Evening Star Newspaper, November 30, 1937, Page 1

WEATHER. (U 8 Weather Bures au Porecast.) Fair and slightly colder tonight and to- morrow; lowest tempera ture tonight about 26 degrees; gentle northwest or west winds. Temperatures today—Highest, 56, at 2 p.m.; lowest, 33, at 6:30 a.m. Full repcrt on Page A-2. Closing New York Markets, Page 22 85th YEAR. No. 34,181 JAPANESE SEIZE U.S. BOAT, THROW FLAG INTO RIVER Shanghai Consul General Denounces Action by Nip- ponese Navy. ITALIANS ALSO PROTEST TWO VESSELS’ SEIZURE America Probes Reports Duties Are Cut at Tientsin on Japan's Goods. By the Assoclated Press. SHANGHAI, Nov. 30. — American Consul General Clarence E. Gauss pro- tested to the Japanese consulate today after a Japanese naval crew seized an American-owned steam launch and lowered the craft's American flag. The launch, owned by the China Foreign Steamship Co., an American firm and agent of the Roosevelt line, was seized as it lay along the French Bund, It was understood Italian authori- ties also protested against seizure of two vessels flying the Italian flag. William Hunt, steamship company head, protested strongly to Consul General Gauss against seizure of the ‘aunch. He declared the Japanese ‘rough-housed” the Chinese crew tboard the launch and then “delib- srately pulled down the flag and tossed it in the river.” (The State Department withheld comment today on the reported seizure of the Aherican launch pending receipt of a full report of the incident from American con- sular officials.) Bombs Kill 86 Children. Earlier the French Ambassador said that Japanese air bombs had destroyed a Catholic orphanage at Kashing and killed 86 Chinese children. He also said 150 refugees, 4 French sisters and 5 Chinese sisters, who were at the orphanage, were missing. The reports came as the Japanese continued their advance on Nanking. ‘The Chinese defenders of the almost- deserted capital were reported falling back to & line 40 to 60 miles east and southeast of the city, with Japanese columns in pursuit. The orphanage bombing took place 15 days ago, but was reported today to Ambassador Paul Emile Naggiar by a French and an walked 10 days from Kashing to Ningpo and boarded a vessel for Bhanghai. Young Herded Into Dugouts. During the attacks, the missionaries 8aid, the sisters herded their charges into & dugout on the mission grounds, but one bomb directly hit the dugout, killing 25 girls between the ages of 9 and 15, while another hit the nursery, killing 60 babies and wounding 2 Chi- mese sisters. Father Moulis of the Lazarist Mis- sion headquarters said sisters took 150 other orphans and adults, including some wounded, on a large skiff and fled toward the interior. He expressed fear for their safety as no word had been received from them. The missionaries said the orphanage had no flag flying during the attacks and was located close to the home of Chinese Gen. Chang Fah-kwei, where soldiers were constructing cohcrete pillboxes. A Carmelite mission and a Lazarist seminary nearby, flying a French flag, Were not bombed. Retreat Nears Nanking. Japanese Army communiques said | the Chinese had retreated nearly to the Chingkiang-Tanyang-Kintan for- tified line close to Nanking. The Japanese gained ground steadily on the central front, but were held up at the northern extremity. They reported the capture of Kwdngteh, about 100 miles southeast ©f Nanking, and Kiangyin, about 80 iles east of the capital. The main Japanese column was ad- | vancing along the Nanking-Shanghai railway near Tanyang, 60 miles from Nanking, after capturing Wutsin, U. S. Probes Tariff Cuts. Bs the Associated Press. The State Department asked its Consular representatives in China to- day for information on a report that customs rates at Tientsin, North China port, had been reduced on a wide range of Japanese products. If the report proves correct, ®in formed sources said, it will mean Japan already has started closing the “open door” of commercial equality in China Zor all foreign nations. Fears here for the future of China’s “open door” already has prompted the United States Government to warn Japan not to attempt changes in the Chinese maritime customs system be- fore consulting Washington. ‘The Japanese military now exercises control over most of North China and Shanghai, China's wealthiest seaport. Becretary Hull revealed at his press corference that this Government was making inquiries concerning the Teintsin report although he withheld any comment. D. C. Bank Clearings Gain $130,000,000 Over Figure for 36 Bank clearings in the Capital in the first 11 months of this year totaled $1,148,569,157.41, & gain of $130,186,597.95 over the like pe- riod in 1936, the Washington Clearing House reported today. November clearings in Wash- ington totaled $101,263,187.31, an | increase of almost $10,000,000 over the November record last year, the report showed. " November clearings were the highest for any November since 1830 and total cancelled checks in the 11-month period were also the t in eight years. “"(Details in Financial Section.) Italian father who | Entered as second class matter post office, Washinston, D, C. Britain and Fra By the Associated Press. ONDON, Nov. 30.—Prime Minis- ter Neville Chamberlain and French Foreign Minister Yvon Delbos issued declarations to- day indicating they planned broad con- sultations with other powers looking toward a general settlement of world unrest. - Mr. Chamberlain's statement said Germany's colonial demands Eould not be considered “in isolation.” 1t declared France and Britain were ready to co-operate with other powers in protecting both their rights and treaty obligations in the Far East. Statement Given Commons. | The statement, outlining the French | and British position, was made to the House of Commons after the heads of both governments had completed a two-day review of their problems and destinies in world danger spots. e Prime Minister told Commons: he ultimate object we have in | view is a general settlement. “It is obvious that a general settle- ment cannot be arrived at merely by | among three, countries | template that other countries should | be brought into the conversations. At | immediate extension of the co tions, although it may, perhaps, come at a later stage.” Text of Communique. The communique, which Chamber- lain himself read, follows: “Chautemps (Premier Camilie Chau- temps of Prance) and Delbos had a number of conversations with the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Foreign Aflairs (Anthony Eder) |and other British ministers during | their stay in London from November 29 to November 30. “The French ministers heard from Viscount Halifax himself a statement on his recent conversations in Ger- many. “They were glad to recognize that (See LONDON, Page A-3.) | To Consult Other Powers for Removal of World Sore Spots conversations between two, or even | | “Therefore, we must ultimately con- | | the same time, I should make clear 1| |do not think we have got as far as| ersa- | he WASHINGTON, D. C, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1937—SIXTY-FOUR PAGES. %% nce Planning | NEVILLE CHAMBERLAMN. BUSES FIRED UPON IN PENNSHLVANI {Greyhound Dispatcher Says 3 Were Attacked While Crossing Mountains. By the Associated Press. GETTYSBURG, Pa., Nov. 30.—L. T. Shreve, Greyhound bus dispatcher, said today three buses traveling over the Pennsylvania mountains were fired upon before dawn. Shreve said two of the buses were struck by bullets. No one was hurt. Greyhound bus drivers called a strike last week. “The driver heard the crack of a rifie and the whistle of a bullet as it whizzed past,” Shreve said in speak- ing of the third incident, which oc- | curred on the mountainside near Mc- | Connellsburg. That bus was east- | bound from Pittsburgh. | The two other buses were westbound | for Pittsburgh. Shreve said two shots |broke a window beside the driver's |seal at nearby Cashtown. He said i the other bus was fired upon near | Zora, between Waynesboro and Gettys- burg, & bullet hitting the side of the car below the driver’s seat. I Ultimatam Is Issued. | With striking drivers given until noon tomorrow to return to work or | give up their jobs, Greyhound officials i here were marking time today, pend- { ing further developments. L. C. Major, regional manager, said | the company counter-proposal sub- | mitted to the Brotherhood of Rall- road Trainmen had been sent to the ,306 drivers in this region with a let- | ter setting out the ultimatum about discontinuing the strike. Mr. Major said ‘the strikers total 53, divided as follows: ‘Washington, | 24; Richmond, 14; Baltimore, 11, and | Norfolk, 4. | He said investigation had deter- | mined that the bus showered with | rocks near Accotink, Va., yesterday had not previously been tampered with. The driver had reported he had had engine trouble after leaving Richmond, and it was at first thought sugar had been placed in the gasoline, The grand jury here tomorrow will get the cases of 11 men accused of beating William F. Dixon, a driver, Friday afternoon. The attack on Dixon and the incident near Acco- tink were the only disorders that have marked the progress here of the strike which went into effect last Wednesday at midnight. Deadline Tomorrow. CLEVELAND, Nov. 30 (#).—Remain-,| ing firm in their stand against a. closed- shop contract, Greyhound Bus Line officials fixed noon tomorrow as the deadline for striking bus drivers to re- turn to work or “be considered as hay- ing resigned from the service.” The notice received by employes of the nine affected Greyhound lines op- erating in 16 States, was accompanied by & copy of the contract which the company has offered the. Brotherhood of* Railroad Trainmen, bargaining agency for the strikers. “The company has not included in the contract the provision that driv- ers must join the Brotherhood of Rail- AGTIONONHOUSING DUE THIS SESSION \Farm, Anti-Lynching and Reorganization Votes Also Predicted. BACKGROUND— Despite eflorts in several direc- tions to stimulate building industry as essential to natiomal prosperity, administration has not yet suc- ceeded. Last spring, Congress passed new housing bill, but before this program could even begin Jurther efforts are being launched in President's proposals for ex- Ppendtture of $16,000,000,000 of pri- vate funds through easier financing and lower cost building. Supple- mental legislation is expected soon. B3 the Associated Press. Majority Leader Barkley said today he expected the Senate to complete action on new farm legislation, the anti-lynching bill, Government reor- ganization and housing legislation before the special session ends. Senator Barkley outlined “this goal” after a long conference with Demo- cratic Senators on the Steering Com- mittee. The administration leader admitted his program was “optimistic” ir view of plans to end the special session “about December 22" for the year end holidays. Senator ~ Barkley said _Chairman T (See HOUSING, Page A-4) ALFARO FLIES HOME MIAMI, Fla., Nov. 30 (#).—Colon Eloy Alfaro, Ambassador from Ecuador to the United States, left today by in Guayaquil, after commenting that President Poosevelt has “taken a posi- tion of world leadership in cementing pan Americanism.” Alfaro, who arrived yesterday from Washington, said his trip was of a private nature and he expected to be back at his post before Christmas. Pan American airfiner for his home ' / WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ICARRAN SEEKING PROBE OF H.0.L.C. HEALTH ‘DONATION Agency Was Not Set Up to Make Fund “Gifts,” Senator Asserts. DECLARES CONTROLLER SHOULD MAKE INQUIRY Congress Is Quite Competent to Order Experiments if It Wants ' Them, Nevadan Asserts. | BACKGROUND— Storm of criticism and praise was precipitated by announcement Jew months ago that Home Owners® Loan Corporation would partici- pate in group health insurance plan for its employes. Most of criticism has come from organized medicine. Individual participation in plan is on voluntary basis. Corp. have been called on by Senator McCarran, Democrat, of Nevada “to explain on what authority they have | contributed $40,000 of Government funds to an experiment in collective medicine.” The Senator also announced today he had called on the controller gen- eral to investigate the “contribution” for the operation of Group Health -Association, Inc., set up to give medical | care to employes of the Federal Home | Loan Bahk Board, the Home Owners' Loan Corp. and affiliated agencies, who join G. H. A. From Government sources it had previously been explained officially that $20,000 had been advanced this year, and the F. H L. B. B. stood | ready to advance $20,000 more next year for the G. H. A. A clinic has been set up by G. H. A. and has been operating for weeks in the 1300 block of I street, overlooking Franklin Park. Seal Checks on Status. Meanwhile, Corporation Counsel El- | wood H. Seal is looking into G. H. A. with a view to determining whether it is doing an insurance business, while chartered as a corporation, or whether it is a corporation engaged in the prac- tice of medicine. Both these charges { are denied by G. H. A. officials, who | claim it is a corporation selling service. Senator McCarran, in his statement, said he had called on H. O. L. C. ofi- cials for an explanation because “there appears considerable doubt as to the legality of it. “The Home Owners' Loan Corp. was set up by Congress to lend money to private citizens their homes or to guarantee such loans already made. “It was never contemplated by Congress that any money appropriated for the H. O. L. C. would be donated to any one or to any organization for | any purpose. It certainly was not | contemplated that any money would | be donated for an experiment in col- lective State-subsidized medicine. “The controller general, whose duty it is to pass on all expenditures of Government funds, should investigate this particular expenditure at once. “In the menntime I am w: | | OF LABOR COMMITTEE Utah Senator Succeeds Black. Green Is Added to Foreign Relations Group. By the Associated Press. Senator Thomas, Democrat, of Utah was selected chairman of the Senate Labor Committee today. He succeeds Hugo L. Black, Alabama Senator who was elevated to the Supreme Court. Senator Green, Democrat, of Rhode Island was added to the Foreign Rela- tions Committee. Senator Johnson, Democrat, of Colorado was named to the Finance Committee. Two new Democratic Senators were given first committee assignments. Mrs. Dixie Bibb Graves of Alabama was placed on Claims, Labor and Mines and Mining Committees. John E. Miller of Arkansas was given posts on the -Military Affairs, Territories and Insular Affairs, Rules and Print- jing Committees. Summary of Page. Lost & Found D-6 Obituary -__A-14 Page. Amusements D-4 Christmas story, ’ B-12 Comics __D-10-11 Editorials ._A-12 Financial ._.A-21 FOREIGN. Britain and Prance planning broad parleys for peace. A-1 Japanese seize U. S. boat and throw flag into river. Page A-1 Nanking fortified against advancing Japanese, Page A-4 Woman’s Pg..D-5 NATIONAL. Congress. goes to work on home con- struction program. Page A-1 Roosevelt highway proposal = draws eriticism. Page A-1 A. F. of L. leader insists C. I. O. be road Trainmen in order to. work for .the company,” the statement said. “It feels that all employes should be CONSTABLES DISAPPEAR Three Palestine Officers Feared Held by Terrorists. JERUSALEM, Nov. 30 (#.—An Arab sergeant and two constables “abandoned.” Page A-1 New milk strike threatens Buffalo and area. A-2 40 witnesses called in Minneapolis murder. Page A-3 WASHINGTON AND NEARBY. Chest drive to continue until ‘goal is reached. Page A-1 Negotiations for 200 private homes at Greenbelt begun. Page A-3 High school seniors to get tuberculin tests tomorrow. Page A-10 Grocery clerk “kidnaped,” robbed of $300. Page A-16 Health Center tonstruction to begin soon Page B-1 ‘Washington bridge visiting aces. players outplay Page B-1 Bill. to exempt museum from taxation ' is approved. Today's Star Lawyer discloses Nuckols’ offer to “take rap” for other gamblers. Page B-1 Bar group urw speedy disposal of divorce cases. Page B-6 EDITORIAL AND COMMENT. Editorials. Ppge A-12 This and That. Page A-12 Answers to Questions. Page A-12 Political Mill. Page A-12 Stars, Men and Atoms. Page A-12 David Lawrence. Page A-13 ‘The Capital Parade. Page A-13 Mark Sullivan. Page A-13 Jay Franklin. Page A-13 Delia Pynchon. Page A-13 FINANCIAL. Corporate bonds mixed (Table), Page A-21 Page A;21 Page fifn Page A-22 Page A-23 Page A-23 Oll output slumps Stocks advance (Tabie) D. C. clearings jump Curb shares up (Table) Rubber quotas slashed SPORTS. Many rumors, no trades as minor baseball meeting opens. Page D-1 Pitt, U 8. top team, to spurn all “bowl"” bids. Page D-1 Maryland’'s Meade makes All-South- e grid team. PageD-2 Fair bowlers seek big entry in Star tournament. Page D-3 MISCELLANY. Shipping News. Page A-5 Page B-10 Page B-1¢ Page B-16 bening Star DO A THING | ' /flu\' OL’ DEAR, To FOR You For A COUPLE OMONTHS! The only in Washin Associated UP) Means Associated @?1%2% S ’“7' Yt g Capital Mobilized as Santa i For Christmas Toy Campaign Radio Broadcast Reminds Wflshington‘ That 10,000 Children Face Tearful |indomitable and Buck Lang- | Yule Withou‘.\t Your Help. Congress, the executive depattments and the independent and emergency | agencies of the Pederal Government | were mobilized today to insure success for the Christmas campaign’s purpose | of bringing cheer December 25 into thousands of Washington homes which | might be bleak and toyless. Represen- tatives Voorhis, Nemocrat, of Califor- | nia, and Allen, Democrat, of Pennsyl- vania, are organizing the drive at the | Capitol, at the request of Thomas | Burke, chief of the specialties division, Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Com- merce, Department of Commerce, who is Federal co-ordinator of the cam- paign. | Newbold Noyes, associate editor of The Star, spurred the campaign at its start with a reminder last night in a | broadcast over Station WRC of the | National Broadcasting Co.. that more | than 10,000 boys and girls in the Cap- ' ital would face a giftless Christmas unless Washingtonians remembered this y as they have in the past, that they “are Santa Claus.” The campaign is organized to make it easy for Washington to play Santa Claus through the co-operation of The Star, Warner Brothers Theaters, the National Broadcasting Co., the Metro- politan Police Department, (See TOYS, Page A. ABANDON . .0, A.F.L INSISTS, Harrison Says His Group‘ Won’t Make Concessions Unless Rival Does. BACKGROUND— Labor in America has been split into two factions since fall of 1935. Aided by validation of labor re- lations law, two groups rose to rec- ord strength with combined mem- bership of more than 7,000,000 workers. Eflorts for reconciliation were launched in October, but lit- tle progress has beem made in sit weeks of conferences. BULLETIN. Peace conferees of the C. 1. O. and the A. F. of L. agreed today on a five-point agenda on which con- ferences will begin tomorrow morn- ing. First of the five will be the question of spotting industries best adapted to the industrial form of organization. The other four points follow: Continuing status of C. I. O.; ques- tion of joint recommendations to a special convention on the powers of the A. F. of L. Executive Council; creation of machinery to' make agreement effective, and basis of representation at a special conven- tion. By JOHN C. HENRY, Peace negotiations between the Committee for Industrial Organization and the American Federation of Labor appeared heading into a climax today as A. F. of L. representatives clung stubbornly to their insistence that the C. 1. O. be abandoned as an entity, and C. I. O. conferees displayed an equal determination to assure them- selves undisputed jurisdiction in the Nation’s great industries. George M. Harrison, chairman of the A. F. of L. negotiators, made the PFederation position clear in conversa- tion with' reporters before entering today’s session. “We'll do certain things providing they will do certain things,” Mr. Har- rison said, “but naturally we can't bargain by conceding something unless they will.” Asked what he wanted the C. I. O. conferees to do, he replied: “Abandon the C. I. 0.” After conferring for more than two hours with John L. Lewis, the C. I. O. delegation arrived at the peace parley shortly before noon, grimly refusing any comment on the status of negotia- tions. Yesterday the conferees had deadlocked the sessions by a demand that the A. F. of L. Committee place in writing its willingness to allow un- qualified industrial organization in some 15 important mass production industries. 3 It was this request, in connection with which they offered no compara- ble concession, that Mr. Harrison's committee declined to meet. Although they previously had indicated they would be willing to make such con- cession, the Federation negotiators never have specified which industries they would be willing to turn over to industrial organization. Although the spotting of such in- dustries would be an obvious advan- tage for the C. I O. conferees, their insistence on such action is based partly also on their long-standing doubt as to the actual authority of the Federation committee, | that the drive will be continued until DRIVE FOR CHEST 10GO ONTO GOAL Workers, $227,000 Short, Again Refuse to Ac- cept Defeat. Refusing for a second time to accept | defeat, in their efforts to obtain a rec- | ord Community Chest campaign goal | of $2,059,000, the Tenth Anniversary Campaign Committee announced today the goal is reached. What was to have been a final report meeting at the conclusion of an ad- ditional week of campaigning brought | disappointing results and found the drive still more than $227,000 short of the goal. Announcement of continuation of the campaign was made at the report luncheon by Newbold Noyes. associate editor of The Star, former Chest pres- ident and campaign director and now a member of the Tenth Anniversary Committee. On behalf of the com- mittee, Mr. Noyes announced a pro- gram of activity which is expected ul- timately to result in success in the drive for funds with which to support the activities of 69 organizations dur- ing the coming year. Workers Boost Own Gifis 107 Members of . the committee them- selves will increase their subscriptions an additional 10 per cent and, if pos- sible, will increase the contributions of their firms or corporations by the same amount, he announced. Special appeals will be made to all who have not so far contributed and to those who have given less this year than in previous years. Special efforts will be made to reach Washingtonians in the middle-salary brackets, Mr. Noyes explained. The Campaign Committee will endeavor to check carefully the reasons for “too (See CHEST, Page A-20) TWO MORE HORSES SPONGED AT BOWIE horne Bring List of Tam- pered Animals to Four. Special Dispatch to The Star. BOWIE. Md., Nov. 30.—The list of | sponged horses here reached four to- day when Dr. Henry J. McCarthy, track veterinarian, dislodged a sponge from the nostril of the Paragon Stable’s Indomitable, which finished seventh 1n yesterday's sixth race. Earlier a sponge had been found m; Buck Langhorne, owned by Mrs. Ken- | neth N. Gilprin. Indomitable, it was learned today, was examined in the paddock before the race. When Dr. McCarthy failed to find anything and the horse ran 50 poorly, his trainer asked that the | horse be examined again. As a re- sult, a sponge similar to those found evening npfir gton with the Press News and Wirephoto Services. Pres: TWO CENTS. HAYDEN ASSALS ROOSEVELT PLAN 10 GUT ROAD AID Arizona Democrat Declares U. S. Should Not Repu- diate Its Pledge. DECLARES STATES LAID PLANS FOR TWO YEARS President Asked Curtailment to Help in Bringing Budget Into Balance. BACKGROUND— In emphasizing necessity for bal- ancing budget, President Roosevelt recently cited large Federal grants for road construction as one of items which might be pared. With many States now depending prin- cipally on the Federal Government for such assistance as they have come to do in many other respects, a real “pork-barrel” fight is er- pected over any eflorts to cut such aid. * Text of Pr;xzdeflt's Message, Page A-8. By the Associated Press. President Roosevelt's proposal to curtail Federal highway spending met immediate criticism in the Senate to- day. As soon as clerks finished reading the President’s message on future re- ductions in this budget item, Senator Hayden, Democrat, of Arizona, long- time highway sponsor, asserted that Congress should not repudiate its “contractual obligation.” He referred specifically to the Presi- dent’s suggestion to cance! a $214,- 000,000 item for road aid for the fiscal year beginning next July 1. Mr. Hayden said many States map- ped their road programs for two years when their Legislatures met last year and that a cut in the funds available for Federal highway aid would inter- fere seriously with programs already planned Asserting that “definite steps” are necessary to balance the budget, Mr Roosevelt proposed in his special mes- sage: in other horses was dislodged. Buck Langhorne ran in yesterday's' gixth race and finished third. He wuj . in barn S, the same barn ‘Wherein W. Ellis Johnson’s Master Lad | and White Sand were found sponged. | Sam Lewin, part owner of the Para- | gon Stable, stated that his horses are | quartered at the Laurel track. This means that the gang which has been | | sponging horses here went o Laurel to take care of Indomitable. The stewards here interviewed near- 1 ly 100 owners, trainers and stable men | this morning in an effort to throw | some light on the sponging of the| four horses. It was reported that officials of the Maryland Racing Commission knew that a gang of spongers arrived in Baltimore from New York last Sat- urday. Detectives were sent to trsll‘ their car, but they escaped. A Nation- | wide broadcast has been sent out to pick up the men for questioning. Buck Langhorne’s odds soared in yesterday's race. He closed at $5.95 | to $1. He was beaten six lengths by Aladdin’s Dream and Alexandrine. The race was run in 1:5025 over a muddy track. Because of the death early this| morning of Mrs. Jane Smith, wife of Trainer J. P. (Sammy) Smith, the horses Findon, Some Boy and Reign- ing Lass were scratched from today's card. Mrs. Smith died at her home in Jamaica Estates, Long Island. Smith's horses will be sent back to Belmont Park, N. Y., whence they will be sent to Santa Anita, Calif. HOME OWNERS TO GET SOFT COAL PRICE CUT | By the Assotiated Press. Lower soft coal prices for the home owner but higher prices for industry will be announced either tonight or tomorrow by the National Bituminous Coal Commission. After months of work, the commis- sion has completed price schedules for all mires éast of the Mississippi River and in Iowa. These mines produce more than 75 per cent of the country’s annual tonnage. Fora Happier Christmas— Postmaster General Indorses The Star’s Campaign “I cannot bespeak too earnestly the support of this com- munity for the Christmas Campaign that again this year is being conducted by The Washington Star and associated groups. “Happily, the need for the bread of charity is not so great as we have seen, but there are calls— yes, demands—that can be met only ! if those who have a little will share with those who have not. “Food, clothing, gifts. are asked, i that Christmas may be made brighter for the unfortunates who, somehow or other, the good things of life pass by. “It will take united effort to assure the success of this movement, and this I urge in behalf of Star and those joining with Warner Bros’ theater chain, tfonal Broadcasting Co., the Metro- The e - e Postmaster General Farley. politan Police Department, the Parent-Teacher "Association and Federal employes. “JAMES A. FARLEY, . “U. 8. Postmaster General.” 1. Cancellation of a $214,000.000 apportionment authorized for dis- tribution among the States during the 1939 fiscal year. 2. Spreading over the next two fiscal years a $200,000.000 appro- priation balance authorized for the present (1938) fiscal year. 3. A limit of $125,000,000 an- nually on all public roads au- thorizations for and after the 1940 fiscal year (compared to a total of $238,000,006 each for 1938 and 1939.) 4. Revision of the Federal-aid highway law to eliminate a re- quirement that the Federal Gov- ernment apportion to the various States the annual amount author- ized for appropriation. Mr. Roosevelt pointed out that since enactments of the first Federal Aid Highway Act in 1916 more than $3,100.000.000 of regular and em- ergency appropriations have gone from the Federal Treasury into road- building. Averages Contrasted. He contrasted the $298,000,000 an- nual average for the last five years with an average of less than $100,000,~ 000 in each of the five years preceding the depression. | The message said that so far this | fiscal year there has been $24,500,000 appropriated for Federal aid highways and elimination of grade crossings and $13.500,000 for roads and trails con- nected with national parks. Western Senators led an incipient revolt against Mr. Roosevelt's curtail- ment recommendations even before the message reached the Capitol. Senator Hayden, co-author of the act under which Congress has appro- priated more than $200,000,000 to be spent on roadbuilding during the year beginning July 1, 1938, arranged to speak in the Senate immediately after presentation of the message. Senator McCarran, Democrat, of Nevada, joined Hayden in opposing a reduction, which he said threatened “one of our greatest sources of ab- sorbing unemployment.” The Nevada Senator asserted that commitments already had been made to the States. Obligations Cited. “These are contracts we are nor- mally obligated to fulfill,” Senator McCarran said. “We are going to face a critical unemployment problem if these funds are curtailed.” Of the $200,000,000 made available by Congress for allotments January 1, approximately $125,000,000 would go to direct Federal aid in building main highways, $50,000,000 for grade crossings and $25,000,000 for sec- ondary roads. Federal aid represented about one- tenth of the more than $1,000,000,000 expended in 1936 by State highway departments, which for the most part used fees paid by highway users. First Highway Fund. The first Federal highway fund was $5,000,000 in 1893, and was used in maintenance of post routes for mail delivery. ‘Today there are about 3,000,000 miles of highway in the United States. Secretary Wallace has estimated 2,- 000,000 miles lacked any improvement and 400,000 miles were only partially improved. ‘The Federal aid fund is distributed on the basis of population, area and post road mileage. Last year Texas received the largest amount, $12,273,- 957. Highway departments of 40 States have been co-operating with Federal officials this year in an extensive sur- vey of all roads. Mr. Wallace has called road build- ing “one of the best ways to spend Federal money in time of a depression to take care of unemployment.”