Evening Star Newspaper, December 14, 1935, Page 1

(U. 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Cloudy tonight and tomorrow; slightly colder tonight, with lowest temperature tonight about 36 degrees; erly winds becoming variable, tures—Highest, 45, at lowest, 40, at noon today. Closing N. Y. Markets, Pages 16 and 17 No. 33,464. FORCES ORGANIZE FOR FINISH FIGHT ON' ANGLO-FRENCH PEACE PROPOSALS Concession Opponents Face Insistence on Italian Out- let in Ethiopia to Prevent War in Europe. SELASSIE PLEA HINDERS APPROVAL OF LEAGUE Rome Renews Attempt to Prove Foe Backward and Uncivilized. Pamphlets Purporting to Show Barbarisms Are Circulated in Geneva—Council Summoned. BACKGROUND— The League of Nations and the practicability of insurance of peace and punishment of aggression through international boycott hang in the balance, in the opinion of international observers. Economic and credit sanctions voted against Italy November 18 go without rigid enforcement while leading powers seek peace in overtures rather than action. Small countries view the League as the bulwark of their lib- erty, but need active co-operation of larger members to insure strict application of sanctions. (Copyright. 1935, by the Associated Press.) GENEVA, December 14.—The cam- paign to achieve peace in East Africa appeared developing today into a struggle over the Franco-British set- tlement plan, its advocates believing Italy—in the interests of European peace—must be given an economic out- let in Ethiopia. Against them were posed the argu- ments of those convinced that any concessions to Premier Mussolini, to call off his adjudged aggression in Ethiopia, might imply the doom of the League of Nations. The Ttalians themselves launched a | renewed attempt to prove that Ethiopia was a backward, uncivilized country, urgently needing the help of ® civilized nation like Italy. New Pamphlets Distributed. New illustrative pamphlets, purport- ing to show Ethiopian barbarisms, reached international circles Rome. Combatting Mussolini’s ambitions were all the forces insisting that a surrender to Il Duce would place & premium upon aggressive wars and weaken, if not destroy, collective se- curity, potentially placing small powers at the mercy of the great. Emperor Haile Selassie left the case, from the aspect of negotiations, to all other member nations of the League. In the Ethiopian communication to the League yesterday, denouncing the Franco-British peace formula and asking that the assembly of all nations be convoked to consider the matter, informed League sources said the King of Kings virtually asked: “Do you countenance this spoila- tion?” In diplomatic phraseology, Ethiopia conjured up the death of the League and all collective security if Italy, de- clared by the League to be the ag- gressor, was given what the Ethiopians interpreted as half of their empire and control of the other half “pending an- mexation.” Council Approval Difficult. ‘This stand, it was believed generally, made it difficult for the League's executive body, the Council, to ap: prove at its session next Wednes- day the Franco-British terms giving Italy the eastern part of Tigre Prov- ince in the North, the Ogaden region in the South and a colonization zone across Ethiopia, south of Addis Ababa. Ethiopia would regain western Tigre Province, partly conquered by Italy, access to the sea, possibly to the Eritrean port of Assab, and the assistance of a League commission. ‘Whether the Assembly would be convoked in the case, a high official P e e e e (See WAR, Page 2.) WEALTHY CUBAN STILL IN HANDS OF KIDNAPERS ‘Bources Close to Nicolas Castano Deny Ransom Has Been Paid. By the Associated Press. HAVANA, December 14—A source close to Nicolas Castano, wealthy Cuban, who was kidnaped Monday and held for $500,000 ransom, said late last night the millionaire was still in the hands of his kidnapers. It had been reported earlier that he had been released after payment of ransom. Reports that two other persons had been kidnaped within the last 24 hours were still unconfirmed shortly before midnight. Readers’ Guide Church News Comics Lost and Found Philippine Situation - Women's Features ... from | moderate north- Tempera~- noon yesterday; Entered as second class matter post office, Washington, D. e U. S. Docior Killed in Ethiopia As Bomb Explodes Accidentally Young Presbyterian Mis- sionary Lauded by Red Cross. (Copyright, 1935, by the Associated Press.) JIJIGA, Ethiopia, December 14— Dr. Robert W. Hockman, American missionary in Ethiopia, was killed Thursday while handling an unex- ploded Italian bomb at Daggah Bur, on the Southern front, it was learned today. The young doctor legves his widow and a month-old child, now at an| American mission in Egypt. | Dr. Hockman came to Addis Avaba | early in December, en route to Egypt | to see his child for the first time, but | Red Cross authorities persuaded him | that his services in Ogaden Province were indispensible. | He made a hobby of studying; bombs, and he himself removed the | detonator and supervised the digging- out of a 9-foot deep unexploded pro- jectile at Daggah Bur recently. His body was brought to Jijiga for burial. Dr. T. A. Lambie, secretary general of the Ethiopian Red Cross, praised Dr. Hockman's heroism under fire in recent bombardments of Daggah Bur. “We have lost the most valuable, Ethiopia,” said Dr. Lambie. Dr. Hockman, formerly of Wheaton, 11, was a United Presbyterian mis- sionary, originally stationed at Addis Ababa. Even before the outbreak of hos- tilities, he started inoculation of several thousand native soldiers against typhoid, smallpox and cholera. He established an American nurses’ most efficient Red Cross worker in | The Loen WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ing Sfar . /WASHINGTON, D. C, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1935—THIRTY PAGES. #=» DR. ROBERT W. HOCKMAN. training school in Ethiopia last Sum- mer, Stationed at Front. The American doctor left for the front in September, almost a month | before the war started, with the first medical unit. He returned to Addis Ababa in Oc- tober, asserting much help was needed for wounded Ethiopian soldiers, and | left once more for the southern front | October 30 to supervise the work of | a base hospital. He moved his medical | unit to Jijiga November 15. | From there, he went to Daggah Bur, 100 miles southeast of Jijiga, where | he established the only American field (See DOCTOR, Page 3.) RETURN OF CALLES PRESAGES STRIFE Observers See Decisive Struggle Between Radical- ism and Conservatism. BACKGROUND— i Plutarco Elias Calles became a prophet without honor in his own country, which he had dominated for 11 years, last June when he clashed with President Cardenas over economic policy and left Mez- ico, “leaving all responsibility for public aflairs to those who have it in their hands.” Calles was a leader in the radical group which over- threw Dictator Diaz in 1910. He was elected president in 1924 as the Labor party’s candidate. He with- drew in 1928 in favor of Portes Gil, but remained the real power, How- ever, his policies became more con= servative as time went on and the new radicalism irked him. By the Associated Press. MEXICO CITY, December 14—A decisive struggle between radicalism and conservatism in Mexico was pre- dicted by informed sources today to result from the return of the one- time “strong man,” Gen. Plutarco | Elias Calles. | The former President, whoarrived from Los Angeles by airplane yester- day after six months of voluntary exile, said he came back to Mexico to “assume responsibility” for all his actions. At the request of the presidency, a lengthy statement which he issued was not published by morning news- papers and copies of an afternoon paper which issued an extra contain- ing his declarations were confiscated by police. Remains in Capital. ‘While workers’ organizations theeat- ened a general strike unless Calles left Mexico immediately, the former Presi- dent remained in his capital residence, guarded by only two soldiers and ac- companied by his son Rudolfo, former secretary of communications, and Luis Morones, prominent labor leader. Calles left Mexigo last June after deploring the “marathon of radical- ism” into which he said President *Lazaro Cardenas was leading the country. He disapproved at that time of Cardenas’ political and economic policies. The President asserted in reply that he was determined to continué the socialistic program outlined by the National Revolutionary party. After a majority of the men promi- nent in politics gave their support to Cardenas, Calles left Mexico. Looks Older and Tired. Looking considerably older and more tired than when he departed in June, Calles granted the Associated (See CALLES, Page 3.) § —_— C. C.C. YOUTHS POISONED LOS ANGELES, December 14 (#).— Physicians treated 41 youths of the Civilian Conservation Corps for pto- maine poisoning today and reported six in serious condition. ‘The“youths were stricken after eat- ing dinner last night at the Tuna C. BRUND EXECUTION SET FOR JANUARY Condemned Man Calm as He Learns Date Fixed for Week of 13th. BACKGROUND— New Jersey’s Gov. Hoffman is powerless alone to save Bruno Hauptmann from electrocution for the Lindbergh kidnaping; State’s Court of Pardons acts on all con- demned men’s appeals. Its eight members include the Governor. Majority vote rules, and Governor must vote with majority. Hoffman has interested himself in Haupt- mann’s plight. If court splits evenly, the Governor voting with three others for clemency, could not stay death sentence. The most the Governor can do alone is to grant reprieves, totaling mot more than 90 days. By the Associated Press. By the Associated Press. TRENTON, N. J, December 14— Bruno Richard Hauptmann calmly re- ceived the news today that the week of January 13 had been set for his death in the electric chair for the kidnap murder of Charles A. Lind- bergh, jr. A prison guard, delegated by Prin- cipal Keeper Col. Mark O. Kimberling, broke the news to the condemned man in his death house cell, and a short time later Hauptmann's spiritual ad- viser, Rev. John Matthiesen, arrived to see him. The clergyman’s visit was short and when he left the prison he said he had found the prisoner cool and com- “He knew what was coming up,” he said. “He is full of confidence in the fact that the State of New Jersey does not intend to permif a murder.” The clergyman said he and Haupt- mann had prayed together briefly. Asked if he thought the condemned man’s optimism resulted from the noc- turnal visit of the Governor in Oc- tober, Col. Kimberling said: “He had (See HAUPTMANN, Page 2.) MASARYK RESIGNS CZECH PRESIDENCY Chief Executive Since 1918 Is Given Ovation After He Signs Abdication Decree. By the Assoctated Press. PRAHA, Czechoslovakia, December 14—Thomas G. Masaryk, 85, first President of Czechoslovakia, resigned today. Dr. Masaryk was elected first President of Czechoslovakia in No- vember, 1918, when the nation was granted independence after the World War and the republic was proclaimed. In 1920 the National Assembly voted him the privilege of remaining Presi- dent as long as he desired in recog- nition of the lifelong work for which he was called “the liberator.” After signing his decree of abdi- cation at Lany Castle, Masaryk went to the front of the great residence and took his last presidential salute from the assembled guard. C. C. camp near Tujunga, Calif. Dr. Irving Eddy said fish they ate may have been tainted. Zip By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, December 14.—The zip- per joined the ranks of the surgical instruments today. This type of fastener has been at- tached to the incision in a patient’s stomach and is used to open and close the wound for daily treatments. ‘The zipper arrangement, recently called into play, was confirmed today by Dr. Morris. Fishbein, editor of the Journal of the American Medical As- Then the presidential flag was hauled down from its staff. per Is Attached to Incision In Stomach to Treat Cancer The stomach cancer must be treated daily with an electric needle, which necessitates an opening in the ab- officially BIHLATERAL TALKS, STARTEDBY JAPAN, STIR NAVY PARLEY Maneuver Believed Ushering in Critical Period at Conference. SUPER-SECRET SESSION SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY British Hold First Separate Dis- cussion With Tokio's Delegation. BACKGROUN Need for mew homes for fast- growing Japanese population siz centuries ago led Empress Jingo to inaugurate imperialistic policy. Ez- pansion became the keynote of the empire in 1867, when Shogun Keiki sent his brother to Paris Exposition to view latest Western naval and military developments. In Russian War of 1905 Admiral Togo anni- hilated the Czar's fleet with power= ful water force built by Emperor Meiji. At Washington Conference of 1922 Admiral Tomosaburo Kato gained 5-5-3 ratio for Japan. To- day the Orient’s “destiny nation” demands sea equality with other powers. By the Associated Press, LONDON, December 14.—The inau- guration of bi-lateral conversations, coupled with the anaouncement of & super-secret session Monday, attended only by delegates, was believed today to be ushering in one of the most sig- nificant, critical periods of the Inter- naticaal Naval Conference. Both moves, it was learned authori- | tatively, were maneuvered by the Jap- anese on the grounds that general ses- sions were cumbersome and unsatis- factory in the negotiaticns to reach a new agreement to replace the &x- piring Washington and London naval limitations treaties. Best-informed sources said the Brit- ish, who held their first separate dis- cussion with the Japanese last night, acted only after urgent Japanese in- sistence. Seek to Curb Bi-Lateral Talks, An authoritative British source said that while a few more bi-lateral dis- cussions would be held, they would be kept to an absolute minimum aad no resumption of a general bi-lateral dis- cussion system would be permitted. Japanese sources said the first two- power conversations, held while mem- bers of the American delegation were resting in the country and the French were week ending in Paris, were “very frank, cordial and useful.” Admiral Osami Nagano, chief Jap- anese delegate, was understood to have asserted it was impossible for him to continue to attempt to present his best arguments on the controver- sial question of naval equality before large gatherings. Japanese Explains Talks. A Japanese spokesman explained that the private talks with the Brit- ish.were to amplify the position al- ready taken in the regular sessions and to permit an exchange of views. The Japanese, insisting on equality with, the United States and Britain to replace the present 5-5-3 ratio, and conceding a right to all nations to have equal navies, expressed a desire to talk with other delegations frankly. ‘The Americans vigorously opposed the bi-lateral discussion method at preliminary conferences last year, de- claring it created confusion, suspicion and unpleasant incidents. U. §. May Oppose Practice. ‘While Norman H. Davis, chief Amer- ican delegate, could not be reached for his official reaction, the Americans were expected to oppose the practice and do all possible to hold two-power meetings to a minimum. The conference will start its second week Monday behind locked doors, with only heads of delegations present. No official minutes will be kept, in- formed sources anticipating this would inspire outspoken views. At the two-power meeting tonight were, for the itish, Viscount Mon- sell, first lord of the admiralty; Vice Admiral Sir Ernle Chatfield, chief of naval staff; Vice Admiral William James; Robert Leslie Craigie, assist- ant undersecretary of the foreign of- fice; Sir Willilam W. Fisher, former commander in chief of the Mediter- ranean fleet. For the Japanese, Admiral Osami Nagano, Matsuzo Nagai, Capt. Yashu- taro Iwashita and Hidenari Terasaki. Britain Cites Menace. Vice Admiral Chatfleld, it was re- ported, explained the British opposi- tion to Japanese demands for equality by expressing anxiety over the Eu- ropean situation, which he said neces- sitated the keeping of a considerable portion of the British fleet in these waters. Granting Japanese equality, he was reported to have said, would mean British naval inferiority in the Far East, where Great Britain has ex- tremely important inferests. This, he said, would be “an unac- ceptable situation.”” A report that the Japanese may advocate drawing a lie across the middle Pacific,c over which neither American nor Japanese ' warships might cross without being considered an aggressor, was described by a Japa- nese spokesman as “quite without foundation.” BRITISH ENVOY SEES HITLER. Armaments and Aviation Pact Dis- cussed at Conference, "BERLIN, December 14 (P).—It was announced today that Hitler LETTER-WRITING DAYS. UP) Means Associated P Matinees Produce Toy Deluge For Capital’s Youngsters of All Ages Crowd 11 Thea- ters, Bringing Campaign for Needy to Brilliant Climax. Leaden skies and a slight sprinkle of rain failed to stop the onrush of | Santa Claus’ little helpers who went | this morning to the 11 Warner Bros.’ | Theaters carrying Christmas gifts for | the underprivileged children of Wash- | ington. | Tots barely able to walk held onto their mothers’ hands, elder brothers | and sisters chaperoned younger mem- bers of families, all bound for the pic- | ture houses. The campaign sponsored by The Star, the Warner Bros.' Theaters and | the National Broadcasting Co. had come to a successful conclusion. Good sized crowds packed the picture houses. Few men were in evidence, the Poor Chiidren audiences made up mostly of women and children. | Occasionally an adult male strolled | into the Earle Theater, deposited a | package for some poor child and de- parted—without waiting to see the picture. | Early evidence tended to show that | the campaign would reap thousands of new toys—and goodly quantities of clothing—for the little boys and girls of Washington who, otherwise, might have a sorry Christmas. Early as 8:30 attendants at all the neighborhood theaters in the Warner | Bros.’ chain were waiting for the chil- dren. o'cle the hour for the | (See 'Y MATINEE, Page 18.) POLITIGIANS STUDY [OWNSENDTACTICS Third Party Move Watched | as Pension Advocates Map Election Plans. By the Associated Press. Some politicians of both major| parties showed obvious, if silent, con- cern today as leaders of the Town- send old-age pension movement de- veloped their strategy for the 1936 election. This strategy now includes a third- party threat. Dr. P. E. Townsend, a | leader in pushing the idea of paying every one over 60 & pension of $200 a month by means of a universal tax on all business transactions, announced the Townsendites would enter candi- dates for President and Congress. One Democratic spokesman said the movement would have little or no ef- fect on the presidential race, but oth- ers in that party asserted it might display strength in various congres- sional contests. Ope prominent Republican said it held “very serious possibilities.” An- other political figure called it the “most popular issue” in his State. Many Hesitate to Comment. Although orthodox economists and others have denounced the pension plan as an impossibility, many polit- ical figures show a marked reluctance to comment on it for publication. This is especially true of some members of Congress, who are watching to gauge its effects in their districts. All are watching the coming special election in the third Michigan dis- trict. There Verner W. Main, a “dark horse,” won the Republican nomina- tion easily after indorsing the Town- send plan. His Democratic opponent, Howard W. Cavanagh, is denouncing the plan as “fairy tale finance.” After making the third party an- nouncement, Dr. Townsend added to- day a prediction that the movement would obtain support from several minor groups—the Farmer-Laborites, Progressives, the American Common- wealth Federation and the Non- Partisan League. “They’ll come with us” he said. Asked about the attitude of the Re- publicans and Democrats, he said: “I haven't a bit of faith in them.” Bingham Holds Conference. Soon after Townsend’s announce- ment Alfred Bingham, executive sec- retary of the American Commonwealth Federation and a son of former Sen- ator Bingham of Connecticut, hurried to Townsend for a con- ference. He declined to discuss his visit with reporters. > The Townsend plan is not on the agenda for discussion at the meeting of the Republican National Committee (See POLITICS, Page 3.) * Young Washington. N.R. A PREPARING T CLOSE DORS Dismissal Notices Given Re- maining Employes, Effec- tive January 1. The N. R. A. quietly prepared today | to go out of existence, and served dismissal notices, effective January 1, on several hundred of the remain- ing employes. The weeding-out process already | has progressed to a point where ap- proximately only 2,000 employes are on duty. The dismissals have been carried out gradually. L. J. Martin, retiring administra- tor, said he is studying plans for turning the recovery organization over to some other Government agency. This course was advocated by Secre- tary Roper’s Business Advisory Council. Working on History. Most of the 2,000 employes still on the Blue Eagle pay roll, are working for Dr. L. C. Marshall’s review divi- sion, preparing a gigantic history of the codes and a study of various American industries. The history, destined for the archives, is nearly completed. The stories of 329 codes are in final form, and most of the work on about 700 others has been done. The history is to include codes proposed as well as those approved. The typewritten story of the lumber code alone fills 20 feet on a shelf. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Com= mission disclosed that industry ap- parently wasn’'t much. interested in the voluntary code plan provided in the resolution of last June, which ex- tended N. R. A’s life until April 1, 1936. Only nine codes were submitted. The commission has approved all of them tentatively and sent them on to the N. R. A. for inclusion of labor provisions. One of these—for whole- sale tobacco—has gone back to the commission with labor provisions for final approval. The others are still in the mill at N. R. A. They were sub- mitted by the braided non-elastic, solid braided cord, asbestos manufac- turing, candle manufacturing, expand- ing and specialty paper products, rock and slag wool manufacturing and fer- tilizer manufacturing industries. Other Divisions Operating. Other divisions of N. R. A. still op- erating include the Consumers’ Re- search Bureau, publishing a monthly bulletin, and the committee headed by Capt. W. P. Roberts, studying code compliance since the Schechter de- cision. The Roberts committee has utilized the field force in its study. Martin said 250 field workers had been given dismissal notices since December 1, but that fleld offices would be main- tained. President Roosevelt sald he was ness conditions before discussing what would be done about new legislation. ‘Catholic Vicar Sentenced. SEIGEN, Germany, December 14 )prisonmen yesterday on & charge of subversive Nazi govern- BRITISH REPORTED BECKONING RECH Envoy in Berlin Assigned to Discuss Problems With Hitler. By ‘he Associated Prese. LONDON, December 14.—A well- informed source disclosed today that Great Britain has suddenly moved to | cultivate closer relationship with Reichsfuehrer Hitler of Germany. | The move was not explained in official quarters, although it came | obviously after six months of Euro- pean turmoil over the Italio-Ethiopian | hostilities. | Sir Eric Phipps, the British Ambas- % sador to Germany, was assigned to | take the initiative in Berlin, confer- | ring with Hitler in a general discus- | sion of ail Anglo-German problems. Follows French Envoy's Visit. Sir Eric's move followed closely on Hitler's reception of the French Am- bassador. | The news gave rise to various con- Jectures, including reports that GrentI Britain was taking the initiative to negotiate a four-power aviation pact. There were indications that Sir Eric's visit was linked to direct refer- ence made by Sir Samuel Hoare, foreign secretary, to Anglo-German preblems in his speech of December 5 in the House of Commons. | A. that time Sir Samuel stated that | while the Italo-Ethiopian war con- | tinues. little was to be gained by re- | suming the negotiations for an air pact which the British governmenti earlier had asked Hitler to undertake. | Sir Samuel stated, however, that the British government would be ready to seize any opportunity which offered E | itself for an aviation pact and the | reduction of air armaments, which he claimed were more urgently needed | than ever. Ambassador Phipps had not seen Hitler for some time and it was under- stood it was felt desirable to develop a closer relationship. It was announced that Hoare was returning to London Monday and would participate in the foreign af- fairs debate in the House of Commons ‘Thursday. * White Paper Published. The flame of resentment against the government for its Italo-Ethiopian peace formula was fanned by the publication’of a “white paper” show= ing that the foreign secretary in- structed the British Minister to Ethio- pia, Sir Sydney Barton, to press Em- peror Haile Selassie urgently for a favorable consideration of the plan and “on no account” to reject it. The telegram, sent December 10, said: “You should use your utmost influ- | ence to induce the Emperor to give careful and favorable consideration to these proposals and on no account lightly to reject them. “On the contrary, I feel sure he will give further proof of his statesman- ship in realizing the advantage and opportunity for negotiation which they afford and will avail himself of them.” Officials stressed that the white paper also presented Anthony Eden's speech in Geneva December 12, when he announcd the British would not complain if the League of Nations did not agree to this peace plan, Authoritative quarters pointed out thei four courses lay open to the League Council for the disposition of the plan: It could reject it as unacceptable and unreasonable; 2. It could reject it as not coming within the covenant; 3. It could make whatever altera- tions are necessary; 4. I could refer the whole thing to the Assembly. Great Britain's political crisis be- came acute and widely-developed as a resul’ of the Anglo-French proposals for East African peace. ‘The nation, which only & month ago anticipated quiet for another five years, after the general elections, wondered now how Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin would be able to sup- port his government’s action. Informed sources did not believe the cabinet would fall as a result of the storm of criticism against the peace program, but said it was diffi- cult to see how the Conservatives could escape strong reproof from the Laborites and . Public dissatisfaction with the peace terms, more generous than the orig- inal propesals held forth to Italy by the League of Nations to halt the war- fare in Ethiopia, extended to Anthony Eden, who was no longer regarded g.mnny u" the “White Knight of ! * The only evening in Washington wit Associated Press News and Wirephoto Services. b the Yesterday’s Circulation, 130,059 Some Returns Not Yet Received. TWO CENTS.* MORE FUNDS HELD VITAL T0 ABOLISH HAZARDS OF FIRE Ickes Studies Post Office Blaze Report—Damage Is Estimated at $40,000. ADDED EQUIPMENT FOR FIREMEN URGED ress. Inspection by District Said to Be Useless Unless Congress Grants Safety Money. Federal officials said today Con- gress eventually must solve .the fire hazard problem in Government build- ings, exemplified only yesterday by the disastrous blaze at the new $11,- 000,000 Post Office Building. It was learned that no Government agency has authority to force correce tion of fire hazards and that District supervision, as-suggested by President Roosevelt following the Post Office blaze, will help little unless Congress makes funds available to improve conditions. Meanwhile, at least one Repre- sentative pledged support to a move to put appropriations through Cone gress for expansion of the District's fire fighting equipment. The fact that more than 40 fire- men were overcome was blamed both on the fire hazard, as represented by a windowless vault packed with in- flammable material, and the lack of gas masks and other equipment on the part of the District Fire Depart- ment, 14 Remain in Hospital. Fourteen of the firemen affected by the fumes rémained for treatment to- day at Emergency Hospital, although none was believed seriously affected. Meanwhile, a report to Secretary of the Interior Ickes by Charles A. Peters, jr., assistant director of the buildings branch, Interior Department, placed the eventual cost of the post office fire at approximately $40,000. Other esti- mates were much in advaace of this figure, Extension of District government fire inspection to Federal buildings will not help, it was emphasized, un- less the agencies at the same time are given mouey to buy filing cases or to make any other changes the inspec- tors might order. As the problem is seen by the Na- tional Parks Service, in charge of Federal buildings, it is one that Con- gress will have to solve if it is to be solved. Inspection is favored, but by a Ped- eral authority. But it is felt that along with this must come money to make it effective. Record Hall Considered. Whether the fire—believed to have been caused by heat from a high- powered light bulb being commu- nicated to General Accounting Office papers—would result in renewed agi- tation for a hall of records for stor- age purposes was not indicated. In the past, it has been urged that such a structure—its purpose would be dif- ferent than that of the Archives Building—be built, but nothing was ever done about it. Some time ago, in an effort to meet partly the constantly increasing need of the Government for filing space, | Public Works Administrator Ickes | made an allotment for creation of such facilities in the center of the Archives Building. This project, how= ever, has been delayed. The work of cleaning up the fire wreckage in the Post Office was going forward today. The partly destroyed files of the Genaral Accounting Office were being bundled up for removal to a warehouse at 401 South Capitol street, where they will be gone over by G. A. O. employes to see what may be salvaged. At the same time office quarters | were being hunted for some 12 or 15 employes of the Home Owners' Loan Corp. and two or three from the Gen- eral Accounting Office whose offices on the sixth and seventh floors of the Post Office were wrecked by fire and water. While surface indications were that the damage had been far greater, | Peters’ report to Secretary Ickes was |in conformity with the view he had expressed yesterday. A memorandum from the Parks Service on Peters' survey follows: “He reports that from present indi- cations the damage to the structure itself, including rebuilding of concrete floors, replastering, refinishing wood floors, repainting, rewiring and re- pairing of elevators, will not exceed $30,000. “This preliminary survey also indi- cates that the damage to furniture and fixtures will probably not exceed $5,000, although it is still difficult to determine how badly draperies and rugs which have become water-soaked are damaged, and this figure may be higher. Record Value Undetermined. “The moving of furniture, fixtures, records, etc., and the general cleaning up of the entire area may result in additional expenditure of not to ex- ceed $5,000, although most of this work will be done with our regular (See FIRE, Page 3.) JAIL IS SPRINGBOARD FOR 377-POUND SPLASH Stunt Swimmer Freed as He Vows to Appear Despite Loss of His Suit. By the Associated Press. SMITHFIELD, N. C., December 14.— Norris C. Kellam, 377 pounds and without a bathing suit, has promised a judge he’ll take part in a swimming stunt if he has to “get an outboard motor and go as an ocean liner.” Kellam contracted with Benson, N. C, merchants for an advertising performance in his swimming suit— and then lost the suit. When he couldn’t find another, the merchants sent bim to jail. His promiss and release followed & four-day stay ‘behind the bars.