Evening star., 1928-12-21

The Navy draws first blood on Capitol
Hill. At least, Senator Hale, Republic
an. of Maine, In charge of the cruiser
bill, finds encouragement in yesterdays
vote during the parliamentary wrangle
over one Of Vice President Dawes de-
cisions while the Senate was milling
over the priority rights OF the Kellogg
treaty and the cruiser measure. The
naval affairs chairman bears CHIEF
responsibility for enactment OF the
shipbuilding program The Vice Presi-
dents ruling was favorable to the
cruiser cause. On an appeal the
Senate sustained it by So to Is. Three
or four pro-cruiserites voted against
the chair, while one or two anti
cruiserites like Norris of NebraSka)
voted with the majority. Analysing the
roll call, Admiral Hale sees no cause
for anxiety when the cruiser bill can
actually be brought to vote some time
after January 3. The only question
that's going to make Christmas little
less merry for the man from Maine Is
just when roll call can be had.
** #*
Charles MacVeagh, American Ambas-
sador to Japan, is the first member OF
the foreign service to indicate MS re-
tirement with the Coolidge administra--
ton. Mr.. MacVeagh has just reached
his home at Santa Barbara, CALI, ana
does not plan to return to Toxic. IL
is not even certain he will present him
self in Washington for some time.
Meantime our diplomatic business in
Japan is being looked after by Edwin
L. Neville, as charge d'affaires. Mr.
MacVeagh considers that his mission
to Japan came formally to an END with
his participation In the recent imperial
enthronement ceremonies at Kyoto. AS
soon as they were over, he and Mrs.
MacVeagh sailed for the United states
The Ambassadors wife has not hao the
best Of health in the Far East. Amer
lean representatives in TOXIC are Still
camping out on rented premises, pend
ing the completion, a year or two
hence. of our $1,25O,000 embassy and
consulate establishment. The lack OF
suitable living accommodations prompted
Ambassador MacVeagh to end his So
journ in Japan, though he has not yet
formally rendered his resignation.
Enough oficial leave Is due him to tide
him over to March 4.
~ +
Senator James Couzens. Republican,
of Michigan, even though he Is reputed
worth anywhere between sac, 1000 600
and $50, 100000, Is in financial trouble.
It's due to that $989, 900 tax rebate Sec
| retary Mellon recently gave for Christ
mas. A reporter having asked the
Wolverine statesman what he intended
doing with that tidy bit Of spare change,
| CouZenS said he hadn't made up his
mind. That was printed, and his trou-
bles set in Every deserving cause. move
ment, institution and individual IN the
United StateS-as far as the Senator is
able to check up-proceeded to submit
| to him a scheme for diSposing In part
| or in whole of the Treasury check. Few
men in America give away more money,
or do it more unostentatiously, than
Henry Ford's former partner. An an
nual contribution Of 5000, 900 to the
Detroit Community Chest is one Of the
Senator's regular donations.
X X n X
Charles Evans Hughes, who once
again is effectively serving his country
at the Pan-American Arbitration Con-
ference in Washington, looks forward
keenly to his forthcoming maiden ap-
Court. The next regular session Of the
Permanent Tribunal for international
Peace" is set for June, 1929. Being q
newly elected Judge, Hughes may find
it necessary to visit The Hague and
Geneva prior to the session. Though
Uncle Sam still boycotts the court, the
former Secretary of State was the
unanimous choice of the League Of Ma
tions authorities, with whom selection
rests when 1t became necessary earlier
this year to fill vacancy. The court
sits once a year for several months al
a time.
X n
There's certain Midwestern member
Of Congress who admits to fondness
for the ladies-except in barber shops
One day this week the gentleman from
!. - stretched himself out In shop II
downtown Washington. where he hat