Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 37, Indianapolis, Marion County, 23 June 1931 — Page 9

Second Section

ALL-BLACKTOP HIGHWAY BIDS RULED ILLEGAL Leslie Orders Competition Be Maintained for State Projects. CEMENT PRICES LOWER Law Specific That Three Types of Materials Be Considered. BY DANIEL M. KIDNEY A program of highway construction is under way in Indiana today, backed by a public pronouncement of competitive policy by Governor Harry G/ Leslie and the new personnel of the state highway commission. The latter merely means a commission minus Jess Murden, Peru, whose place has been taken by Arthur Sapp, Huntington. Murdeb was the stickler for the summer program of putting out specifications of three paving types, all of blacktop. That program is halted now and Leslie has declared that it never will be repeated. Announcement of this Leslie administration highway construction policy was made by the Governor himself Monday afternoon when a large delegation from Greenfield called to urge immediate construction of the National road project there. Insisted on Blacktop Mayor Arthur C. Downing of Greenfield, who headed the delegation, as insistent that the work not only be done promptly, but that construction be of blacktop as advertised. Here was where the Governor objected and announced his new policy. ‘ Three types of paving, all asphaltic, is not in keeping with the highway law’ governing the reception of competitive bids.” Governor Leslie told the mayor and his delegation. "We have an opinion from the attorney-general setting out that three types, under the law, mean brick, cement and blacktop. There must be open competition and we intend to maintain it. "Damnable Nuisance” "I’m not interested in this cement and blacktop material fight. It is a damnable nuisance both in this and other states, and I believe that many worthwhile projects are blocked because this material or that material interest didn’t get in on the pie. "But our highway law is clear on the point that actual competition must be maintained.” State highway department officials today received bids on blacktop lor three state road projects, but said they probably would not let contracts. Cites Litigation However, A. H. Hinkle, maintenance chief, did not mention Leslie’s ultimatum as the cause for the contract delay, but stated that the contracts would not be let because of litigation on the subject now pending in Ft. Wayne. Low bidders on the projects: State Road 29, 23.6 miles, Versailles to Madison, Hayes Construction Company, $165,159.07; State Road 69, 3.39 miles south of New Harmony, Robinson, Gregory, Hart & Hart, $25,586.42, and State Road 9, Wolcottville, 2.73 miles, N. B. Putnam Company, $19,956. The Greenfield project, which is to widen United States Road -40 to thirty feet for approximately eight miles between Greenfield and Cumberland, was one of those advertised a6 three types—blacktop, blacktop and blacktop. Leslie intimated that if the blacktop prices came down, it also might be an aid in getting more business. They have dropped some, according to the maintenance division of the state highway department, but a tabulation of comparative prices was not available immediately. Backed by C. of C. Harry Marshall, a blacktop promoter. was in the outer office. w*hile the delegation called on the Governor. He declared he knew nothing of the move. Mayor Downing said the trip was financed by the Greenfield Chamber of Commerce. It was made in interurban cars. Downing told the Governor that he had appeared before the state highway commission to push the blacktop project, but his chances were lessened now with Murden leaving. He also said "a man named Miller” came to him to urge the construction be of cement and criticised the highway commission’s conduct. Lawrence Miller is district representative of the Portland Cement Association. Cement now is the lowest In price in a decade, a tabulation made by the construction division of the state highway department shows. The figures give the base prices since 1922, which range from $1.75 *o $l6O per barrel until 1930 when the drop commenced. Prices in Tumble The 1930 base prices were $1.50 and $1.40. but later fell to newlow of $1.35 and $1.30. The 1931 original bases were 99 cents, $1 and *l.lß, but since has slumped to as \ low as 96 cents per barrel sacked, and 10 cents less than this in bulk. It is this new low price which will make the increased mileage for the money possible, the officials point out. The price drop in cement also is reflected in general construction costs, records of William J. Titus, chief engineer of the department, discloses. Cavalryman, 86, Dies By United Preti SULLIVAN, Ind., June 23. —John Hopkins Giles, 86. one of the last five survivors of Company G, Eleventh Indiana cavalry, Union army, in the Civil war, is dead. He was a native of Sullivan county.

•Full Leased Wire Service of the Knifed Press Association

SHIP’S DOCTOR BEFORE GRAND JURY READY TO BARE STARR’S LETTERS

Movies Want Tucker

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The movies and several Broadway night clubs have been bidding for the services of Sylvia Tucker Faithfull, 18-year-old sister of Starr Faithfull, New York beauty who met death under sensationally mysterious circumstances. Tucker, who is show’n above in an exclusive picture pcsed in her home, has spurned the offer as she directs her energies to an effort to substantiate her conviction that Starr was murdered.

LUCK IS BAD, BUT BILLY BATTLES ON

Times Marble Champion Has Tough Breaks, but He’s Still in the Ring. By Times Special OCEAN CITY, N. J., June 23. — Bill Fulton, inaianapoiis entry in the national marble tournament, today laid claim to the title of the unluckiest kid in the tournament. After losing seven straight Monday, he dropped eight straight Tuesday, and still is without a victory, and it’s not because he is a poor shot, but because his taw docs the uncanniest tricks at the most inopportune moments. Twice today he won the lag, and on the first shot struck two marbles and another time four mibs, all rolling near the edge of the ring, but refusing to go out. Meanwhile, his taw also caromed off near the edge, from where opponents popped him out. On three other occasions he had the game practically sewed up, only to have his opponent rally to win out by 7-6 scores. He Fights Hard Fighting to enter the win column in his last game against Chillicothe, he turned in a lead of six marbles to three, but never could get another to give him the game. Billy and F. A. Walker Jr. of Decatur, 111., went through a long practice session both Monday afternoon and this morning, and the Indianapolis lad shot great marbles. But once in the ring against league opponents, Billy found the old jinx till there. For all his heart-breaking experiences in the last two days he was a grim and determined youngster as he awaited Wednesdays final play. "Watch me,” was all he said. Eastern Lad Leads Gerard Tanguary cf Holyoke, Mass., with a percentage of .933, remained in the lead, as the second day’s play ended. Finals will be played Friday. Young Tanguary Monday was tied with Johnny Jeffries cf Greenville, 0., and Alexander Mazur of Akron, 0.. with perfect scores. But Jeffries today lost two games and won eight, giving him a percentage cf .889. Mazur was defeated four times and won the same number cf games, to give him .733. Tanguary dropped his first game of the tournament today.

CUMMINGS IS NEW POLICE LIEUTENANT

Police Sergeant Daniel F. Cummings was promoted to a police lieutenant today by action of the safety beard in approving recommendations by Police Chief Mike Morrissey. Cummings, a Democrat and a member of the police force since 1910, fills the vacancy left when Morrissey was raised from a lieutenancy to police chief. The safety board also approved Jhe promotions of three patrolmen to sergeant posts. They are: Edwin H*Kruse, Democrat; Wayne M. Bear. Republican; Ralph E. Dean, Democrat. Two were advanced from the rank of patrolman to dptective sergeant. They are: Charles E, Bauer, Republican, and Albert A, Kelly. Democrat. Bauer was wounded during the

The Indianapolis Times

No Sale By United Press CHICAGO. June 23.—Charles Russell. 36. declared today in a jail cell that he has lost all faith in the rules of percentage. Russell tried to sell some clothes to Mrs. Mary Miller, at her butcher shop. Mrs. Miller recognized the clothes as some stolen four days ago from her home. She had Russell arrested. “Just imagine it,” said Ruscell, “with 3,000,000 people in Chicago to sell clothes to—and I had to pick her!”

OFFICE PADLOCKED Doctor’s as Liquor Resort. Office of Dr. Charles LeFevre, 2332 West Michigan street, was padlocked today as a liquor resort on order of Judge Joseph R. Williams in superior court two. An automobile rids said to have followed a party in the office resulted in the death of Oscar Essick, 31, of 614 Somerset avenue, father of four children, the suit charges. The accident occurred at Burdsal parkway, Oct. 17. 1939. Miss Alma Diser of Carmel and Dewey Noe. Detroit. Mich., were other occupants in the car. SCHOOL BOND ISSUES ATTACKED IN COURT Taxpayers’ Suits Protest Cont ra els Were Not to Low Bidders. Taxpayers are demanding a $127,000 bond issue for construction cf additions to city public schools No. 49 and 85 be cancelled in a suit before Judge William A. Pickens in superior court three. Arguments on a demurrer to the suit, filed by Sumner Clancy, attorney. in behalf of John Carlisle and other taxpayers, were held Monday. Complaint states the board of school commissioners failed to award improvement contracts to lowest bidders. It also is charged the school commissioners misrepresented purpose cf the bond issue to the state tax beard which approved it.

gun battle at the East Washington street store of the Standard Grocery recently, when bandits murdered Lafayette A. Jackson, grocery head. Bauer entered the door of the store after hearing the gun fire and the bandit shot him in the head with a shotgun.

Heroine Caught in Whirlwind of Love and Hate

LIAXE BARRETT was 18, beautiful and fresh from sheltered convent school days. Suddenly she found herself plunged into a whirling vortex of love, hatred, jealousies and underworld intrigue.

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 1931

Observers Hint Important Figure May Have More Than Notes to Help Solve Death Riddle. By United Press NEW YORK, June 23.—Investigation into the mysterious death of beautiful Starr Faithfull, 25-year-old Greenwich Village girl, who was drowned off Long Beach two weeks ago. moved toward a possible climax today as Dr. G. Jameson Carr, ship's surgeon on the Cunnard liner Franconia appeared at the Mineola <L. I.) courthouse, ready to testify before a grand jury. There was insufficient time in the morning to hear the physician, ever, and Carr went to lunch with his attorney and District Attorney Elvin N. Edwards. The suave and quick-witted surgeon started h isday by engaging Samuel Untermeyer, one of the country's famous lawyers, to act as his personal counsel. Taken Before Jurors He and Untermeyer went to Mineola and after conferences with Edwards and Judge Lewis J. Smith, ostensibly for the purpose of determining the extent to which he may testify, he was taken into the grand pury room. He arrived late in New York on Monday aboard the line Laconia, having crossed the Atlantic to give authorities evidence he has in his possession. He already has said that he considers this evidence to be of great importance in the case, though he has declined to indicate whether it tends to bear out a suicide theory, or to strengthen the theory of murder. Father Also to Appear The grand jury also was to question Stanley E. Faithfull, the dead girl’s stepfather. Faithfull appeared at Mineola this morning with a large bundle, the contents of which were kept secret. It also was considered likely that Edwards would call Tucker Faithfull, Starr’s 19-year-old sister, for further examination, and that Dr. William V. P. Garretson, neurologist, who once treated Starr, would be questioned before the jury. Interest at this time centers about the ship’s surgeon, because of the air of mystery that cloaks his moves. Has Important Date It Is pointed out that he apparently is in possesion of important evidence over and above the two letters. He received three letters from Starr altogether and one of these, an innocuous missive of apology, was cabled to Mineola from England before the doctor took ship for New York. Had these letters been the only evidence he had, it is considered likely that the remaining two could have been cabled across, and a personal appearance of Dr. Carr obviated. Dr. Carr’s only direct answer to reporters was that "I have no theory as to how Miss Faithfull met her death.” From the outset, the doctor indicated he had nothing more to say regarding the case, other than that which he gave out when the vessel touched at Boston Sunday. Refuses to Give History "If I started answering * these questions,” he said, "there’s no telling where it would lead.” He also refused to give up any of his past history other than to say that his thumbprints would identify him. “Do you consider the evidence you are bringing important?” he was asked. “That’s for the grand jury to determine,” he answered. Do you think Starr was a person of the temperament that commits suicide?” I don t know what temperament leads a person to commit suicide ” "Do you think she could have fallen off a ship and been washed ashore, since she was not cut by ship's propeller?” "I am sure I don’t know. I never have fallen off a ship and therefore I can not speak with authority.”

STUDY R. C. A. LICENSES Federal Radio Commission Sifts Trade Practice Evidence. By United Press WASHINGTON, June 23.—The federal radio commission met in executive session tod-y to decide whether trade practices of the Radio Corporation of America provide grounds for revocation of licenses held by the National Broadcasting Company and other R. C. A. subsidiaries. •CORKERS’ ON THE JOB Land-o-Dance Open /Ur Pavilion Can Accommodate 400. Harold Cork and his famous Corkers now play every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night for dancing at Land-o-Dance open air pavilion, 8500 East Washington street. Accommodations for 400 dancers are provided on a special composition floor, the only one of its kind in Indiana. Stork Doubles By United Press MT. VERNON, Ind., June 23. Being grandparents twice in twentyfour hours is the record of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stevens, living here. Each of their two sons became fathers the same day.

Two men made love to her. Both were rich and attractive. Clive was dependable, generous and steady. Van fascinated the girl with power that was almost terrifying. He proved utterly irresponsible, and had figured in half a dozen scandals. Which should she choose?

BRIDGE CODE IS AGREED ON BY EXPERTS Best Known World Players to Issue Universal Contract System. CULBERTSONS SNUBBED City Followers of Noted Teachers May Have to ‘Unlearn’ Play. From now on, Mr. and Mrs. Ely Culbertson, two o fthe best and most publicized contract bridge players in the world, will appear In a dramatic and heart-wringing skit entitled, "Orphans of the Storm,” or “Two Against the World.” At least, that appears to be the purpose of the bridge armistice signed today by such leading contract exponents as Sidney S. Lentz, Milton C. Work, Wilbur C. Whitehead, Shepard Barclay and others who have allied themselves to adopt a universal system of contract bridge bidding. The Culbertsons, well-known in Indianapolis through personal appearances here and the teaching of their individual system of contract by Mrs. A. R. Coffin and Mrs. Grace C. Buschman, Indianapolis have been given the cold shoulder by the Old Gu&rd of Lenz, Whitehead and Work. And thus, Indianapolis bridge players may have to “unlearn” themselves of much hard won knowledge.

First Pact of Kind Adoption of the new code marks the first definite agreement on contract between a group of recognized experts who have as their avowed purpose—"making it possible when contract players meet anywhere for them to play pleasantly, harmoniously and successfully.” The boys may be suspected of a little undue optimism here, as contract players have been known to be put off their game by the color of an opponent’s tie. Spokesmen for the "bridge trust” further announce "that in the future, players will not have to preface their play with a long series of questions and answers about each other’s bidding method, in order to prevent costly misunderstandings.” This is something else and may fill the well-known "long-felt want.” Two-Club Bid Confusing Although no mention of it is made in the “trust’s” announcement, it may be regarded probable that ifie misleading two-club bid may be junked. The two-club bid is a bit of delicate subterfuge invented by Commodore Harold Vanderbilt of Lipton cup yachting fame, and was designed to convey to the partner the information that the bidder had no clubs, but had a lot of other valuable “tickets.” It usually succeeded in fooling everyone at the table, the host’s Aunt Mehitabel and the people next door who are playing backgammon. The Culbertsons, international match players of repute, have been regarded as the renegades of bridge because of their radical departure from conservative bridge teaching, this notwithstanding their success. Chief feature of their system is the two-demand bid which is calculated to force a suit bid from the partner. If the partner is unable because of general weakness to overbid in a su-it, he is obligated under the Culbertson system to bid two no-trumps in order to keep the auction open, thus allowing the original bidder to rebid. Because of general adoption of the Culbertson system, the new code to be issued within the next two weeks by the “bridge trust” mayhave difficult sledding for a while. The new combine will be known as "Bridge Headquarters, Inc.” and besides Work, Whitehead, Lenz and Barclay, includes such players and teachers as Commander Winfield Liggett Jr., George Reith and E. V. Shepard of New York, R. R. Richards of Detroit, Charles T. Adams ( of Chicago, Walter Wyman of Boston and Edward C. Wolfe and Henry P. Jeager of Cleveland. The new system will describe four distinctly different types of contract bridge hands. SCORES COPS' AIM Broad Ripple Man Protests Shooting of Dog. For an hour today safety board members listened to the tale of a Broad Ripple resident about two police officers’ efforts to shoot his police dog. Most of the bullets missed. W. E. Hitchcock, 824 East Sixtythird street, complained that patrolman Mowery Johnson entered his home and pulled forth the dog early, last Wednesday after the animal was reported to have snapped at a woman and the police. Hitchcock demanded Johnson be “punished for entering a house without right." Hitchcock said the policeman shot at the dog several times and when the animal fled to the house, Johnson followed. He said other efforts of the officers in the yard and alley failed, the dog suffering from bullet wounds from which he is recovering. /

PLANE IS WRECKED: RUTH NICHOLS HURT

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Crash in St. Johns Landing Comes When Sun Blinds Girl Flier. ST. JOHNS, N. 8., June 23. Miss Ruth Nichols, 32-year-old Rye, N. Y., society girl, was undergoing hospital treatment today for injuries suffered when her white and gold monoplane, in which she had planned to be the first woman to solo across the Atlantic ocean, cracked up in landing here on the first leg of the journey. Physicians said Miss Nichols was not injured seriously, but they plan to make several X-ray pictures of her back today. They reported that a preliminary examination showed she suffered a strained back and a wrenched ligament as well as a severe laceration of the right leg. Plane Damaged Badly Her Lockheed-Vega monoplane was damaged badly by the crash. The under-carriage, of special contruction for the proposed flight, was smashed and partly carried away. The engine also was damaged and partly torn from the fuselage. Clarence Chamberlin, trailsAtlantic flyer and technical adviser to Miss Nichols, who arrived shortly after the crash, was reported in a conversation with Miss Nichols at the hospital to have expressed the opinion anew plane would be necessary before she could make another attempt at the long overwater hop. Aviation experts said that at best it would take several weeks to again put her craft in flying condition. Blinded by Sun Miss Nichols took off from the Floyd Bennett airport in New York City at 3:22 p. m. Monday to make a record flight to the airport here. Due to the direction of the wind, Miss Nichols was forced to attempt a landing in the glare of the setting sun. The glare against the windshield of the craft caused her to overshoot the runway and the plane tipped on its nose, just across the boundary of the field. She was lifted from the craft by persons who crowded about the damaged plane, and taken to the local hospital. Others at Harbor Grace By United Pres* Holger Hoiriis and Otto Hillig were at Harbor Grace, New Foundland, waiting for a favorable moment to attempt a flight to Denmark. They were disappointed that Miss Nichols could not take to the air simultaneously with them, to give the flight the aspect of an international race. Wiley Post and Harold Gatty of Los Angeles landed at 11:45 a. m. at Harbor Grace from Roosevelt field on a proposed flight around the world, in which they hope to beat the Graf Zeppelin’s record for the complete circle. They left Roosevelt field this morning. , Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon Jr. were tuning up their plane for a projected world flight. No definite plans for a takeoff were announced, however. Captain George Endreas and Alexander Magyar, Hungarian aviators, were preparing at Roosevelt field for a dash that, they hope, will end in Budapest. Large Gas Well Completed OAKTOWN, lna., June 23.—One of the largest gas wells in the state, with an estimated volume of 1,500,000 cubic feet was brought in on the Elmore Bland farm, west of here. Gas was struck at a depth of 535 feet.

PLEA FOR PARKING MERCY IS VOICED

Adding its voice to those of other organizations protesting effect of the early morning parking ban, with its impounding clause, today was the Indianapolis Merchants’ Association, a letter from which was received by the safety board. Admitting the new traffic ordinance should be given a fair trial, the association in its letter asked that special consideration be given out-of-town purchasers by police in enforcing the ordinance. Instances where out-of-town customers of downtown stores were

Liane’s heart problems, her thrilling adventures and the decision which shaped her destiny all are told in “Heart of Liane,” Mabel McElliott’s new serial. You can’t afford to miss a single chapter. “Heart of Liane” begins Wednesday in The Times,

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianatolis

Ruth Nichols

BROOKS WILL CASE TO JURY Probing Body Investigates Alleged Bribe Promise. Tangled mass of charges and counter-charges surrounding the estate of the late Bartholomew D. Brooks, Indianapolis business man, today was laid before the county grand jury. William M. Davis and Lee Geisendorf, who Saturday in probate court stated in depositions that they had been involved in affairs of the estate for promised consideration were the first witnesses. Davis charged he signed an alleged 1924 will recently found after Robert Hackney, business associate of Mr. Brooks, promised him $2,000 for his “services.” This document was found after the court had upheld a will that bequeathed the $200,000 estate to charities. Under a third will, Hackney would have received the estate. Wording of the alleged fraudulent document of 1924 was such that Hackney was the only person who would receive the estate. Geisendorf denied signing the alleged fraudulent 1924 will but charged Hackney had promised him $1,500 if he would testify in court to uphold Hackney's claim to the estate.

RENO SETS RECORD 114 Divorces in Day as Vanderbilts Take ‘Spot/ By United Press RENO, Nev., June 23.—With another record established for swift divorces, Reno “colonists” again turned their attention today to the Vanderbilt-Arno matrimonial feud and the prospect of a contested suit between Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. and his young wife, Mary Weir Vanderbilt. Anew record of 114 decrees was set Monday in the two courts of Washoe county. The old record of 90 had stood only a week. Almost half the cases were filed in the morning and heard in the afternoon. William Woodburn, attorney for Mrs. Vanderbilt, said she would take court action today in reply to her husband's suit. Either he said she would file an answer or cross-com-plaint. rescue' award likely Policeman May Receive Honor for Saving Life of Swimmer. Steps to award James Sentcney. police emergency car driver, a medal for the rescue of William Cossell, 11, of 914 North Pershing avenue, from Big Eagle creek last week after the boy had been submerged several minutes, were being taken today. J. J. Steuerwald, safety director of the Indianapolis Power and Light Company and representative of the United States safety council, tola safety board members he would investigate the rescue. Senteney, a former life guard, administered the boy artificial respiration after he had been pulled from the water.

forced by police to move out of parking spaces while their families were shopping, or returned to find their cars impounded, were cited. Possibility of giving shoppers from other cities “courtesy cards” was suggested. Police are preparing to resume enforcement of the impounding clause of the new ordinance probably July 3, following publication of an ordinance enacted at the last council meeting removing the flaw which halted enforcement two weeks ago.

JURIST STARTS DEFENSE Prosecution of Woman Judge for X'nfltness’ Comes to Close. By United Press NEW YORK, June 23.—Referee Samuel Seabury closed his case today against Jean H. Norris, New York's first woman magistrate, who then began her defense against the charge that she was not fitted to continue sitting on the bench.

Second Section

GUNS FOR ‘PRESS GENTS 5, U. S. Writers Will Be Permitted t* Be “Arsenals” in Mexico. By United Press PHOENIX, Ariz.. June 23.—Newspaper men will be permitted to carry a gun and fifty rounds of ammunition each into Mexico when they attend the annual American press conference at Mexico City Aug. 10 to 14, it was announced today by Luis Castro, Mexican consul, who added with a grin that he didn t think the arms and ammunu tion would be necessary. Each reporter also will be permitted to take forty packages of American cigarets into Mexico without being liable for duty, said. ANTI-SEMITISM FLARES Riots Flare, 10 Jews Hurt as Court Bans University Rule. By United Press VIENNA. June 23.—Anti-Semitic rioting broke out at Vienna university today after the Austrian constitutional court had nullified a university regulation depriving Jewish students of the right to vote on university affairs. Ten Jewish students were injured seriously.

HOOVER PLAN ADHERES TO U. S. POLICY Year Moratorium Stretches Leniency Which First Appeared in 1922. DEBTS WERE REVISED Interest Rate Reductions, Extensions Met With Favor in U. S. BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS Scripps-Howard Foreirn Editor WASHINGTON. June 23.—Here is the A-B-C of the war debts, payments on which President Herbert Hoover proposes to suspend for one year to save Germany, Europe and the world from probable disaster. The obligations of the various Allied powers held by the treasury at the end of 1922, aggregated sll,656,932,737.45. Os this amount $10,102,140,829.09 represented principal and $1,554,791.908.36 was on account of interest. In round numbers Britain owed the United States $4,747,000,000; France, $4,000,000,000; Italy. $2,000000.000; Belgium. $437,000,000; Russia, $232,000,000; Poland. $153,000.000; Czecho-Slovakia, $106,000,000; Serbia. $60,000,000; Rumania, $42,000,000, and half a dozen others amounts ranging from $30,000,000 down. "Capacity to Pay”

It was plain, even then, that some, if not all, of these countries never would be able to pay in full, so the debt commission, created by congress early in 19*2. proceeded to negotiate settlements on a basis of “capacity to pay.” Mr. Hoover, then secretary of commerce, was a member of that commission, along with Charles Evans Hughes, then secretary of state, new chief justice; the late Theodore Burton, congressman from Ohio, and Senator Reed Smoot of Utah. Its chairman was Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon. The British debt was the first one settled. After certain cash payments, she owed, in February, 1923, $4,600,000,000. Instead of the original 4U per cent interest, it wa3 agreed to let Britain off with 3 ner cent for the first ten years, ard with per cent thereafter until 1984, by which time the entire debt was to be paid. This represented a 25 per cent reduction, or the equivalent of SI 150,000,00. Let Off Easily The second important settlement was with Italy, in 1925. By this time her debt amounted to $2,042.000,000. Applying the same rule of capacity to pay,” she was allowed to go with no interest payments at all for the first five years, then H cf 1 per cent for the next ten; U of l per cent for the next, and so on until the last seven years of a sixty-two-year period, when she will pky 2 per cent. Contracted at 414 per cent, the debt revision meant that Italy v/as let off with 26 cents on the dollar or the equivalent of a cash payment of only $1:00,000,000. The third big deal was in 1926, with France. After much haggling she agreed to pay no interest at all until 1930; 1 per cent until 1940; 2 per cent until 1950, then by fractions until just before 1987—at v, hich time she is to be fully paid up—when she will%iay 3% per cent.' No Interest to Belgium It is calculated that France han been let. off with 50 cents o n the dollar, a reduction of $2,000,000,000. Belgium is charged no interest whatever. Only the principal is asked of her and payments of that are stretched out nearly sixty years To all intents she has been let off with 20 cents o n the dollar, or less than $100,000,000 out of a total of more than $400,000,000. It is true that in no case has the principal of the debt actually been reduced. By stretching out payments and cutting Interest rat°s however, the effect has been the same. Yet the debt commission has been criticised extremely little. The American public has refused to sanction Uncle Sam in the role of Shylock. Mostly the harsh words have been because the commission, did not show even greater leniency. Except for Russia, which went Bolshevik, the other countries settled on the British basis, namelv 3 per cent interest per annum for the first ten years of a fifty-five or sixty-year period, and 3*4 per cent thereafter. Which means, of course, that they, too, are paying only about 75 cents on the dollar.