiaries of the Chest | campaign. The blue-eyed youngster, whose name was given only as “Earl,” was considerably embarrassed when Chairman Frank J. Hogan picked him up in his arms and introduced him as the lad with crutches whose agility under handicaps was pathetically illlus- trated in the Comunity Chest campaign | motion picture now being shown. Honor Guests Present. Earl was accompanied’ by Miss Flor- ence G. Abbott, director of the and Miss Violet Holmes, & supervior. Guests of honor at todays' luncheon included Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Meyer, Mrs. Harry Bernton, Mrs. Harvey W. Wiley, Mrs. Frederic Huidekoper, Mrs. C. A. Aspinwall, Mrs. Alan Rinehart, John B. Colpays, William A. Van Duzer and M. L. Sperry. The report by units today follows: Metropolitan, $92,781; group solicite- tion, $112,395; governmental, $101,439, msv ‘:geem m’gs.. $400,663. Teceipts laggins - hind thase o Jast yeer, st Seacecs were making determined efforts today to quicken the pace in the current cam- paigo for $1,945,000—a goal that must be achieved by next Wednesday. A sudden drop in contributions yes- terday put the three-day total $50,000 below that Effl during the first three days of theast drive, yardstick for the present campaign. The campaign would be even fur- ther behind, but for increased gifts by a number of the larger cortributors, Mr. Hogan pointed out. Do Not Realize Distress. “I am afraid,” he said, “that Wash- ingtonizcns bave not yet realized the distress that exists here. I am afraid that they do not recognize that this is a joint campaign for needs supplied by 60 organizations, I am afraid they have not had brought home to them the consequences that may accrue to each and all of us if these needs are not_met. “I am sure that if the picture is properly painted, every man or woman holding a job, with food and shelter for self and family, or with an income of any kind, will be more than glad to_contribute to the Community Chest.” The total at the end of yesterday's luncheon stood at $537,091.56, repre- xt;nflng A::?:ignna !:om 17,904 contribu- rS. nal pledges reported yes- terday totaled $145,091.66—nearly $60,- 000 less than receipts on the third day last year. Babcock Makes Appeal. E. Claude Babcock, president of the American Federation of Government Employes, last night made an urgent appeal to Federal employes to join In the movement to help Washington's needy. “Today you are probably quite out of with local back home,” in a radio talk over WRC. “Your real interests are here. Your salary comes from work here, and as llthekl::y:n increasingly .r..m*“%‘:’é‘; ?: things going on here. “If you are not doing so, you are losing a part of the fun of life. Wash- ington needs you, not only as a worker and as a taxpayer, it needs you much more as & human being within our gates, who will form a part of the most int ting of all Washington, the hu- manitarian side, the friendly side. * * * politics to claim “It may be > It good citizenship in Buffalo or Abilene. fake |18 _real Americanism to do all of the (Continued on Page 4, Column 1.) BY the Associated Press. [} The wives of the President, Vice Pres- FOES OF NEPOTISM MAY CITE WIVES OF HIGH U. S. OFFICIALS engaged in various enter- her husband is drawing the Government salary. In addition, to remind that Mrs. John , are on the Federal pay rolls husbands. was |15 to 1, candidates backed on the Federal pay wives or husbands. ATTACK LAUNGHED 10 OPEN DISTRICT POSTS 10 POLITICS Move Begun Here Would Take Away Civil Service Qualifications, NEW OFFICIALS PLEDGED TO0 FORESTALL EFFORT Hazen and Aflen Deny Official Knowledge of Move—Hoover Order Stands. A movement designed to have Presi- dent’ Roosevelt do away with civil serv- |ice examinations for regular employes of the District government has been started in certain political quarters, it was learned today. The purpose would be to open the gates to positions in the District serve ice to persons not on the eligible reg ister of the Civil Service Commission, from which new District employes now are drawn, Commissioners Melvin C. Hazen and George E. Allen, apprised of the move, sald the subject as yet has not been placed before them in an official way. When, and if that is done, it was said, they will consider what steps they should take. Protection Is Promised. Both of the new Commissioners have declared there would be no “carpet bagging” in the District establishment. | Commissioner Hazen, who was elevated to the post of president of the Board of Commissioners, after 40 years in the District service, said he believed in the civil service system. There will be opportunity for a num- ber of new District employes as a result of retirements and other vacancles in the near future, Hazen indicated. This would in itself provide openings for deserving Democrats without upsetting the civil service requirements, it was pointed out. Only two District departments now have the full protection of civil service regulations. These are the Police and Fire Departments, which are under civil service rules by statute. Other regular District employes were required to be drawn from civil service Tegisters by an executive order of Presi- dent Hoover on November 18, 1930, Eligible List Drawn Upon. Under the present system, when posi- tions in the District other than those in home, | the Police and Fire Departments are to be filled, the Mst of eligibles is re- quested from the Civil Service Commis~ sion and appointments are made frem these iists. The status of employes already on the | District rolls was unchanged by the Hoover order, which does not have the effect of putting workers under the classified civil service. The regular District employes are protected against arbitrary removal by provisions of the classification act Under this law the District emploves are given efficlency ratings, similar to those in the Federal establishment. If their rating falls below the minimum of 65 in the rating schedule, they mey be di ed. They also may be re- moved for other causes, such as con- viction of having committed a crime. The members of the Police and Fire Departments, who have full-fledged Civil Service status, under an act of Congress, have additional protection. While they may be dropped for effi- clency ratings below par, in other cases they “are subject to trial before the Police and Fire Boards. The executive order of President Hoover was adopted at the request of Dr. Luther H. Reichelderfer, former president of the Board of Commis- sioners. The move had the indorse- ment of Thomas E. Campbell, former president of the Givil Service Commis- The order was suggested by the for mer Commissioner to remove District officials from the pressure of political leaders for the appointment of their friends to District jobs. The order of President Hoover reads: “The Commissioners of the District of Columbia and the Unjted States Civil Service Commission, have agreed that it would be in the interest of good administration to make nppomr.m‘ems to positions under the government of the District of Columbia after tests of qualifications. Expense a Consideration. “The United States Civil Service Commisison is, therefore, authorized to apply the principles of the Civil Service act 'and rule, as far as may be done, without fncurring additional expense, by certifying to the Board of Commis- sioners the names of eligibles from ap- propriate registers, established for the Federal service, such certifications and appointments to be made under regula- tions agreed upon by the Board of Commissioners and the United States Civil Service Commission. Appoint- ments and promotions to the Metropoli- tan Police and Fire Departments are already made in accordance with Civil Service act and rule, as provided by statute. UNIONS ARE VICTORIOUS IN CAPTIVE MINE VOTE Beat Unorganized Candidates, 15 to 1, in Election Ordered by National Labor Board. By the Assoclated Press. PITTSBURGH, November 23.—Vic~ torious in its first test of voting strength in non-commercial soft coal mines, the union today is trying conclusions in the Fayette County fields, scene of recent strike violence. Candidates suj by the United Mine Workers an’u scored & sweeping triumph rday in Pitts- district elections ordered by the g e over ve barg: “cap- a‘\‘n" mines. They defeated, I;"’ about non- union, “company union” groups. ‘Today’s elections, in the fourth dis- trict, are largely in the mines of the H. C. Frick Coke Co, Uniled States Steel subsid.::y, nt and