Evening Star Newspaper, December 25, 1934, Page 1

s WEATHER. (U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Partly cloudy tonight; minimum tem- perature about 32 degrees; tomorrow cloudy, followed by snow or rain; mod- erate winds. Temperatures—Highest, 46, at noon yesterday; lowest, 35, at 5:30 am, today. Full report on page A-3. “From Press to Home Within an Hour” The Star’s Carrier system covers every city block and the regular edition is delivered to city and suburban homes as fast as the papers are printed. WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION Yesterday’s Circulation, 117,560 New York Stock Market Closed Today No. 33,110. ROOSEVELT URGES UNITY OF PEOPLE IN'YULE MESSAGE Tells Nation Such a Spirit ¢ Will Lead to Greater Happiness. 10,000 HEAR ADDRESS ¢ INLAFAYETTE SQUARE Official Greeting Is Sent to Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. President Roosevelt, in a Christ- mas message to the Nation last night, called upon Americans everywhere to “make the spirit of the Christmas of 1934 that of courage and unity.” Speaking from a stand in Lafay- ette Park after-he had lighted the national community Christmas tree and signaled to the Nation the offi- cial beginning of the Yule observ- ance, the President declared that through such a spirit lies “the way to greater happiness and well-being.” As the President stood before a distinguished gathering of the Na- tion’s leaders and spoke into micro- phones which carried his message to the whole country, he faced the newly lighted tree, with the statue of Andrew Jackson and the White House beyond. Jackson, said the President, embodied the belief that in union rests the welfare of the American people. Entitled to New Hopes. “That,” he said, “is a part of a Christmas union. That message grows in importance with the years.” The past year, the President said, has witnessed the fulfillment of many things that a year ago were only hopes. This year again, he added, “we are entitled to new hopes and new anticipations.” Such anticipa- tions, he intimated, may be fulfilled by a united people working in a spirit of unity. “In these days,” the President said, *it means to me a union not only of the States but a union of the hearts and minds of the people in all the States, a union of their many intor- ests and purposes, devoted with unity to the human welfare of the whole country.” In the distinguished gathering which assembled around the President at Lafayette Park were four genera- tions of Roosevelts, including his mother, all of his five children except Elliott, and his granddaughter, little “Sistie” Dall. 10,000 at Ceremony. Nearly 10,000 persons were on hand, many of them perching on the Limbs of trees in the park, when the presi- dential party arrived by automobila during the concluding number of a half-hour program of Christmas music by the United States Marine Band and carol singing. ‘Through a lane formed by a guard of honor of Girl and Boy Scouts, the President was driven to the rear of the stand. After the invocation by | Trenchard to hold a conference to dis- | Rev. Joseph R. Sizoo, Secretary of Commerce Roper, who presided, voiced praise of the Community Center De- partment which sponsored the tree- | lighting ceremony, singling out its director, Mrs. Elizabeth K. Peeples, for special commendation. | Pauline Martin and Stanley Whalen, representing the Girl and Boy Scouts, Entered as second class matter post office, Washington, D. C. Thousands Kneel at Nativity Scene in Bethlehem Church Pilgrims Kiss Holy Spot Where Manger Rested—Young Men and Women Watch in Shepherds’ Field.- By the Associated Press. BETHLEHEM, December 25.—Jubi- lant bells of Bethlehem and “halle- lujahs” of thousands of worshippers hailed the advent of another Christ- mas day early this morning in the traditional celebration of Christ's birth at the famous, Church of the Nativity. Built on the most sacred spot in Christendom. where the Christ child is believed to have breathed his first, more than 49 centuries ago, the church was the scene of an imposing pageant around the midnight hour. It was the climax to a day and night of rites in both Bethlehem and | Jerusalem, 8 miles away, in which American travelers and residents of | Palestine had their part. The num- bers of overseas pilgrims, however, were considerably less than in former years. Rainy weather disappointed the hopes of many who commonly asso- ciate the Holy City at Yuletide with | clear, crisp weather, recalling the con- | ditions traditionally linked with the | miracle that Christendom celebrates today. Sharply at midnight (5 p.m., De- cember 24, Eastern standard time) an electric Star of Bethlehem burst into light above the altar in the church of ah WASHINGTON, D. the convent and the drawing of a curtain in the Church of the Nativity revealed a superb effigy of the Holy Babe. Earlier in the evening the acting Latin patriarch had gone to the church of the convent for vespers, during which was held the picturesque ceremony of the robing and disrobing with garments of priceless value, Close upon’ midnight, after a long mass had been celebrated in the Church of the Nativity, a slow proces- sion of priests led by the acting patriarch moved slowly with swinging censers to the transept. There, be- fore a curtained chamber, they took up their stand. Just at midnight, the acting patriarch drew back the cur- tain and revealed the figure of the Holy Child reclining upon rich cloths of the Near East. The great congregation broke out in loud “hallelujahs” as the patriarch lifted the Babe and conveyed it rever- ently to the manger preserved in a grotto beneath the transept, whe’. it is believed, Christ was born. Winking candles inside the narrow grotto lit up a scene of intense re- ligious devotion. One by one wor- shippers approached the manger and knelt to kiss the h (Continued on 3, Column 3.) HAUPTMANN TRIAL DELAY 15 IN DOUBT Question of Calling New Jury Panel to Be Decided Tomorrow. By the Associated Press. FLEMINGTON, N. J., December 25. —The question of whether the State | will seek a new jury panel for the | trial of Bruno Richird Hauptmann because of the circulation >f a pam- | phlet parodying the Lindbergh Fkid- | nap case investigation, will be de- termined tomorrow at a conference of Attorney General David T. Wilentz | and other prosecuting officials in Trenton. The pamphlet, entitled “No. 2310, Criminal File Exposed Aviator's Baby Was Neyer Kidnaped or Murdered,” was mailed from Chicago to some of the 150 persons in the jury panel called to appear here January 2 for the trial of the Lindbergh kidnap- slaying suspect. “We do not want a new panel,” said Edward J. Reilly of Brooklyn, chief of Hauptmann’s defense staff. “We are ready to go to trial tomorrow. Delays in bringing the case to trial im- pair our effectiveness.” Might Delay 30 to 40 Days. Defense attorneys, however, will ask | Supreme Court Justice Tromas W.| cuss selecting a new panel, although such action, in the opinion of County | Judge Adam O. Robbins, would de- | lay the start of the trial from 30 to| 40 days. The prosecution attorneys, meeting tomorrow, will decide whether to join the defense in the proposed discus- sion. At first it was indicated the SISTER OF BANKER KILLED IN'FLORIDA Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Sid- dons Lasher Fatally Hurt in Auto Crash. Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Siddons Lasher, wife of Prof. George Starr Lasher, head of the University of Ohio School of Journalism, and daughter of the late District Supreme Court Justice Frederick L. Siddons, died in a Day- tona Beach, Fla, hospital early today of injuries received in an automobile accident near Cocoa, Fla., yesterday. Prof. Lasher was seriously injured in the crash and was being treated for brain concussion, a broken nose, broken ribs and multiple cuts and bruises, according to the Associated Press. Their two daughters, Mary Eliza- beth, 12, and Dorothy Siddons Lasher, 6, suffered only minor cuits and bruises. En Route to Miami. Mrs. Lasher, a sister of Frederick P. H. Siddons, secretary of the American Security & Trust Co. and president of the District of Columbia Bankers® Association, was en route to Miam{ with her husband and two daughters. Prof. Lasher, who is presi- dent of Theta Chi fraternity, planned to attend a convention of the Greek letter society in the Florida city. The Associated press reporied the Lasher car collided with an auto driven by a man listed by police as Carl Martin of Merritt, Fia. He was held by county authorities pending -nvestigation. He suffered internal in- offered the Capital’s Christmas greet- | State would not seek a new panel, { Juries and cuts. ings to the President and Mrs. Roose- | velt. There was a brief, uncomfort- able pause when, after the President had thrown the switch which was to light the tree, nothing happened for a few seconds. Then the lights flashed on, the President smiled broadly, and & massed male chorus launched into a group of Christmas carols. After the President’s address, the brief ceremonies closed with bene- diction by Rev. Edmund A. Walsh, 8. J. Tree Planted for Purpose. ‘The Community Christmas tree this year is one of two planted in| Lafayette Square a few weeks ago for the purpose. The other tree will be | used next year. During the coming | week the lighted tree will be the| center of carol singing, beginning at 4 o'clock this afternoon, when Community Center groups from the | (Continued on Page 3, Column 1.) . CHILD DEAD, SIX BURNED IN CHRISTMAS TREE FIRE Flying Matchhead Ignites Tinsel. Parents and Boy Believed Fatally Injured. By the Assoclated Press. SEDALIA, Mo, December 25.—A flaming Christmas tree, ignited by a flying matchhead, kindled a fire that brought death today to a child and serious burns to six other persons. Virginia Miller, 3, died this morning 1in a hospital of burns. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs, Judson Miller, and a 6-year- old brother, Jack, were believed to be fatally burned. A sister, Barbara, and Henry Gumm and Miss Thelma Wil- liams, who were calling on the Millers last night, were seriously burned. The match head flew into the tgee as Gumm started to light a cigarette. but an authoritative source disclosed | late yesterday that there was ‘evi- | dence the pamphlet had impressed | prospective jurors. One woman member of the panel, it was revealed, has expressed to a county official fear of bodily harm if she should vote for conviction of Hauptmann. Prejudice Effort Alleged. Lloyd Fisher, associate defense counsel, said the announcement by Prosecutor Anthony M. Hauck, jr.,| that the pamphlet had been mailed | to some prospective jurors ‘“clearly | indicates a desire on his part to| create an unfair prejudice against the | defense,” and added that he knew“ the persons on the panel would “re- | sent any attempt to influence them.” | Judge Robbins, who with Justice | Trenchard will preside at the trial, said it was his belief Justice Trenchard would not order a new panel drawn because of the delay which would ensue. Fisher said the defense was willing to waive any legal technicalities “to the .end that no time need be lost in commencing the trial through drawing of a new panel.” No Reflections Offered. He said the defense did not “intend that this statement should in any manner, shape or form be a reflection on any of the legal staff connected with the prosecution in this matter.” “There are many, many people vitally interested in the outcome of this case,” Fisher said, “for one reason or another, and any number of people might be responsible for the mailing of these pamphlets. We sincerely trust that the State and Federai Gov- ernments will make a very thorough investigatiog of this situation and report the facts to the public seneraliy as they develop.” The pamphlet was written in 1632 by Mary Belle Spencer, Chicago at- torney, as a “satire * * * to poke fun ‘The children were in their beds up- stairs. The house was destroyed. Byrd Party Dogs Eat Turkeys, So Men Get Beefsteak Today By the Assoclated Press. LITTLE AMERICA, Antarctica, De- cember 25 (via Mackay Radio).—A half-dozen turkeys, artfully put aside for Christmas dinner, were carried off and eaten by the dogs last Winter, hence the Byrd expedition will feast today on the last quarter of beef. A merry Christmas way down at the bottom of the earth is forecast, however. All are joyous in the an- ticipation of the fact that two days later the supply ship, the venerable Bear of Oakland, will stand out from Dunedin, New Zealand, with the mail. ‘The simple word “mail” is one of great impart here, [ at the asininity of our police and court system as a whole,” she explained. ‘The banquet of beef was described as one of welcome anticipation after the unchanging cycles of seal steaks, corned beef, salt horse and ancient mutton. A Chief Cook Carbone dug up the beef and it has been thawing out for three days under the eyes of the watchman. Along with the beef, which will be steaked and fried, the members of the expedition will have vegetable soup, creamed corn, potatoes, cranberry sauce, apple pie and ice cream, and some sherry. The Sherry disappeared for a time, giving rise to thoughts about hijackers. Finally it was found, 1 Prof. Lasher has not yet been ad- vised of the death of his wife, phy- sicians apparently believing the shock would be too great for him at this time, according to Siddons. The two children also are unaware of their mother’s death. Siddons said he was leaving for Daytona Beach this aft- ernoon to be with his brother-in-law and nieces. Married Here in 1922, The Lashers were married here in April, 1922. Befcre moving to Athens, Ohio, 0 take his present post on the faculty of the University of Ohio, Prof. Lasher was a professor at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. Mrs. Lasher was born in Wash- ington May 27 1894, the daughter of the iate Jusuce Siddons and Mrs. Harriet C. (Van Auken) Siddons. She was educated af Western High School bere and a New York finishing school. Her father died June 19, 1931, after 16 years on the District Supreme Court bench. In aidition to her husband and two daughters, Mrs. Lasher is sur- vived by her mother and brother. THREE HURT IN BLAST IN TENEMENT HOUSE Debris Is Scattered Over Wide Area in Newport—Cause of Explosion Undetermined. By the Associated Press. NEWPORT, R. I, December 25— Three persons were slightly injured early today as an explosion of un- known origin leveled a three-story wooden tenement and damaged sur- rounding buildings, N Salvatore Raffa, owner of the wrecked tenement, was away with his family for the Christmas holiday. The injured were neighbors, who were thrown from their beds by the explosion. Windows of homes within a radius of 200 feet were ‘shattered and debris was scattered over a wide area. The cause of the blast was not im- mediately determined. No 5:30 Today Because of the holiday there will be no 5:30 or Night Final editions of The Star Today. Night Final subscribers will receive the Regular Edition. C., TRAFFIC TOLL 130 AS TWO MORE DIE AFTER ACCIDENTS Number of Dead Is Seven More Than in Any Pre-, vious Year. RETIRED D. C. TEACHER AMONG AUTO VICTIMS Police Arrest 23 for Sl')eeding in Continued War on Viola- tions of Rules. ‘The 1934 traffic toll here had risen to 130 fatalities today—7 more than the worst previous year. The number increased by two in the last 24 hours, with one death early today and an- other late yesterday. Miss Blanche S. Teel, 60, of 2220 Nineteenth street, who was injured Sunday when struck at Calvert street and Connecticut avenue by an auto- mobile driven by Mrs. Susanne M. Ham, wife of William F. Ham, chair- man of the board of the Potomac Electric Power Co., died yesterday in Emergency Hospital. Member of a well-known Washing- ton family, Miss Teel had taught in the public schools here until her re- tirement two years ago. She was ac- tive in church work at All Souls’ Me- morial Church, where funeral services will be held Thursday. An inquest will be held by Coroner A. Magruder MacDonald. Mrs. Ham was released jn the custody of her attorney for appearance at the hear- ing. Driver Faces Charges. David Ingalls, 80, of 807 Eighteenth street, who was struck by an auto- mobile while crossing the street at East Executive and Pennsylvania ave- nue December 14. died early today in Emergency Hospital. The driver of the car, Marion Harper, 43, of Balls- ton, Va., was charged with reckless driving and will be returned to appear at a coroner’s inquest scheduled some time tomorrow. James H. McNamara of Mount Rainier, Md., was exonerated yester- day by a coroner’s jury of any re- sponsibility in the death of Walter C. Williams, 1008 B street southwest, who was injured Saturday night when he walked into rhe side of McNamara's automobile. Mr. Williams died later in _Emergency Hospital. Spurred by the rising tide of traffic accidents and ceaths, police last nighf continued their efforts to force drivers of cars to be more careful. There were 23 arresied from 8 a.m. yester- day to 8 am. today on charges of speeding and twc persons were ar- rested on charges of driving while drunk, the Traffic Bureau reported. Meantime, police reported a large number of minor traffic accidents, with several persons severely injured, ‘Two More Hurt. Mrs. Harriette Gardon, 30, and Mrs. Rebecca Gordon, 17, both of 477 F street southwest, were injured yester- day when they were knocked to the street by a truck driven by Leroy Brown, 30, of Ade, Va., while crossing the street at Sixth and E streets southwest. Charged with reckless driving, Brown was released pending the outcome of the injuries of the two women, who are sisters-in-law. Siegfried von Ammon, 58, a scientist with the Bureau of Standards, and Mrs. Lida S. Hanson, 64, both of 3840 Legation street, were injured last night when an automobiie operated by Von Ammon collided with an automobile driven by D. W. Johnson of 666 E street northeast at Nebraska and Con- necticut avenues. They were taken to Emergency Hospital, where this morn- ing attendants reported their condition +good.” Kemper 8. Hardy, 58, of 925 Ken- nedy street, was charged with reck- less driving yesterday and released under $1,000 bond after a traffic ac- cident at Fourteenth street and Co- lumbia road, when he is charged with haying knocked down Bertha Steinkrauk, 32, of 1426 Varnum street, who was standing in a safety zone, according to police. She was taken to Garfield Hospital for treatment. Her condition is not considered se- rious. TWO CHINESE CONFESS ESPIONAGE IN RUSSIA| News Agency Says They Admitted They Were Carrying out In- structions of Japanese. By the Associated Press. KHABAROVSK, U. 8. S. R, De- cember 25.—Two Chinese from Man- choukuo, arrested at Turirog, 150 miles north of Vladivostok on Soviet i territory, confessed today, according to a Rosta (Russian) news agency report, that they were carrying out orders of Japanese officers to inves- tigate the district east of the city. ‘Their reported confessions admitted, it was said, they had been ordered to make reports on roads, barracks and troop movements. Han Min-Fa, commander of the 15th Regiment of the 3d Infantry Brigade of Manchoukuo, was the name given for one of the prisoners, both of whom.are held on espionage charges. SOVIET DEBT PAYMENT SEEN BY TROYANOVSKY Ambassador Predicts Barrier to Trade Expansion Will Soon Be Removed. By the Assoclated Press. YOKOHAMA, Japan, December 25. —Alexander Troyanovsky, Russian Ambassador to the United States, ex- pressed confidence today that the Russo-American debt problem would soon be settled, shortly before he sailed for San Francisco. ‘This would allow a large expansion of trade between the two countries, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1934—THIRTY PAGES. ¢ Foening Stap * Lupescu Is Reported Facing * Exile Following Regal Snub Former Premiers Press Money Settlement to Preserve Carol. By the Associated Press. / VIENNA, Decrmber 25.—King Carol of Rumania, ucvices to foreign lega- tions said here today, is prepared to settle a large sum on Magda Lupescu, titian-haired “uncrowned queen,” if she will leave the country. High Rumanian officials were re- ported to be behind the move. Detectives are guarding Mme. Lu- pescu constantly from Rumanian pa- triots, who believe the country is suf- fering because of her. Carol's former wife, the dignified | Princess Helen, is living in England. | Many observers believe she would be | willing to return to Carol should he | renounce Magda. | Carol, it was said, has been on the | point of breaking with Mme. Lupescu several times, but felt that to do so would be an admission that he had given in to his political foes. Two former premiers, Julius Maniu and Vaida Voevod, were reported to be more anxious than ever to have the King's friend leave following his recent ‘snub” by King George of England. Carol was not invited to the wedding of the Duke of Kent and Princess Marina. ‘The two ex-premiers are repre- sented 10 be anxious for Carol either MAGDA LUPESCU. to wed a royal princess or to become reconciled with Helen. Maniu publicly has declared Mme. Lupescu to be “the source of all evil | in Rumania.” NUISANGE TAXES MAY BE SHIFTED Bank Check Levy Expires January 1—Some May Be Continued. By the Associated Press. People who pay by check will get a break next Tuesday when the 2-cent tax on checks expires. This tax produced $41,383,198 last fiscal year, but the opinion is ex- pressed in many quarters on Capitol Hill that it will not be revived. Some House members, however, have received intimations that Con- gress may be asked to levy new taxes on other things—though a decision on their nature, these Legislators un- derstand, will not be made until the administration completes its budget and relief plans. Others May Expire, More than a score of taxes expire or change six months hence unless they are re-enacted. After a recent conference with President Roosevelt, Chairman Doughton of the House Ways and Means Committee said he feared it would be necessary to extend the expiring “nuisance” levies. Estimates by committee tax experts say these temporary levies will pro- duce $416,000,000 in revenue in the present fiscal year, ending next June 30. This does not include the bank check tax or the extra cent on first- class postage. Incidentally, a reduc- tion from 3 to 2 cents in such postage becomes effective automatically next July 1. Gas Tax Included, Levies that will expire June 30, and the revenue they are expected to bring in during the present fiscal year are: Lubricating oil, $25,239,000; brew- ers wort and grape concentrate, $1,- 283,000; matches, $3,216,000; gaso- line, $185,043,000; electrical energy, $32,886,000; tollet preparations, $10, 483,000; fur articles, $2,000,000; jew. elry, $1,500,000; radios and phono- graphs, $3,782,000; mechanical re- frigerators, $5,883,000; sporting goods, $4,831,000; firearms and shells, $2.- 485,000; chewing gum, $800,000; telephone, telegraph and cable, $20,- 981,000; rtation of ofl by pipe transpos line, $9,388,000; import excise taxes on coal, copper, lumber, malt and petroleum, $10,000,000 to $11,000,000. Autes and Tires Taxed. Those that expire July 31 and the estimated revenue: Tires and inner tubes, $20,056,000; automobile trucks, $4,882,000; auto- mobiles and motor cycles, $31,000,000; awggulc parts and accessories, $6,- or their rates drop July 1. . NUMBERS EVIL HIT BYHOWARDU.DEAN Charles H. Houston of Law School Says Game Takes Away Food. Charles H. Houston, dean of the Howard University Law School and a member of the Board of Education, believes the numbers game as it is now operated constitutes an evil that should be driven from the city. Information has come to Houston to the effect that families are sometimes | left on the brink of destitution by in- roads of the numbers game, racketeers luring away money that should go for foodstuffs and rent. “The numbers game,” Houston said today, “is a creeping evil which has insinuated itself into all corners of commodity life. School children play the numbers instead of buying lunch. Their parents play the numbers n- stead of buying food and paying rent. “The numbers runners are every- where, seeking new recruits. The game has become a social menace and should be wiped out. ‘““The newspapers of Washington are doing good work,” Houston said, “in suppressing the totaled numbers from the race track.” These totals, from which the winning number is derived, are of no use except when added in an authoratative manner. Then, the published winning number becomes the very heart and core of the num- bers game. Absolutely necessary to the rack- eteers in promoting the numbers game, the winning number must be sanc- tioned by some medium of authority, such as & newspeper or a radio sta- tion. Otherwise, persons playing the numbers would have no faith in their bets, That is one reason The Star refuses to aid and abet the racketeer. Actress Given Divorce. LOS ANGELES, December 25 (P).— Edith Moore, former New York stage actress, now in the films, obtained a divorce yesterday from James Moore, film technician, whom she charged with drinking to excess and staying away from home for days without explanation. Amusements Comics Features Some Returns Not Yet Recelved. (P) Means Associated Press. WIFE SHOT TWICE, BROTHER WOUNDED Christmas Eve Shooting in Alexandria Occurs at i ; Hotel Entrance. By a Staff Correspondent of The Star. ALEXANDRIA, Va., December 25.— Shot through the back and chin by her estranged husband as she stepped from her brother’s automobile to at- tend an employes’ Christmas eve party at the George Mason Hotel here last | night, Mrs. Virginia King Jennings, 28, attractive part-time waitress at the hotel, is dying at the Alexandria Hos- | pital today. The brother, Robert Morris King, |24, of Franconia, who stepped in the line of gunfire to prevent his sister being hit a third time, was wounded in the thigh. His condition is not | critical. Doctors said today there is | |no hope for Mrs. Jennings, who is | partly paralyzed from a spine injury. ‘With the aid of a former Alexandria High School foot ball star, George R. Fletcher of 1307 Russell road, who tackled the assailant as he started to run after the shooting, police arrested Raymond Jennings, 33, automobile mechanic of the 400 block South Fzir- fax street, and disarmed him. Assault Charge Filed. Police said Fletcher was wrestling with Jennings when Officer Frank Stover and Detective Corp. Joseph Butler, who were near the scene of the shooting. came to his assistance. 0 A charge of felonious assault was lodged against Jennings pending the outcome of his wife’s injuries. | ‘; The ghooting took place on the sidewalk at the front entrance of the | hotel. Mrs. Jennings was bringing | her 4-year-old daughter and her brother to the party, being given by the hotel for its approximately 70 employes and their families. The child ran screaming into the lobby of the hotel as Jennings stepped from behind a front column and began shooting, witnesses told police. Police stated today that Jennings | admitted the shooting, but would | make no further statement until he consulted an attorney. He said that he purchased the gun, a .38-caliber revolver, at a second-hand store in Alexandria yesterday afternoon, De- tective Butler said. | Many See Shooting. Several people, including City Treas- urer Roger C. Sullivan, were standing near the hotel entrance at the time. | They carried Mrs. Jennings into_the lobby pending the arrival of the Res- cue Squad ambulance, which removed her to the hospital. The brother was carried to the hospital by police. Friends said that the couple had been separated for about six months, Mrs. Jennings going to live with her mother, Mrs. Grace King, near Fran- conia. Jennings has been employed at different times at the Ford Motor Co. plant here and at the Carter Motor Co. JOURNALIST DIES Ammi L. Bixby, 78, Was Editorial Paragrapher. LINCOLN, Nebr., December 25 (#). —Dr. Ammi L. Bixby, 78, editorial paragrapher on the Lincoln Journal for years and a member of the Jour- nal staff since 1892, died in his sleep | Dr. last night at his home here. A son and three daughters survive Late returns indicate that both Washington, D. C, and Fairbanks, Alaska, are to have snowless Christ- mas days. Santa Claus was sleeping late this morning and it could not be learned what means of transportation he uscd in localities where weather conditions prevented customary sleighing activi- ties. It was reported that he usea a rubbed-tired buggy in Fairbanks, where the snowless condition was the first ever recorded there on the Christ- mas holiday. For Washington the Weather Bureau insisted this morning that it not only was cloudy then, but it probably would remain cloudy all day. If anything else happens here, it will be light rain- fall or snow flurries late this after- noon or evening, it was said. The temperature was around 34 this morn- ing, a “twilight zone,” which might turn rain into snow, or vice versa. TWO CENTS. PARLEY T0 UNTE INFLATIONISTS SET HERE JANUARY 16 Congressmen Invited to Aid in Reaching Agreement on Objective, 1926 PRICE LEVEL HELD LIKELY HARMONY BASIS Treasury Officials Blame Low Output of Mines for U. S. Failure to Buy Silver. By the Assoclated Press. A conference to unite inflationists behind a so-called “rational” program has been called for January 16 in in Washington. Senator Thomas, Democrat, of Okla- hgma, one of those behind the move, said farm organizations, the Sound Money League, the Committee for the Nation, Father Charles E. Coughlin of Detroit and members of the Senate and House would participate in the conference. In the evening there will be a banquet for inflation advocates in Congress. L] Thomas said the aim would be an agreement “on an objective.” “I think that will be the 1926 price level,” he added. “These groups are not for cheap money or uncontrolled inflation. They are for a sound and adeqaute dollar of the buying power of 1926, wholly controlled and rational. “They have the conviction that the high-valued dollar must be cheapened to help people pay interest and taxes.” Several Measures Cited. Thomas pointed out several meas- ures designed to put more money into circulation and to raise the price level already have been indicated for in- troduction at the coming session. He included the Frazier-Lemke agricul- tural refinancing bill, the Wheeler free silver coinage meagure and the Pat- man bonus pro) L Low output of domestic mines was blamed meanwhile by Treasury of- ficials for the Government's failure to purchase the amount of silver it had agreed to acquire during the first year of the London silver agreement. At the same time it became known that United States holdings of th> white metal were approximately one billion ounces short of the quantity needed to establish a 25-75 ratio with the gold monetary reserve, the goal set by the last Congress. Present hold- ings were estimated unofficially at one billion ounces. 20,759,000 Ounces Purchased. Treasury figures disclosed that sil- ver purchases under the London ac- cord, signed during the economic con- ference in 1933, amounted to 20,759,000 ounces for the year. A White House proclamation promulgating the pact had said the United States would ab- sorb an annual minimum of 24,431,410 ounces produced in the country. The Government pays a premium of about 15 cents an ounce over world | market prices for newly mined metal. | Silver now brings 6413 cents per ounce at Federal mints. MOB BEATS DRIVER OF HIT-RUN MACHINE By the Associated Press. LOS ANGELES, December 25.— Taken from a mob of angry citizens who had beaten him after he had al legedly figured in a hit-and-run acci- dent, Bert O'Leary, 31, was treated for cuts and bruises at the Police Emer- gency Hospital early today. Later he was removed to the city Jjail and booked for failure to render aid after an accident. O'Leary was chased for several blocks after two women were knocked down and injured slightly. BOMB HURTS NEWS MAN Associated Press Correspondent Among Six Injured in Cuba. SANTIAGO, Cuba, December 25 (). —Alberto Garcia, Santiago corre- spondent of the Asscciated Press, was seriously wounded shortly after mid- night, together with five others, by a bomb which exploded in the home of Enrique Comas here. They were in the midst of a Christ- mas eve supper feast. The others wounded thcluded Comas, three of his sons and Pedro Guerra. Police arrested Luis Colas. No motive for the act was given. Father Killed, Son Injured. LEXINGTON, N. C, December 25 (#)—Luther Walser, 55, Lexington furniture worker, was killed and his son, William, 12, hurt when the father’s car overturned near here to- day. W hite Christmas Denied Capital While Chicago Has Heavy Snow bringing the season’s total up to 25 inches for a local record. The cold spell ran through the Middle West and along the Canadian border. Snow has been falling within the past 24 hours in parts of Indianay Ohlo, Michigan, several Rocky Moune_ tain States and the Northern States of Minnesota and the Dakotas. Bemidji, Minn, wasn't bragging about its 21-below-zero climate, but Southern California was pointing with its usual pride to thermometers read- ing in the 70s. Florida was depend- ing up Miami to beat off the California ;hnnen‘e with an 80-degree Christmas ay. New England, New York and Penn- sylvania were warned to expect snow before the day is over, the tempera- ture in Maine being the zero mark. No serious storm disturbance is ia Chicago reported the snowiest Christmas, a recent fall there keeping Wn’?whvmwm the vicinity of the Capital, the Weathe ar Buresu said, and any unpleasant- ness today is npt Likely to be long lived,