Evening Star Newspaper, March 6, 1940, Page 1

Weather Forecast Mostly cloudy and slightly colder, with lowest about 32 tonight; tomorrow cloudy and continued cold; light snow. Temperatures today—Highest, 43, at 2 p.m.; lowest, 35, at 6 a.m. From the United States Weather Bureau report. Established in 1852 Most people in Washington have The Star delivered to their homes every Full details on Page A-2. Closing New York Markets, Page 18. 88th YEAR. No. 35,008. British Seize 2 More Italian Coal Vessels Nine Ships Now Are Detained at Downs Contraband Station BULLETIN. OSLO, March 6 (#).—The news- paper Arbeiderbladet today re- ported that residents of Berle- vaag, Arctic town on the tip of Tanafjord, had heard 12 to 15 detonations apparently coming from naval guns at sea during the afternoon. Berlevaag resi- dents were unable to determine their nationality or whether the detonations indicated an ex- change between belligerent war- ships. LONDON, March 6 (#).—Brit- ain today ordered the cargoes of eight Italian ships—declared to be coal from Germany— held as prizes in her tightening cam- paign to halt all sea-borne ex- ports from Germany. The ninth Italian ship, the Loasso, was re- leased by the Enemy Exports Committee. It was established that she sailed from Rotterdam, where the Italian coal flotilla loaded, on March 1, before the order to halt German coal ship- ments to Italy was issued. By the Associated Press. LONDON, March 6—Two more Ttalian ships were herded by the British Navy into the contraband control station at the Downs today, bringing to nine the number of Ttalian ships detained in the con- troversy over German coal exports. The ministry of economic warfare said all nine were flying the Italian ensign and all were “assumed to be carrying coal.” i Today’s additions to the growing list were the Liana and Rapido, both rated as colliers. The other seven are the Orata, Felce, Caterina, Absertia, Ernesto, Numidia and Loasso. The last-named, at first described as a tanker, has been identified as a coal ship, the ministry said. Protest Disregarded. The Liana, 6,400 tons, was one of the three Italian ships which left Rotterdam March 1, just before the British clamped down on Germxni coal shipments to Italy, but later returned to the Dutch port. The British blockade patrols worked in apparent disregard of Italy’'s bitter week-end protest, which asserted the blockade was| endangering economic and political relations of Britain and Germany’s axis partner. Meanwhile the foreign office was drafting a formal reply to the Rome | protest. | A spokesman for the Ministry of Economic Warfare said that the| Blockade Exemption Committee al- lowed 18 countries, including the | United States, to import some goods i from Germany, but that in each case the nation also asked for ap- proval for import of other German goods, but was refused. | | Goods permitted included beer, needles and barbed wire. More Ships Awaited. British destroyers were waiting for ochers of a fleet of Italian col- liers preparing to sail from Rotter- dam, the Netherlands. Two other Italian ships lav off Deal for a day or two, but left today with pilots aboard for a northern British port. Shipping circles expressed belief they were going to pick up cargoes of English coal for Italy, although the British and Italian governments are at odds over the question of supplying Italy’s coal needs from British mines. Britain insists on taking manu- factured Italian products, such as arms, rather than agricultural prod- ucts in exchange for such coal. British credits for export of coal to Ttaly were said, however, to have been available for some time, so that Italy could obtain the British coal now and settle later on what Britain is to get in exchange. A source close to the British for- | eign office said last night that Britain was “not inclined to view | the matter as a ‘crisis’ or anything like it.” Nine U. S. Ships Examined. The ministry of economic warfare | announced today that nine United States ships had been examined in contraband control bases between February 24 and March 2. No American or Italian vessels were among the 21 listed in control ports Yesterday. The Italian ships carrying Ger- man coal taken to the Downs yes- terday and today presumably reached there after this list was compiled. The 21 were announhced as con- sisting of 12 Netherlands, 6 Norwe- gian, 2 Belgian and 1 Swedish. There were 31 Italian ships among 141 examined in the week ended March 2. Rome Police Guard British Embassy ROME, March 6 (#).—Extra police | were stationed near the British Em- bassy today as a precaution against possible Italian demonstrations against Britain's seizure of German coal cargoes aboard Italian ships. ‘The demonstrations have failed to take place yet, however. There had been rumors that students were planning to organize them. Students attempted to gather be- fore the British consulate in Flor- ence yesterday, but police dispersed them immediately. Seizure of Italian cargoes of Ger- man coal by British blockaders tends to bring relations between Rome and London to a crisis, au- | thoritative Italians declared today. Italy’s industrial life hangs upon imports of coal. Dispute Complicated. Studying reports that British warships were escorting ship after ship into contraband control in ap- plication of the allies’ two-way ¥ (See COAL, Page A-5.) Piles of Russian Further Red Thrusts By the Associated Press. HELSINKI, March 6—Piles of Russian dead were left by new Red Army assaults on the Karelian Isth- mus battlepront, the Pinnish high command reported today, declaring that further thrusts against Viipuri had been turned back. The heavy Russian losses were said tos have been inflicted in the Vuoksi River sector, southeast of the besiéged city, where the Finns said several dozen Soviet tanks had been destroyed. The heaviest Russian attack was repulsed in the Pollakkala area of the Vuoksi sector. Aircraft, tanks and artillery sup- ported the Russian thrust across the ice, but the Finns, still struggling for possession of the strategic Vii- puri area, turned back the attack. The Red Army also attacked in Th On Isthmus, Finns Report ‘WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ¢ Foening Star WASHINGTON, ‘D. C, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1940—THIRTY-EIGHT PAGES, Dead Left Against Viipuri Turned Back, Declares High Command force at many land points on the Viipuri sector between the bay and the Vuoksi, but the Pinns said all attacks had been repulsed. “Heaps of Russian dead” in front of the Finnish battle positions were described by a Finnish high com- mand communique which said that “dozens of tanks” had been de- stroyed. The eastern end of the isthmus front, where the Finnish lines have stood firm against continued Rus- sian pounding, saw lively artillery activity and farther north on the Kuhmo sector Russian attacks were repulsed, the Finns reported. Soviet air raids behind the battle lines killed 40 persons and wounded many others during attacks yester- day on Mikkeli, Lahtis and Kuopio. ‘Ten enemy raiders wgre shot (See FINLAND, Page A-3) e Welles Will Confer With Exiled Polish Covernment Chiefs American Fact-Finder to Be Received by Lebrun And Daladier NO STEPS YET TAKEN to halt| | Swedish iron ore, Churchill tells | Commons; stoppage would involve | many serious considerations, he says. Page A-2 BRITAIN DEFENDS search of clip- per mail at Bermuda; suggestion in Commons that error was made is rejected. Page A-3 | COLLISION SINKS DUTCH SUB; | all but 2 of 30 in crew saved: two naval officers pry open hatch to| release imprisoned men. Page A-3 | BY the Associated Press. PARIS, March 6.—The French government announced today that | | United States Undersecretary of State Sumner Welles would confer with the chiefs of the Polish govern- |ment in exile when he comes to | Paris this week on his fact-finding | mission for President Roosevelt. Mr. Welles will be received by both President Lebrun and by Premier Daladier tomorrow, im- mediately after arrival from Switzer- land. A communique said he would re- main in Paris Friday and Saturday, talk with other French leaders and also consult Polish leaders. From Paris Mr. Welles will go to | London for similar talks. Ever since the mission was an- nounced on February 9 the French have insisted any attempt to make peace now would prove premature— an impression deepened by reports | of Mr. Welles' conversations with Hitler and Mussolini. Welles’ Hope Reported Placed in War's Delay LAUSANNE, March 6 (#)—The| feeling of the Welles fact-finding | mission 1s that so long as a war of devastation is delayed just so long | there is hope, it was understood | authoratively today. | This conviction of the mission. headed by United - States Under- | secretary of State Sumner Welles, is | founded on the belief of the peoples | of Ttaly, Germany, France and Great | Britain—a belief which has made a | deep impression on the mission, sent |to Europe by President Roosevelt | to investigate conditions here. Mr. Welles received newspaper correspondents of many countries | this afternoon at his hotel with the preface that he was going to uphold his reputation of being as silent as | a carp. Queried on Peace Link. However, when asked whether his visit to Europe was connected with | a move for peace Mr. Welles replied | by referring the questioner to the | stagtement issued by the State De- partment before his departure. Mr. Welles’ trip was announced by the White House February 9 with a statement which said it was “solely for the purpose of advising the President and the Secretary of State as to present conditions in Europe.” On the same day, however, the State Department announced that informal conversations had begun with neutrals relating “te a sound international economic system” and to “world-wide reduction of arma- ments.” Secretary of State Cordell Hull carefully excluded “matters in- volving present war conditions.” Mr. Welles said: “I hope to have the privilege of seeing Premier Mus- solini when I return to Rome, and I expect to sail for home about March 18.” Data Kept Confidential. Asked whether he would com- municate to Premier Daladier and Prime Minister- Chamberlain what Premier Mussolini and Fuehrer Hitler have told him, Mr. Welles answered: “What has been and may be said to me will be regarded as absolutely confidential and solely for the in- formation of my Government.” Mr. Welles said he had not been informed whether he would be re- ceived by King George when he goes to London. Mr. Welles stopped first in Rome, then went to Berlin. Now briefly resting in Lausanne, he will entrain for Paris early tomorrow morning. From there he will go to London and then back to Italy on his way home. Kennedy Goes to London To Prepare for Welles ROME, March 6.—Joseph P. Ken- nedy, United States Ambassador to Great Britain, left at 9:15 a.m. today for Paris, en route to London to arrange for the visit of Undersec- retary of State Sumner Welles to the British capital. Mr. Kennedy, returning from con- sultations in Washington, intended to fly from Paris to London. New Land Law's Aim To Pacify Arabs, Says MacDonald Stern Warnings Received Recently From Holy Land, Commons Told By the Azsociated Press. LONDON, March 6—The British government today answered opposi- tion charges of a “shameful” betrayal of its promises to the Jews with the practical wartime declaration that its new Palestine laks, anti-Jewish in effect, were necessary to keep the powerful Arabs of the Near East ih line. Malcolm MacDonald, colonial sec- | retary, said the government had had “most stern warnings from Palestine in recent weeks that despite appear- ances there was beneath the surface a growing unrest among the Arabs.” Defending the British govern- ment’s restriction of transfers of land by Arabs to Jews in Palastine, MacDonald told the House of Com- mons: “If there were trouble in Palestine there would be repercussions in Transjordan, Irag, $audi Arabia, Egypt and India. One has got to be | frank about these things.” The colonial secretary said the| Palestine Arabs had shown sus- picions that “his majesty’s govern- ment are not sincere in their profes- } sions that they would protect the interests of the Arab cultivator and | laborer.” Vote of Censure Moved. The charge that the Palestine policy was a “shameful” repu- diation of a moral contract with the Jews was made by Philip Noel-Baker, Laborite and opposition spokesman, in moving a vote of censure on the government for its new restrictions on transfer of Palestine lands from Arabs to Jews. He declared: “In the last war the Jews were very strong. They had great influ- ence in many lands and we desired | their help. It was to get that help ™ that we made the Balfour declara- tion (of November 2, 1917, promis- | ing a national home for the Jews in | Palestine.) “Today the Jews are a weak and hunted race. Their property has| been stolen and destroyed and it was because their influence had gone that we dared do this shameful act today, to repudiate the-moral contract we made with them when the last great war was going on.” Holy Land “in Turmoil.” Mr. Noel-Baker said MacDonald had “thrown this bomb”—his Feb- ruary 28 announcement of the land restrictions—and now Palestine “is in turmoil again.” Mr. MacDonald replied for the government that its Palestine policy was “essential to the maintenance of good, impartial government and to enable us to mobilize our forces.” Palestine is one of the areas in which British troops are concen- trated, forming part of the allied Near Eastern forces estimated at nearly 600,000 men. Mr. MacDonald pointed out that the mandate which called on Britain to encourage settlement of Jews on the land also bound her to protect Wide Violation 01 D. C. Liquor Law Charged Sales to Minors And on Sundays " Alleged by Hunter BACKGROUND— The House District Committee ordered a subcommitiee to in- vestigate the liquor situation in Washington after the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board failed to issue two liquor licenses. The sub- committee has heard testimony on an “offer” of aid in getting a liquor license and that the board handles licenses by “rule of fear.” The District Committee Monday refused to halt_ the investigation. Charges that there have been “wholesale” violations of the Dis- trict liquor control law—sales after hours, sales to minors and even sales on Sunday—were made today by Representative Hunter, Democrat, of Ohio, a member of the special House committee investigating the liquor situation here. Reptesentative Hunter hurled his accusations at Franklin G. Sartwell, former Washington newspaper ré- porter and now public relations counsel for the Alcoholic Beverage Council while he was testifying in defense of the liquor industry. “In the last 80 days I have seen deliveries made on Sundays by 14- year-old boys and have personally witnessed sales to minors,” declared Mr. Hunter. “I take the position there are wholesale violations in the District.” Data Given Authorities. Mr. Sartwell said he did not be- lieve conditions are as bad as paint- ed by Representative Hunter, and suggested that if he had such in- formation it should be turned over to the proper authorities. “I have already presented some of | my information to the proper au- thorities,” retorted Representative Hunter. Mr. Sartwell insistea the liquor industry as a whole is conducting business in an orderly, legal manner, and pointed out there is “fear” on the part of all licensees that they might violate the law. Such a con- dition, he declared, prevents whole- sale violations. “I can't see how these statements persist without anything to back them up,” he added. “Go into the outlying sections on Sundays if you want to see it,” said Representative Hunter. “Phone a nalf a dozen liquor dealers on Sun- day.” “I haven't tried it” replied Mr. Sartwell, “but I don't believe you can | get liqugor on Sundays. “I don't believe a dealer would take that chance.” Explains Council's Objectives. Mr. Sartwell explained that the! Alcohol Beverage Council, composed of all classes of liquor dealers, had recommended increased penalties for liquor law violations. He said the council wanted the Commis- sioners and the Alcohol Beverage Control Board to invoke the general penalty clause instead of merely suspending or revoking licenses. This clause, he said, provides as a maximum penalty a fine of $5,000 or imprisonment of one year. Mr. Sartwell said the council was | organized to improve conditions in the liquor industry and to promote “better feeling” He also declared the investigating committee had not yet “produced anything” that reflects discredit on the industry. “There is a conscigntious effort on the part of all classes of liquor dealers to obey the law,” he said. “There are some features of the law, however, that are unfair and unjust.” As to the testimony of previous witness that sales to minors are not controlled, Mr. Sartwell admitted there had been a “few” cases, and added, he held “no brief” for any one who sold liquor to a child. Mr. Sartwell said he “regretted” that some of the previous witnesses had charged that “rookie cops” as- signed as inspectors for the A. B. C. Board had been overzealous in their efforts to make arrests. « “By and large,” he declared, “these inspectors are doing a con- scientious piece of work.” Later Mr. Sartwell said there had " (See PALESTINE, Page A-5) (See LIQUOR, Page A-3) Summary of Page. Page. Amuse- -A-12 ments ___ B-18 Comics _B-16-17 Editorials __A-10 Finance ___A-17 Lost, Found B-12 Obituary Radio -B-16 Society _...B-3 Sports __A-14-16 Woman's Page Foreign Commons debates new land laws for Palestine. Page A-1 British seize two more Italian coal ships. Page A-1 Palestine policy “shameful,” Com- mons is told. Page A-1 Finns clinging to besieged Viipuri, bombed by Reds. Page +A-1 Welles to confer with exiled Polish chiefs. Page A-1 Collision sinks Dutch sub; all but 2 of 30 saved. Page A-3 Britain defends clipper mail search at Bermuda. Page A-3 Allies seek to settle blockade differ- - ences with U. 8. Page A-3 Nazis hint treatment of neutral ship- ping to be stiffened. Page A-3 20 British killed in dugout raid, Germans claim. Page A-3 Sabotage not ruled out in probe of hangar fire, Page A-2 National Army planes changed as result of ‘war disclosures. - Page A-2 Probe of New York airport hangar fire begins. Page A-2 Republicans jubilant at victory in Towa election. Page A-2 Roosevelt trades recriminations in census controversy. Page A-4 Today's Star Washington and Vicinity Doctors brand Blue Plains & “catch-all.” Page A-1 Colored man is District’s 11th traffic victim of year. Page A-5 Senate District Committee reports nine bills. Page B-1 D’Alesandro makes check on Blue Plains diet. age B-1 Holdup follows 48-hour period with- out armed robbery. Page B-1 Editorial and Comment This and That. Answers to Questions. Letters to The Star, David Lawrence. Alsop and Kintner. Frederic William Wile, Charles G. Ross. Jay Franklin. Sports Pofahl, Case have ailing arms due to faults in sliding. Page A-14 Maki flashy, not fast, in first Finn fund race. Page A-14 Packed gym sees Roosevelt, Gonzaga win in Star tourney. Page A-15 D. C.’s three top bowlers in action at Rosslyn tonight. Page A-16 Miscellany Service Orders. Vital Statistics. Nature’s Children. City News in Brief. Of Hearts and Song. Page A-10 Page A-10 Page A-10 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-11 Page A-6 Page A-7 2 Page B-11 Bedtime Story. Letter-Out. ‘Winning Contract. Page B-16 Page B-16 Page B-16 Davey enters Ohio race with blast at Gov. Bricker. Page A-12 ¢ A L Uncle Ray’s Cprner., Cross-Word Puzzle. Page B-11 PageB-17 | AR R B Thomas Would Bar Political Workers From U. S. Jobs Hatch Act in Reverse Urged to Apply to Preceding Two Years BACKGROUND— When President Roosevelt signed original Hatch Act ban- ning political activities of Fed- eral employes, he expressed hope principles would be extended to State employes. Hatch amend- ments now being debated would prohibit political activity by State employes paid in whole or part by Federal funds and would be enforced by Civil Service Commission. Penalty for in- Jraction would be withholding of Federal funds. State highway, social security, health and other employes would be covered. By J. A. O’LEARY. | If a person in the Govemment} service is to be barred from political | activity that might help him keep | his job, the outsider who hopes to get in the service after an election also should have his political activi- ty restrained, Senator Thomas, Demoetat, of Utah argued today, as the Senate continued debate on broadening of the Hatch Act. ‘To carry out his contention, Sena-~ r Thomas proposed an amend-| ent under which no person could | be appointed to any position in the Federal Government if he had taken active part in a political campaign within the preceding two years. The | only exceptions would be members | of the President’s cabinet and| diplomatic appointees. Meanwhile, Senator Lucas, Demo- crat, of Illinois assailed a proposal to | authorize the Civil Service Commis- sion to define what constitutes po- litical activity by State employes, as an “unconstitutional delegation of power.” Senator Lucas declared that “the people of my State and of other States look with fear on the aggres- sion that Washington already has made against the rights of the States.” Effective If Paid in Part. The broadening amendments, sponsored by Senator Hatch, Demo- crat, of New Mexico, would extend to State employes paid in part from Federal funds the prohibitions now covering Federal employes against taking part actively in election cam- paigns. Senator Lucas argued that the leg- islation would give the commission power “to regulate political activity throughout the country as well as a firm grip on the country’s purse strings.” In a statement, Senator Thomas declared that he has supported Sen- ator Hatch in the original law and proposed amendments, because he approves of the worthy objective “of purifying politics.” The law presents one grave dan- ger, however, he said, namely, “That in refusing to ‘coerce’ or direct the energies of Federal officials and em- ployes, we have actually encouraged others to go out after their jobs, hammer and tongs, and we have im- periled the position of the very men and women whom we would protect from political bosses and organiza- tions, and their abuses.” ‘Would “Purify” All “In short,” he continued, “we have prevented Federal employes from defending their positions, but permifted others to attack their po- sitions. We have been careful to purify actuals, but we have done nothing to purify potentials. To- morrow’s official must be as pure as (See CONGRESS, Page A-5.) Mary Cohan Weds Night Club Musician By the Associated Press. DOYLESTOWN, Pa., March 6— George M. Cohan’s daughter Mary and George Ranken, New York night club accordionist, were mar- ried shere by a justice of the peace today—five days after an elopment that went awry because of Penn- sylvania marriage laws. The actor’s songtress daughter and the 32-year-old musician who became her second husband today motored here early last Thursday and applied for a marriage license. ‘They returned to New York when told about the three-day waiting re- quirement, and Mary said then she ‘was uncertain if or when they would try again, | DONT KNow How MUCH LONGER | CAN RESIST THIS TeMp- TATION, Guest Skunk Stays All Winter In Parlor Chair By the Assoclated Press. MEDFIELD, Mass, March 6— Patrolman Fred Spear of the Med- field police is a brave man, but he knows discretion is the better part of valor. He has an unwelcome guest in his heme, but Patrolman Spear isn't doing a thing about it—except using | | discretion. | The guest is a handsome skunk | which is hibernating in an over- stuffed chair in the Spear parlor. The young man of the family, 13- year-old “Stub,” brought the animal home last May. Mr. Skunk liked it and returned at intervals. Came | winter, he holed up in his favorite | chair. There have been no .“incidents” yet, but the Spears are hoping for | an early Spring. Texas Jury Indicts Remingfon Arms As Neutrality Violafor| Two Mexicans Accused Also in Alleged Shipment Of Ammunition By the Assoclated Press. HOUSTON, Texas, March 6—The | Remington Arms Co. was indicted | by a Federal grand jury today for | alleged violation of the Neutrality | Act in the shipment of 27,500 rounds | of ammunition to Mexico. Indicted with the company were | | two Mexican citizens now jailed at | Laredo, Texas, Lieut. Col. Francisco De Valle Arispe and Gregorio Prie- to, a retired army major who said | he was in the employ of the Na- tional Revolutionary Party of Mexi- co. Arispe, 40-year-old self-asserted chief of staff for Gen. Rodrigo Que- vedo, was a candidate for repre- sentative to the Mexican National Congress on the Nationa! Revolu- tionary P:rty ticket, a No Permit, U. S. Claims. Gebrge John, assistant to the United States District attorney, said the Government alleged “conspiracy to violate, and violation of, the Neutrality Act of 1939 by unlawfully exporting, and attempting to export, ammunition to Mexico without ob- taining a permit from the Secretary of State.” ‘The exported arms, he said, were 17,750 rounds of Remington .32 cali- ber ammunition and 9,750 rounds of Remington’police service ammu- nition. Federal Judge James V. Allred fixed bBnd for the company at $10,- 000. Arispe and Prieto are jailed in lieu of $1,500 bond. They filed & writ of habeas corpus at Laredo February 23, seeking release on the claim that the Neutrality Act could not be applied to them, but Judge Allred denied the petition at that time. Basis of Government Case, Mr. John thus described the Gov- ernment’s contentions: Arispe ordered the ammunition from the arms company, a Bridge- port, Conn,, concern, through Rem- ington’s agent in Mexico City. The material was sent to Laredo and stopped there. Warehousemen notified customs agents of the shipment. On Janu- ary 19 Arispe and Prieto were ar- rested at the International Bridge immediately after they paid tolls on the arms and orepared %o de- part with them. “They said at first the ammuni- tion was for target practice, and later they claimed it was for their personal use,” Mr, John asserted. The attorney said Remington was licensed to ship arms, but, under the Neutrality Act, must obtain a per- mit before doing so. The case will be brought up at the next term of Federal Court in Laredo, open- ing April 15. Manager Puzzled. BRIDGEPORT, Conn., March 6 (#)—James H. Chasmar, general works manager of, the Remington Arms Co. of Bridgeport, in comment- ing today on the indictment of the company, said: “I can't imagine what this is all about. We've been careful to play ball with the State Department both before and since the passage of the Neutrality Act.” () Means evening and Sunday morning. Associated Pre: THREE CENTS. AT TRy et ARESOLu 72, = A o Wender Asks School And Library Boards Be Kept Independent Citizens’ Federation Spokesman Testifies On D. C. Reorganization BACKGROUND— Seal plan for reorganization of District government contem- plates granting of increased pow- ers to District Commissioners, es- tablishment of Citizens’ Advisory Council appointed by them. Al- ternate Griffenhagen plan calls for city manager as administra- tive head of city, retention of Commissioners as local legisla- tive body. Reorganization hear- ings before House subcommittee were recessed Friday after stormy session in which civic leaders tes- tifying called for suffrage and national representation for Wash- ingtonians. BY DON S. WARREN. Preservation of the independence of the Board of Egucation, the Board of Library Trustees and the Board of Tax Appeals was urged to- day by a spokesman for the Fed- eration of Citizens’ Associations at resumed hearings on municipal re- organization. In any kind of reorganization these conditions should pervail, said Harry S. Wender, Federation vice president, who reiterated demands for granting of local suffrage. Protests against appointment of non-residents to serve as counsel to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, heard in the debate over Dis- trict liquor control, also figured in the reorganization hearings. Susan B. Anthony, 3d, grand- daughter of the famous suffrage leader, appeared as a spokesman for the Washington Youth Council, to voice a plea for suffrage. She de- clared she felt “deplorable condi- tions in Washington’s health, hous- ing and welfare” could be improved if Washington had the vote. Abolition of Coroner Opposed. Mr. Wender, discussing many fea- tures of the Commissioners’ program for reorganization, digressed to ask why two of the A. B. C. Board’s at- torneys “had never, prior to their appointment, practiced law in the District.” Representative Nichols, Democrat, of Oklahoma, who was presiding over the hearing, retorted: “They were not appointed by this committee.” . The witness agreed that was so. Representative Bates, Republican, of Massachusetts said: “I think you have a sound basis for criticism.” Mr. Wender continued: “If we had an elected form of Government here this sort of thing would not have happened—it could not happen anywhere else.” Mr. Wender also reported that the Federation opposed abolition of the office of coroner as proposed in the Commissioners’ plans for creating the office of medical examiner and was opposed to increasing powers of the Commissioners if top District officials were not elected. More Parking Meters Asked. He argued also that while the Federation favored the increase in the number of parking meters, the receipts should be earmarked for installing more meters rather than being turned into the general fund. He urged that the office of peo- ple’s counsel should not be aban- doned. Mr. Wender approved especially the proposal to ban political ac- tivities by District officials. In concluding, he declared he felt there were members of the Reorgan- ization Subcommittee “who could :ell occupy the White House some ay.” He did not mention names. He urged the committee to forget per- sonal views and to act as “states- men” and come out for District suffrage. Sidney R. Katz, secretary-treas- urer of the Maryland and District _ Industrial Council of the C. I. O, declared the pres- ent type of government here was “a form of dictatorship” which in some essential respect is no dif- ferent from such dictatorships which day by day “are denounced by our national leaders.” Immediate challenges came from committee members, who drew from him an agreement that the fact he and others could appear to give views on the District government refuted & contention of dictatorship. “We do have the right to be heard—it is Doctors Brand Blue Plains as A "Catch-All Admission Policy Hit; Transfer of 69 Ailing Inmates Urged BACKGROUND— Mrs. Roosevelt’s criticism of conditions at Blue Plains Home for the Aged following her sure prise visit there touched off ine vestigation of several District in= stitutions by congressional sub- committee. Gallinger Hospital physicians subsequently checked on health of inmates. By JOHN H. CASSADY, Jr. Branding the District's Home for the Aged and Infirm as a refuge for virtually all types of indigents, from the feeble-minded and epilep= tic to the non-violent insane and prisoners released from reforma- tories, a special board of physicians today recommended adoption of a new admission policy and the trans= fer of 69 ailing patients of the home to other institutions. ‘The physicians, reporting to Wel= fare Director Robert E. Bondy the result of their medical examination |of the 691 inmates of the Blue Plains institution, summarized their findings with this statement: “We found conditions more closely approaching those described in the writings of Charles Dickens than the standards which should be ap- plied to such a home in the Na- tion's Capital in the year 1940.” Before undertaking the examina- tion, the physicians said they in- vestigated the requirements for ad- mission to the institution and were surprised to learn that the home “is not only a home for the aged and those suffering from the in- firmities of old age, but also a place | of last resort for almost all classes of the unfortunate of the District | of Columbia.” Transfers Recommended. “The only strict requirement for those who enter,” the report added, | “Is that they be indigent. As a re- sult, the institution has become not |only a refuge for the aged, but also a home for the feeble-minded, the | epileptic, the non-vialent insane, deaf mutes. the blind and the incur= able of all ages; a convalescent home | for different diseases, a shelter for prisoners released from jails and re- formatories who cannot find work, | and for normal, healthy men in thejr | 50s who likewise cannot find work.” | the report recom= | Specifically, mended that, in addition to the five cases already sent to Gallinger | Hospital, 14 more be transferred there for complete medical study; 16 cases of chronic neurological dis- eases referred to suitable hospitals for complete examinations; 10 ape parently psychotic inmates be trans- ferred to a suitable institution if found commitable by the appropri= ate agency; 21 feeble-minded in- mates be considered for transfer to | more suitable institutions, and eight | epileptic cases removed to other in- stitutions. Bondy Praises Report. Describing the report as an ex- cellent one and expressing appreci= ation to Dr. Edgar A. Bocock, su- perintendent of Gallinger, for mak- |ing the survey, Welfare Director Bondy said: “These recommendations are in accord with a policv that, in my Jjudgment, should be followed for admission to and care of people at | the Home for the Aged. “All along, I've been calling this home a dumping ground for all kinds of indigents, and I've stated repeatedly that the home should be used only for ambulatory ages not feasible for old-age assistance.” The welfare director declared that, where other institutional fa=- cilities permit, transfers will be made as soon as possible in accord- ance with the physician’s recom= mendations. He said he would con=- fer with heads of the various insti- tutions concerned to see what ad- justments can be worked out where there are overcrowded conditions to | contend with. +At the same time, Mr. Bondy re- iterated his belief that the situa- tion cannot be thoroughly cleared up “until we are provided with an adequate staff for all these institu- tions involved.” Majority Suffering Disabilities. The medical examination, ordered following congressional hearings on the ' Blue Plains institution, was made by Drs. Albert S. Sullivan, Joseph J. Wallace and Sam Sugar. Dr. Sullivan' is chief medical officer of Gallinger Hospital, and Drs. Wallace and Sugar are senior resident physicians in medicine on the hospital staff. All have been connected with the hospital for three years or more. ‘The physicians reported that, be- cause of limitations of the physical plant, no attempt has been made to segregate the various groups at the home except according to sex and color. A majority of the inmates, the report said, are suffering from mod- erate to severe disabilities, and that there is only “a very narrow zone between many of those who gre ambulant and in the dormitories today and those who are bedridden and in the infirmary tomorrow.” Analyses of Patients. In reporting of their analysis of the 122 patients in the infirmary at the time of their investigation, the physicians said 88 were suffer- ing from the cardio-vascular com=- plications of arteriosclerosis and hypertension, including 33 who had suffered cerebral vascular accidents. Of the 88, none were under 45 years of age, 12 were under 60, 24 were between 60 and 70, 28 between 70 and 80, 18 between 80 and 90, and 6 were over 90 years old. The other 34 were found to be af- flicted with many different diseases, only a few of which are particularly associated with advanced years. The physicians said they found the great majority of the disabled inmates can (8ee REORGANIZATION, Pg. A-4.) ‘ . (See BLUE PLAINS, Page A-5.)