davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1921-02-26
10000 SCHOOLS CLOSED
FOR LACK OF TEACHERS
Miss Colby Gives Figures at Meet
ing to Launch Publicity
Campaign.

Twenty thousand schools are closed
in the United States owing to the in
ability of authorities to get teachers.
according to Miss Josephine Colby.
field secretary of the American Fed
Grafton of Teachers. speaking today
at a meeting of organizations aftiliat-
ed with the American Federation of
La Dor.
Miss Colby brought an appeal to
President Luther c. Steward of the
National Federation of Federal En-
pIoyes: Allan Davis. principal of
Business High School: Mrs. f. C. Paul
president of the High School Teach
ers' Union Miss Elizabeth Catch. sec
retary of the High School Teachers
Union: Miss Ethel Smith of the WON
Flaherty. president of the National
Federation of Post Office Clerks. and
Miss Cora McCarty, vice president of
the Grade Teachers Union. The meet
ing was held at 1923 New York ave-
aue.
Plans were worked out whereby
greater publicity might be given by
all the organizations represented to
the needs of the school systems of the
country, and to mutual betterment.
Miss Colby declared that many
teachers. especially on the southern
border. are illiterate, and said that
some could not even speak English.
Teachers and parents need educat-
ing as well as children. Miss Colby
told the confereos. She combated
the idea that teachers who held white
collar jobs" should not join the
American Federation of Labor
AS a result of today's conference, it
Is likely that the organized federal
employees will take a more active in
terest in personally boosting the needs
of the teaching profession. and that
the organized teachers will help even
more largely than hitherto in getting
reclassification for the government
workers.
Evening star., 1921-02-26

transportation Of employees increased
from s250,00o to S543.140. The Army
bill carries a provision to prevent him
from duplicating the field force for
which the appropriation provides.
Surveyors office at Deadwood re-
stored
Census Appropriation reduced from
900 to $1,000, 600.
Capitol police reduced by fourteen
privates at $1,000 and ten privates at
$840 each.
Appropriation for promoting COM
gerce in the far east increased from
500. 900 to Sl50.000
Division OF information. $ls,34O.
eliminated from the bill.
Items Brought to House for Vote.
Items brought back to the House
for separate vote are as follows.
Appropriating 100000 for purchase
of bonds of federal land bank
Increasing the appropriation for
prohibition enforcement from $7,1O0.-
900 to $500 900.
Appropriating $4,000 to fix I'D the
new Navy building to accommodate 9
the Shipping Board. It is estimated
this will save sSs.0o0 in rent and
$4,000 in janitors and watch force to
Of the building. or 10000 square feet,
will be made availab BILE.
Transferring motor trucks from the
War Department to various specified
other departments Of the government.
Fixing the price Of typewriters and
providing for the transfer of ma
chimes from the War Department to
the general supply committee
The $240 bonus.
The sale of some land in Chicago
to the city OF Chicago for street pur-
poses.
Evening star., 1921-02-26
DECREE DECLARING
MAN ANDEAD|SASKED
Oscar N. Walker Left Here in
1901 and Not Heard From
Since 1906.

The District Supreme Court is asked
to declare Oscar n. Walker legally
dead, because he left Washington in
1901 and has not been heard from
since 1906
a petition for letters of admins
tration on his estate has been filed
by his sister. Mrs. Marion May
Schuckers. She says her brother
owned three pieces of real estate and
has on deposit credits amounting to
$1,000.
Mrs. Schuckers tells the court she
thinks her brother is dead. She eX-
plains that when he left he directed
her to collect the rents from his prop
erty and apply them to the support
of their mother, who died last De-
cember. and the balance due the
brother is now about $500. She asks
permission to advertise for informa-
tion concerning the absent brother
with a view of learning Were and
when he died.
In an affidavit attached to the petit
tion, Thomas T.. Walker. a brother,
says he was in communication with
his brother after the latter'S depar
ture in 1901. hearing from Reno. Los
Angeles and Salt Lake City. His last
letter ives received in February. 1906.
and was postmarked Clifton, AriZ.
Inquiries through Masonic channels
and in labor papers failed to elicit
any Information of his brother. he
states
The next of kin of the absent man.
as stated in the sisters petition. are
Reynolds. niece; Mrs. Schuckers
and Fannie A. Hoover. sisters. At
torney Wharton T.. Lester represents
the petitioner.
Evening star., 1921-02-26
OPPOSE MOVIE CENSORSHIP.

Opposition to censorship OF motion
pictures in the District in any form
is voiced by Washington Lodge. No.
Is. B. P o. Elks, in a petition sent to
the Commissioners by W. S. Shelby.
secretary Of the lodge. The letter
reads. in part. as follows:
I'VE believe that the regulations
now in force in the District. which
give the police authority to suppress
any indecent or Objectionable films.
more than amply fill the need which
censorship, with it's attendant evils, is
intended for but never fills.
Having in mind the admitted fact
that the motion picture is the great
est educator OF the day. we believe it
would be un-American to handicap it
by an insincere censorship. which is
foredoomed TO failure and into which
would be bound to creep personal
opinions or political graft and that
would serve to satisfy one class and
antagonize another"
Evening star., 1921-02-26
ASKS q. S. TO RETURN ARMS.
But Panama Expects no American
Intervention in Struggle.

Formal request that the United
States return several thousand rifles
said to belong to the Panama gov.
ernment but impounded by the Canal
Zone authorities in 1915, is contained
in a note handed today to William
Jennings Price. United States min
lister at Panama City, according to
advices received here by j. e. Lefevre.
charge afalreS OF the Panama le-
cation.
The Panaman note, which early this
afternoon had not reached the State
Department, was said by Mr.. Lefevre
to ask immediate return of the arms
for use in repelling the reported in
vasion of Panama soil by an armed
force of Costa Ricans.
Dispatch of the note, according to
the message from the Panaman for
eign office received by Mr.. Lefevre.
followed a conference between PreSi-
dent Porras, Col. Jay J. Morrow, act
ing governor of the Canal Zone; Brig.
Gen. Chase w. Kennedy and Mr.. Price,
at which the question of arms was
discussed.
Ricardo j. AIvaro. foreign minister
of Panama who is in Washington for
the inauguration ceremonies, denied
that, as stated in press dispatches. the
arms had been returned to their own
ers. "He said the munitions. consist
ing of five or six thousand carbines
and rifles, had been collected and held
by American authorities in 1916. when
a bitterly contested national election
seemed to foreshadow an armed strug-
gle between political factions.
The minister. Mr.. Alvaro, expressed
confidence that the United States
would give back the firearms.
.'It is unthinkable.' he said, that
the United States. which guaranteed
the territorial integrity of Panama.
would withhold anything needed by
us to defend ourselves against ag-
eression."
Mr. Alvaro expressed the belief that
no further attempt would be made
TO seek intercession between the
threatened combatants by the United
States.
"Citizens of the invaded province of
Chiriqui are eager to repel the in
vaders. Their quick response to
President Porras' appeal for volun-
teers indicates that they will do so
without difficulty. There is no doubt
that they will fight
Evening star., 1921-02-26
PLANS FOR S1FEN
Of BUILDERS |NWEW
A. F. of L. Department Pro-
poses Law to Minimize
Danger to Workers.

Arrangements for cooperation with
the American Society of Safety En-
gineers in the framing of a law es-
tablishing a national standardized
safety code for the erection of ladders
and scaffolding in building operations
were being made today by officials of
the building trades department of the
American Federation of Labor. 1t is
the aim to have each state enact the
universal code.
The purpose is to prevent the great
loss of life and large number of in
Juries to men engaged in the building
industry. it was said by Secretary
William ]. Spencer of the department.
Cites Lack Of Safety Devices.
"The loss of life principally occa-
stoned through imperfections and
lack of safety devices on scatfoldlng
and ladders in large building opera
tions.' Mr.. Spencer said, has been
terrific during the past year. One
trade alone, the ironworkers. produced
figures at the recent meeting of the
executive council of our department
showing that one death every twenty
four hours and one manning every
four hours was the average for the
country during the past year.
president Donlin was authorized to
aid in drafting the safety code. a
committee composed of engineers. en-
ployers. architects and workers will
meet in the near future to take the
nrst steps in this direction. The
executive council indorsed the code
that has been enacted by New York
state as completely logical and eff
cient code"
Income Tax Suggestion.
The executive council of the build
ing trades department. whose quar-
teriy meeting adjourned this week,
also adopted a resolution advocating
the repeal of the income tax on pro-
ceeds from mortgages. which did not
pass the figure of $4,000. The pur-
money which would stimulate build
ing operations in the home construc-
tion line. The council declared it's
opinion to be that such action would
cheaper rents eventually. on account
of the possibilities it would give to
obtain money for building homes.
Opposes Reduction in Wages.
parently widespread agitation for
lower wages" The council went on
record as being of the belief that
the present living costs did not merit
a reduction in wages. The contention
by officials is that the reduction in
food. clothing and fuel. in some cases.
has been made largely by the manu-
facturers and has not been put into
erect by the retailers. As clincher
to the maintenance of present wage
scales it was pointed out that the
postwar weeding-out process" in
the building trades has reached the
point where dollars worth of work
was being given for every dollars
wage received.
During the war. it was admitted,
standards of production Jagged be-
cause of the fact that most of the ef-
fcient workers were drafted into the
military or naval service, leaving
their jobs to be filled by those below
or above draft age. The original
workers are back on the job now, it
was declared. and as result eff
ficiency has hoped up to the pre-war
standards.
Evening star., 1921-02-26

t'bHtfnuPu from flTSL fdEe-J
Panama government following the
signing of the Hay-Varilla treaty
were returned and most of these guns
were sold at public auction here in 1914.
The remainder were shipped to the Pan
anna consul in New York for disposal in
1916.
While the president has been proceed
ing under his constitutional powers in
mobitiZing the Panaman forces. the
authority to declare war rests with the
national assembly. which has not as yet
acted. A general exodus of Costa Ricans
from Panama is taking place, while
many Panamans who are in Costa Rica
are trying to reach Panama.
Status of Territory Questioned.
An interesting phase of the situation
results from Costa Rica occupying ter
ritory under the arbitration decision of
Chief Justice White of the United
States Supreme Court, which was hand
ed down in 1914, while the United States
herself, has, by virtue of her treaties.
guaranteed the territorial integrity of
this tountry. The Panaman government
claims, however, that Justice Whites
decision contained Il clause to the effect
that if his award should not be accepted
by both parties the territorial sta
would revert to the conditions laid down
by the decision rendered by President
Ioubet of France. 1t is under the Loubet
decision that Panama claims the land
which Costa Rica has seized.
While it was stated in official circles
here last night that Panama was much
disturbed over the arms situation, the
government had determined to settle
with Costa Rica without Intervention by
the United States. and would purchase
sufficient arms from private munitions
concerns. if they were not available
elsewhere.
1t is known the Sinclair oil interests
have been conducting drilling operations
in Costa Rica, near the disputed terri
tory, and reports are in circulation in
Panama that the Costa Rican govern
ment has already granted British cor
pora ton a concession for oil exploitation
in the same general locality.
Evening star., 1921-02-26
PROVES HOSPITALS
HAVE 1900 BEDS
Good Cites Bureau Figures to
War Risk Head to Sup
port Statement.

Chairman Good of the House appro-
priations committee today proved to
Director Cholmeley-Jones of the bureau
of war risk insurance, by the figures
OF that bureau. that he was correct in
his statement. challenged by the
American Legion. that there are 1000
and available for ai1ing veterans The
Legislative committee of the Ameri-
can Legion in a statement had chal-
l.nged Representative Good. saying
that these were merely paper beds"
BY reports February IL. 1921, Chair
man Good showed that there were 50.
vacant beds in Army hospitals and
25s vacant beds in Navy hospitals.
Including this total there We're va
cant beds in the hospitals under the
public health service, a total of 1858.
Besides this, Representative Good
pointed out that in state soldiers
homes in twenty institutions in fif-
teen states there are SIG vacant beds,
making a total Immediately availa bic
of 4,154.
More Available July 1.
Besides this, Chairman Good pointed
out that by April l. the vacant bed
capacity Will be increased to $3.50. by
June to 5.S01, and by July l to 1901.
One thousand beds will be available
by July l in each of two hospitals
now nearing completion. One of
these is the Speedway Hospital at
Chicago. authorized two years ago. as
was the hospital at Dawson Springs
Delivery of these two hospitals is
expected soon and surely by July /.
of course. if there had been any
real need and desire to provide hos
pital facilities. the Treasury Depart
ment could have pushed the work on
these two buildings very much faster"
said Representative Good.
On April /, according to a state
ment of the bureau of war risk in
surance. furnished Mr.. Good this
morning. additional facility will be
provided in the hospital for patients
with nerve trouble. at Marion, Ind.
over Sl,000,000 is being spent at that
institution. The bed capacity will
be increased from AIS to 1000. There
are at present 1876 vacant beds in that
institution.
Increase at Many Points.
He also pointed out thai at Johnson
City, Tenn, where there has recently
been an expenditure of more than
Sl,0o0,0oh in remodeling existing hos
pital facilities. and which it is be-
ieved VIII be the most modern tuber-
cular sanitarium in the world. the
present bed capacity of S39. vacant
beds $50, according to the figures for
February "a. and on April / the bed
capacity will he increased to LOCO.
At DAYTON. Ohio. the president of the
board of managers of the National
Soldiers Home has advised Chairma an
Good that the bed capacity will be in
creased by April l from 391 TO 500
At Northwestern Home. Milwaukee,
where the bureau of war risk insur-
ance had fifty-three patients, addi-
tional bed capacity will be made be-
fore June / to 900.
AT Los Angeles. Calf, the bed
capacity will be increased by June
from 246 to 500.
Evening star., 1921-02-26
MRS. WATKINS is DEAD.

Mrs. John T. Watkins. wife of Rep
resentative John T. Watkins Of the
fourth Louisiana district. died at her
residence. 1925 Connecticut avenue, at
1920 o'clock last night. Although she
had been in poor health for some
time, the end came suddenly and un-
expected,y.
Surviving her, besides her husband,
are a son. William K. Watkins Of
this city: married daughter living
in Tampa, Fla. and an unmarried
daughter. Miss Melle Watkins living
in Minden, La. The remains will be
sent to Mrs. Watkins home, Minden,
at 9:45 o'clock tomorrow evening.
Evening star., 1921-02-26
MARSHALL FAV0RS
| ACTION ON CONDUIT
Vice President Looks on
Water Supply Situation as
of Great Importance.

Vice President Marshall, in a state
ment today in The Star. declared him
self in favor of early action to increase
the capitals water supply and expressed
the opinion that if the legislative jam
IN Congress prevents action at this ses-
sion an approximation will be made early
in the spring.
Mr.. Marshall looks upon the water
supply situation as "A matter of critical
Importance to the health and welfare of
the people of Washington. He also be-
lIeves Great Falls should be developed
for power purposes.
Had the Great Falls investigation been
made III time for the federal power COM
mission to have transmitted an earlier
report on it to Congress- there is no
doubt in Mr.. Marshall's mind an initial
appropria ton for starting work on the
water supply project, which can be
handled separately from the power de-
velopment proposed. would have been
authorized at this session of Congress.
Senate Sentiment Favorable.
He believes sentiment in the Senate
at least is entirely favorab bic to the pro-
posal to build an additional conduit
from Great Falls, although he doubts
whether the Senate at this session would
agree to an appropriation being pro-
vided in the form of a rider to the
Army or other regular appropriation
bill.
There was still some prospect today of
another general deficiency bill being re-
ported by the House appropriations conf
mlttee. II another measure of this kind
Is deemed to be necessary, Represcnta-
tives Zihiman of Maryland and Moore
of Virginia will appear before the APP
propria tons committee to urge inclusion
in it of an item of 100000 with which
to start work on an additional conduit.
as recommended by Secretary of War
Baker.
VIII Act After March 4.
Former Senator Weeks of Massachu-
Setts, who, as Secretary of War in
President Hardng's cabinet, will be
chairman of the federal power commits
sion. said today that the reorganized
commission would take up pending ap-
plica tons for water power projects soon
after March 4.
Although the new commission will not
be called upon to make a recommenda-
ton to Congress on the Great Falls
plan, it is considered likely it will call
the seriousness of the water supply
situation to the attention of Congress
in April should action on the recon-
mendation of the present commission
not be had at this session.
Evening star., 1921-02-26
226 ARE INDICTED.
Operators Associations and Miners
Charged at Indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS. February 26.-Co-
operation between coal operators and
miners in six states to force high
prices for soft coal by restricting
production was charged yesterday by
a federal grand jury indictment re-
turned in court here. Two hundred
and twenty-six defendants. including
127 operators and miners and ninety
nine operators associations or COM
panies. were accused of conspiracy to
violate the Sherman antitrust law.
The defendants live in Missouri.
Illinois, Indiana. Kentucky. Ohio and
Pennsylvania.
Evening star., 1921-02-26
HEALTH MEN TO CONFER.
Here Monday Is Called on
Account of Typhus Cases

State and federal health officers from
several OF the large Atlantic ports will
meet in Washington Monday, at the call
of DR.. Hugh s Cumming, surgeon gem
eral of the public health service, to dis
cuss the danger of typhus cases among
the immigrants from Europe
DR.. Cumming returned few days ago
from New York. where he made q ner-
sonal investigation Of conditions, and
said that while the situation should be
menace from typhus than there had
been at any time during the last six
months.
Among those who will attend the con-
ference are DR.. Royal S. Copeland, COM
missioner of health for New YORK DR.
Ralph n. Greene. state health commits
sioner for Florida, and physicians from
Boston and Philadelphia
Evening star., 1921-02-26
NOMINATIONS ARE HALTED
Only Three Army officers of High
Rank Are Confirmed.

Another effort by democrats of the
Senate to bring about the confirma-
tion Of President Wilson's nomina-
tions of Army officers of high rank
was blocked in the Senate yesterday
afternoon by the republicans. The
vote on a motion to go into executive
session was defeated sc to 3d. on a
strict party alignment.
Later the Senate in open session
confirmed the nominations of three
general officers who served during the
war with Germany to the rank of
brigadier general in the Reserve
Corps. They were: Richard c. Mar
shall. jr.; Brice p Disque and John
II. Sherburne.
Senator Robinson vigorously criti-
cised the action of the majority in re-
fusing, as he said. to honor tho Of
ficers of the regular establishment.
Evening star., 1921-02-26
TIFLIS AGAIN IN HANDS
OF BOLSHEVIKI FORCES
Foes Previously Expelled by Geor-
gians Re-Enter City-Constanti-
nople Reports Confirmed in Paris.

nople Reports Confirmed in Paris.
CONSTANTINOPLE, February 60
Tiflis capital of the republic of
Georgia, is again in the hands of the
bolsheviki. according to reports re-
ceived here today. The soviet forces
which were reported in recent advices
to have occupied the Tiflis arsenal, but
were later expelled by the Georgians.
now are said to be re-entering the
city.
PARIS February 26.-Announceme:t
that the Georgian forces had evacu-
ated Tiflis was made by the French
foreign office this afternoon.
A revolutionary committee has been
formed at Tifiis. the foreign Office has
been informed. and the Georgian gov
ernment has been installed at Mutais
$50 miles northwest of Tifis.
LONDON. February 26.-Fighting be-
tween Georgian and Armenian troops in
the Borchalu district, between the two
republics. appears to have terminate
for the time being, says a Constantinople
dispatch to the London Times. The
Armenians are holding the BorchaIu ter
ritory. title to (which was contested by
the two nations.
Evening star., 1921-02-26
DOOR DELIVERIES ASKED.
Railway Executives Considering
Highway Council Proposal.

More extensive use : He high
way and motor truck in store door
collection and delivery of freight is
now being considered by railway
traffic executives in eastern terri
tory. as the result of a proposal sub
mitted to the executives by the
Federal Highway Council
Several meetings of the councils
committee have been held to deter
mine the proper policy in approa ching
this important subject. The PROPOSE
tion now before the rail executives
is the result of these meetings
DR.. r. S. McElwee of the Depart
ment of Commerce is chairman of the
store door delivery committee of the
Federal Highway Council.
Evening star., 1921-02-26
PRESIDENT is EXPECTED.
Mr.. Harding Will Witness Pythian
Initiation if Duties Permit.

Announcement was made last night
by the Webster Lodge. knights of
Pythias, that. official duties permitting.
President Harding would be present at
the class initiation exercises April 10.
The initiates of the new class will be
obligated on the Bible used by Justus
Henry Rathbone and his thirteen asso-
ciates, the original knights. Edward S.
Kimball. only surviving member of the
Eve founders, will be present.
Evening star., 1921-02-26
REPORT MINOR THEFTS.
Meat and Cigarettes Stolen-Two
Men Frightened Off

Two unidentified colored men made
an unsuccessful attempt to enter the
store of j. R. Hayden, 924 Sth street
southeast. early today. They succeed
ed in breaking the lock on the front
door, but were frightened off.
Sam Smallovitz, 301 Q street, report
ed to the police that burglars visited
his store Wednesday night through
the basement and five cartons of
cigarettes were stolen.
Several pieces of meat were stolen
by burglars who entered Harry T.
Cissers store at 1S46 7th street Thurs
day night.
Evening star., 1921-02-26
MRS. L. W. MOORE DEAD.
Michigan Woman, Suffrage Pho
neer, Had Been Living Here.

Mrs. Lamar Walker Moore, pioneer
in suffrage and educational move
ments, died yesterday afternoon at
the home of her daughter Mrs. Pearle
Moore Gray, in the Hadleigh apart
ments. She was seventy-eight years
old.
Mrs. Moore lived for many years in
Allegan, Mich, where she was noted
for her philanthropy. She was the
head of large business interests there.
The body will be taken to Allegan
for interment.