Evening Star Newspaper, February 28, 1940, Page 1

Weather Forecast Cloudy tonight and tomorrow; lowest tonight about 33; colder tomorrow aft- * ernoon and night. Temperatures to- day—Highest, 45, at 3 pm.; lowest, 34, at 8 am. From the flfllfid mmgm‘n_’-'mn repert. Closing New York Markets, Page 18. 88th YEAR. No. 35,001 Hull Reports Neutrals Favor Post-War Plan Preliminary Reaction Indorses Moves - To Balk Autarchy By GARNETT D. HORNER. Secretary of State Hull said today that preliminary international re- action has been favorable to his re- cent suggestion for discussions with other neutral nations in the interest of preventing the forces of autarchy, regimentation and economic totali- tarianism from gaining control after the end of the war. The Secretary announced a fort- night ago that this Government was conferring informally with some other neutrals about the need for disarmament and establishment of liberal trade policies after the Eu- ropean war in order to assure a firm foundation for permanent peace. As part of a plan to extend the discussions to any other nation that might be interested, Mr. Hull said today that copies of his public state- . ment had been sent to American diplomatic representatives in prac- tically every country so it could be brought to the attention of all for- eign offices informally. Fears Autarchy’s Spread. Emphasizing again that conditions of the present wars are nof involved in the program, the Secretary said he felt it would be disastrous if the forces of peace and stability were not organized now in preparation for the post-war reconstruction. Unless there is such organization, he said, the fdrces of autarchy and economic totalitarianism probably ‘would have the same tendency they had after the World War to spread their practices to ever-increasing areas of the world, with much worse destructive effects. No Specific Plans Now. Asked if any specific programs for organization of peace after the war have been offered during the cur- rent discussions, Mr. Hull said he would be able to discuss that ques- tion more fully at some time in the future. His original announcement em- phasized that the conversations in- volved no definite plans but “are in the nature of preliminary inquiries relating to a sound international economic system and, at the same time, world wide reduction of arm- aments.” Welles Due to Arrive In Zurich Today ROME, Feb. 28 (#) —Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles left early today for Zurich, Switzerland, en route to Germany to meet with Adoif Hitler and German Foreign Minister von Ribbentrop on: his fact-finding tour of Europe as President Roose- velt's personal emissary. ‘The American envoy also will con- fer with Field Marshal Hermann ‘Wilhelm Goering during his two-day stay in Berlin before going on to Paris and London. Visibly .tired from his round. of conferences here, Mr. Welles en- trained after he and Myron C. Tay- lor. Mr. Roosevelt's envoy to the Vatican, launched through the open- ing stages the President’s double- berreled peace initiative. American, Embassy attaches and Celesia de Vegliasco, chief of proto- col for the Italian foreign ministry, were at the station to see Mr. Welles off. The Undersecretary boarded his train at 11:30 pm. and retired im- mediately. Earlier he had bid farewell to United States Ambassador William Phillips, his host during his Rome stay. Mr. Welles will reach Zurich in midafternoon today and proceed to Berlin Thursday, arriving Friday morning. While Mr. Welles spent yesterday in conferences with the British, French and CGerman Ambassadors, Mr. Taylor delivered to Pope Pius XII Mr. Roosevelt's assurances of American collaboration to bring to- gether a Europe divided against itself. Ice Company Sues Union For Half Million Charging it had been “blacklist- ed” and illegally coerced, the Con- solidated Terminal Corp., manufac- turers of ice in the District and three nearby communities, today filed a $500,000 damage suit in Dis- trict Court against the Drivers, Chauffeurs and Helpers’ Local Union 639, an A. F. of L. affiliate, and four of its officers, The suit charged conspiracy in restraint of trade and asked for damages under the anti-trust laws. ‘The company claimed libel and de- clared the union had sought to de- stroy its business by picketing and threatening to picket its custom- ers who were informed the com- pany was the only local manufac- turer of ice refusing to recog- nize or deal with the union. The court was told there is no tabor dispute between the company and its employes and the union is attempting to force company em- ployes into membership. Officers of the union named in the suit were Charles Bell, president; Samuel Welch, vice president; L. A. Train- ham, secretary, and Stuart M. Key- ser, secretary. Attorneys William E. Leahy and :‘anmm J. Hughes, jr, filed the t. Man's Sixth Birthday Tomorrow Is First For Daughter, 4 STERLING, Ill, Peb. 28 (#).— Bela Larson will observe his 6th birthday anniversary tomor- row and his daughter, Carolyn, will observe her first. Both were born in leap year, father on February 29, 1016, and daughter on February 29, 1936.. Census Income ‘Smoke Screen,’ WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION e 7nenin' Star Established in 1852 Most people in Washington have The Star delivered to their homes every evening and Sunday morning. * WASHINGTON, D. C, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1940—FORTY-TWO PAGES.*#%# Query Defense Tobey Says Hopkins ‘Dissembling,’ Senator Charges; Bailey Defends Questions as Necessary By BLAIR BOLLES. Seénator Tobey, Republican, of Vermont, the leader in the fight against the income questions in the 1940 pobulation census, today ac- cused Secretary of Commerce Hop- kins of “dissembling” and “making & smoke screen” when he says sim- lar questions have been put in previous censuses. “It doesn’t work,” Senator Tobey told a subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee of Secretary Hopkins' protest. “It is new,” he quoted from a bulletin of the Census Bureau sent to the census super- visors stating that “for the first time we seek information.” The income questions violate the Bill of Rights and have no author- ization in the Census Act of 1929, on which the 1940 census rests, Mr. Tobey said. Referring to the fine Brifish Warplanes Over Berlin Again, London Claims Dutch Loose Cannon Fire On Foreign Aircraft In Night Flights By the Associated Press. LONDON, Feb. 28.—The air min- istry announced today that Royal Air Force planes had made readn- naissance flights over Berlin again last night. A ministry communique said: “Last night the aircraft of the Royal Air Force carried out exten- sive reconnaissance flights over Northern Germany. Our aircraft flew over Berlin and Hanover, and enemy-bases at Kiel and Cuxhaven were successfully reconnoitered.” The flight over Germany by Brit- ish planes were the fifth reported in the past six days. Nazis Charge British Crossed Netherlands BERLIN, Feb. 28 (#).—Informed German Army quarters reported to- day it was ‘“established without doubt” that British planes crossed the Netherlands border into Ger- many last night at two points. Planes Over Holland Draw Heavy Gunfire. AMSTERDAM, Feb. 28 (#).—For- eign planes flying high over the Netherlands, on the direct air route between Germany and Britain, drew heavy anti-aircraft gunfire early to- day without apparent results. The chief of the Amsterdam air defense district, Lt. Gen. van Ermel Scherer, said 10 planes were fired on, but were so high that the possibility of hits was small. Almost daily affairs since the war started, aerial violations of the Netherlands’ neutrality have resulted in at least 11 protests in Berlin and four in London. Germans assert that the Nether- lands is a regular gateway for British planes reaching Germany. Blaze Away Five Hours. For more than five hours, ending at 3 am, Amsterdam anti-aircraft batteries blazed away intermittently at unwelcome visitors, as they had done also on Monday and Saturday nights. For the second time, an unex- ploded shell ripped through a house | from garret to cellar, and military authorities began an investigation. Last Saturday, a schoolhouse in the heart of the city was damaged; to- day, a 3-inch projectile crashed through three floors of a residence near the beds of sleeping residents. The British repeatedly have re- ported reconnaissance flights over Germany, but have not mentioned the routes taken. German military circles said to- day British craft had penetrated Germany last night from two points on the Netherlands border. British Decline to Comment. In London the air ministry de- clined to comment on the German assertion that British planes had flown over the Netherlands. The route over the low countries also is the shortest for German planes, and the Netherlands govern- ment protested to Berlin at least twice during January that German flyers were violating Holland’s neu- trality. Anti-aircraft guns and pur- suit planes were used to drive off these craft. The official German news agency, DNB, declared German observers had established “beyond the possi- bility of mistake” that the British were flying over the Netherlands to and from Germany. It said they crossed the border at five different points Monday night and returned by three routes over the neutral border. DNB described the flights as “d violation of Holland’s neutrality.” James 0'Donnell Bennett, Veteran Newsman, Dies By the Associated Press. CHICAGO, Feb. 28.—James O'Don- former dramatic critic and foreign correspondent, died last night at his home. In poor health several years, he ceased his active journalistic career 13 months ago. Mr. Benneut, & newspaperman 46 years, was one of the first Amer- icans to cable eyewitness accounts of the World War. In Brussels, he and three other correspondents, Irvin Cobb, Harry Hansen and John T. McCutcheon, were locked up by the German War for-the old Chicago Journal. 4 and penalty for persons refusing to answer questions, he exclaimed: “And they talk about the ways of Hitler and Stalin.” The Senator appeared to argue for his resolution, which would make it the sense of the Senate that the income questions, 32 and 33, should not be put by the census- takers when the census is started in April, The Senator’s chief criticism was that the census enumeration is in the hands of temporary political ap- pointees who, he fears, may not keep secret the information they gather. He claimed there was mis- use of W. P. A. information for political purposes in 1938. These “political hangers-on,” Mr, Tobey said, will pass on “the choice morsels” of private information to (Continued on Page A-9, Column 1.) Rumania Is Offered Safety by Germany For More Supplies Reich’s Price Is Boost In Shipments of Qil, Wheat and Other Goods EXPEDITIONARY FORCE to aid Finland considered by Britain; discussion inspired by protests against half-measures of aid. Page A-2 TWO NAZI WARPLANES downed over France, Paris announces; Germans report repulse of strong allied infantry assault. Page A-5 By the Associated Press. BUCHAREST, Feb. 28.—Authori- tative quarters said today Germany had offered to guarantee Rumania’s borders in return for huge increases in ofl, wheat and other raw material shipments to the Reich. These sources said the plan was submitted while the Rumanian cabinet considered issuing a royal decree for virtual civil mobilization to accompany military mobilization already undertaken in part. Acceptance of the German plan, it was said, would oblige Rumania to abandon her plan for civil mobili- zation and send at least 1,000,000 of her 1,400,000 men uncer arms back to their jobs in fields snd factories. The German plan also was said | o include a promise to prevail upcn Hungary, Buigaria and Soviet Rus- sia to abandon their territorial claims on Rumania and ¥gn nen- aggression pacts with her. Germany was reported ready to sponsor a new railway agreement between Rumania and Hungary to make it easier to transport vital supplies to the Reich. Authoritative quarters said it was extremely doubtful whether Ru- mania would accept the plan be- cause the price—a virtual Nazi mo- nopoly of her exports—was consid- ered far too high. The proposed civil mobilization order would give the government control of all industry similar to the plan already in operation in ‘Turkey. ‘The presence of allied and Turkish armies in the Near East within’ reach of Rumania’s border was said by diplomats to be making the Bal- kan country cautious about accept- ing German guarantees. Dr, Karl Clodius, Germany’s ace economic expert, postponed a visit to Bucharest until next,week. Observ- ers said this was to give Rumania time to study the German plan. The recent favorable trend of French and British relations with Rumania, wherein the allies re- sumed shipping raw materials, war planes and armaments to Rumania, was seen as another bar to the German proposal. Meanwhile, Rumania was sched- uled to call an additional 200,000 reservists to the colors March 1, swelling the army to 1,600,000— virtually general mobilization. Summary of Page. Page. Amusements, Obituary .._A-12 -12-13 | Radio .....-B-20 Oomics __B-20-21 | Society - -B-3 Editorials __A-10| Sports __A-14-16 Finance _...A-17| Woman's Page, Lost, Found, B-16 A-13 Foreign British planes fly over Berlin again, London claims. Page A-1 Finns report bombing of Red com- munications. Page A-1 German offer to guargntee Rumania reported. A-1 Lloyd George sees Britain in pinch of food shortage. Page A-2 8500 British volunteers on way to join Finns. Page ‘A-2 British consider expeditionary force to Finland. Page A- Two Nazi warplanes downed, French announce. Page A-8 National ' Sliding scale tax urged for unem- ployment benefit. Page A-1 House refuses South American credit ban in Finnish aid bill. Page A-1 Republicans see Ohio victories sign 1940 is G. O. P. year. - Page A-1 Hundreds homeless as floods cover vast California areas. Page A-1 Taft, speaking in Baltimore, assails planned economy. Page A-3 Roosevelt urges doubling of Panama Washington and Vicinity Bill would give D. C. citisens stand- ing in all U. 8. courts. Page A-2 Two indicted in Eastern Shore mur- der-assault case.. Page Sliding Job Tax, Fixed Reserve Plan Urged Levy Would Be Varied As Fund Rose or Fell From Its Set Level By DON S. WARREN. Use of a sliding scale tax plan by which the District fund for pay- ment of unemployment benefits to the eligible jobless would be main- tained at $10,000,000 to $12,000,000 was suggested today by employer groups as a feature of the District’s unemployment compensation system. ‘This proposal, together with a plan for use of an employer ex- perience rating in the operation of the jobless insurance law, was scheduled for consideration at a meeting this afternoon between representatives of the District’s Unemployment Compensation Board and employers. Ufder the proposed sliding scale tax plan, the D. U. C. Board would be directed to make an increase in the flat rate pay roll tax should the benefit reserves fall below $10,- 000,000 and for a decrease in the tax should the fund raise above $12,000,000, the purpose being to maintain the reserves at between the two figures. Rating Plan. The employer experience rating plan, which would provide for a lowering of the pay roll tax rate for the individual employer accord- ingly as he maintains stability of employment for his workers, is being perfected by officials of the Board of Trade, the Merchants’ and Manufacturers’ Association and other business organizations, which are urging that the plan be given a definite early trial in the District. In the current intensive studies of proposed revisions of the present act, there has been general agree- ment that the District's pay roll tax rate of 3 per cent, now the high- est in the country, should be re- duced to 2.7 per cent, the level adopt- ed by most States; that the tax | should be applied only to the first 143,000 of any salary. which is the new Federal policy, and that bene- ifits paid to the eligible jobless should be increased. | Board of Trade officials have | found, however, that even under this | sort of & new program, the District still would be collecting roughly twice as much in taxes each year as the anticipated total benefits to be paid out. Adjustment of Tax. | The present act contains an ex- perience rating plan which is to go into effect next January. It permits an adjustment of the tax between 13 per cent to 4 per cent for em- ployers, according to their employ- ment experience. The pending Mc- Gehee bill calls for further study of the rating plan. Washington busi- ness spokesmen are urging inclusion in the McGehee bill of a new ex- perience rating plan, modeled after those in the laws of Texas, Dela- ware, Illinois and Massachusetts. Their plan would permit adjustment of the pay roll tax rates, according to employment stability experience, to a low of % of 1 per cent to 2.7 per cent. For the operation of such a system, the Board of Trade and other groups are prepared to suggest a formula and a stated mathematical table by which to apply the formula, in order to simplify the use of the system. The contribution rate for individual employers would be determined by two factors: The employers’ benefit wage ratio and the District's over- all experience. The employers’ benefit wage would be the total of the wages he had pald to workers who subsequently lost their jobs and became eligible for beneflt payments. This would be Agured over a three-year period. ‘The District experience factor would be determined by dividing the total amount of benefits paid to all unemployed workers by the total “benefit wages” of all employers for the same period. The pay roll tax rate to be found for the individual| employer would be arrived at by multiplying the ratios found in the two factors. | Today’s Star Mrs. Grayson to be married ‘to George L. Harrison. Page A-7 Hearing set Friday on Government cafeteria situation. Page B-1 Institutional inquiry turns to Lorton tomorrow. Page B-1 Auto driver convicted of negligent homicide here. Page B-1 Four-way income tax seen by A. F. G. E. head. Page B-1 Five persons hurt in Eastern ave- nue crash. Page B-1 Police heads confer on means of checking crime wave. Page B-1 Editorial and Comment This and That. Answers to Questions. Letters to The Star. Page A-10 Page A-10 Page A-10 Page A-11 PageA-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Schoolboys promise thrills in C. U. track meet Saturday. PageA-16 Miscellany Page A-8 Page B-16 Hearts Song. City News in Brief. N SN Speaking of Embarrassing Census Questions—— House Refuses fo Bar| South America Credif Under Finnish Bill Major Fight to Come On Mandatory Loan To Finns for Arms BACKGROUND— Senate-approved bill would en- able Finland to obtain further non-military credit of $20,000,000 out of $100,000,000 new authori- zation for Ezport-Import Bank. Senate also passed resolution urging Securities Commission to ezpedite registration of any ap- plication Finland may make to float private bond issue in this country. By J. A. O'LEARY. The House refused today to bar future loans to most South Ameri- can countries out of the proposed new $10,000,000 lending fund of the Export-Import Bank, $20,000,000 of which could be advanced to Finland. The major fight will come later in the afternoon on efforts to make the Finnish loan mandatory and available for military supplies, in- stead of leaving it to the discretion of the bank and for non-military purposes only. Representative Kean, Republican, of New Jersey, sought to prevent extension of further credit to any South American country which is in default on Bonds held by private investors in the United States. Mr. Kean read a list of a dozen South and Central American coun- tries which, he said, are in default. The House, however, rejected the amendment, 135 to 86. Patman Opposés Motion. ‘The bill already forbids loans if a country has failed to pay-its debt to the United States Government, but this does not cover unpaid private debts. Representative Patman, Democrat, of Texas opposed the Kean motion, contending the bill is designed to stimulate American export, and should not be made a weapon for collection of private debts. House leaders had hoped to pass the bill yesterday, but when ‘general debate lasted until nearly 5 o'clock, it became apparent a night session would have been necessary to act on amendments. Meeting at 11 o’clock today, in- stead of noon, they felt confident of passing the bill late this aft- ernoon. Whether the Senate will insist on a conference will depend on the extent to which the bill may be changed today. Most of the speeches in opposi- tion to the bill yesterday were di- rected mainly at giving the bank $100,000,000, with discretion to lend it to various nations, rather than against non-military aid to the Finns. Fight for Cut Probable. 1t is probable that the unsuccess~ ful effort made in committee to cut the total loan authorization to $50,- 000,000 will be renewed on the floor. Near the close of general de- bate yesterday Representative Allen, Democrat, of Pennsylvania, told the House that the United States might not have wor its independence and become a democracy except for the aid the American colonists received from France in 1776. He predicted that if Russia and Germany win in Europe, this coun- try will have to increase by millions its expenditures for national defense, contending that “liberty and free- dom cannot be murdered in any part of the world without receiving a setback elsewhere.” Representative Monroney, Demo- crat, of Oklahoma, supporting the bill as it came from committee, summed up the arguments of the opponents as follows: “Some of them say it won’t help Finland at_ all, while others say it will help Finland 'so much it will get us into war.” 3 20 Killed, 100 Injured In Coal Mine Blast By the Associated Press. Havoc ‘Like an Earthquake’ Left by California Flash Flood $100,000 Damage Done in 10 Minutes In Berkeley; Other Areas Already Covered By the Assoclated Press. | floors of four business buildings at SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 28.—A |Euclid and Hearst avenue, near the cloudburst sent three raging streams down on Berkeley, Calif., and caused damage estimated at $100,000 within 10 minutes today. Harry Goodrich, city engineer of Berkeley, who estimated the dam- age, said the most severely struck sections “look like they had been hit by an earthquake.” Already, through many parts of Northern California, floods had forced some 3,000 persons from their homes and caused property and crop damage of hundreds of thou- sands of dollars. At Berkeley, Strawberry Creek, which runs through the University of California campus, swept into the business section. It tore stocks from shelves, overturned show cases. The flash flood burst through the Red Communications And Troop Cenfers Bombed, Say Finns Russians Are Repulsed On Karelian Isthmus, Army Communique Says By WADE WERNER, Associated Press Poreign Correspondent. HELSINKI, Feb. 28.—Finnish bombing planes continue to strike at Russian communications and troop concentrations while land torces have repelled continued Red Army attempts to follow up its ad- vantage on the Karelian Isthmus, the Finnish army’s daily commu- nique said today. The communique, however, gave but little indication of the extent of the isthmus fighting, which was believed to be raging undiminished in intensity. The Finnish high command in only a brief reference to Russia’s important drive on Viipuri on the Karelian Isthmus today said the “‘enemy suffered heavily” in fighting in which the Finnish troops “fought defensive actions.” Tanks Reported Destroyed. In this fighting, which occurred yesterday, several Russian tanks were destroyed, the Finns said, and “artillery activity was lively on both sides.” This was the least space given to the isthmus fighting in the daily’ communique for some time. Yes- terday’s statement disclosed that the Russians. were threatening to en- north gate of the campus. It raised havoc with everything within four feet of the floor. The flood swept down Hearst avenue to Berkeley's main business district, leaving a foot of mud in its wake. It turned down University avenue on to Shattuck, where it picked up and carried an automobile for half a block. Another stream raced down Euclid avenue, tearing sway a block of hillside, piling dirt over yards and against houses. A four-car garage was torn down. The slide crashed into a riding academy stable injur- ing some of the 22 horses stabled there. Police rescued Mrs. Rose Lescin- sky and her 2-year-old child Eugene (See FLOODS, Page A-3) Cafe Owner Denies A. B. C. Inspectors Tried fo Get Bribe Testimony of Bartenders’ Union Official Disputed At Liquor Hearing By JAMES E. CHINN. Thomas J. Connors, proprietor of a Georgetown restaurant, today em- phatically denied before the special House subcommittee investigating the liquor situation here that two policemen acting as inspectors for the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board had attempted to extort a bribe from him. Claude S. Martin, executive secre- tary of the District Bartenders’ Union, testified last Friday that Mr. Connors had been approached by two inspectors and subsequently had suffered the loss of his license for seven days to sell liquor by the drink. “I know nothing about the inci- dent,” Mr. Connors told the sub- committee. “The first I heard of this was last Friday, when Mr. Mar- tin told me about his testimony. I think if you will recall Mr. Martin he will tell you he was absolutely wrong.” Admonished to “Keep Quiet.” Mr. Connors also explained that last Friday was the first time he had seen Mr. Martin in six or seven months and that he asked him where he ever “got such a ridicu- lous idea.” Mr. Martin, he said, admonished (See FINLAND, Page A-2) (See LIQUOR, Page A-5.) Use of Inexperienced Lawyers In Murder Cases Hit by Court ‘The United States Court of Ap- peals, in an opinion handed down today reversing the District Court conviction of- a colored man“ for first degree murder for the alleged slaying of a baker a little over a year ago, indicated its dissatisfac- tion with the existing program of assigning lawyers, lacking adequate experience, to defend indigent per- sons accused of homicides. By the opinion William F. John- son, 23, colored laborer, wins a trial. He stands -accused of shooting of George Scandalis, 44- year-old white foreman of a bakery at 476 L. street S.W., on December 18, 1938. The appellate court took its action on the ground that evi- dence - favorable to the defendant, when introduced in District Court after his conviction, failed to allow him a new trial. On the appeal only, Johnson was represented by William H. Collins, former assistant United States at- ROME, Feb. 28.—At least 20 coal | torney. miners were killed and about 100 explosion in a 05, The appellate tribunal, in an opinion written by Associate Justice Henry W. Edgerton, declared: “Accused was & colored boy with- out funds or other means to employ s0 far as appears, was neither assigned by the court nor employed by the defendant. These attorneys did not examine the transcript of the testimony taken at the inquest. After the trial, they filed no brief in this court within the time allowsd by the rules. “The trial court finally asked pres- ent counsel to represent the de- fendant on this appeal. In the cir- cumstances the failure of counsel to preduce all avavilable evidence in & case involving the life of the ac- sort without compensation, but the rights of poor persons can be pro- tected in no other way until sys- Assoc Press. THREE CENTS. Ohio Victories Show the Trend, Republicans Say November Rout of New Deal Seen in Results of 2 Contests By G. GOULD LINCOLN. Republican victories yesterday in Ohio, where they won special elec- tions in the 22d and 17th congres- slonal districts, were hailed by Re- publican leaders today as a sure sign 1940 is to be a G. O. P. year. In the 17th district House race J. Harry McGregor, Republican, won by 4,500 votes over his Democratic opponent, Byron B. Ashbrook, nephew of the late Representative Ashbrook. Mr. McGregor got 27,437 votes to 22895 for Mr. Ashbrook. Mrs. Chester C. Bolton, Republican, wife of the late Representative Bol- ton, kept the 22d district Republican against her Democratic opponent, Anthony A. Fleger. Mrs. Bolton is the first woman ever elected to Con- gress in Ohio. She polled 40,882 votes to' 24,348 for Mr. Fleger. Both congressional districts showed shifts of 7 per cent toward the Republican party. If such a shift is general in other parts of the country the Republicans can pick up 80 House seats now held by the Demiocrats. They need, hows- ever, to carry only 47 of these seats and hold what they won in 1938 to control the House, New Deal Was Issue. Chairman John Hamilton of the Republican National Committee, in- sisting the New Deal had been made a clear-cut issue in the Ohio con- tests, said today. “The Republicans take the first blood of 1940. This confirms the trend we have contended has been running since 1938. It means that we will elect a majority of the House and a President of the United States next November.” Representative Ditter of Pennsyl- vania, chairman of the Republican Congressional Committee, issued the following statement: “The results in the Ohio special elections demonstrate that the tide of national sentiment continues strongly toward a Republican sweep next November. “These elections were decided on domestic issues. They show that the American people are concerned first with home problems and not with the quarrels and intrigues of Europe. Efforts to divert popular attention from pressing domestic problems have been unavailing to our third-term bureaucrats. Bigger Republican Vote. “In the 22d Ohio distric. the Re- publican vote increased from 555 per cent in “1938 to 632 per cent yesterday. Mrs. Bolton’s vote was one of the largest in percentage ever received by any candidate in that district. “In the 17th district, long regarded as & Democratic stronghold, the Re- publican candidate polled 47.5 per cent in 1938 and 54.6 per cent yes- terday. This district was one of 43 throughout the country which the Republicans lost in 1938 by less than 3 per cent of the total vote. Yes- terday’s election confirms our recent report from the field that practi- cally all of these 43 closely contested districts in 1938 will be found in &w Republican column next Novem- e The 17th Ohio district is the home | district of former Representative | West, a leader in the. Roosevelt third-term movement. Mr. West represented the district in the House for four years, winning in 1930 and 1932. In 1934, he was put forward by the New Dealers for the Demo- cratic senatorial nomination against Senator Donahey, but was defeated despite administration support. It was Senator Donahey who re- cently kicked over the traces and declined to be a favorite-son stalk- ing horse for President Roosevelt in the Ohic presidential preferen- tial primary May 14. He also de- clined to be listed as a candidate for delegate at large to the Demo- cratic National Convention. “As Ohio Goes—" Representative Bender, Repub- lican, of Ohio, speaking on the floor of the House today, said that the New Deal had been “the basic is- sue” in the campaigns in both the 17th and 22d congressional dis- tricts. “As Ohio goes, so goes the Na- tion,” he prophesied. The Ohio victories came just a week after a Republican victory in the 5th Michigan congressional dis- trict, where Bartel J. Yonkman was elected by about 7,000 votes over his Democratic opponent, McCaslin, to succeed another Republican, the late Representative Carl E. Mapes. Answering the Republican claims of victory in the November elec- tions, Democrats replied that one swallow does not make a summer, (See ELECTIONS, Page A-3) 5 Governor Refuses fo Ask Extradifion of Buck By the Associated Press. HELENA, Mont., Feb. 28—Gov. Roy E. Ayers has refused to ask the extradition from Arizona of Gene Buck, president of the Amers ican Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, who was charged in Missoula County with “obtaining money under false pretenses.” “Since Buck was never in Montana, he could not have fled from Montana,” the Governor said after declining to issue the requisition yesterday. Y At Phoenix, Ariz., where he was arrested last Thursday on a tele- graphic warrant from Missoula, Mr, Buck said the requisition was re fused “because they couldn't back up their fantastic position up there.” Edward T. Dussault, Missoulg County attorney, filled the .charge against Mr. Buck as an Ascap officer after the musicians’ group had their licenses to pla; y Ascap-owned music would be revoked unless they ‘met demands for royalty payments. Q