Evening star., 1929-06-24

Just about the time Washington and
the South, as well as many points North
were buzzing with rumor, recrtmination
and remorse over the De Priest-White
House tea party, cultured Harvard was
showing what IL thinks about racial
equality. On June 20 there sat on its
commencement platform, cheek by jowl,
Charles Francis Adams, Secretary OF the
Navy, and DR.. Robert RuSSa Motion,
Booker T. Washington's successor as
principal of Ttlskegee Institute. presi-
dent Lowell, in the course Of proceed
ings, conferred upon Adams the hon.
orary degree Of doctor OF laws ana upon
Motion the honorary degree Of master
Of arts. Former Secretary Kellogg be-
came an LII. d. Of Harvard on the same
occasion. So did Gov. Roosevelt OF New
York. President Loweli's citations were
models Of terseness. OF Secretary
extraordinary manager Of our finances,
whom the heritage Of public service has
drawn TO the charge Of the countrys
Navy" OF DR.: Motion the Harvard pres
ident said, Worthy successor Of O. great
educator of his race-a man whose
courage and sagacity have triumphed
over perils to his school,"
II n y Il
Col. Theodore Roosevelt, who Is due
at Shanghai on July ! after his big
game hunting expedition In the Asian
jungles, will find waiting for him there
not only Mrs. Roosevelt, but O mass Of
information about Porto Rico. The
governor designate Of the island, who
received his appointment from President
Hoover while in the Far East, arranged
that consignment Of data should be
sent out, 30 that he could bone" dur
ing the long voyage home on all and
sundry with which he viii have to deal
at San Juan. Porto Ricans for years
have been clamoring for q native-born
governor, but Young Terry's" appoint
ment Is well received. The name Of
Roosevelt enjoys high Tepute Ia the
island.
Porto Ricans have o gnawing griev-
ance against the United States, which
Is likely to be brought to the new gov
ernor's attention early In his career. It
concerns the ancient fortress and ma
tional shrine known as the San Geron-
iIno Military Reservation in the heart
Of San Juan. In 1921, while Col. Roose-
the department handed over the 40
acre property on Q 999-year lease to
retired oflcer named Lieut.. Comdr.
Virgil Baker. He had previously held it
on q five-year lease signed by another
Roosevelt (Franklin d. when acting
Secretary Of the Navy in 1919. In 1925
the United States and Porto Rico joined
in an action TO dispossesS Baker, alleg-
ing that his "1o-century lease" was
fraudulently obtained, and won their
case in the Porto Rican Federal Court
In 1927 the Court of Appeals at Boston
reversed that decision, and q few
months ago the Supreme Court sus-
tanned the legality of Bakers title under
o special act Of Congress. Representa-
tive w. Frank James, Republican, of
Michigan has now offered bills provid-
ing for purchase or condemnation Of
San Geronimo and Bakers eventual
eviction, and for repeal Of the law by
which the Army and Navy were author
iSed to interchange property without
compensation. The reservation is worth
upward Of $50o,000. Baker got 1t for Q
song. Porto Ricalns refer bitterly to
San Geronimo as their Teapot Dome"
Secretary Of Labor Davis and Senator
Bingham Of CopnecticHa were Joint
speakers on o recent radio program in
Washington. It was the longest day Of
the year and the hottest night Of the
season. Bingham, who went to the
microphone first, nearly collapsed when
he found himself in q soundproof
studio which was like q bake oven.
First he shed his coat, then his collar
and tie and finally his shirt. Television
would have revealed the elongated
statesman from the Nutmeg Common
wealth In q state of deshabille plus.
Then Davis turn came. The Labor Sec
retary, who'd been in the room while
Bingham was talking, was almost ag-
gravatingiy cool. "Jirn," said the Sena-
tor, aren't you going TO peel on some
Of your clothes?" Quoth Davis, "Sena-
tor, II you'd spent as many years as I
have In . blast furnace you'd think this
upon Jim the Puddler" said his piece
EithoYt gepe.9ting % naNch O. a heAA