Evening Star Newspaper, March 17, 1940, Page 2

Farm and Trade Bills Up in Senafe Affer Hatch Ban Action Half Dozen Amendments To Be Decided Before Final Vote Tomorrow By J. A. O'LEARY. ‘With the Hatch bill to curb po- litical activity among thousands of State employes expected to be dis- posed of tomorrow, the Senate is preparing to tackle two of the big- gest issues of the session this week —the $922,864,000 farm bill and the reciprocal trade agreement program. Before a final vote on e of the Hatch measure, however, half a dozen amendments remain to be acted on, including the proposal of Senator Minton, Democrat, of In- diana, to bring into the Civil Service all Federal employes affected by the original Hatch Act. Thece are 271,- 000 non-civil service workers in the Goverhment, most of whom are sub- Ject to the Hatch Act. All indications are the Senate will accept an amendment to be offered by Senator Byrd, Democrat, of Vir- ginai, which would make it possible for the Civil Service Commission to restore to Federal employes the privilege formerly accorded them for many years to take part in the local municipal affairs of nearby Maryland and Virginia towns in Wwhich they live. Not Limited to Nearby Area. The Byrd amendment is not con- fined to these areas, but provides that whenever the commission de- termines that, by reason of special or unusual considerations, it would be in the domestic interest of em- ployes to do so, it could promulgate rules permitting them to take active part in the domestic affairs of mu- nicipalities or other political sub- divisions. Senator Minton also will offer an amendment to restrict political ac- tivity by employers of labor and lenders of money at interest. Senator Brown, Democrat, of Michigan has an amendment await- ing action to permit State employes affected by the bill to become can- didates for elective office, provided they take leave without pay during the campaign. Confident of Passage. The only development that could | interfere with a final vote by 3 p.m. tomorrow would be the offering of the anti-lynching bill as an amend- ment, in which event the unanimous consent agreement would be set aside. All indications at the Capitol yesterday, however, were that this question will not be raised. Confident the bill will pass by a substantial majority, Senator Hatch, Democrat, of New Mexico also pre- dicted last night that the adoption several days ago of the $5,000 limit on all individual contributions to | political campaign funds will not prevent House consideration of the measure. | In a statement yesterday, Ernest T. Weir, chairman of the Republican National Finance Committee, said the Republican party in recent years | had “trended constantly toward broadening the base of its financial support.” The party, he said, would “scrupulously” live up to the legis- lation if it were enacted. Extends Ban to States. ‘The new bill extends to all State employes paid in whole or in part from Federal-aid loans or grants the | same ban against political activity placed on Federal personnel by the original Hatch Act. The penalty for violations would be to withhold from & State agency Federal aid to the extent of twice the salaries of em- ployes engaging in forbidden polit- | fcal activities. As soon as the Hatch bill is voted on Senator Russell, Democrat, of Georgia will call up the big farm supply bill, which Majority Leader Barkley believes can be disposed of | by Wednesday. | Chairman Harrison of the Finance Committee then will present the| House-approved resolution extend- ing for three years the administra- tion's Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act. This is destined to prove one of the most controversial debates of the year and may last as long, or longer, than the fight over the Hatch bill. Garden School at U. of M. The annual garden school for amateur gardeners will be held at College Park, April 3 and 4, under the supervision of the University of Maryland Department of Horti- culture. The public is invited to Reuders; Guide News Summary The Sunday Star, March 17, 1840, PART ONE. Main News Section. Foreign. Ttalian-Soviet rapproachement basis laid, say Nasis. -~ Page A-1 A:::‘neu protest to Britain on Nlli p sinking. Page A- Talk with Pope tomorrow ends Welles' tour, Page A-1 Nazis claim planes bomb British ships in Scapa Flow. Page A-1 Chamberlain faces first challenge to leadership. Page A-3 Rumania takes precautions. against Iron Guardists. Page A-4 Finns to fly to Moscow to iron out border details. Page A-4 Finnish war works vast improve- ments in Red Army. Page A- Finnish peace seen Nazi preparation for drive. Page A-7 War of: nerves forces small states together. Page A-10 National. Samuel Untermyer, crusader for Jewish rights, dies. Page A-1 Roosevelt backers plan drive in Gar- ner's own State. Page A-1 Final vote on Hatch bill due at 3 p.m. tomorrow. Page A-2 Wire-tapping probe sensations hint- ed by Senators. Page A-2 ‘Tobey’s census attitude un-American, Hopkins tells him. Page A-2 Gov. Rivers drafts fight to avert Federal jail sentence. Page A-18 Feuding Democrats hurl charges in Tllinois race. Page A-5 Army leader tells Senators of dan- gers to Pgnama Canal. Page A-5 Legion shuns “any part” of war on 21st birthday. Page A-19 Washington and Vicinity. Seal seeks to correct sales tax pro- posal inequities. Page A-1 1941 budget to provide full-time Blue Plains doctor. Page A-1 President is guest of White House correspondents. Page A-6 Hazen and McCoach back plan for Scott Circle underpass. Page A-18 Federation indorses pre-marital medical tests for D. C. Page B-1 Sports Leonard may pitch for A. L. team in relief game. Page B-7 Nationals given 12-to-2 drubbing by Giants. Page B-7 Buddy Baldwin, jr., despite spill, wins at Warrenton. campaign Saturday. Page B-9 City pin tourney likely to have| record entry. Page B-10 | General Jack annexes Tropical | stake; spill thrills. Page B-11 Miscellaneous. | Obituary. Page A-14 | Vital statistics. Page E-4/ Service orders. Page E-4/ Travel. Page B-6 PART TWO. Editorial. Editorial articles. Editorial and comment. Newr features. John Clagett Practor. Civic news. Military. and veterans’ Pages C-1-3 Automobiles. PART THREE. Society. Society news. Well-known folk. In service society. Future debutantes. Barbara Bell pattern. ‘Women's clubs. Educational. Automobiles. PART FOUR. Finance, Classified. Esster store rush awaited. Page E-1 Stocks decline further. Page E-1 Weekly stock summary. Page E-2 | New utility records set here. Page E-1 Bankers to attend Richmond sessions. Page E-1 District business barometers. Page E-3 Lost and found. Page E-4 Classified advertising. Pages E-4-15 PART FIVE. Pages D-1-10 Page D-3| Page D-8| Page D-3| Page D-10 | Page D-1i | Page D-12 Page D-13 Features. Amusements. Stamps. In bridge circles. Dick Mansfield. Pages F-1-2-3 Page F-4 Page F-4 Page F-4 Page F-4 Page F-5 Page F-6 Page F-7 Page F-8 the sessions. ‘The Junior Star. Page F-9 U.S. Patrol Wat Believed Supply By the Associated Press. S8AN JUAN, Puerto Rico, March 16.—The 4,862-ton British steamer Southgate, which two weeks ago flashed a mysterious distress signal, is still in waters near Puerto Rico under constant surveillance by the United States neutrality patrol, naval sources asserted today. The theory is held in these quar- ters that the Southgate, roving in- side the American neutrality zone, is supplying British warships. This has been bolstered by the disclosure that she was sighted two days ago in Mona Passage, between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The Southgate drew world-wide attention when at sunset March 1 she sent out an S S S, radio signal, often interpreted in wartime as a distress call due t6 a submarine. ‘The next day she was sighted.by Losses in War at Sea By the Associated Préss. The following “box score” lists the 28th week of the war, March 10 T Previously reported 188 3 1 [J 1 [ [ 5 32 Grand totals_.__ 189 137 *Includes naval vessels but not submarines. Losses by nations (includes naval vessels): Britain, 217; France, 20; Germany, 43; Norway, 53; Sweden, [T — Other eauses Mines, or unknown. ches Southgate, ing Warships United States naval planes, appar- ently unharmed, and the signal was never explained. She was seen in Mona Passage by flying boats of the neutrality pa- trol operating from San Juan. The supply boat theory offers the only apparent explanation of her myster- ious movements since March 1, when her distress call gave her position as 160 miles northeast of Puerto Rico. When the Southgate was seen in Mona Passage, approximately 300 miles southeast of there, she was headed northeast again. Naval informants said orders from Washington are to track her into port so that the United States Gov- ernment may have some explana- tion of why she sent her distress signal and then became silent. As far as naval authorities know, she has not touched port since, sea warfare losses re] to March 16, inclusive: ¥ Tonnage. *17,200 2l Boooot 134 147 E - Page B-8 | iTerp nine and stickmen to start| ' Snow Mars Irish Parade tri; }fBrMsh and French warships and THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. ¢, MARCH BigIncome Tax Yield Indicated by Gains In Many Cities Total May Go 30 Pet. Above 'Last Year's, Officials Estimate By the Associated Press. Reports of sharp increases in in- come tax collections in many key cities indicated yesterday that the Treasury may be pleasantly sur- prised when it totals the annual big March yield. Up until midnight Friday, when the deadline for making returns was reached, the unofficial guess was that a 30 per cent, or $150,000,000, increase over the tax take a year ago might be attained. But tallies from several impor- tant collection districts showed in- creases well in excess of that figure, ralthough in others the percentage of increase was comparatively mod- erate. The Michigan district, home of the giant automobile industry, re- ported unofficially that collections were running 80 per cent over a year ago. Oregon reported a 42 per cent increase and the Washing- ton-Alaska district noted that col- lections in the first two months of this year ran about 40 per cent ahead of a year ago. The first Cali- fornia ‘district had a 38 per cent boost. Increases Elsewhere. Here are some samples of in- creases elsewhere: Kentucky, 37; Ohio, 35; Illinois, | 30; Missouri (Kansas City district), 29; Tennessee, 26; Massachusetts, 21; Western Pennsylvania, 21; Florida, 20; Georgia, 13; New York tin the second district, including the financial area), 5. | Local circumstances brought some notable variations. Indications were that tax collec- tions in Rhode Island would be | two to three times greater than a | year ago. Taxpayers there made heavy deductions in their returns on 1938 income to cover losses in- curred when a hurricane swept the State in the fall of that year. Maine reported payments were 6 per cent under a year ago. The collector said ‘“several non-recur- ring items filed last year” accounted for the decrease, but did not explain | the matter further. | Only Part Forwarded. | The actual cash that the Treasury | has put in its income tax till since the first of the year shows about | & 30 per cent increase over the cor- | responding period last year—$126,- 691,519 on March 14, compared with | $96,747,198 The money, however, represents only that forwarded to Washington and does not include the huge flow pouring into income tax collection district offices in the days and hours immediately preceding the March 15 deadline. The total collection for March, | 1939, was $505,000,000. In New York City ¥ the Associated Press. NEW YORK, March 16—The Irish marched up Fifth avenue to- day in one of the dampest St.| Patrick’s: Day parades in the city's history. B Fair weather, traditionally asso-| ciated with the celebration, failed the Irish and they moved through | a swirling snow that obscured the | tall towers of the broad avenue| and thinned the crowds of specta- | tors after the first two hours. John J. Sheahan, chairman of the Parade Committee, estimated in ad- vance that 75,000 would march, but the number was much smaller. The showing was brave, though. They | marched up the gleaming wet, slushy asphalt. The drums grew damp, but they carried on. The horns dripped moisture and melted snow ran down the cheeks of the bandsmen. State and city officials reviewed them uptown and in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral sat Archbishop Francis J. Spellman and other no- tables. French Gunboats Seize Two Porfuguese Ships BY the Associated Press. LISBON, Portugal, March 17 (Sun- day).—A ministry of marine com- munique today said French gun- boats had seized the 4,751-ton Portu- guese freighter Cassequel and 8,309- ton liner Colonial. The statement said the govern- ment was awaiting reports from the commanders of the vessels. It added that the Chssequel was taken to Casablanca, French Morocco, and the Colonial to Dakar, Senegal. Shipping circles said the Casse- quel was seized at the entrance to Lisbon Bar, just outside territorial waters, when she was inbound from Antwerp with a full load of produce. The Colonial was en route to Angola. 14 Columbus Sailors Start for Home SAN FRANCISCO, March 16— Fourteen ‘“non-combatant” Nazi sailors from the scuttled liner Co- lumbus sailed for Europe tonight aboard the Italian motorship Rialto. Ahead of them was a five-week p through waters patrolled by past the British control station at Gibraltar. The 14, all of whom appeared too old for military duty, comprised the second group to leave the Angel Island immigration station. Thirty- four older men left two weeks ago on the Italian vessel Fella. & There are 463 younger sailors left ere. Father of 6 Nevada Crew Members Has 2 More Prospects The father of six members of the crew of the battleship Nevada told Secretary Edison yesterday that he had two: younger sons who.were pros- pective sailors. x Clarence F. Patten of Ode- bolt, Towa, replying to congrat- ulations extended by Mr. Edi- son, said he thought that six 37; Denmark, 22; Netherlands, 22; Greece, 21; Finland, 11; Estonia, 6; Belgium, 6; Italy, 6; Lithuania; 3; Soviet, 1; Rumania, 1; Japan, 1; Yugoslavia, 1; Total, 473. ‘ Y s Latvia, 1; Spain, 1. sailor sons established a Navy record, and added: “I have two more boys to go as soon as they "are old enough.” a NEW YORK.—LONG-SOUGHT 17, 1940—PART ' ONE. And ird-Term Issue |Becloud Outlook BOMB EXPLODES—New York police, who twice in recent months have searched Grand Cen- tral Terminal from end to end for a bomb they were told was there, found it yesterday. The bomb exploded in a checked handbag, causing no injury and little damage. An investigator is shown examining the parts which remained. —A. P. Wirephoto. Sensations Hinted As Senators Plan Wire-Tapping Probe Story of Espionage May Reach Into Half Dozen States | By the Associated Press. A projected congressional investi- gation of wire-tapping, interested Senators hinted yesterday, may un- fold a sensational story of political espionage reaching into half a dozen or more States. Proponents predicted the Senate Audit and Control Committee would approve next Wednesday a resolu- tion by Senator Green, Democrat, of Rhode Island to provide $25,000 for an inquiry by the Interstate Commerce Committee. They said speedy action then would be urged | | to start the investigation. It was disclosed that tentative | plans have been made to summon | numerous State and Federal offi- cials, as well as officers and em- ployes of some private detective agencies. They would be questioned about what some Senators described as an apparent “network” of politi- cal espionage in several State capitols. States mentioned by committee members as likely to figure in the inquiry included Rhode Island, New York, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and California. Probe of Governor Reported. The committee has received re- ports, it was learned, of the sur- reptitious hanging of a microphone in a Governor’s office, the tapping of the telephone lines of a State at- torney general and the use of record- | ing discs to reproduce the conversa- | tions of public officials. If it is given the “go-ahead” | signal, the committee also is ex- pected to inquire into the use of listening devices by Government | agencies, particularly the Federal Bureau of Investigaton and the Alcoholic Tax Unit, in obtaining leads on criminal cases. Senator Green said his chief in- terest in the inquiry was centered in his home State of Rhode Island, where a Federal grand jury inves- tigation of alleged tapping of State officials’ wires was ordered recently. Will Insist on Testimony. Senator Johnson, Democrat, of Colorado, said he would insist, if the inquiry were ordered, that certain Colorado citizens be called for testi- mony concerning the placing of a microphone in the office of former Gov. Teller Ammons, who succeeded Mr. Johnson as chief executive of the State. The Interstate Commerce Com- mittee already has received reports, said Senator Schwartz, Democrat, of Wyoming, that a New York de- tective agency tapped wires in sev- eral States, reputedly acting in some instances at the direction of politi- cal groups. Some members said the recent denial by J. Edgar Hoover that the G-men ever had used wire-tapping in violation of existing laws would not deter the committee from looking into the instances where the F. B. I. admittedly has employed this method to obtain “leads.” Kidnaping Cases Cited. Mr. Hoover said the bureau had tapped wires only in cases of kid- naping or of crimes “where either a human life was at stake or where the activities of persons under in- vestigation were of such an aggra- vated criminal nature as to justify the use of extraordinary means to detect their activities and cause their apprehension.” Some Senators said the wire-tap- ping ban incorporated in the 1934 communications act was not clear. Senator Johnson said he thought Congress should enact a law dealing witn th's question alone. He said there might be grounds for some exceptions to a general prohibition against the use of wire tapping and listening devices, such as in kidnap- ing cases. Brazil's Beauty Shown In Program at Union The beauties and wonders of Brazil were shown on the screen, in color, and described last night before a distinguished audience in the Pan-American Union Building by Dr. Charles H. Tozier, a dentist of Boston. The lecturé, entitled “Brazil, the Land We Should Know,” was sponsored by the Brazilian Am- bassador, Dr. Carlos Martins, and was one of a series of events at the Union in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of its founding. Dr. Tozier was introduced by Dr. L. S. Rowe, director general of the Union. There were several reels of mov- ing pictures and numerous stills. An outstanding part of the former was the depiction of coffee production from the starting of the seedlings through the various stages of growth and preparation until the bags of beans were loaded on vessels. Ohio Relief Deficit Outlook For 1940 Reported Worse By the Associated Press. COLUMBUS, OChio, March 16— Ohio’s relief financing troubles, which left local governments with deficits totaling $3,254,800 at the end of 1939, “probably will be worse” this year, State Auditor Joseph T. Fergu- son predicted today. He attributed troubles to a “deficit financing” policy “very much criti- cized by the students of government everywhere.” All available poor re- lief moneys are now pledged for bond retirement, he asserted. Every large Ohio city except Cihcinnati showed a poor relief de- ficit last year, and five cities—Cleves land, Toledo, Dayton, Columbus and Akron—showed deficits represent- ing 83.2 per cent of the total. Cleve- land’s deficit alone was $1,872,500. Air raid eprecautions demonstra- tions in England include “rescues” from “demolished” factories. Col. Fleming Forum Speaker Wage-Hour Administrator to Tell How the Law Is Working Col. Philip B. Fleming, adminis- trator of the Wage and Hour Divi- sion of the Labor Department, will tell a Nationwide radio audience on the National Radio Forum tomeor- row night how the wage-hour law is working. His subject will be “The ‘Wage and Hour Law Works.” The presentation will be in the form of an interview, with Col Fleming answering questions posed by B. M. McKelway, managing editor of The Star. Col. ‘Fleming, who was sworn in as administrator of this agency early this month, has seen service at posts in all parts of the country, from Eastport, Me, to Vancouver Barracks, Wash.; in the Philippines, Canal Zone and at West Point, dur- ing his career the Corps of Engi- neers. After a period as chief of the finance division in the office of the chief of engineers, Col. Fleming was assigned to West Point, where in addition to his military duties he was executive officer of the athletic association. Subsequently he served as assistant engineer on the mid- dle Mississippi River sector and with the Public Works Administra- tion, both in Washington and at the Passamaquioddy project. After a period of service at the Resettlement Administration as co- ordinator in Washington, he re- turned tp Army engineer work as COL. PHILIP B. FLEMING. district engineer at St. Paul, ‘Minn. He was detailed from this post to the wage-hour division. The National Radio Forum is ar- ranged by The Star and is broad- The program is heard, locally over saeuanmz.-no:w‘»n.n_s.'q : ] No Republican Candidate Far Enough Ahead for Forecast of Victory By G. GOULD LINCOLN. With the Republican National Convention only three months away, none of the contenders for the Re- publican presidential nomination is sufficiently far out in front to war- rant prediction of his victory, In- deed, the word which comes from many States—and from many visi- tors to Washington—is that senti- ment has failed to crystallize in any marked degree for any of the can- didates. The Democrats have a little more time in which to make up their minds whom to nominate, as their convention will not open until July 15. Up to the present, however, the third-term drive has almost ob- scured all other candidacies. The fact that it is well understood that President Roosevelt has only to say “yes” to make certain his renomi- nation at the convention has acted like dry rot on other candidacies. With the President remaining silent about his plans, the situation in the Democratic party is just as uncertain today—so far as a presi- dential nominee is concerned—as it is in the Republican ranks. This is, of course, contrary to the assertions of some of the third-term boosters, who insist Mr. Roosevelt will be “drafted.” Opposition in Own Party. The President, however, will not be drafted without a certain amount of opposition from his own party— not as long as Vice President Gar- ner continues to assert that his name will be brought before the convention whether or not the President’s is placed in nomination. ‘There have been rumors that Post- master General Farley, hitherto the President’s right-hand man in po- litical campaigns, also would oppose & third-term nomination. Mr. Far- ley, however, has continued to in- sist he believed the President would not run again. 'He has abstained from declaring for or against a third-term nomination, feeling no statement could be made with pro- priety when the President has not stated his own position in the mat- ter. In a 8t. Patrick’s Day address at Memphis, Tenn. last night, Gov. Stark of Missouri took occasion to praise Secretary of State Hull, a native of Tennessee, as “the greatest Secretary of State that we have ever hdd.” Mr. Hull, while keeping as far away from the presidential race as possible, nevertheless has been widely discussed as a probable nomi- nee if President Roosevelt is not a candidate. “No one knows the names of the candidates who will seek the presi- dency in 1940 under the banners of the two major parties,” Gov. Stark said. “Your guess is as good as mine on that, but my faith in the Democratic party and in its leader- ship, like your own faith, is solidly grounded on past accomplishments. Whatever the decision of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and whatever the verdict of the Democratic National Convention the Democratic natiorial ticket of 1940 goes before the public pledged to the fulfiliment of & mag- nificent program.” Oppesition from Clark. Gov. Stark has espoused the cause in Missouri of a pro-New Deal delegation to the Democratic Na- tional Convention. In his effort to control, or have a controlling voice in the selection of the delegation, he has run head on into serious op- position from Senator Bennett C. Clark. Missouri is a large and im- portant State of the Middle West, and more may be tied into this con- flict for control of the delegation than appears on the surface. Sen- ator Clark himself has been men- tioned many times as a possible presidential nominee, but not, with the approval of the New Dealers. Two weeks hence, in Wisconsin, the first real test of strength be- tween leading Republican contend- ers for the presidential nomina- tion takes place. Senator Van- denberg of Michigan is facing New York District Attorney Dewey in the Wisconsin presidential prefer- ential primary, each backing a slate of delegates. The two men lock horns again the following week in the Nebraska primary. ‘The primary results in two Mid- west States may not settle the presidential nomination, particular- ly as Senator Taft of Ohio is not a participant in either of them. But if Mr. Dewey is defeated these pri- maries will drive the youthful racket buster’s stock far down in the po- litical market. A dog fall, with both Senator Vandenberg and Mr, Lewey scoring, would be inconclu- sive, and evéen a victory for Mr. Dewey in both the States would not necessarily eliminate Senator Vandenberg, who will go to the con-~ vention with considerable backing irrespective of the Wisconsin and Nebraska results. Risks Popularity. For Mr. Dewey, however, it is essential that the belief in his popu- larity throughout the country be not knocked down, as it might well be if he loses in both Wisconsin and Nebraska. He has the Illinois primary on April 9 all to himself, for none of the other Republican presidential candidates would enter o there. Senator Taft’s supporters continue | {n to plug away for their candidate, insisting that real progress has beert made. . The Republican presidential | La! conundrum, however, may well con- tinue unanswered until the national convention. That, unless the Pres- ident clears the atmosphere, is like! to be the same siteation | Democratic camp. & Ya-Hour Stay In Movie Adds To Boy's Career Seven-year-old Reggis O'Neil, who seems chronically to get locked in places, was treated to nine and & half hours of the movies last night. During the latter par: of his stay the theater screen was dark, 80 he watched policemen try to get him out. Reggis, according to his brother, ‘William, 10, entered the Dumbarton Theater, 1351 Wisconsin avenue NW, about 3 pm. At 11 pm. the theater closed, but Reggis did not emerge. An alarmed family notified police, who said they recalled that the youngster not so long ago found himselt confined in the Lido Thea- ter on M street—and it took the Pire Department to free him. Brother William told reporters that Reggis, during his career, also has been locked in the Farmers and Mechanics branch of the Riggs Na- tional Bank long after closing time. By midnight police efforts to lib- erate Reggis from his latest dun- geon proved futile, so the theater manager was summoned. As he approached at 12:30 a.m., however, Reggis located a latch on the door; darted out through a curious crowd; gave no explanations. Hazen and McCoach Back Scoff Circle Underpass Proposal .Engineer Commissioner Will Seek $15,000 for Drafting of Plans Construction of a vehicular under- pass at Scott Circle was proposed yesterday by a majority of the mem- bers of the Board of District Com- missioners as a result of the trial of the subway at Thomas Circle. Engineer Commissioner David Mc- Coach, jr., announced he would ask the Board of Commissioners to in- dorse a plan to seek a supplemental appropriation to the 1941 District budget for an outlay of $15,000 for the drafting of plans and specifica- tions for a vehicular underpass at Scott Circle. Later yesterday, Commissioner Melvin C. Hazen, president of the | Board of Commissioners, said he would approve such a plan. The cost of the Scott Circle project is estimated roughly at some $400,000. ‘While traffic jams occurred at Scott Circle following the opening of the Thomas Circle unde; 3 District engineer officials said they believed this would be “reduced” when motorists who do not have to use the Thomas Circle underpass stopped making “trial” use of the place, but, nevertheless, they found reason for belief that there still would be a bottle-neck at Scott Circle. They said congestion at Scott Circle always had been “bad,” even without considering the ex- traordinary results of the opening of the underpass at Thomas Circle. Several years ago the Commis- sioners approved general plans for underpasses at Dupont and Scott Circles as well as at Thomas Circle, but Congress limited appropriations for a trial at but one place, Thomas Circle. The proposal for seeking funds for drafting of plans for Scott Circle will be considered formally by the Board of Commisssioners at their meeting Tuesday. The proposed sub- way there would be in the line of Sixteenth street. Silver Spring Firemen Burned Fighting Blaze ‘Two members of the Silver Spring (Md.) Volunteer Fire Department suffered burns yesterday as they were fighting a fire which destroyed & frame house at Littonsville. The men burned were Lt. John Cole, who received burns about the hands and face, and Capt. John Oden, who was burned on the face. According to Fireman Ernest Brandt, Lt. Cole fell on a hot wire fence, near the burning house, which he could not see because of the dense smoke. Capt. Oden was burned by the flames, he said. Both men were given first aid by members of the department and were later treated by a private physician. The house was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Louis Crutchfield, golored. Weat Hopkins Tells Tobey His Census Stand Is - Menace 1o Self-Rule Senator’s Oath of Office Cited by Secretary. in Rgply to ‘Hitler’ Wire Secretary of Commerce Hopkins last night wrote to Senator Tobey, Republican, of New Hampshire that his action in urging the people to decline answers to the income ques- tions in the 1940 population census “is un-American and a menace to the processes of self-government.” The Secretary’s letter was written in answer to the Senator’s telegra: to the White House Friday assail- ing the income questions as reflec- tive of “tactics used by Hitler.” Sen- ator Tobey sent his telegram aftes Stephen Early, White House secre- tary, expressed surprise in the Pres- ident’s name that a Senator would advise against answering the census questions. Senator Tobey offered this advice in a radio broadcast March 9. “The 1929 Census Act, passed by a Republican Congress, signed by a Republican President and contain- ing the authority for the 1940 census, makes it mandatory upon the Amer- ican people to answer all census questions,” Secretary Hopkins wrote the Senator. He introduced his let- ter by observing: “I feel the only thing I can do is read the simple A, B, C's of the census law to you.” Cites Oath of Office. He ended by quoting the oath which every Senator takes on as- suming office: “I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support and defend the Con- stitution of the United States against all enemies, forelgn and domestic; that I will bear true faith and alle- giance to the same, that I take this obligation freely, without any men- tal reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully ~ discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God.” Secretary Hopkins pointed out that the 1929 law authorizes census inquiries relating to unemployment and observed: “Any reasonable person knows that wage income is the best possi- = ble measure of employment and uu= employment.” Mr. Hopkins' point B was that if Senator Tobey was justifying his advice by the Senate Commerce Committee’s action in approving a resolution condemning (but not for- bidding) the income questions, he should remember that the commit- tee acted March 12 and the Senator made his radio speech March 9. Opinions Held of No Bearing. As point C, the secretary said: “As a Senator, you know that even if the entire Senate had approved the resolution adopted by its Com- merce Committee, which it had not on the night you broadcast your in- tention to flout the law and still has not to this day, it would be an expression of opinion by a majority of Senators and could not be con- structed by the Secretary of Com- merce and the census director as over-riding the Census Act of 1929, which was by both Houses and signed by (e President. “Such a vof the Senate or & majority of a small committee thereof could only be advisory to the Secretary of Commerce and the Census Director. In no sense would it relieve any person from com- pliance with the census law. This could only be accomplished by an amendment to the Census Act of 1929.” Denies Violation of Rights. To Senator Tobey's objections that statutory authorization of the income questions would be an un- constitutional violation of the Bill of Rights’ safeguard against in- vasion of personal privacy, Secretary | Hopkins remarked that the “patriots who gave us the Bill of Rights wrote into the Constitution a pro- | vision for the first and all subse- quent census and the same found- ing fathers made it mandatory upon the American people to answer cen- sus inquiries.” “The spectacle of a United States Senator,” Mr. Hopkins wrofe, “call- ing for resistance to the authority the Government, appealing for eis disobedience, urging an informa- tional sit-down strike against the Government is un-American and & v =4 - menace to the processes of self- government.” her Report (Purnished by the United States Weather Bureau.) District of Cclumbia—Fair and warmer today, tomorrow increasing cloudiness and slightly warmer followed by light rain tomorrow night; gentle northwest winds becoming southerly this afternoon. Maryland and Virginia—Fair and warmer today. tomorrow increasing cloudiness and slightly warmer followed by light rain tomorrow night. West Virginia—Fair and warmer today; tomorrow cloudy followed by light rain tomorrow afternoon or night. Weather Conditions Last 24 Hours. The disturbance that was central over Maine Priday night continued to move northeastward. The minor disturbance that was centered over Eastern Iowa Fri- day night moved rapidly eastward. beint central tonight about 150 miles south of Block Island, R. 1. with lowest pressure Sbout 1008 millibars, 2971 inches ~Anc other disturbance ig moving southeastward kotas. Minot. iz Poiilibars o905 pinclies), Pressure fs high 2 eas hamas. _Ba) 0530381 mill s, La. 8. 1 La. riia e '%.E.‘:H.I;{_m‘ff. ‘g‘?fi#fiufi; vails from th teau region - to the Mississibp Vailey. River Revert. Potomae Shen: h Ri ud- & R reny e iy, ™ Revort Untll 10 P.M. Saturdsy. Record Unt .:h&u. 80. 2:3 290. 4 sm. viesterdsy. Year 0. 32, Réctrd Temperatures This Yoear. Highest. 64. on February 12. Lowest. 7. on January 29, Precivitation. M predlpitation in 1 in the CADIEL (Gurent menE t0"durerr” 1040, i- | Asheville, N. A e C s e The Sun and Moon. Automobile lights must be turned one-half hour sfter sunset. Tide Tables, tates and extreme | Low S Michigan and anta. Ga. Atlantic City, N. itimore. M¢ 2R e e SN IR eI AR AR AIRITININ2EIRRII2EI