Evening public ledger. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, March 17, 1920, Night Extra, Image 1

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THE WEATHER
Washington, March 17. Fair, and
colder tonight and Thursday.
TKMrKttAtPBB AT EACH TIOUR
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NIGHT
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EXTRA
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VOL.VL NO. 158
MR. TERM ASKED F
AS BERGDOLL FAILS 1
10 MAKE DEFENSE 1
Judge Advocate Brands Slackor
"'Despicable Coward" and
"Skulking Liar"
JUDGE INFERS HE'S READY
TO BATTLE WEINBERGER
Likens Defense Counsel to
Judas Says Desertion Crime
Is as Bad as Murder
Bcrgdoll Almost Faints
at Prosecution's Demand
In demanding a thlrty-ycnr term
for Grover C. Bcrgdoll today, Judge
Advocate Crcsson said :
"Bcrgdoll's crime was committed
during wartime and he is subject to
wartimo punishment any punish
ment a court-martial may decree."
Bcrgdoll almost fainted when he
heard the recommendation of the
judge advocate.
Colonel Cresson called Bergdoll a
"skulking liar" and a "despicable
coward," nnd the draft dodger
flinched at the epithets.
Dj a Staff Correspondent
(!oernors Island, N. Y., March 17.
At least thirty years in prison nud
a dishonorable discharge from the
United States army is the punishment
demandod for Grover Cleveland Bcrg
doll, millionaire draft-dodger and de
serter, now being tried by court-martial.
Llctitcnant Colonel Charles C. Crcs
son. trial judge, made tnat recommen
dation in n masterful summing up of
evidence of the prosecution. He held
liergdoll Up as a deserter, a crime, he
said, which was equal to murder.
Bergdoll was designated as a "skulk
ing liar," a "despicable coward" and
a physically healthy person for whose
present health some real American boy
now may be paying by lying burled In
Flanders field oc walking about this
country n cripple for life.
Mother Weeps, Leaves Room
At one time Colonel Cresson's Indict
ment of Bcrgdbll became so scorching
that Mrs. Emma O. Bcrgdoll, his
mother, got up nnd left the courtroom,
tears appearing in her eyes as she left.
She was later pointed out by Colonel
Cresson as '.a "game mother, wild met
intruders in her home with n slx
slionter, while her miserable son lay
halt-clothed and bidden in a 'window
boi." a 4
The courtmartlftl.of the Philadelphia
millionaire began on March 4 in Corbiu
Hall, Governors, island, Eastern De
partment headquarters. The prosecu
tion consumed eight days in presenting
its side of the case, ending on Monday.
The defense was given a day's grace to
gather its forces to rcfuto the evidence
offered.
D. Clarence Glbboncy, Bergdoll's
family lawyer, sprang u surprise by an
nouncing that the case made out by the
Kovcrnmcnt was so weak that no formal
defense would be offered for Bcrgdoll.
This announcement was inado after It
wan learned that five of tho si.: witnesses
iilipoenncd for the defense hnd refused
to appear in the slacker's bthnlf.
Afraid of Being Railroaded
Bergdoll was given n chanco to take
tliu witness stand or cuter testimony
in writing.
Ho refused, but later presented a re
port of his action, in which ho said ho
i an away through fear of being "rail
roaded" into a tough job In the army
' John P. Dwycr, secretary of the
Uicrbrook draft board.
He said he believed he could havo
sottcn n "'soft" berth in any branch
"f the servlco if ho hath paid Dwycr n
Himclcnt largo sum of money.
llio statement was taken und prc
ftited to tho trial board for tho con
Ideration of the members.
Colonel Cresson began his address to
lio cotirt-martlal-nt 11:35 o'clock. At
no time he was stopped by a heated ob
Jicc,l on bv Hy Weinberger, Bcrg
doll s chief counsel, to whom he had
nearly referred by Innucnda as "a hu
man jackay skulking along tho cast side
of New York ready, like n Judas Iscar
ot, ready to do anything to combat the
law for a few pieces of silver."
Weinberger flushed and g6t up nnd
demanded thnt tho colonel retract this
.tatement. "I did not mention tho
"unsfl's name," Colonel Cresson said,
but if the shoo fits, let him wear it.
, A.nu I way Miy." h added pugnu
'Imialy 'that Mr. Weinberger can "find
.(?. n Jjis IsLand UDy time ,lp wants
w ,1 court-martial is over."
Weinberger did not answer tho in
die ment. the cultlmantion of n long
two Ve clashes between the
Colonel Cresson weighs about 100
i?l n V. elnlerger about 1-10. Both
"reflghtcrs,
u.n"ir,,iB prosecution had clcarlv shown
he induction Into the army of Bergdoll.
U ' ?Ut '? ?? h,s nctunl St and
'Is capture in his mother's home, hidden
i,!W m,?w sca." Colonel Cresson said
"en he began his summing up. "Our
witnesses have been unimpcnclmble.
JSSfx?m,nnJIo,,s by tho Ifrndnnt
thiM.hav? i1,o,v,n tlmt fact nn(1 tlut
Inneumla.80 m lylus dc,,la,s "'"'
Kecalls DeaUis In Franco
.11 "'Vcr.,wos n lnoru Pwfcct nud
Dsolute Induction tbnn that of Grover
'l'afuZ,rd!,Cr6,,0ll by ,h VCrbrO0U
aJuIa7? wns cr?SSC(1 nnd cvcr.v I win,
.l?,r, ' draft aut'horltlej
iSfjlniJ with. "d f " I,erSOn tl,cy wuro
burlnl.1 r.?001 yoim.e American lies
'juried In Flanders field, because Grover
Continued on Vase Two. Column nj
Sotting Seeds in Danny
l Is mi unusual title for a story,
"ell. that's all right,
U U an unusual story.
lugly h' JIcCluus lcllH u Interest
,Jt begins today.
urn to page 12,
And read the first Installment.
wiving seeds in Danny
A:'Z a
BnUred Second-Clou Matter at
tfnaer tho Act of
THREE-STORY HOUSE CQLLAPSES
erayakL ami i i ggar55RKaaiws2Va rM-Awm
I i Hii ''I I II 1 IIIM i i !"V. jc-Jv-f?'
'iBuAi"ATu'B'iiuuu.yfa.': r j-a . ..,wr. mmt . '.nBir-it; j:: t i.9i r-
xjj2ihWii(?Mi)iAiii,
Tills picture alums the ruins of tho houso at 1510 North Bodlno street,
following collapse of tho walls today. Nino persons who wcro In tho house
at tho time escaped serious Injury
NINE ESCAPE DEATH
IN HOUSE COLLAPSE
Lives of Six Adults and Three
Children Endangered as Homo
in Bodine Street Is Wrecked
THREE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL
The entire rear of a thrccrstory brick
houso at 11510 Bodine street collapsed
at 5:30 o'clock this morning as six
adults nntf three children were asleep
on the two upper floors. All escaped
serious injury.
The' liouse was occupied by Martin
Wolf, his wite itoxanna nnd their three
children, Kliza, r.lnc years old ; Marsha,
five years old, and John, twp years old.
The Wolf family were In tnc front and
mlddlo bedroom of tho second floor.
On the third floor were boarders, John
Wolf, a cousin of Martin AVolf; John
Hcnning and Michael Emorch and John
Emoreu, brothers.
Three Taken to Hospital
Three of the occupants required hos
pital treatment after the crash. Elhja
Wolf, her mother, Mrs. Wolf, and her
daughter, Eliza, were suffering from
shock nnd were sent to St. Mary's Hos
pital. John Wolf received n sprained
buck nnd was sent to the same hospital.
When the rear wall crumbled, leaving
n great hole that recalled btorles of
Zeppelin raids, the three floors were left
intact, ns wcro the remaining walls. The
back rooms simply disappeared, fur
niture falling Into n heap with masonry
and beams iuto a rear alley.
Patrolman Michael Smith, of the
Front and Master streets station, wus
near tho houso when he heard the roar
of the falling wall. He summoned a
firetruek. Firemen ran a ladder to tho
second floor and can-led Mrs. Wolf
down. She was afraid to go down the
stairway.
Children Carried to Safety
Martin Wolf, assisted by Patrolman
Smith, carried the children down tho
stairway out to the street. Tho chil
dren, shivering In their nightclothing,
were cared for by neighbors.
Police nnd inspectors of the building
bureau began an investigation boon after
the crash. According to police of the
Front and Master streets stfation tho
dwelling should hnvo been condemned
long ago.
VENTNOR APARTMENT BURNS
Fire Wrecks Interior of the Austin.
Tenants Escape
Atlantic City, March 17. Fire
wrecked tho Interior of tho Austin, one
of the most fashlonnblo apartment
houses in Ventnor City, ubout 3 o'clock
this morning.
Mrs. Edwnid Crostn, owner of the
building, discovered the fire after she
hnd been urpuscd by smoke. She en-
.Imivnrnil n pllnll011( tllC Vl'IltnOT lWi
station and found tho llames hud put
the phone lines out mi oruer.
Then while neighbors ran to notlf
tho firemen Mrs. Orostu roused her
tenants. AlUnndo their escape. With
the aid of Atlantic City companies tho
firemen confined the blazo to the section
of tho apartment house in which it
started, but the greater part of the
liitllilltirr nufTftrntl from water ntifl Htnnfcp.
The damage Is placed at $500.
CHILD HELD IN KILLING
Coroner Follows Law In Case 'of
Girl, 12, Who Shot Sister,. 10
Coroner Knight today held Grace Al
bright, twelvo ycarB old, 2.12 West
Illttliliind avenue. Chestnut Hill, for
the action of tho Juvenile Court us the
result of the death of her little sister,
Mary, ten years old, whom she ac
cidentally shot In their home, March fi.
The action of the coroner was called
for by law.
Mary and Graco were pluylng In their
home two weeks ago wheu Graco found
a revolver, owned by her" father, Con
rad Albright, n letter carrier. She
started to play with the weapon and
It was discharged. A bullet entered
Mary's abdomen and she later died In
tho Chestnut Hill Hospital.
Grace was paroled In, tho custody
of her father, .,- , t
Pa.
'AS '.!?
IT.
Property Value in 'Excess of
Amount Necessary to Support
Present Overhead Charges
ELECT TWO TO BOARD
High Light's in Report
of Rapid Transit Co.
The Future -
New lines nnd extensions to be
built with city funds should be plan
ned fo supplement, extend and Itf
creasc the carrying capacity of tho
present system.
If new lines are planned wisely,
adequate accommodations should be
provided at cost slightly in excess of
tho $G3,GO0,OOO originally planned
for city's transit program.
The Frankford "L" should be
ready for operation ns part of Mar
ket street system during tho winter
of 1020.
Tho Present
"The greatest good to the greatest
number determines every doclslon in
the matter of service to the public."
There now exists nn undistributed
surplus of $-1,482,532.78, earned
under the Stotcsbury-Mitten man
agement. Finances
Gross earnings in 1010. $30,030.
010.42; expenses, $24,303,820.40;
net earnings from operation. Sll.
WB.000.02; fixed charges, ?b ,020 -813.22;
surplus, $1,715,870.80.
Continuance by the Rapid Transit
Co. of a basic flvc-cent fare apparently
is assured for the present, in the com
pany's annual report made public today.
Stockholders of tho company held
wlL!eaT? 'ncet'lB thl morning at
Wghth and Dauphin streets, tho first
since ho flissolutU of the voting trust
established In 1011.
wj'A'Soo"0 ,st0h6!derB, represent
ing 440,222 of the 000,000 shares,
!! Swn if wer Prccnt at tho session
with W Ham M. Contcs in the chair
ahe meeting was called to order at 11 :20
o clock nnd ivdh nvnt i. i,nA.. -.! ..
William J. Montgbmery, wholesale
hioiui, nun iirt-siucnc or the I.Ichth
National Bank, nnd William Y. Trip
pic. a lawyer, wore- elected to the board
i -- - ,--..-. -..( niKti en j i j x nicer
boll and J. J. Sullivan, Jr., who declined
lU-l'M'l'UOU.
The annual report was presented bat
wns not-rend. The stockholders ratified
the actions of tho directorate last year
No direct reference wns made In the
report to a maintenance of the five-cent
fare, described as n "rellglou of mine"
last year by Thomas 13. Mitten, presi
dent of tho company. But in discus
sing the physical valuation of thtVoom
pany's property now under way the
repoit states:
"The company hns slnco proceeded
with the preparation of such valuation
and from the result thus far obtained is
assured that the property has been so
built nn und increased during the period
of this management as to ninko the
value of tho used and useful property
well in excess of the amount necessary
to support present charges,"
The charges referred to aro the oper
ating costs, rentals paid underlying
companies and fixed charges required bv
the city. '
Thought that the company was nrn
paring to nsk for an increased fare was
given color recently by a statement bv
Samuel M. Clement, Jr., public service
commissioner, that .If extensions were
to bo made to the company's system
more revenue must be obtained.
Passenger Karnlnga Grow
Ot-OHH passenger earnings last year
nienrdini! to the report, showed uu in-'
crease of 13.01 per cent over 1018
Mlll-i- ruiiimi," i jcur totaled S'14 .
7:M.B8li.ni. in addition to rcInta from
other sources of $1,200,020.01' '"
Expenses last yeur oxceeded'thoso of
1018 by $4,000,000. The cost'STTsm-
ducting transportation nlone Increased
Continued on Tuir frrtntrrn Column !
When you think at vrrltlu
5 i ' . V I
th roitofflw. at Philadelphia.
March 8. 1B7B.
NO FARE RISE HINT
IN REPORT OF P
PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1920
CURB CRIME, PLEA
TO
"I Know Thero Are Bandits in
City Hall and All Walks of
Life," He Warns Conference
DRUG EVIL GAINING GRIP;
HIGH IDEALS AIM, HE SAYS
George W. Burnham Greets
Conferees as Layman Hits
Opponents of "Drys"
Calendar of Business
at Methodist Conference
n. in. Formnl opening, with wcl
ciimn by Mayor Moore on behalf
of city, Georgo W. Burnham on
behalf of congregation.
Business session, followed.
2 p. m. Women's Home Missionary
Society anniversary. The Rev. Dr.
Daniel M. Brummltt, editor of the
Epworth Herald, spoke on
"Americanization.'
4 p. m. Pentecostal service, con
ducted by tho Rev. Dr. Charles
M". Bos wcl I. j-
8 p. m. Conference Claimants' En
dowment Fund anniversary. The
Rev. Dr. Charles It. Oaten, Chi
cago, and the Rev. Dr. J. D. C.
Hanna, speakers.
Mayor Moore, greeting the Methodists
nt tho opening of their 133d nnnual con
ference today In Wharton Memorial
QJiurch, Fifty-fourth nnd Catharine,
told them they were an instrument
stronger tlinn the law to reach the
people and stamp out crime.
He spoke of the lawlessness that has
followed the return of peace, and said
he knew there were bandits in City
Hall.
George W. Burnham, prominent lay
man, welcoming the ministerial dele
gates after tho Mayor had finished,
condemned the "wolves in sheep's cloth
ing" who are endenvoring to bring
about a, re turn to tho. use of alcohol.
Mayor Moore was introduced by.
Bishop Berry. In opening his address,
the Muyor referred to his newspaper
days, and told of an assignment to
"cover" a Methodist conference. The
Mayor then took up the theme N?f his
discourse, "The Creed of Selfishness."
."How often people ure mlsundcr
stopd," ho said. "It is not always an
easy task to satisfy people when you
hgld n position a little above, tho. aver
age'. The llttlo creed of selfishness
crecpt in everywhere. Tho municipal
officeholder Is criticized because- he
didn't do this or that, or because ho did
this or that. Tho same is truo in the
ministry.
"Wo must sometimes look into our
own hearts, even though wo be charged
with being politicians, ami sometimes
wo find this spirit to criticize nnd con
demn. Warns of Condemnation
"Don't be too quick to call a man
disloyal to the cause or principle jou
thought he was standing by. It's n
cruel and unjust thing to charge disloy
alty unless we are sure we arc right.
Wo mny say n man is unjust, but we
firobably havo not looked far enough
nto the charge to find the basic facts.
"Each one of us has a resnonslbilltv
to his fellow man. If we find n man
wrong wo must udvlsc him in the right .
direction. I
"Yours is tho moral rcipoiiMblllb t)l
reacn tne people," continued tho Major. '
"The church is nt' instrument stronger
and more fundamental than the law. .
We may prohibit murder or bmgltirj.
UUb 1, u IUUUUI DlVjl mi; UUllUlll&MlOIl Ol
crime.
"Our men have come home from the
war, and wo are talking of reoonsti ac
tion. There must bo n moral reion
strupction. Tho men who went abroad
wero educated in certain things, but not
in religion. They fought for the civili
zation of tho world, but thnt Is not jet
accomplished. The war will not be over
until your work Is done.
"The aftermath of tho war has de
veloped n new and evil factor in our
life the bandit. I am not sajlng that
ho Is the returned soldier, but bis kind
Has been murdered by tho war.
Crime, Too, in City Hall
"He comes, of every race, and he
knows how to uso firearms. Ho wants
to live easily, and prcyfe ou those who
work to make an honest living. Proba
bly he sits beside you in trolley cars. He
may be a member 'of your church. I
know that he is in City Hull.
!Y,our I" the responsibility to rid us
ii1 , 8 ?pe' You m,,st reach him by
religion."
, Tho Mayor alluded .briefly to tho In-
Contlnneq on Tago Two. Column Tbreo
L PLEADS FOR SON'S LIFE
Mother Collapses When Case Goes
to Pardon Board
ii i ?" a B,.?ff Correspondent
Harrlsbui-g, Pa March 17. After
argument had been presented to the
hoard of pardons today in behalf of
John Morrison, sentenced to electrocu
tion during the week beginning April B.
the mother of tlio condemned man, who
with her husband, u New York police
man, sat through tho argument, col
lapsed from grief.
"My son, my poor son," she sobbed,
as she was carried away.
Morrison and his brother, James,
robbed a Jewelry store in Kensington,
In 1010, They shot the jeweler,
wounding him, nnd later John shot and
killed a man named Martin, who pur
sued the brothers after the hold-up.
,,? "I1 1 ,Jori8on wns sentenced in
Philadelphia, on May 14, 1010. to bo
electrocuted. Counsel maintained that
Morrison was n dope addict and was
not responsible for his actions when
ho shot Martin. LIcutennnt Governor
Beldleman, member of the boar, Inter
rupted with the observatlou that Mor
rlHon's father, knowing him to be a drug
addict, should have had hltn confined.
A commutation for Samuel Coles,
colored, of Philadelphia, sentenced to
electrocution for tho murder of Detee
Ive Georgo Williams, was urred by
K. Patterson, Jr., on the ground thnt
Coles had shot in self-defense. Coles
shot ana killed Williams nfter a brawl
In a saloon near Sixteenth and South
streets, Philadelphia.
Colon' date for electrocution has been
fixed fop tbe!Smk' lwwlunlnjr April B,
METHODISTS IN
MAYOR'SWELCOI
WON'T RUN, HOOVER INSISTSl
i
Belated Telegram Opposes Use of
Name In New Hampshire
Concord, N. H March 17. (By A.
P.) A belated telegram from llorbeit
Hooter, snying that as he was not a
cutididnte hu could not approve of the
use of his name in the presidential pri
maries in this state, wus received today
by Itobert C. Murchic, Democratic na
tional committeeman,
Tho message came to Murchic from
Huntley Spatilding, former food admin
istrator for New Hampshire, a ltcpub
llcan, whom Mr. Hoover hnd wired
under date of Marhh u. The telegram
went astray In transmission mill its
receipt comes n week after the priiimrli-s
In which three district delegates to the
Democratic natlotinl convention pledged
to Hoover were elected.
L
Will Obtain Survey of Stret
Improvements and Submit
Program to Builders
TO SEEK FINANCIERS' AID
Director Tustin, of the Department
of Public Welfare, called a conference
of housing experts this morning, and
later announced plans for the relief of
the present housing problem In Phila
delphia. The, meeting win. called in his office,
after Director Tustin hnd conferred
with Mnvor Moore und hnd been n.
sured of tho letter's approval of the
plan, whtcii follow recommendations
made editorially by the Evenino
PunLio liEDOEn.
After the conference Director Tustin
announced thnt he would first obtain a
survey from the Department of Pub
lic Works of the improvements to sew
agc and grnding ns well as other data
that would aid in a housing program.
His next step, he announced, would
be to call a meeting In his office of the
Opcrntlvc Builders' Association of Phil
adelphia to hear views on n solution
of the rent profiteering problem.
A second conference will then be
called, at which Director Tustin will
submit d program for the organization
of housing companies to the city's lead
ing bankers, business men and indus
trial leaders.
At the conference this morning were
John Ihldcr, chairman of tlu Philadel
phia Housing Commission ; Theodore J.
Lewis, vlco president ' of tho Octnvla
Hill Association, nnd Miss Frances
Garrison, assistant superintendent of
tnc Jctavin utii Association.
Housing Companies Urged
Mr. Ihldcr read a lone statement, in
which he suggested the organization
under tho supervision of the Department
of Welfare ot sovcral largo housing
companies. ,, , V
These companies would build houses
auu provide litem on n largo .scale along
the same lines now belrijj Mlceessrully
used by the Octavla Hill AMOcintlou.
Mr, LeuLi nnd Miss Garrison ex
plained the work of their association.
Rent of 270 house? owned by the Oc
tnvla Hill Association, they snld, had
advanced only from $14 to $10 n month
since before tho war.
In his statement. Mr. Ihldcr declared
the only solution to the present situa
tion is to build more houses.
"Between 20,000 nnd 23.000 houses
are needed to restore conditions to nor
mal," ho said. "In 1010, there were
10,800 marriage licenses issued and only
Continued on rate Two, Column Ont-
SNAP WILSON LAUGHING
Photographed for First Time Since
Becoming Sick
Washington, March 17. (By A. P.)
Photographers were permitted lo tnke
the(r first pictures of President Wilson
today since his return from his west
ern xrp last ocpicmuer.
Tho President was photographed ns
he left tho White House grounds on hls;
fifth automobile ride since ho went to
bed. in October, "a very sick man."
Under Instructions from the White
House the police allowed beveral mov
ing picture operators and photographers
to set up their machines at the south
west crate nnd ns tlm PnxMniit'a nni.
mobile came out the chauffeur slowed
down. The President laughed at the
camera men when they hurriedly
cbnnged their positions so as to get ad
ditional pictures.
As the motor enme out of tho White
House gate tho President saw several
spectators with green, and this re
minded him thnt it was St. Patrick's
day. Ho was wearing no green, and
remarked to Mrs. Wilson thnt his failure
to do so was an oversight. When he
returned to the White House he found
In his study a vnse of green roses and
carnations.
MISTER ROBIN, WELCOME!
He Brings Bright Visions of Butter
cups and Spring
Big and plump and proud ho was,
and his red wniBteoat was a (lame of
color against the soggy mid -March
landscape.
Ho was tho Main Lino's first robin
of the season, and when he nppcarcd
this morning Xnrberth's drab little
sparrows ceased chattering in awe as
their bright button eyes fell upon his
magnificence.
Dignity In his bearing, niodo in his
dress, this gentleman of the spring
stepped about with a statcllness which
wns a delight to behold, and now and
theu n burst of melody from his swell
ing throat brought bright visions of
buttercups and sunny pastures and
violets and spring.
Spring! Spring! Spring!
The weather toduy was lu keeping
with robin's advent. The temperature
.f 1 fi'Mrwl wnu 1() n,wl mi.ilt1..
Hooded down. Tonight the temperature
will fall, but not too fnr somewhere
around 35.
The U. S. N. leo cutter Osslpco
is steaming to Cope Jellison, Me.
to release two lee-locked ships, tho
JllpogeiitiB and the Lake Harney,
aboard which is a newsprint paper
supply for the Hvh.mno Puhmc
Lr.DClKH.
The arrival of these vessels will
help to relieve tho paper shortuge
which has obliged the Evknino Pun
nq, IiEDQKU to omit temporarily
somo of Its features. We nro hope-,
fill ot an early return to normal
conditions.
TUSTIN HAS P
AN
FOR HOUSING RELIEF
Published Dally Except Sunday, flubucrlptlon Price J8 a Tear by Mall,
wopyrigm. iiizu.
L
Letter to President Written Last
April, Just Published, Shows
His Stand
FEARED ALLIED SCHEME
TO "USE" UNITED STATES
Only by Holding Aloof Could
America Vitalize League,
Food Chief Said
! Washington, March 17 Herbert
'T ,- .-,.! . ,..,. il
uoover h ojijiohiuou in i-ouiiiiitiing ine
United States to undefined nnd un
limited engagements nbrond is shown
in n letter which has come into the
possession of the Washington Burenu
Of'thc PUIILIO TjEDOKK
It was addressed to President Wil
son at, the Paris Peace Conference on
April 11, 1010, nud disposes of the
charge that Mr. Hoover is an "in
ternationalist" first and nn American
afterward. Copies of the letter have
been in the hands of certain confidants
Lot the former food administrator for
some time.
Tho object of Mr. Hoover's letter to
the President wns to utter a protest
nnd a warning agninst any continunnce
of American membership in the vari
ous commissions provided for by the
treaty of Versailles. Mr. Hoover de
clared, in effect, thnt If the United
States participated in those commis
sions the inevitable result would be the
Inveigling of this country Into in
calculable military and economic nd
ventures. He said he was convinced
that would bo contrary to tho wishes.
as It would violate the traditions of
the American people.
Questioned Allied Purposes V
Mr. Hoover asserted polntblank that
America's late associates in the war
were bent on comnelline our co-nnern-
tion for purposes of their own, nnd he
urged the President to defent those
aspirations. Mr. Hoover pleaded that
oniy iy uetnening itself from those
pnipanic l-.nropenn and Astntic mnchina
tious could tho Tnited Strifes perform
Its part In converting the League of
nations into a "strong and independ
ent court of appenl that will have au
thority." Otherwihc, .Mr. Hoover
argued, the league would "simply be
come u few neutrals gyrating around
an armed alliance."
The concluding portion of Mr.
Hoover's letter is n prophetic dip Into
the future, ns revealed by pending
events in Europe. "I have the. feel
ing.' he wrote, "that revolution in
Europo is by no means over" ; and then
he admonished .President WlUoujignlnst
"tying America into nn alliance wc
have nocr undertaken."
Text of Hoover's ief!er
The text of Mr. Hooers letter fol
lows :
April 11. lftin.
Dear Mr. President Your economic
group has had before it the question
of whether the United States should
continue membership in the various
commissions set up under the peace
treaty. I should like to lay before j-ou
my own views on this subject.
1 feel strongly thnt any continua
tion of tho United States in such an
nllled relationship can only lead to vast
difficulty nnd would militate against
the efficiency of the League of Nations.
My reasons are as follows:
First. These commissions are pri
marily to secure the enforcement of
reparation and other conditions im
posed upon tlio ccntrnl empires. As the
United States is not cnlling for nnv form
of reparation that requires continued
enforcement, our presence on these com
missions would appear to be for one of
the following purposes :
(a) To ghe moral und political sup
port to the allied governments in meas
ures generally for their benefit. It
cannot be conceived that in the pros
trate condition of the enemy the Allies
will require any physical assistance to
tho enforcement of their demnuds. In
this event the United States will be
lending Itself to tho political and finan
cial interests of other governments dur
ing pence, n situation that must be en
tirely rcpulslvi' to our nutloual Inter
ests, traditions and ideals.
(b) Another objective might be that
Continued on Pate Nineteen, Column One
AVOID EUROP
EAN
ENTANG
EMENTS
HOOVER
WARNED
PARDON FOR SAMUEL F- WHEELER IS ARGUED
Application for n pardon for Samuel F. "Wheeler, Phila
delphla lawyer convicted of embezzling-, wns argued before the
Board of Pardons in Hnvrisburg today.
SENATE BLOCKS VOTE ON IRISH FREEDOM
WASHINGTON, March 17. Hastening- to clear the way
for final action on the peace treaty, the Senate today choked off
a St. Patrick's Day debate on tho Irish question" by tabling,
51 to 581, a proposal to declare by reservation that Great Britain
ehould proclaim Ireland free.
HELD AS STOCK SWINDLERS!
Two Massachusetts Men Involved In
Oil Security Charges
Springfield, Mom., March 17. (B
A. Pi) A. Judson Young, a stock
broker of this city, and James Currlo,
of Hoiyoke, were arrested last night on
charges of larceny In connection with
an alleged stock swindling scheme.
The complninnnts are Itobert lljnd
and several youiifc womeu of Holjoke,
who nver they purehused oil stock from
Mr. oung through Mr. Currle. who
was acting ns Young's agent and wero
promised largo returns, which they fall
ed to receive.
Mr, Young was released under $12000
ball, nnd Mr, Currlo U being held In
lieu of bail,
Dy i'udiio looter company.
Mysterious Woman Tries
to Visit Former Kaiser
Amerongcn, March 17. (By A.
P. ) Considerable excitement was
caused here n Sunday by nn at
tempt by a mysterious German wom
an to visit former Emperor Willlani.
She appeared at the gates of Bcn
tlnck castle, but was denied ad
mittance and later had a conversa
tion with the steward at the castle,
leaving a bouquet of flowers for
Count Ilohenr.ollcrn.
There wore rumors that her name
was Knpp, which is the name of
the chancellor of tho new German
government, but there Is no con
firmation of this report ns yet.
The former emperor is still engag
ed In snwlng wood nnd has not
been permitted to leave the castle
even for n visit at Doom since Sat
urday. "
GUEST IN HOTEL'
2 Armed Men Tie Up Victim in
Early Morning Robbery and
Escape With $500
PULL PISTOL, STOP FIGHT
Two armed robbers attacked Chailes
Hat-tram In his r:.om nt n hotel near
Twelfth and Filbert streets at 5 o'clock
this morning, and after binding him
with fire-escape rope and gagging him
with a towel, took ."00 from his suit
case and escaped.
Bartram, who is in the habit ot
arising early, heard a faint crunching
noise in a corner of his rooms. The c'ur
tnlns of the windows were high, and'
through the somewhat hazy daylight he
saw the form of a man standing in n
corner.
Bartram rolled over In bed ns though
tossinn in his sleep. On reaching the
edge of the bed nearest the man he sud
denly spraug up and seized the intruder
by the throat.
Grabs Robber's Wrist
The men fell to the floor. Bartram
managed to rise on one knee and clasped
the wrist of the robber as the latter
pulled a revolver from his coat. As lie
was bending the man's nrm back n door,
connecting with an adjoining room,
opened nnd another man entered.
He was armed with an automatic re-,
volvcr. Walking quietly to Bartram he
said, "Put up your hands without any
fuss, or you'll regret it." ,
With the odds against him Bartram
complied. While the new arrival
"covered" him the first robber cut down
tho rone used ax n. fire-exeunt nml hnmwl
Bartram's hands nud feet. A"" tow el was
tneu forced in His mouth nud he was
thrown on the bed.
"Now lay there and be rood." mi til
the robber with the automatic. He
searched the clothing of Bartram which
hung on n chair, but failed to find
enough money to satisfy him.
One of tho men then stood by the
door with his revolver drawn for anv
emergency while the other searched
Bartram's suitcase. About $,"00 was
found in this. The man who made the
search folded the notes carefully, placed
them In the inside packet of his vest
and whispered to his pal: "I got every
thing worth tnking; let's get."
Tho men then quietly returned to the
adjoining room, closed the door nnd
went softly down the stairway. The
passed out through the front door us
though nothing had happened.
Bartram managed to roll from the
bed and reach the door of his bed
room. He kicked his heels against tlie
door and attracted the attention of n
bellboy. The boj icleused him and Bar
tram notified the police.
FALLS 4 STORIES; WILL LIVE
Youth Escapes With Broken Nose
and Fractured Arm
Milton Hood, seventeen jeurs old, fell
four stories from n f-ciiffolding at 10S
Church street at 10:30 o'clock this
morning, and landed in the street.
no escnpeu with a lirokeu nose anil
fractured elbow. At Jefferson Hospital,
his condition is not considered serious.
He was lininir hrlrl: wlmti 1... l.w. l.i..
balance.
SEEK TO SAVE CITY MONEY
Plans to Check Mandamus System
Will Be Made at Meeting Today
Plans to btop tho evils of the pres
cut mandamus .ystem will be discussed
this afternoon nt a meeting of civic
trade and business organizations at the
hendmiarters ot the Philadelphia Benl
IMntc Board, HL'O Wulnut ktrrct.
I'nder the present mandamus sys
tern an average of from $1,1500,000 to
$2,000,000 g being taken from the city
treasury annuully.
iu MV.i!LMoo!? lt5U Controller Johu
M. Walton and Alba B. Johnson, pres"
-lent of the Chamber of Commerce, ?ll
I.. v "i""18" v tuo mtjet
BIND
AG
DB
PRICE TWjO CEN
f . 'ii i
REIGN OF rami
CRIPS GERMANS .
. ' "
s'llJA
iff!'
KAPPTDHETI
Hundreds Slain in Twenty-fotjfj
Towns as Spartacans Befu
gin Uprisings
AniTATinM crm onwicT
l-.r-r.r-1 nr-nini- r-.ll"
" ho ncocL ncuhiir. rfuaj ,
Machine Guns Bark in Bftfm$
59 Killed in U. S. Armvfo
'Si ifc
Occupation Zone
t..v.
TJV'L' .
Six t
fMnMnn
N0SKE FORECASTS
u riven t-iM
'.Mr" .'
Official Announcement
mSZA .h"
VM .rtl IMt II. n ! ; m
i nax neDQi nancenor w ,.v
Will Resign
By the Associated Press
lieriin. Aiarcn 17. It is offlcun -A
announced that Chancellor Kafp'.M if i
1 o'clock this afternoon dccideeHJM '?
resign. "' 14
Paris. March 17. (Br A. vX
Wnlfffane Kann. the new German ci
cellor, and General von Luettwitz, ,
military lieutennnf. have decided to i
tire from the direction of German g&r
ernmenta) affairs unconditionally, ?-
cording to n dispatch received here frafk
Frankfort quoting advices to thc'"Qt
zette, of that city. r
The Frnnkfort ndvlces assert thai
Doctor Knpp decided to resign nfteif
neeotlatlons with Independent Socialists.
3t
led by Doctor Colin. In which the lnttM" j,
ernment forces with armed workmen. 3
Hundreds Slain In Clashes " t
Sanguinary fighting continues through;
out Germany nnd conditions, already
chaotic, have beiin growing worse
Hundreds have been Hlnln in furious
armed clashes. According to the Iftfw tit.
dlspntches the military movement hwjir.r,ii
resuueu in mooasneu in twentyfow
German towns. A,i .,'
While rticrc is llttlo 1m,!,t thnt if.. V.t '
. " " : ,.:. -,",-" Y1L
yi.wuuij wivti-uiciH lll'UUCU UJ &SOC
ruipp nas ucen n uasco, tnc ge
striKO weapon wnicn the Bbcrt n
nas ocen obliged to use against
casting tne country into greater
'sion.
Snartacan demonstrations mini
with the reported crumbling of tfcuo'
ncuuuiio ri-Kimc iinvc uuueu io,i
cdnntrr's'illstress!: o.tJifeif
m
ff.V,
-HKW.f1
SdMrw 'T '
According to a Berlin dispatcji,14s4
.iM'iw' ivi.iuiiqu) UUli UUIJIUI
in Germany hair. enmmpnrMt
ncltntiou in favor of n nnvipr rem
and ah alliance with soviet Hussiaj'a'f'
corning to n uernn nispatcn toNtjio js
change Telegraph Co. "Wtj?
Snartacan elements hnvn netzil tin
opportunity to stir un as mueh trnuhla
as possible and disorders in many parts
of Germany nre nttributed to the nc
tlvities of these "stormy petrels."
Flfty-nlne Killed In U. S. Army Zom
Fifty-nine persons have been killed
and upward of a hundred wounded la
disorders at Treves, In the American1
zone ot occupation southwest of Cnl
lenz. according to advices received here.
The Spartacans nre reported to hava
risen in Dresden, where a clash with
troops is declared to have resulted In a
casualty list of 100 dead and 30O
wounded.
Fighting in Breslau, Hamburg aud
Kiel is leported. The demonstrators
whose activities have resulted In clashes
with the security guards in Hamburg
are apparently Spartacans, In yester
daj's hostilities then- the casualty list
totaled seventeen in killed nnd wounded.
Xews from Berlin ami other Gcrm
points, telling of sanguinnry clasbesaS
Kss.cn, Dortmund, Lcipsir, Mnnubeiw,
Frnnkfort and Brunswick, togetlfcif
with u report that a council of work
men had assumed power at Chemnlrss,
has given the impression here thnt there
Is more to be feared from a revival-ot
the Hpartacau movement than from tho
activities of the Kapp government in
Berlin. y-
Mnchine Guns Baric in Berlin (
Mnchiue-gun firing wns heard in Ber
lin between 11 and 12 o'clock last
night, bays n message from the German
capital. Yesterday a detachment ot
soldiers passed through the Urunnen
strusse. headed by a baud playing "Hell
Dlr Im Siegcrkrnnz." Workmen ini
medjntely chnrged tho troops and ,u
skirmish ensued, in which u number of
men were killed nnd others wounded,
the message adds.
Troops last uiglit fired upon the poptii
lace at Berlin, one dispatch says. Yes
terday, In a clash In front of the palaq
at Potsdam, twelvo persons wero killed,
nnd many others wounded. In n similar
clash at the town hall in Bchoneburg
twelve persons were killed.
t.
At Spnndnu slxty-nlno persons, near-
ly all workmen, were reported killed,
and the fighting is continuing.
Big trucks aro constantly passlnff
through Berlin streets loaded down with
armed holdicrs, who point their guns;
in the direction of the sldewulks. ' p
A Berlin message relterateH the re
port that Field Marshal von Illudrnx
burg sent u telegram to Doctor Kami
asking him to resign immediately In tho
event the old government agreed ta
bold new elections.
Ludendorff's Athiser Slain
A Wolff Bureau dispatch from Ber
lin states Colonel Bauer, confidential
ndvlser of General Ludendorff, has beet
assassinated. The general strike Is t
fcctlve over nearly all of Germany, ,
There is no doubt the Kbert governs
ment, appalled by the economic consi
quences of n prolongation of eilntlu
conditions, is negotiating. If not with,
with couservatlvcs who have, been care- w
fill not to Ideutlfy themselves vlUs , '
Doctor Kami. A combination nt tnma '.:
making for restoration of drdcr ft
rapidly as possible may be brought
about, but how far political parties uto
masters of the uituatlon is a tno(,(4
nnlnt. Tho next few ilnvs will ilaunaj
strate whether It is possible to start, T"
tho tide of dlsrister in Germany. Ji '
Gustavo Nosko, minister of difenwTtt;; 'J
the Lbcrt government, is confident of hi CT
Gcnnuny within a cutntarHlvriy rt-ll
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