Evening Star Newspaper, April 8, 1937, Page 1

WEATHER. (U. B Weather Bureau Forecast.) Rain tonight and probably tomorrow morning; colder tomorrow, temperature tonight about 50 degrees; fresh winds, be- coming northerly tomorrow. Temperatures —Highest, 58, at 4 p.m. yesterday; lowest, 45, at 3 a.m. today. Full report page A-21. Closing New York Markets, Page 20 85th YEAR. No. 33,945. Entered as second class matter post office, Washington, D. O. LAUNCHED BY U. ch On Strike Issue, Says Rich WASHINGTON, D. C, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1937—FIFTY-FOUR PAGES. DRIVE TO BRING FORD WORKERS INTO UNION A. W, A Lewis Answers House Leaders “Sitting Down” Declaration of Magnate. | C.1. 0. HEAD’S EDICT CHEERED/ President BACKGROUND— After weeks of boiling beneath surface, sit-down issue burst forth last week in both House and Sen- ate with Rules Committee of former approving resolution to probe cause and conduct of such strike technique and Senate being forced to test of strength on anti- sit-down amendment to Guffey bill. In upper bady solution was jound in substituting conmcurrent resolution for amendment, action being merely declaration of policy. By its terms, as finally approved yesterday, resolution strikes at cer- wain industrial practices as well as those of labor. Manufacturer Says, ‘Will Never Recog- nize Any Union.’ BACKGROUND— Desire of United Automobile Workers of America, an affiliate of John L. Lewis' Committee for In- dustrial Organization, to be the sole bargaining representative for workers has had automotive in- dustry in turmoil since last Fall. Sit-down strikes in General Motors and Chrysler plants are now under megotiations for permanent peace. Factories of Henry Ford have been least affected, only one strike of short duration being called at Kansas City Bs the Assoclatea Press. Representative Rich, Republican, of Pennsylvania accused congressional leaders today of “sitting down” on the sit-down strike issue. Rich shouted to the House that President Roosevelt had invited Speaker Bankhead, Vice President Garner and the Democratic leaders of the Senate and House to discuss sit-downs on his return recently from Warm Springs. Ga. “Ever since.” he said, been sitting down.” Pennsylvania farmers, who ejected sit-down strikers yesterday from a By the Associated Press. DETROIT, April 8—The United Automobile Workers of America under- took today one of the most formid- able of its enterprises—the unioniza- tion of the 150,000 employes of the vast Ford Motor Co. John L. Lewis, head of the Com- mittee for Industrial Organization, enunciated this objective last night “they have Pennsylvanian Shouts Charge Attitude Began at Conference With Recently. Pa., he said, are golng to show the Nation and Congress how to handle such strikes. He spoke in advance of House con- sideration of a resolution for an in- vestigation of sit-down strikes. His face reddening, Representative Rayburn, Democrat, of Texas, House majority leader, jumped up to assert: “As usual, the gentleman from Pennsylvania is wrong. As usual, he doesn’t know his facts.” The President, he said, did not call a conference to talk over the strike situation with congressional leaders. “No policy was talked about in the meeting,” he said, “so far as the Speaker and leaders were were con- cerned.” Administration leaders predicted the House would vote to investigate the sit-down strikes instead of joining the Senate immediately in condemn- | ing them. The investigation resolution was | planned for midafternoon. Rayburn said the Senate declaration | of policy, which included a denuncia | tion of company unions and industrial | | espionage, probably would be side- | tracked in the House Lahor Committee | for the time being. The Senate adopted it late yesterday, 75 to 3, after acrimonious debate. Some House leaders were apathetic | (See SIT-DOWN, Page A-4.) Jjust after Henry Ford had proclaimed that his industrial empire would “never recognize” the U. A. W. A. or any other union. Lewis was a speaker at a mass meeting of union members in the State Fair Grounds Coliseum. The huge throng, overflowing the building, shouted its approval of the agree- HERSHEY WORKERS e e Factory Is Guarded as Gov. Ford expressed his stand toward tinions at Ways, Ga., In revealing | s “brief cessation of activities” in | his company's factory at St. Loul.sw A union leader at the plant said it was due to “a misunderstanding.” i Advises Workers. | | The independent motor mnnufac-i turer—one of the Nation's three larg- i Earle Seeks Leaders - of Disorder. By the Associated Press. HERSHEY, Pa., April 8—-Nearly 2,000 employes of the Hershsy Choco- late Corp. returned to work today in est producers—advised workers re-|ihe closely-guarded factory where a cently “to stay out of labor unions” for | their own good. He always has been | a stanch advocate of the open shop1 in the motor car industry. | “We'll never recognize the United | Automobile Workers' Union or any | other union,” Pord emphasized in re- | vealing the second “cessation” in one | of his plants within a week. The first | was a brief sit-down at Kansas City. | “I have no doubt that Mr. Ford will do that as long as his employes permit 1 him to pull that policy and no other,” | asserted the bushy-haired Lewis. “I| have no doubt, howe’ that Mr. Ford | will change his mind.” | Lewis mentioned the agreements be- tween the U. A. W. A. and General Motors and the Chrysler Corps. and said their respective heads, Alfred P. | Sloan, jr., and Walter P. Chrysler, each *changed his mind.” “You are the reason,” the labor leader told the auto workers. ‘“You decided you weren't satisfied with con- ditions in your industry.” Must Recognize Union. Two other speakers at the meeting referred to Ford, “I want to say in answer, that if Ford wants to build automobiles, he’ll recognize the U. A. W. A,” said Richard T. Frankensteen, union or- ganizational director. | “The time is coming when every automobile worker will be carrying a | U. A. W. A. membership card,” as- | serted its international president, | Homer Martin. “And we imagine | that the most willing members will | be Ford workers.” Lewis said that the “section of labor | under the C. I. O. banner” is “on the march” and predicted that his organi- zation would exceed the membership of the rival American Federation of Labor within 60 days. Ford’s industrial empire is world- wide. It extends to 28 foreign coun- tries as well as some 30 cities in the United States, where it has approxi- mately 150,000 workers. More than (See FORD, Page A-2) VIRGIN ISLES ROW FLARES AT HEARING Second Controversy in Less Than | Two Years Occurs as Cramer ¢ Is Discussed. Y the Associated Press. A second controversy in less than two years over administration of the Virgin Islands led to a stormy hear- ing today before the Senate Terri- tories Committee considering con- firmation of Gov. Lawrence W, Cramer. Former Federal Judge Albert C. Levitt termed a “deliberate falsehood” some of Cramer’s testimony at a pre- vious hearing on the nomination— pending since early in the present congressional session. Asserting he “spoke for at least 19,000 of the 20,000 people of the islands,” Levitt told the committee that “if Cramer is returned it means the end of law and order.” Cramer reported he “doubted very much” the support Levitt claimed. President Roosevelt appointed Cramer in July, 1935, in the midst of & quarrel between Dr. Paul M. Pearson, ther Governor, and T. Webber Wilson, Levitt’s predecessor on the Federal bench. crowd of farmers and “loyal” workers yesterday drove out hundreds of sit- down strikers in a wild fight with whips, clubs and bars of iron. More than a score of deputy sheriffs and members of the American Legion paced back and forth in front of the ivy-clad stone building. Gov. Earle ordered an investigation of the disorders. No Intention of Quitting. In Harrisburg, Miles Sweeney, or- ganizer for the Committee for In- dustrial Organization, said today: “We have no intention of quitting at Hershey." The strike was called by the United Chocolate Workers, affiliate of the committee. Sweeney said a meeting of strikers and their allies would be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow in Palmyra, just east of Hershey. Committee leaders said the union would chart its course at that time. The union organizer claimed only “about 150” of the crowd which drove the sit-downers out yesterday were Hershey employes. He added that the union “may bring action” against leaders of the crowd. Sweeney was in the factory at the time of the disturbance yesterday. Last night the factory in which the fight occurred was cleaned up. William F. R. Murrie, president of the corporation, said today weapons of all sorts were found strewn over the floor, but that little damage was done to the equipment, around which wildly screaming men and women bat- tled for almost half an hour yester- day. Murrie estimated that abdut 1,800 workers returned to their jobs. He | said others would come back tomor- row. The plant normally employs nearly 3,000. Promises No Discrimination. Murrie said in a statement that “every one will be treated exactly alike and there will be no discrimi- nation against any one. “The farmers will be given full market for their milk tomorrow,” he explained. It was loss of this mar- ket that angered the farmers and prompted them to join non-striking (See HERSHEY, Page A-2.) Cruisers Damaged in Collision. KURE, Japan, April 8 (#)—Two 10,000-ton Japanese cruisers, the Nachi and the Haguro, were damaged slightly, it was learned today, when they collided off the southeastern coast of Kyushu during night maneu- vers. There were no casualties. Green to Call Chief's to Study Lewis’ Expulsion Council to Be Called Soon. B the Associated Press. William Green, president of the American Pederation of Labor, said today he would call & special meet- ing of the federation’s executive council soon to consider expulsion of John L. Lewis’ unions. Green’s announcement followed the receipt by John P. Frey, president of the A. F. of L. Metal Trades Depart- ment, of a letter threatening Frey's life if he did not keep out of the Texas oil flelds unionization drive. The federation and Lewis’ Oil Field, Gas and Refinery Workers have started rival organizations campaigns | in Texas. Frey said he would leave Monday for Houston to take charge of the | campaign, despite the threat. Tne federation’s Tampa, Fla., con- vention last Fall confirmed the sus- (See GREEN, Page A-2.) STRIKECLOSESGM. CANADIAN PLANT 3,700 Workers Answer Call of U. A. W. in Fight for Recognition. OSHAWA, Ontario, April 8 (Cana- dian Press).—Employes of General Motors of Canada, Ltd., went out on general stiike today in answer to a call issued by the International Union, United Automobile Workers of Amer- ica. an affiliate of the John L. Lewis Committee for Industrial Organiza- tion, The walkout was ordered after a sudden breakdown in negotiations be- tween the local union and General Motors officials. Union leaders said 3,700 workers were out. These in- cluded between 300 and 400 non-union members in various departments. Shortly after the strike call took effect, at 7:01 am. E. S. T, picket lines were established about the plant. Police said picketing was orderly and reported all ‘“peaceful and quiet.” “General Motors will not build an- other ear in Canada until they sign &n agreement with the union,” de- clared Hugh Thompson, organizer from Detroit for the C. I. O, which General Motors of Canada refuses to recognize. C. H. Millard, chairman of a shop committee which negotiated with (See STRIKES, Page A-2.) Farmer Ends Sit-Down Strike By Turning Bull Loose in Barn By the Assoclatea Press. ITHACA, N. Y., April 8—A Tomp- kins County farmer told, on condition his name would not be disclosed, this story of how he broke up & sit-down strike of his farm hands by turning a bull loose in the dairy barn: “The boys (the two hired hands on his small farm) have been reading so much about these sit-down strikes, they kinda thought they’d put one over on me the other night. “We'd brought in the cows and had them in their stalls, ready for the milking, when the boys just planked themselves down on their stools and L declared a sit-down strike for a raise in pay. “The good Lord knows you can’t squeeze blood from a stone, but words ‘wouldn’t move ‘em. “Then I happened to think of Neb, loafing in his box stall. That bull is 0 mean we don’t take him out without clamping a lead pole in his nose ring. “I just opened the stall door and turned him loose. “There was nothing to it; before you could say Jack Robinson there wasn't Special Meeting of | | | Muncie was purchased by the family. a sit-down striker within 100 yards of the dairy barn.” WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION VAST MIDAMERICA STOCK DONATED BY BALL TO' CHARITY Foundation Incorporated on March 22 Beneficiary of Indiana Millionaire. VAN SWERINGEN SUIT ON OPTION THREATENED Corporation in Which Stocks Are Held Top Holding Company of Rail Empire. BY the Associated Press. MUNCIE, Ind., April 8. —George A. Ball, millionaire Muncie manufac- turer, is donating to the George and Frances Ball Foundation his entire common stock holdings in Midamerica Corp., an announcement issued at his office today said. The foundation was incorporated March 22 with the secretary of state at Indianapolis. Incorporators were Mr. Ball, his wife, Frances Ball, and their daughter, Elisabeth W. Ball; Leland Rex Robin- son of Bronxville, N. Y, and Dr. Lemuel A. Pittenger, president of Ball State Teachers’ College, a, State nor- mal school here. All the incorporators were members of the first board. Mr. Ball, his wife and daughter were designated as life members of the foundation. Robinson was named for a two-year term on the board and Dr. Pittenger for three years. The an- | nouncement, issued by Mr. Ball's sec- retary, Miss Gertrude Barrett, gave no indication as to what will be done with the funds of the foundation. ‘The purposes of the foundation given |in the incorporation were “religious, educational and charitable.” Van Sweringen Interests. | Midamerica Corp. is the top holding | company of the Van Sweringen rail empire. Mr. Ball owns a 90 per cent inter- est in Midamerica. Mr. Ball's common-stock holdings in Midamerica are reported to include 14,050 shares of the 15,000 shares out- standing. Members of the Ball family have been public benefactors for years. A private school on the outskirts of Approximately $1,000,000 was spent for new biuldings, and the school was turned over to the State as a teach- | ers’ college. An expensive new building was erected recently to house the Prank | C. Ball art collection, which includes | a glass mosaic of the Last Supper, | purchased in Italy on one of Frank | Ball's numerous trips abroad. Frank | C. Ball is a brother of George A. | Ball. Indiana University at Bloomington has received approximately $1,000,000 from the Ball family. Several hospitals, Hillsdale (Mich.) College and the Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A also have been recipients of the Ball family benefactions. Riley (See BALL, Page A-4.) 17 ESCAPE FLORIDA JAIL Five Killers Sawing Bars to Liberty. JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 8 (®). | —Chief Deputy Sheriff R. L. Bohon reported 17 colored persons, including the two confessed slayers of Mr. and Mrs. John L. Surrency, escaped from the county jail early today by sawing the bars of a window. The two who admitted staging the fatal attempted hold-up of the Sur- rencys were Alvin Baker and James Tyler. Their testimony that Clyde Hysler plotted the Thanksgiving day crime caused the white youth to be convicted Monday of first-degree mur- der. Among Prisoners | ¢ Foening Star The only Yesterday’s evening paper in Washington with the Associated Press News and Wirephoto Services. Circulation, 143,356 (Some returns not vet received.) Ak ok ok (®) Means Associate, TWO CENTS. d Press. | WISH THOSE BEAUTIFUL BLOSSOMS GOULD LAST AS N LONG AS THE COURT PACK- /S ING HEARINGS' ~ g = J g ik = < .\H}W@ Ay = b k2 INSURGENTS ADM”EThousands Arrive to Witness ERROR IN BOMBING' Spanish Insurgents Battle to Within 18 Miles of Bilbao. BACKGROUND— Spanish civil war marked by frequent attacks by insurgent planes and war vessels upon ships of meutral nations, bringing warn- ings from Great Britain that her ships of commerce and war in the region of Spain must not be inter- fered with. New occurrence yesterday with bombing, without damage, of the British destroyer Gallant off the Balearic Islands, held by a rebel Jorce and used as a base for air operations. Cherry Blossom Fete Tonight With thousands of visitors already here and hundreds more pouring into the city by rail. air and trailer, a ismrited National Capital eagerly | awaited the climaxing ceremonies of | the Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival ilonluhl anticipating this to be the | most successful of the blossom pag- | eants. | Predicted showers were in no way | expected to hamper the coronation ceremonies of Queen Sakiko Saito 10-year-old daughter of the Japanese | Ambassador, who will tour the Tidal | Basin in her specially constructed, | flower-bedecked swan boat. More than 1.000 men, women and | Queen Sakiko to Tour Tidal Basin in Flower-Bedecked Swan Boat—1,000 at Sunrise Service. the sunrise service, opening The interpretive dances of Miss Evelyn Davis and her dance group, who also will entertain this evening, and the musical selections of the Marine Band, under leadership of Capt. Taylor Branson, comprised the initial program. Meantime, National Capital Parks officials announced recent warm weath- er had brought out approximately 50 per cent of the cherry blossoms, and Tidal Basin walks today were full of early morning nature lovers inspect- | ing the display. official festival CHLOROFORM CASE ENDS WITH 16-YEAR TERM FOR MILLER Wife and Daughter Cling to Dentist as Sentence Is Meted Out. ENTERED GUILTY PLEA IN DEATH OF GIRL, 18 Virginia Judge Scores Crime of Illegal Operation as “Hor- rible Offense.” BY WILLIAM H. SHIPPEN, JR., 8taft Correspondent ot The Star CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., April 8. —With his wife and 18-year-old daughter clinging to his hands, Dr. Richard G. Miller slowly rose to his feet this morning during a dramatic hush in the packed Albermarle County Court House and heard himself sen- | tenced to 16 years in the penitentiary | for the second-degree murder of Cleo Sprouse, 18-year-old high schooi Jjunior and expectant mother. The 53-year-old dentist seemed sud= denly to have aged as he got to his feet and turned a blanched face on Judge Lemuel Smith, who once had been his Svnday school teacher. Dr. Miller'’s wife and daughter Lucy, a co-ed at the University of Virginia, held to his hands as he arose. Judge Smith had just declared that “abortion is a horrible crime. I can | never understand public apathy to- | ward this offense. I recognize the seriousness of this crime, however, |and will take it into account. “Dr Miller stand up. The judge than passed the sentence. Kisses Wife and Daughter. Before Dr. Miller was led from the court room he shook hands with his attorneys and kissed his sobbing wife and daughter good-by The two women had remained close by his side during the hearing, which opened yesterday afternoon and was con- cluded at 11:30 o'clock this morning. | Cleo Sprouse died from an overdose | of chloroform on the night of March 1. Dr. Miller claimed he administered | the chloroform in preparation for an | illegal operation on the girl, who would have been a mother in about five months | In their closing arguments defense | attorneys pictured Dr. Miller as a The influx of visitors was by no weak, but generous man, who had | ish insurgent troops pressed their at- children braved the chilly morning air | BY the Assoctated Press. at 6 o'clock this morning to witness means expected to end after today. (See BLOSSOMS, Page A-3) Fighting behind a wall of fire, Span- tack to within 18 miles of the Basque | capital of Bilbao in Northern Spain | today. | Far to the south, on the Cordoba | 505 000000 FARN Three other killers were among those who escaped, Bohon said. Summary of Page. Amusements C-2 | Radio ... Comics C-7 | Society - Editorials _ A-10 | Short Story .. C-3 Financial _-A-19 | Sports ____D-1-4 Lost & Found A-3 | Woman's Pg.. C-4 Obituary _..A-12 | STRIKE SITUATION. U. A. W. to organize Ford workers; G. M. C. plant closed. Page A-1 Member accuses House of “sitting down" on strike issue. Page A-1 SUPREME COUURT ISSUE., End of court hearings next week predicted. Page A-1 FOREIGN. Insurgents admit error in bombing British warship. Page A-1 NATIONAL. Four known dead, many hurt in Alabama Tornado. Page A-1 Bodies of 8 airplane victims removed from wreckage. Page A-5 Court may uphold Alabama unemploy- ment insurance act. Page A-16 Canada accepts U. S. proposal on trans- Atlantic air service. Page D-5 WASHINGTON AND VICINITY. Dr. Miller given 16 years in prison for girl's death. Page A-1 Peery gratified as “sit-downers” leave rayon plant. Page A-3 Jesse Duke’s appeal in jury-influencing case opens i Richmond. Page A-4 Mrs. Joe Cronin recovering after twins are born dead. Page A-7 Maryland W. P. A. administrator Jaunches new projects. ‘Page A-7 Roanoke college head sees America following Europe. Page A-9 Certification of jobless “employables” to be speeded. Page A-17 Senate passes D. C. Federal-aid high- way bill. Page B-1 “Crusade for health” drive here plan- ned at luncheon. B-1 Lack of quorum delays study of D. C. tax Page B-1 front, government militia men ham- mered at insurgent entrenchments in Villaharta, trying to “bottle up™ 15,000 troops of Gen. Francisco Franco. International tension over repeated attacks by insurgent ships on British war and merchant vessels apparently eased somewhat as insurgent authori- ties admitted they probably had made an “unfortunate mistake.” Quick Explanation Demanded. The admission came from insurgent officials at the Balearic Island of Mal- lorca. The British destroyer Garland and the cruiser Shropshire backed up Britain’s demand there for a quick and satisfactory explanation of two aerial attacks Tuesday on the de- stroyer Gallant. Accusations by the controlled Ital- ian press of violation of the non- intervention agreement by France and Soviet Russia by dispatch of arms and men to Spain excited little interest in Paris. French officials termed a charge that French Army officers were help- ing to train Spanish government troops as a “counter-maneuver to off- set the presence of Italians in Spain.” Insurgent troops opened the way to Bilbao by driving the last govern- ment defenders from Barazar Pass near Durango. They forced Basque (See SPAIN, Page A-14) Today’s Star Maryland bookie ban here pushed in House. Page B-1 Hitt calls for briefs in argument over jury trial. Page B-1 Former D. C. attorney killed in New York. Page B-1 EDITORIAL AND COMMENT. Editorials Page A-19 This and That Page A-10 Answers to Questions Page A-10 Stars, Men and Atoms Page A-10 David Lawrence Page A-11 Paul Mallon Page A-11 Mark Sullivan Page A-11 Jay Franklin. Page A-11 Delia Pynchon Page A-11 FINANCIAL. U. 8. bonds ease (table). Page A-19 General Motors sales soar. Page A-19 D. C. deposits at new peak. Page A-20 Stocks sag after rally (table). 3 Page A-20 Page A-21 Page A-21 Curb list higher (table). Clearings advance. SPORTS. Salveson is sent to Chattanooga as Phebus is recalled Page D-1 Six progeny of former winners are in Kentucky Derby Page D-1 Cunningham uses neck muscles as aid to his foot racing Page D-2 Some of D. C. college gridders having battle with books Page D-4 MISCELLANY. Washington Wayside After Dark Nature’s Children Dorothy Dix Betsy Caswell Bedtime Story City News in Brief Vital Statistics Service Orders Trafic Convictions Page A-2 Page B-12 Page C-3 C-4 C-4 C-5 C-6 C-6 Page PROGRAM DECIDED | {House Committee to Ap- prove Administration 5-Year Plan. BY the Associated Press. The House Agriculture Committee agreed today on a five-year $695,000,- | classes. | Chairman Jones said the committee | would approve the plan formally this afternoon and dispatch it to the | House. The program followed general rec- ommendations of President Roosevelt, Secretary Wallace and a special presi- dential committee on farm tenancy. Loans for Purchasers. Features of the measure: The Sec- retary of Agriculture would be au- thorized to lend $50,000,000 a year for five years to tenants for purchase of farms. Purchasers would be al- lowed up to 30 years to pay loans, ceed 3 per cent. The Secretary would.sbe authorized years to low-income farmers for pur- chases of live stock, machinery, equip- ment, supplies, family subsistence and for refinancing debts. would bear interest not in excess of 3 per cent. Land Conservation. The Secretary also would be au- thorized to inaugurate a land con- servation and land utilization pro- gram for which he would have $70,- 000,000 for the next four years. This program would provide retirement of land unsuited for cultivation. ‘The measure eliminated an admin- istration proposal that the secretary be permitted to purchase farms fer resale to tenants on terms allowing them 45 years to pay. The committee divided sharply on this plan, finally rejecting it after a majority argued it would put the Government in the land-buying and farming business. Insurance Sale Restricted COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 8 (#)— Among bills passed by the Ohio Senate, in session today, was one prohibiting criminals and societies for the appre- hension of horse thieves from selling insurance. 1000 program to help low income farm which would bear interest not to ex- | to lend $75,000,000 a year for five| These loans | would be payable in five years and | COURT HEARINGS SEEN NEAR END Be Reported to Senate Next Week. | BACKGROUND— Siziy-two days have passed since President Roosevelt sent his his- toric judiciary message to Con- gress. Twenty-nine days ago the Senate Judiciary Committee opened hearings on the proposal, which has inspired a long list of sup- porters and opponents to speak their pieces. While the committee listened, Senators have exrpressed their views on the proposal in the Senate chamber and over the radio. The concentration of at- tention on this matter has slowed to a walk congressional action on other pending matters. For the sake of speed, Senator Hughes two days ago urged an end to the hear- ings. Senator Robinson and other ad- ministration leaders forecast today that hearings on the Roosevelt court bill would be concluded next week and that the measure would be re- ported to the Senate soon thereafter. Senator Pittman, Democrat, of Ne- | vada joined in the forecast of the end of the hearing before the Judiciary Committee. He predicted also that constitutional “amendments” would | be reported by the committee about the same time as the President’s bill. Pittman would not disclose “what amendments” he had in mind. He himself is supporting one, however, to limit the size of the court to 15 mem- bers, “I wouldn't be surprised,” Pittman said, “if at substantially the same time the committee reports out amendments to the Constitution and the President’s bill.” Report Soon Ready. Robinson, in foreseeing a close of the hearings by the end of next week, suggested that it would take the com- mittee only a few days in executive session to reach a conclusion and re- port to the Senate. Pittman, however, said the time might be longer. two weeks would be & good guess. Earlier today, the committee post- poned until next week a decision on when to conclude the hearings on a ruling by Chairman Ashurst. This ruling was made” while J. 8. Manning, Raleigh, N. C., lawyer, sat (See JUDICIARY, Page A-2.) &Y the Associated Press. LONDON, April 8.—Five amateur fire walkers singed their feet in the interests of science today, while an Indian “professional” came through the burning ordeal unscathed. Ahmed Hussain, 23-year-old Mos- lem, whose father and grandfather were fire walkers before him, suc- ceeded where the amateurs failed in an experiment conducted by the Uni- versity of London Council of Psychical Investigation. He walked in a pit 12 Amateur Fire-Walkers Singe | Feet as Indian Is Unscathed | | feet long, glowing with embers heated | at 932 degrees Fahrenheit without a trace of a burn on his bare feet. Nurses washed Hussain’s feet be-| fore each test, and Dr. C. A. Pannett | pronounced them “quite normal.” Hussain prayed before each of his trips, which lasted one and one-half seconds. Pannett reported Hussain's showed no trace of burns. The council plans further experi- ments before drawing any conclusion. 4 feet President’s Bill Expected to | He indicated that | After the experiment Dr. | “kindness rather than murder in his heart for Cleo.” But the prosecution | painted him as a dangerous man who should “be locked up fcr the re- mainder of his days." Advised to Make No Statement. Attorney Edward V. Walker, chief }ol defense counsel, announced he had advised Dr. Miller not to make & statement before the court. The | attorney explained Dr. Miller already had made a statement and another would merely serve the ends of pub- licity. Walker said Dr. Miller is not a | normal man, in that his will is too weak to control his mind and ac- tions. He declared Dr. Miller is incapable of resisting his generous impulses and that he had kindness rather than murder in his heart when he took Cleo Sprouse on her last ride. | Commonwealth Attorney William | Fife in his closing argument declared he has been unabie to disprove any part of Dr. Miller's confession and defended the method of the hearing he and defense attorneys had agreed | upon, insisting it was no “com- promise.” ®» “There is no compromise with |crime,” Fife told the packed court room. Fife ceclared that Dr. Miller’s (See CHLOROFO] 'ALABAMA TORNADO KILLS ONE, HURTS 30 Storm Levels Houses in Lumber | Mill Village—Aid Is Dispatched. Y the Assoctated Press. TROY, Ala., April 8—A tornado killed at least one person, injured numerous others and leveled houses in a lumber mill village at Brundidge, | Ala., today. | Highway Patrolman Will Tatum, | who sped to the storm scene, reported four bodies had been found. Chief Walter M. McAdory of the Alabama Highway Patrol received the | report at Montgomery, Ala. | “Tatum told me they knew four were dead,” McAdory said, “but didn't | know how many more. Telephone lines are down to Brundidge and he had to go to Banks to call me. I've | sent 20 patrolmen to Brundidge.” Fred Crowley, 12, was known to be | dead. With communicatfon facilities crip- pled, the highway patrolman's report | of four fatalities could not be re- | checked. Justice of the Peace L. R. Ray at Troy said he was informed the storm struck the mill village, half a mile from Brundidge, first, leveled many | houses, then hit the edge of Brun- didge’s residential section. D. C. Bank Deposits Hit All-Time Peak Of $341,222,841 Deposits in Washington's 22 banks totaled $341,222,841.56 on March 31, 1937, a new all-time peak for the Capital, it was learned today after a bank con- dition call issued by the controller of the currency. The previous peak for deposits in Washington was recorded De- cember 31, 1936, at the con- troller’s preceding call. Today’s figures reveal an aggregate gain of $7,180,714.16 in the first quar- ter of the present year. (Details in Financial Section.)