The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-28
Washington Neus
By Associated Press


 Washington, December 27.-Congestef shipping conditions exist in many Brit ish ports, according to cable advices to the department of commerce today from Counsel General R. P. Skinner at Lon don. This is especially true, the report said, at Cardiff, where many vessels are waiting to dock, many others are lying idle and Seamen have been dis charged. In northern England and at Scottish ports, the advices said, unem- pioyment is general
 Income and profits tax receipts for the last quarter of the year exceeded Secre- tary Houston's early estimate of $650.- Ooo,0O0. according to the daily statement of the nations finances for December g made public today by the treasury. On that date, income and profits tax pay ments for the month amounted to s650, 602,546 as compared with $S24, ,17S1 191 for the corresponding period a year ago. Treasury officials declared that some in- crease in the total could be expected, as there was still a week to be accounted for.
 About 200 shipping board vessels are tied up for lack of business, Chairman Benson said tonight, but most of them are small lake-type steamers. The pres ent shipping situation is undeniably un- satisfactory, the chairman said, but the governments condition compares favor ably to that of the private owners.
 The new labor committee charged with continuing the effort to organize the steel industry plans to hold it's first formal meeting here next month. Some of the members already here express the opin- ion that the first meeting probably will be devoted largely to a survey of the developments of the year which has passed since the last attempt and the @E ta~-lr l. ffrarA fff-.,f at time which the leaders may con slider opportune.
 General Pershing in a telegram from Roslyn, N. Y, tonight accepted an invi- tation to serve as grand marshal of the parade for the inauguration of President elect Harding, it was announced tonight by the committee in charge of arrange ments. The invittaion was extended him in conformity with the custom of having the ranking officer of the army head the inaugural parade
 The belief that Cuba, with the friendly assistance of the United, States, will emerge from her present economic diff culties on a sounder basis was expressed in statement issued tonight by pr. Carlos Manuel de Cespeedes, Cuban min ister to the United States. The minis ter characterized reports of sentiment. in
  States as 'ahsurd and nonsensicaP' and as not meriting consideration.
 The interstate commerce commission was requested by resolution introduced today by Senator Nelson, republican. Minnesota and passed, to ascertain and report the increased cost of railroad fuel consumed during 1920 as compared with 1919.
 Approval was given by the interstate commerce commission today for loan of $5,2OO0o0 to the national railway serv- ice corporation for the account of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad for the pur- chase of freight train equipment cost ing s14, 900, of which amount it would be required to furnish about s9,oooOOo
 Secretary Baker has the names of sew eral national guard officers under con sideration for the post of chief of the militia bureau of the war department, but said today he had reached no de- cision as to whom he would recommend to the President.
 A disarmament agreement by the five great powers would be the one grea: step" toward prevention of ''all future wars" Senator Johnson, republican, Cal ifornia, declared in the Senate today, commenting on an editorial on the sdp- feet appearing in a New York news paper.
 Agencies to protect the rights of Mexi. can workmen in the United States will be established by the Mexican govern ment at Laredo, Piedras Negras Mexl- cali and other border towns, beginnins next January, it was announced today at the Mexican embassy. The agencies will "see that all contracts between Mexican workmen and American enn' ployers are fulfilled.'' it was stated, and will endeavor to obtain the return of the workmen to Mexico upon expiration oi the contracts. ~