davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1922-12-16
CONFERENCE HERE
ON DEBTS LOOMS
Idea of Meeting Early in
New Year Appeals to
Administration.
u. S. AID is FIRST TOPIC
America May Undertake Task of
Fixing Definite Figure on
Reparations.
U. S. AID IS FIRST TOPIC
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

President Harding and his cabinet
have thus far been discussing two
broad phases of the European situa-
tion-the attitude the United States
government should assume in the
event that France and Great Britain
request this country to mediate or
arbitrate the dispute as to the amount
of reparation Germany should pay
and the affirmative measures that
should be taken on the initiative
of America to ease the economic bur-
dens OF Europe.
Appeals to Administration.
The idea of an international eco
nomic conference to be held in Wash
ington shortly after the new year
begins appeals strongly to the ad-
which feels 1t will make
greater headway with American pub
lie opinion in the long run II the
is held where all the
moves and all the facts can be seen
at first hand.
But an economic conference is an ul-
innate and not an immediate step. The
first problem is really what shape
American advice shall take. For that's
what Europe is asking for. Ambassa-
dor Harvey was appealed to in Lon
don and there Is reason to believe
other powers asked American diplo-
matte representatives for guidance in
other capitals. The cabinet here spent
its Friday session almost entirely
just what America should
advise.
Agreement First Advice.
There is unanimity of opinion that
the first piece of advice should be to
get a definite agreement on the
Of German reparations. II
France is willing to leave the fixing.
Of this sum to an American commits
sion, this country may undertake the
task Of arbitrating the dispute be-
tween Frances idea of what Germany
CONTINUED on Page 2, Column %
Evening star., 1922-12-16
$3.50 MARGIN FIXED
0ND. c. COAL SALES.
Commission Notifies Dealer
That Proposed Increases
Will Not Be Allowed.

The Public Utilities Commission re-
CARDS $3.50 as a fair margin for local
coal dealers between the carload and
selling price.
This became known today when the
commission made public correspond
ence with the b. Frank Joy Company,
This company several days ago sub
mitted a list Of Increased prices to
the commission for approval and the
commission today replied to the let
ter. disapproving some Of the in
creases on the ground that they indi-
Gated a margin of more than $3.50
above the carload price.
Letter to Company.
S. P. Agnew, an official Of the Joy
company. told The Star today that the
Continued on Page 2. Column 6)
Evening star., 1922-12-16
Uncle Joe Cheers
President; Gets
Big Black Cigar

President Harding was "cheered
UP" by Uncle Joe Cannon and Repre-
sentative c. NJ. Stedman. democrat
from North Carolina At least, that
was the explanation made by Uncle
Joe when he was asked the object
Of a conference at tho White House
today.
The former Speaker pulled q large
black cigar from his vest pocket.
to him and which he said was evil
dence that he and Mr.. Stedman had
succeeded in their ,errand.
I'VE thought that Mr.. Harding
was getting lonely" Uncle Joe ex-
planned, land we merely called to
try to cheer him up and think We
succeeded fairly WELL"
Evening star., 1922-12-16

Light on the course Of administra-
ton effortsi to find a way to make
American help available to Europe in
connection with the German repara-
tions crisis was still lacking today
except for a warning that press dis
cussion seemed inclined to exaggerate
the degree of progress already made.
1t was indicated very clearly that
decisions vital to the employment OF
American influence in the reparations
tangle still were in the future SO far
as the Washington government Is con-
cerned. There was no tendency, how
ever, to withdraw in any way from
the reiterated declaration that the
United States government is anxiously
seeking a way to be helpful in the
crisis.
Administration officials continued
today to weight jealously every word
they uttered that might indicate di-
rectly or indirectly the steps that are
was again said with authority. that
the recent conference between Sec
retary Hughes and ]. p. Morgan had
little Significance in the reparations
situation and that too much tmpor-
tance should not be attached to the
Forthcoming conferences here for
which Ambassador Harvey has been
called home.
Preposterous Conjecture.
Some of the conjectures drawn from
the series Of seemingly highly sig
nificant incidents Of the last few
days were described by those who
know the governments aims and pur-
poses as "preposterous."
The care with which ofYidais are
con sidering what they say was sharp
" indicated, however. by refusal to
point out even the class OF reports
that were thus said to be without any
basis In fact. Apparently such neEoti-
ations as the government has in prog
ress with European capitals. or plans
to initiate, are Of such delicate char.
acter that 1t was desired not to AFFORD
any clue to their. nature. even by a
process Of elimination.
There Is still some evidence that
oficial thought leans toward the
necessity. Of bringing about agree
ment between France and England
as to tho amount of reparations It 10
possible for Germany TO pay before
attempting to evolve q formula COW
erins the method and means Of pay
Evening star., 1922-12-16
Gabriel Narutowicz Killed
While Visiting Art
Exhibition.
MET BITTER OPPOSITION
WHEN He WAS ELECTED
Nationalist Deputies Refused to
Support His Cabinet-Held
Non.Poles Chose Him.

BY the Associated Press.
WARSAW, December 16.-Gabriel
Narutowicz, first President of Poland.
was assassinated today. Narutawicz
was killed while visiting an art exhibi-
tion.
There have been continuous disorders
ever since President Narutowicz was
elected by the national assembly one
week ago today. On that occasion there
was tumultous clamor growing out OF
his unexpected choice to succeed Gen.
Pilsudski, the battle between the rival
factions and the police resulting In four
deaths and the injury Of more than 100
persons
The assassination occurred exactly at
noon. The president was shot. dying
few moments later.
M. Narutowicz was killed by an artist
named Niewadomski, who fired three
shots. Every shot took effect.
InauEurnted Two Days Ago.
President Narutowicz took over the
supreme executive authority from Mar
shall Pilsudski only two days ago. the
ceremony occurring at noon Thursday.
at the Belvedere palace. the official
home Of the president.
The opposition of the choice Of NJ.
Narutowicz as first President Of
Poland came mainly from the ma
tionalists. representing the purely
this party resenting the election Of
a man who they declared represented
the non-Polish and radical elements.
Nationalists Refused support.
The nationalist deputies after the
election announced officially that they
would refuse to support NJ. Naru-
towicz or any cabinet appointment
of him. They asserted he was elect
ed by the votes Of the Jews. Ukrain-
ians, Germans and Russians. reeeiv-
ing only 1ss Polish votes. while 227
Polish votes were cast for Count
Zamoyski.
Under the constitution the speaker
Of the house. Macies Ratai. acts a.
president in cAse Of the death OF the
president, and Is required at once
to convoke the national assembly to
choose a new chief executive.
NJ. RataJ was eieCleO speaker
week ago, and is a prominent member
of the party supporting former
Premier Witos.
Gabriel Narutowicz was born in 1855
at Telsze. which Is now within the
borders of Lithuania, and was edu-
Gated at Libau. the Technical Insti-
tute of Petrograd and the Polytechnic
Institute of Zurich. From the Zurich
institute he received a diploma as en-
gineer of waterpower. and this pro-
fession he practiced in France. Spain
and Switzerland. He was recognized
as an expert in this line. and after
the world war was appointed MEM
bers of the international commission
for the utilization Of the waters of
the Rhine.
He first became a member of the
Polish government In June. 1920.
when he was given the portfolio of
minister Of public works under Pre-
mier Grabski. and was reappointed to
this office by the succeeding premier.
NJ Ponikowski. When elected presi-
dent he was the minister Of foreign
affairs.
Evening star., 1922-12-16
Middies' 'sSpree" Probe Closed
By Macy Department Repor
"Regret If Steps Taken Did Not Meet
Required End"-To Guard n Agai,,st
Recurrence-NO Recommendations

The incident at the midshipmen's
ball at Philadelphia after the Army
Navy game. which prompted Secretary
DENLY to order an official investiga-
tion, apparently was closed by the
Navy Department today with publica-
tion of the findings of the investiga-
tion board and the departments con-
clusions holding that while in the
light of previous experience the meas
ures adopted to prevent disorderly
conduct should have been sufficient.
'it is to be regretted II the steps TAX
en- did not meet the required end"
The Navy Department found that. In
accordance with custom. no ofi1cer Of
the Naval Academy had been spe-
ciflcally detailed to supervise the con-
duct OF the ball. In an Endorsement
attached to the findings. the bureau
of navigation recommended that in
future responsible Naval Academy
No Recommendation.
The opinion of the investigating
tions. held that Rear Admiral Will
son. as commandant Of the Naval
Academy. was responsible for the
conduct of the midshipmen's ball. but
Secretary DENLY said that this was
"a mere reiteration OF a well known
military law"
I'm future whatever steps are
necessary will be taken to see that
such incidents do not occur" Mr..
DENLY said.
The report of the board Of investi-
cation. which sat at Annapolis. mere
mentS for the ball had been made by
the hop committee of midshipmen
with the advice of the commaniant
of midshipmen and his officers. and
that Naval Academy officers in PhIla-
delphia on the night Of the ball re-
Evening star., 1922-12-16
RUMoR sTIRs LONDON.
Financial Experts Think Loan Talk
Premature.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, December 16.-The diplo-
matte and financial experts Of the
London morning newspapers are of
the general opinion that the rumor of
an American or an international loan
TO Germany runs far ahead OF the fact.
fact
Reports of possible financial as
sistance to the Germans, together
with the departure of Ambassador
fntimations that the Harding ad-
ministration Is disposed to exert a
helpful influence in European AFFAIRS,
attract wide attention here and WASH
ingta, and New York dispatches bear
ing on these questions I'LL the leading
columns Of the press.
Experts Are Skeptical.
The experts. in viewing the sugges-
ton of loan with considerable skep-
ticism, reflect the attitude taken yes
terday in responsible circles in the
money market. The Morning Post 8
financial editor writes that financial
quarters consider 1t unlikely that
confidence in Germany can be SUM-
ciently restored to render an interna-
tionaI loan to that country at all
probable for some time to come. al
though some day, under favorable
conditions. 1t will be possible"
Equally emphatic doubts are ex-
pressed by several other newspapers.
although It Is clear that the opinions
of their experts are not necessarily
based on suspicion of Germany. The
Daily Telegr)ph's diplomatic corre-
spondent says that one Of the condi-
tions precedent to any loan to Ger
many must be the scaling down OF the
German indemnity.
None of the newspapers discuss the
question editorially.
Free Of Sentiment.
Commenting editorially on the mis-
sion of Stanley Baldwin. chancellor
of the exchequer, to the United States.
the Daily Mail insists that his discus
sions with the American authorities
on the debt question must be free
from sentiment.
I'VE cannot be sentimental toward
Others" the newspaper says, when
our own standard Of living for .
generation and our future existence
as q trading nation are at stake. II
CONTINUED on Page 9. Column -
Evening star., 1922-12-16

garded themselves as on duty al
though not specifically assigned.
A change of the invitation system
to the ball resulted, the board said, In
"the admission of unlimited guests
and some undesirable persons"
Precautions Taken.
The board also found that the hop
committee and advising officers had
taken proper precautions. Judging by
conditions encountered with previous
arrangements for similar entertain
ments. to see that no disorderly con-
duct was permitted.
The Endorsement Of the bureau Of
navigation safd:
.It appears FROM the testimony
that arrangements. considered to be
amply efficient, were made with the
hotel MANAGEMENT to prevent the
entry into the ballroom Of people not
undesirable. It does not appear that
there was any reason to anticipate
any conduct or behavior on the part
of those attending the ball different
from that on prior similar occasions"
No Report ON Disorder.
Nowhere In the report or the in
dorsement Is there any statement as
to what transpired at the ball. The
board was not authorized to investi-
gate that question. but only to deter
mine whsther adequate precautions
had been taken by Naval Academy au-
thoritfes-
Secretary Denby's policy is under
stood to be that the use of liquor about
the ballroom and other incidents which
he noted personally demanded that the
attention Of naval officers and Of mid
shipmen be focused upon their respon-
sibilities as government officers for the
upholding of the prohibition or any
other laws, and in ordering the inves-
tigation his purpose was rather to i'm
press this view than attempt to seek
out and nnniSh indiYiduala
Evening star., 1922-12-16
Man Pinned Under Train Directs
Rescue by Cre,o With Hacksa'os

Caught under the steel pilot Of
one of the big cars Of the Wash
ington, Baltimore and Annapolis
railway here today. John A. Smith.
twenty-one years old. Of 1861
Morse street northeast, calmly
talked to mechanics as they
worked feverlshly with hacksaws
to release him. f.'
The accident occurred at tho
local terminal of the railway COM
pany, New York avenue and 18th
street. Smith was working under
a car that was attached to q train
in the terminal. In some unde-
tsrmins1 manner the train started
to move and Smith was dragged
Evening star., 1922-12-16

by the car until he was caught
under the pilot, which clears the
ground by only four inches.
Police, firemen and an ambulance
answered calls for help. but me-
chanics arriving on the scene real
ixed that the only hope Of releasing
Smith was to saw the heavy steel
pilot from the car. It took several
men twelve minutes to complete
the task, but during the whole
operation the suffering man brave
ly smiled at his rescuerS and Offer
ed suggestions as to how they
could work faster.
When the man was finally re-
moved he was still conscious and
talked to the surgeons at Emer-
gency Hospital. where he was
rushed In the ambulance. The full
extent az Smiths injuries have not
yet been determined. ~
Evening star., 1922-12-16
COLD BLASTS HIT
LEGAL RESIDENCE
ON OPEN PORCH
By the Associated Press.

By the Ab0Oc1AteU Ffebs
FRESNO, Calf. December 16.-
For several months W. c. Lindiey,
city trustee Of Porterville. has
maintained his legal right to Office
by occupying a sleeping porch
which projects over the line just
within the city limits, while the
rest Of his homo il outside. But
recently Porterville was hit by
cold weather and he Sought
warner quarters within his home.
Yesterday Q committee of fellow
townsmen waited upon him with
the demand he return to the porch
and brevo the weather.
Lindley moved to another house
entirely within tho town limits.
Evening star., 1922-12-16
BRUNEN JURY VISITS
"HOUSE OF MURDER
Follow Route of Confessed Slayer.
Trial to Be Resumed
Monday.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
RIVERSIDE. N. j.. December 1s.-
The Jury before whom Mrs. Doris
Brunen and her brother. Harry c.
Mohr, are being tried for the killing OF
Honest" John T. Brunen. visited the
house here today where the shooting
took place.
The Jurors, who were under heavy
guard. then went to the Cambridge
trolley station, following the route
Charles NJ. Powell, confessed slayer.
says he took after the killing. to re-
Join Mohr. They returned later to
Mount Holly, where the trial will be
resumed Monday, with the defense
opening its case.
Evening star., 1922-12-16
JUSTICE PITNEY RESIGNS.
Sends Resignation From Supreme
Court to President.

Associate Justice Pitney of-the Su-.
preme Court today sent his resigna-
tion to Pretident Harding. TO take e.
feet January 1. ~
Evening star., 1922-12-16

lContinued on Page 3, Column q
Evening star., 1922-12-16

Cloudy, followed by rain or snow
late tonight or tomorrow; little
change In temperature. lowest tonight
near free1ing.
Temperature for twenty -four hours
ended at 2 pm. today: Highest. 46. at
4:3O pm. yesterday: lowest. 81. at
2:3O am. today. Full report on page 3.
Evening star., 1922-12-16

CONTINUED on Page 2, Colum
The Butler weekly times and the Bates County record. (Butler, Mo.) 1918-1950, 1922-12-14
THE TRUE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Period Of Good viii and Kindly
Thought for Others, Most I'M
portant on Calendar.

A~HAT II, as q Scrooge-like
cynic intImates, the Christ
- mas spirit comes to US
but once year. NOT even
he will attempt to assert
that we are not the better for It, Think
what it would mean If that period Of
good will and kindly thought for
others were dropped from our calen-
DIR. No blessed interruption to our
too generally self.centered lives; no
yearly oasis Of brotherly sentiment to
purge us, however temporarily, of self.
ishness and cause US, II only for n
few days to think Of making others
happy.
Prominently the childrens festi-
val. as Of right it should be since it
commentaries the nativity Of the
Christ Child, it transforms us all.
whatever our years, into children Of
larger growth. We experience anew
the glad expectancy Of childhood, the
thrill that far surpasses any realiza-.
ton, and find our greatest pleasure in
the simple childish emotions Of love
and joy.
And this is the noblest Christmas
gift. the gift OF the true Christmas
spirit that captures and takes pos.
session of each one OF us. Except We
be converted and become as little chill.
dren We shall not enter into the king
dom Of heaven."-Pittsburgh Dis
patch.
The Butler weekly times and the Bates County record. (Butler, Mo.) 1918-1950, 1922-12-14
MYTHS OF CHRISTMAS SEASON
Among Some of Peasantry of France
Is Belief That Bread Remains
Fresh Ten Years.

Az hGENDS and myths without
MSMA number have become asso-
4aST ciated with the celebration
W Of Christmas. Among some
OF the peasantry of France
Is Il strong belief that loaves of bread
baked at Christmas will remain fresh
Tor ten years. 1t is also believed by
some OF the simple folk that during
the whole Of the Christmas holidays a
portion Of bread should be left on the
table day and night because the Holy
Mother may come to share it. For
some reason not to be explained, there
is superstition among some French
peasant wives that no bread must be
baked between Christmas day and the
Feast of the Circumcision, because an
infractton Of this rule will bring dis
astey on the household.
There is a peasant belief Of age long
standing that if the cattle on the farm
be given drink Immediately after the
midnight mass of Christmas their
health viii continue good throughout
the year Another belief Is that If seed
OF wheat be wrapped in "A tablecloth
which has been used for Christmas
dinner profitable harvest will be
insured. Another strange belief is that
cold bath taken on Christmas day
will protect the bather against fevers
and toothache throughout the year.
The Butler weekly times and the Bates County record. (Butler, Mo.) 1918-1950, 1922-12-14
PEACOCK PIE FOR CHRISTMAS
Gaiiy PIumed Bird Formerly Ono Of
the Principal Delicacies at Yule-
tide Feasts.

ANT IlCKEN pie, beefsteak pie,
R4AV and pumpkin pie, not for
getting apple pie and cheese.
the great American institu.
tion--all of these have Il
familiar ring to our ears, but who
OF us has ever tasted the famous
English dainty of dainties, peacock
pie? Yet at one time, this was Il
favorite Christmas dish which was
brought In with great deal Of cere-
mony by the lady, most distinguished
IN all the company for beauty and high
position. Many times this dish was
garnished with the head and tail OF
the peacock in such way as to ap.
pear that the bird was alive. knights
made VOWS over it to break spear in
defense Of beauty and distress. 1t was
this ceremony which gave rise to the
once popular oath "by cock and pie
Probably the use of the peacock
pie as Il Christmas dish arose from
the old belief that the flesh Of the pea
cock is incorruptible which of course
would make 1t symbol Of immortal
ity and new life.
To the people of today the peacock
is symbol of vanity.
The Butler weekly times and the Bates County record. (Butler, Mo.) 1918-1950, 1922-12-14
CARD GAMES At CHRISTMAS
Thin Pasteboards Afforded Means Of
Entertainment In England During
Yu1etide Season.

~ UNIVERSAL Christmas Gus
tom Of England In Olden
- times was playing ut cards.
- Persons who never touched
q card at any other season
OF the year felt bound to play a few
games at Christmas.
A prOhibitory statute Of Henry WIS
reign forbade card playing save during
the Christmas holidays. OF course this
prohibition extended only to persons Of
humble rank.
Sir Roger De Coverley took care to
provide both creature comfort and
amusement for his neighbors at Christ
mas by sending "a string Of hogs pud.
dings and a pack Of cards. to every
poor family in the parish.
Even the pulpit comes In for its
share Of anecdotes regarding playing
cards. Fuller gives an example of a
clergyman preaching from Romans
1873, LAS God hath dealt to every
man the measure of faith" The rever-
end gentleman in question adopted as
an Illustration Of his discourse the
metaphor Of dealing as applied to
cards, reminding his congregation that
they should follow suit, ever play
above board, improve the gifts dealt
out to them. take care Of their
trumps, play promptly when it came
their turn, etc
Short notes were frequently written
on the backs Of playing cards. In an
old collection Of puctry is found the
following lines:
ITO Lady Who Sent Her Compll-
mcnts to a Clergyman on the Ten of
Hearts.
Your compliments, dear lady pray
forbear,
"Old English services are more sin.
cere;
You send ten hearts-the 1.-THE Is only
mine,
Give me but one and burn the other
nine. '-Clevelanf Plain Dealer
The Butler weekly times and the Bates County record. (Butler, Mo.) 1918-1950, 1922-12-14
AN OLD CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
Village Boys in North England Re-
produce Play That Is as Old
as the Race.
-ASNGlC e

AFN THE North of England
m some of the oldest Of our
N&y- Christmas customs are still
faithfully observed. One Of
the Quaintest is that of the
village boys who call themselves 1.-The
Mummers." At Christmas time they
perform little rlay that is as old
as the English race.
There are three CHEZ characters
ST. George, respondent in silver-pa-
pered armor, and brandishing a
wooden sword; Beelzebub, who is, of
course, the famous dragon; and the
Doctor. who wears battered tOp-hat.
at the beginning Of the play 1t is
announced that the countryside Is be-
ing laid waste by Beelzebub. Various
minor characters make an appeal for
deliverance from the monsters sway
Then st. George bursts upon the scene
4 fierce battle takes place, in which
he Stays Beelzebub, but Is himself
badly wounded. AT this point the Doc
tor rushes in with a hottie, which he
places to the saints lips.
"Tak SOON O mall niff-naR dahn
thy tiff-taff." he prescribes. So George
drinks and Is cured
Some of the words used in the play
are so old that neither the boys nor
the majority of the audience can un-
derstand them.