Evening Star Newspaper, December 20, 1936, Page 1

WEATHER, (U, 8. Weather Bureau Forecast.) Partly cloudy and slightly colder today; . tomorrow, fair and colder; fresh winds, mostly westerly today. Temperatures— Highest, 47, at 10 p.m. yesterday; lowest, 27, at 7 a.m. yesterday. Full Associated Press News and Wirephotos Sunday Morning and Every Afternoon. . Full report on page A-2. (#) Means Associated Press. No. 1,6 33,836. i—No. Entered as second class matter post office, Washington, D. C. he WASHINGTON, SPECIAL SESSION OF CUBAN HOUSE “CALLED AS 60,000 PARDE N AV Extraordinary Meeting of Senate Is Also Announced for Tomorrow, Indicating Reversal for Gomez. VETO OF SUGAR TAX EXPECTED IN FEW DAYS Orderly Demonstrators Carry Signs Lauding Col. Batista. Dr. Frederico Laredo Bru Is Seen Successor Should Gomez Resign Presidency. BACKGROUND— President Miquel Gomez's op- position to the sugar taxr bill sponsored by Col. Fulgencio Batista on the grounds that it might lead to Fascistic education, has brought the present crisis in Cuba, with a threat to impeach him. Backed by the army and farmers Col. Batista proposes to use the revenue derived from the sugar tax to finance army-taught rural schools. Batista’s rise has been meteorie. An obscure army sergeant three and a half years ago, he took con= trol of the army in the bloody overthrow of President Gerardo Machado’s iron regime in 1933. He has been a power since that time. Gome:z was elected President May 20, 1936. Br the Assoclated Press. HAVANA, December 19.—The House | of Representatives tonight was called | for a special meeting at 5 p.m. Mon- day to discuss impeachment proceed- | ings against President Miquel Mariano | Gomez. Pro-army leaders of Cuba’s Con- gress had earlier announced they had drafted and signed impeachment | charges against the President because of his opposition to a sugar tax bill| passed early today which would give | the army an estimated $1500,000 a | year for rural schools. As the sbecial meeting of the House was called, an extraordinary meeting of the Senate was called for 6 p.m. Monday. Senate leaders who announced the meeting refused to divulge its purpose, but observers stated they believed the | meetings of the House and Senate ‘were related. Call Indicates Defeat. The calling of the special session of | the House was taken as an indication | that the President had lost nnnther“ round in his battle against the army and a large part of the Congress over the sugar measure. During the afternoon and night he | had centered his efforts on trying to prevent the calling of the special House session, As he conferred in the palace dur- | ing the evening, farmers and work- ers paraded in Havana in a demon- stration in favor of the sugar bill. Under Cuban law the President can | be impeached by two-thirds of the | total House membership of 162. | Once impeached, he would be tried - by the Senate sitting as a court and a | majority vote of the Senate could oust him. The President has said he would veto the bill, and well-informed | sources said they expected he would | do so within a few days. | He held conferences with friends and advisors all day and into the | night, and spent an hour in a meet- ing with his cabinet. 60,000 March in Parade. While the conferences were pro- | ceeding, a crowd of farmers and work- ers, estimated officially by police at 60,000, paraded through the downtown streets of Havana. The demonstrators were orderly and carried signs lauding Col. Fulgencio Batista, chief of the army, who spon- | sored the sugar tax bill, and oppos- ing everything that might block his plan to establish schools in Cuba's rural areas. Gen. Rafael Montalvo, secretary of national defense and friend of Col. Batista, and Senator Ricard Dolz conferred with the President for an hour and a half. From his sick bed in Camp Columbia, (See CUBA, Page A-4) | BUILDING COLLAPSE KILLS ONE, 15 HURT Three Policemen, Manning Patrol Wagon, Are Injured When It Hits Trolley Car. BY the Associated Press. PHILADELPHIA, December 20 (Sunday).—One unidentified woman was reported killed and at least 15 other persons injured or overcome in & building collapse and subsequent fire and automobile crash early today. Firemen said a colored woman, pinned in the twisted wreckage, had died. They continued their search for several others whose screams and moans arose above the crackling flames which broke out a second time and added another danger to those trapped. Three policemen, manning a patrol wagon used as an ambulance to re- move smoke-affected firemen to hos- pitals, were injured, one possibly seriously, when the vehicle collided with a trolley car. The fire seriously hampered rescue work. Firemen were fearful to pour water onto the flames because of the danger of drowning those imprisoned in the crumbled brick and wooden rafters. The King Myrs. Simpson [ BY ‘ ~ headlines as éphemeral as be more famous than the love of Heloi | Dante and Beatrice, Romeo and Julie & look at the market page. | I have watched the eyes of King Simpson. I have watched the play of his private feelings leap into his gray laugh as a boy laughs Congenial and where down deep in a long chuckle of Wales found himself unalterably | at and talked about the man she loves. deeply, almost unbelievably lost in each other, I saw them then. “I will not now enter into my private feelings, but I would beg that it should be remembered that the burden which constantly rests upon the shoulders of a sovereign is so heavy that it can only be borne in circumstances different from those in which I now find myself." When Edward made this statement in his abdication speech, its full import and poignancy could be appreciated only by some one who had seen In this, the fifth of a series of articles, Newbold Noyes exrplains the attraction of the Duke of Windsor and Mrs. Wallis Simpson for ‘each other. of The Star and a cousin of Mrs. Simpson by marriage, has been authorized by the ex-King and his friend to write this series, based on his observations and conversations with them during the past few weeks. Mr. Noyes, associate editor NEWBOLD NOYES. HETHER or not the newspaper-reading populace of the world realizes it, the greatest romance of all time is being unfolded today in the good will of an empire. A thousand years from now the romance of Edward and Wallis well may ise and Abelard, Antony and Cleopatra, t, Pelleas and Melisande, Napoleon and | Josephine. Tomorrow's history is being written today, and we pass it by for Edward VIII and they followed Wallis expression upon her face as she looked And if ever I saw two people wholly, eyes as he looks at Wallis Simpson. She simply and wholesomely makes the King happy. She makes him Happy Together. over some adept witticism, the Prince attached to this gay companion who could shake the cares of an empire from his shoulders with a simple jest, (Continued on Third Page) U. . NEUTRALITY PROJECT APPROVED Plenary Session at Buenos Aires Passes Plans to Co-ordinate Treaties. BACKGROUND— Attended by . delegates of 21 American nations, the Inter-Amer- ican Peace Conference opened three weeks ago in Buenos Aires. Presi- dent Roosevelt’s initiative launched the parley, he himself addressed the first session with plea for joint stand against foreign aggression. Since his departure, Secretary of State Hull has been carrying on in eflort to obtain joint action in neutrality matters. Roosevelt's “good neighbor” policy generally credited with promoting harmonious session, so far free of suspicion which prevailed before his clarifica- tion of administrative interpreta- tion of the Monroe Doctrine. By the Associated Press. BUENOS AIRES, December 19.—A United States sponsored convention to bolster the New World's peace struc- ture-—President Roosevelt’s aim when he proposed the Inter-American Peace Conference—won approval ata plenary session of the parley today. The project—jointly sponsored by all 21 American republics after its in- of State Cordell Hull—is designed to co-ordinate existing inter-American peace treaties and provides for con- sultation to determine a common neu- trality policy in the event of war any- where. The conference delegates, meeting in the Chamber of Deputies on a hot, sticky day of the Argentine Summer, gave final approval to the neutrality plan and 22 other projects in quick order. A handful of women delegates added a colorful note to the somber-clad assembly domihated by men. The galleries were crowded. A number of trade resolutions and (See PEACE, Page A-5) MILL STRIKF:_AVERTED Settlement Announced in Lanca- shire Textile Area. MANCHESTER, England, December 19 (®).—An eleventh-hour settlement of a threatened strike by cotton mill workers was officially announced to- night. The strike, which would have af- fected more than 100,000 textile operators in the Lancashire area, had been projected for Monday. troduction by United States Secretary | FOUR ARRESTED INBRUNO ESCAPE | Jail Warden, Deputy, Guard and Daughter of Slayer Face Charges. | B the Associated Press. POTTSVILLE, Pa., December 19.— | the order of Attorney General Charles J. Margiotti in connection with the | escape yesterday of Joseph Bruno, life-term convict. Bail was set at $15.000 each. The four are: Warden Herbert Gosslin, of the Schuylkill County jail, where Bruno was confined. Deputy Warden Robert Walker. Guard Guy Irving from whom Bruno escaped while being taken to downtown Pottsville to a dentist's office. no’s daughter. Previously today Schuylkill County Commissioners had discharged Goss- lin, Walker and Irving. Attorney General Margiotti's order tonight came after 12 hours of confer= ence in Pottsville with county officials. | Bruno, former county detective and Republican leader in the mining town | of Kelayres, walked away yesterday after Prison Guard Guy Irving left him | | standing, unshackled and in civilian | clothing, on a downtown street. | who was under three life sentences for the killing of five persons in the Kelayres 1934 election eve massacre. The commissioners said they had not given permission for any prisoner to be taken to the business center of town from the jail “for any purpose what- ever.” Guard Irving said he took Bruno downtown to a dentist, and the prisoner disappeared while he sought a place to park his car. given unrestricted jail visiting priv- ileges for members of his family, on orders of two commissioners. Gosslin added Bruno had received “thousands of dollars” the day before he escaped. He would not say how he got the money. ‘The commissioners said Bruno's wife and daughter had been allowed to visit him, but were required to talk through a screen in the presence of guards. Summoned by Commissioners. Irving and other prison employes were summoned before the commis- sioners. Emerging from the commis- sioners’ office, Irving refused to discuss the escape, but commented: “You'd think I was the guilty one.” Mrs. Billig was questioned in the sheriff's office after Louis Buono, chief (See BRUNO, Page A-22) By the Associated Press. VATICAN CITY, December 19. (#)'—Children all over the world were asked tonight to pray for Pope Pius. ‘The Vatican newspaper, Osservatore Romano, suggested the great crusade of child prayer that the holy father. now seriously ill from a slight attack of paralysis and circulatory conges- tion, might reach his 80th birthday anniversary next May 31. The French Augustinians already have begun such & crusade. Physicians were concerned tonight by the pontifi’s slight fever, which reached 99.5. They were anxious lest some new complication should have set in. There is a wave of influenza at present in Rome. Persons close to the Pope said the condition of his legs remained un- changed, and that there was constant danger that a varicose vein might burst. Dr. Amanti Milani, leaving the pontiff’s side today, said: “His holiness knows as well as I do that no medicine can do more for him than complete repose. Let us hope he will collaborate with us.” Today the pontiff regretfully can- celed his traditional Christmas eve Firemen were unable to say how many were caught in the ruins. 4 reception of his cardinals, for which invitations were issued yesterday. It Prayer Crusade for Pope Urged by Vatican Newspaper was learned the Pope was now im- pressed by the fact that each unusual exertion of recent days hds caused & setback in his condition. He will see the cardinals one. by one in his sick room between now and Christmas, if he is able. Except for a few moments in an armchair, the holy father spent today abed. looking forward to tomorrow’s fifty-seventh anniversary of his ordi- nation. Ordinarily this would be the oc- bration. Tomorrow the unable to say mass himself, will hear it from a tiny chapel which adjoins his sick room. 4 It was learned he has been given food in small quantities at two-hour intervals for the past 48 hours, be- cause his circulatory condition pre- vented more hearty nourishment. In many quarters there was intense speculation as to the Pope’s probable successor, now that he has turned over temporary direction of Vatican affairs to Eugenio, Cardinal Pacelli, the papal secretary of state. Cardi- nal Pacelll and two other primates— Ela Dalla Costa, Archbishop of Florence, and Luigi Lavitrano, Arch- bishop of Palermo, seemed among the most likely ehoicas. B | Four persons were arrested tonight on | | The county commissioners offered | | $1,000 reward for capture of Bruno, | ‘Warden Gosslin said Bruno was| 1 think that may be the keynote of their whole relationship. Some- | D. C, S WITH DAILY EVENING EDITION CHRISTMAS SALES VOLUME IN CITY BEST SINCE 13 Four More Shopping Days Left to Further Swell Trading Figures. ACTUAL YULE GIFTS MAY SET NEW MARK Business in General Is 10 to 20 Per Cent Better Than Last Year's Showing. With four remaining for Christmas shopping, Washington's merchants already have beent assured of their greatest holiday sales season since 1929, and this in spite of the fact that some merchants are unable to meet the demand for certain types of toys for children and with deliv- days eries lagging from a day to three‘ days behind sales. A survey of the larger stores of the city, with a few small ones thrown in, indicate that business “in gen- eral” is from 10 to 20 per cent better than last year, and that sales of ex- clusively Christmas goods are th highest in the last eight years—and in one case, the highest in one store executive’s 17 years of service. At the same time police have been less harassed by pickpockes, shop lifters and “crowd workers” than in recent years, although a good many known criminals have been arrested by the special plain clothes detail under command of Lieut. C. P. Cox of headquarters. $40,000,000 for December. An unofficial estimate from econ- have placed the December retail sales in the Capital slightly in excess of $40,000,000, but there is no way of determining what proportion of this vast sum is exclusively Yuletide buying. Using the 1935 Census of American Business and and Retail Distribution |as a base, it was estimated that the December sales a year ago totaled $36,389.430 in Washington stores. Lo- cal merchants estimated that current sales are running about 10 per cent higher than a year ago—and in some cases as much as 20 per cent more— on the strength of three weeks' selling. Edward D. Shaw, secretary of the Merchants and Manufacturers’ As- sociation, pointed out that three of the four remaining shopping days will be the biggest of the month, only December’ 24 being counted as a slow or slack day. “It would be extremely hard,” Shaw said, “to estimate the gain in busi- ness over last December or other past holiday months, but it is generally agreed among the members of the association that this is and will con- Mit /Antoinstcs Billie: Joseph Brue | hue [D-be the Best aingie wouth since 1929 and perhaps will exceed December of that year. 50,000 More on U. S. Rolls. “It is perfectly obvious that the money being spent is the greatest we | have had in years. There are at least | 50,000 more persons here on the Gov- | ernment pay roll than there were three | years ago. More business and com- | mercial organizations paid their em- ployes bonuses this year than were paid in 1928 or 1929. “Prom our own experiences as spon- sor of the “buy early, mail early” cam- paign, we have observed that buying began earlier this year and that it has continued in increased volume through the third week in December. We can't tell. of course, what next week holds in store, but unless there is terrific weather to hamper shop- ping, undoubtedly three of the re maining four days will be record days of buying and giving.” Mail and delivery rooms of the larger stores gave an insight to the actual volume of package buying. Irvin F. Reuling, chief of the pack- age room of one of the larger stores, said that his staff has been increased about 10 to 12 per cent over last year, and that although Christmas buying actually began before Thanksgiving his store is from a day to a day and a half behind schedule in making deliveries. In the mail section the staff is about half new and tempo- rary workers, and their schedule is SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 20, 1936—118 PAGES. = DID You SEE WH AT THE OLD ELEPHANT DID FOR JOHNNY? Y 77 157, Z - 77 7 7 17/ 7 7 7 7 7 75 7 77 * NANKING'S THREAT OF DRIVE FAILS |Generalissimo Still Held as Mutineers Call Govern- ment Hand. BACKGROUND— Marshel Chang Hsueh-liang, jormer Manchurian war lord ousted by the Japanese invasion of 1931, revolted one week ago against the Nanking regime and kidnaped Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, Chinese dictator, and 20 other Chinese dignitaries to enforce his demands for inclusion of Com- munists in the government and for ‘united resistance to Japanese Dpenetration. Fate of Gen. Chiang is uncertain, reports of his assassination being interspersed with assurances from his captor that he is still alive. Nanking troops have surrounded Chang’s stronghold at Sianfu in preparation for attack if their leader is mot released alive im- mediately. By the Associated Press. NANKING, December 20 (Sun- day).—The mutineers in Sianfu today apparently had called the hand of the Nanking government on its sudden announcement last night a military drive against the rebels would be re- sumed unless Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek was released by today. | The generalissimo, held captive since a week ago yesterday by Mar- shal Chang Hsueh-Liang. had not | arrived in Nanking up to an early hour this afternoon nor had he ar- rived elsewhere in Nanking's territory as far as could be ascertained here. At the same time, what the Nanking military leaders were doing to carry out their threatened drive on the mutineers was not disclosed. Local chieftains said that the field commanders in Loyang and Cheng- Chow, both in Honan Province, had not advised them of developments today. Newspapers Prepared. That at least some sections of the capital expected the generalissimo to appear prior to daylight was evidenced by the fact that the vernacular news- papers prepared and held in readiness for distribution extra editions her- alding Chiang’s return. Amidst the deepest gloom they dis- carded the extras and concluded that hope for the generalissimo's imme- diate release was futile. Military officials, while stating they (See STORES, Page A-8.) (See CHINA, Page A-6.) Miss Perkins, Secretary of Labor, Indorses Star Ch 13 ristmas Campaign JOW is the season for kindling the fire of charity in the heart, and those of us who can should aid The Washington Star and its co-operating groups in making this a happier, brighter and more enjoy- able Christmas for the children in the District of Columbia who lack shel- tered homes or whose par- ents or relatives are unable to make Christmas come true for them. “Charles Dickens said: ‘It is good to be children sometimes, and never bet- ter than at Christmas when its mighty founder was a child himself.’ “With this in mind, and knowing that no disap- pointment is more poig- nant than that-of child- hood, we can all realize what a blow to the faith of little ones is a giftless Christmas. It is a duty FRANCES PERKINS. Washingtonians ‘owe their own sheltered children to see that other less fortunate youngsters be not disappointed at Christmas, a day which is so very much theirs when they are remembered. “FRANCES PERKINS, “Secretary of Labor.” 10 FREE CHIANG omists in the Commerce Department | TOY MATINEE PATRONS TURN IN 65,000 GIFTS FIVE CENTS ‘ TEN CENTS Obtained It now seems likely that contribu- tions of toys and clothing for needy families in Washington, donated in re- sponse to The Evening Star-Warner will total more than 65000 separate items. according to still incomplete es- timates of collections from 11 Warner | Bros’ theaters, and figures supplied by |.the Parent-Teacher Association, the heads of the Federal Government. of gifts secured through a similar Star- when 53,000 articles were collected and distributed to the poor in the Capital. Besides this generous donation, nearly $5000 in cash so far has been AID BEING RUSHE TONERRLL LANE Relief Party for 11 Men Hikes Into Woods Fol- lowing Crash, By the Associated Press. PORT JERVIS, N. Y.. December 15. —The mayor, two physicianc, police- men and volunteers mobilized tonight an Eastern Airlines transport plane piloted by Dick Merrill, which was damaged when it “mushed” down on a wooded mointainside. In the automobile of Mayor Wendel Phillips, a police patrol car and other machines they sped along a dirt road toward the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. They were obliged to walk through woods and underbrush half of the 6 miles to th: spot where the plane came down. Guiding them were Peter Bloomquist, employe of the air line, and W. T. 8. Critchfield of Summit, N. J., who brought word of the land- ing. ’ Police Sergt. Dan Sheare said Bloomquist would not give details of the crash other than “two or three were cut and bruised.” He estimated the landing occurred at 10 p.m. Merrill was reported to have lost & tooth and was scratched. ‘The noted pilot, the two other mem- bers of the crew and the six passengers who remained at the scene warmed themselves over a bonfire while await- ing help. The passengers were V. Lebow. Bal- timore, Md.; Sam Saggio, Millburn, to give aid t0 11 men who were aboard | Number of Articles Received for City’s Needy Far Surpasses Total Last Year. 'SENATE T0' PROBE GENERAL MOTORS LABOR CONDITIONS Committee Investigating Civil Liberties Violations to Launch Inquiry. C.1.0. DIRECTOR LEAVES TO PRESS NEGOTIATIONS Dispatched to Detroit to Draft Ultimatum Calling for Collec- tive Bargaining. BY JOHN C. HENRY. Government and organized labor joined last night in moves against General Motors Corp., giant of the automobile industry. ‘The Government participation came from the Senate committee investie gating violation of civil liberties in the announcement that labor conditions and policies in General Motors would be made a subject of immediate investigation as that committee cone tinues its probe of labor espionage, Is(rlke-breakmg and interference with employe organizations. From general headquarters of labor, in this case the Committee for Indus= trial Organization, John Brophy, C. L. O. director, was dispatched from | Washington to Detroit to take charge of drafting the ultimatum of the United Automobile Workers of Amer= ica, a C. 1. O. affiliate, that the automotive magnates agree at once to collective bargaining meetings Presentation of this demand fis | contributed to the campaign, which has four days to go before the climax on Christmas eve | Although an estimate of the items received is difficult, officials regard the boxes revealed dozens of pairs of socks, | rows of teddy bears, and collections | from groups containing numerous | packages. ! Beginning at noon yesterday the real | that of counting and sorting, wrapping | At five schools hundreds of volunteer | ciation will be engaged in the gigantic job tomorrew. They started as soon | as the first truck load of gifts was (See TOY DRIVE, Page NICE URGES TRUGE INTAXIGAB STRIKE ‘Appeals for Armistice to Aid Christmas Shoppers in Baltimore. Br the Associated Press. 1 BALTIMORE, December 19.—The | | difficulties of Baltimore's hordes of | Christmas shoppers drew an appeal | from Gov, Harry W. Nice today for a | holiday armistice in the city's taxicab | strike. ‘The Governor, citing hardships im- posed on burdened shoppers, princi- | pally women, in securing transporta- tion on crowded street cars and busses, requested both sides in the strike to put their difficulties aside until after Christmas. The cab tie-up resulted when drivers of the Diamond Cab Co., operators of a fleet of 350 taxis, walked out several days ago. A deadlock since has de- veloped in negotiations between the drivers’ union and the company offi- cials. Gov. Nice said: “While the injection of my person- ality into the labor dispute now pend- ing between the cab drivers’ union and the cab owners and managers might be considered by a few as being alto- gether presumptuous, yet I do feel that I should like to appeal publicly to both sides to declare an armistice, at least until after Christmas. “PFor instance, today I have seen a number of ladies loaded with bundles standing in the rain, endeavoring to (See PLANE, Page A-5.) BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG. There will be a big gathering of the President’s immediate family at the White House for an old-time celebra- tion of Christmas. Besides the President and Mrs. Roosevelt there will be on hand James and Elliott, their two married sons, with their wives and children; Frank- lin, jr., who has been ill at a hospital in New York, and John, the two younger sons, who are students at Harvard University; Mrs. Sara Delano Roosevelt, the President’s 82-year-old mother; Mrs. James R. Roosevelt, of Mrs. Anna Roosevelt Boettiger, the only daughter of the President and Mrs. Roosevelt, who, with her hus- band, John Boettiger, will be the only members of the immediate family ab- | occasion. President’s Family Gathering For Old-Fashioned Christmas (See NICE, Page A-8) Roosevelt Message By Radio to Follow Yule Tree Lighting President Roosevelt will broad- cast a message of good will to the Nation shortly after 5:30 p.m. Christmas eve after pressing & switch to illuminate the na- tional community Christmas tree in Lafayette Park. Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen will present the President. The United States Marine Band will .give a sacred concert begin- expected within 48 hours, but no indie cation thus far has been given as o its reception. On many other fronts labor and industry were contributing much to the day's news, a goodly portion of it Bros-N. B. C. Christmas campaign, | figures given as conservative. Opened emanating from Washington. Hearing to Be Resumed. Before the National Labor Relations Board, employes of the Carnegie-Illi~ nois Steel Corp. a wholly-owned | Metropolitan Police, and department | task of the campaign got underway,| sunsidiary of the United States Steel Corp., concluded for the present their This surpassed by 12,000 the number | and classifying the thousands of gifts.| recita) of evidence that the company had dominated and interfered with Warner Bros.-N. B. C. drive last year, | Workers of the Parent-Teacher Asso- free operation of their employe repres | sentation plan. On January 11, the same day the Senate committee is now scheduled to resume its probe into industrial espionage, hearings will be continued by the board on the charges against the steel companies, charges which were prefefed origi- nally by C. L. O. officials. Silent thus far, the industry will open its defense at that time. Spicing yesterday's closing testie mony was the disclosure of one Wile liam E. Garrity, employe representae tive from the Braddock (Pa.) works of the Carnegie-Illinois company, that he had been warned of dismissal if he honored a subpoena of the board to testify here this week. The warne ing had been given him, he said. by his superintendent, who named Bene jamin F. Fairless, president of the company, as authority for the ultie matum. So incensed was one member of the board at Garrity's disclosure that he ordered him to notify the board at once if his position is not available when he returns to his home plant in Dugquesne, Pa., tomorrow. Interesting also was the testimony of John J. Kane, steel worker, that the company had “kindly" suggested that Frank J. Hogan, Washington lawyer and attorney for Andrew Mele lon, represent the employes at heare ings before a former National Labor Board. The employe group was told, Kane said. that Hogan never had been connected with the steel industry. As |it worked out, Kane continued, two | attorneys from Hogan's office did rep- | resent the workers before the board Innd the employe group found thems selves in the position of defending the company union which they had come to attack. “Progressives” te Meet. In Pittsburgh today is planned s | meeting of some 250 “progressive” members of the employe representa- tion plans in the steel industry, at which time efforts will be exerted for adoption of a resolution condemning company unions. Of significance as the C. I. O. “dug | itself in" in its bitter fight with the automobile and steel industries, among others, was the report of last night that peacemakers within the Amerie can Federation of Labor have virtu- ally abandoned their efforts to bring about a reconciliation with the C. I. O. The federation's Executive Council last Fall suspended 10 unions of the C. 1. O. on charges of dual unionism, T (See LABOR, Page A-17) PRISON EXECUTIONER FOUND SLAIN IN ROOM Pistol Is Found on Floor Beside Guard—Brooded Since ‘Wife's Death. By the Associated Press. NASHVILLE, Tenn., December 19.— The body of John W. Orr, described by officials as executioner in possibly two-score electrocutions at the State Penitentiary, was found today in his bed room, a pistol wound in the head. ning at 4:30 pm, and the Uni- versity of Maryland Glee Club will lead in singing old time carols. The Community Center Department of the public school system is in charge of the pro- gram, in conjunction with the office of National Capital Parks and the American Forestry Asso- ciation. President Roosevelt will be ac- companied by Mrs. Roosevelt and other members of his family. Representatives of the diplomatic A 38-caliber pistol was found om the floor. Orr, a guard at the prison, was 68 years old. His sister, Mrs. C. T. Beene, said that since his wife's death last Pebruary he had been given to brood= ing spells. E. L. Pardue, State commissioner of institutions, said Orr had “pulled the switch” in “probably 30 or 40" exs -ecutions. “He always seemed unworried and carefree to me and didn't seem to be affected by executions,” the commis~ sioner said. Radio Pregrams, Page F-3 ~c-aplete Index, Page A-2. P