davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20
Mexico Theme OF
Circle Program

Mexico and the missionary work
being done in that country formed
the theme for Emmanuel Circles
program Thursday in the F irst
Baptist church
Mrs. K. r. Hines was devotional
leader, an interesting program be-
ing presented.
Hostesses for the afternoon, Mrs.
l.. o. Hughes and Mrs. w. S. Taylor
served refreshments, Christmas
decorations adding a gay touch to
the afternoon session.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20
O.E.S. Past Officers
To Meet In CaIexic0

Calexico members of the Past
Matrons and Patrons association,
Order of the Eastern Star, will
be hosts at tonight's meeting to-
be held at $3.50 o'clock in the Mas
onic temple.
A pot luck dinner, a business
meeting and program are to be
features of the evenings enter
tainment.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20
CALIPATRIA FOLK
VISIT MOUNTAINS

CALIPATRIA-With the road to
Julian completed all the way in
"a good Oil coat, many valley resi-
dents are taking weekend trips
to the mountains Mr.. and Mrs. r.
L. Sperry and son were among the
early winter visitors to the apple
area.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20
Christmas Presents
Finished By Section

Handsome Christmas gifts in
leather were completed at last
nights meeting of the Ten Thou
sand clubs Arts and Crafts sec
ton held at the w. A. Vie home,
Alb Len Rey avenue.
At the conclusion of the work,
Mrs. Vie served refreshments.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20
Old Time Dance
Popular Affair

Despite rainy weather United
Spanish War Veterans and Auxi-
liary sponsored a highly successful
old time dance Thursday night In
Veterans hall.
Good music and a good time
were enjoyed by those who at
tended.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20
Veterans Hall
Dance Series

Bill Barber and his swing band
will play for dances tonight and
Saturday, and Christmas eve and
Christmas night in the Veterans
Memorial hall.
These dances are sponsored by
the housing committee.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20
5 sss:: Of Interest To Women 5 5ssss
Social Calendar

TONIGHT
Dance, Veterans hall.
Past MatrOns and Patrons, $3.50,
CaleXicO.
TOMORROW
School party, IL, Presbyterian
church.
Americanization party, 2, cottage.
Chapter CIV, PEG, 2, 744
Brighton.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20
Telephone Co.
Party In City

Telephone company employees
from all parts of the valley will
meet in the Ell Centre club room
tonight for Yuletide party.
Christmas decorations, a tree,
refreshments, dancing, are on the
schedule for the evening.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20
CALEXICO KIWANIS
INSTALLS PRESIDENT

CALEXICO-Clark bennington.
installed Wednesday night as pres
ident of the Calexico Kiwanis
club, thanked his fellow club men,
bers for the honor paid him in a
talk urging life of service to 9TH
ers as the most satisfactory ex-
iStence.
CALEXICO - Jeanne Lorenz is
home from Los Angeles to spend
the holidays with her parents, Mr..
and Mrs. w. H. Lorenz.
90
CALIPATRIA-P one of
the biggest home coming Christ
mas dinners in this city, Mrs. John
Manford plans to have her entire
family with her for the holidays.
Among the group expected to ar
rive to- take part in the family re-
union are Mr.. and Mrs. John L.
Manford and son, Mr.. and Mrs.
Jack Bryant, Mr.. and Mrs. Auti
Cox and daughter, Geraldine, Mr..
and Mrs. A. l.. johnson and Lee
Warren.
90
SEELEY - Mr. and Mrs. Mike
Liebert of Alpine visited their chill
dren here Tuesday and Wednes-
day.
SEELEY-Mr. and Mrs. L. D.
Hanks have as guests over the
holidays Mr.. Hanks parents, Mr..
and Mrs. E. j. Hanks of Idaho.
IMPERIAL - Postmaster D. j.
McChristy announced today that
the Imperial postoffice will re-
main open until pm. Saturday
to handle Christmas mail.
CALEXICO-Mr. and Mrs. l.. E.
Looney are entertaining Mr.. and
Mrs. w. E. Leyland and daugh-
ter, Joy, of Opa Locka, Florida,
during the Christmas holiday Mrs.
Leyland is their daughter.
90
HEBER-A lighted Christmas tree
and the appearance of Santa Claus
to distribute candy to pupils of the
Heber school and Community Sun
day school, followed the presenting
of an operetta recently.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20

HEBER-There will be special
Christmas program next Sunday
morning in the Community Sunday
school, when children of the var
ious classes will take part. The
Sunday school meets at 10:45 A. M.
and is preceded by church services,
with Rev. Fred Hewlett as pastor.
Mr.. Hewlett was the speaker at last
Sundays church services. Mr.. Nc
Calmon was the speaker in the
Adult class in Sunday school,
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20

Melvin Wildly, who is attending
the University of California, Ber-
kelley, will arrive tonight to spend
the holidays here.
Harry Horton arrived Thursday
from Salt Lake City where he was
occupied with business for the
Imperial Irrigation district.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Meyers of
Portland, Oregon, who are en-
route to Florida, called on Mr.. and
Mrs. Carl N. Helmick this week.
The two men were Scout field
executives together in Oakland,
California.
Club women of the valley will
be interested in the appointment
of Mrs. Marcus Robbins of San
Diego as state chairman of law.
business and insurance of the Cali
fornia Federation of Womens
clubs. The announcement was
made recently by. Mrs. w. D.
James, state president. Mrs. Rob-
bins is historian for the Southern
District.
Chapter CIV, PEG, will meet
Saturday at pm. for a business
session at the j. l.. House home,
744 Brighton. Saturday night at
$50 o'clock, the chapter will hold
its annual Christmas party for
children, meeting in the new
Methodist social hall on Olive.
Children of the primary and be-
ginners' departments of the Pres
byterian church will meet Satur-
day at II in the church basement
for luncheon and Christmas par
ty.
Other University of California
students who arrived home this
week from Berkeley are: Miss Har-
riet Raab, daughter of Rev. and
I. T. Raab, and Morgan Rice, son
of Mr.. and Mrs. John T. Rice.
Brawley teachers, instead of
their annual luncheon, held each
year at the Barbara Worth hotel
the day of the county institute,
had a breakfast party this morn
ing. Covers were laid for 80 and
the table decorations were in keep
ing with Christmas.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20

SEELEY-Temple Robinson re-
turned home from State this week.
end to spend the holidays with
his parents.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20

HEBER-Miss Betty Jean Hogan,
freshman at Redlands University,
returned home Wednesday for the
holidays.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20
Schools
Churches
Society Briefs

Melvin Wildly, who is attending
the University of California, Ber-
kelley, will arrive tonight to spend
the holidays here.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20

Harry Horton arrived Thursday
from Salt Lake City where he was
occupied with business for the
Imperial Irrigation district.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20

IMPERIAL - Postmaster D. j..
McChristy announced today that
the Imperial postoffice will re-
main open until pm. Saturday
to handle Christmas mail.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20

SEELEY - Mr.. and Mrs. Mike
Liebert of Alpine visited their chill
dren here Tuesday and Wednes-
day.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-12-20

SEELEY-Mr. and Mrs. L. D.
Hanks have as guests over the
holidays Mr.. Hanks parents, Mr..
and Mrs. E. j. Hanks of Idaho.
The Washington times., 1935-07-10

Ray Mobiles dance music will go
on the air at $50 p. m. instead Of
9 D. m. on station WRC beginning
tonight.
Three amateur hours in one,
says Uncle Jim Harkins, who is
filling Fred Aliens shoes during
the latter's absence in HOLLYWOOD.
The 'Town Hall Tonight" pro-
gram celebrates its first ami
Versary on the air tonight on
WRC at 8 o'clock.
The Washington times., 1935-07-10
RADIO HIGHLIGHTS
TOMORROW

WRC - Captain Henry's
ShOwboat, SO p. m. Paul
Whfteman's Music Hall, $40
p. m.
WMAL - Times Radio
news, 9:45-1O a. m. N.B.C. Mu.
sic Guild, 1:3O-2:3O p. m.
N.B.C. Symphony Orchestra,
$40 p. m.
WJSV-GreetingS from Old
Kentucky, 3:3O-4 p. m. HOr.
ace Heidt'S Brigadiers, $780,
10 p. m. frankie Masters
Orchestra, 11:3O-12 p. m.
WOL-Adeon Players, 1880
4:55 p. m. Concert Light
Music Berlin, Germany, $3.50
8 p. m.
The Washington times., 1935-07-10
TODAY'S FEATURES

WRC-Air Glider No. 4,
6:3O.6:45 p. m. KilOcycle
Kaydets on Parade, 1O-1O:SO
p. m.
WMAL-Hits and Bits,
9:3O-1O p. m. KilOcycle Kay
diets on Parade, 10000 p. m.
WJSV-La FOrge-Berumen
Musicale, $3.50 p. m. Mar
shalTs Broadway Varieties,
1905 p. m.
WOL-United States Ma
rine Band, 7:45-S:15 p. m.
Weir and TallefsOn, piano
team, 9:SO-9:45 p. m. Anna
teur Night in Harlem, 1O-u
p. m.
The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-03
WILL MAINTAIN
FIRM POLICY IN
AFRICAN CRISIS
Position Taken in State
Opening Of Parlia-
ment Today
OIL EMBARGO SEEN
BY MID DECEMBER

Latest developments today in
the Italo-Ethiopian war situation
are:
ROME.-The Italian cabinet
issues more DEGREES to strengthen
Italy's resistance against sane
tons. Continued activity behind
the Italian lines on the northern
front is reported.
PARIS.-League members put
the next move up to Mussolini
end await his reply.
LONDON, Dec. 3. (UP).-King
George today pledged Great Bril-
tain forcefully and unequivocally
to the governments firm policy in
the ethiopian crisis in a
speech from the throne to the
house of lords at the state OPEN
ing of parliament. The speech was
read in his absence by the Lord
High Chancellor.
The King committed the coun-
try to firm support Of the league
for fulfillment, in cooperation
with other countries of the league
covenant, exertion of its influence
in favor of peace in the ltalo-
Ethiopian conflict, and the "urs-
emily necessary" strengthening of
the national defcnses to fulfill in
ternational obligations, under the
covenant, to safeguard the empire.
The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-03
DWIGHT BEARD
BEING sought
Think Life Term Man May
Be at Large in Western
Carolina

RALEIGH, Dec. State pri-
son officials and Western North
Carolina officers today were con
Quoting search for Dwight
Beard, former Lenoir man, who
escaped from the state prison IN
August. Beard was serving a life
sentence for the shooting of Gus
Bounous, Valdese merchant IN a
S14OO robbery in 1882.
Also wanted in Atlanta, Ga,
for robbery and the shooting of a
police, officer. Beard, alias R. l..
George, had been trailed by Geor-
gia officers to Greenville, where
he escaped last night as officers
fired at him number of times,
Beard was convicted of the
murder of Bounous and given a
death sentence, which was later
committed to life by Governor
Ehringhaus. He escaped last
August.
e Prior to his conviction he had
gone to st. Paul, Mimi, where ne
was identified as Beard after be-
ing shot in hold up. he was
turned over to North Carolina Tor
trial and subsequent conviction.
It is believed that he has been
living in Atlanta under the name
of George since his escape !aS'
August.
The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-03
SCOUTS WORK
INSTRUCTION
IS GIVEN HERE
Full Set up of Leadership
in District Is An
nounced

Troop committeeman of the
Boy Scout organization of the
Henderson county district, to.
gether with Scoutmasters and
members of the Scout council, at,
tended a school of instruction
last night at the Presbyterian
church house with A. w. Allen,
of Asheville, executive of the
Daniel Boone council as instruc:
tor. About twenty men attended
the meeting, which followed a
sumptuous dinner served by Ia
dies of the church. Edw. r. Suth-
erland had arranged the meeting,
and talks were made by several
men. including Mayor A. V. Ed
wards, chairman of the district
organization.
At the conclusion of the school
of instruction, the Rev. James P
Burke, chairman of the court OF
honor, announced the following
set-up to take care Of Scout &C.
Invites in the Henderson county
district: =.
A. W. Allen, Scout executive
of the Daniel Boone council
Mavor A. V. Edwards, district
chairman: Supt. F. M. Waters
district commissioner; o. Y
Brownlee, chairman of ruraI
Scouting: Rev. Jas. P. Burke
chairman of court of honor; j. H
Lampley, treasurer; R. S. Gibbs
district camp chairman Edw. K
Continued on page three)
The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-03
CANNON LIKES
BORAH POLICY
If Prelate Is a Democrat
He Doesn't Know What
Roosevelt Is
Rv CHARLES E. AHRENS
rz;taI Press Staff Correspondent

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 3.-(UP):-
Bishop James Cannon, Jr., OF the
Methodist Church, South, whose
stump speeches in 1923 broke the
Solid South for former PresidenC
Hoover, last night thumbed tnrV ,
the list of presidential "trlal
horses" and selected Sen. William
F Borah of Idaho as the foremost
candidate acceptable to both dryS
Addressing the 2Sth national
convention of the Anti-Saloon
League, he placed on the shout
ders of former Secretary of the
Treasury Andrew Mellon the prlncc
cipal blame for the downfall Oh
prohibition. c
~ believe" said Bishop Cannon
pounding the table before him.
CHAT national prohibition Will De
hack bv 1915, and with more
thorough enforcement than Amer
lea has ever had before. -, ,
"One of the reasons tor that
better enforcement will be the ao-
sence of Andy Mellon as the ma
tion's financial advisor. AS d brew
or and national executive both'
Mr. Mellon was one of the great
reasons why prohibition failed
Resting in his room few mo-
ments beforehand, his cane. sup
mort for ailing ankles, laying De-
Continued on page tnree)
The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-03

Hendersonville's eighth weekly
awarding of prizes in the Trade
Expansion Jubilee is scheduled to
take place at p. m. WedneSaa!
in front of the Carolina theatre,
with $40 in extra cash prizes
promised. T.
The total of awards to be uiS.
tributed this week is $50 and %
usual, crowd of 5000 or mo ,t
is expected to attend the ey t;anS
Two more weekly distnhTI''IIna'
will be made after this wees , -.
fore a 1886 Plymouth de ." on
two-door sedan is given away VI
December 20. o,
Work of installing a Chfaf t,.eet
lighting system on Main S .,on+L
Fourth avenue west and Se'e
The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-03

Nov % was 219 deaths compared
with 1874 the previous week.
The marked reduction IN deaths
over the At week period, however,
indicated a definite improvement
in safe driving, apparently result
ing from the new responslplliey
instilled in motorists who nave
signed newspaper safety pledges
and have been sobered by tne
gruesome details of accidents
which they formerly did not no
tice.
The greatest individual incident
in the campaign probably was ths
publication of an article, Ana
Sudden DEATH" in the Reader 5
CONTINUED on page four)
The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-03
BRITISH KING PLEDGES LEAGUE SUPPORT
TAYLOR BREAKS WITH F. D. R.
POLICY TO SUPPORT PAYMENT
OF BONUS THROUGH INITIATION
Serious Disruption in House
Democratic Ranks Thus
Threatened

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8. (UP)
Powerful support for the currency
initiation method of paying off
the $2,15O,0O0,000 bonus came
today from acting house majority
leader, Edward T. Taylor, Demo
crat, Colorado, usually an admin
istration stalwart.
Taylor's support of the Patman
bonus measure and declaratlon
that he would refuse to continue
to act as acting leader unless he
was supported by a direct party
house caucus vote threatened Sc
rious disruption in the house DEM
ocratic ranks.
The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-03
BRITISH CABINET
READY FOR ACTION
c..u-;.kt 1aas limited Press

Copyright, 1885, United fress)
LONDON, Dec. 3. (UP).-The
British cabinet decided yesterday
to proceed with plans for an oil
embargo against Italy in defiance
of Premier Benito Mussolinrs re-
ported warlike threats.
The decision was reached IN a
momentous two and three-quarter
hour session at No. 10 Downing
Street during which full consid-
Grafton was given to II Duce's hint
that a league oil blockade would
be considered military sanction.
France and Britain already have
agreed upon a common policy n
favor of the oil embargo, which
will be considered by the league
sanctions general staff" of 10 Ut
a meeting Dec. IL, the United
Press learned.
Certain arrangements to effec-
tuate oil sanctions already have
been made by the British in anti
cipation of league approval.
Canada's disavowsl of her dele
gates initiative in proposing the
extension of sanctions to ltalys
military necessities failed to bulge
Prime Minister Stanley Baldwln,S
cabinet any more than II Duce's
menacing attitude. 49,,
Diplomats were Informed that
the cabinet approved continued
preparation of Britain's land, sea
and air forces for cal! contlngen-
cies," especially possible Italian
military reprisals. j.
It was reported without con,
firmation that the cabinet studied
Itsly's latest terms for ending the
war, which are:
/. Cession to Italy of wide
strip of territory linking the ltal-
ian colonies of Eritrea in the
Continued on page four)
The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-03
hPERATlON
|AID HIS AIM.
!. Warns Americans
,,5ing in War Supplies
Nav Face Quiz
GEs STRONG STAND
IN ENFORCE POLICY

|r,;uNGTON. Dec. 3. (UP)
.,.r Of Interior Harold 1.
Z rjay clarified" his recent
f.. regarding shipments of
-, oil 70 Italy and Eth
f.. gso had been quoted as
-ga American oil pro
y ! sithhold shipments of
- belligerent nations,
I, ! What he said was,
i, r!ucers ought to CO.
= !, tier and in spirit
: 4orts of the govern
-r1. the shipment of mu-
fw var to belligerents.
|'sIg aid that his statement
II si International signifi-
4, I London, Rome and Ge-
4 Ms mot a direct appeal
-e,ely a general state
II
The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-03
j. s. COOL TO
JAP PLAN FOR
PACIFICPEACE
Permanent Naturalization
of Philippines Tokyo's
Goal, if Farley Fails
JAPS WOULD CONTROL
WESTERN PACIFIC

LONDON, Dec. 3. (UP).-The
Daily Herald's Tokyo correspond
ent reported today that the Japa-
nese delegation to the naval cOu-
ference here has been instructed
to seek a new agreement, designed
to preserve peace in the Pacific
ocean regions, among the United
States, Britain, France and Japan.
The correspondent understood
that Japanese Foreign Minister
Koki Hirota hopes a new Pacific
agreement can be reached even if
the naval conversations fail, and
he fears they will, and that it Will
include these points:
l. Permanent naturalization of
the Philippines involving perma-
nent withdrawal of the United
States fleet and army units STA
toned in the islands.
2. Renewal and amendment Of
the four powers treaty of 1921
making it into a general non-ag-
gression pact.
8. Each of the four powers
would pledge itself not to attack
or modest the territories of the
others in the Pacific.
4. Article 10 of the naval lmi-
tation treaty of 1922, which eX-
pires at the end of this year,
would be renewed.
The newspapers diplomatic cor
respondent, commenting on the
dispatch, believed it unlikely an
agreement can be reached.
Hlrota's reported plan, he points
out, would mean practical recogni-
ton of Japan's complete doml-
nance of the western Pacific ocean
and would be equal to giving her
a free hand in CHINA scheme
to which the powers hardly could
agree.
Britain and France, the diplo-
matte correspondent added, would
not sign a non-aggression pact
with Japan without reservations
regarding action under the cove
nant of the League of Nations, in
which they have assumed leader
ship. Japan, which withdrew from
the league because of its criticism
of her action in Manchuria, could
not agree to any league jurisdic-
ton in Pacific affairs.
Article 10 of the 1922 naval
limitation agreement, which Japan
repeatedly would like renewed,
provided that there should be no
further fertilization of specified
Pacific possessions of the sigma
tory powers.
The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-03
WILL DISCONTINUE LOCAL
RELIEF DOLE THURSDAY;
MANY TO HAVE NO FUNDS
Rural Settlement Agency
Expected to Absorb
Many of These

The discontinuance of direct re-
lief, the dole, will be effective
Thursday as one of the final stages
in the closing of the work of the
Emergency Relief Administration.
The dole has been on the wane
for the past two months, dwin-
ding in proportion to employment
given relief clients by the Works
Progress Administration.
Noah Hollowell closed his work
with the local office yesterday,
having been assistant to Miss
Grace Miller, 13 county admins
traitor, since Sept. 16.
Washington decided that all eli
ents had been assigned work, or
that sufficient time had passed foE
such assignment, and the final
chapter was written for the ERA
The last orders for donations in
the way of direct relief, either in
store orders, or the distribution of
food supplies by the Federal Sur
plus Relief Corporation will be
given out on Thursday.
This situation, the local office is
quoted as saying, leaves more
than half of its clients without any
income and many unassigned to
work projects. Checks have been
three weeks or more coming
through.
The case work division of the
local office still has considerable
work to do before records can be
closed. A new order last week au-
thorized the certifcation of rural
resettlement clients from the re-
lief rolls where their condition
warrants, and to the WPA. This
will permit them to share in the
work program, in which they have
not been permitted to participate
since they were made relief eli
Continued on page four)
The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-03
/, ARTHUR F. DEGREVE
~ Pres, Staff Correspondent

ElSHNGTON, Dec. 8. (UP)
.hyea. Of a full congressional
r of American industrial
vac. despite warnings by the
krixration, continue to trade
Italy and Ethiopia while the
nations are at war-- was rails
a& night by Senator Homer
Eons, Democrat, Washington.
member of the militant mu-
rs investigating committee,
J sde no secret of the fact
his ire has been aroused by
altitude some business men
aling toward efforts by this
~ to maintain strict neu-
b in the Ethiopian clash.
these greedy Americans,
how that they love dollars
tran their country, do one
thing which pushes us
y The hell of war, you may
S1red they'll be investigat-
our committee" Bone told
t.ed Press.
a. We won't handle them
l gloves he continued.
Ne a fighting committee.
? this great nation, men
On war is hell and futile
t1en who always suffer
IAN anyone else are de-
g that we stay at peace
se world.
Z will stay at peace. Con-
EII see to that. The war
Ger mas had his day. He may
nov it-but ne has"
us & one of the smallest
IN the senate. He weighs
10 pounds, speaks in a
nervous voice and is not
70 cross lances with the
0 |: snarpest tongued men,
ne was one of a few sena-
", VINO dared verbally to
the late Huey Long.
-Sa' at the last session of
s@ It appeared likely that
.;;.IaIIIy act would be snow
- IN the last rush of bust
9Tard adjournment, Bone
me floor. He informed
leaders that no further
.S~9a would be enacted I'M
-. senate had moved to keep
1Aon out Of war.
lSu not talked long be-
iaaers realized they were
'.3 a well-organized fill
and capitulated. The little
and his colleagues on
nmlttee didn't get every
y wanted. but n uos q
,ard a fixed goal. They
pack in January pre-
~ act.
,,~.!!orlty Of the munitions
4Ilnued on moo 80
The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-12-03
LEAGUE UNAFFECTED
BY CANADA'S STAND

GENEVA, Dec. 3. (UP).-De-
spite Canada's disowning of spon-
sorship for the oil embargo reso-
luton, the league committee OF 10
will act quickly Dec. IL to fix a
date for such extension of sane
lions against Italy, league officials
believed last night.
Oil producing nations are ex-
pecting to negotiate for a date.
Canadian Delegate W. R. Rid
dell refused to discuss his govern
ment's disavowal of responsibility
for his oil proposal.