Evening Star Newspaper, December 17, 1934, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Cloudy, slightly colder tonight, minim- mum temperature about 35 degrees; to- morrow cloudy, followed by rain. ‘Temperatures—Highest, 54, at 3 pm. yesterday; lowest, 43, at 7 a.m. today, Full report on page A-4. Closing N. Y, Markets, Pages 18,19&20 No. 33,102. AS LEADERS: MEET T0 AP PROGRAM Rifts Over Co - operating With Government to Be Bridged by Group. RECOVERY PROBLEMS GIVEN TO COMMITTEES N. R. A. Continuance, Currency Policy and Federal Spending Among Major Issues. By the Associated Press. WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. ‘Va., December 17.—A contest to deter- mine the extent to which American commerce can “go along” with the Roosevelt administration began today as 90 business leaders launched a *“pusiness conference for recovery.” The executives met on the call of the National Association of Manufac- turers and the Chamber of Commerce of the United States as an outgrowth of many separate meetings proposing to bring business together either as a unified body or to lay out a basis of co-operation with the Government. Already it was evident that the many conferees were in the throes of con- troversy, with so many divergent opin- jons represented that unanimity of a program seemed distant, yet with the executives determined to achieve that objective. Ames Named Chairman. That determination was evidenced in the selection of C. B. Ames, chair- man of the board of the Texas Co., as chairman of the conference. Ames has been active in both the association and the chamber. The conference divided itself into nine different committees—agriculture, foreign trade, social security and re- lief, durable goods, Federal finance, transport, national recovery act, busi- ness financing, Government competi- tion. Three general objectives were dis- cernible in the tentative program: First, to work out methods of co- operation with fhe Government, if possible; second, to unify business opinion on the theory that “united we stand, divided we fall”; third, to con- struct forces able to oppose “wild” legislation. Lines of Conflict Evident. The lines of the controversy were set out in the naming of the com- mittees. It was said authoritatively that most of the conferees could agree broadly on the following theories: 1. Recognition that an immediately balanced budget is impossible, but that specific objectives should be set up by the administration to enable business certainty. 2. Continuance of N. R. A, possibly for another temporary period, with greater freedom of action for business. 3. Recognition of the right of labor to organize, but insistence on protec- tion of both labor, in groups or as individuals, and employers, singly or together, from any coercion. 4. Admission of the practicability of unemployment insurance protec- tion, but plea for further considera- tion of methods and objectives, Money Policy in Air. 5. Probable recommendation of ef- fort to stabilize money on interna- tional basis, with recognition of fact that positive policies are now difficult to state. The significance of the meeting was evidenced by the prominence of the members. They included Owen D. Young, General Electric Co.; Henry 1. Harriman, president of the cham- ber; Robert L. Lund, chairman of the Manufacturers’ Association; Robert V. Fleming, vice president of the American Bankers’ Association; John J. Raskob, General Motors; Lammot du Pont, E. I. du Pont, de Nemours & Co.; George Mead, chairman of the N. R. A. Industrial Advisory Board, and others. TROOPS PREVENT DISORDER AT PLANT Threatened Outbreak tucky Over Union Demands Fails to Materialize. in Ken- By the Associated Press. MOREHEAD, Ky., December 17.— Theatened disorder at the Kentucky Pire Brick Co’s plant at Haldeman, Ky., near here apparently had been averted today by presence of Lieut. Col. Jesse Lindsay, and 12 National Guardsmen. County Judge C. E. Jennings, who asked for the troops yesterday, said he had a report that all was quiet at Haldeman and that men were going to work, but that he did not know how many. Jennings said 191 of the approximately 300 workers in the plant had expressed intention to work despite a strike called for today. Judge Jennings said he was sure if anything happened he would hear about it immediately. Friction arose Saturday night, Jen- nings said, when 120 employes joined a new union intended to supplant the Clayworkers Union. The new union voted a strike to start today, de- manding a closed shop and check-off collection of dues. THOUSAND HOMELESS AS RIVER FLOODS ROME By the Assoclated Press. ROME, December 17.—One thou- sand persons, it was estimated today, were forced to leave their homes in Rome during the night as the flooded River Tiber continued on a rampage. Property damage in the city was large. Three houses caved in, but their occupants escaped. City officials established an extensive service to aid the homeless. Rations for hun- dreds were distributed and Federal dormitories were opened. The river reached a depth of 47 feet during the night, its highest since 1929. It was stationary at noon today, with the probability it would recede. Entered as second class matter post cffice, Washington, D. C. INDUSTRY 15 SPLIT|Be he enit ‘WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION n Star WASHINGTON, D. C, MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1934—FORTY-FOUR PAGES. #%# Of $1,900 at Union Station Two Accost Riggs N Vational Employe in Main Entrance and Flee in Car Reported Stolen. While scores looked on, helpless, a bank runner was shot and robbed to- day of $1,900 in the entrance to the Union Station. The hold-up was staged at noon with the careful precision that indi- cated it had been planned well in advance. The runner, Frank La Porte, 52, Riggs National Bank employe, had gone to the station to collect a sum of money from the Seaboard Air Line and Pennsylvania Railroad ticket offices. He was under the main entrance portico when a sedan drew up and a man in a brown suit alighted and approached him, revolver in hand. “Stick 'em up; this is no fake,” the man whispered. Then, before La Porte had an op- portunity to hand over the bag, the bandit fired, the bullet piercing the bank runner’s right leg just above the knee, La Porte dropped his bag. The bandit picked it up and ran to his automobile, in which a driver was waiting with the engine running. The car speeded away from the sta- tion plaza and out E street. A wit- ness, W. B. Burroughs, jumped into his car and started in pursuit. He told police he lost the bandit car after a chase of five blocks, during which he had to drive between 60 and 70 miles an hour. Burroughs said the hold-up men were in a 1928 Chevrolet coach bearing 1935 Maryland license plates. A police check-up revealed these tags had been issued to James M. Mount of Gaithers- burg, Md.,, who reported the car had been stolen. Burroughs and Simon Ratner of 1650 Harvard street, another witness, told police both occupants of the car were “tough looking men.” Their attention was attracted by the sound of the shot. Then, they said, they saw a man in a brown suit run out from under the portico and jump into a car, driven by a man wearing a gray felt hat. Neither of them was wearing overcoats, according to the de- scription given police. La Porte was placed in a wheel chair until a first precinct patrol wag- on arrived and took him to Casuaity Hospital. He did not appear to be wounded seriously and police said tke bullet apparently had only penetrated the fleshy part of the upper ieg. The runner visits Union Station daily to make collections. Today he had been sent for some registered mail in addition to making the collec- tion from the ticket offices. He told police he had a packet of money in an inside coat pocket at the time of the hold-up, but this was not_touched. Mount, an employe of the District Highway Department, reported he had parked his car behind the Bureau of Engraving and Printing when he went to work this morning. A watch- man said he had seen the car there as late as 11 am. La Porte’s home is at 1004 Otis | place. (Picture on Page A-2.) TOKIO RAPS NEW U. 5. CANAL PLAN Foreign Office Spokesman Sees Military Threat in Nicaraguan Proposal. By the Assoclated Press. TOKIO, December 17.—A foreign office sokesman today said that from the standpoint of Japanese-American friendship the plan of Chairman Vinson for a Nicaraguan canal “is most untimely.” (Chairman Vinson of the House Naval Committee Saturday announced at Washington a move to get Con- gress to authorize construction of a $722,000,000 canal across Nicaragua for commercial and defense pur- poses.) ‘The spokesman recalled that Chair- man Vinson recently declared Amer- ica must build five ships to Japan’s three, and continued: “Mr. Vinson apparently thinks that by threatening Japan with such positive steps, Amer- ica can make Japan yield in the Lon- don naval conversations. However, an entirely opposite result is most probable.” Says Panama Adequate. The spokesman said the Panama Canal still is sufficient for commer- cial requirements, hence the Nica- raguan project is obviously for mili- tary purposes. Japanese newspapers agreed that the Japanese naval maneuvers of four months, from June to October, and costing 6,000,000 yen (about $1,740,000) will cover a wide area in the triangle of Japan proper and the Kurile Islands to the 180th meridian. It was assumed the prob- lem would be a defense against attack from the Northeastern Pacific, where the United States Navy's war games are planned from January to March. Special attention will be devoted to the defense of the North Pacific air routes, with 200 planes based at the navy’s new air base at Ominato, near Aomori. Claims Attack Contemplated. The newspaper Chugai Shogyo said it was obvious the United States Navy's maneuvers were planned to test “the possibility of coming over to the Japanese coasts.” Jiji Shimpo commented that since Vice Admiral Sankichi Takihashi and Admiral Reeves assumed command of the respective fleets there has been much sporting interest in naval cir- cles as to how the rivals will acquit themselves in the first test of op- erations of such magnitude. All available warships of the Japanese Navy, approximately 190, will par- ticipate in the maneuvers, said the paper. NEUTRALITY POLICY FACTOK. ’ Agreement With Britain Sought on Sea Disputes. By the Associated Press. LONDON, December 17.—The United | States delegation to the naval conver- | sations with Great Britain and Japan indicated today, just in advance of the conversation’s break-up, that it would leave possible future conversations up to the British and Japanese. All three delegations studied the wording of the declaration of formal adjournment, which probably will be issued Wednesday or Thursday at about the time Japan denounces the Washington naval treaty of 1922. No one expects to see a date set for the resumption of the conversa- tions, but it is likely that the three delegations will agree to resume their talks when conditions look more fa- vorable for an agreement. This agreement, it was suggested in naval and diplomatic quarters, will be more likely under the new Ameri- can neutrality policy proposed in ‘Washington, under which it was un- derstood that the United States’ pol- icy of neutrality rights would be mod- ified. These same quarters said that this modification would remove the last obstacle to an agreement with Great Britain on the question of the freedom of the seas. Great Britain contended in the last war that she had the right to search suspected with trading with enemies and it is understood that the proposed new American policy would remove official protection from such ships. Naval and diplomatic quarters said (Continued on Page 2, Column 4.), : L] A SUPREME COURT TOVIEW RAIL ACT Will Pass on Lower Body’s Decision Declaring Retire- ment Unconstitutional. By the Assoclated Press. The Supreme Court agreed today to pass on a decision by a lower court holding the railroad retirement act unconstitutional. The administration plans to submit new legislation at the forthcoming session intended to meet the objec- tions of the present act. Held Crudely Drawn. In signing the measure last June 30, President Roosevelt said it was “crudely drawn and will require many changes and amendments at the next session of Congress.” The legislation, affecting more than 1,000,000 employes, provides retirement with pay at the age of 65. It would compel both the workers and their em- ployers to contribute to a retirement fund. The Alton and other railroads chal- lenged the constitutionality of the act in the District of Columbia Supreme Court. The legislation was held in- yalid. The court also prohibited the Rail- road Retirement Board, named to ad- minister the act, from taking any ac- tion to compel the railroads to make payments. For purposes of a speedy decision, the Government asked the Supreme Court to pass on the act without wait- ing for a decision by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Date May Be Extended. Retirement was specified at the age of 65, but the date may be extended annually by written agreement be- tween the carrier and employe until the age of 70. The annuity would be calculated by the application of graduated percent- ages of the employe's average monthly compensation to the number of years of service. The District of Columbia Supreme Court held that while Congress had power to enact a law requiring com- pulsory retirement at a certain age, it could not make the provisions apply to employes not engaged in inter- state commerce. It declared invalid that part of the act which required payment of annui- ties based in part on services rendered before its passage, holding that would constitute the unlawful taking of property without due process of law. URSCHEL GANG’S LAWYERS SEIZED Justice Agents Arrest Two—Par- ticipating in Division of Ransom Charged. By the Associated Press. OKLAHOMA CITY, December 17.— The arrest of James Mathers, Okla- homa City, and Ben Laska, Denver, attorneys for the defense in the $200,- 000 Charles F. Urschel kidnaping, was announced here today by the De- partment of Justice. Laska has been indicted with Mathers, said Harold Nathan, assist- ant chief of the Bureau of Investi- gation, for “illegal participating in the division of the Urschel ransom money apportioned to Albert Bates.” Bates now is confined with Harvey Bailey, notorious Southwestern des- perado, and George (Machine Gun) Kelly in Alcatraz Prison, San Fran- cisco, for the $200,000 abduction in 1933 of Urschel, Oklahoma millionaire. “The division,” said Nathan, “has suspected for a considerable period that his (Laska’s) relations to various members of the underworld with whom he has been associated have been more intensive and extended than those based upon the legitimate duties and responsibilities of an attorney to his clients.” Laska, who appeared as counsel for Bates after the latter’s arrest in Den- ver, also represented & group of sus- in the $60,000 kidnaping of Charles Boettcher, 2d, in Denver. 5 nk Runner Shot and Robbed STUPEN"“US Pl_AN CO-ORDINATING ALL RESOURCES DRAWN Praise and Doubt Greet Proposal Involving Expend- iture of Billions. PERMANENT P. W. A. FOR DEVELOPMENT IS HIT River Improvement, New Land Policy and Decentralization of Industry Recommended. By the Assoclated Press. A gigantic plan for America’s natu- ral resources, proposed to President Roosevelt as a means of distributing “human welfare” through the land, stirred a mixture of praise and doubt on Capitol Hill today. While some described the report of the President's National Resources Board as “very progressive” and “ex- cellent,” others expressed doubt about the wisdom of a permanent Public Works Administration, which the board suggested. Many, including regular Republican leaders, withheld comment pending more study of the 100,000-word report on a long-range plan for the Nation’s land, water and mineral wealth, which included these salient points: 1. A six-year public works budget, with a $10,000,000,000 " reserve fund and elimination of “extravagance caused by the failure to co-ordinate public works—Federal, State and local.” Would Retire Land. 2. A program to retire 75,000,000 acres of submarginal or hardscrabble lands at the rate of 5,000,000 acres annually. 3. An expansion of subsistence homesteading with a further decen- tralization of industry. 4. Federal assistance to and control of the mineral industries to “mini- mize waste of natural resources, main- tain reasonable wage standards and protect investments.” 5. Surveys looking to the develop- ment of power, irrigation and flood control in 17 watersheds. 6. An end to heavy losses of soil caused by “uncontrolled erosion.” 7. Better programs for “socially useful” public works and a lump sum from which the President could allot ! money under at least a six-year plan. Would Create Board. 8. A permanent five-member plan- ning agency to serve as an advisory “general staff” for the President to co- ordinate “long-time public works pl land use, water resources, mineral policy and mapping.” ‘The report made many other recom- mendations, covering increased land purchases, additions to forests, parks and wild life refuges, land uses, irri- gation, grazing land extensions, Indian Sudfi and State and regional plan- ng. The board, which began its study last Summer at the request of Mr. Rooosevelt, was headed by Secretary Ickes. Other members were Secre- taries Perkins, Dern, Wallace and Roper; Harry L. Hopkins, relief ad- ministrator; Frederic A. Delano, Charles E. Merriam and Wesley C. Mitchell. Secretary Perkins expresses the be- lief the vast plan could put every able-bodied man to work. Only the future will tell just what recommenda- tions the President will make to Con- gress after studying it in detail. Norris For It. Senator Norris, Republican, of Ne- braska was one legislator who com- mented today. He said it was a “very progressive plan and I think the Gov- ernment ought to carry it out.” “It would take years to do it,” he said, “but it would protect and give to the people the use of our natural resources which have been either de- stroyed or given away in the past.” Chairman Harrison, Democrat, of Mississippi, of the Senate Finance Committee, termed it a “very splendid study of long-range national plan- ning for natural resources.” While it would require much study before ex- pressing a sound opinion, he said, it “certainly is an excellent basis upon which to work.” Chairman Buchanan, Democrat, of Texas, of the House Appropriations Committee, declared, “We have long needed a sensible national plan, but I'm not so sure about the permanent | Public Works Administration.” “And I'm less sure than that about making a permanent habit of lump- sum appropriations for public works,” he added. Fears Loss of Control. Buchanan's attitude is that of many House members, who believe Congress should keep more detailed control over construction work. Representative Wilson, Democrat, | Louisiana, chairman of the Flood Control Committee, said the report (Continued on Page 3, Column 1.) BRITISH FASCIST LEADER ON TRIAL Sir Oswald Mosley and Followers Face Charge of Riotous Assembly. By the Associated Press. LEWES, England, December 17.—Sir Oswald Mosley, who hopes to establish a Blackshirt regime in England, and three of his followers went on trial today on charges of riotous assembly. Arriving in court half an hour late, the four pleaded not guilty. The charges grew from disorders at a Blackshirt meeting in Worthing Oc- tober 9. Co-defendants with Mosley are William Joyce, director of propa- ganda; Capt. Charles H. B. Budd, a regional officer, and Bernard Mullans. Sir Patrick Hastings, one of Eng- land’s most noted attorneys, heads the defense counsel. In outlining the case Prosecutor John Flowers emphasized that the hearing “is not a political prosecu- tion,” but that the government is concerned with “the very disgraceful, discreditable and violent state of affairs in the streets of Worthing.” MR LIKE THE ERG IT LOOKS ARLINGS anp [ WILL HAVE To Do SOME, { COLLECTIVE BARGAININ' To STICK AROUND HERE District Far Ahead of States; 14.9 in 100 on Income Tax List National Average for 1932 Only 3.10 Per Cent; Largest Earnings for Year Here Less Than $300,000. The District of Columbia led the| is Massachusetts, where 581 filed whole Nation with 14.9 per cent of its population filing income tax returns in 1932 as compared with .an aver- age for the country of only 3.10 per _cent. This was disclosed today by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, in its Statistics of Income for 1932, show- ing that this city is so far in advance of the rest of the country in percent- age of population filing returns that it | is far out of line with all other States | and Territories, The nearest competitor in the per- centage is New York State, where | only 6.21 per cent of the population filed returns, while the second in line returns. In the same statistics the District of Columbia ranked thirteenth in the list of States for individual income tax paid, with a total of $5,115,117. Cor- poration income tax returns here, | however, showed a falling off from $2,418,670 in 1931 to $2,063,696 in 1932, ‘The largest income report from the District for the year was somewhere between $250,000 and $300,000. Five persons here with incomes be- tween $150,000 and $200,000 paid a total of $260,187 in taxes. There were 15 who earned between $100,000 and (Continued on Page 4, Column 1.) GAFFNEY MYSTERY LINKED 10 FiGH Police Learn He Worked WHITE HOUSE AIDE QUIZZED ON ARMS Only 7 Shopping Days Until Christmas SATURDAY'S Circulation, SUNDAY'S Circulation, 121,550 132,761 Some Returns Not Yet Received. (P) Means Associated Press. A s SPEED WAR BEGINS AS TOLL HITS 123 Drive Follows Deaths of Three in Crashes Dur- ing Week End. With three more fatal accidents over the week end, bringing the Capi- tal's traffic toll to an all-time record of 125 for one year, Maj. Ernest W. Brown, superintendent of police, to- day called all inspectors to his office for a renewed drive on careless driving and Traffic Director William A. Van Duzer announced that “the police hawe to crack down on speeding on every street in the city.” Four addi- tional fatalities in nearby Maryland and Virginia were also reported. “The situation is serious, too seri- ous to go on without our complete attention,” Maj. Brown said this morning, “and every ‘tep that we can devise from conferences among the trained trafic men will be adopted.” Van Duzer said: “It's speed that causes accidents—fatal accidents. After all, when a car is traveling 20 miles per hour it's moving 30 feet per second, and the average car is 15 feet long, so you can see that even at that speed, which is considered very slow, TWO CENTS. BELL HELD INSANE AS DEFENSE RESTS IN POISON CASE Fredericksburg Deacon Banks Heavily Upon Dr, Tucker’s Declaration. PROSECUTION TO CALL STATE HOSPITAL HEAD Judge Again Warns Photogra- phers—Court Is Adjourned Until 2 P. M. By a Btaff Correspondent of The Star. FREDERICKSBURG, Va. Decem- ber 17.—The defense for Edward C Bell was rested today, banking heavily on an affirmative answer it received from an alienist to a 15-page hypo- thetical question ending with “is Bell crazy?” The answer was given by Dr. Bev- erley Tucker of Richmond, who was convinced of the insanity of the 60- year-old civic leader on trial here on charges of six poison attempts on the life of his wife, now an invalid. After the defense rested court was adjourned until 2 p.m. Judge Warns Cameramen. At the outset of the session this morning Judge Coleman enjoined photographers on pain of jail sen- tences from taking pictures while the judge was in the room. “‘Gentlemen,” Judge Coleman said, “lI am informed that some of you have cameras concealed on your per- sons and that you are taking feature pictures in this court room. I hereby advise you to desist.” A lengthy hypothetical question then was put to Dr. Tucker of Rich- mond. “Let us assume,” the defense coun- sel began, “the following facts to be i true.” The counsel then sketched Bells life, pointing out that he was 60 years old now in distressing physical and mental condition. Bell's illness from measles which developed into pneumonia 30 years ago, was discredited, as well as the thyroid operation he underwent three years ago. The counsel sketched Bell's home life, the fact that he had given his daughter, Irma, a college education and was now sending his son. Ed- ward, jr., 22, through the University of Virginia. The counsel then went into detail of Bell's alleged mental collapse fol- lowing the goiter operation. Administered to Wife, It was pointed out that Bell gave careful attention to his wife during her illness, buying medicines and ad- ministering them himself. The counsel summarized both nros- Lieut. Richard Cutts, Ir., Near Home of Brooklyn Says He Planned to Es- there is little time for a driver to de- | ecution and defense teestimony, de- cide between avenues of escape in a | tailing how Bell sought to poison his traffic snarl. wife over a long period of time. “Then, too, there are 20,000 more| He pointed out that Bell had automobiles here than there were tWo | reached the pinnacle of civic, social Boy Wha Vanished. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, December 17.—Albert H. Fish, confessed abductor and slayer of Grace Budd, was employed within seven blocks of the Brooklyn home of Billy Gaffney on the day in 1927 when the 4-year-old boy van- ished, according to police. This information spurred efforts of authorities today to ascertain if Fish could be connected with other un- solved child slayings in the metro- politan area in recent years, in spite of Fish's denial that he had anything to do with the Gaffney case. Meanwhile, Inspector Harold King of the Nassau County police, said that Fish admitted that he had been in Farmingside, Long Island, about the time of the unsolved death of 15-year- old Mary Ellen O'Conner, whose body was found at Massapequa, Long Is- land. Fish denied having any knowl- edge of the case. Darien, Conn., police, seeking to solve the mystery of a child’s skele- ton found there last June, said they were checking names and addresses found in a small book carried by Fish. New York police will make a care- ful check of all unsolved child mur- ders in their jurisdiction before turn- ing Fish over to Westchester County authorities for the killing of the Budd girl. _— ADM. COONTZ UNCHANGED e BREMERTON, Wash., December 17 ().—Admiral Robert E. Coontz, re- tired, rested comfortably yesterday, officers at the navy yard hospital here reported. The 70-year-old naval officer is suffering from a recent severe heart attack. Hospital authorities said there was no change in his condition. Admiral Coontz, who was com- mandant of the Puget Sound Navy Yard here in the early days of the ‘World War, returned here to make his home last Spring. tablish Business. By the Associated Press. Evidence was offered to the Senate Munitions Committee today that an active Marine Corps officer, on duty at the White House as an aide to President Roosevelt last year, sought to establish a foreign arms business. The officer, Lieut. Richard M. Cutts, jr., testified he had never made a sale or acceptea a commission, having de- cided it was better for him not to enter the field. Senator Clark, Democrat, of Mis- souri, said the evidence showed Cutts did not accept a commission because he was never offered one. ‘There was testimony that Cutts got into this activity through the inven- tion of an improvement to take the “kick” out of machine guns and im- prove their accuracy. He testified he offered the patent to the Navy in 1925, but it was turned down by former Secretary Wilbur. Norman Thomas, Socialist party leader, was among the spectators at today’s hearing. He sat among the Du Pont Powder Co. officials, waiting to testify. Cutts was examined by Senator Clark, who has proposed legislation for the nationalization of military in- ventions. The Marine officer said he and his father had asked the Navy to help develop their invention, but were told there were no funds available, FORD MAPS PROGRAM CHICAGO, December 17 (#)—W. K. Edmunds, director of Ford Motor Co. activities in the Chicago area, said that approximately $25,000,000 would be spent by the company in Chicago next year as the local assembly plant today started manufacture of 1935 au- tomobiles. Supreme Court Recognizes “Wreck of Old 97 Author By the Assoclated Press. That celebrated song dear to the heart of railroad men—“The Wreck of Old 97"—was held today by the Su- |*°%8 preme Court to be the property of David Graves George of Detroit, the ictor chine Co, on profits it has made on the song. The song recounted the efforts of a trestle near ‘seven persons them i i A years ago. That has made a lot of difference. But there are too many drivers here taking too many chances. That is another large contributing factor and will have to be solved by the police enforcing every regulation.” Precautions Taken. Police and traffic officials are at a loss to understand why the death toll has continued to mount in the Dis- trict, despite the numerous measures taken during the year to make Wash- ington an example for the Nation in traffic handling. A secret committee of observers known as “the Secret 100,” was ap- pointed several months ago to report traffic violations to the Traffic Bureau, where letters were prepared advising the violator of his transgression and explaining the proper method to be pursued in order to avoid violating the same regulation again. These measures and an intensive drive by police officers in recent weeks have failed to reduce the increasing total of deaths. In 1934, from January 1 to Decem- ber 14, Traffic Bureau records show a total number of accidents at 7,171, total injured, 3,833, and total deaths, 122 (these figures do not include the three deaths over the last week end). For the same period in 1933 there were 17,598 accidents, 3,638 injured and 74 deaths. A comparison of these figures shows that while the total accidents and injured have no great differential, the deaths column has come within 26 of being doubled. 1925 Record Year. Traffic Bureau statistics show that in 1925 there were more accidents than in any year since, but there were only 84 deaths in that year and 3,094 persons injured. Following the high of 1925, there was a lull in the total deaths, acci- dents and injuries until 1930, when the total accidents reported jumped to over the 8,000 mark, where it stayed annually until last year, when it dropped to 7,981, still 800 in advance (Continued on Page 2, Column ITALY CONSERVES GOLD FOR WAR USE Conversion of Foreign Credits Into Lire Due to Halt Drain on Metal. By the Associated Press. ROME, December 17.—A war chest of gold was one of the reasons many Italian bankers gave today for the sweeping foreign credits law Italy has just passed. The law requires all Italian citi- session of about 3,000,000,000 lire (about $255,000,000), a development which, it is hoped, will halt the drain the Italian gold and business usefulness in his com- munity until his mental and physical collapse was followed in October by his arrest on charges of six poison attempts on his wife's life “Assuming all the foregoing to be true,” defense counsel concluded, “for the purpose of this question, what is your opinion as to the mental condi- tion of the accused?” “I think from the history it shows that this man has been irresponsible for the last few years, that he did many irrational things, acted on im- pulses of the moment and showed lack of thinking. This man's history is the result of a diseased brain.” Dr. Tucker replied: “I would say defi- nitely that Bell is insane,” Dr. Tucker declared. Senile Insanity Is Diagnosis. Dr. Tucker declared under cross- examination by Bryan that he diag- nosed Bell's condition as senile in- sanity. Bryan sought to show that Bell was (Continued on Page 3, Column 5.) CRASH THAT KILLED ARMY PILOT PROBED Admiral’s Son and Companion Plunge to Flaming Death on Crowded Highway. By the Associated Press. BURLINGAME, Calif., December 17.—Investigation of an airplane plunge in which Lieut. Willlam C. Reeves, son of Admiral Joseph M. Reeves, commander in chief of the United States fleet, was carried to a flaming death, was under way here today. The 25-year old Army flyer and a flight companion, Sergt. Noel Aubrey Peterson, 37, Freedom, Okla., were killed when their plane crashed on a crowded highway outside Burlingame yesterday. Whirling low in a dense mist, the plane narrowly missed a number of buildings, brushed a high tree and plunged with terriffic force onto the highway, where it burst into flames. Witnesses said Lieut. Reeves ap- parently became lost in the mist. The young officer, graduated from the United States Military Academy last year, was assigned to duty at Crissy Field a month ago. Admiral Reeves, en route from Washington to join the fleet on the Pacific Coast, was notified at St. Louis of his son’s death. I Guide for Reader: I Amusements .A-18-19-20 ..A-11