davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-01-23
Seal Proposes April October
Payments on D. G. Income Tax

Amendment OF the District income
tax law to permit split payments
to be made April IS and October Is
was to be proposed to the Com
missioners this afternoon by Cor
poration Counsel Elwood H. Seal.
This amended plan for bringing
relief to taxpayers was developed
this morning by Mr.. Seal in confer
.ence with his assistants, Assessor
Edward A. Dent, and other District
officials. Under this arrangement,
the final date for filing of return
would be April Is instead of
March Is.
The Commissioners already have
declared they favored proposals to
tighten the burden Of the income
tax, which under present law would
fall due In one sum on or before
March Is, but ths new Seal plan
Evening star., 1940-01-23

goes a bit farther than that dis
cussed last week.
In response to protest made by
merchants and other taxpayers, it
had been planned to ask Congress
to permit splitting of the payment
between March is and September
Is. The more liberal plan was de-
veloped today because September as
well as March is month of heavy
tax requirements on local taxpayers.
The plan would not call for any
penalty interest payment to be made
by taxpayers who elect to defer half
Of the income tax payment until
fall. District officials emphasized it
would be necessary for the District
to obtain congressional approval for
any necessary advances Of funds
from the Treasury which might be
needed by the District to prevent
q deficit,
Evening star., 1940-01-23
Morgenthou Urges Increase
In Debt Limit to so Billions
Cut Expenditures,
Raise Tuxes to bulunce
Budget, He Says
By the Associated Press.

by the Associated PreSS.
Secretary of the Treasury Nor
genthau contends the limit on the
Federal debt should be raised to
$50 200, ,000, 900 and that the budget
should be balanced by reduced ex-
penditures and increased taxes.
Answering a barrage Of questions,
the Secretary told members of the
House Appropriations Committee
during hearings on his departments S
194l supply bill:
Il think it (the debt limit should
be raised to $50,000, 100000.
do I think the budget should be
balanced? Yes. Do I think ex-
penditures should be cut down? Yes.
Do I think taxes should be in
creased? Yes. But if you say,
'Morgenthau, what kind of taxes
should there be?' I cannot answer
that because I do not know"
The report of the hearings was
made public today.
S45,O00, ,0OO, 900 Present Limit.
Secretary Morgenthau said that
If it was up to him he would rec
ommend raising the debt limit from
the present $45, 200, 100000 and that
he would take another look" at the
situation when the figure reached
$40 900 100000.
II am willing to say now, gentle
men, that there is no particular
danger involved if Congress would
raise the debt limit to $4,000, 900, :
Evening star., 1940-01-23
Trey Unable to Explain Dropping
OfLouisionu Income Tax Cases

to determination of prosecution is
entirely within the jurisdiction of
the Department of Justice. We
did complete the Investigations
of these cases, and there had been
indictments, think, in 20 or Is
cases"
And you had developed evidence
that seemed to you sufficient to
warrant convictions?" Mr.. Taber
asked.
Yes" Mr.. Trey replied.
"And what actuated the Depart
ment of Justice in easing off in that
situation is beyond your KEMP" Mr.
Taber continued.
1T is not within our province"
Mr.. Trey said.
Subsequently, Mr.. Trey continued,
the Internal Revenue Bureau COL
lected about $4,000 900 in these cases
in civil actions before the Board of
Tax Appeals.
Criminal prosecutions, he added,
would not have increased this COL
lection, but there might have been
indirect benefit" in other litigation
had they been carried through.
Evening star., 1940-01-23
British Cite Lack
Of Cooperation
For Ship Delays
Advance Cargo Doto
And Guarantees Not
Given, Official Says
(Tert of Aide Memoire, Page All

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, Jan. 23.-A spokesman
for the ministry OF economic war
fare said today that the reluctance
of American shippers to cooperate
in supplying advance information
and guarantees concerning their
cargoes was responsible for delays
in passing United States ships
through British contraband control
stations.
Referring to complaints by the
United States Government that
American ships were being detained
at contraband control points an
average of 1874 days-three times
as long as italian vesses-the
spokesman said these additional
points figured in the situation:
Italian ships for the most part
carry bulk cargoes, whereas Amer
ican cargoes often include as many
as 300 items, thus requiring longer
time for examination; American
ships usually touch at various ports
all around the Mediterranean,
whereas the italians are going only
to Italy.
The American objections to the
British procedure applied especially
to the Mediterranean area and the
Gibraltar control point.
Two Cases Cited.
United States Secretary of State
Cordell Hull in formal diplomatic
communication addressed to the
British Ambassador, Lord Lothian,
last Saturday objected to "discrim-
inatory" treatment of American
ships in the Mediterranean. Mr..
Hull expressed his Governments
serious concern" over the situation.
Today the British spokesman cited
the cases of two American ships.
He said the Examalia arrived at
Gibraltar Sunday without any adj
vance information on the cargo hav-
ing been submitted and added that
none had been received up to to.
day.
Similarly, said the spokesman, the
ministry of economic warfare had
not received a hold back" guaran-
tea guarantee by the shipper to
hold the cargo at the destination
until it had been examined by Brit
ish agents or until assurance has
been given that it is not going to
Germany.
The United States liner Washing.
ton, on the other hand, arrived at
Gibraltar Saturday and sailed in IL
hours as result Of q hold back"
arranged through agents the day
before her arrival, the spokesman
said.
Evening star., 1940-01-23
by the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
The Treasury official who directed
the 1895 investigation of Louisiana
income tax evasions told a congress
sional committee II cannot answer"
why the Justice Department failed
to proceed with prosecution of in
dictments growing out of the inquiry.
This testimony of Elmer L. Trey,
chief Of the Treasury's Intelligence
Unit, was made during hearings, the
text of which was released today.
"A Mr.. Fisher was convicted and
sentenced" Mr.. Trey said, land then
there was trial of another case,
Shushan, which resulted in an ac-
quittal. There were no further cases
after that"
Representative Taber, Republican,
of New York asked why the cases
were not followed up and brought
to conclusion"
You are asking me a question
that I cannot answer" Mr.. Trey re-
piled. I'VE made these investiga-
tions and made reports to the De-
partment Of Justice, which prose-
cutes these cases. The question as
Evening star., 1940-01-23
u. S. Denies British
Arguments ON Shipping
By the Associated Press,

BY the Associated Press
Informed of a British statement
that American shippers are reluctant
to cooperate in the British contra
band control, State Department ofi-
cials made this triple comment to-
day:
l. American shippers are CO.
operating to an amazing extent to
avoid unpleasant incidents.
2. They are not obliged to CO.
operate at all.
3. Possible lack of cooperation
does not excuse the British for un-
due detention of American ships.
Officials listed cooperation by
shippers as embracing application
to British authorities for navicerts
navigation certificates) supplying
copies of their manifests Oists of
cargo by airmail, and giving So
called black diamond guarantees.
which are promises not to discharge
suspected items of cargo until the
British have approved.
3,214 Navicerts Issued.
At the British Embassy an offi-
cial said 3,214 navicerts had been
issued to American shippers in De-
cember and that in January they
were being issued at the rate Of
100 to 160 a day.
The navicert certifies that a Brit
ish official in the United States
has okayed some or all of the cargo
of an American ship leaving an
American port on the grounds that
it is not contraband and is not des-
tined for Germany. Possession of
navicerts by ships captain when
stopped by a British or French war
ship entities the ship to speedier
handling.
A navicert covers only a certain
item of cargo and not necessarily
the whole ship. It may embrace
three sewing machines, 200 boxes of
prunes or a ships whole cargo Of
oil.
The State Department has re-
(See PROTEST PAGE AL
Evening star., 1940-01-23

BY the Associated Press.
The House Appropriations Com
mittee, expressly endeavoring to
hold spending ito the lowest possible
figure" trimmed $l3,314,3O0 today
from the recommended 81, ,080, ,657 ,2l2
total OF two administration appro-
priation bills.
The Treasury-Post Office supply
measure, carrying funds for the fis-
cal year beginning July /, was re-
duced by s11,491 300, making it
81 ,032, 1882, and an urgent de-
ficiency appropriation was cut by
1892, 400, making it $50 8,502 800.
The committee also approved a
resolution to permit the Agriculture
Department to transfer $11 ,0OO, 900
from It's funds for parity payments
to its price adjustment program.
All three measures, reported to
the House simultaneously, will be
considered after the House has dis
posed of resolution to continue the
Dies Committee investigation of un-
American Activities.
The cuts were generally in line
with recent House and Apporpria-
tions Committee actions. Last week
the House slashed $94.800,0 900 from
the Independent Offices supply bill
and the House and Senate Appro-
priations Committee together cut a
total of $20,O00.0O0 from an emerg-
ency defense appropriation.
In reducing the Treasury-Post-
office measure the committee knock
ed out $3,5l9,000 of a fund asked
by the Coast Guard for its neutrality
patrol, reducing the sum to $4.29O,-
655. 1t refused to allow $3.50, ,0OC
for the installation of submarine
detection devices on 81 Coast Guard
cutters and 40 patrol boats and also
disaliowed 81 500 900 for purchase oil
new airplanes. The amount recon-
mended by the committee for the
latter purpose was 100000.
Approving the Presidents request
for an additional $3,154, ,629 for for
eign airmail for the coming fiscal
year. the committee approved total
OF $l5,674,149 for that purpose. The
increase over the present years ap.
preparation was attributed to in
creased rates on the trans-Pacifie
route and to stepped-up frequency
OF trips to South America.
"The present disturbed conditions
In Europe and other parts of the
world have brought an important
opportunity for the United States ir
connection with the markets o1
South and Central America" the
committee asserted.
Evening star., 1940-01-23
House Opens Debate
On Extending Life
Of Dies Committee
Peace League About to
Fold Up,' Thomas Says;
Discussion Limited
BULLETIN.

The House today voted con-
tinuation Of the Dies Committees
investigation of un-American &C
tivities for another year.
Representative Thomas, Repuo-
lican. of New Jersey, a member Of
the now defunct Dies committee,
told the House this afternoon he had
learned "on good authority" the
American League for Peace and De-
mocracy "is about to fold up and
go out of the business of hood
winking the Government" He de-
scribed the league as Moscow's most
successful united front and trans
mission belt in the United States"
Representative Allen, Republican,
of Illinois opened the debate on q
resolution to recreate the committee
by expressing the hope that mem
bers of the league would be lex
posed" and those in the Government
service forced off the pay roll Of
the United States"
The old Dies Committee charged
that the league is Communist
front organization
Representative Allen charged that
the league was Graded" in Red
Russia.
Disclosure several months ago by
the Dies group of the membership
and mailing list" of the Washington
branch of the league was described
by President Roosevelt as "sordid
procedure" The list contained the
names Of 463 persons, most of them
in the Government service.
Made Enemies.
Mr.. Allen told the House it was
natural" for the old Dies Commit
tee to run into enemies" because
it had stepped on the toes of Ger
tain organizations and individuals. "
Chairman SABBATH of the powerful
Rules Committee, which yesterday
favorably reported to the House the
resolution to extend the Dies Com
mittee for another year, said he was
opposed to reviving the committee
because he felt it had already "un-
fairly assailed" many outstanding
men, women and organizations. He
emphasized, however, he was op-
posed to Communism, Nazi-ism and
other subversive movements in the
United States.
Mr.. SABBATH also told the House
he had received petitions from a
number of organizations asking an
opportunity to be heard in oppo-
sition to revival of the committee
The House began consideration
OF the resolution promptly at 1925
o'clock with all members of the old
un-American Investigating Commit
(Cee nTEC Doro 1nN
Evening star., 1940-01-23
Russians Beaten Back
With Heavy Losses,
Films Report
Casualties in Thousands
In Fighting to North
Of Lake Lodoeo
By the Associated Press.

HELSINKI, Jan. %. Russian
troops trying to break through Fin
nish defenses northeast of Lake
Ladoga are taking a terrific punish
ment, tonight's Finnish Army COM
munique reported.
Casualties were reported to have
run into the thousands.
At one point alone, the commu-
nique said-at Kollaanjoki in the
Loimola district-the enemy left up
ward of thousand dead in the past
two days.
On the Karelian Isthmus front
artillery action from both sides con-
tinued and the war was brought
again to Helsinki this afternoon
with the approach of Russian bomb
ing planes.
The planes were driven off by
Finnish anti-aircraft fire.
Northeast of Lake Ladoga, on the
Russian frontier north OF the
Karelian Isthmus in Southeast Fin
land, "our troops continued the fight
with success" the communique said.
Attacks Beaten OF.
"All attacks massed by the enemy
at different points were beaten off
with heavy losses to the enemy" it
continued. "On the subject of
enemy losses it may be mentioned
that for instance in the fighting at
Kolaanjoki the number of enemy
dead has mounted during the past
two days to upward of 1000"
The communique said that "ac-
cording to confirmed reports six
enemy planes had been shot down
and "the fate of three others is still
uncertain"
No bombs were dropped in today's
raid on Helsinki.
An air alarm sounded at 2:30 pm,
but the all-clear signal came half an
hour later.
Members of the American Lega-
ton staff at nearby Grankulla heard
the bombers pass, but no bombs were
dropped there. i.
Russian Fleet Hard Hit.
According to dispatches from Lat
via published in the newspapers
here the Russian Baltic fleet has
taken heavy punishment in the first
eight weeks of the war, especially
considering the fact that naval
activity has been practically frozen
up during the past two weeks.
The Red fleet has lost three
destroyers, number Of auxiliary
vessels and battleship, these dis
patches said, and the, battleship
Evening star., 1940-01-23
Policeman Bribes
Driver to Submit
To Arrest With Cop

DES MONIES, Iowa, Jan. 23
@.-When Highway Patrol
man N. B. Wilson came to the
station wearing a derby hat
while a man with him was
wearing the patrolman's uni
form cap, other officers were
perplexed.
Explanation disclosed the CIV
ilian had been arrested for
driving while Intoxicated and
had fatty refused to 60 to the
station unless Patrolman VII
son would agree to change hats
with him.
Evening star., 1940-01-23
Dry Spell for Capitol

OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 23 @.-
The capitol was really dry during
the cold spell.
The pipes froze, and State en-
ployes couldn't even get water, their
chief beverage since Gov. Leon G.
Phillips, q strong dry in this State,
took ofYlce. 4
Evening star., 1940-01-23
Bandit Robs Two Banks
In 20 Minutes, Is Slain
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LYONS, Kans., Jan. 23.-An un-
identified man robbed banks at
Bushton and Claf1in within 20 min
utes today and was slain by Fred
Adams, Claflin City marshal, as he
attempted to escape. The two Gen.
trail Kansas towns are miles apart.
The bandit, about Is years old,
first held up the Bushton State
Bank. He fled in a coupe with an
undetermined amount of money.
Evening star., 1940-01-23
Shifting Steel Kills
7 in Truck Crash
Al BeItsviI|e
Lood Pitches Through
Cab as Van Rums
Standing Vehicle
(Picture on Page BIZ

Two men were crushed to death
when a heavy load of form steel was
pitched forward through the cab of
their tractor-trailer by the force of
a rear-end collision with a standing
truck on the Washington Baltimore
boulevard at BeltsviIle, Md, this
morning
The men were identified through
drivers permits, social security cards
and other documents as:
Willard C. Williams of 226 Tenth
street. Laurel, DEL, driver Of the
vehicle
Saeser Esposito of 11O6 Allerton
avenue. Bronx, New York City, his
companion.
Their vehicle. bearing New York
tags. ploughed into the back Of an
other truck which had stopped on
the highway for an automatic tramc
signal at the Capital Transit Coz
street car crossing.
The rammed truck, in turn, was
driven into the rear of another, also
waiting for the light to change. None
of the occupants of the second or
third vehicles was injured and the
trucks were not badly damaged.
Bodies Extricated.
Police and first aid units which
rushed to the scene were an hour
in extricating the bodies of the two
dead men from the wreckage. A
portion of the steel load on the New
York truck had to be removed, while
iron crowbars were used to force
open the crushed cab.
w. r. Richards and G. w. Gray
Prince Georges County policemen,
said the New York truck was pro-
ceeding toward Washington when
1t crashed into the truck operated
by James F. Robertson, "a, of 1918
Vargrave street, Winston Salem
N. c., and loaded with 10 tons OF
asphalt in drums.
Mr.. RoDertson's truck struck a
refrigerator truck loaded with fresh
meat and driven by Grover c.
Richards, jr., %, of Ridgely street
Baltimore.
Killed Outright.
The accident occurred about $50
am. and it was said Mr.. Williams
and Mr.. Esposito apparently were
killed outright when the heavy load
of form steel rammed forward
through the front wall of the trailer
and tore through the cab of the
tractor in which they were riding.
Their bodies were removed to
Gaschs funeral establishment in
Baldensburg, Md.
It is believed the steel, which Is
of the type used for making forms
for concrete structures, was being
shipped to Washington.
The two deaths ran the total of
traffic fatalities in nearby Mary
land during the past "a hours to
four.
Harry E. Young, 81, of Broad
street. Maryland Park, died yester-
day afternoon when his car crashed
into a trestle abutment of the old
Chesapeake Beach Railroad on the
Upper NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Island
road near Chaneys Corner. He was
alone.
Mr.. Young's body was removed te
Hardesty's funeral parlors at Gales
vile, Md. He was employed in q
District dental laboratory and lived
in Prince Georges County with hi.
wife and two children, one Z, the
! other Is.
Evening star., 1940-01-23

00O," Secretary Morgenthau told the
committee. Beyond that I would
not venture an opinion"
He also expressed the opinion that
all Federal expenditures, such as
public works, public roads and rec
lamation projects, should be
trimmed or dispensed with tempo
rarily in view of prospective heavy
expenditures for defense.
Secretary Morgenthau said his
guess was that business conditions
(See DEBT. Page AID
Evening star., 1940-01-23
By J. RUSSELL YOUNG.

President Roosevelt has appointed
an inter departmental committee to
represent the United States in all
matters relating to the purchase of
military or naval supplies, materials
and equipment purchased in this
country by the United States Gov
ernment or by foreign governments.
The committee is headed by Capt.
Harry E. Collins, director of pro-
curement, Treasury Department.
Members are Maj. Gen. Henry
Gibbons, Army quartermaster gen.
eral, and Rear Admiral Ray Spear,
Navy paymaster general. The three
will make q Nation wide survey Of
the situation.
The first of these trips will start
tomorrow. The committee will visit
the Curtiss Wright plant and the
Bell Aircraft plant in New York
State.
Secretary of the Treasury Nor
genthau has been designated By the
(see DEFENSE, Page A-5o
Evening star., 1940-01-23

DENVER, Jan. % R).-Heated
words flew at the Argue Clubs
meeting in Grace Community
Church.
Up pulled five companies of fire.
men. Out scurried the debaters.
Sparks had set. the roof afire.
Evening star., 1940-01-23
(See FINNS, Page A-30
Japanese to Continue
Same Import Duties
After Treaty Expires
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
TOXIC, Jan. 23.-Domei, jap
anese news agency, reports that
an imperial decree tomorrow
will provide continuance Of the
present duties on American i'm
ports "for the time being" after
expiration of the United States
Japanese trade treaty Friday.
Evening star., 1940-01-23
Roosevelt Appoints
Three 10 Supervise
Military Purchases
Committee Will Survey
Buying by U. S. ond
Foreign Nations
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
Large orders for American
made military equipment, par
ticularly tuarplanes, iDere placed
by Great Britain and France i'm
mediately after repeal of en-
barge prouision OF Neutrality Act.
These orders and other foreign
purchases haze been source OF
much concern Uith Government
officials directing the record
peacetin,e expansion of this
country's defense forces. Co
ordination OF foreign purchases
during World War Uas effected
by President Roosevelt, then As
Sistant Secretary of the Napy.
Evening star., 1940-01-23
Captives Taken in Raid,
Nazi Command Reports
By the Associated Press.

BERLIN, Jan. 23.-German scouts
took several captives and inflicted
numerous casualties in a clash
on the western front southeast of
Pirmasens, the German high COM
mand announced today.
Evening star., 1940-01-23
Summary Of Todoy's Star

Wheat growers may profit on loan
grain. Page Ais
Washington and Nearby.
5000 more families may share Scent
milk privileges. Page B-1
Pepco rate cut of $450,0 is indi-
Gated. Page B-1
Evening star., 1940-01-23

Foreign
Allies warn Rumania on forcing oil
firms to aid Reich. Page Al
Berlin denies Nazi troops in Soviet
held Poland. Page Al
Russians beaten back with heavy
losses, Firms report. Page Al
Horrors OF NaA rule in Poland told
in Vatican broadcast. Page AZ
Action on Finnish relief is due
soon. Page AZ
Japan to insist British return seized
Germans. Page AS
Motor spark started Ora1o blaze,
crew reports. Page "A
Giuseppe Motta, five times Swiss
President, dies. Page A-10
Federal debt limit of $4,000, ,0OO, 900
asked by Morgenthau. Page Al
House committee trims $13,314 300
fro mtwo supply bills. Page Al
House opens debate on continuance
of Dies probe Page Al
Spotted fever serum discovered by
health service. Page Az
Idaho Governor proclaims day of
mourning for Borah. Page A-10
Narcotic addiction decline reported
y tagging in District. Page At
Evening star., 1940-01-23
House Unit Cuts
$13,314,3oO Off
7 Supply Bills
Treusury-Post Office
And Deficiency
Funds Reduced

NARCOTIC ADDICTION in Dis
trict grows; declines where pen
alties are strict. Page AS
Evening star., 1940-01-23

(See PROTEST, Page A-4.)
Evening star., 1940-01-23

See DIES, Page A-100
Evening star., 1940-01-23
Fire Routs Debuters

(See DEFENSE, Page A-5)
Evening star., 1940-01-23

Most people in Washington have The
Star delivered to their homes every
evening and Sunday morning.
Evening star., 1940-04-28

will be held at 7 pm. tomorrow at
the Willard Hotel. Principal speak
ers and their subjects will be Sena-
tor Clark Of Missouri, Government,
Then and Now and r. Russ Hill,
president Of Rexair, Inc, Detroit,
After Fifty Years, WHAT"
James Geddes Stahlman, pub
Usher Of the Nashville (Tenn.)
Banner, will preside at the meeting,
and the Rev. Oliver j. Hart, rector
Of st. Johns Episcopal Church, will
deliver the invocation. Music will
be furnished by the Willard Music
Bureau Concert Ensemble, with
Stephen Gray, soloist.
The Washington Hospitality Com