davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1936-12-18
FORMER OFFICIAL
OF N. R. A. is KILLED
Peter H. Van Horn, 43, Dies as
Car Hits Concrete Wall
Near Palm Beach.
BY the Associated Press.


PALM BEACH, Fla. December is.
Peter H. Van Horn. 43, former presi-
dent of the American Federation of
Textiles, Inc. was crushed to death by
the crash of his motor car into a con-
crete wall on a boulevard curve here
early today.
Patrolmen found the wreck at 4:35
am. They said the jammed speedom-
eter indicated II miles an hour. Van
Horn was dressed in evening clothes.
Van Horn lived at the Hotel Plaza
in New York. He came here for the
Christmas season to join his wife and
son. Peter, jr. Mrs. Van Horn, the
former Helen Genevieve Prosser of
Columbus, Ohio, recently filed suit for
divorce. They were married Septem-
ber 20, 1920.
Van Horn was native Of Logan,
Ohio. He attended Ohio State Uni
versity and the University Of Cali
fornia.
He served as pilot in the Army
Air Corps in the World War. He start
ed his business career with the Ma
tional City Bank in New York in 1919.
Later he held executive positions with
Allen Archer Co. Of Los Angeles, K. w.
Kays Co. of Los Angeles. the Columbus
Better Business Bureau and the Ma
tional Association of Better Business
Bureaus.
He served as a consultant on the
staff of the National Recovery Admin
istration in Washington for a short
time in 1884 and went to New York as
chairman of the N. r. A. code author
ity for the silk industry.
Evening star., 1936-12-18

Continued From First Page)
the proposed creation Of an Associa-
ton of American Republics, the sub
committee suggested that nations
sponsoring it report their views to the
Pan-American Union to prepare a
compilation of opinions for the Lima
parley.
FavorabIy Reported.
The debate occurred yesterday in
the Committee on Peace Organization
after another subcommittee reported
favorably on the plan. recommended
by Colombia and the Dominican Re
public.
The attack on the American League
Of Nations idea was led by Argentine
Foreign Minister Carlos Saavedra
Lamas, recent winner of the Nobel
Peace Prize, and Hildebrando Accioly
OF Brazil. They said such an organ
ization would not be feasible at
present.
Declared Pact Need.
Others contended hotly it had been
advocated in the Western Hemisphere
Tor generations and was needed to
complement the peace maintenance
pact approved by the full conference
Wednesday.
The United States delegation yes
terday won the Economic Committees
approval for its recommendation the
governments of the 81 American re-
publics establish equality of treatment
in International trade.
Evening star., 1936-12-18
ROOSEVELT ACTS
TOCUT HANDOUTS
Believes There Is Too Much
Printed Matter Being
Put Out.
BY J. RUSSELL YOUNG.

President Roosevelt plans to bring
about a reduction in the amount Of
printed matter put out by the various
Government departments and inde-
pendent agencies, it was disclosed to-
day at his press conference.
The first step by the President will
be to have as much as possible of the
material printed at the Government
Printing ONCE instead of by the
separate establishments. Mr.. Roose-
welt believes there is entirely too much
unnecessary printed matter being put
out by the various establishments and
he is determined to eliminate some of
the waste.
Moreover, the President frowns on
as unauthorized the widespread use of
multilithographic machines by various
establishments In grinding out Their
reading matter. He added that
through the medium of these ma
chimes some establishments are side
stepping their printing appropriations.
His plan Is to go back to the old
policy of centralized printing at the
G. P. o.
During the World War, mimeograph
and multilithograph machines were
introduced in the departments. Presi-
dent Coolidge succeeded in putting a
stop to their use for a while, but in
recent years the practice has been re-
sumed until it has reached proportions
far in excess Of the World War period.
With these machines some departments
have set up what is virtually print
ing Office of their own for the purpose
of publiciZing their various activities.
The President realizes that some of
this matter is valuable and should be
widely circulated and he has no in
tention of curbing such publications,
but he is going to bring about big
reduction in what is classed as just
plain propaganda.
Mr.. Roosevelt already has discussed
the matter with Public Printer A. E.
Giegengack. The President said the
G. P. o. has facilities to handle as
much multilithographic material as
the departments should need.
During his talk with the public
printer, Mr.. Roosevelt made arrange
ments for printing of the three ad-
dresses he made on his recent South
American visit. He said he has had
many requests. principally from South
Americans. for copies Of these three
addresses.
Evening star., 1936-12-18
RAIL BOOKKEEPING
CALLED CROOKED
Mo. Pac. Treasurer, William
Wyer, Quotes John w.
Barriger of R. F. C.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
William Wyer, treasurer of the Mis-
souri, Pacific system, testified today
that "the best-informed man on rail-
road details in America" had described
the roads bookkeeping as crooked"
He told the Senate's Railroad FL
nance Investigating Committee he
considered John W. Barriger, chief of
the Reconstruction Finance Corps
Railroad Division, mot one of the best,
but the best informed" railway expert
in the country.
And Barriger told you he thought
the Missouri Paciflc's bookkeeping was
crooked, didn't he?" asked Chairman
Wheeler.
Yes, he did, and I was very sur
prised to hear it," Wyer answered.
s14,365,O0O Debt Not Shown.
This conversation took place in a
Senate corridor last night, Wyer said
after Barriger had testified that the
r. F. c. might never have lent Sl7.-
100000 to the Missouri Pacific II it
had known of a S14,365, 900 debt no.
shown on the roads balance sheet
Reiterating his belief that the rail-
ways accounting was quite proper,
Wyer read 1888 memorandum which
he said was written by Barriger sup
porting the financial soundness of
Missouri Pacific.
Arthur NJ Anderson, a partner in J
Gx alec 70 he oa1lorl
to the witness stand today to rouno
out testimony on alleged false state
ments" by Missouri Pacific Railroad
officials in obtaining a $17,100,0 900
Government loan.
The investigators hoped to obtain
from him information about the use
made Of this and other loans, which
eventually totaled s23000,0O0.
Committee records showed a Morgan
banking syndicate played major role
in financing the Van Sweringen rail
network and eventually took a $40
900 900 loss when the systems control
ling securities were sold at auction last
year.
Loan Made in 1892.
Chairman Jesse Jones of the Recon-
struction Finance Corp. told the Sen
ate Railroad Finance Investigating
Committee yesterday that the s17.-
100000 loan was made in 1882. soon
after the late Van Sweringen brothers
added the Missouri Pacific to their
23,000-mile transportation system.
Jones and Barriger testified the
money might never have been loaned
if they had known of a S14.365 900
debt not disclosed on the Missouri
Pacif1c's balance sheet.
Neither the r. F. C. nor the Inter
state Commerce Commission had been
informed, Barringer said. that this
sum was owing to another Van Swer-
ingen company, Terminal Shares.
line, under a contract made "a few
weeks" before the loan was sought.
Evening star., 1936-12-18
DANGERS AROUSE
|A.A.A. COMMITTEE
Advisory Board Votes for
Immediate Improvement
of Highway.

Aroused by the conditions existing
on Old Georgetown road. a special
committee of the Advisory Board of
the American Automobile Association,
after a considerable investigation
threw its support with the residents
of that section demanding an i'm
mediate improvement.
On motion of Washington !. Cleve-
land the committee unanimously
recommended "as the first step in
meeting the traffic hazard, the State
Roads Commission take care Of neces-
sary maintenance work to put the
road in a first-class condition, such
as setting the culverts back, filling
in the low shoulders and handling
drainage properly at intersections Of
streets and private drives"
Harold E. Doyle, another member
of the committee, asked that the State
Roads Commission prepare an i'm
mediate survey with the view toward
grading and sidewalk paving later.
This resolution was carried unani-
mously also.
Notices Of the action of the COM
mittee were ordered sent to the Board
of County Commissioners. the State
Roads Commission, the Montgomery
Civic Federation, the Bethesda Cham
Der of Commerce, and the Old George
town Road Citizens Association.
The action of the committee, headed
by its chairman, G. Adams Howard,
practically indorses the action taken
by local Montgomery County citizens
at mass meeting last Wednesday
night. 1t was brought out that con-
ditions of the road were perilous, par
ticularly because busses have replaced
trolley cars. The committee felt that
it should only ask what might be
obtained at this time A survey of
conditions and a traffic count had
been undertaken by the A. A. A.
Irving c. Root, chief engineer of
the Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission, made an
address showing the physical contours
of the road running between Bethesda
and Alta Vista. He praised the action
of the committee.
1t was announced that Nathan L.
Smith, chief engineer of the Maryland
Roads Commission. had promised to
come here from Baltimore next week
to study conditions and was already
favorable to the plans favored by the
committee.
Richard NJ Ham. safety director Of
the A. A. A, spoke on the dangers
of the road, following a personal
survey. Russell z. Singer, local gen.
eral manager of the association, also
was present.
The committee met at A. A. A. head
quarters. Because dangers of the road
constitute an emergency. in the opin-
ion of members of the Advisory
Board, the committee is empowered
to act without further authority from
the board.
Evening star., 1936-12-18

were reported ready to leave either for
Sianfu or Taiyuan-Fu.
Other trusted emiSsaries Of the
Nanking government and of Marshal
Chang were reported Fastening to
Taiyuan-Fu to discuss final terms for
the peaceful release of Gen. Chang.
The rebellious Chang, it was
thought, might be going to the rem
devious at Taiyuan-Fu to press his
terms in person.
One report said. the former Man.
churian war lord already had left
Sianfu by plane. In some quarters,
however, this was interpreted as an
attempt to flee the country in the face
of the determined assault being made
on his Shensi stronghold.
The Control Yuan (CounciD of the
central government. branding Chang
bandit and rebel, insisted that the
freedom of their chieftain was the
only issue on which they would treat.
Seizure of the beloved head of the
other high dignitaries, they said,
placed Chang outside any political
consideration.
The government will never come to
political terms with him." spokes-
man said.
While hopeful that peaceful solu-
ton to the grave crisis could be found
the Marking authorities did not neg
lect the possibility of failure and
pressed their attack on Chang's mu-
tinous forces.
Movements Are Secret.
Movements of the negotiators were
surrounded with the utmost secrecy
from the moment Chang's first mes
senger arrived.
DR.. Kung expressed the unyielding
attitude of the Marking government
to any solution of the crisis except
the return of Gen. Chang.
Otherwise he indicated there would
be relentless suppression Of the re-
bellion.
"The personal safety Of one man"
he announced. should not be al
lowed to interfere with the normal
conduct of government.
THE campaign on the sianfu bor-
der against the rebels will be pur-
sued with undated vigor"
On the warfront a loyal force be-
lieved to number more than 100000
men was nearing the rebel stronghold.
Recurrent clashes between Ma
tionalist forces and those of Marshal
Chang, the government reported, re-
suited in reducing the ring they were
drawing about Sianfu.
Retreat Is Reported.
The rebel legions were said to be
retreating toward their headquarters
which they we're fortifying for last
ditch stand.
Military observers foresaw quick
victory for the punitive expedition if
the conferences to release Gen. Chang
do not meet with success.
Indications here were that Taiyuan-
fu had been selected as q neutral"
meeting place to enhance the proba-
bility of success Of the delicate nego-
tiations.
Far removed from Nanking, where
tension has been high since the out
break of the rebellion last week end,
it lies some 400 miles northeast of
Sianfu.
Well out of both the political and
military arena, observers felt that
there peaceful end to the impasse
might be found.
Evening star., 1936-12-18

Eanking government to halt military
action against the mutineers.
Thoroughly mystified, the Chinese
officials were felt to believe the letter
had been written under pressure.
Adding uncertainty to the confused
situation was the mystery surround
ing James Elder, Marshal Chang's ad-
wiser, whose arrival at Marking yes
terday was thought to have paved the
way for any definite terms Gen.
Chang Ting-wen was bringing.
Elder, a British subject, informed
che British Embassy he was with
drawing from the negotiations and it
was believed he had left for
Shanghai
Departure Is Rumored.
Elder previously had been reported
as leaving for the northwest either to
report to Marshal Chang or to enter
into new negotiations at the "neu-
tral" city of Taiyuan-fu, capital Of
Shansi Province.
One report said Elder, who was un-
derstood to have taken steps to be-
come a naturalized American citizen,
was not severing his connections with
the rebellious young marshal, but was
stunning the limelight under pressure
from British authorities.
Elders day-long conference with
Nanking officials yesterday was
thought to have concerned at least the
immediate return of Gen. Chang Kai-
shek regardless of what disposition
might be made of Marshal Chang's de-
mands that the government. reor-
ganized to include Communist ele-
ments, declare war on Japan.
After the conference ended yester-
day q group of Nanking authorities
Evening star., 1936-12-18
POSTMASTER ACTS
TO SPEED MAILING
Stations to Be Open From 7:30
to $50 PM, Early Box
Collection Arranged.

Two new services are being inaugu-
rated by Postmaster Vincent C. Burke
in an effort to speed up Christmas
mailing. he announced today.
For the first time. starting tonight,
stations will be open from 7:3O to
$50 o'clock for the convenience Of
patrons.
There also is a city-wide box COL
lection being made at S am. daily
now. Burke explained that he felt
this would take care of the huge
volume Of Christmas cards that people
address at their homes at night if
they will go to their nearest box and
mail them promptly.
Evening star., 1936-12-18
CAST TO BE CHOSEN

srecIal Dispatch to The star.
SILVER SPRING, Nd, December
l8.-Casting of the play, Eight at
Tillumcot." which will be presented
February 4 and by the Little Theater
of Takonia Park. will be made tonight
at the home of the author, E. Francis
McDevitt
Although published last year. this
will be the first time the play has been
produced in Montgomery County. 1t
was given its premiere performance by
the Blackfriars' Guild at st. Dominic's
Hall in Washington. and is being given
at various other places in the country
this Winter.
Evening star., 1936-12-18
U. S. FLYER ARRIVES.

Pilot for Chang in Taiyuanfu, Airport
Director Says.
HANKOW, China, December 18
R.-Royal Leonard, American pilot
for Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang, has
arrived at Taiyuanfu. Shansi Province
capital, Julius Barr, director of Han
kow Airport, said today.
Geonard, a former resident of
Glendale. Calf. had been reported
detained" at Sianfu, headquarters Of
the rebellious n1arshal.)
Evening star., 1936-12-18
China

Continued From First Page)
Evening star., 1936-12-18
EDEN TELLS OF GAS MASKS
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, December 1S.-Foreign
to the House of Commons that the
British government has sold gas masks
to the Spanish Socialist administration
was followed quickly today by authori-
tative assertions such war equipment
Is equally available to the insurgents.
Evening star., 1936-12-18
Spanish
Continued From First Page.)

that comparatively few troops are en-
gagged in the Spanish war. Estimates
of the forces vary, but the extent Of
active war zones shows there prob
ably are only a quarter of a million
men under arms in both armies.
That doesn't look as If two desper-
ate factions had the whole-hearted
support of the country. 1t looks more
as If Spain as a whole were willing to
settle the argument by oratory and
the ballot. process that yielded
mostly trouble in the five years since
former King Alfonso was outsted and
the republic established.
MADRID ATTACK SHIFTED
Evening star., 1936-12-18
ParIey

Continued From First Page.)
Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-03-27
Six Women and Eight Men
Are Killed When Huge
Ship Crashes Near
Mexico City
EUROPEAN NOBILITY
INCLUDED IN DEAD
Plane Falls While Attempt
ing To Pass Between Two
Towering Volcanic Peaks;
Investigation Ordered, but
Will Probably Reveal Lit
tie Evidence

Mexico City, March 27.-(AP)-SiS
women and eight men, ranging ir
rank from members of European no.
bility to a Costa Rican steward boy
were brought back dead to this CAPT
tai today, victims of an air disaster
which halted a carefree trip to Cen
trail America.
Authorities said the bodies, two
badly crushed and burned to permit
certain Identification, would be ere.
mated after brief services.
The IA persons, ten European tour
lists and four members of the crew OF
a trio-motored plane they chartered
for a flight through Guatemala and
Central America, died yesterday when
the great ship crashed near Ameca-
MEGA while attempting to pass be-
tween two towering volcanic peaks sc
miles from the capital.
Pan-American Anyways officials or
dered a technical investigation into
this worst disaster in the history OF
Mexican aviation, but expressed doubt
that the cause ever could be deter
mined definitely because of the con
dition of the wreckage.
Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-03-27
Push Fight
For SnUiM9
HaMptn11n1

Trenton, N. j., March 81
(AP)-A Federal wood experts
opinion that evidence concern
ing rail 16 of the Lindbergh kid
nap ladder was Framed" form
ed today the basis of a new and
harder fight to save Bruno
Richard Hauptmann from the
electric chair.
The wood expert, Arch w. Loney,
of the Department of the Interior,
Washington, D. c., called Attorney
General David T. Wiltentz, an autho-
ritative source disclosed, and asked
him to agree to 3O-day judicial stay
of execution.
WiIentz Declines Comment
Wilentz declined to comment when
asked what he would do, but he is
known to oppose any further moves
to halt the execution.
Nevertheless, it is expected that
Governor Harold G. Hoffman will
take Loney's opinion before the court
of pardons tomorrow or Monday in
an effort to save Hauptmann.
But any attempt of the governor
CONTINUED on, Page FiVe)
Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-03-27
43,
White Man.
Is Executed
Columbus County
Farmer Pays With
His Life at State
Prison for Murder

Raleigh, March 27.-(AP)-Bright
Buffkin, 43-year-old Columbus county
farmer, died by gas at States Prison
today for the murder last year Of B.
A. Barefoot.
Buffkin, native of South Carolina,
died quietly. The gas generating equip
ment was started at 1887, and DR..
G. s. Coleman, prison physician, pro-
nounced him dead at 10:45 a. m.
The fifth victim and second white
man to die of gas in the chamber,
constructed last year, Buffkin was
convicted of shooting Barefoot fatally
after an argument on country road.
He lost an appeal to the Supreme
Court and Governor Ehringhaus de-
clined to intervene for him after
granting two reprieves
Body Is Claimed.
Records show Buffkin is survived
by his widow and five children. The
body was taken to Columbus county
shortly after the execution.
In the death chamber, Buffkin said
he was ready to 60" He nodded and
said goodbye to witnesses watching
through heavy glass plates.
Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-03-27
If Prosecution Would Tell
Him He Had Right, He
Would Gladly Re-
prieve Prisoner
VIGOROUS ATTACK
MADE UPON HAUCK
More Firmly Convinced
Than Ever That Haupt-
mann Did Not Get Fair
Trial, Governor Says LIN
Statement; Says He Would
Welcome Legislative Probe

Trenton, N. j., March 81
(AP)-Governor Harold G.
Hoffman charged today that
"the whole (Hauptmann) case
wreaks with unfairness, pas
sion and prejudice" and assert
ed that if the prosecution
would tell him he had the
right, he would ''be glad to
grant a further reprieve."
In a statement that bristled with
derision of Prosecutor Anthony M
Hauck. Jr., of Hunterdon county
where Bruno Richard Hauptmann
was convicted early last year of the
murder of the Lindbergh baby, Gov
ernor Hoffman said he did not be-
lieve he had the right to- grant an
other reprieve but that eff the bril-
liant Mr.. Hauck and his legal advisors
will advise me that I do have that
right, I shall be glad to exercise it. -
Trial Called Unfair.
IT am more firmly convinced than
ever that Hauptmann was not given
a trial in line with what we consider
to be American standards of Justice.
In some quarters the governors
statement was interpreted as remov-
ing still further the chance that
Hauptmann would be reprieved again.
Attorney General David T. Wilentz
and Hauck, as we'll as many other le-
gal authorities, have maintained that
the power of reprieve expired long be-
fore the first stay granted by the gov
ernor on January 16.
Hauck has said he will oppose any
such move in the courts and Wilentz
said today he would issue a statement
CONTINUED on Page Six.)
Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-03-27
Says Committee Thinks 1t
Greatest Hope and Most
Effective Measure
Yet Proposed
FURTHER EFFORTS
FUTILE, HOWEVER
Virginia Unwilling To Go
Along and South Carolina
Is Showing Very Little In
terest; Committee Votes to
Concentrate on Soil Con-
servation

Raleigh, March 27.-(AP)-Gover-
nor Ehringhaus commented today the
tobacco central steering committee
was still strongly of the opinion that
a voluntary sign-up for 1896 furnish
ed the greatest hope and the most
effective measure yet proposed" to
control this years crop, though it had
been temporarily abandoned.
With the voluntary contracts being
offered in this State containing pro-
vision 80 percent of the growers in
Virginia and South Carolina must also
sign, Governor Ehringhaus said it was
manifest to the committee further eff
forts were futile, with Virginia I'M
willing and South Carolina taking no
such steps.
The committee members "voiced
their disappointment that coopera-
tive and vigorous effort along volun
tary control lines was at the present
impossible" the governor added.
Yesterday the committee voted to
concentrate on the soil conservation
program to control tobacco and tenn
porarily abandon the voluntary con-
tract movement launched last week.
Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1936-03-27
Gebhardt Staying
Admitted on Stand
By His Secretary

New York, March 27.-(AP)-Vera
Stretz admitted on the witness stand
today that she fatally shot DR.. Fritz
Gebhardt her wealthy lover and one
time employer.
The 32-year-old secretary, first wit
ness in her own defense, told Of her
education and of the purchase of re-
volver some years ago.
Then her attorney, Samuel Lie
bowitz, suddenly asked:
"You shot Gebhardt, didn't you?"
Eyes" the blonde young woman re-
piled.
She appeared to be breaking, but
recovered her poise.
She admitted the shooting in a dull
voice. without expression. Liebowitz
then asked her about meeting Geb-
hardt on a cruise in 1884.