Indianapolis Times, Volume 42, Number 214, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 January 1931 — Page 9

Second Section

ILLINOIS MIDAS SHOWERS GOLD ON NEIGHBORS Huge Profits Paid on Loans by ‘Mystery Man’ Lead to Investigation. BUSINESS SEEMS -RIGHT’ Large Sum Is Reported on Deposit Here; Friends Invest Thousands. *V United Press BELVEDERE, 111., Jan. 15.—Mystery Loday surrounds the financial exploits of A. W. Benham, who pays 20 to 50 per cent interest on short term notes, but the faith of his neighbors that his business is legitimate remains unshaken. "There is nothing wrong about my business," said Benham, who is reported to have profited at least 1200,000 In the strange business in which he invests the money his friends lend him. Investigation of Benham's mysterious Blackhawk Finance Company was started by several bankers, who became alarmed when depositors withdrew more than $310,000 from their accounts and invested the money with Benham. Investigators Invest Investigators were sent to Benham’s tiny office, in a garage, to question him about the business. They reported they hadn't found out anything about the business, but had invested some money in it themselves while there. Monday is pay day in Benham’s mysterious business, and, so far as investigators can find, he never has failed to pay off all notes as promised. Benham began his financial exploits in 1928, while a shipping clerk at the National Sewing Machine Company, where he began as an office boiy. His first sum of money of any consequence was a bank loan, which he obtained by giving his home as security. Huge Interest is Paid Then he began borrowing from his fellow employes. Always he returned the money within a week and paid huge interest. The mysterious business grew until last December people were visiting him at all hours of the day, offering to lend him money. He quit his Job at the factory and incorporated the Blackhawk Company, capitalized at SIOO,OOO “to buy and sell anything, any time, anywhere.” Within the last weejc, the state’s attorneys have attempted to learn how it is he can borrow SSOO from a man one Monday and pay him back $750 the next, and prosper. Seek Trial Here Federal and private investigators In Indianapolis today were seeking headquarters here of A. W. Benham, Illinois financial wizard. From it tiny office in Velvidere, he has been paying from 20 to 50 per cent a week on money intrusted to him for investment. T. M. Overley, manager of the Better Business Bureau, Inc., and A. C. Garrigus, chief postoffice inspector, today admitted they received requests for information on operations of the concern here and had been investigating. At the sajpne time it was learned the Indianapolis Clearing House Association had requested information from its members as to reported local activities of the company. On Dec. 14, according to information revealed here today, representatives of the concern came to Indianapolis supposedly with a cash fund of $70,000, with which to begin business here. J. E. Edwards, chief inspector of the Illinois state department of registration and education, said today he believed heads of the concern to be in Indianapolis, but refused details THREE NEW TEXT BOOK BILLS ARE DRAWN UP Measure* Would Permit Multiple Adoption of Books by State. Three new textbook bills are planned for introduction into the general assembly, backed by leaders of the Northeastern Indiana Teacher*’ Association. These would permit multiple adoption of texts by the state textbook commission and leave the choice of several to local schools and also a plan for renting books to the pupils. Free textbook bills already have been introduced in both the senate and house. In the senate this introduction was made by Senator John S. Alldredge (Rep., Madison), . n ordained minister and avowed “dry." But the Alldredge bill provides for financing the free texts by a tax on malt and tobacco. Maybe some malt is actually used for cooking, rather than making home-brew, the senator contends, and at any rate he figures the malt tax Mil bring in about $600,000 annually. COMMITTEE IS NAMED McKesson, Bennett and Knapp on ■ouaa Joint Kules Groups. Members of the house committee on Joint rules appointed by Speaker Walter Myers include Delph L. McKesson (Dem., Marshal), majority floor leader; H. Curtis Bennett (Dem., Dearborn and Ohio) and James if. Knapp (Rep., Wayne), minority floor leader. The speaker holds the post of ex-officio chairman. The patronage committee is expected to appoint more persons from southern Indiana as result of Myers recommendation for equal distribution of patronrge among the thirteen districts.

roll Leased wire Service es the Doited Prete Association

SCOT BUTLER, CITY EDUCATOR, IS DEAD; ILL SEVERAL YEARS

Death Calls

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—Photo by Bretzman.. Scot Bailer The city mourned the passing of one of its educational leaders today, with the death of Scot Butler, son of the founder of Butler university, and himself prominent in educational ideas and literary works.

MOVIE TICKET TAX PROPOSED Electrical Consumption Levy Also Suggested. Bill proposing a tax on every motion picture ticket sold in Indiana is contemplated as Representative John M. Cantley (Dem., Cass), member of the house ways and means committee. Cantley said the measure has not been drawn yet and intimated he would await the outcome of tax legislation on malt products and tobacco now pending. Legislation embracing the taxation of householders on the consumption of electricity is contemplated by Representative John D. Bold (Dem., Vanderburgh), ranking member of the ways and means committee. Bold said today the bill, if presented, will add from 10 to 50 cents a month to the householders’ expenses and would be collected by the utility. The latter provision, l:e pointed out, would relieve the state of the burden of collection and thus would be economical legislation. Bold asserted he has had unofficial opinions from two members of the Indiana supreme court and that both judges have told him such a measure would probably be constitutional. DOLL CONTEST SET Prize Offered Winners by Recreation Department. Community house doll festivals with prizes going to the girls having the best dolls will be held next week, according to city recreation directors. The schedule calls for Wednesday at Garfield, Thursday at Brookside, Friday at J. T. V. Hill, Greer street and Municipal Gardens and Saturday at Rhodius and Christian centers. Special programs are being arranged by Misses Julia Landers and Alma Ttefert and Mrs. Norma Koster of the recreation department. BOOZE RAIDERS SEIZE SLOT MACHINE, BEER One Arrest Follows Anti-Gambling Orders by Chief Kinney. One arrest followed anti-gambling orders posted today by Police Chief Jerry Kinney, as Sergeant John Eisenhut’s squad and two federal dry agents raided the establishment of Mrs. Carrie Muller, 34, at 2604 Madison avenue. They are said to have confiscated a quantity of home brew, and a 25-cent slot machine. Blind tiger charges will be prosecuted by federal agents against Mrs. Muller and William Goza, 50, her bartender. FRA N KUNDAYISN E A R Governor Leslie Asks Observance of Anniversary Saturday. Governor Harry G. Leslie today issued a proclamation urging appropriate observance of the two hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Franklin Jan. 17.

REDS BLASTED BY KIWANIS SPEAKER

"I pray God Kiwanis in Indiana adopts this watchword: ‘This is my country,’ if you don't love it, leave it.’ ” With this conclusion to an address surcharged with attacks against Soviet Russia, free-think-ers, “snivellers’ 3 and “sentimentalists’’ over criminals, James E. Fischer, district governor of the Kiwanis Clubs of Indiana, was inducted into office today at the Indianapolis Athletic Club. Fischer’s address at the midwinter conference of state Kiwanians openly pledged state clubs to a determined course in citizenship-mak-ing *nd overthrow of “Sovietism." “*hey deny God, dethrone the

The Indianapolis Times

Son of University Founder Was Noted for Literary and School Work. Scot Butler, son of the founder and formerly president of Butler university, died Wednesday night at his home, 124 Downey avenue, after a long illness. Esteemed as one of the nation's greatest educators for his liberal educational Ideas and literary works, Mr. Butler was claimed by death in his eighty-seventh year. He had been ill for six years, critically during the last four and a half years. Private funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Friday, at the Irvington home, with burial in Crown Hill cemetery. Son of Founder Intimately associated with the progress of the college during his whole life, Mr. Butler was the son of Ovid Butler who founded the institution in 1355. For thirtyeight years he was connected Mth the faculty, serving fourteen years of that period as president. Bom in Indianapolis, Feb. 9, 1844, the son of Ovid and Elizabeth McQuat Butler, of English and Scotch ancestry. Mr. Butler was educated In private schools in the city. Before he attained his seventeenth year, he was forced by illness to abandon his studies, and on recovering in 1862 enlisted as a private in the Thirty-third Indiana volunteer infantry. Served in Civil War An attache to the headquarters of Generals Morgan, Granger, Thomas, Hooker and Sherman, Mr. Butler served in the signal corps, participating in the principal engagements of the Union campaigns from 1862 to 1864 in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. Returning from the army he entered Northwestern Christian university, as Butler then was called, later receiving degrees as bachelor of arts and master of arts. In 1869 he became an instructor in Latin and mathematics at Indiana university, remaining there until 1871, when he was elected to the Butler faculty. Mr. Butler was elected to the presidency of the college his father founded in 1891 after he spent two years abroad, studying at the Royal Prussian Halle, at Wittenberg university, and at the Royal FriedriihWilhelm university in Berlin. Noted for Literary Work His reminiscent writings and lectures on life in the army were particularly well known for their literary quality. An energetic and effective disciplinarian, he was credited with placing Butler among the progressive institutions of the country. He served in the presidency until 1904, and from 1906-07. He was a member of the Downey Avenue Christian church and the Sigma Chi fraternity, was active in the Indianapolis Literary Club, the Contemporary and College Corner Clubs, and was a member of the University and Century Clubs. Survivors are the widow, Mrs. Julia Dunn Butler; six children, six grandchildren, a brother and a sister. The sons and daughters are Mrs. Perry Hall Clifford, 124 Downey avenue; Miss Evelyn Butler, 1433 North Pennsylvania street; Demia Butler, professor of English literature at Butler; John Scott Butler, metallurgist at Fn'snillo, Mexico; Mrs. Carlos Recker ot the Spink-Arms hotel; Ovid McQuat Butler of Washington, editor of the American Forestry Magazine, and Mrs. H. W. Tefft of Ft. Sheridan, 111. The brother is Chancy Butler of Interlaken, Fla., and the sister is Mrs. David Owen Thomas of Minneapolis, Minn., and St. Augustine, Fla. FIRE ROUTS ORPHANS 100 Children Escape From Burning School. By United Press PLYMOUTH, Ind., Jan. 15.—One hundred children were routed from the school building of the Brighteside Orphans’ home near here today when an overheated chimney set fire to the building. The fire destroyed the school with an estimated loss of $20,000. None of the children were hurt. The Brighteside institution is a private concern. GIRL TOSSED FROM CAR Refuses to Name Companions Who She Says Made Her Drink. Thrown from an automobile In the 600 block North Alabama street, Miss Esther Foster, 22, of 448 North Davidson street, today was unable or refused to tell police who her companions were. Bruised and cut, she was taken to city hospital for treatment, and later was held on drunkenness charges. She said her unnamed companions forced her to drink.

home, destroy the flag. You must say to these fellows: ‘Either disavow your allegiance to the land of your birth, or—there's the gate.’” he said. Following Fischer's address a class of pupils from Washington high school gave a flag ritual. Colonel A. J. Daughterty, chairman of the citizenship committee, explained a civic service citation to be awarded citizens for meritorious or outstanding civic work. A ring was presented by 4,500 Kiwanians in the state to John J. Early of Greenfield, retiring district governor. The conference closes late today, following committee and group meetings in the athletic club.

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY. JANUARY 15, 1931

BELT HIGHWAY WORK URGED TO HELP JOBLESS County Commissioners Ask Immediate Action on 55-Mile Route. COST PAST $1,500,000 Road Would Encircle City and Touch Several Outlying Towns. Immediate construction of Marion county's fifty-five-mile rural belt highway was recommended to the state highway commission today by county commisisoners. Estimated to cost more than $1,500,000, the highway would encircle Indianapolis, touching more than a score of outlying towns. It has been planned several years, to solve county highway problems. Commisisoners George Snider and Dow W. Vorhies this morning said a conference will be held with the highway commission soon. Snrrey Near Finish Survey of the route virtually has been completed, Snider and Vorhies were informed this morning, although question remains as to the route in certain localities. Asserting construction of the traffic vein would provide work for hundreds of fanners and many unemployed, Vorhies and Snider declared every effort will be made to induce the highway commission to start work this spring. “This board feels that the belt highway project will provide the state’s most reasonable avenue to giving work to unemployed. Not only would it be of value to the state, but would provide an invaluable asset to the county,” they stated. Touches Many Towns Reports of a survey of the route in the vicinity of Ft. Benjamin Harrison were received by the board today. Tentative plans call for the highway to pass through Ben Davis, Valley Mills, Southport, New Bethel, Lawrence, Ft. Harrison, through Castleton, Allisonville, Traders’ Point and New Augusta. In addition, the road probably would touch at the new municipal airport, south of Ben Davis. LUMBERMENTO CLOSE SESSIONS Banquet, Business Meetings Climax Convention. A banquet and business sessions this afternoon were to close the forty-seventh annual convention of the Retail Lumber Dealers’ Association of Indiana in the Claaypool today. Approximately 600 persons are expected to attend the banquet tonight in the Riley room of the Claypool. Speakers scheduled at the afternoon’s session are: Adolph Pfund, secretary of the National Retail Lumber Dealers’ Association; Arthur C. Page of Chicago, commercial editor of the Prairie Farmer, and G. H. Caslow, known as the “Chain Store Henderson of the North.” Shin Kicking Routs Bandit FT. WAYNE, Ind., Jan. 15.-A man who grabbed a purse belonging to Miss Esther O’Connor, 22, fled without loot after she kicked his shins several times.

JUST HER GESTURE

Little Mannerisms Make ’Em

IJTOLLYWOOD, Jan. 15.—Although they are unconscious of it, most of X the actors and actresses in this racket have certain mannerisms which has crept into their work to such an extept that the players often become stamped by these gestures. When a newcomer makes his appearance on the screen you often hear it said that he is another Gilbert, Barrymore, Barthelmess, Chevalier or

any one of a dozen others. And as a rule it* not so much that the newcomer resembles the already famous person as it is that he has certain little mannerisms that are similar. The best example of this was seen in the recent appearance of Marlene Dietrich, noted German actress, in “Morocco.” All Hollywood hailed the arrival of anew Greta Garbo. Yet it wasn’t so much that Miss Dietrich resembled Greta in appearance as it was that they have certain similar mannerisms. In a sense this is unfortunate for Miss Dietrich as many persons will hold her to be just an imitation of the great Garbo while in reality she is a definite personality within herself. How many of these little gestures have you noticed among your favorite stars? Here are a few which we have noted: Marie Dressier always pushes her hat back on her head. Marion Davies has a habit of sitting on the arm of a chair or a

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table and swinging her feet in a boyish manner. Wallace Beery never fails to rub his nose when he is thinking Lewis Stone purses his lips together and raises his eyebrows simultaneously. John Gilbert's pet mannerism is rising on the balls of his feet with a rocking motion while he talks. . Norma Shearer's left hand almost invariably will And its way to her hip when she isn’t using it. Joan Crawford sticks her chin way up in the air, often for no apparent reason. William Haines has a habit of touching his handkerchief to his lips. Robert Montgomery continually presses his fingers together with the tips upward. Ramon Novarro throws his arms about whenever he becomes excited. All of these gestures are movements which do not come under the heading of direction. They are the things players do without being told to do. And veiy often they go unnoticed by the director as well as the players themselves,

School Board Pledges Action to Safeguard 300 Pupils in Tottering , Firetrap Buildings

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Where 300 city school pupils are attending school amidst serious hazards to life is shown in the above photos taken at School 56, 2' 00 Martindale avenue. The top photo shows the decrepit main building, and the four portables, closely grouped around

HEALTH PARLEY TO OPEN HERE TONIGHT

Conference Will Continue Through Saturday, in Armory, Claypool. Indiana’s conference on child health, sponsored by Governor Harry G. Leslie, will open tonight at 7:30 at the armory and continue through Saturday. Dr. Morris Fishbein, editor of “Hygeia” and conductor of the daily, health service in The Times, will give the principal address tonight at the armory. The conference has been divided into three divisions: Health and medical service, welfare, and education. Friday at 9 a. m., in the Ciaypool, the health and medical service section will meet with Dr. F. S. Crockett, president-elect of the Indiana State Medical Association, presiding. Speakers and their subjects at the sectional meeting Friday morning are Dr. Fred L. Adair, Chicago, “Maternal Care in Relation to Infant Health and protection;” Dr. A. M. Mendenhall, Bloomington, same subject discussed from standpoint of education: Dr. F. W. Schultz, Chicago, “Essentials for Good Growth in Infancy and Early

BY DAN THOMAS NEA Service Writer

it, where conditions perilous to the children’s lives exist. Below Is the chimney from k furnace in the main building on which pupils hang their wraps. To reach the only point of exit pupils must pass this point of greatest fire hazard.

Childhood;” Dr. Herman G. Morgan, local health board secretary, “Ways and Means of Health Education and Care;” Dr. Mary Wetsfall, “Dental Nutrition and Hygiene;” Dr. Thurman B. Rice, "Child Health and Protection.” The welfare section will meet Friday afternoon at 2 in the Claypool to discuss the handicapped child and delinquency. An all-state group dinner Friday night in the Riley room will feature the conference. James E. West, chief executive of the Boy Scouts of America, will be the principal speaker at the banquet. Saturday will be devoted to education, with Mattie Fry, past-presi-dent of the Indiana State Teachers’ Association, presiding. 200 facinglrrest Police Open War to Halt Ignoring of Stickers. Police officials today opened a war on 200 persons who have not heeded stickers for traffic violations. Captain Lewis Johnson of the traffic department said affidavits have been issued for the arrest of the alleged violators. As soon as persons are served with the charges they will be brought before Municipal Judge Clifton R. Cameron for trial, Johnson said. However, if persons will pay the fine for violations before their cases are scheduled for court hearing, prosecution will be halted, Johnson said. insanTbanditTscapes Maniac Train Robber Steals Key, Flees From Hospital. By United Press DETROIT, Jan. 15.—John Gibbs, alias Gerbic, an insane train robber, was at large today after his escape from receiving hospital. He stole an attendant’s key, hospital officials said. Two years ago Gibbs held up a Canadian National passenger train single handed, getting $20,000.

MALT LEVY TO BUY BOOKS IS OPPOSED

Irony of educating children at the cost of intoxicants in the raw was; pointed out by Representative John M. Cantley (Dem., Cass) as the Indiana house ways and means committee deliberated on five bills at its first session Wednesday. Cantley’s comment was made when question was raised as to the constitutionality of the GallowayBlack bills on taxing malt products and cigarets for the benefit of a free textbook fund. Question also was raised as to the legality of the proposed st-ce income tax bill Introduced by H. H. Evans (Rep., Henry) and the uniform poll tax measure carrying a flat levy of *2.50 for all persons of each sex over 21 and under 50 years of age. John D. T. Bold (Dem.. Vanderburg), ranking member of the committee, asserted Doth the malt and

Norma “rrk’’ Her Head

Second Section

Entered as Second-Clan Matter at roatofflce Indianapolis

Serious Hazards Found at No. 56; Funds Available for Erection of Modern Structures in District. Although funds that could have been applied on anew structure were allowed to accumulate as a balance in the school treasury during 1930, approximately 300 pupils were left in hazardous surroundings at School 56, it became known today, following exposure of perilous housing conditions at the school. Admitting “desperate conditions” have been neglected at the school, 2400 Martindale avenue, school board members today promised “something will be done to relieve the situation.” Reports that serious hazards to life exist in the school, which includes an old township building and four portables, fifteen years old, were laid before school officials by a Parent-Teacher Association representative and by the Indiana inspection bureau. Outside Conditions Bad It was revealed further today that conditions outside the building are practically as bad as those within. Immediate relief is necessary on the grounds, covered with mud and across which the pupils must go for drinking water at outside fountains. This latter situation will be relieved at once, school officials announced, but it will be some time before construction of anew building, if it is decided upon, will begin. Action is expected to be taken at the next meeting of the school board, in two weeks. “The school is in a desperate condition," Julian Wetzel, school board member, said. “A school building must be erected there.” Worse Than Old Schools Russell Willson, board president, stated he had made a personal inspection of the school and found “it worse than the rural schools so common years ago.” Investigation has disclosed that the group of one-story, frame, shingle-roofed buildings, closely grouped together, are a veritable fire trap. Officials have known the conditions existed for some time, it is said. In some of the portables, the stoves are near the doors, making it almofet impossible for the pupils to escape in case of fire. “Several of the buildings are so decrepit they are about to fall,” Wetzel declared. Although repairs for this winter are needed badly, this will not be done, in view of the fact that anew building probably will be erected. School officials promised to keep a “careful watch” on the situation to prevent disaster. POLICE GUARD TEXAS CHILDREN AFTER SCARE Kidnaping of Bank President’s Son Is Revealed. By United Press CORSICANA, Tex... Jan. 15.—The children of Navarro county’s wealthy families went to school under guard today as police and private detectives investigated the kidnaping and ransoming of James Cerf, 16, son of the millionaire president of the State National bank here, ten days ago. ' First hint of the kidnaping reached the public in a story, copyrighted by the Dallas News, which said that Isaac N. Cerf, bank president, paid $15,000 for the safe return of his son, a Junior in Corsicana high school. PREDICT ’3l AUTO SALES Four Million Is ltUrk Set bv Sitional Dealers’ Head. By United Press MILWAUKEE, Jan. 15.—Four million automobiles will be sold in the United States this year, C. A. Vane, manager of the National Automobile Association, predicted today.

cigaret tax measures are unconstitutional because luxury taxes are special taxes, and as such are not in the province of a legislature. He argued also that they would be unenforceable because of the ease of evasion. Bold declared cost of inspection and insuring that revenue stamps be affixed would be prohibitive and use practically all of the revenue derived. He urged, instead of taxing the products, the licensing of dealers in order to make the measure valid if it is passed. Chairman Hardin 8. Lin fee (Dem., Bartholomew) appointed Representative Albert F. Walsman (Dem., Marion) Bold and Cantley a subcommittee to obtain data on the malt and cigaret measures and the Gwln bill to levy a school tax changing the unit of control from the county or township to the state.

STRONG ‘BLOC’ OF U. S. PRESS FOR DRY LAW 389 Newspapers Favor Act as It Stands; 345 Want Repeal. NATIONAL POLL TAKEN NEA Check Shows Large Circulation Majority Is Against Prohibition. BY BRUCE CATTON NEA Serilct Writer iCopyriarht. 1931. by NEA Service. lnc.< Eleven years after national prohibition became effective a nationwide poll of approximately 1,500 daily newspapers in the United States, with circulations totaling far into the millions, shows: Three hundred and eight-nine newspapers with a total circulation of 3,932,041 favor the prohibition amendment as it stands. Three hundred forty-five newspapers with a total circulation of 12,520,911 are opposed to the prohibition amendment as it stands. Thirty-eight newspapers with a circulation of 263,869 favor modification of the Volstead act. Eighty-seven newspapers with a circulation of 616,404 are neutral on the subject of prohibition. Six hundred forty-nine newspapers or thereabouts apparently did not choose to express an opinion, as they made no reply to questionnaires. Newspapers Reply Replies were received from a total of 859 newspapers having a combined circulation of 17,333,225. On standard newspaper estimate that there are four readers for each subscriber or newspaper buyer, these replies are those of newspapers that are read by 69,332,900 persons in the United States. That sums up the result of a nation-wide poll of newspapers Just conducted by NEA Service, Inc., the world’s largest newspaper feature service, which also serves The Times. It was a poll designed to do the work of the poll which the United States prohibition bureau started last fall and then suddenly cancelled. The original letter sent out by „he bureau asked these four questions: 1. Are you in favor of the eighteenth amendment and the Volstead act? 2. Are you opposed to these enactments? 3. Are you neutral? 4. Will you state briefly your reasons for adopting the policy you are advocating? Indiana Plurality for Repeal The questionnaire sent out by NEA Service contained those same four questions. Also, it was pointed out that the editorial attitude of the newspapers was being sought, and not the personal opinions of the editors. Questionnaires were mailed to 1,500 daily newspapers, listed in the yearbook issued by Editor and Publisher, a leading newspaper trade journal. They were sent to all these, regardless of geographical location, political leanings or previously expressed positions on prohibition. Indiana’s vote follows: For prohibition, eighteen newspapers, 253,728 circulation; for repeal, twentyfive newspapers, 296,953 circulation; for modification, two, newspapers, 14,837 circulation; neutral, seven newspapers, 47,718 circulation. The totals reveal that papers following an outright prohibition policy outnumber the papers which advocate repeal of the dry laws, and make up approximately 45 per cent of the number reporting. 45 Per Cent in Nation Dry Papers which favor repeal constitute, roughly, 40 per cent of the total. Papers which uphold the eighteenth amendment but want to see the Volstead act modified so as to provide for light wines and beers number about 45 per cent. Papers which have adopted a neutral policy in regard to prohibition make up nearly 10.5 per cent. Thus, to sum up: As indicated by this poll, 45 per cent of the country’s dailies are editorially dry, 40 per cent are for repeal, 4.5 per cent want modification and 10.5 per cent are expressing no opinion. The theory that prohibition senment is stronger in rural districts and small cities than in the big metropolitan centers apparently is borne out by the poll. Smaller Papers Favor The 389 newspapers which uphold prohibition have a total dally circulation of 3,932,041. The 345 newspapers which demand complete repeal have a total daily circulation of 12,520,911. The papers which want modification reach 263,869 subscribers or buyers daily, and the neutral papers have a total circulation of 616,194. Next: How the big papers voted, how the little newspapers voted and a survey by geographical sections. BRIAND PRESSES PLAN Determined Fight to Be Made for Europe United States. By United Press GENEVA, Jan. 15. —A determined fight for the life of the proposed European federation, or “United States of Europe,” will begin Friday when Aristide Briand, French foreign minister, meets here with representatives of the twenty-seven countries directly involved. In spite of discreet opposition within the league of nations, the veteran French statesman appears to be convinced that a union of the. European states will be able to formulate political and economic constitutional principles serving as a safeguard against future wars by sound commercial interchange—a kind of economic revolution—which would bring Europeans together on fundamental questions.