Evening Star Newspaper, February 29, 1940, Page 1

Weather Forecast Cloudy tonight, followed by light snow tomorrow; not much change in temper- ature; lowest tonight about 33. Tem- peratures today—Highest, 45, at 2 pm.; lowest, 30, at 7:35 a.m. Prom the United States Weather Bureau repert. Full details on Page A-2. Established in 1852 Most people in Washington have The Star delivered to their homes every evening and Sunday morning. Closing New York Markets, Page 22. _88th YEAR. No. 35,002, 7,000,000 Poles Need U. S. Aid, Hoover Tesfifies Finnish Food Situation Is Not as Serious, House Group Told By JOHN C. HENRY, Former President Hoover told the House Foreign Affairs Committee today that Poland would need $40,- 000,000 to $50,000,000 worth of food- stuffs to forestall serious destitution for an estimated 7,000,000 persons this spring. Of this total, he estimated that from 10 to 20 million dollars must come from the United States. “Such humanitarian assistance embraces no threat of involvement in Europe’s wars,” the former Presi- dent declared flatly. “As far as I'm concerned, I'm prepared % feed women and chil- dren and I don't care of what race they are.” Finnish civilian food needs, neither 80 great nor complex in attendant circumstances, he estimated at some $10,000,000. It was the former President’s first appearance before a congressional committee since he was Secretary of Commerce in the Coolidge ad- ministration. Seven Bills Pending. Pending before the foreign affairs group as the former Chief Execu- tive appeared were seven bills au- thorizing varying amounts from 10 to 20 million dollars for aid to Polish war refugees. Looking slightly tired after his ‘weeks of crowded activity in raising funds for Polish and Finnish war victims, the former President went to the crowded little hearing room with Chairman Bloom. As he took his seat and prepared to begin his testimony the committee members present applauded him. Mr. Hoover talked without notes and with his arms folded. Reminding the committee that Poland has been dismembered to give one section to Russia, a second to Germany and leaving a third in & pseudo-independent status, the witness declared the central section 4 s lease equipped to be self-sustain- | ing. Sees 7,000,000 in Need. “We are going to have a food shortage there, probably from the first of May on,” he declared. “There may be as many as 7,000,000 persons in need after that time.” “The problems of mass feeding of nations are not solely ones of food,” Mr. Hoover said. “There are distinct military rami- fications. There must be agreements with the belligerent powers. “For instance, .the allied govern- ments must have assurances that foodstuffs do not go to German hands. And we here are insistent that our relief go to all classes who may be in need.” Likewise, he continued, German authorities place definite conditions on relief activities. After the hearing, Mr. Hoover de- | clined to enter into an on-the-record | discussion of 1940 presidential poli- | tics with reporters. “I am not engaged in politics,” he eaid. “I am interested only in feed- ing the Finns and Poles.” During his brief stay in Wash- ington Mr. Hoover has been the guest of former Undersecretary of State William Castle. Yesterday he discussed the Polish relief problem with Count Jerzy Potocki, Polish Ambassador. Meeting Called Last Fall Mr. Hoover told the committee he had called together last fall a group of persons who had been ac- quainted with Polish relief prob- lems in 1919 and that negotiations have been under way since then with the nations interested. “I have no doubt there will be agreements reached within a few ‘weeks,” he said. Coming to the point of who should direct actual disbursement of for- eign relief, Mr. Hoover said he thought it advisable to leave with the President the discretion of des- ignating an agency. There must, he emphasized, be co-ordinated effort with his preference being indicated for some organization which has representation in all governments involved. Mr. Hoover made clear that the Red Cross type of relief is confined to medical and clothing aid and that they are not desirous of widen- ing their scope to handle the “mass {eeding” problem. Representative Fish, Republican, of New York, raised objection to turning any “blank check” over to a Government agency for use where it saw fit. Empatically, he expressed lfaly Reported Seeking Big Supply of U. S. Coal By the Associated Press. ROME, Feb. 20.—Italy was re- r:rted in commercial circles today be negotiating in the United Btates for the purchase of approxi- mately 3,000,000 tons of bituminous coal to replace imports she usually receives from Germany by sea and which Britain has threatened to blockade. The negotiations were said to have been conducted by private interests. A government decision concerning them is considered likely within a {few days, either approving or reject- ing terms. This decision, it was said, probably will be influenced by credit {facilities, which might be extended by the Import-Export Bank. To Bring Wife Here Costa Rican Leader By the Associated Press. SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Feb, 20 — President-elect Rafael Calderon Guardia will be accompanied by his wife and two secretaries when he leaves March 15 for Washington to eonfer with President Roosevelt. The secretaries are Luis Demetrio ‘Tinoco and Victor Manuel Glysias. hd WASHINGTON, D. C., THURSDAY, PLEADS FOR AID TO POLES—Former President Hoover as he testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the need for tunds to provide food for destitute in Poland. —A. P, Photo. Finnish Loan Voted By Senate; Bill Now Goes to White House Unanimous Action Is Taken on House Amendments By J. A. O'LEARY. The Senate completed congres- sional action today on the bill | to enable the Export-Import Bank to advance $20.000,000 to Finland for non-military supplies by concurring in two minor amendments made by |the House before it passed the measure late yesterday without a record vote. | The Senate acted unanimously and without debate. The motion to | concur in the House amendment | was made by Senator Brown, Dem- | ocrat, of Michigan, who took a lead- iing part in sponsoring aid to Fin- land. The completed bill will go to | the White House as soon as it is | signed by Vice President Garner and | Speaker Bankhead. | One amendment merely writes |into the law the policy already adopted by the bank of not mak- | ing credits in conflict with the | Johnson Act, which prohibits loans to countries in default on past debts to the United States. Finland has never been in defalult. Provides for Commercial Planes. The other amendment permits ’the bank to finance export of commercial aircraft on the theory | that nations at war would not be | interested in buying such planes | and attempting to convert them into | fighting ships. The bill is not confined to Finnish |ald, but increases by $100,000,- | 000 the general lending authority of the bank to encourage the export of American farm and factory prod- |ucts not listed as implements of war in the President’s neutrality proclamation. The bill does not mention Finland or any other nation specifically, but vests discretion in the lending agency to advance up to $20,000,000 to any one country. The bank has other applications pending from China and several- Scandinavian governments, and may | credits to South America. Only two major efforts were made | on the floor of the House yesterday | to change the scope of the measure, and both failed. Non-Restrictive Move Fails. One was the motion of Repre- sentative Miller, Republican, -of Connecticut, to earmark $20,000,000 for Finland without restriction, which would have enabled the little republic to buy the implements of war needed in its battle to retain its independence against Russia. - He was defeated, 49 to 106. The other was a move by Repre- sentative Fish, Republican, of New York, to cut the authorization down to $20,000,000 and label it for Fine land. This would have eliminated the $80,000,000 of new authorization for possible credits to other coun- tries, but was beaten, 35 to 82. A final effort to revise the bill by sending it back to committee was made by Representative Jessie Sum- ner, Republican, of Ilfinois, but was rejected on a voice vote. She sought to instruct the committee to reduce the total to $20,000,000. Strongly Denounces Dictators. Shouting “To hell with Stalin, to hell with Hitler!” Representative Dingell, Democrat, of Michigan, ap- pealed to the House in pigturesque language not to restrict the Fin- nish loan to non-military purposes. “We restrict the loan for powder puffs, silken scantie panties and for cream puffs” he cried, “when we know the Finns need shrapnél, (See FINNISH LOAN, Page A-6) advance Paul Junior High Presents Science Broadcast Students of Paul Junior High will show how science projects are worked out in the home, classroom and school auditorium over WMAL at 4 p.m. X another in the series of educational features spon- sored by The Star with the co- operation of the National Broad- casting Company and the Board of Education. Welles Will Find Reich Determined Upon Victory Envoy and Party Quit Zurich; Due in Berlin Tomorrow By LOUYS P. LOCHNER, Associated Press Foreign Correspondent. BERLIN, Feb. 20.—When United | States Undersecretary of State | Sumner Wells arrives here tomor- |Tow morning he will find official | Germany determined to fight Eng- | land and France until she has guar- | antees both that the western powers will not interfere with Germany's | “lebensraum” — living space — and | that the last remaining “wrong” of | the Versailles treaty, loss of German colonies, be “righted.” (Mr. Welles left Zurich, Switz- erland today and is expected to reach Berlin tomorrow for con- ferences with Adolf Hitler and other German leaders.) Nazi Germany has defined Central and Southeastern Europe consis- tently as “lebensraum.” Authorized i sources attached special significance ito one passage in the speech of | Propaganda Minister Paul Joseph said: “The German people are perfectly aware that in this conflict of arms | between themselves and western plutocracy life and death are at | stake. Evasion is no longer pos- sible.” In other words, Fuehrer Hitler is | in no mood to offer Mr. Welles any | peace plan. Would Consider Other Plans. If others have any plan, informed circles intimated, Hitler is willing to consider it, but always from the viewpoint that Britain must re- nounce all claims or intentions to interfere with Germany on the Eu- ropean continént besides “disgorg- |ing” what Germany believes to be property - unlawfully annexed from Germany-—her colonies. Some authorized commentators even wert so far as to claim that mere renunciation by England is not enough—Britain and France must give guarantees that Germany will not be interfered with every quarter century. Mr. Welles insists upon paying his own bills during his sojourn in Germany, authorized sources inti- mated. They made a fine distinc- tion between visiting statesmen who come on invitation and those who -announced their soming, Invited guests of the nation are housed in Germany’s new guest house, the Bellevue Palace, which was first visited by Prince Paul of ‘Yugoslavia last summer. Mr, Welles at his own request will live at the ‘Adlon Hotel, three doors from the American Embassy. For invited - guests state banquets are arranged. It was distinctly (See WELLES, Page A-5.) ! Goebbels yesterday, in which he| Food Rationing Is Decreed by French Cabinet Sweeping Measures Regiment Nation Further for War ALLIED AND GERMAN warplanes scout across Rhine; Nazis report capture of “numerous” prisoners in repulsing French. Page A-3 HUNGARIANS GUARD French Legation against passport traffic; 40 Czech refugees reported har- bored in Budapest office. Page A-6 BRITISH SHIPPING declared in worse condition than in 1914; for- eign owners obtain advantage, mercantile marine chamber told. Page A-14 WARNING NET SEEN necessary for defense of Panama Canal; security of waterway not absolute, says Eliot, in spite of fortifications. Page A-19 BRITAIN RESTRICTS Palestine Arab land sales to Jews; acts to prevent fresh difficulties; move sharply criticized. Page A-20 By the Assoclated Press, | PARIS, Feb. 20.—The French gov- ernment today adopted a sweeping series of economic and financial measures, regimenting the nation for the fight against Germany. The cabinet, meeting under Pres- ident Albert Lebrun, approved the institution of food ration cards, lower quality bread and generally reduced consumption, accompanied by increased production, in order to shoulder the tremendous finan- cial burden of the war. Great Britain and Germany al- ready have rationing systems. Finance Minister Paul Reynaud Was to explain the decrees to the nation in a broadcast tonight. It date when the decrees effective. Women to Make Munitions, en into her munitions plants and | release the men for the vital work | of farming. It was estimated 280,000 women Aalready are engaged in the | dangerous work of mixing gun- fpowder and making bullets and aviation plants. France already has three meat- less days a week, and on the four other days restaurants are forbid- den to serve more than one meat dish a person. Other foods, how- ever, have not been rationed. Before the cabinet session the Chamber of Deputies began a week's debate on French agricultural pol- icies. Speakers termed the wheat situation “critical” because of gov- srhiment meddling and demanded re- lease of men in military service in order to assure spring planting to provide food for the nation. The government already has re- quisitioned all farmers to hold them to the soil for maintenance of farm production. | As the cabinet met, Paris students | pushed wheelbarrows loaded with ;scrnp iron to the Pantheon, burial |it as a contribution to French war | resources. | There are 10 sets of decrees in all A communique issued after a 45-minute cabinet meeting this aft- ernoon announced only the titles of the decrees. Cut in Imports Aided. The first decree was entitled “rel- ative to spending abroad” in line with the Government's policy of re- ducing ordinary imports to conserve foreign exchange for extraordinary | was purchases. A second group of measures “des- tined to restrain consumption” pro- vided for “a general census for dis- tribution of rationing cards and control of retail food centers. Food measures included the coars- ening of bread flour. A third decree tightened price control. A fourth set of measures provided grants to farmers to increase spring wheat planting, cultivation of farm- lands in army zones and reduction of customs duties on farm machin- ery. Decrees also were signed which were designed to facilitate French exports, to regulate the employment of women, to fight waste in civil and military administrations and to provide easier taxes for landlords deprived of rents because of the war. An agreement with the Bank of France, apparently to provide fur- ther aid to the treasury, also was announced. Summary of Page. Amusements, C: Comics ___.C Editorials’ __A-12 | Sports _ Finance ...A-21| Woman's Page, Lost, Found..D-4 Cc-2 Foreign Welles to find Reich determined upon victory. . Page A-1 Finns fall back before drive on ‘Viipuri. Page A-1 Hungarians act to kill French pass- port traffic. Page A-6 British shipping conditions held worse -than in 1914. PageA-14 Britain restricts Palestine Arab land sales to Jews. Page A-20 National Senate may complete action today on Finnish bill. Page A-1 Flood threatens levees in two Cali- fornia towns. Page A-3 Hopkins adviser fears “discrediting” of the census. Page A-4 Labor Board inquiry suspended indefinitely. Page A-16 Warning net for Panama Canal seen necessary by Eliot. Page A-19 Washington.and Vicinity Dispute threatens to halt D. C. liquor hearings. v Page A-1 Commissioners explain reorganiza- tion mu‘&ll. Page A-1 .| D'Alesandro finds Today’s Star “students” at Lorton “happy.” Page A-1 Board weighs six changes in D. C. jobless tax bill. Page A-2 Twenty leap year babies born in Washington today. Page A-2 Campaign started here for Finnish munitions aid. Page A-3 Seven hurt in train crash on Pennsy line in Anne Arundel. Page B-1 Police arrest dozen suspects in crime wave campaign. Page B-1 Hearings open on legalizing horse racing here. Page B-1 Editorial and Comment This and That. Answers to_ Quéstions. Letters to The Star. David Lawrence. Alsop and Kintner. G. Gould Lincoln. Lemuel F. Parton. Constantine Brown. Miscellany After Dark. Bedtime Story. Letter-Out. Winning Contract. Uncle Ray's Corner. Cross-Word Puzzle. Of Hearts and Song. Vital Statistics. Service Orders. City News in Brief. Nature's Children. Page A-12 Page A-12 Page A-12 Page A-13 Page A-13 Page A-13 Page A-13 PageA-13 B-9 C6 C-6 Cc-8 C-1 C-1 D-4 D-4 D-4 D-4 D-4 Page Page was expected he would disclose the | become | France also took steps to put wom- | | laboring on the assembly lines of| | olace of French heroes, and deposited | “IT , FEBRUARY 29, 1940—FIFTY-SIX PAGES. () Means Associated Press. THREE CENTS. S A FAR F/ T Tm”fnof“nfifi | i BETT By MIRIAM OTTENBERG. Inmates of the Lorton Reforma- tory are treated better than the aged and infirm at Blue Plains, Repre- sentative D'Alesandro, Democrat, of Maryland declared today after visit- ing the penal institution. “When I come to a penal institu- !tion and see the inmates treated this way,” the chairman of the House subcommittee investigating | District institutions said, “I can't | help thinking about those poor peo- ple at Blue Plains.” | After watching 1200 men being served hot foods simultaneously, he asked Public Welfare Director Rob- ert Bondy, who accompanied him, to |send the Lorton steward to Blue | Plains» Mr. Bondy responded that | the steward, William Devers, had visited Blue Plains with him last week and was helping to work out some method whereby the inmates would be served hot foods. Pleased by everything at the penal institution except the overcrowded dormitories, Mr, D’Alesandro de- | clared: | “If T didn't see the inmates, I'd think it was a college.” Compares It With Blue Plains. | He said he noted the convicts | “singing and happy” and he con- situation at the Home for the Aged and Infirm. ‘When he was shown the spotless | and odorless kitchen from which the 1538 inmates are served, he com- D’Alesandro Finds ‘Students’ At Lorton ‘Singing and Happy’ ‘If | Didn’t See Inmates I'd Think It A College,’ He Says, | tinually made comparison to the | . ol Sidney Carton Today—— Rapping Blue Plains mented that with only 700 inmates to take care of, the Blue Plains kitchen had an unpleasant odor. Told by Ray L. Huff, general su- | perintendent of District penal insti- | tutions, that 16 cents in cash and what amounted to 4 cents extra in goods were spent for food fcr each | inmate per day, Mr. D’Alesandro | asked Mr. Bondy how much was| spent at Blue Plains. He was told it averaged 15 cents and said he | couldn’t understand why there was | such a vast difference in food be- | tween the two institutions. Overpopulated by 500. The visitors spent considerable | | time in the barber shops, where Mr. | | D'Alesandro wanted to know about | | the segregation of inmates with and | | without venereal diseases, and said | | that the equipment should be kept cleaner. However, it was explained to him | that the inmate barbers had to leave promptly when summoned ‘to lunch {and that the brushes and shaving mugs were washed before they closed the shop. In answer to his criticism about the overcrowding dormitories, where the beds were separated only by lockers, Mr. Huff told Mr. D'Alesan- | dro that the institution was over- populated by about 500 men. | Mr. D'Alesandro also asked to see | the library and said he had found | | complaints about it unfounded. | | After eating lunch at the reform- | atory, the visitors were to view the ' District Workhouse nearby. | Finns Fall Back Before Red Drive Against Viipuri Defenders Dig in Along New Defense Lines; Fighting in Far North By the Associated Press. HELSINKI, Feb. 29.—Finnish troops have fallen back again before Russian forces hammering toward Viipuri along the western edge of the Karelian Isthmus, but the Finns said they had dug in along new de- fense lines to inflict heavy losses on the enemy. (A Russian communique said Soviet forces were within four miles of Viipuri.) Fighting was concentrated at the two extremities of Finland. While the communique of the Finnish high command said “enemy pressure con- tinued” yesterday in the southeast, on the isthmus, fighting also con- tinued at the Nautsi River, in the Far North in the Petsamo region. The high command said the Finns had captured “a few enemy strong points” at Kuhmo, on the eastern front below Finland’s “wasp waist.” The Russians were trying at all costs to push their advances on the western flank of the Mannerheim line to encircle and capture strategic Viipuri, Minland’s third largest city. Attack Made at Taipale. Russian forces also attacked at the other—or eastern—end of the isthmus front in “great force” at Taipale, according to the high com- mand’s communique which covered yesterday's action. The communique was unusually brief. Russian planes meanwhile were sighted over Helsinki today. The gapital was subjected to three air alarms/up to midafternoon. The Russians lost “heavily” in men in the attacks along the Bay of Viipuri and the Finns also de- stroyed 14 tanks, the communique said, while on the eastern front, northeast of Lake Ladoga, four tanks and one armored car were de- stroyed. Four Russian planes were re- ported definitely to have been shot down two days ago. 5 ‘Today’s first air alarm in Helsinki was precipitated by the appearance of six planes. Anti-aircraft fire drove them away. John F. Hasey of Bridewater, Mass.,, working with an ambulance unit on the Lake Ladoga front, suf- fered a broken arm and minor cuts and bruises when he was hit by fiy- ing debris from & bomb explosion (See FINLAND, Page A-3.) Park Savings Payment 0f $220,000 Likely This Spring Justice Letts Sets March 15 for Hearing On Master's Report By HAROLD B. ROGERS. Payment this spring of about $222,000 to some 8,009 depositors of the former Park Savings Bank ap- Deared likely today as Justice F. Dickinson Letts in District Court set March 15 for a hearing on a motion to confirm a special report recommending the payment, The report, a document of 321 pages, was filed with the court by James C. Wilkes, special master, appointed by the court to calculate the means for distribution of $350,- 000 realized from the directors of the bank. Although the amount to be paid out to depositors cannot yet be de- termined exactly it has been gener- ally estimated that it may be around 27 per cent of the “low-balance,” or the least amount of money the depositor had in the bank after the charter expired in 1929. The total amount of claims listed by the spe- cial master on the basis of “low- balance” is $306,827.69. In Courts Seven Years. The money is available as a re- sult of nearly seven years of court litigation, during which three ap- peals were made to the Supreme Court. As a result of the case, in i D. C. Reorganization Plans Are Explained As Hearings Open Commissioners Hear Seal Outline Before House Subcommittee (Pictures on Page B-1.) The Kennedy subcommittee of the House District Committee, opening hearings today on reorganization of the District government, heard a de- tailed explanation of the commis- sioners’ plan from their legal advisor, Corporation Counsel Elwood Seal, and their financial expert, District Auditor Daniel J. Donovan. The subcommittee set aside tomor- row to hear arguments of civic| groups or individual citizens in favor of local suffrage, which is not in- | cluded in the bill sponsored by the | commissioners. The testimony today was confined to an explanation of the 45-page bill which the House group took up first. Engineer Commissioner David Mc- Coach were present, but did not testify. The subcommittee plans to question them later. Explanatory Statements, ‘The opening almost entirely explanatory and few arguments offered in behalf of the plan, except by way of pointing | out the need for and effect of the changes proposed, as viewed by the present municipal administration. A handful of spectators attended the opening hearings. A larger at- tendance is expected to be at- tracted tomorrow by the suffrage discussion. Much broader powers for the Commissioners are sought under the reorganization plan which they ap- | proved unanimously, Mr. Seal pointed out, but he insisted all the authority contained in the bill is reserved to the District under its organic act of more than half a century ago and can be provided by simple enactment without a consti- tutional amendment. The measure would give the Com- missioners wi and administrating local affairs, leaving Congress with little authori- ty over the District’s municipal af- fairs, other than the power to ap- propriate funds and fix taxation. 12 Administrative Changes. Administrative departments un- der the proposed change, Mr. Seal explained, would number 12— finance, law, engineering, personnel, police, fire, health, insurance, l- censes, public welfare, taxation, ve- hicles and traffic. The Citizens’ Advisory Council of nine to be set up under the Com- missioners’ plan would be appointed by them, while the reorganization scheme sponsored by Subcommittee Chairman Kennedy would call for the election of such a council by the people of the District and ap- pointment of a city manager to| serve under the Commissioners, as recomniended in the Griffenhagen report to Congress. The subcommittee adjourned this afternoon until 10:30 am. tomor- row. - Although the three Commission- ers were present at the hearing in the House Office Building, they did not testify, asking that their legal adviser be allowed to explain the provisions of the measure. Mr. Seal pointed out that the (See PARK SAVINGS, Page A-3.) ( See REORGANIZATION, Pg. A-3.) By the Assaciated Press. LONDON, Feb. 29.—Joseph Green, 22, today was held for trial on charges of insulting behavior and wilfully damaging a pane of glass valued at 5 shillings ($1) after he allegedly shot an arrow bearing a plece of paper at a window of No. 10 Downing street, the Prime Min- ister’s residence. A sheet of paper attached to the arrow Green was accused of firing was handed to Magistrate Sir Robert Dummett at the Police Court hear- ing. Sir Robert said it was & re erence to “social credit and so on.” * The shooting incident occurred lier today. ."'r': regret having to play prlnl Arrow in Chamberlain Window Jails 1940 Version Robin Hood Hood in Downing Street,” Green said, “Today I am supposed to be join- ing his majesty’s forces to serve my King and country. I think people here should fight Hitlerism and at home as well as in France.” Sir Robert replied: “If you join the forces and be- have yourself you will be doing your best to end Hitlerism. Afterward you can talk about social credit to your heart’s content.” Wearing a green sports jacket and carrying a long bow and a large arrow, the man walked casually op- posite the Prime Minister's resi- dence. Suddenly he wheeled and shot the arrow through a lower window, shattering the glass. Dispute Perils Liquor Probe’s Confinuance Inquiry Inspired By Political Pressure, Shafer Charges BACKGROUND— Largely because the Alcoholie Beverage Control Board failed to issue two liquor licenses, the House District Committee two weeks ago ordered a subcommit- tee to investigate the liquor situ- ation in Washington. Already a restaurateur has charged that he was made an “offer” for aid in getting a liquor license; a for- mer A. B. C. Board attorney has charged the boaM handles liquor licenses by “rule of fear,” and talk of “soliciting bribes” has been aired. - A dispute between Representatives Eberhater, Democrat, of Pennsyl- vania, and Shafer, Republican, of Michigan, threatened today to bring to an abrupt halt the investigation of the District liquor situation. Mr. Eberharter is chairman of the specfal subcommittee of the House District Committee conducting the inquiry, and Mr. Shafer is one of the two Republican members. While Wilbur La Roe, jr., chairman of the Civic Affairs Committee of |the Washington Federation of | Churches, was on the witness stand, Representative Shafer interrupted with a charge that the subcommittee is “going too far” with the probe. _“I'am through with this investiga« tion until we are given proper au- thority to gc ahead,” he declared. “I don't believe the committee should sit here day after day and listen to a lot of disgruntled folks. We have been given no authority to | rewrite the liquor code. I think we | have gone far beyond our Jurisdice tion already.” - Commissioners Melvin C. | Hazen and George E. Allen and statements were ! er scope in leglslaung‘ Political Basis Seen. Representative Shafer declared the investigation was ordered pri- marily to inquire into the cases of |Leo J. Rossiter and Ralph A, Lee, | restaurant proprietors, whose ap- | plications to sell liquor by the drink had been denied by the Alcoholic iBevexage Control Board. The licenses were issued, however, after ilhe inquiry started. _ The investigation, he added, was inspired by “an influential Maryland | Congressman” who became inter- ested in the Rossiter case because Mr._ Rossiter has a brother who op- erates a large seafood restaurant in Baltimore. The motion providing for creation of a special subcommittee to in- vestigate the liquor situation was made by Representative Ambrose J. Kennedy, Democrat, of Maryland, ranking majority member of the District Committee. “Neither Rossiter or Lee should ever have been given a liquor license,” shouted Mr. Shafer. “It was only because of political pres- sure that this investigation started.” Subsequently Mr. Shafer said he believed the A. B. C. Board is “doing a good job,” but he was “greatly disappointed with it” when it grante ed the Rossiter and Lee licenses. Eberharter Admonishes Him. When Mr. Shafer finished his statement, Chairman Eberharter told him he should have waited for | an executive session of the sube committee to express his views. As to the scope of the inquiry and the jurisdiction of the subcommit- tee, Mr. Eberharter explained “there is a difference of opinion.” However, he declared, “there is a decided movement on foot to stop the investigation with a view to pre- vent the rewriting of the District Liquor Act and to correct the abuses that exist. “These meetings should not be used by members as a sounding, board.” “1 don't believe the subcommittee should be used as a sounding board for certain politicians who want to control the A. B. C. Board,” retorted Mr. Shafer. Executive Session Suggested. “My intention is to get all sides of the question,” said Chairman Eberharter. “If you feel the sub- committee is going too far, let's have an executive session right away and take up with the full District Committee the question as to juris- diction and whetter we have gone too far.” “I think that should be done,” re- plied Mr. Shafer. If the subcommittee is to make & thorough investigation of the en- tire liquor situation, Mr. Shafer argued, it should ask the House to appropriate money out of its con- tingent fund to employ an attorney and a staff of investigators and proceed in a “proper” way. Mr. La Roe, who said the federation he represented embraces 139 churches and more than 70,000 church members in the District, pre- sented a number of suggestions to improve control of the sale of liquor. Thinks Stores Too Numerous. “The first and most obvious fac- tor that is wrong in the existing sit uation,” he declared, “is the dispro- portionately large number of places where liquor is sold. There is no public interest that requires or jus- tifies 400 hard liquor stores in an area 10 miies square.” From a civic viewpoint, Mr. La Roe said, the liquor problem is “aggra- vated by the huge, blazing neon liquor signs with which the city is now plastered.” These .gns, he declared, give the city “a most unde- sirable tone.” Then he added: “Literally millions of tourists come to this city because they love it and because they are proud of it, and we have pride in it also. We don't like it to look like a Barbary Coast.” Children See Sales. “Another very serious aspect of the present situation is that liquor is sold in places frequented by chile dren,” declared Mr. La Roe. “There is no public interest that requires the sale of liquor in grocery stores and drug stores. The present regu- (See LIQUOR, Page A-3)