davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1936-12-31
Reported Active Bidder at Govern
ment Auctions.

Reported Active Bidder at Govern
ment Auctions.
JERSEY CITY, N. j., December 81
Ry.-Robert Cuse. whose plan to ship
S2,777,O00 worth of airplanes and
motors to Spain stirred moves to
tighten Americas neutrality law, was
described today by a person familiar
with his operations as an active pur-
chaser of obsolete equipment at Gov
ernment auctions.
This informant, who would not be
quoted by name. said Cuse spent much
of his time flying about the country
to auctions and other places where
airplanes or other equipment of vir-
tually any kind could be bought.
He was said to have gained his
start in lh:s way by purchasing 40O
airplane motors cheaply at Gov
ernment auction soon after the World
War. He gradually became a broker
OF secondhand motors and other
equipment on large scale. Much OF
it he rebuilt before selling.
Persons with whom he has had
dealings understood his largest market
was abroad.
Evening star., 1936-12-31

The great sea powers competing In
the 1887 naval race will line up for
tomorrow's start as follows:
British Empire.
Starts with 307 warships, 1922, ,le4
tons.
Is building or has funds for Is ves-
sells, 332,735 tons.
Has announced will lay down two
35,000-ton superdreadnaughts, the
Prince Of Wales and King George v,
New Year day, thus inaugurating the
race; has asked for bids on two more
IS, 5,000-ton battleships to be started
in fiscal year beginning April 1.
Will begin construction early In
1887 of seven cruisers, two aircraft
carriers, Is destroyers, 8 submarines.
Will spend $685. .oo0, 900 on this pro-
gram.
Will raise naval personnel to 1882
by adding $500 officers and men.
United States.
Will start with 307 warships, 1,070,-
ATS tons.
Is building or has funds for 95 war
ships, 288,2l5 tons Gall within limits
of Washington and London naval
treaties
Probably will follow Britain's lead
by laying down shortly two IS. 5.000-ton
battleships, carrying 16-inch guns. to
cost $50,000,000 each; President
Roosevelt authorized by last Congress
to order such construction If any
other power ended the holiday" in
capital ships.
Ships building or appropriated for
Evening star., 1936-12-31

Continued From First Page)
strikes for several weeks, with the re-
sultant shutdown of the Chevrolet
plants in those cities. About 1900
workers were idle at Atlanta, 2,40o at
Kansas City.
The more recent strike in the Cleve-
land Fisher body plant has not caused
the closing of any other units OF the
vast General Motors concern. The
Cleveland unit supplies stampings for
other Fisher branches. Seven thou
sand were idle there.
The Walker-Michigan Co. an
nounced that its automobile accessory
plant in Jackson. Mich, would re-
open today. Forty employees who be-
gan a "sit-down" strike there Tues
day left last night at the request OF
Police Chief Edward c. Harris, who
went to the factory with 20 police
men.
Labor disputes kept two other parts
factories closed in Michigan. Sixty
employees Of the Standard Cotton
Products Co. at Flint. which supplies
the Fisher body plants there with
filling for automobile seats, contin-
ued the "sit-down" strike they start
ed yesterday. In Detroit another "sit-
down" strike left 500 idle at one
branch of the Bohn Aluminium &,
Brass Co.
In general, the chief union objec-
tives in the strikes are increased
wages, adjustment of overtime rates
and recognition OF the union as the
collective bargaining agency. In some
instances the U. A. w. A. also Is re-
questitng the reinstatement of en-
ployes it alleges were dismissed for
union activity.
William S. Knudsen, executive vice
president Of General Motors, acknowl-
edged receipt Of request from Homer
Martin, president of the U. A. w. A.,
for a general conference on "the
labor situation in General Motors" on
behalf of its 211, 900 employees. Knud-
sen said he had forwarded the COM
munication to Alfred P. Sloan, jr.,
PRESIDENT Of the corporation, in New
York.
Strikes in the plate glass industry
were beginning to have a more seri-
GUS effect on the automotive manu-
facturers. General Motors announced
yesterday that it was sending orders
to companies supplying it with parts
to stop shipments.
1t said these temporary stop orders"
were due primarily to production cur
tailment because of glass shortage.
Another factor was the possibility. of
additional General Motors Strikes.
Corporation executives said a settle
ment of the glass strike would relieve
the motor car production situation.
For several weeks the glass indus
try has been paralyzed by labor dis
putes in its largest units. These
strikes were called by the Federation
Of Flat Glass Workers, which, like
the Automobile Workers Union, is a
member Of the Committee for Indus
trial Organization. The glass and
auto unions have q joint council to
act on problems concerning their re-
lations with the automotive industry.
Lewis. head of the c. I. O., reiterated
last night that his group was behind
the U. A. w. A. in trying to gain q
collective bargaining agreement with
General Motors.
Evening star., 1936-12-31
SUSPECT KNOWN
IN HANCOCK CASE
Slain Mans Wife Asked to
Identify Watch Seized
in Baltimore.

Known to District and Maryland
police, single suspect was sought to-
day for questioning in the murder of
Eugene Hancock, &c, local steam
fitter, whose body was found in nearby
Prince Georges County on Monday.
Although refusing to admit he ex-
pected break" in the case shortly,
Inspector Bernard w. Thompson,
chief of Washington detectives, said
his officers, working with Maryland
police, we're attempting to apprehend
q man who. If not implicated. might
at least supply valuable information
in the case.
Meanwhile investigators continued
their efforts to obtain a minute de-
scription Of gold watch, believed to
have been carried by Hancock when
he disappeared from his home, 506
Third street northeast, Is days before
. group of hunters discovered the VIC
tim on heavily wooded hill at Pis-
Getaway. Md.
Detectives attempts to obtain the
description were prompted by the
seizure of similar timepiece in Bal
timore yesterday. The watch. an old
fashioned, elaborately engraved type.
was found by Baltimore police with
some property recovered from saloon
operated by a woman acquaintance of
a burglary suspect. Detectives quoted
the woman as saying the timepiece
was given her by the suspect.
The murdered mans wife, Mrs. Cora
Hancock, was scheduled to go to Balti-
more today to view the watch, Inspec-
tor Thompson said. Washington police
had been requested by Baltimore au-
thorities to send a relative or friend of
the victim to that city for Identification
Of the timepiece.
Evening star., 1936-12-31
POLICE QUESTION
REEDS RELATIVES
Turn to Kin in Effort to Find
Youth Sought in Two
, Murders. al
By q Staff Correspondent OF The Star.


ROCKVILLE. Md, December 81
Investigators tracking the elusive Will
liam B. Reed have turned to his rela-
tives in an effort to uncover some lead
that might result in capture Of the
suspect wanted in Maryland and West
Virginia slayings.
Richard P. Stockton, %, Of Wash
ington, D. c., arrested in a Boston
hotel by detectives seeking Reed, also
is to be questioned concerning the
latter's whereabouts when he arrives
here today to face two holdup charges
Stockton, who waived extradition
and is being brought to Rockville by
two Montgomery County police SER
geants. is claimed to have told police
that Reed, who is a close friend of the
Washington youth, tried to communi-
cate with him recently.
Relatives Quizzed.
Several relatives of Reed, linked by
alleged accomplices with the murders
| Of 68-year-old Edwood Matthews,
Montgomery County farmer, robbed
and killed near his home on Novem-
ber 13. and w. Earle Dollman, Phila-
delphia salesman, shot and robbed
near Sutton, w. Va, on Thanksgiv-
ing day, were questioned here yes
terday.
Among them were Blair Reed. father
of the elusive fugitive, and pee Wee
Reed. brother. They were closeted
for some time with States Attorney
James H. Pugh, Justice Department
sleuths and West Virginia State Off
GERS. who are investigating the Doll
man killing.
Both were questioned at length re-
garding the haunts and habits Of the
murder suspect in an attempt to dis
cover some lead to Reeds whereabouts
Officers refused to divulge whether or
not they learned anything of value.
Father Wealthy.
Reeds father turned to detectives as
he left the States attorneys Office and
declared:
II hope you find Willie Reed and
want to see him dead-if he Is
guilty."
The father resides at Four Corners,
near the scene of the Matthews muir
der. He is said by police to have made
fortune In real estate.
Stockton, according to Pugh, is
wanted here for the robbery of a
grocery store at Burnt Mills and for
the hold-up Of taxi driver in Takoma
Park. He was seized as police entered
Boston hotel in search of Reed. They
had been tipped of" the latter was in
hiding there, but he could not be found.
Press Search for Reed.
Federal agents, who entered the hunt
when two of Reeds alleged accom-
plices, under arrest here and in West
Virginia, implicated the young man in
the two murders. two kidnaping-rob-
berries, several automobile thefts and q
hold-up at Oakland, Md.
The West Virginia officers arrived
here several days ago to question Law
renee Gingell, alleged aide of Reed in
both the Matthews and Dollman MUIR
ders, but have not yet talked with the
prisoner.
They said they were primarily inter-
ested at this time in Capturing Reed
and are devoting their efforts at pres
ent to aiding in the search for him.
They will grill Gingell within the next
few days, however.
Evening star., 1936-12-31
MOTORS FOR SPAIN
NOT SHIPPED YET.
|Cuse's Purchase Unpaid For,
Says Brig. Gen. Robins,
at Wright Field.
Ey the Associated Press.

DAYTON, Ohio. December ST.
Brig. Gen. A. w. Robins. chief Of the
Materiel Division at Wright Field,
said today that $50 obsolete Army
airplane motors. repeatedly consigned
to the Spanish government, "have not
even been assembled" (for shipment)
and have mot been paid for"
Commenting on published reports
from Baltimore that the engines, pur-
chased recently from the Army by q
New York broker, were being shipped
abroad by Robert Cuse, q Jersey City
N. j., exporter. Gen. Robins declared:
1.-THE equipment is distributed at
United States Army Air Corps depots
all over the country .. ! doubt
whether it is the equipment referred
to in the dispatch from Baltimore"
1T will not be shipped until money
for the purchase has arrived"
No other sales of obsolete Air
Corps material are planned for the
near future. Gen. Robins said.
Gen. Robins, commandant at Wright
Field, said yesterday that the engines
were sold sight unseen" to Martin
Liling, New York broker, who later
sold them to Cuse, one Of a half dozen
unsuccessful bidders for purchase Of
tho discarded equipment.
The motors, he added, would mot
be suitable for operation against mod
ern aircraft"
Evening star., 1936-12-31
Neutrality
Continued From First Page.)

tIoQlQueO from ElrSC Page.)
gency resolution amending the neu-
trality law to apply to Spain would
limit the Presidents discretion with
out attempting to define a civil war
It would authorize application of
the neutrality act to an internal con-
fict, he said, when the President
found one existing "of such magni-
tude and conducted in such a manner
that it threatens the peace of the
United States
Vandenberg Fears Bad Feeling.
In discussing the matter, Vanden-
berg said:
Neutrality decisions made only
when the crisis is upon us will always
be judged by their immediate effect.
The Spanish case is typical. The
granting of the Cuse license was
hailed in Madrid as favoring the
Spanish Loyalists. 1t was probably
condemned by Franco Ghe Spanish
insurgent commander) as hostile to
the rebellion.
Now when Madrid hears that the
Cuse license Is stopped, it will be I'M
doubtedly interpreted as a switch in
American sympathies.
Yet it is none of these things in
fact, but the misunderstanding are
inevitable when the neutrality deci-
sion has to be made to fit a specific
crisis"
In broadcast address last night,
the Spanish Ambassador asserted the
Spanish loyalists were fighting "for
the same ideal that Lincoln engraved
in the heart of humanity; to estab-
lish government of the people, by
the people and for the people"
He said militarism and, 'unfortu-
nately, the larger parts Of the clergy"
Joined hands in his country against
this ideal.
The church in Spain, he added, has
been characterized by such intoler-
ance as it has not possessed either in
the rest Of Europe or in the United
States.
Evening star., 1936-12-31
Nom Intervention Committee in Lon
don.
CONFIDENCE REvIvING.
Several Cabinet Members May Return
to Madrid.

MADRID, December 81 Pl.-Sev-
eral members Of the Spanish Socialist
cabinet were reported today planning
to return to Madrid to maintain closer
cantact with the besieged capitals
defenders.
The possibility government Offices
might reopen in the center of the
civil war zone was viewed optimistic
cally in some sources as sign Of re-
viving confidence the 54-day Fascist
siege ultimately would be resisted.
Defense of the capital has been in
the virtually dictatorial hands of Gen.
Jose Miaja. head of the defense junta.
since the cabinet Of Francisco Largo
Caballero, Socialist premier and war
minister, moved to Valencia Novem-
ber II. president Manuel Azana
previously had set up his Offices in
Barcelona0
Government armies were massed
in the Tagus River sector and around
Pozuelo de Alarcon, making every ef-
fort to join at point east of Talavera
and cut the Fascist road to Estrema-
dura.
Evening star., 1936-12-31

shipyards to work. not only to in
crease the strength Of their sea de-
fenses. but also vastly to enlarge them.
Italy concentrated on heavy con-
struction to match the formidable
weight of Great Britain's first line
ships.
Germany strained its resources to
| build to the limits Of its 1885 agree
ment with Great Britain. which re-
stricted the Reich to IS per cent Of
British naval power.
James Fighting Ships forecast put
Britain in the lead of contemplated
building, SO warships under construc-
ton or planned.
1t ranked the others in this order:
The United States, 80; Italy, s.;
France. 43; Germany, 80; Japan, 38.
Nothing will remain in force from
the dying treaties. denounced by Japan
December 81, 1884, except part w of
the London pact stating rules Of
international law accepted by the
five Washington powers-the United
States, Great Britain, France, Italy
and Japan-which govern the conduct
Of submarines during times of war.
That section remains in force with
out time limit. It was reaffirmed
last November by the Washington
powers and other maritime nations
were invited to adhere to it-an invi-
tation accepted thus far only by Ger.
many.
Fortifications Offer Danger.
Article 10 of the Washington treaty
also Is about to lapse, presenting new
dangers Of a fortifications race in
the Pacific Ocean, in which the poten-
tial competitors would be the United
States, Japan and Great Britain.
Great Britain will start the naval
race New Year day by laying the keels
for two 35,000-ton battleships to sup
plement its world largest tonnage of
1,222,164. Both ships-the Prince of
Wales and the George will mount
14-inch guns, regardless of what
other nations do" an admiralty
spokesman said.
He referred to a James prediction
two new United States battleships
would carry 16-inch guns. despite the
London agreement giving Japan until
April to decide whether to agree to
. 14-inch limitation for battleship
armaments.
Great Britain aims at 10 cruisers
as q nucleus for its sea defense, set
ting the figure as minimum requi-
site. Bids already have been asked
for two other battleships and 10 cruis-
ers are under consideration now.
Five other vessels-to be converted
into anti-aircraft ships-have been
retained by invoking the escalator
clause Of the London treaty, as well
as 10000 tons of over-age destroyers.
A personnel increase of $500 officers
and men has been ordered to bring
the navy to total Of 1882 men.
Japan and the United States SINH
larry have invoked the escalator clause
to retain over-age ships.
Evening star., 1936-12-31

Expiration Of Treaties Has No Direct
Bearing.
BERLIN, December 81 [Pl-Expira-
ton of naval limitations treaties to-
night will have no direct bearing on
German naval construction, already
proceeding at peak pace.
Naval shipyards are working over
time to build the Reich's sea forces
to the approximate 20.O0O-ton limit
imposed by the Anglo-German treaty
of 1885.
Tonnage under construction in
cludes two 35,O00-ton battleships. two
airplane carriers, three 2,000-ton
cruisers, four 1,625-ton destroyers,
twelve 600-ton torpedo boats and
fourteen submarines.
Evening star., 1936-12-31

(COnClnueQ from First Page.)
even hint was dropped as to what
orders Hitler left behind.
It was assumed, however, the COM
mander of the cruiser Koenigsberg, of
Bilbao, Spain, had been handed his
orders for the next step in freeing the
cargo interned by the Socialists from
the freighter PalOS as war contraband.
Action was expected today on the
Basque governments curt refusal of
the Nazi demand to release the cargo
as 1t had freed the steamer.
The Palos incident was believed to
have been one of the reasons for
Hitler's trip to Berlin after 1t was re-
ported Premier Mrlssolini of Italy had
advised him to ease out Of the Spanish
situation gracefully.
There were signs in some official
quarters the Spanish question was get
ting embarrassing and the foreign
Office mouthpiece, Deutsche Diploma
tisch Pontische Korrespondenz, dis-
played semi-conciliatory tone.
Evening star., 1936-12-31
NAVY MYST|F|ED
BY LACK OF BIDS
Copper, Oil, Steel and Tools
Needed in Program of
Construction.

The inability Of the Navy to pur-
chase sufficient quantities of copper
Oil, steel, machine tools and alcohol
at this time, has the department puz-
zled, officials conceded today.
No responsible official could be
found who would venture guess on
the exact reason for this difficulty in
procurement. They said that as yet
the Navy has not been crippled" by
the lack of legal bids. Ofhcials of the
Bureau of Supplies and Accounts,
Navy Department, said that the sit
uation regarding oil and alcohol is
being clarified and will be Strengthened
out. The picture, they said is a COM
plicated one and it is ''anybodys
problem.
Some observers believe that there
is concerted attempt on the part OF
industry to batter down the Walsh
Healey act, under which firms with
Government contracts cannot work
their employees more than 40 hours q
week without paying overtime rates
set by the Secretary of Labor.
Bids in Conflict Refused.
In many instances bids have been
received, but owing to the conflict
with the Walsh-Healey act, or for
other reasons, the Navy has had to
reject these offers.
Right now the Navy wants to pur-
chase 25,00O,000 pounds of steel for
use in submarine and destroyer con-
struction and for ship repairs, but
thus far it has been able to close con-
tracts for only 100000 pounds.
Bids have been secured for large
part of this, but actually the Bureau
of Supplies and Accounts could, under
the law, accept delivery only for T.
100000 pounds. Authorities are at a
loss to know exactly what they will
do about it.
Officials said the Nays require
ments for oil will be taken care Of.
The delay has hinged to some extent
on the Walsh -Healey act. The alco-
hol situation, which has met legal
barrier, is likewise being cleared due
to a favorable legal Interpretation,
and the Navy hopes to obtain supplies
when it opens bids shortly. There
has been a slowing up Of oil delivery,
but not beyond current needs.
Some Machine Tools Bids.
The Bureau of Supplies and Accounts
has under consideration some bids on
machine tools, but here again the
Walsh -Healey act interferes and bids
cannot be accepted in their present
form. In one case the contractor has
agreed to work his employees on 40
hours week, compensating them for
any overtime, and contract has been
made. The bureau will readvertise in
some case for machine tools.
The Navy tried unsuccesfully in bid
openings December and yesterday 20
get copper. but no bids were received.
One complication is that the domestic
price Of copper is lower than the price
abroad.
Firms tell the Navy that they can
not obtain stocks Of copper for de-
livery to the service.
Some observers see in this situation
a deliberate attempt to strike at
President Roosevelt's labor policy
through the Navy. Naval officials,
however, do not sympathize with this
view, explaining that with the present
prosperity here and war scares abroad
it is q sellers market and not q
buyers.
Evening star., 1936-12-31
Expects to Spend More Than Half
Billion Dollars.

Expects to Spend More Than Half
Billion Dollars.
PARIS, December 81 R.-France
found herself today in race against
Germany and Italy for the worlds
fourth largest navy, at a cost Of more
than a half billion dollars.
With the naval limitation treaties
on the verge of expiration, political
sources said the pressure of domestic
affairs would delay for some time the
possibility of France ratifying the new
1886 London agreement.
The French program includes six
year plan calling for five 35,000-ton
battleships of which two already have
been authorized, and ten 10,O00-ton
cruisers, above a normal schedule for
81 warships totaling $1,000 tons-one
7,600-ton cruiser six destroyers, seven
submarines and auxiliary craft.
Addition of 1000 officers and men
would raise the French Navy to $4,000
men.
Vice Admiral Jean Darlin became
chief Of the general staff under
transfers in the high navy command
effective today, succeeding Vice Ad-
mira Georges Durand-Viel, recently
retired.
Evening star., 1936-12-31
ITALY FOR HEAVIER SHIPS.
Mussolini Takes Up Naval Plans Wit
Experts.

Mussolini Takes Up Naval Plans With
Experts.
ROME. December 81 (P).-Premier
Benito Mussolini's naval experts, with
the check of naval limitation treaties
about to be lifted, stimulated plans
today to construct heavier battleships.
It was understood the ministry OF
marine. of which II Duce himself Is
the head, was drawing up plans for
one or two 35,000-ton warships. be-
sides two which have been under con-
struction since 1884.
Until now the Italian navy has
been built on light, fast cruisers. but
II Duce has recognized the necessity
Of heavyweight ships to compete with
Great Britain, Italy's chief rival in
the Mediterranean.
GERMAN PROGRAM Under WAY.
Evening star., 1936-12-31
STEEL FIRMS AFFECTED.

Workmen Are Laid Off-"Hold''
Orders Received.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, December
81 @.-Strikes in the automobile in
dustry began today to affect the steel
industry, with workmen already laid
OF in fabricating plant and with
hold" orders on steel shipments re-
ceived by larger producers.
The closing Of the Fisher body plant
In Cleveland resulted In the lay-oh
Of some Of the night shift employees
ct the YOUNGSTOWN Metal Products Co,
Evening star., 1936-12-31
FRANCE on ALERT.

May Seek Protection in Mediterranean
to Block Nazi.
PARIS, December 81 RD.-France
may seek a new protective arrange
ment in the Mediterranean unless
Germany withdraws from the Spanish
civil war, foreign Office official said
today.
Evening star., 1936-12-31
Lady Peace Declared Purchased By
Spanish Loyalists.

NEW YORK, December 81 tR.-The
Daily News says five American planes.
including Harry Richman's trans
Atlantic ship. Lady Peace. have been
purchased here for shipment to
Spanish Loyalists.
The ships are being Grated at North
Beach Airport, Queens, Long Island,
under supervision OF Ray Voyse, a
plane broker. who. the News said.
bought them for Robert Cuse of Jersey
City, N. j., a naturalized Russian.
Vimalert Co., Ltd, Cuse's Jersey City
firm. has a license to ship s2,777, 900
worth Of planes and engines to Spain.
Officials of the firm could not be
reached for comment.
CUSE LONG PLANE DEALER.
Evening star., 1936-12-31
BILBAO IGNORES THREATS.

Negotiations for Release Of Captured
Nazi Cargo Closed.
ST. JEAN DE LUZ, France, Decem-
Der 81 R.-The Basque government
of Bilbao ignored threats Of German
warships today and curtly closed ne
gotiations for release Of the captured
cargo of the Nazi freighter Palos.
The Spanish authorities tersely
acknowledged q German ultimatum
from the cruiser Koenigsberg to free
the cargo outright and planned to
present further Developments 10 the