davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1922-03-18
DELAY SHOWDOWN
ON SIZE Of ARMY
Vote on Pay Allowance Goes
Over Week End in House by
Kahn's Request.

A showdown in the House on the
size of the Army went over today
until next week at the request of
fairs committee.
Under ordinary procedure vote
on the pay allowance provisions for
officers and enlisted men in the Army
appropriation bill would have been
reached late today, but 1t was agreed
TO postpone action on these items be-
cause of the week end absence from
Washington of a number of members.
Chairman Kahn is expected to lead
the fight for an Army during the
coming fiscal year equal In size to the
present strength, although the bill
provides for a reduction in enlisted
personnel to $4,000 men and in ottl-
GERS to 11,e00.
The bonus bill is expected to be
given preference on the House cal
endar during the fore part OF the
coming week, and leaders said they
did not expect a vote on the Army
strength before Wednesday.
Disagreement on Size.
The size of the Army provoked a
disagreement between republican
sooner had Chairman Kahn of the
military affairs committee expressed
opposition to any reduction in the
enlisted or officer strength than
Representative MondeN, republican
leader, declared he approved action
of the subcommittee which framed
the bill in providing that by July
the enlisted personnel Of the Reg
ular Army must be cut to $4,000
men and the number of officers de-
creased to 1000, exclusive of the
Philippine Scouts.
Mr.. Mondell said Congress could
not properly or logically judge as
to what should be the size of the
Army by comparisons with the mill
tary establishments of nations with
which there is not the slightest prob
ability We shall ever come in con-
flict.'
An Army such as proposed by the
bill, in the opinion of the republican
leader would be able to perform
necessary and essential duties" and
at the same time be possible of rapid
expansion in case of an emergency.
With party lines disregarded to a
certain extent the House momber-
ship appeared to be divided into three
main groups-one determined to
stand by the committee recommen-
dations. another preparing to demand
an Army of 100000 men. while the
third was lining up in support OF the
War Department. which requested a
pay allowance sufficient to maintain
100000. men and $4,000 officers dur
ing the coming fiscal year.
Republican members were said to
be represented in all three camps.
while most of the democrats were
expected by their leaders to join the
small Army forces. Representative
Sisson, Mississippi, one of the demo-
cratic members of the subcommittee
in charge Of the bill. having an
nounced he would offer an amend
ment to reduce the number of en-
listed men to 100000.
Evening star., 1922-03-18
COMMERCE BUREAU
T0EXTEND WORK
Increased Funds Will Allow
Expanding of Aid to
Business.

Increase in both personnel and the
number of offices of the bureau of
foreign and domestic commerce will
take place shortly after the begin
ming of the fiscal year 1928, on July
l., 1922, as a result Of the increased
appropriations granted the bureau by
Congress recently. it was learned to-
day, at the Department Of Commerce
The bureau Of foreign and do4
mestic commerce. which is charged
with promotion OF foreign and do
mestic commerce Of the United states
will take on between fifty and sew
enty-five additional employees, it was
said, made necessary by the expan-
sion in the foreign and domestic Of
fees of the bureau
The number of foreign and home
offices will be increased. but the prin-
cipal expansion will be in the COM
modify divisions Of the Department
of Commerce, of which there are now
a number especially equipped to aid
foreign trade with American firms
Tentative plans already drawn up
call for the establishment OF three
additional commodity divisions, which
will probably be called the chemicals
division. the division of foreign IN
vestments and finance and the eX-
port technique divisions.
During the current fiscal year the
bureau is spending about s1.2oo.ooo.
while for the next fiscal year, begin
ming July /, the appropriation is
little less than $1,600000-
Addition of more district and field
officers of the bureau in the United
States and abroad will increase the
work of the home office in Washing
ton, making an increase in the cleri-
cal force necessary, while there prob
ably will be a few more Offices OF the
bureau located in foreign lands TOR
trade promotion purposes.
Evening star., 1922-03-18
SIMILARITY OF NAMES
NEARLY COSTS Man
THREE.YEAR JAIL TERM

Robert Il. Davis, a young white
man, was saved today from be-
coming the victim Of a similarity
of names. Davis was convicted
of taking an automobile without
the permission of the owner, and
was before the court for sentence.
The chief justice had before him
a record Of one Robert e. Davis,
which called for the imposition of
a severe sentence. Mlstaking the
accused for that Davis. the court
directed that he be sent to the
penitentiary for three years.
Some one discovered within a
few minutes that the record sub
mitted to the court belonged to
another Davis and called the at
tien of Chief Justice Mccoy to the
mistake. The prisoner was again
ordered before the bar and his
sentence changed to one year at
OccoQuan.
Evening star., 1922-03-18

creased. SO as to net a fair return?
If this were so, 1t is an evident fact
to any one who is at all familiar with
the conditions in Washington as re-
CARDS rents of business properties
that many more rentals of business
properties would be raised than
would be reduced. since the statistics
show that the majority of business
properties in the downtown section
do not pay net return OF per
cent on fair valuation of today:
while in many cases the rentals paid
will hardly more than pay taxes
None Forced Into Bankruptcy.
"It has been said by some unin-
formed parties that many firms In
Washington have been forced into
bankruptcy because of high rent. but
an examination of the records, fails
to reveal single case of this kind.
THE statement attributed to Senator
Ball that increased rentals of business
properties will increase the cost of liv-
ing is perhaps all right in theory. but
in actual practice does not seem to
work. BY actual investigation, 1t has
been shown that the rental the mer-
chant pays for his store has apparently
nothing whatever to do with the price
charged for the commodity sold. For
instance. you will find merchant who
has San old lease, made many years
ago. at one-half the price his COM
petitor is paying for similar location.
selling his goods at higher prices than
his competitor who pays the higher
rent. You will find the merchant. who
owns his building. bought years ago
on a low market. whose only rental
charges are represented by taxes and
interest on his investment, charging
as much, II not more. for his goods
than his competitor who pays the high
est rent in the city. 1 know of one
chN ,Ho SAINT ~
proximately 5000 per month. who
charges and gets more for his shoes
than another shoe merchant who pays
over $1,000 per month rent.
New merchants and chain store
organizations seeking locations in
Washington do not regard rents as
prohibitive here. but the proposed
Ball rent act will effectively exclude
them, because it will deny the owner
Of a building the privilege of renting
to them, II his present tenant refuses
to move at the expiration of his lease.
1t is a we'll established fact that the
chain stores know more about what
percentages of gross return can be
paid out in rentals than do other
classes of business houses. yet we
find them paying the highest rents
in Washington and elsewhere. max
ing, perhaps. more money than their
the same time underselling them.
Shall legislation be enacted which
shall deny to the people of Washing
ton the profits to be derived from
bringing tfis character OF organiza-
tions to Washington? Is this logical
or right?
II am confident that every senator
has the best interest of the people
of Washington at heart, and that it
is only because they have been mis-
informed as to the facts in this case.
or have been too busy with more inn
portant legislation to look into the
facts in this case, tfat there is any
danger of legislation that will in
crease the cost of living in Wash
ington being enacted. have no
hesitancy in saying that when all the
facts are known the Senate will, by
a large majority. exclude business
properties from the proposed extern
sion Of the Ball rent act"
Evening star., 1922-03-18
KEEP BUSINESS FROM RENT LAW
RULE. SAYS CAPITAL REALTOR
Robert L. McKeever Says 1t Would In
crease Cost of Living and Hinder
Building Development

Inclusion of business properties in
the proposed extension of the Ball
rent act can only have the effect Of
increasing the cost Of living by
sitting competition and hindering
the wider development Of the busi-
ness section of Washington. it was
declared today in a statement by
Robert L. McKeever. member Of the
real estate firm of McKeever & Goss.
''This is the conclusion have
reached after a careful study of con-
ditions. based on what has happened
under the present Ball rent act.
which does not include business
properties" Mr.. Mckeever's state
ment explains.
"It is freely admitted by all stu
dents Of business that the greater
of commodities. and the less the
competition, the reverse holds true.
The application Of the Ball rent act
to residence property has effectively
stopped the building of homes and
apartments for rental purposes.
within reach of the man of moderate
means or the underpaid government
clerks. and it is only fair to assume
that the inclusion of business proper
ties in the proposed extension of the
act will likewise stop the building
Of business houses for rental or In
vestment purposes.
Therefore. the merchants already
in business will have the field to
themselves. as outside parties seek
ing locations for stores in Washing
ton will be forced to look elsewhere.
Thus competition Will be stifed. This
applies particularly to chain stores.
many of which are seeking locations
here. and 1t is we'll known that such
stores could and would undersell or
dinary merchants. thus reducing. in
stead of increasing, the cost OF liv-
ing. These chain stores in other
cities always pay the highest rents
what rent they can afford to pay.
No New Concerns to Start.
mo new concerns will be able to
start in business because no investor
will consider buying property for the
purpose of remodeling and develop
ing for rental purposes, as under the
rulings Of the Rent Commission as In
the proposed law the investor would
have no assurance as to when posses
sion could be obtained. Should he be
able to get possession. lease his build
ing to a supposedly reliable tenant.
and then remodel, he can have no as
surance that the tenant with the aid
Of the Rent Commission may not so
lower his return as to ruin or at least
make the investment very unattrac-
tive. Notwithstanding the supposed
sanctity Of the contract or lease
executed on the strength Of which the
capital has been invested. If this con-
dition is to exist the capitalist or
investor may far better invest in tax
exempt securities.
"If 1t is fair to say to the tenant
whose lease has several years to run.
that he may disregard the same and
have his rent reduced. why Is it not
also fair to say to the owner. who
has property under lease for several
years at rental which just about
paws taxes. but In reality Is worth
many thousands Of dollars more per
year than it is bringing. that he may
also disregard the lease or contract,
and have the rent on the property an
Evening star., 1922-03-18
SOCIETY Of NATIVES
TOLD0F $T.PATR|CK
Plans Being Pushed for OBJ
servation of D. c. An
niverSary.

The Society Of Natives of the Dis
trict Of Columbia celebrated st. Pat
rick's day last evening at its monthly
meeting at the Raleigh Hotel. In
honor of tie day. John Clagett
Proctor, historian of the society. read
a history of ST. Patrick which showed
much research.
The banquet committee which Is
preparing for the first annual banquet
Of the society. which takes place April
18th. in commemoration of the 131st
anniversary Of the laying Of the first
corner stone Of the District at Jones
point, presented an encouraging re-
port which indicated that the affair
would be novel and successful event
The committee consists OF John
Clagett Proctor. Jesse c. Suter. Percy
B. Israel. Washington Topham. Mrs
Johan c. kondrup, Alexander r.
Shepherd, Miss Helen Boyd, Albert
Harper and Gus. A. Schuldt. II was
announced that Theodore w. Noyes
would be the principal speaker and
would sketch the history OF the Dis.
trict since the event Of the laying Of
the corner stone.
The treasurer of the society. Capt
George w. Evans, announced that the
society was growing rapidly consist,
ing no" OIL over 5UU members, dhu
that the treasury was in healthful
condition.
Albert Harper. chairman OF the
membership committee. announced
the election of the following new
members: Mary +. Hungerford, Nam
ME c. Hungerford. Duncan Montrose
Wilson, Jane S. Ellfptt. Ida J. Davis,
Harry c. Davis, Mollie E. Davis. Wall
ter r. Roche, Harry NJ Martin, Emma
w. Burnell, Katharine s. Roman.
Alexander G. Bentley, Thomas w.
Hungerford. T. Russell Hungerford.
Helen 2. Fowler, Marion NJ. Schuck-
ers. Franz B. Crown, Noval L.
Burchell, John Lewis Smith. Louise
Tilleux. Lawrence Sorrell. Rev. Will
liam Tayloe Snyder, Iva B. Middle
ton, Maude B. Taylor. Mary L. Parks
and Bessie L. Wollard.
Short addresses were made by
President Jesse c. Suter. Henry K.
Willard, John B. Mccarthy and Mrs
Frances St. Clair. Lee D. Latimer
acted as chairman of the reception
committee and the entertainment was
in charge of Mrs. Nellie Wilson Shir-
cliffe. John Nolan sang many Irish
melodies. which were enthusiastical-
ly received.
The meeting was in the nature of a
"get together and become acquainted
with your native neighbor" affair.
Evening star., 1922-03-18
U. S. SPECIALIST WINS
BATTLE WITH ROYALTY
IN CHINA OVER "SPECS"

Correspondence OF the Associated Press.
PEkING. February 21.-To wear
specs" or not to wear them was
a problem which recently threw
the imperial household Of the Chin
dynasty into CONSERVATION when
1t was discovered that the eye
sight of Hsuan Tung, the young
ex-emperor, was failing.
Heated discussions filled the
royal halls. the old empress dow
ager leading the "antis" with the
heretofore incontrovertible argu-
ment that no other member Of the
Chin dynasty ever had worn
glasses. therefore such a thing
was not correct in the highest ex-
royal circles.
But the former dowager en-
press lost the battle when she
pltted her dynastic arguments
against the modern science Of an
American eye specialist from the
Peking Union Medical College, the
Rockefeller Foundation Institu-
tion.
The American expert said IT must
either be specs" or falling sight
for Hsuan Tung. and specs" 1t
was.
Evening star., 1922-03-18
HAVE BUT TEN DAYS
TO AVERT STRIKE
Continued from First Page.)

vote in the local fields in favor of
striking being 9 to !. There Is an
agreement for this district between
the miners and the operators, known
as "the basic agreement which re-
quires a ninety-day notice before
work can be suspended. The union.
it is claimed, will not be bound by
the ninety-day clause, claiming the
operators have not lived up to their
part of the agreement. The only way
the workmen could be induced to
stand by the ninety-day clause would
be an offer of the same wages as
heretofore. and this is not expected
of the operators
At Thomas. ". Va. in the Upper
Potomac field. the force of ninety
men which went to work recently for
the Davis Coal and Coke Company at
reduced pay has been induced to quit
by the union men. It is given out
that the union will try to induce the
men working at mine No. 25 at Davis
at the reduced scale to quit also.
Sheriff Close is on the ground In the
event of trouble, and in close touch
with a squad Of state police. Women
are helping in the picketing. The
company has closed its stores at
Henry, Ben Bush and Kempton.
Evening star., 1922-03-18
ARGUMENTS MADE
IN DIVORCE INQUIRY
Attorney Stuart, in Opening,
States How Alexandria
Case Developed.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ALEXANDRIA. Va, March 1S.-
Final arguments are being made to-
day In the courtroom before the spe-
cial committee of seven of the Alex
andria Bar Association, which has
completed it's probe Of the divorce
situation in Alexandria. The opening
argument was made by Attorney
Frank Stuart, who charges Judge
Moncure with lax enforcement of
the divorce laws. according to. his
own statement made this morning
before the committee.
Small Crowd Present.
The closing will be by Attorney
John S. Barbour, representing Judge
Moncure. Each side was given an
hour and half for it's argument.
There was comparatively small
crowd in attendance. Less than fifty
persons were in court when the
arguments were begun, among them
Mr.. Stuart, in his opening, de-
cIared that he was in an unusual po-
sition. Prior to the decision of the
bar association of the city to investi-
gate the divorce situation. he stated,
he had intended to file four charges
against Judge Moncure with the state
legislature. one of which was the
lax enforcement of the divorce laws.
He declared. however. that he was
not the originator of the charges to
be presented to the legislature.
This case. MIR. Stuart declared. Is
unique. Referring to the bar asso-
citation, he asserted that the first
day they met he felt he was being
antagonized because, he said, he had
brought to the courts attention a
condition which he claimed existed.
At that meeting, he said, he was
practically single-handed. and he
claimed that subsequent develop
ments have proved beyond the shadow
of doubt that conditions he claimed
do exist.
Extraneous Matters.
Mr. Stuart asserted that it was not
his purpose to reflect on any member
of the committee. He told the COM
mittee that many extraneous matters
and personalities have been brought
into the investigation.
The arguments will be completed
this afternoon, and the special COM
mittee. it is expected. will complete
its report next week. 1t will be sub
mitted to the Bar Association OF
Alexandria for ratification.
Evening star., 1922-03-18
SCHOOL OFFICERS
!. TO MEET THURSDAY
Special Committee Reor.
ganizing Night Courses Re-
ports Progress.

A meeting of the special commit
tee of school officers appointed re-
Gently by Supt. Frank w. Ballou. to
plan a definite course of study for
public night school students was
called today by Walter B. Patterson.
director Of special schools and chair
man Of the committee. for Thursday
afternoon in the Franklin School.
Progress already has been made by
the committee despite the fact that
it has held only one meeting since its
organization last week.
q. David Houston, head of the de-
partment Of business training of Dun
bar High School. has been added to
the committee by DR.. Ballou. Other
members are Mr.. Patterson. DR.. w. s.
Montgomery; Charles CHARLES aarS, FRANK FRANK e
K. Finckel. Miss Maude E., Alton.
Miss M. r. O'Brien, ]. C. Payne, G.
smith Wormley and Mrs. r. s. Neither
land.
study by this COMMITTEES is a step In
orsanization Of the public night
schools on q par, SO far as educa-
tional credits are concerned, with the
day schools, affording the night stu
dents tho same advantages In the way
Of college preparation as day stu
Under the proposed system gradu-
ates of the night high school courses
will be awarded diplomas carrying
the same weight educationally as
those awarded regular day high
school students. The night students
also would be given an equaf oppor-
tunity with the day pupils to secure
credits for college entrance require
ments.>
rraduates have been given certif-
Gates showing that they have com
pleted certain Subjects satisfactorily.
| Recommendations Of this COMMITTEES
are to be submitted to Supt. Ballou In
time to print such portion thereof al
he may approve before the beginning
Of the next school year.
Evening star., 1922-03-18

the department to produce pure
white amaryllis.
Specialists say a pure white bloom
will be in the show next year which
has never before been seen anywhere
in the world. The plants average
one to four stalks and each stalk
carries two to eight blooms.
In number of plants and the va
rieties of form and color this show
this year outclasses anything ever
before attempted, DR.. Taylor ex-
plains. From botanical viewpoint.
the show is marvellous" he said,
while the public generally will be
delighted by a gorgeous display Of
vivid coloring and the rare character
Of the flowers.
The show this year is to continue
open for a longer period than ever
before. Last year 1t was kept open
six days for the first time, and $3.50
persons visited the greenhouses,
Evening star., 1922-03-18
3 YEARS FOR ROBBERY.
Drug Store Burglar Sentenced,
Companions Paroled,

Samuel L. Saylor was given a term
Of three years in the penitentiary
today by Chief Justice Mccoy. Saylor
robbed one of the Peoples drug stores
January last. Similar sentences
were imposed on Everett Jewell and
David w. Upperman, companions of
Saylor, but they were given another
chance and placed on probation.
Sentences Of two years each in the
penitentiary were drawn by William
Carter. housebreakfng; Raymond H.
Osborne. larceny: Leon Smothers and
Francis II. Dabney, housebreskins
and larceny, and Raphael q. Bait,
violating. postal laws. !
Evening star., 1922-03-18
WIFE KILLS HUSBAND.

ATLANTIC CITY. N. J.. March IS
Lewis Willis. superintendent for the
Bader Construction Company, was
shot in his bed today and died at the
City Hospital. His wife, who was
arrested, admitted firing the fatal
shot, according to the police, who said
q quarrel had followed q round of
the cafes made by the couple last
night.
wills first came here as foreman
for the Camp Construction Company
OF Philadelphia. -. ,
Evening star., 1922-03-18
SAVING AT WHITE HOUSE.
Running Expenses for February
5000 Under Average.

Even the White House has been
attacked by economy under the direc-
ton of President Harding. and an
example set for putting into effect
the policy of saving 80 much
stressed by the administration. Dur
ing February the White House eX-
penses were $15,010, a curtailment
OF expenses in one MONTH it was
announced at the Treasury. of about
$1,000.
For many years. the average ex-
penses of running the White House
and executive offices were said to have
Evening star., 1922-03-18
SOCIETY TO MEET.

Objects of the Girls Friendly Society
which began a week of special activi-
ties today will be explained at mass
meeting in the Church of Epiphany
parish ball tonight at s O'Clock. The
speakers will be Miss Julia Cunning
ham, president of the society in the
diocese of Maryland; Miss Florence
Newbold. extension secretary of New
York, and Mrs. J. c. Bolton. 'presi.
dent of the Washington Society.
Evening star., 1922-03-18
WILL INSTALL MINT HEAD.
Treasury to Induct F. E. Scobey
of Texas Monday Morning.

f. Z. Scobey of San Antonio. Tex.
will be sworn in as new director of
the mint Monday morning at the
Treasury. succeeding Ray 7. Baker
OF Nevada. whose five-year term OF
Office expires tonight.
Mr.. Baker. il is understood, has not
yet determined which of several at
tractive fields of endeavor he will
enter upon retirement, but he has
had under considerable a number of
offers. For the present, il is under
stood, he will continue making his
home in Washington.
Evening star., 1922-03-18
ON CHECK CHARGE.

E. Kountakis, 100 Princeton street,
was arrested yesterday afternoon by
Detectives OBrien and Livingston on
q warrant issued at Reading. Pa.
charging that he had insufficient
funds in a local bank to meet three
George Peos, 425 South 7th> street,
Reading, Pa, swore out the warrant
for the Washingtonian's' arrest.
Kountakis was released on q writ OF
habeas corpus for his APPEARANCE next
week. .
Evening star., 1922-03-18
BODY CHAINED TO LOG.
Dead Man Found Floating in the
Arkansas River.

MCSKOGEE. Okla. March IS
Chained to a log, weighted with
stones. the body of a man was found
floating in the Arkansas river, near
Okay, early today.
Police and sheriffs forces have
failed to identify the body, which was
discovered by men working on a new
bridge.
Belief was expressed by some local
authorities that the man might have
been chained alive to the log and
cast adrift, as no evidence of blows
or other wounds were found.