davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1935-09-28
PRESIDENT STARTS
FOOD PRICE PROBE
Farm Income Facts Asked
as Basis of Study of Cost
to Consumer.

Acting just before he left for his
Western trip. President Roosevelt has
instructed the Federal Trade Com
mission to make a Nationwide in
vestigation Of agricultural income
with view to determine the cause
of high food prices, it was learned
today.
The disclosure was made in let
ter the President wrote Yesterday to
Representative Dingen, Democrat, of
Michigan, who had urged the White
House to order such an inquiry, de-
spite failure of Congress to provide
funds because Of the late Senator
Longs filibuster.
Officials at the commission said q
plan of procedure for the inquiry
may be perfected next week The
economic and examining divisions are
at work on q program for study Of
the production, transportation and
marketing Of food products, with spe-
cial reference to the disparity between
prices paid producers and those paid
by the consumers.
A. A. A. Hearings Close.
The commissions inquiry was
launched coincident with hearings
called by Secretary of Agriculture WAL
lace to determine the future of the
corn-hog adjustment program. At
these hearings. which closed yesterday,
consumers organizations raised a cry
against high pork prices and packers
urged an end to the A. A. A. hog
| program
In his letter to Representative
Dingell Mr.. Roosevelt said:
Il have withheld replying to your
letter Of September S with reference
to an investigation Of agricultural in
] come. in pursuance of public resolution
No. 81, pending the determination OF
the question Of the availability OF
funds which rose by reason of the
failure of the third deficiency bill
carrying an appropriation for this
work.
However, I am now able to ad-
wise you that I have authorized the
Federal Trade Commission to utilize
its present appropriation to the extent
of $4,000 for the purpose Of initial
ing and conducting this investigation.
Il am advised that the commission
will promptly undertake this investi-
CATION and in connection Herewith
will dispatch agents to investigate
conditions in the Detroit area and
that these agents will have instruc-
tions to make contact with you for
the purpose Of getting such infor-
nation as you may be able to furnish
In connection with the investigation.
The object of the resolution to which
reference was made by the President
was to determine profits on agricul-
tural products after they are started
on the road to market Representa-
tive Dingell led the fight in Congress
for adoption of the resolution.
Evening star., 1935-09-28
LAWYERS BATTLE
IN UTILITIES TEST
Collision Charged and John
W. Davis Is introduced
to Own Client.
BY the Associated Press.

BALTIMORE, September "a
Charges of "collusion" between par
ties to the suit and a series of out
bursts Of legal fireworks carried the
first court test Of the controversial
Wheeler -Rayburn utilities holding
company act into its second barrage
Of argument here today.
Government counsel. headed by
John ]. Burns, chief of counsel of the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
cited the measure, enacted into law
after a stormy battle by the recent
Congress. as a target for attack by
the American Liberty League.
In surprise move, he followed his
"collusion" charges by summoning all
of the utilities counsel, headed by
John w. Davis, 1924 Democratic pres
idential nominee and attorney for the
Edison Electric Institute, to the wit
ness stand.
Davis, a member Of the American
Liberty League, admitted he had never
seen his client, DIR. Fred Lautenbach,
local dentist, who entered an inter-
vening petition in the case originally
instituted by the American States
Public Service Co.
Lautenbach Creditor.
Lautenbach was listed as a creditor
Of the company, which has filed bank
ruptcy proceedings, and seeks to have
the utilities act declared invalid on
the ground its provisions prevent the
firm from effecting a reorganization.
Under questioning by Government
counsel, Davis admitted he had been
approached by James Piper, counsel
for the American States Co., prior to
the filing Of the suit last week.
He said he had advised Piper he
could enter proceedings only as
counsel for a creditor for whom he
would file an intervening petition.
II wrote that petition myself" Davis
testified. II appear as his Gauten-
bach'S counsel and it is up to his
(See UTILITIES, Page 2)
Evening star., 1935-09-28
MDIVANI LEAVES
MONEY TO BARBARA
Alexis Will Disposes of Two
Trust Funds-Fortune
Kept Secret.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, September 2s.-The
late Prince Alexis z. Mdivani, who
was killed last August in an auto
mobile accident in Spain, divided his
residuary estate equally among his
divorced wife, the former Barbara
Hutton, and his two brothers and
two sisters, it was disclosed today with
the filing of his will.
The probate petition in surrogate's Is
court formally valued the estate at
more than $4,000"
The residue includes two trust funds
created for the prince on January 2
1884, the day before the testament
was executed.
Attorneys for the estate declined
to divulge the amount Of the princi-
pal Of the funds, or to comment upon
reports that they had been given to
the prince as a marriage dowry.
The will said that the residue "ex-
pressly includes. the principals Of two
certain trust funds created for me
bearing date January 2, 1894, under
the first Of which the City Bank
Farmers Trust Co. and Millard F.
Tompkins are designated as trustees,
and under the second Of which the
Chase Bank and said Millard r Tomp-
kins are designated as trustees"
Evening star., 1935-09-28
France, Fearing Reich Alliance,
Seeks Stronger Tie With Britai,,

because Of Hungarys friendnness with
Rome, would give the other powers an
easy way to negotiate with Mussolini.
Germany believes, informed sources
said, that Mussolini would be unable
to hold out on three fronts-Ethiopia,
the Mediterranean and the Brenner
Pass. on the Italo-Austrian frontier
and would have to become .concilia-
tory about Brenner Pass, one Of his
most expedient passages to Austria.
Meantime French and British on
cials continued conferences on q nu-
tual assistance pact, which would vir.
tually revive the military entente
which bound the powers before the
World Wa.
Evening star., 1935-09-28
HATCHET SLAYER
FACES SANITY QUIZ
Examination of Mrs. Buxton
to Be Held Tomorrow
in Kent Jail.
BY the Associated Press.


CHESTERTOWN, Md. September
20. - Twenty-seven-ye Thelms
Buxton, wife of a Washington College
professor and admitted "hatchet" slay'
er of her mother in law, the elderly
Mrs. Efie Buxton, will be given a
mental examination tomorrow in the
Kent County Jail.
An agreement on this point was
reached today between States Attor-
ney Stephen r. Collins and Defense
Attorney F. Scott Beck at pri-
vate hearing in chambers before
Circuit Judge Thomas ]. Keating.
An insanity plea was definitely an
nounced as the defense.
No doubt was left on this point by
Beck before he went before Judge
Keating.
Seeks to Avoid Delay.
"I want some one to be able to
testify as to her mental condition as
close to the time of the homicide as
possible" Beck said. land not three
weeks later. OF course, insanity will
be the defense.
The State, meanwhile. let 1t be
known that 1t desired to have its own
alienist test the mental condition of
Mrs. Buxton, ordered held by cor
oners jury yesterday few hours after
her 6s-year mother-in-law was
beaten to death with a hatchet in
their apartment here.
Collins announced he had requested
DR.. George H. Preston, State COM
missioner of mental hygiene, to ex-
anime Mrs. Buxton in the event the
defense was successful in obtaining a
test by its alienist.
Under a charge of murder, returned
yesterday. by coronor's jury seven
(See Staying, Page 2) :
Evening star., 1935-09-28
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
PARIS, September 28.-The dan
ger to Europe should Adolf Hitler yield
to the temptation created by Italo-
Ethiopian developments worried
France today as Premier Pierre Laval
considered stronger bonds With Great
Britain.
French diplomatic circles detected
possible accord between the third
Reich, Hungary and Poland as result
of the current visit to Berlin Of Julius
Goembos. Hungarian prime minister.
(Goembos is a guest Of DR.. Hermann
Wilhelm Goering, German minister Of
air, on a shooting party)
France fears such o combination
Evening star., 1935-09-28
ROOSEVELT LAUDS
A. A. A. BENEFITS
Says Act Gives Farmer
Chance for First Time
in Generation.
By the Associated Press.

by INC hSSOCldlcQ FIcSs.
FREMONT, Nebr.. September 28.-
President Roosevelt told farm audi
ence today the agricultural adjust
ment act Is giving farmers really a
chance for the first time in this gen.
Grafton"
He declared the effort to aid the
agriculturists was the true function
of government under our Constitu-
ton"
Speaking In the heart Of the grain
belt while midway to the Coast on his
Western tour. Mr.. Roosevelt called
the A. A. A., economically and con-
stitutionally, democracy in the good
old sense of the word"
THE Governments part in this pro-
gram is merely to supply the unifying
element that the farmers themselves.
in their past efforts, found so essen
tial to success" he declared.
That, 1t seems to me, is the true
function Of government under our
constitutional promote the general
welfare, not by interfering unduly
with individual liberties, but by bring
ing to the aid Of the individual those
powers Of government which are
essential to assure the continuance
of the inalienable rights which the
Constitution is intended to guaran-
tee"
Constitutionality of the act has
been challenged in the courts.
Cites Gain In Income.
Mr.. Roosevelt asserted that the in
come of the farmers has been in
creased by $500, 100000 over the
1882 level. He said many factors
were involved in the readjustment.
Our monetary policy was one" he
said. THE drought was another. In
creased demand for products caused
by the economic revival was another
and the operations of our agricultural
adjustment administration was still
another. =
After reciting asserted Improvements
in the condition of agriculture. the
President pointed to "the longer fu-
ture," prevention of soil erosion and
floods, encouragement of forestation
and removal of Improbable submar-
ginal lands from production.
Farmers Human Rights.
"I like to think" he said, "that
agricultural adjustment is an express
sion in concrete form of the human
rights those farmer patriots sought
to win when they stood at the bridge
at Concord, when they proclaimed the
Declaration Of Independence, and
when they perpetuated these ideals
by the adoption Of the Constitution.
Methods and machinery change,
but principles 60 on, and have faith
that, no matter what attempts may be
made to tear 1t down, the principle of
farm equality expressed by agricul-
tural adjustment will not die"
Mr.. Roosevelt recalled he saw
farmers threshing 30-cent wheat and
shelling 20-cent corn" when he visited
Nebraska three years ago "and. most
disheartening of all, thousands of
farmers were losing their homes by
foreclosure"
Three years ago did not promise
the millennium for agriculture" he
said. But did promise that I should
attempt to meet the intolerable situ-
alton in every way that human effort
and ingenuity made possible.
Coming back to you after three
years, experience the extreme pleas
ure of recognizing that the co-opera-
tive efforts in which the farmers them
selves, the Congress and the admins
lSee ROOSEVET. Page Al
Evening star., 1935-09-28
COUZENS GOING HOME

Senator, Feeling "Grand," Has
Gained Eight Pounds.
ROCHESTER, Mimi, September 28
R.-Senator James Couzens Of Mich
igan, feeling grand he said. and
100 per cent improved" since he
came here July 6, plans to leave for
home today.
An 8-pound gain in weight the last
10 days and the triumphs Of Joe
Louis and the Detroit Tigers con-
tributed to Couzens' cheerful outlook.
Couzens, who underwent four op-
erations, restricted political comment
to q prediction the United States
would not enter any war. The Amer
1ean people won't consent, he said.
Evening star., 1935-09-28
SUEZ TO STAY OPEN.
OFFICIALS DECLARE
Deny Report Question Of Closing
in Ethiopian War Will
Be Discussed.

BY the Associated Press.
PARIS, September 28.-The Suez
Canal Co. today indicated its inten-
ton of keeping the canal open regard
less of what sanctions might be taken
in the event Of an Italo-Ethiopian con-
fiict.
Company officials denied as "abso-
lutely false" reports that the question
OF closing the canal would be discussed
ut the regular monthly meeting Of
its Board Of Directors October z. They
also said no special meeting had been
called.
Evening star., 1935-09-28
CRUCIAL ELECTION
NEARS IN MEME[
Test to Lithuania and Ger.
many in BalIoting
Tomorrow.
BY the Associated Press.

| BY tne Associated Press.
MEMEL, September 28.-Beneath q
surface calm, Memel boiled with sup
pressed tension today as its $4,000
voters prepared to cast their ballots
Sunday for representatives in the
Landtag.
Seemingly a prosaic and humdrum
manifestation Of democratic princi-
pies, nevertheless the fierce rivalrie.
in the territory-often called the pow
der keg of Europe-caused Great
Britain, France and Italy to turn from
the Italo- Ethiopian crisis and watch
! other threat to the peace of Europe
In Memel, battle-ground Of German
and Lithuanian nationalism, the
struggle has been waged over the
present 25-to-4 German majority ir
the Landtag.
Want Showing for Germany.
LithuanianS make no secret that
they want the German representation
decreased to permit more control
without risking any infringement OF
the Memel statute. The German ad-
herents, on the other hand, with all
parties united in common front with
preservation of autonomy as plat
form are anxious to make an impress
sive showing as testimonial to the
Reich's claims to the territory.
Over both these interests, however
is suspended that of the signatory
powers to the Memel Convention
Britain, France and Italy-to avoid
an international crisis of any kind.
Lithuanian troops stood guard
through the territory. A full regi-
ment was stationed in Memel City,
and another bivouaced close to the
German border.
Concessions to Germans.
Political leaders in making last
minute concessions to German de-
mands on voting procedure felt, they
said, that they have made an honest
effort to avoid trouble. Voters books
with 129 sheets from which will be
torn 29 sheets with the names of the
desired candidates will be burned i'm
mediately instead OF preserved, as the
Berlin press claimed, as a record of
how each individual voted.
Germany also received representa- =
ton on the Central Election Commit
tee which will count the votes. q task
which is expected to take a week or
more.
Few statements were forthcoming
from official quarters. The governor
of the territory, DR.. " Kurkauskas,
however. in broadcast appel to the
voters, said that he expected the in
habitants of the territory to perform
their duty at the polls according to
the dictates of their conscience re-
gardless Of outside pressure to, distort
their will"
Germans See Illegal Actions.
BERLIN, September % OP.-Ger-
mans, once again in high emotional
state over what they have been told
is "barbaric treatment" of their blood
brothers cut of from the home land
by fate of war, will watch Memels
voting, government spokesman said
today, convinced that from 10 to Is
per cent of the ballot will be illegal.
This, however, it is admitted, is not
expected to be sufficient to prevent
Memel Germans from obtaining a
majority in the Landtag.
Oficially insisting that some 10000
Germans have been disenfranchised
while an equal number of Lithuanians
have been granted voting rights, they
feel thai, as Reichsfuehrer Hitler
recently said, "a country of $4,000, 900
persons have no more rights than q
country of 1000, 600"
Evening star., 1935-09-28
(See REGATTA. Page 81
H. G. Fownes Dies.

PITTSBURGH, September 2s U).-
H. c. Fownes, 10. steel magnate and
golf enthusiast. died shortly before
midnight last night Of pneumonia.
Fownes was credited with having
made Oakmont Country Clubs golf
course one Of the worlds most dificult.
Evening star., 1935-09-28
LEWIS HAS RELAPSE
Moscow Physicians Maintain

Hope, However, for Recovery.
MOSCOW, September 20 CP-Sena-
tor j. Hamilton Lewis Of Illinois. who
is i'll here with bronchial pneumonia,
suffered a slight relapse during the
night, but physicians said today there
was still hope for his recovery.
Condition Of the lungs was slightly
Improved and the principal concern
was whether his heart could sustain
the strain put upon 1t.
Evening star., 1935-09-28
Safety Broadcasts

TODAY.
Sis p.m.-WRC-Death at the
cross roads. Is the
pedestrian more reck-
less than the motor
ist?
TOMORROW.
3:l5p.m.-WMAL - Interview
with Deputy Coroner
Christopher j. Muir
ply on the fate Of the
reckless, speeding
driver. DR.. Murphy
performs the autop-
sizes on traffic victims.
1925 p.m.-WJSV - Analysis OF
4 week end traffic acci-
dents.
Evening star., 1935-09-28
Merchants Association Joins
Star Safe.Driuing Campaign
400 Leading Business Firms Put Weight
of Entire Organization Behind
City.Wide Movement.


400
behind the driving walking campaign conducted
Evening
Evening star., 1935-09-28
Won't Depart Until Geneva
Takes Full Responsibility
, for Steps Against Italy,
Cabinet Members Decide.
PROPOSALS FOR TROOP
WITHDRAWAL SPURNED
Ministers Pledge Every Effort to
Prevent Spread of Conflict
Committee of Five Held to 1g-
more Necessities for Expansion
and Security.
BULLETIN.

GENEVA, September % tP.-
Baron Pompeo Aloisi, chief OF the
Italian delegation to the League OF
Nations, left today for Rome
Evening star., 1935-09-28

reduce the number of traffic accidents
on the streets of Washington.
These groups include the depart
ment stores, the ladies' and mems
tSee SAFETY. Page A.
Evening star., 1935-09-28

tSee SAFETY, Page A.
Evening star., 1935-09-28
WEATHER.

20 9. Weather Bureau ForecastJ
Rain tonight probably ending tomor-
row morning; cooler tonight and tomor-
row: gentle shifting winds tomorrow.
Temperatures - Highest, 81. at pm
yesterday; lowest, sc. at am today.
Full report on page A-s.
Evening star., 1935-09-28

(See ROOSEVELT, Page 81
Evening star., 1935-09-28

Yesterday's Circulation, 1878
Some Returns Not Yet Received
The Washington times., 1935-02-07
AFRICA TERMED
POWER KEG'

The Balkans, powder keg OF
Europe" have a rival as a world
danger spot and it's name is AT
rica, Mrs. Robert Nelson. of Wash
ington, world traveller and student
of foreign affairs, told the Educa-
tion Committee of the Women's S
National Democratic Club today.
With the various European ma
tions colonizing the Dark Cont
nent to exploit it's virtually un,
tapped tremendous store of nat
ural resources, there looms the
danger of armed conflict, she
said. The colonies are too close
together for comfort, she ex.
planned.
Turning to Germany, she said: {:
Hitler knows mob psychology,
but he's no statesman. The
newspapers have seemingly
ignored the fact, but there is a
great fear among the German
leadership that their chancellor
may be asSaSSinated."
The lecture was given in the
clubs headquarters at 1925 New
Hampshire Ave. N. w. Mrs. Mel
son said she had been studying
foreign affairs since she was nine
years old.
The Washington times., 1935-02-07

Presidential approval of Federal
regulation of the bituminous coal
industry was sought at the White
House today by President John
L. Lewis of the United Mine
Workers and Senator Joseph F..
Guffey CD of Pennsylvania,
author Of the latest legislative
proposal designed to accomplish
this result.
Mr.. Lewis and Senator Guffey
conferred with President Roose-
welt at noon. and announced as
they were leaving that they ex-
pected to see him again in two or
three weeks.
In the meantime, Senator Guf-
fey said, the Senate Committee on
Interstate Commerce will hold
hearings on his measure, which
parallels bills introduced in pre-
viouS Congresses by Senator James
J. Davis (RO and Representative
Clyde Kelly (RJ, both of Penn
Sylvania.
Characterized by it's sponsors as
a bill to stabilize" the bituminous
industry, the measure actually
would bring its operations, includ-
ing production and wages. under
complete control of Federal agen-
cieS.
The Washington times., 1935-02-07
2.5 PCT. RATE.
ON BABY BONDS

An interest rate of 2.5 to 20 per
cent is tentatively planned for the
first baby bonds" to be issued
March l in denominations as low
as $25, Undersecretary of the
Treasury Coolidge disclosed today:
AS the new issues with 10-year
maturity are to be sold on dis.
count basis, this would put the
selling price at about $75 for a
$1OO bond. They will be surrounded
with such restrictions as to en-
courage purchasers to hold them
until maturity.
Unlike other long-term bonds
or Short-term certificates, the
baby bonds" cannot be trans
ferred or used for collateral on
loans. Purchasers must hold
them for 60 days after issuance,
following which the Government
will buy them back at any time
at the price paid, plus accrued
interest. They may not, however,
be sold in the open market.
UnderSecretary Coolidge explain.
ed the discount tentatively fixed
is in line with legislation stipula-
ting that the interest rate shall
not exceed per cent.
The Washington times., 1935-02-07
SENATOR LONG:
ANSWERS IN
LIBEL SUIT
Still Claims Immunity for His
Statements in Senate
Against Gen. AnSeII

An answer to the half-million
dollar libel suit instituted by Ger.
Samuel T. Ansell, former War De-
partment lawyer, was filed In
District Court today by Senator
Huey P. Long, the Louisiana
"Kingfish" who twice was de-
feated in attempts to escape prose
cution of the suit on grounds of
immunity.
The suit grew out of a speech
made by Senator Long in the
Senate chamber two years ago
and printed exceptS of the speech
which he sent through the mails.
In his answer, Senator Long
again reSorted to the contention
that his statements we're cloaked
by constitutional privilege and
the mailing of excerpts of the
speech did not continue a legal
cause of action.
The Senator's answer then at.
tackled General Ansell's charac-
ter. charging he aided in the es-
cape of Grover Cleveland Berg
doll after he had been sentenced
for dodging the World War
draft. that he was guilty of
irregularities when practicing be-
fore the Board of Tax Appeals,
and that he improperly prepared
his own appointment as Judge
Advocate General of the Army.
The Washington times., 1935-02-07
STRAUB WIDOW
FREED;FR|END
QUESTIONED
Mrs. "BiIIie" EdIin Unable to
Throw Any Light on Chi
Cago Staying

CHICAGO, Feb. 7 G.N.S).
Mrs. Melba Straub, comely widow
Of Louis Straub, murdered Sunday
morning at the exclusive Saddle
and Cycle Club, today was given
her liberty after bringing habeas
corpus proceedings. She had been
held by the State for questioning
in connection with her husbands
mysterious murder.
AS Mrs. Straub went free, the
States attorneys office began
questioning her close friend, Mrs
Ellen billie" Edlin.
Mrs. Edlin declared that she
could throw no light on the kill.
ing of Straub and maintained the
story she first told police that she
had played bridge with Mrs. Straun
and two other women and that
Mrs. Straub had then driven her
home. Mrs. Straub substantiated
her story.
Mrs. Edlin surrendered today
after a taxi driver had told police
a photograph Of Mrs. Edlin re.
sembled a woman in mink coat
that he had driven to the Saddle
and Cycle Club about the time of
the murder.
The Washington times., 1935-02-07
COAL CONTRO[|PAY BILL Goes
BY US. URGED TO CUMMINGS

Full pay restoration as Of April
/, came a step nearer today, when
the deficiency bill carrying the
last per cent sought by Federal
workers was started by the White
House on it's rounds to the Budget
Bureau and Attorney General
Cummings for final scrutiny
before being signed by the Presi-
dent.
1t is expected to return to the
White House next week when the
President will sign it.
AS assurance of his signature
already has been given by the
Chief Executive, only the me-
chanics Of last minute action stood
today between the employees and
their goal.