davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1931-12-11
NORTON APPEAL
FAVORS TAX
DEBTORS
New D. c. Committee Head
Asks Holiday on Realty
Delinquency Sales

A years moratorium on Gov
ernment sale of District real
estate for nonpayment of taxes
was demanded in the House
today by Representative Mary
T. Norton, new Democratic
chairman Of the House District
Committee.
Enactment of the bill would
prevent the sale of some $1,000
pieces of real estate that have
been advertised for sale on the
delinquent tax list.
The bill specifically provides
that no real property on which
taxes had been levied and re-
manned in arrears July l, 1881,
shall be sold under authority of
the tax sales act prior to Janu-
ary IL, 1888.
Cites Loan" Ads
In her statement regarding the
bill, Mrs Norton said that of
the 100000 pieces of real estate
upOu W111C11 GdACS are 1GVlGU
1900 were advertised for sale
because of delinquent taxes and
on the same page Of newspapers
in which the list was printed a
number of loan shark" adver-
tisementS appeared.
Many home-owners would suf-
fer severe penalties if they were
forced to borrow money at ex-
horbitant rates to pay the taxes,
said Mrs. Norton, who pointed out
that regular banking institutions
would not make loans on property
which had first, second and third
mortgages.
- Crisis Called Exception
Mrs. Norton sail she was aware
that the continuation of such
practice would be dangerous, but
in an economic crisis such as
exists, she believed it much bet
ter to give relief to average citi-
zens who are affected by the p-o-
posed tax sales than to benefit
foreign capital and other interests
The Washington times., 1931-12-11
TIUO Are Overcome
BH ESCapinq Gas

Mrs. Mary Campbell, 40 East
Walnut St., Alexandria, Va. and
her son, Frank Herbert Camp
bell, were overcome by gas escap-
ing from a heater in their home.
this morning. The Alexandria
Rescue Squad took both to Alex
andria Hospital for treatment.
The Washington times., 1931-12-11
RiUer Projects Hit
By Adverse Reports

Adverse reports upon many
rivers and harbors projects were
made to Congress by the chief
of Army engineers yesterday. They
include:
Nantucket Harbor, Mass; Guy
andot and Little Kanawha rivers
West Virginia; Hudson River.
New York. for power and SIM
liar development; Shohola Creek.
Pennsylvania, and Mohawk River.
New York.
The Washington times., 1931-12-11
National Art Board
SOUQht bu Tudin0S

American art nas champion
in Congress, at last. Senator
Tydings. of Maryland, who says
he is an amateur despite his skill
in welding brush, has intro
,duced a bill to establish a ma
tional painting and sculpture
board. to provide an annual COM
petition among American paint
erS and sculptors.
The Washington times., 1931-12-11
Probe Asked of Trade
Movement to Canada

An inquiry by the House Ways
and Means Committee into the
reason for the recent heavy move
ment Of American industry to
Canada, would be undertaken
under a resolution introduced in
the House yesterday by Repre-
sentative Harry C. Garfield (DJ,
of Indiana.
The Washington times., 1931-12-11

was little more Cnan progressive III HdIuc
only. Individually. they voted Fright, "
but beyond that they were completely
nnOcuous. ...
The death of the elder Senator La Fol-
lette seemed to rob the House group of
all initiative and vigor. The group COM
pletely disintegrated. When in 1880, in
the final phases of the Smoot-Hawley
tariff bill fight, the opportunity pre-
sented itself of organizing smoldering
revolt in the House against the measure,
not one of the progressives raised hand
and the bill passed by default.
SO completely had they deserted the
active progressive cause that last spring,
when the Senate progressives held their
national economic conference as the first
step in a program of aggressive leglsla-
The Washington times., 1931-12-11
MARRIAGE LICENSES

Marriage licenses were issued at
Rockville to Leon p. Leveque, 81,
of Washington, and Marie Louise
Schmidt, 81, of Hyattsville, Md;
Charles M. Magarity, 81, of Nc
Lean, Va, and Edith M. Bradford,
10, of ForeStVille, Va,
The Washington times., 1931-12-11
LOSING SELF" TOPIC

Losing Ones Self in the
Larger Life" is the subject of
an address to be given Saturday
night at the League for the
Larger Life, 1400 New Hampshire
Ave. N. W., by j. Smith Tassin.
The Washington times., 1931-12-11
Capitol Hill
LACUARDIA ENERGIES AS
MILITANT LEADER OF
HOUSE PROCRESSIVES
y ROBERT s. ALLEN

OF the many sweeping changes in the House of Repre-
" sentaves of the most important and dramatic
is the emergence of militant progressive leader.
For years. the ated La Toilette preSi
dental campaign 1924 the progressive group the House
The Washington times., 1931-12-11

tive leadership at this session, only of the House
Representative George Schneider of Wisconsin, even
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25

Rising Money Rates Fail to
Check Advancing Trend
of List.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, October 24-Though 1t
was marked by a heavy volume of
liquidation in United States Govern
nnent and other high-grade securities,
the past week was nevertheless q
period in which the investment market
took on fresh hope.
The decision of the Interstate Com
merce Commission fatty refusing the
Is per cent freight rate increase appli-
cation and calling upon the carriers to
help themselves caused only a minor
change in the markets level. All week
long the foreign situation presented a
cheerier picture as continental markets
paralleled an improvement in trade
activity, as high hopes were expressed
FOR favorable outcome Of the con-
versations between President Hoover
and Premier Laval of France, and as
the foreign exchange market settled
down to a steady level which ended en-
cnange gambling and assured a stable
OASIS on which to carry international
trade.
Prime Issues Gain.
The market, measured by the aver
ages, changed but little. High grade
issues were weak at the beginning of
the weeks sessions and then advanced
strongly on Friday, after the New York
FEDERAL Reserve Bank had failed to
make the third successive advance in
the rediscount rate However, specu-
lative bonds, both foreign and domestic,
paid Scant heed to the changes in the
money market and were actually ad-
vancing on the broad front while the
prime group was declining
Wall Street accepted without pro-
test the indications of rising money
rates. On Monday it was convinced
that the week would see even higher
rates and as consequence there
was liquidation in United States
Government securities and high
grade municipals that compared
with the frantic selling OF junior
bonds in bEgone months. More than
S1OO,OOO,O0O was wiped off the mar
ket value of Treasures and Liber-
ties. New York State As dropped
to $50 per cent yield basis. Score
tary Mellon, who only a few weeks
ago found his 9O-day Treasury bills
snapped up at at a 40 per cent annum
weld basis, had to pay 2.69 per cent
10 market his latest issue.
Meanwhile, with the prospect that
some specific plan would be devised
to help institutions holding large
amounts Of greatly deprecated rail-
ROAD securities, the market was not
disposed to be unsettled by the denial
OF The freight rate increase. AS a
matter Of fact junior railroad securi-
ties that had advanced broadly the
week before in anticipation of 10 per
cent rate increase. declined only mar
rowly and it was evident that the de-
cision had generated very little liqui-
dalton.
New Offerings.
During the week new bond offerings
amounted to $40, 625 900, all munich
pals. This compared with no issues the
week before and with $98,039,53 in
the same week of 1880. II the money
market is stabilized around the pres
ent level, some new emissions may be
expected. but 1t Is doubtful If any but
most attractively priced and solidly
secured hotations will receive atten-
ton.
(Copyrisht, 1879
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
BY DIR. MAX WINKLER.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, October 24,-The re-
cent decision of the Interstate Com
merce Commission in reply to the re-
quest of the United States transporta-
ton systems for an increase in freight
rates includes, inter ALA, the sugges-
ton that increased revenues resulting
from the proposed advance in rates
should be pooled and utilized to assist
the weaker roads. primarily in order to
enable them to meet their fixed charges.
A somewhat similar arrangement was
put into effect in France almost exactly
10 years ago and. since many French
railway issues are owned by United
States investors, review of the French
railway act at this time should be Of
interest.
BY law passed on October 20, 1921.
the relations between the railroads of
France and the government were modi-
fed in many respects. This law, in
some of its provisions, resembles the
United States transportation act OF
1920. 1t provides for the creation of a
central organization representing all the
railroads, and is designed to facilitate
cooperation between the roads, as well
as between the railroads and the state
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
ORDERS FOR LUMBER
EXCEED PRODUCTION
Gain in Sales Puts Figure 2 Per
Cent Above the
Cut.

With no marked change in the pro-
duction level. lumber orders rallied
from the slightly unfavorable ratio of
the previous week and we're approx
imately per cent above the cut during
the week ended october II, it is in
dicsted in Geographic reports from 811
leading hardwood and Softwood mills
to the National Lumber Manufacturers
Association. Shipments of these mills
were 6 per cent above their production,
which amounted to 1880 900 feet for
the week A week earlier 834 mills re-
ported orders per cent below and
shipments per cent above a combined
production of ITS, 100000 feet. Com
pariSon by identical mill figures for
the latest week with the equivalent
period a year ago shoWs-For SoftwoodS,
464 mills production 81 per cent less,
shipments 90 per cent less and orders
"a per cent less than for the week in
1890: for hardwoods, PIT mills, pro-
ouction 35 per cent less, shipments II
per cent less and orders 6 per cent
under the volume for the week a year
ago.
Lumber orders reported for the week
ended October II, 1881, by SIS soft
wood mills totaled 155. los, 900 feet, or 2
per cent below the production of the
same mills Shipments as reported for
the same week were 1853. 40l 900 feet, or
3 per cent above production. Pro-
duction was 1873 1877 900 feet.
Reports from 257 hardwood mills give
new business as 81 GIT, 900 feet, or 40
per cent above production. Shipments
as reported for the same week were
20,59l 600 feet, or 80 per cent above
production. Production was 15,482, 900
feet.
Reports from 400 softwood mills give
untitled orders of 5lS,4590 900 feet on
october IT, 1881, or the equivalent of
IL days production. This is based
upon production of latest calendar year
-300-day year-and may be compared
with untitled orders of 5ll Softwood
mills on October Is, 1880, Of TIC, 720.-
600 feet, the equivalent of is days pro-
duction.
The 424 identical softwood mills re-
port untitled orders as 506.49l 900 feet,
or the equivalent of IL days average
production, on october IT, 1881, as
equivalent of 16 days production, for
the same week a year ago. Last week S
production of 464 identical softwood
mills was 146.3l6.000 feet, and a year
ago it was 2I3.523,000 feet. shipments
were respectively 1888 900 feet and
2l0,8l6,000. and orders received 1872
$4,000 feet and 216.697 900. In the
case of hardwoods 2l7 identical mills
reported production last week and a
year ago IA 4O4. 900 feet and %, Isl 900
shipments, 1892 900 feet and $780,
600, and orders, 10000, 900 feet and
2l,335, 900.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
DECREASE IN BANK
DEBTS REPORTED
Decline for Institutions Outside
New York City Due Partly
to Holiday.

Weekly business indicators available
to the Commerce Department through
the Survey of Current Business for the
week ending october II show that
bank debts, outside New York City, de-
creased materially from the week
previous, due, in part, to the shorter
business week in several financial
centerS.
Total loans and discounts of Fed
eral Reserve member banks" the de-
partment surveys summary said, were
slightly under the week previous and
about 10 per cent under the CORE
spending week year ago.
Interest rates on call money In
creased after twenty weeks at the same
level, the average index for the week
being $50, against 48.5 for the same
week last year. Time money rates in
creased over the previous week, reach
ing the high level of the year estab-
lished during January and February.
The average price of representative
stocks increased slightly from the pre-
ceding week. but were as per cent under
the same week in 1880. Bond prices
continued the decline which has been
under way since the second week in
July reaching the lowest quotation for
the year. Number Of business failures,
as reported by r. G. Dun 81 Co.,
increased as compared with the week
previous. and were about 16 per cent
over the number of failures reported
for the same week last year.
Wholesale prices, as measured by
Fishers composite index of 100 COM
modities, increased fractionally from
the years low. Prices of agricultural
products continued to decline, reaching
new low for the year, and So per cent
under last year. Prices of non -agricul-
tural products increased fractionally,
but were almost Is per cent under the
same week last year. The price of
cotton middling increased slightly,
while the price Of electrolytic copper
remained at the same level as for the
preceding week. The composite iron and
steel price for the week continued to
decline, reaching a new low for the
year.
For the week ending October 10,
increases occurred over the previous
week in cattle receipts, cotton receipts,
electric current production, lumber
production, and petroleum production,
while declines were recorded in bitumi-
nous coal production, freight-car load
ings, hog receipts, steel ingot production
and wheat receipts. For the same
period the New York Times Composite
Index of general business activity
showed a decrease Of OF point, while
the Business Week Composite Index in
creased by 0.5 point.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25

Interstate Commerce Commissions Plan to Rehdbi
tate u. S. Carriers Is Similar to Arrangement
Made Ten Years Ago at Paris

for the purpose OF effecting a financial
solidarity which will assure equilibrium
or balance between the revenues from
traflc and the expenses and charges OF
the roads.
Scope Of Authority.
The central organization is known as
the "Conseil SUPERIOR des Chemins de
Fer" supreme council Of railways.
This council is charged with au-
thority over the railroads in all such
matters as the construction of new
lines. electrifcation programs, the &C
QUESTION of rolling stock and the allo-
cation and use of the same, regulation
of train service and oIiler matters III
connection with the operation of the
roads. 1t also acts especially in fixing
rates and charges for passenger and
freight traffic, subject to the approval in
all cases of the minister of public works.
A joint fund is created, the revenues
of which are derived from the surplus
earnings of the roads themselves. This
surplus is determined as follows: Each
road shall pay out of its operating reve-
nues its operating fixed charges Gin
terest, amortization, etc. and dividends
on its capital stock, less any payments
or reimburSements from the state, the
Continued on Fourth Page0
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
TOBACCO PRICES LOWER
ON FARMVILLE MARKET
BY the Associated Press.

FARMVILLE, N. c., October "a
Omitted States Department of Agri-
culture)-With Tobacco offerings on
the Farmville, Smithfeld, Washington
and Williamson markets heavy in VOL
ume on Monday and lighter the rest
OF the week, except on Friday, prices
per grade averaged slightly lower this
week than last.
Some leaf, however, sold as high as
$40 per 100 pounds
The official grading service of the
Federal and State Departments of
Agriculture said offerings consisted of
about 81 per cent leaf grades. per
cent cutters ana II per cent Tugs. which
included about per cent lemon sides.
40 per cent orange. 3 per cent ma
hoRany l per cent mixed and IL per
cent green.
Offerings this week were better in
quality than earlier In the season. There
was not q sufhcient quantity OF the
best grades, however. TO establish an
average.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
UPSW|NG IN STEEL
PRODUCTION SEEN
Trade Circles Expect In
creased Activity During
Next Few Weeks.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
PITTSBURGH, October 24-Of
course the steel trade is interested in
its future, but 1t is not paying as much
attention to that aspect as might be
supposed. 1t is very busy watching
costs infinitely and it is considering
the future from a different viewpoint
than usual. paying more attention to
the general business and financial sit
uation and less to the current flow
of orders.
Steel makers feel they must watch
every penny, and this means a great
deal of work. In the first place, costs
in general must be pared as much as
possible, and in the second place costs
must be considered in the particular
light of orders being small individually,
in most cases for very prompt ship
ment and in general coming in very
irregularly. While there is no price
competition. steel prices being the most
rigid in the whole history of the steel
market, there Is what amounts to COM
petition in the expedition with which
orders are filled.
Some of the economies now being in
PRODUCED will be helpful when the steel
industry becomes busy again, others will
be abandoned when the peculiar cir
cumstanceS of the present disappear.
Steel production in the Chicago dis
trict decreased or points this week,
while the Youngstown district had a
greater drop to below 20 per cent.
The Pittsburgh district has shown great
uniformity, holding approximately to a
25 per cent rate since early Septem-
Der, while there is not much differ
ence in operating rates of the individ-
ual producers. Total production of the
steel industry in September was at %
per cent of capacity, while each of
the last two weeks has averaged about
! point drop, making 26 per cent a
tair estimate for the week now ending.
The opinion expressed in some quar-
tiers that there might be an increase
al steel production in the next few
weeks has gained ground, the argu-
ment being that when there was no
Autumn increase there is correspond
lngly little or nothing to lose as the
end of the year Is approached, while in
four individual items there are pros
poets Of more activity, in steel for
the automobile industry, the farm i'm
plement industry and the tin plate in
duStry and in rails. There has been
almost no rail production lately and
some releases on old orders are fully
expected for rolling to begin about the
middle Of next month. The tin plate
industry has just made a small start
making stock in anticipation OF next
seasons requirements, this merely bal
ancing a seasonal decrease in current
requirements.
(Copyright, 1872
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
POWER FIRM CONCLUDES
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTS
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
BOSTON, October 24-New England
Power Association, division of Inter
national Hydroelectric System, has in
creased deliveries of primary electric
energy to the Edison Electric illuminate
ing Co. of Boston by so per cent, or
nually to $50 600. 900 kilowatt hours an
nually to 100000 kilowatt hours an
nually. This power Is being supplied
under a contract providing for the
sale of electricity for renewable periods
extending for years from October J.
1880 Deliveries of energy will be at
the new rate during the balance of the
term of the contract. except that dur
ing the last two years the amount is
reduced.
Power delivered under this contract
is generated at the ais 900 horsepower
Fifteen-Mile Falls hydroelectric plant.
which New England Power Association
completed year ago.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
DROP IN RETAIL FOOD PRICES
RAISES DOLLAR VALUE TO ST. 80

penditures of the average workingman's
family, was actually higher in 1881 than
it had been in December, 1925.
Change in Costs.
Stated in another way, the change
in the cost of living of the family, as
between December, 1925, and June,
1881, was:
Food decreased 2s.5 per cent, clothing
decreased 1873 per cent, rent decreased
is per cent, fuel and light decreased
Ills per cent, house furnishing goods
decreased ia per cent, miscellaneous
items increased LIS per cent.
THE weighted average decrease Of all
items was 1875 per cent"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
SILVER QUOTATIONS.

NEW YORK, October "a (Pl.-Bar
silver easier and 4 lower at 1924.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
CHICAGO DAIRY MARKET.

CHICAGO, October "a (P).-Butter-
Receipts, 10,699 tubs; market weak
creamery specials (93 score). 31a31 p !;
extras (92 score), 3012; extra f1rsts
(90-91 score). 281aa2912; f1rsts $3.50
24a25; standards go score, centralized
carlots), 20.
Eggs-Receipts. 2.134 cases: market
steady; extra firsts, 2412a25: fresh
graded flrsts, 23k2; current receipts.
1929; refrigerator firsts. 17h; Tefrig-
orator extras, 19a19I2.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
PLANT RUNS OVERTIME.

NEW YORK, October "a Especially a..
-Full-time employment for all the
workers in the Corona typewriter plant
in Groton, N. Y, during the coming
Winter Is indicated by present sales
announcement today by Fowler Man
ming, president, L. c. Smith e. Carona
Typewriters, Inc. The plant, employ
ing 700 workers, Is now operating on
an overtime basis.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
UPTURN is FORECAST
FOR REST OF YEAR
Special Dispatch ID The Star.

Special Dispatch 10 The Star.
BOSTON, october 24.-The October
upturn continues to be of seasonal pro-
portions says the United Business Serv-
ice This improvement contrasts sharp
~ with the Door record of September,
in which the volume of trade was esti-
mated to be 80 per cent below normal.
Commodity prices are now firnIer, car
loadings have shown an encouraging
upturn and adjustments continue to put
industry on a stronger basis. Unless
foreign conditions become worse, the
course Of business during the remainder
OF the year should be slightly upward.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
SALES GAIN NOTED
BY WEEKLY SURVEY
Steady Improvement Since First of
Month Reported by Fairchild
Publications
By the Associated Press.


NEW YORK, October 24-Retail
sales throughout the country showed a
further slight Improvement, according
10 the weekly survey by the Fairchild
publications. Sales have improved
steadily since the beginning OF the
month. October sales 70 date make a
slightly more favorable showing with
1890, than September, as compared
with September. 1890
october sales to date hardly show
decrease greater than ~ TO 10 per cent
below october. $780, as compared with
q decline OF IA per cent in September
as compared with September. 1880
There has been an actual increase in
the number of units sold in October to
date above year ago, due to the lower
retail prices.
Retail prices are still tending down
ward. The index as Of November
should show a new low in the present
def1ation.