The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-12
Washington News
Rv Associated Press

Ky Associated Press
 Washington, April n.--William F. West, formerly deputy commissioner in charge of accounts, was designated today by Secretary Mellon as acting commissioner of internal revenue pending the appoint ment by President Harding of a suc- cessor to William M Williams. Mir. Williams resigned March 5, but, at the request of MT. Mellon, has been acting as commissioner until today.
 One of the new reporters in the House press gallery today was former Repre- sentative Sherwood, republican, Ohio, who, at the age of SS began to watch congressional proceedings for a Toledo newspaper After serving seven terms, General Sherwood, ,-who is also veteran of the Civil war, retired from office March L During the last session he was the oldest member of the House.
 State laws dealing with illegal traffic in drugs are enforceable even in con flict with the federal antinarcotic act, the supreme court held today. Decrees of the supreme court of Minnesota to re- lease a violator of the state statutes because the offense with which he was convicted was not covered by the federal law was affirmed.
 
 Seats of four representatives who were sworn in today are challenged by con testants, who have filed with the clerk of the House testimony in support oi their claims. The election of l.. k. Rainey, democrat. Seventh Alabama dis 1 trict, is being contested by C. B. Ken ! nemar: that of T. w. Harrison, demo crat, Seventh Virginia, by John Paul that of Harry B. Hawes, democrat, eieV- enth Missouri, by Bernard P. Bogy, ana that of Guy l.. Shaw, republican, Twelfth Illinois, by former Representative Henry T. Rainey, democrat.
 Quarantine measures to check the in- vason from Texas of the pink DOH worm will be discussed here at con ference of cotton growers and related interests which the department of agri- culture today called for May IS. The measures now are being considered by the department. the announcement said and the purpose of the conference IS 10 get the views of growers and others m terested in the cotton industry before definite action is taken.
 Richard E. Bird was seated today as representative from the Eighth Kansas district by strict party vote taken oy the House, after Representative Flood, democrat of Virginia had objected to his being eworn in on the ground that his sworn statement of campaign exper- dftures showed that he had spent more than S0,U0, twice the sum a. candidate for representative is permitted to spend under the corrupt practices act
 Iregislation to put teeth" in labor de- partment efforts to conciliate labor dis putes was urged today by Secretarg s Davis Both sides should be compelled to live up to agreements reached, or de- cision of arbiRa&ors they have accepted he said.
 Efforts to speed up federal court pro- ceedines were begun today at a. meet inr here of the lawyers committee for improving the federal judicial system composed of state chairmen representing every state in the Union. A resolution was passed requesting the appointment of a joint committee of the Senate and the House to consider and report to Congress such legislation as may tend to facilitate the despatch of public busi- ness by the federal courts and to make such otber suggestions affecting the courts and the federal judges as the joint committee may deam advisable
 General Pershing could be assigned ''to any one of a number of details thal would carry with it supervisory author ity over all training camps" Secretary Weeks said today in commenting upon reports that the general might direct a system of citizens training camps this simmer yssBeyond that,s he added, II do not care to discuss the matter" The secretary added, however, that he ex- pected to make an announcement within week or ten days covering General Pershing's duties.
 Conviction of the Missouri Pacific Rail- road cosnpany for violating the Missouri