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COMMENGENENT EXERCISES SET More Than 2,300 Students to Receive High School Diplomas. The mid-year graduating classes of the junior and senior high schools will hold their commencement exercises tomorrow and Friday. Approximately 1,600 junior high stu- dents will receive their diplomas, while 775 will be graduated from the senior high schools. The beginning of the new term Mon-| day also will see 1,760 grade school pupils moving into the junior high schools. The schedule for the exercises to- morrow and the following day, in- eluding the presiding officer for each achool, follows: Tomorrow at 2 p.m.: Anacostia, Dr. Chester W. Holmes; Eliot, George M. Whitwell; Gordon, Dr. Frank W. Ballou; Macfarland, Robert L. Hay- eock: Garnet-Patterson, Mrs. William C. McNeill; Shaw, A. K. Savoy. At 1:30 pm.: Browne, Dr. J. Hayden Johnson; Francis, E. A. Clark; Terrell, Dr. H. H. Long. At 8 pm.: Eastern, Henry I. Quinn; Roosevelt, Mrs, Henry Grattan Doyle; Hine, Henry Gilligan; Langley, Dr Holmes; Taft, Miss Jessie La Salle; Dunbar, John H. Wilson. Friday at 10:30 am.: Randall, Mr. ‘Wilson. At 1:30 p.m.: Western, Robert A. Maurer. At 2 p.m.: Deal, Robert L. Haycock; Paul, George M. Whitwell; Powell, Mrs. Doyle: Stuart, Dr. Harvey A Smith. At 2:30 pm.: Woodrow Wilson, Dr. Ballou. At 8 p.m.: Central, Mr. Maurer; McKinley, Dr. Harvey A. Smith; Jefferson, Mr. Quinn; Arm- Washington Wayside Tales Random Observations of Interesting Events and Things. REX AGAIN. ILLY MAJOR'S dog, Rex, prodigious canine whose story has been running sort of se- rially in this column, added rather a thrilling chapter in one of his more recent antics. Rex, if you don’t remember having heard it before, is about as large as the State of Rhode Island. He is Great Dane to the tip of his tail, but sometimes he forgets the dignity that goes with size and pedigree. Such was the case the other day when Rex, getting off an elevator, got & whiff of hamburgers in a package carried by a man getting on an adjoining car. ‘With one bound, Rex was on the car and with one flip of his great body his forepaws were on the man's shoulders. It was quite a tussle, but Rex was taken out of there without a bite of hamburger. * ok Kk X PITCHERS. 1f you would like to see a pitcher collection, not the kind Clark Griffith has, you had better get to know James Ritchie who lives in Arlington, Va. Pitchers are Mr. Ritchie’s hobby. He cannot say “no” to one that has anything distinctive about its materials, shape or coloring. He buys it instead. When the last pitcher census was taken in the Ritchie household there were 139 in the collection. strong, Mrs. McNeill, and Cardoza, Dr. Johnson. Labor 4 (Continued From First companions and the families vaca- tioned together while the investigator was making his reports. At the same time the agent was ‘urging strike action and violence by the union. Frankensteen, husky former college foot ball player with a gold foot ball miniature hanging from his watch chain, followed Herman L. Weckler, vice president of the De Soto Co., a Chrysler subsidiary, on the witness stand. Weckler admitted knowledge of the espionage on Frankensteen. Frankensteen, castigating Weckler, K. T. Keller (another Chrysler offi- cial) and other officers of the com- pany in most violent terms, told the committee of other spies being uncov- ered and immediately fired by C. A. C. and Chrysler. Among them was a Roy Williams, described by Franken- steen as “the most popular man in the Graham-Page plant,” an employe of 17 years’ service, who had been “hooked” into espionage service with- out knowledge of the nature of his emplovment. When Williams’ service was uncovered by the union he was immediately fired, Frankensteen said, and is now unemployed. Maintenance of Blacklist. Frankensteen also told the Commit- tee of Maintenance of a blacklist by Chrysler and frequent discharges for union activity. One man was dis- charged for claiming the union de- served credit for a Christmas bonus. “He was told that was the reason,” Frankensteen said. Weckler took the stand as this morning’s hearing opened, while Sen- ator Thomas read a bill from Smith & Weber, law firm and “front” for Corporations’ Auxiliaries, in which Chrysler was charged approximately $1,000 for investigation of Franken- steen. Among items of the bill were maid service, entertainment, groceries and meals. Officials of the Dodge Corp., a Chrys- ler subsidiary, became “disturbed” at Frankensteen's attitude after he be- came an employe representative in the collective bargaining set-up in effect 1 the Chrysler plants. Frankensteen and his father both had worked for Chrysler and had ben valued employes, it was testified by Dan G. Ross, general manager of C. A. C. “But then the Chrysler Co. turned to a hired spy to determine the atti- tude of a man who had been known to the company virtually since birth. Is that right?” Thomas asked. “It's the only case of that kind I know of,” Weckler replied. “This seems to me an outstanding case of a company confessing inability to run its own business,” Thomas re- marked. - One of the two investigators de- tailed to “entertain” Frankensteen is now in Canada, Ross said, where he is working for International Auxiliar- des. The commission sought to serve a subpoena on this agent, A. G. Bath, but was informed of his departure for Canada. The other agent investigat- ing Frankensteen was named John Andrews. A fellow employe of Frankensteen, Andrews suggested a vacation trip for the two of them and arranged the meeting with Bath at the vacation spot. Congress in Brief ‘TODAY. Senate: Takes up $50,000,000 seed loan bill. Rules Committee considers govern- mental reorganization. Civil liberties and railroad financing inquiries continue. Judicial ~Subcommittee resumes hearings on O'Mahoney corporations licensing bill. House: Considers putting all postmasters under civil service. TOMORROW. Senate: May consider resolutions to create Joint committee on Government reor- ganization if seed loan bill is dis- of. : Public Building and Grounds Com- mittee to hold hearing at 10:30 a.m. on need for public auditorium in ‘Washington. Civil Liberties Committee continues hearings on labor problems. House: Considers bill to place first, second and third class postmasters under civil service. Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee considers long and short haul bill, 10 gm. Military Affairs Committee meets, 10:30 am. Immigration 10:30 am. Subcommittees of the Appropria- tions Committee continue hearings on Treasury-Post Office and State and Justice supply bills at 10:30 a.m. Committee meets, * x % % ACTOR, § AN actor Henry Suydam, jr., 10-year-old son of Attorney Gen- eral Cummings’ special executive as- sistant, is too good. Henry was playing “cops and rob- bers” with some other boys at Twen- tieth and S streets northwest one re- cent evening, and elected to play the part of a hold-up victim. Everything went off on schedule. The “stick- up guy” thrust his toy pistol into Henry’s midriff, Henry resisted, and, in turn, received a resounding thwack over the head with the butt of the “gunman’s” weapon. The ‘victim” slumped to the pavement very com- pletely “dead.” There was an interruption, however, not planned in advance by the youth- ful cops and robbers, when an elderly of the episode, hurried to the side of prostrate Henry. “Are you hurt?” she inquired anx- iously. The corpse did not even flicker an eyelid. Thoroughly alarmed, the lady beat a retreat and called police. A young boy had been badly beaten by his companions, she related, and was lying unconscicus in the street. Walling sirens succeeded where the elderly lady had failed. They brought Henry to life. Things were straight- ened out all right when the white- faced and somewhat frightened boys explained details of their game, but it was Henry's explanation to his father later that established his repu- tation as a real actor. “But, father,” he said. “I could not answer the lady when she asked if I was hurt, because I was supposed to be dead.” * ok o ¥k AUTHOR. HAVING in mind a feature story on the business of a blacksmith, or lack of it, in this motor age, a reporter visited one of the village smithies (there are only two listed in the classi- fled telephone directory) spreading chestnut tree on New York avenue. The smith (a mighty man was he, and the cigar clenched | between his false teeth was strong as iron bands) said no, he wasn't going to tell nothing. Judging by the lack of fire in his forges, there wasn't much to tell, bui the reporter persisted, hoping to put the horseshoer in a remi- niscent frame of mind about the fa- mous people whose carriage horses he had shod, etc. The smith remained reticent. “Nawp,” he said finally, “don’t want to talk. Gonna write about it myself some e * % o SURPRISE. ‘T WOULD be difficult to say just how much Mrs. Warren Price of Kensington, Md., enjoys surprise birth- day parties. On her recent birthday she was called at her home by her daughter, Mrs. Arthur Bready, and told to come over to her house imme- dhujy as Arthur (the son-in-law) was 1IL.-=Rr. and Mrs. Price gathered m the implements of ama- teur hospital wares and rushed over to ‘her daughter's home. When she arrived there she found her son-in-law in bed, and just as she was about to begil administrations of aid, doors opened on every side of her and she was greeted with “Happy birthday.” Well, it did wind up that, tao. * ok % X INN. The topical quality of restaurant nomenclature is emphasized again with the opening of “The Duke of Windsor” Inn in this town. There probably will be thousands of them along the country’s main highways this Summer when the tourist sea~ son gets under way. DINNER FOR DR. BEURY r. .Charles E. Berry, president of Temple University, will be honored at a dinner sponsored by the Washing- ton Club of Temple University alumni at the Mayflower Saturday at 7:30 pm. Among those expected to be present are: Right Rev. P. J. McCormick, vice rector of Catholic University; Dr. Frank W. Bailou, superintendent of District Schools; Dr. Joseph M. M. Gray, chancellor of American Uni- versity; Dr. H. C. Byrd, president of the University of Maryland, and Dr. Percival Hall, president of Gallaudet lady, who witnessed only the last part | under his | THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTO SOVIET TRIAL LINKS “MR. X" T0 JAPAN Witness Tells of Alleged Plan to Place Germs on Troop Trains. B3 tLe Associated Press. MOSCOW, January 27.—Ivan Alex- androvich Kniazeff, former Soviet Southern Urals Rallway chief on trial as a confessed Trotzkist plotter, testi- fled today 63 persons had been killed in “thousands” of train wrecks which he organized and accused a Japanese “Mr. X” of planning to infect Russian troop trains with deadly germs. Kniazeff twice idéntifled “Mr. X” as a Japanese agent, one Hiroshima, who he said was a transport expert in Moscow and who formerly served in London. The witness, on trial with the Com- mentator Karl Radek and 15 other men for a conspiracy to overthrow the Soviet regime through sabotage and even war, Sprang surprise after sur- prise. Confessing abjectly to some 3,500 train wrecks during 1935 and 1936, ke said they had killed 63 persons and injured 164. Letters Identified. He identified two letters, one an original and one a photostatic copy, which he said he received from “Mr. X" in 1935 and 1936, the first damaging documentary evidence to be introduced. The contents of the letters were not fully disclosed in court. Confirming orders he said he had re- ceived in December of 1935 to burn military stores, Kniazefl declared: “When I met Mr. X later he re- proached me for doing nothing. He said people had to be trained to com- mit wrecking in wartime. “He also told me to burn food trains and in October (presumably in 1935) Mr. X told me we might have to poison military trains with bacteria so as to infect the troops. “I mean the cars are prepared for the troops through cleansing, drying, etc. At that time we would have in- fected them. “Mr. X said war was inevitable. I understood from him it would start in 1937." Last Contact in August. Kniazeff said his last contact with “Mr. X" was by letter in August, 1936. Kniazeff was arrested last October. As assistant chief of administration of Soviet rail traffic, Kniazeff testified, he was in a position to carry out in- fection of troop cars when war broke out. informant because “Mr. X" intimi- dated him. “X,” he said, knew he was a Trotzkyist and threatened to expose him to the G. P. U. (Soviet secret police) unless he co-operated with him. J. D. Turok, another defendant, former chief of exploitation of the Perm Railroad, testified: “We managed 40 wrecks from the end of 1934 to the time I was arrested. Prosecutor Andrey Vishinsky cited a troop train wreck at Shumikha, Siberia, October 27, 1935, in which 29 | Russian soldiers were killed and 29 | injured. As he slowly read off the name of each victim Kniazeff admitted | his full responsibility. “I organized that well-known wreck,” he said. “I also organized 13 other wrecks the instruction of Japanese intelligence agents.” Kniazeff sald there were 1500 planned wrecks on his railroad in 1934 | and 2,000 in 1935 Most of the 3,500 wrecks were due | to the work of the ‘Trotzkyist' organi- zation,” he declared. “We kept the | rails and roadbed in such shape many wrecks and accidents resulted. | “We managed to ruin many powerful locomotives through poor repairs.” Woman Threw Switch. Kniazeff, a neat, well-dressed busi- ness man, testified the Shumikha wreck was arranged by instructing an apprentice woman switchman to throw the wrong switch, thus crashing the crowded troop train into a standing | freight train loaded with ore. “And had you no remorse over the | deaths?” Vishinsky asked. ¢ | The prisoner did not answer.— Japanese agents were given secret information, it was said concerning the Russian railway system. Turok | said a Japanese agent paid him 35,000 | roubles ($7,000) in 1935, of which 115,000 roubles ($3,000) went to Knia- | zeff for information given them by Livschitz. | 1n order to deceive higher authori- ties, the witnesses said, they made the wrecks appear as accidents or shifted the responsibility to innocent persons. Stanislav Antonovich Rataichak, 42, who rose from the German Army ranks to become head of all chemical indus- tries under bolshevism, testified he, G. E. Pushin and I I. Grashe, all de- fendants, systematically furnished con- fidential data to the German intelli- gence service on the condition of Soviet chemical plants. Rataichak was a German prisoner of war who stayed in the Soviet Union after the armistice and obtained a high position. position. He acknowledged responsi- bility for three explosions, in which 5 were killed, but denied an accident in which 17 were lost. D. C. CORRESPONDENTS PROTEST. Express “Shock and Dismay” at Arrest of Viadimir Romm. Soviet Ambassador Troyanovsky yesterday recelved a committee of ‘Washington newspaper correspondents who called to express their “shock and dismay” at the arrest of Viadimir Romm, former correspondent here for Izvestia, in connection with an alleged counter-revolutiondry plot now the subject of a sensational trial in Moscow. Romm is said to have confessed acting as contact man for Karl Radek, one of the principal defendants, and Leon Trotzky, exiled Russian revolu- tionary leader. In a statement left with the Am- bassador, the committee said: “We can testify, I think, that he (Romm) defended the policies of the Soviet government without qualifica- tion and with every indication that he believed in them whole-heartedly. * ¢ * In view of our experience with him, it will be extremely difficult for us to believe that he is guilty of any deliberate act of disloyalty to the Soviet government.” The newspaper men asked the Am- bassador to convey their sentiments to the proper authorities in Moscow and to Romm., Red Flannels Again Popular. Red flannels, on the “outof-style” Hst for 20 years, are becoming popu= lar again in the Widwest. Blue flan- nel underwear . new note; / He asserted he became a Japanese | Some passenger trains were wrecked.” | “Feeler Beam” To Guide Plane Against Crash De Forest at Work on Ultra Short W ave Altimeter. By the Associated Press. LOS ANGELES, January 27.—Dr. Lee De Forest, celebrated radio in- wventor worked today on an “absolute altimeter” that may save future air- liners from disaster when flying blind. The instrument would throw eut a feeler beam of “ultra short waves,” connected to & dial on the control panel, the 64-year-old scientist ex- plained. “By using this type of wave on an approach warning such as I have in mind, the pilot caught in a storm could direct it from the inside of the cabin toward the ground or straight ahead like a searchlight,” he said. “The high frequency waves—(the shorter the wave the higher the fre- quency)—would be instantaneously re- flected from the groiind to the plane and register the intervening distance. “The pilots then always could be positive of their exact altitude from the nearest ground.” LETTER PICTURES PERILS OF FLOOD Widow of Judge Tracewell Writes Son Here From Evansville. From the top floor of an apartment on fashionable Riverside Drive in Evansville, Ind, comes a picture of flood conditions there. Mrs. Robert J. Tracewell, widow of Judge Robert J. Tracewell, controller of the Treasury during the administra- tions of Presidents McKinley, The- odore Roosevelt and Taft, is shown “sticking it out” with the aid of a coal oil stove, while the waters lap in the basement of the building. In a letter to Charles E. Tracewell of The Ster, Mrs. Tracewell, who is 76, tells her son of the apprehension of the people of Evansville for the citi- zens of Loulsville. Her letter was postmarked Jangyary 25, 12:30 pm, and was received in Chevy Chase, Md, this morning at | 8:30 o'clock, which is normal time | “I guess you have been reading | about the high water,” writes Mrs. | Tracewell, under date of January 23. Feared Rise Exceeded. “Evansville has the largest river, even higher than 1913. They say if it goes to 51 feet we will be without water, lights and heat. (Note: Latest advices from Evansville show a high water of 52 feet.) “It won't hurt us up this high, only | we can't get out or any one come in, | so we have been laying in supplies in case that happens. “Bought a case of bottled water, one of those large ones, and have laid in a good supply of things to eat that we could warm over the coal oll stove if gas is cut off, too. “We bought a coal oil stove yes- | terday, and we can keep warm with that . The water was up in the base- ment yesterday (Friday). The furnace |is in the other building, and so far the water hashn't been up to that, but | everybody is preparing for that. “It is not a very comfortable feeling. It has rained here continuously since Tuesday and turned into sleet and snow yesterday. “The roads are all under water, and that cripples business.” The next portion of the letter was | written Sunday, January 24, as fol- | lows: “So far we are warm and dry. Don’t know for how long. “The papers are warning all those that are warm and dry to stay where they are and not be running around.” “The water won't get us in the apartment, but it is in the basement and of course we might be cut off from any one, going out or coming in. They had men bailing out the water where the furnace is to keep the fire from going out. So far we are warm, and have enough to eat. Hotels Are Filled. “The hotels here are full of people that had to leave their homes. It's a scarey feeling when it actually comes to one. Bob has been getting in things and they have a coal oil stove, for it will get him if it goes to 51 feet. “The snow is melting, but it is rain- ing again today (Sunday). “They say that there is enough water at Pittsburgh to send it up to 51 feet here. It already is higher than in '13, but so far we are com- fortable, and Buddy (son) is home. Can’t get out. They can't see to things, 80 every one is staying close to home. ‘I don't knobw when you will get this. The train that Maude came on (last Friday) was the only one that came into Evansville that day. Lots of love. I will write you again soon. So far we are okay.” A postscript, dated 6:30 am., January 25, follows: “Our heat is out now. Water all around besement. Ten pumps couldn’t keep it out. We have a coal oil stove and plenty to eat. So we are all right. Louisville is in a dreadful condition. People don’t talk about anything else.” Sl e AUTO-RAILER ACCIDENT HURTS CAPITAL WOMAN Arlington & Fairfax Vehicle Jumps Track South of Wilson Boulevard. By & Staft Correspondent of The Star. ARLINGTON, Va., January 27— Mrs. Jennie M. Young, 65, sustained & broken collar bone yesterday after- noon when an auto-railer operated by the Arlington & Fairfax Motor Trans- portation Co. jumped the track a few yards south of Wilson Boulevard. She was recovering today in Georgetown University Hospital. The bus was rounding the curve just south of the boulevard when it leaped the track and plowed up the ties for 30 or 40 feet before coming to a stop. Six other passengers were shaken up, but escaped injury. Mrs. Young, who gave the Y. W. C. A. as her address, was thrown against the side of the bus as it came to a sudden stop, ac- cording to G. H. Roosevelt, vice presi- dent and general manager of the line. Poland’s first television station will be atop Warsaw’s tallest building. D. C, WEDNESDAY, TESTIMONY TODAY |Airplane Out of Louisville Nine Refugees ONWATER FRONT Yachtsmen, Boat Operators, Commercial Interests to Be Heard. Yachtsmen, commercial interests and steamboat operators, as well as those generally interested in having the Washington Channel water front im- proved, were ready to appear this afternoon before First Lieut. William J. Matteson, district engineer for the ‘War Department for the Washington area, at & public hearing at the Navy Building to present their views. ‘This is In response to an invitation extended by Lieut. Matteson early in the month. The hearing was set for 2 p.m. and was scheduled to be heid in room 1615, Navy Building, Eight- eenth street and Constitution avenue. Points to Be Considered. Lieut. Matteson announced that these prime points will be considered: The advisability of moving the pler- head line channelward to provide for increased capacity of the proposed yacht basins; advisability of moving the plerhead line channelward to se- cure greater length for proposed steamer plers and any adverse effects in reducing the width of the navigat- ing channel; comments as to widths of steamer piers and widths of slips between the plers and related sub- jects and general comment on “the suitability and adequacy of the im- provement for the various interests to be served.” The Army Engineers have already invited those who cannot be present at the meeting to give oral testimony to | offer their suggestions in writing prior to this afternoon. Even those present- ing oral views were requested to have their ideas in writing for the perma- nent record. Information Desired. After the hearing the Army Engi- neers want to contact the parties in- terested in future leasing of dockage space, 50 that they may view the general plans and suggest their own requirements. Information relating to | the kind of operation, class of ves-| sels and dockage space is desired. An organization has been built up in Lieut. Matteson’s office to draw | detalled plans for the water-front | | improvement along the Washington | | Channel, long considered an eyesore | here. The new buildings will fit into the style of architecture represented | by the Municipal Fish Wharf, which | will not be disturbed in the renovation. ; Tax (Continued Prom Pirst Page.) the lump-sum plan of Federal par- ticipation in District expenses. The Mapes committee recommended a Federal payment at that time of $6,500,000. Leans to Wider Base. Collins also believes that real es- tate already is bearing an adequate tax burden, and that there should be a wider and more equitable distribu- tion of the tax load if additional rev- enues are needed to balance the Dis- trict budget. As a member of the | Mapes committee he favored four plans for raising additional revenue. These were: 1. An increase in the gasoline tax. 2. An income tax as & substitute for the present tax on intangibles. 3. An inheritance or estate tax. 4. A weight tax on motor vehicles. Collins still is of the opinion that if the District needs additional revenues in the coming fiscal year to finance its budget some of these measures should be adopted, rather than increasing the real estate tax. For that reason he propoees to prevent the Commission- ers by law from raising the tax levy. Can Withhold Authority. The Commissioners, under existing | law, have the authority to fix the tax rate. Only once in recent years this authority was removed in an appro- priation act which forbid them from reducing the tax rate. From present indications, Collins’ subcommittee will not pay serious at- tention to the Jacobs report when it frames the supply bill, desite the fact that the 1938 District budget is predi- cated on adoption of the three-point formula. Neither J. L. Jacobs, Chi- cago efficiency engineer, who directed the last fiscal relations survev on which his report is based. nor the members of his Advisory Committee are exected to be called before the subcommittee as witnesses. - After the start of the hearings on the appropriation bill Collins and his subcommittee will begin a systematic inspection of various District institu- tions. It is planned to visit the in- stitutions as the items in the budget estimates for their operation and maintenance are reached, so the sub- committee, composed entirely of new members, can become familiar with District activities. The subcommittee will visit the Dis- trict Jail, the workhouse and reform- atory, the Children’s Receiving Home, Police Court, police headquarters, the Public Library and a number of pub- lic schools. Collins also plans to take the subcommittee on & street inspec- tion tour. KREUGER ESTATE ASKS REBATE OF $277,536 Swedish Match Magnate Received No Income From U. 8. in 1930, Is Claim. B> the Associated Press. The estate of the late Ivar Kreuger, Swedish match magnate, asked the Board of Tax Appeals today to set aside an assessment of $277,536 on Kreuger’s 1930 income. James F. Egan, New York County public administrator, contended, on behalf of the estate, that the reputed millionaire, who died several years ago under mysterious circumstances, re- ceived no taxable income from United States sources in 1930. The Internal Revenue Bureau listed Kreuger’s taxable income for the year | standing on the porches of nearby | | houses with arms outstretched, plead- | Ing to be taken. She said they liter- JANUARY 27, 1937. Is Miracle to Others Willing BY ROBERT B. PHILLIPS, Jr,, Staff Correspondent ot The Star. LOUISVILLE, January 27.—Nine refugees from the worst flood in the history of the Ohio Valley boarded our big American transport plane here late yesterday afternoon. There were three women and six children. They were all tired, obviously keyed to high pitch by the nervous tension of the past few days. All of them had colds. Since Sunday afternoon they had | lived in a room in the Brown Hotel— the three women, their husbands, the six children. They were nine flights up. There was no light at night, no heat at any time. The elevator service was dead and they walked nine flights down to get what little food was avail- able, then trudged nine stories up again to sit huddled in blankets and wonder what was coming next. These were not visitors who had been marooned in Louisville. They had been driven from their homes in the lower section of the city, inch by inch. One of them, Mrs. Lester W. Wilson of 4513 Jewel avenue, said she had stayed at her father's house on West Broadway until the water be- gan to lap over the parlor rugs. They then abandoned the place in a truck. As they went out, the water spraying | in sheets from the side of the machine | like foam from a boat, they saw people | ally cried for help. The truck could not stop, lest lost momentum stall it. Plane Is Miracle to Them. These were the first people who brought the flood home to us as a reality. They welcomed the plane as & miracle from the skies. Scores of others milling about in the Louisville airport would have paid premiums to have had seats on the one avenue of | escape that they knew was still open to them. Our companions were the lucky ones. ‘The fervent way in which they talked of their luck made us realize what they had seen and known. A flood disaster is not so appalling from a range of 1,500 feet. We had | passed over Huntington, W. Va., and | Ashland, Ky., on our way out from | Washington, but there was so little | sign of life in both those towns that it seemed unlikely any one was suf- fering in them. The houses sur- rounded by water, the isolated fac- tories with their stilled smoke stacks appeared more ludicrous than tragic. There were no human being in | sight, except that once we saw a boat skimming along near Huntington, and | on the drier side of Ashland a few cars moved on the chopped roads. Rubber Plant Wrecked. Coming into Louisville, one of the | passengers on the plane began to point | out the major public plants that were | in bad shape. We saw huge gas tanks | half-way submerged, the city reser- voir ominously low; but our course quickly swung over what is known as | the highlands and there things did not look oad at all. This part of the | city is far above the business and older residential level. It was almost | dry. The air fleld had some surface ‘water showing, but did not apepar dangerous, Still, we were the first | plane to land there since the disaster, and our pilot was taking no chances. He circled the field, chose his spot| carefully and set her down. The wheels dug in deep, but there was no wobbling. It was a good landing. In the airport station we encoun- tered a scene outwardly like the an- nual Christmas rushes. But a deadly tension hung over the place. Un- shaven men and bedraggled women all wanted to leave. There were no planes and no immediate promise of planes. Eagerly, hopefully, the same people walked back to the same windows time and again, received the same an- swers, walked away again. I made a telephone call to the Louis- ville City Hall in an attempt to get in touch with the Mayor, to deliver & message from a Representative in Washington. The call never was straightened out. I tried two or three other people at the City Hall. They could not be reached. Attempts to leave a message turned into a joke. The operators were sleepy, dazed from hours of overwork. No Planes to Paducah. T asked to charter a plane to go to Paducah, the center of the flood and my destination, and was informed that all planes were under orders to serve the city government. Half a dozen ships were sitting idle in the commer- clal hangar, but none could be rented. ‘The relief officials were afraid to be without them. Later I learned it would have been useless anyhow, as a ship attempting to get serum into Paducah had been forced to turn the trick by making one man do a para- chute jump, a sport of which I am not exceedingly fond even in prospect. Then our Teal story boarded the transport. Mrs. Wilson and her cousins, Mrs. G. E. Hamilton and Mrs. Willlam K. Miller, could tell really all that was to be known of Louisville, for they had seen the Brown Hotel, mecca of derby fans for many a year, turned into a relief station almost as ramshackle as Churchill Downs itself. We saw that glory of the sporting world earlier, be- fore landing. It was under water, the infield flooded. Col. Amon G. Carter, the Texas publisher, remarked dryly, “Looks like a good day for mudders.” ‘The tale the three women told us ‘was not hysterical. They knew their lot had been relatively easy compared to others. They had transferred to the Brown, had stayed there and talked and tried to quict the children and see that all of them had a reasonable amount of food, and at njghts their husbands had come back from emer- gency relief work and told them what they had seen. It was the only news they had, outside the incessant rumors that floated in like driftwood with every caller. There were no radios, no newspapers to confirm or deny the wildest of tales. Fire Provides Red Light. They said the food was rather ex- at $1,143,506. AIR CRASH KILLS 12 ORAN, Algeria, January 27 (®).— ‘Three women were among the passen- gers of a Belgian alirliner which crashed near here yesterday, investi- gators at the scene reported. They said none of the 12 persons aboard the plane survived its crash into a salt marsh at Sebkha, a short distance frem here. Investigators advanced a theory the disaster may have resulted from the fouling of the rudder by the wireless antenna as it was being reeled in for landing. A pensive and was usually cold, because no living chef could cook for so many appetites off improvised equipment. At night there was candle light. Mon- day night the sky burst so wild with red light that for a while they all be- lieved the gasoline floating on the flood waters had ignited. Later they were told it was a fire in a paint and varnish factory. 1 gathered these women did not sleep much from the first day of the flood. They said that one night at 2 am. a watchman knocked at every door and reiterated the request that all occupants of rooms refrain from smoking. The hotel was trying to put & generator into action to pump water to Pay Premiums for Seats—Abandoned Home With Neighbors Begging Aid. agement feared the water might be mixed with gasoline. No one was allowed more than a quart of water a day for bathing and drinking purposes. And all were warned against even bathing in the flood waters. ‘Well, we heard their story, and then took them into Nashville. I have been promised a ride later today on the Red Cross relief trucks into Mayfield, Ky.; thence into Paducah on Coast Guard boats carrying supplies. And there, I am told, I will find a city where, 1f the Wilsons and the Hamiltons had been staying on the ninth floor of the lead- ing hotel, they probably could have stepped out the window into a row- boat. Strike (Continued Prom First Page.) and Lee Pressman, counsel for the C.1oO. Assistant Secretary Edward F. Mc- TEN AUTO PLANTS BEING REOPENED 40,000 Employes Are Called Back to Work by Gen- eral Motors. By the Associated Press. DETROIT, January 27—The return of 40,000 General Motors employes, called back to work or a part-time | basis, started without incident today at 10 Chevrolet plants in Michigan and Indiana. ! About 20,000 employes filed into the |plants at 6 am. for whatever work | can be provided, the company said, until strikes in 17 “key” plants are | settled. Another 20,000 were due to return | to work in midafternoon on “night” | shifts and still another 5,900 had no- | tice to report tomorrow at Fisher Body | plants in this State. The principal plant to reopen was the Chevrolet factory in Flint, where “sit-dow strikers occupy Fisher Plant No. 2, scene of street fighting with police on January 18. No policemen or pickets were in sight as the men entered the Chevrolet | plant, and “sit-downers” 1 the Fisher plant across the street watched with- out comment. the General Motors situation, sat in the conference. Mr. Roosevelt said he told “every- body” at his conferences yesterday that he was “not only disappointed in the refusal of Mr. Sloan to come down here, but I regarded it as a very un- fortunate decision on his part.” Next Move Undecided. He said he did not know what the Government’s next peace move would be. As for the legislative proposals, Mr. Roosevelt reported the Constitution was discussed at his meetings, but that suggested to curb the Supreme Court’s authority were not considered. SLOAN REPEATS DENIAL. Says G. M. C. Is Not Responsible For Peace Breakdown. NEW YORK, January 27 (#).—Al- fred P. Sloan, jr., president of Gen- eral Motors, today denied that the company “is responsible for the break- down of negotiations” with workers and reiterated the company’s refusal to negotiate until the plants occupied by sit-down strikers are evacuated. In a statement addressed jointly to the public and to “loyal workers” in General Motors plants Sloan referred to the sit-down strikers as “these tres- passers who have seized our plants and who have taken from you the privilege of working.” “We will negotiate with this group and will earnestly strive for an honor- able settlement as soon as the illegal seizure of our plants is terminated.” While he did not refer specifically to the rebuke issued yesterday by President Roosevelt, he did say: “Efforts have been made to make you believe that General Motors is responsible for the breakdown of negotiations; that we refuse to meet with representatives of our own em- ployes; that we are shirking our moral responsibility; that we have no re- spect for the public interests. “You know this is not true, so why refuse to megotiate with a group that holds our plants for ransom without regard to law or justice, thus depriv- ing over 100,000 of our peaceful and law-abiding employes of their in- herent right to work. “That is the reason and the only reason.” Statement in Full. The statement in full follows: “On January 5 I told you the cir- cumstances that had resulted in our having to close certain of our plants, |and curtail the operation of others. Many things have since been said. |In the conflict of statements and }hlppcnmgs there is much confusion. And I now want to make clear just what has happened and what the situation is today. that time we have earnestly striven to do everything possible to develop negotiations with the group that has tacked us, in the hopes of reaching a satisfactory solution that will protect the interests of all involved and en- able you to go back to work. That is what you want. And it is our most earmest desire. “During these three weeks you have in many different ways demonstrated your loyalty and satisfaction. I ap- preciate your confidence. It means more to me than anything else, for I am deeply concerned with the sit- uation in which we find ourselves. Over 100,000 have signified their de- sire to return to work. “I told you before, and you your- selves have always known, that you small minority who have seized cer- tain plants and are holding them as ransom to enforce their demands. “The leader of this group, as you know, publicly stated that hours, wages and conditions of employment are not involved. Now what is involved? It is this: That we should turn you This is demonstrated by the demand that they be given the exclusive privi= lege of acting as representatives of all our workers, regardiess of your de- sires. This has always been perfectly clear. Have No Fear, Workers Told. “I say to you once more, have no fear. General Motors will never let you down. “Now here is where we stand: “1. We propose to demonstrate that these trespassers, who have seized our plants and who have taken from you the privilege of working, have not the right to do so. “2. We shall demand that your rights and our rights be protected. “3. We will negotiate with this group and will earnestly strive for an honorable settlement as soon as the illegal seizure of our plants is termi- nated. “4. We believe in giving every group an opportunity to be heard. There is nothing to justify our doing otherwise. “5. You will not have to pay tribute for the privilege of working in a General Motors plant. Denies Responsibility. “Efforts have been made to make you belleve that General Motors is responsible for the breakdown of ne- gotiations; that we refuse to meet with representatives of our own em- ployes; that we are shirking our moral responsibility; that we have no respect for the public interests. “You know this is not true, so why all these charges? Simply because we refuse to negotiate with a group that holds our plants for ransom with- out regard to law or justice, thus de- priving over 100,000 of ovr peaceful and law-abiding employes of their inherent right to work. “That is the reason and the only Grady, who is devoting all his time to | all these charges? Simply because we | “Three weeks have passed. During | are deprived of the right to work by a | over, body and soul, for exploitation. | Union Pickets Mass. | In Detroit a crowd of union pickets | estimated by police at close to 1,000 | massed at the Cadillac plant—a Gen- | eral Motors unit not affected by the | back-to-work movement—and pre- vented executives and office employes from entering ‘ More than 100 policemen, includ 16 mounted patrolmen, stood by, b | there was no violence. Police & they turned away several automobiles | carrying company executives to pre- vent disorder. As workers went into the Flint plant the noise of footsteps was broken |only by phonograph music, “union | marches” played by strikers in the Fisher plant. The orderly return of the employes appeared typical of other plants. In Detroit workers had broad smiles as | they punched the time clock again at two Chevrolet plan! | Before the world's largest automo- bile-producing company started this back-to-work movement more than 125.000 of its employes were idle. Seventeen plants were closed by strikes in them, and the company has said it would not reopen them until the dispute is settled. Two of these— | the Fisher Body plants at Flint—have been held by “sit-down” strikers since December 30. 40 Factories Affected. | Altogether more than 40 General | Motors factories from coast to coast | were closed or their operations cur- | tailed as a consequence of the strikes called by the United Autcmobile ‘Wcrkers of America. | The refusal of the union to evac- uate the “sit-downers” at Flint has | blocked negotiations for a settlement of the strikes, the corporation refus- | ing to meet with the U. A. W. A. until | the strikers have left the company's | property. | The men summoned back today were employes of Chevrolet plants at Indianapolis and Muncie, Ind, and | Detroit, Flint, Saginaw and Bay City, Mich. A committee representing the Flint | Alliance sought an audience with Gov. PFrank Murphy at Lansing today to | ask him to “guarantee all workers | full protection in going to and coming | from work.” | This action was called for in & resolution adopted at a mass meeting conducted by the alliance at Flint yesterday afternoon. The alliance was organized by George E. Boysen, former Flint Mayor, to rally anti- | strike sentiment. | Another resolution adopted by the | meeting called upon John L. Lewis, | Committee for Industrial Organization head directing the strike, to remove | “his paid organizers and agitators"” from Flint and charged him with “gross impudence in suggesting that the President of the United States side with” the union, which the reso- lution said represented “only & smalk minority” of all automobile workers. Chimes (Continued From First Page.) | jurist declared. “If the long-estabe lished custom of the Catholic Church has been to sound the Angelus in the morning, this court is not going to say that it is wrong.” “But, Your Honor,” Bowie protested, “we are not asking you to decide a religious question. We contend these chimes constitute a nuisance.” “Well, anyway, I certainly will not enjoin these chimes on a preliminary hearing,” Justice Bailey replied. “I'll have to hear testimony before I can decide this case.” “Besides,” he continued with a grin, “I'd rather hear the chimes than some of the noises that disturb me in the morning. I once lived across the street from a fraternity house. The boys in there would get going good about 1 o'clock in the morning, and you should have heard them from that time on! Between the two, I'd take the chimes any day.” Michael M. Doyle, attorney for the church, was quick to agree that there were many thing worse than church chimes. “In fact,” he declared good-humor- edly, turning to Bowie, “our priest was offended when you said his chimes were harsh—after he paid $11,000 for | them. He thought they were very | artistic.” . Reorganizing (Continued From First Page.) House on Reorganization, the Senate Rules Committee authorized Chair- man Neely to take steps to have the same course followed. Senator Neely, the referee, will report a separate resolution to set up a Senate Come mittee on Reorganization. The amendment for nine instead of seven members was adopted on mo- tion of Senator Robinson, who ex- plained that the purpose was to “make provision for all groups” on the joint committee. He pointed out that it was to bring the party rep- resentation of Senate membership on the joint committee as closely as pos- sible to the ratio of total membership in the Senate. With nine places to fill, he explained, it will be possible for the Vice President to select six Democrats, two Republicans and one Progressive. The present ratio of the major parties in the Senate is 413 to 1. The Senate probably will take up the joint committee proposal tomor- row, and if it is passed it will have to go back to the House for concur- rence in the change from seven to nine members. Under this plan 2 group of 18 from the two houses will wrestle with the reorganization problem. Y L]