The Century Chronicle

Main-St Shocked by Cigaret of Bathtub Murder Victim

By ALLENE SUMNER

TROY, O.—"Fran smoked a cigaret before she went to bed." That calm statement by “Jake” Nesbitt at the inquest into the mysterious murder of his wife, Frances Drake Nesbitt, has stirred this city of 7000 as much as the brutal slaying of the former Ohio State tennis champion.

It was the first murder in this county in a quarter of a century. It was an unusually brutal murder—Mrs. Nesbitt’s skull was crushed from a death-dealing blow and her body, scratched, bruised and torn, was placed in a bathtub partly full of water.

At the first mystery of the crime, the fact that "Fran" smoked a cigaret intrigued Troy’s people. This angle quickly faded after her husband's matter-of-fact admission that “Fran” smoked occasionally, though Troy does not countenance smoking by women.

Rev. Dungan of the first Presbyterian church, who married and buried “Fran Drake,” described as the town tomboy and everybody’s friend, said: “It was a great shock to me. I never had the slightest intimation that Frances ever looked at a cigaret. I must admit that at least half the town has sort of lost interest in the case since this came out. We were startled.”

Mrs. Charles Drake, mother of the slain girl, said her father (in his 80s) does not countenance women smoking, and Fran would only smoke in bed, never in public or in their presence.

Frances was an athletic star in her own right, at Ohio State. She played hockey and tennis, where she was state champion. Jake was also an athletic star at Ohio State, where they met. Mr. and Mrs. Nesbitt lived in a pretty little four-room cottage hugging a wooded hill far out from the town itself, the very house where the girl wife was murdered, was the result.

Some neighbors thought “Fran” “queer” for her country interests; she would get up early to hunt birds and flowers. Fran also bought antiques, including a four-poster Colonial bed (stained with her blood) and a dresser which Troy found odd. Troy does not "go in" for antiques.

Frances Nesbitt’s body was found on "Main street" by her husband and a Salvation Army matron. “Jake” stated he never told her that "Fran" smoked, saying, "It doesn’t matter to me. It doesn’t matter."

“Fran” was described as an athletic star, an intellectual, a tomboy—but never “feminine.” She wanted "something more from life than just work.”

She worked "outside the home" as a manager, even owning a kitchen device. She drove her own car extensively across Ohio, earning as much as $7000 in one year. She was ambitious for her husband, putting him through Troy high school and establishing him in business. Her husband stated, "Fran takes care of herself... She is head of the business now."

Mrs. Drake added that "Fran" had no babies and no plans for any, stating, “She was all business and ambition.” A few months prior, she had suggested to her husband, "Let’s buy a funny little cottage out in the woods.”

Allegheny Ice Jam Is Frozen Tight

By United News

FRANKLIN, Pa.—The heavy ice jam in the Allegheny River, threatening Franklin and Oil City, was frozen tight last night, and fears of further damage for the time being had abated. Floods from the gorge already caused $500,000 damage. Nothing can be done now to change the situation, according to District Engineer Maj. Edwin L. Daley, of Pittsburgh. To attempt dynamiting the gorge would be unwise and the only hope for its passing without additional damage is a series of alternate cold and warm days which will allow the ice to melt and slip out slowly. Many of those driven from their homes near the river are being cared for in temporary structures. City officials and the Red Cross are lending aid.

PEPCO OWES U. S. FIVE-YEAR REFUND

Fund Involved May Reach $100,000—Denies Special Rate. Controller General McCarl has ordered collection by the Federal Government from the Potomac Electric Power Co. of refunds for an additional five years, declaring the company underpaid the Government in calculating refunds from its Impounded fund.

In a drastic decision rendered to the Department of Agriculture and made public today, which will be a precedent for every Government department and establishment in Washington, the controller general laid down the principle that the Government should receive refunds on the same basis as the general public for seven years instead of two, since it paid for electricity under the same rates.

Although the exact amount involved has not as yet been disclosed, it was estimated today by Government officials that it may reach $100,000.

Five Years' Difference Seen.

The public received refunds during the period from July, 1917, to December, 1924, it is shown, whereas the company had calculated the Government's refund and was beginning to pay on a basis of only from July 1, 1922, to December, 1924, a difference of five years. Mr. McCarl in his decision not only overruled the action of the Potomac Electric Power Co., but of the Public Utilities Commission as well, declaring the question at issue was for decision only by the office of controller general of the United States.

Contention of the company and the commission that the Government had received “rates lower than the commercial for the period,” the McCarl decision said, was not borne out by investigation of the contracts and schedules themselves. At the refund bureau of the electric power company, it was said that no official notice had as yet been received from any of the Government departments or establishments concerning the controller's decision.

Sum Will Be Large.

Several of the refund checks for the departments and establishments have been sent out, it was said, based on the period beginning July 1, 1922. Not all of the Government refund checks have as yet been mailed, it was said. There was no estimate available at the company as to how great a sum would be represented in the five years’ additional refunds ordered paid by the company, but one company official estimated that it would constitute a large sum. The Government, taking all of its departments, establishments and bureaus in the city together, it was said, is the largest purchaser of electricity.

At the Department of Agriculture it was said that the decision of the controller general had been received but that as yet no action had been taken toward making collection from the company. The next step, it was predicated by a department official, would be to call upon the company for the five years additional refund.

In his decision, the controller general said the Potomac Electric Power Co. and the Public Utilities Commission contended that so far as the Government is concerned the refund period begins on July 1, 1922, by reason of the fact that the United States obtained by contract special rates lower than the commercial for the prior period.

“It is to be observed,” continued the decision, “that the right of the United States to a refund, the amount thereof, and the period to which it was applicable are matters for the determination of this office, and is not understood that the authority of the Public Utilities Commission of the District of Columbia extends thereto, but that its authority is limited to the determination of rates and not the rights of claimants to refunds in this particular matter.” Contracts Compared.

“The contracts between the Government and the Potomac Electric Power Co., beginning with the fiscal year 1918, have been examined and compared with the commercial rates.

PAPERS TO REPORT TRIAL DESPITE BAN

By the Associated Press.

BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss., March 1.—Although Circuit Judge Walter White announced that a cell in the Hancock County Jail awaited any newspaper reporter who makes public any testimony or purported testimony, in the trial this week of Jesse Favre, charged with murder, several newspaper men are today to “cover” the hearing.

The judge Saturday directed an order prohibiting publication of details of the trial, making it clear that contempt proceedings would follow any infraction of the order, with a jail sentence as the penalty. He announced that some newspaper men might get a “scoop” in the trial, but if they did “the court would get one, too.” He added that publication of “information or misinformation” concerning the case would defeat the ends of justice.”

The newspaper men, however, said today they intended to write the news as they would have done had not the judge’s order been issued.

The judge said news of the trial would be published after the court was adjourned. If one editor revealed that he would be willing to go to jail, the judge said, his action might serve to bring the matter of the judge's ruling before the Supreme Court.

Charles C. Galloway, H. Edison Rogers and Clarence D. Blachly, residents of Takoma Park, Md., today lost their fight to get a cheaper gas rate across the District line. The District Court of Appeals in an opinion by Justice Van Orsdel affirmed the action of the District Supreme Court in refusing a request of the petitioners to declare null and void a wholesale of gas rate fixed by the Public Utilities Commission at which the Washington Gas Light Co. should sell gas to the Maryland Gas Corporation. The Maryland company charges its consumers 53 cents per thousand feet more than the prevailing rate to consumers in Washington the court was told.

Justice Van Orsdel holds that the Public Utilities Commission lacks power to fix the price at which gas shall be delivered by the Maryland company and the Maryland Commission is also without power, for, he says, “Neither of the commissions, nor any authority within the District or the State of Maryland,” says Justice Va Orsdel, “can regulate this matter since such regulation would amount to having a burden on interstate commerce.”

WEATHER PROPHETS TALK ABOUT LIONS MARCH

The month of March made a slight tear loose in a short while and blow away all hopes that Spring has come. The additional allusion to the famous Taft inauguration and casual reference to the fact that snow can fall up into April also were dropped for what they are worth.

The frost is yet to come if the moss-covered saying “If March comes in like a lion it will go out like a lamb” is to be upheld. Meteorologically speaking, there is a slight possibility of rain tonight. The steady west wind of the past few days was scheduled to shift its course slightly to the southwest and return to its old route by tomorrow, bringing with it additional cold.

PARTY GOING TO HUNT GIRAFFE AND OTHER ANIMALS FOR ZOO

Dr. Mann Says Demand of Children Is Incentive.

Pigmy Mouse and Black Rhinoceros Also Wanted.

Beasts, ranging in size and ferocity from the African lion to the pigmy mouse or smaller than a bumblebee, from the black rhinoceros to the little knew or hyrax, smaller than a rabbit and the nearest relative to the elephant—in all, approximately 100 specimens of wild animals never before seen in America, as well as many other African animals at present rare in this country and not now found at the National Zoological Park here—are objectives of an expedition to leave this country within a few days under auspices of the Smithsonian Institution and in co-operation with Walter P. Chrysler, automobile manufacturer. And the animals will be brought back to Washington and housed in the Zoo.

The inspiration for the expedition, according to Dr. William M. Mann, superintendent of the Zoo, who will lead the party, is the lack of either giraffes or rhinoceros here. From that point the plans have expanded so that they not only include the collecting of many wild animals alive for the National Zoo but also a great many interesting specimens for the National Museum of Natural History at Harvard. Dr. Mann was an assistant zoologist at Harvard and has been the author of Frank Lowe, keeper at the zoo, who has had 18 years' experience in care of wild animals, and will need our partless porcupines.

There will be a number of active naturalists, as well as the usual motion picture men and still photographers. The expedition will be made possible through the generosity of Mr. Chrysler, who is providing the necessary funds, and the services of an automobile manufacturer, who is assisting the Smithsonian Institution in preparing the special equipment required for the expedition.

Other members of the expedition are experienced field naturalists.

Children Want Giraffes. "Our keepers at the National Zoo," said Dr. Mann, "are asked by children continually 'Where are the giraffes?' We grow tired of disappointing them with the information that the National Zoo hasn't any giraffes to show them, but we could not help ourselves. Then Mr. Chrysler heard of our difficulty and offered to the Smithsonian Institution to finance an expedition to collect giraffes and whatever else we need."

Tanganyika Territory in British East Africa, has been selected as the best place to trap the wild animals that are the object of the trip. The expedition will proceed inland from Dar es Salaam and will form a camp from railroad. That will be head-quarters during the entire stay of five or six months in the field. An experienced animal keeper from the Zoo will remain there in charge with a corps of natives, whom he will train and teach caring for the animals and make suitable arrangements for shipping them to this country.

Others in the party will include Mr. Albert J. Love, who has been with the Smithsonian Institution for twenty years, and who has made many trips to Africa. He is an ornithologist, a specialist in African birds, and will be in charge of the scientific collection. Carnelian, director of the expedition, who will be in charge of the motion picture work.

The expedition will bring back a number of photographs of animals in their natural habitats.

The expedition will return to the United States in the fall of 1926.

The expedition will make its headquarters in the Tanganyika Territory of British East Africa, where they will build traps for animals. The expedition will take two automobiles for transportation within the territory for collecting.

To collect the animals, it will be necessary to spend a considerable amount of time building traps and enclosures.

Young and probably tame animals will be preferred, so that they can be easily transported. This is to distinguish between animals that can be taken in the wild and those that can be bought.

Necessary to distinguish between animals which can be taken by trapping and those which must be shot.

When the animals are trapped, they will be given special food and water.

The expedition will return to the United States in the fall of 1926. Trained natives will be used as food and as caretakers. Trained natives will be used as food and water, and as caretakers for the animals.

Skins and skeletons will be preserved.

NEW ARCTIC LANDS OR POLE SOUGHT BY MEN OF 5 NATIONS.

By the Associated Press.

NEW YORK, March 1.—The urge that sent Henrik Hudson battling through polar seas in 1607 in search of a northwest passage to the Spice Islands of the East today still stirs the blood of modern explorers who seek to solve the mystery of Northern seas. At least seven expeditions hope this summer to reach the North Pole or to find new lands or relics hidden away in the fields of unknown ice. Four other purely scientific expeditions will penetrate far into the north.

It has become almost an international race. By land, sea and air, expeditions representing interests in America, France, Norway, Italy and Russia will penetrate the regions that lured countless explorers before them. A trade route to the East is sought, landing place for airplanes near the North Pole, or a vast hidden continent, but the ancient square-rigged ship of romance has been replaced by science. Airplanes, dirigibles, flying boats, motor sledges now play a vital part. Byrd to Sail Soon.

The expedition led by Lieut. Comdr. Richard E. Byrd, plans to sail from New York late this month to the Far North to begin an air trip of exploration. With Norwegian and Italian members of the expedition headed by Roald Amundsen aboard, made a successful test flight at Rome.

Of the three American expeditions, present plans that headed by Capt. George H. Wilkins, Australian explorer, now on the way north. This expedition is backed by the American Geographical Society, the Detroit Aviation Society and the North American Newspaper Alliance. The chief purpose of the expedition is to seek an unknown land believed to lie north of Alaska and Siberia. If land is discovered a base will be established and a flight from the North Pole to Spitzbergen will be attempted.

Another American expedition, headed by Lieut. Leigh Wade, Commander of the world flight, also seeks to make a roundtrip flight to the Pole. The expedition is supported by alumni of American universities, its personnel and equipment being built for flights. Five planes are being built for flights which are planned for mid-July. Lieut. Wade believes that Soviet Russia is planning a secret flight to the unexplored territory in hope of

A list of twenty new Arctic lands and the North Pole, which may contain thousands of square miles of gold, silver and bronze and other minerals, for more than 100 undergraduates of the three similar military schools for young men has been prepared by Comdr. Richard E. Byrd, U.S.N., ret., as the objective of his second expedition to the Arctic regions.

He stated that there would be many young men interested in Arctic exploration, and he would also be accompanied by a photographer. Comdr. Byrd, who is in charge of the naval section of the recent MacMillan Arctic expedition, leaves Washington soon for New York, where he will complete preparations for the expedition.

He will be accompanied by two assistants, who have been with him on previous expeditions to the Arctic. Comdr. Byrd expects to land his plane at the pole and be back in this country before Summer ends.

With his ship and airplane crews selected largely from volunteers from the commissioned and enlisted men of the Naval Reserve, Comdr. Byrd will descend on a three-engined Fokker plane to carry him over the icy wastes at the top of the earth. The Shipping Board steamer Chanter will be used by the expedition, which is being financed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr.; Thomas F. Ryan, Edison Ford and Vincent Astor.

Basing his preparations on the knowledge he gained as commander of the naval section of the recent MacMillan Arctic expedition.

Norwegian Seeks Pole.

A Norwegian, Lieut. Elias son, hopes to reach the Pole in a flying boat, starting from Nova Zelda. An expedition headed by Harrison Williams, backed by the American Museum of Natural History and George Palmer Putnam, publisher, will cruise the seas about Greenland to obtain scientific data. A party from the University of Michigan led by Prof. William H. Hobbs will explore Greenland itself. A Russian expedition to the west shore of Nova Zelda led by Prof. Matousek pitch has been announced. Another Russian expedition will explore a large island north of Siberia, formerly known as Nicholas II Land, but now known as Lenin Land.

Byrd Plans Announced. Only Veterans of Long Service to Be Taken on Expedition. By the Associated Press. The Byrd expedition's dash by air for the North Pole will get under way from New York late this month, with its leader, Lieut. Comdr. Richard E. Byrd, U.S.N., ret. Comdr. Byrd expects to land his plane at the pole and be back in this country before Summer ends.

With his ship and airplane crews selected largely from volunteers from the commissioned and enlisted men of the Naval Reserve, Comdr. Byrd will descend on a three-engined Fokker plane to carry him over the icy wastes at the top of the earth. The Shipping Board steamer Chanter will be used by the expedition, which is being financed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr.; Thomas F. Ryan, Edison Ford and Vincent Astor.

Basing his preparations on the knowledge he gained as commander of the naval section of the recent MacMillan Arctic expedition. Byrd plans to base at Kings Bay, Spitsbergen, in the event that ice prevents the ship from reaching Kings Bay, the flight for the pole will begin at some southerly point.

Plane of Special Type. Cape Morris Jessup, at the extreme northern tip of Greenland and 400 miles from Kings Bay, will be the first stop of the plane. A return trip to all supplies will be made before undertaking the second 400-mile lap straight for the pole. Although the plane has a 200-mile cruising radius, Comdr. Byrd feels that the dangers of the trip will be minimized by cut-ting the flight into two short hops. In addition, the craft is able to remain in the air with any of its three engines out of action.

On most of the flights Comdr. Byrd will be accompanied only by Floyd Bennett, chief petty officer in the Navy, who is an experienced pilot. The plane will carry a radio, and will maintain daily contact with the ship. Fuel and engine problems to be encountered in the low temperatures of the North will be handled by G. O. Neville of the Vacuum Oil Company, while an "ice skipper" and a geologist will work over the aircraft. The expedition will take a total of 15 men. The expedition will take a total of 15 men, from 15 to 20 years' experience in Arctic exploration.

To Carry Second Plane. A second airplane to be in readiness in case of mishap to the Fokker will be packed aboard the Chandler, along with the most modern navigating and scientific observation equipment. Gasoline sufficient for 10,000 miles of air flying and food for six months will be taken. A special low wave length radio set will keep the plane and ship in communication, and a high wave-length out-fit aboard the Chandler will keep the expedition in touch with the world.

Comdr. Byrd believes that the success of the Polar exploration by airplane depends on avoidance by land over ice or water. He does not expect to come down except on land. In order to avoid danger from ice movement, he should succeed in reaching the true pole. He plans to return to Cape Jessup and strike out again to sweep the unknown region to the northwest of the cape, where many believe an Arctic continent will be found.

Up-to-date navigating and scientific observation equipment will be taken and special low wave-length radio apparatus for communication from plane to be shipped. The expedition expects to discover new lands in the Arctic, and will map the existing lands more accurately. The expedition will carry cameras for photographing the land. The expedition expects to discover new lands in the Arctic, and will map the existing lands more accurately. Special low wave-length radio apparatus will be used.

Huge Gasoline Supply. A store of 4,500 gallons of gasoline, enough for 10,000 miles of air cruising. Will be packed aboard the Chandler, along with the most modern navigating and scientific observation equipment.

Three Long Flights Started Today by British Airmen

By United Press LONDON—Three British air expeditions took off today on trans-Empire flights totalling nearly 30,000 miles. Simultaneously it was announced construction of the first monster dirigible for the Australia-England-India service would be begun next month at Howden, East Yorkshire, in the plant of the Airship Guarantee Co.

Cairo for Capetown

Four 450-horsepower Royal Air Force planes, containing six officers and two mechanics under Wing Commander C. H. W. Pulford, left Cairo for Capetown at 7 a. m. At the other end of Africa, Alan Cobham, Britain’s premier civil aviator, took off 30 minutes later for Cairo on the return lap of his round-trip flight from London. The planes will approach each other on the same route and will meet somewhere in Central Africa.

Five Days From India

Flight Lieut. Oliver and Flying Officer Brooks hopped off from Karachi, India, at 2 a. m., on a five-day dash to London which would shatter existing records if successful. Their plane is named “Felix.” The dirigible to be constructed by the Guarantee Co. will carry 125 passengers, 5000 pounds of baggage and 30,000 pounds of mail. It will be called the R-101 and will require 5000 horsepower to drive it thru the air at an average speed of 50 miles an hour with a maximum of 70. Its gas capacity will be 4,000,-000 cubic feet.

WAR SPY, NOW A BUDDHIST MONK, RACING HANGMAN TO SEE HIS SON; Lincoln, Former Member of Parliament Who Gave Germans Data on Ammunitions, Due in England Tonight. Boy Sentenced to Die Tomorrow.

By NEWLY CARSON.

By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News. LONDON, March 1.—Trebitsch Lincoln, former member of the British parliament and international spy, will arrive in England at 10 o’clock tonight after a race from a Buddhist monastery in Ceylon to have a last word with his soldier son, Bombardier John Lincoln, whose execution for the murder of Ingham Edwards, preacher, traveler, has been fixed for Tuesday morning in Shelton Mallet jail.

Trebitsch Lincoln was once prominent in British politics and was exiled from England after proved espionage in which he transmitted information to the Germans concerning ammunition.

He has wandered over the world to the Far East and eventually became a Buddhist monk. He borrowed money in London. Lincoln now blames himself for his son’s unhappy end, in a letter to his wife. “When we meet, all there is between us will be settled,” he wrote. “I pray you will forgive me before I die. If I had been a better father this might not have happened.”

Lincoln still hopes the execution will be prevented, but the mother’s appeal has been fruitless, and the authorities say that justice will take its course.

Trebitsch Lincoln, who now is a confirmed Buddhist, and avows to console the agonized mother in these words: “We who know everything believe nothing. We are never upset, for we can see through all things and know what life is and what death is and what is beyond.”

The public here is watching the fateful race eagerly sympathizing with the father’s desire, but Lincoln will be met by Scotland Yard men and deported immediately after his interview.

ELDRIDGE OUTLINES NEEDS OF TRAFFIC

After M. O. Eldridge, director of traffic, had testified for more than two and a half hours before the subcommittee on streets, highways and traffic of the House District committee today, the hearing was adjourned until 7:30 p.m., when an effort will be made to draft into a comprehensive bill all recommendations that the traffic bureau feels are necessary to cope with the situation in the National Capital.

The committee showed its determination to prepare a measure to be reported to the full committee on Wednesday and to be made the special order of business in the House on the next District day, a week from Monday, which will give Traffic Director Eldridge all the authority and co-operation necessary to adequately meet the requirements for effective traffic regulation in the District.

At the same time the subcommittee today showed a reluctance to ask the traffic director questions and to force replies which they felt might embarrass him regarding the co-operation he is receiving from the police department and from the District Commissioners. Representative Hammer, Democrat, of North Carolina, started to ask questions along this line, to which the traffic director was allowed to reply, without a record being taken. Mr. Eldridge said that newspaper reports of friction between the traffic director and the Police Department were “greatly exaggerated.”

He made it clear that the traffic work was under the administration of the major and superintendent of the Metropolitan Police Force. 374 Permits Revoked.

Mr. Eldridge gave the subcommittee a great deal of statistical information regarding the traffic conditions in the District in the last nine months. 374 permits have been revoked, of which 72 were restored, mostly to people who had violated the law some time ago. There were 185 permits suspended for driving while under the influence of liquor, 54 for reckless driving, and 53 for leaving the scene of a collision without making known the driver's identity.

Traffic Director Eldridge cited a number of particular cases in which he is powerless to suspend or revoke licenses, although in certain of these cases there were eight serious charges against a driver, who was arrested several times, charged with driving while under the influence of liquor, and on each occasion compelled to deposit from $200 to $500.

In reply to a question from Chairman Stalker, Mr. Eldridge estimated that he would immediately cancel about 200 drivers' permits if allowed to do so under the law, the holders now facing serious charges in the courts.

Fatality Rate Declines.

In the first six months of 1924 there was a total of 4,586 traffic accidents, of which 43 resulted in death and 14 were of a serious nature. In the last six months of 1924 there were 54 deaths and 24 serious accidents out of a total of 4,471 accidents, making a grand total for the year of 91 deaths and 38 serious accidents. In 1925, during the first six months, there were 4,819 traffic accidents, resulting in 38 deaths, 23 other cases being serious; in the last six months of 1925 there were 43 deaths and 70 other serious cases out of a total of 5,103 traffic accidents, making a grand total for the year of 83 deaths and 33 serious cases. Showing the increase in automobile registration, Mr. Eldridge gave the figures for 1923 as 74,811; 1924, 91,859, and 1925, 116,652. The increase in population was shown in the following figures: 1923, 465,000; 1924, 470,000; 1925, 472,052. Mr. Eldridge pointed out that the deaths per 100,000 automobiles in 1923 was 121.64; 1924, 99.5; 1925, 71.15. Corresponding figures for deaths per 100,000 population were shown in these figures: 1923, 16.14; 1924, 19.3; 1925, 17.6.

SAILOR DENIED $25 FOR GIVING BLOOD

An enlisted man in the Navy, who gave of his blood for the benefit of an officer at Naval Hospital, D. C., cannot be paid under the law. The decision upon the question submitted to him by the chief of the Navy, Controller General, said:

“The enlisted men could not, under the terms of their enrollment render such service with a right to be reimbursed for them.” The man who submitted to a question was Charles A. Hughes, who was given to him from Mr. Cochran, and the record shows, and from his submission of the controller general to the Chief of the Navy, “a lot of correspondence in which it is stated that Mr. Cochran has been informed that the man was given a certain amount.” It was not a voluntary gift, but that the man was promised $25 for the blood. The Navy Department was of the opinion that the man’s claim for $25 was not a valid one.

This was based on the fact that the man, as an enlisted member of the Navy, was given medical attendance, food and quarters and clothing, etc., by the Government and was entitled to it. The department also said that the money would not be applied toward the payment for the blood.

The Naval Department says it cannot pay for the blood, but it can be applied to the hospital account and it could not be considered as a reimbursement. The opinion of the controller general was that the Navy Department could not pay for the blood, and that the amount for which the man was promised would have to be donated rather than the commodity.

DEMOCRATS AWAKE FROM DEEP SLEEP

BY ROBERT T. SMALL. The first feeble stirrings of renewed activity at the headquarters of the Democratic national committee have been detected by keen observers. They have come with March, the month of the Spring equinox, and may indicate that the opposition party is about to emerge from its long Winter hibernation.

It is reported on excellent inside authority that the Democrats either have hired, or are about to hire, a press agent. The general opinion is that the move has been made none too soon, for the punch and responsibility, which confront the new man are well night overwhelming.

To all outward appearances the Democratic national committee has all but lapsed into innocuous desuetude since the last campaign. Clem Shaver of West Virginia, who was made chairman by John W. Davis in 1924, has retained his position, but there has been no functioning by the committee. A few stenographers and clerks have been employed in the Washington headquarters, but they have had to do much knitting and sewing to fill in the wide gaps between dictated letters or other forms of office work.

No National Party. Various State Democratic leaders, like Gov. Smith of New York, have continued to fight the "enemy," but nationally speaking there has been no Democratic Party for the last year or so, and to judge from the voting in the house and senate thus far in the session there has been no Democratic cohesion or leadership on Capitol Hill. Congressional Democrats have been roving the prairie, voting where they pleased, more often with the Republicans than against them. It has been the most astounding exhibition and has created the most anomalous situation Washington ever has been.

But now that the national committee has employed a press agent perhaps things will change. Perhaps the sleeping Democracy will be stirred to a new and militant attitude. Per-haps the press agent will discover some new potent, entirely legal in character, to make the jackrabbits sit up and hurl defiance at the bulldogs. Certainly someone is needed to speak a word for Democracy. The Capitol has long been silent in that quarter, so much so that all the Democratic In Van Winkles may well arise and demand to know in chorus: "Mr. Speaker, where are we at?"

Shaver Handicapped. The Democrats of the country are not placing all the blame for their present predicament on the shoulders of Mr. Shaver, although a great many of them would have preferred that the West Virginia step aside at the end of the disastrous Davis campaign and give a more active and aggressive man an opportunity at party reorganization or party re-building.

Mr. Shaver has been handicapped by lack of funds. No chairman can do anything without money, and, supposedly, in the Democratic organization somewhere there is a treasurer or a way and means committee which should have been stir-ring themselves up by this time, but the fact is that the National Committee has had no money. Mr. Shaver has even had to pay for a great many of the incidental expenses out of his own pocket.

It is rumored that some of the most prominent Democrats of the country, who were not involved in the Davis campaign and who were known as "wet," were the only ones who put up any money for the commit-tee and the party headquarters. It appears that no matter what the condition of the Democratic Party the chairman is supposed to be the man upon whom all the odium is heaped. Mr. Shaver has been the butt of a great many gibes, although apparently he has been as silent and as still as the night.

Chairman Shaver evidently has stuck to the job, because no one has pressed him to give it up, and no one has come forward to take up the task. Mr. Shaver remained immediately after the campaign because there were stories that the McAdoo forces were going to capture the commit-tee and put in their own man as chairman. This would have aroused the Smith brigade. Likewise, if the friends of Gov. Smith had made even the slightest move toward the chairmanship, the McAdoo men and women on the committee would have flamed into rebellion.

Shaver Great Hibernator. It was thought best by all concerned that after the episodes of Madison Square Garden, followed as they were by the debacle at the national polls, it was time for the party to hibernate—to hibernate good and long. Mr. Shaver was thought to be a fine man to conduct the hibernation. Every one admits today that in this respect at least he has been one of the greatest chairmen the party ever had. And now just to show that the slumber was not too deep, that the Democratic beast is beginning to perk up his ears again, comes the word of a press agent in the offing or on the job.

The Democratic donkey at last is astir. Perhaps he will yet get strong enough to give the G. O. P. elephant a couple of sound kicks in the ribs. Even the elephant shows signs of needing some such treatment. All of Washington appears to be sleeping or walking in its sleep.

Mothers' Bill Goes Over. The bill to provide financial assistance for mothers with dependent children was reached on the calendar by consideration of it was postponed by request. This is the second time this measure has gone over for future consideration.

The bill which has already passed the House to take $600,000 from the surplus revenues of the District to buy the additional land needed to connect Rock Creek and Potomac park-ways again came up in the Senate this afternoon, but was referred back to the Senate District Committee after Chairman Copper had explained that Senator Phipps of Colorado, in charge of District appropriations in the Sen-ate, desired further opportunity for consideration of his amendment which would require the Federal Government to share in this expense on a 60-40 basis.

Favors Later Inquiry. When the public welfare bill was reached Senator King, Democrat, Utah, member of the district committee, declared he would not object to its passage because "it contains many meritorious features." He declared, however, that he wanted the District committee to take up in the near future and inquire into the work of the Juvenile Court and the Board of Children's Guardians in the placing of wards. Senator King asserted that he believes injustices are sometimes committed by the Juvenile Court and the Board of Guardians in taking children under their jurisdiction because of some little indiscretion. The same statement had been made that various communities throughout the United States. In concluding, Senator King suggested that there should be an added limitation on the powers of the Juvenile Court and the Board of Guardians in the placing of children brought to their attention.

"NEW MESSIAH" COMING.

Indian to Be Brought to U. S. By Theosophist Society.

LONDON, March 1 (AP)—The sketch announces that Dr. Annie Besant, head of the Theosophist organization, and Krishnamurti, the "new messiah," who are coming from India, will go to the United States for three months. To add, however, that the date of the American visit is probably somewhat distant.

Mrs. Besant and Krishnamurti are expected to arrive in England in June to deliver a series of lectures. After- ward they will go to Holland and then to the United States.