Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 300, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 April 1932 — Page 1

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POLICE DRIVE JOBLESS FROM CAPITOL STEPS Two Women, Man Taken to Jail: Demonstration Made for Luesse. SPEECHES ARE HALTED Officers Rush Crowd and Force Dispersal; Leslie Is Absent. Two women and a man were arrested today when about 100 unemployed staged a demonstration at the staiehouse against the imprisonment of Theodore Luesse, leader of the jobless, sentenced to the penal farm for interfering with an eviction. About thirty offirers, city and j sta'e police, halted the protest meet- \ ing, said to have been the most, | vigorous since unemployed began calling at the capitol. Those under arrest, all charged I with resisting officers, are Mrs. Fay Allen, mother of four children, 2328 Calhcun street; Miss Minnie Caniz-, 7.aro. 527 Abbott street, and Slvester! Bertiaux, 1026 Broadway, said to have succeeded Luesse as leader of ( the jobless.. The women arp held under bonds | of SI,OOO each. Governor Bans Speeches Leaders of the demonstration said ; they had planned to confer with Governor Harry G. Leslie regarding the Luesse case. The Governor was out of the city. L. O. Chasey, his secretary, warned the visitors that Leslie had left orders that no speeches be made. As the crowd dispersed, it was announced that, there would be another demonstration at 2 this afternoon. The group in the office repaired to the Capitol avenue entrance of the building. Leaders said they wished to explain to the waiting group that the Governor was absent. There were some speeches, and police, especially state officers, began hustling away every person who spoke. Charge Police Brutality Officers insisted that, the demonstration be moved to Military park. Cries of “police brutality” were heard. Police refrained from using clubs, but forcibly removed several of the more talkative of the demonstrators. Sergeant Kent Yoh and a demonstrator had a brief debate. “When you fellows go home tonight you won’t, have to open the door,” was a remark directed at Yoh. "Why?” he asked. “You're so small you can get through the keyhole.” was the retort. Carries Flag Challenge The demonstrator admitted he was not a World war veteran. When Yoh announced that he was, and “I did as much fighting as any of you fellows," the argument ended. A carry carry a faded flag with n lath as a staff, yelled: “Push this over, will you?” The flag, some banners and hand bills announcing the demonstration were taken to police headquarters. JNSULL TRUCK PLEA IS SCHEDULED TODAY Transport Firms Petition For Utility Recognition to Be Fought. Termed an effort of Insull interest to gain control of a large share of trucking business in the state, the Co-Ordinated Transport Company petition to be declared a public utility was to be heard this afternoon’by Harry K. Cuthbertson. public service commissioner. The company proposes to operate In connection with Insull-owned lnterurban lines and also over routes which have been abandoned for inter urban use. A large number of representatives of steam railroads and trucking companies appeared today ready to protest against granting of the petition, charging it would give the Insull interests unfair advantages in transportation. Railroads planning protests include the Big Four, the Chicago <fc Eastern Illinois and Pennsylvania. Between twenfc and twenty-five truck companies also plan protests. KNOCKED DOWN BY WIND Pueblo Man’s Shoulder Is Broken In Freak Accident. By United Prc> PUEBLO. Col.. April 25.—Charles Neff's broken shoulder and lacerated face were painful evidence today that the wind is strong enough in Pueblo to blow a man down. Neff, a school janitor, rounded the corner of a building, and the wind knocked him to the pavement. TOSCANINI IN NEW YORK NEW YORK, April 25 Arturo Toscanini, renowned conductor, stepped off the lie De France today after a 4.500-mile journey from Italy to conduct a single concert at Carnegie hall Thursday for the benefit of unemployed musicians.

Ask the Stars Miss Marguerite Carter, Indianapolis girl, today starts her famous feature on character analysis In The Times. She asks that every Times reader feel free to command her services. to ask her advice on any subject and be jertain of personal attention. For details, turn to Page 7.

The Indianapolis Times Showers and slightly cooler tonight, followed by partly cloudy and cooler Tuesday.

VOLUME 43—NUMBER 300

11 YEARS OF LIFE A BLANK

Loses Decade to Regain Pre- War Identity

BY’ PAUL L. HARRISON NF.A Service Writer Philadelphia. April 25.— The clouds of forgetfulness have shifted across the muddled memory of Tobias J. Burke. Today the World war veteran, who for the last eleven years has been a victim of amnesia, Is able to recall his life prior to 1921. But in reaching back to grasp his pre-war identity, Burke has lost, in his turn, all recollection of the last decade. And so. out of the strange twist taken by a shell-shocked mind, Toby Burke lives again. But “Joe Bond,” the man he was during all those intervening years is dead. So far as Toby Burke now is concerned. it might have been only last night that he walked out of his house to get some headache tablets at the corner drug store. But the problem Is not so simple as that.. Burke disappeared on his way to the drug store. He wandered far, took the name of Joe Bond, he married 23-year-old Mabel Sehild, who died in 1930, leaving a son named Joe Bond Jr. The child, now 3, is in the care of his maternal grandparents and is awaiting his father’s return. But neither “Joe Bond” nor Tobias Burke is going back to Chicago.

‘Start Over Again’

“Toby is home, and home to stay.” declared Mrs. Patrick Burke, his mother. “These years of waiting and searching have been a nightmare to Carrie, who is Toby’s wife, and to me. But now we'll start all over again. “Maybe we'll provide for the boy in Chicago, or else we ll send for him and bring him up hpre with Johnny, Toby's boy, who is ill. It will all depend on how much Toby can remember of the life he lived away from us.” Carrie Burke, a plain little woman whom the anxious years have marked more than they have her husband, has been seriously ill and will not speak of the strange turn her life has taken. For some time after Burke’s disappearance she worked to support herself and her son. More recently she has been living with a sister in Germantown. Burke could have been declared legally dead, and she might have remarried. But she guessed what had happened that something had snapped in her husband's memory, and (hat some day he might be restored. Year after year, she and Burke's parents, and his five brothers, traced clews that ended only in disappointment. When Mrs. Patrick Burke seemed near death from a heart ailment, messages were broadcast throughout the country. But if any of them reached “Joe Bond” it struck no responsive chord.

Recognized by Buddy

But, he did know that there was a mystery to be solved, and that his name probably was nol Joe Bond. So when a wartime buddy called him Toby Burke, and gave him the address of the family in Philadelphia, Burke wrote to his wife and parents, declaring he was willing to be convinced. A brother. David Burke, went to Chicago, recognized Toby, and persuaded him to return with him. An excited family group awaited him in the little home here. They saw a man of 40, dark and rather handsome, and well-groomed. A little heavier, but unquestionably Tobias Burke. Carrie Burke rushed toward him. “Toby!” she cried. “Oh, Toby!” Mrs. Margaret Burke, 66, forgot all about her dangerously fluttering heart. “My son,’’ she sobbed, “You’re home again!” Old Patrick. 72. waited expectantly for a greeting from his son. There was a puzzled, dulled expression on the face of the man. He looked at them. Finally he said: “I'm sorry; I don’t know you.” They took him around the little house. In his old room were his war souvenirs, and his uniform with the insignia of the One hundred eighth engineers. These awakened on response. “The ring. Toby!" they chorused. “You'll remember that carved ring yon got in a German prison camp.” “Joe Bond” took a carved ring from his pocket. He said: "I never knew where I got that.”

Haunted by Curse

Asa last resort they showed him his trench knife. With it he once had killed a German prisoner when the latter was about to throw a hand grenade into a group of American soldiers. The German murmured, just before he died, *T will haunt you until tiie day you die.” That curse had burned into the mind of Burke. After he had been sent back to this country, gassed and shellshocked. he often leaped, screaming. from his bed. But this time Burke only looked at the knife and shook his head. ‘T was never in the war,” he declared. Army fingerprint, records, however, have definitely identified Joe Bond as Tobias Burke. He is to receive a considerable sum in government compensation, for it has been accumulating at the rate of SBO a month until it now amounts to $9,560. Sent to the home of a brother in the country, he is being guarded against all disturbing influences. Under the guidance and daily treatment of Dr. George Wilson. University of Pennsylvania neurologist, his memory soon began to return. And once started, the transition has proved surprisingly complete. For Toby Burke now remembers nothing at all about the life and times "Joe Bond.”

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Tobias J. Burke (lower left), shell-shocked World war veteran, didn't recognize his family home (above) in Philadelphia, nor his mother (lower right) when he returned to them recently after an eleven-year absence. Now, however, his memory has undergone another tiansition —he remembers his true identity, and has forgotten the years which he spent as “Joe Bond” after the war.

ORDERS PROBE INTO WATER RATE HIKES

But Cuthbertson Wins by Getting Approval of His Method. BY DANIEL M. KIDNEY Investigation of the rate increases of the Indianapolis Water Company j under the compromise settlement ! was ordered today by the public service commission. But the procedure for such investigation, as proposed by Commissioner Howell Ellis three weeks previously, was turned down and the entire matter again placed in the hands of Commissioner Harry K. Cuthbertson. Cuthbertson presided over the compromise settlement, which has resulted in a storm of protest from those whose rates were increased without hearing. The commission conference, which brought forth the new plan, today was marked by heated discussion, charges and counter-charges as Ellis fought for his investigation proposal. Under the Ellis motion presented April 8, investigation was to be conducted by O. R. Livinghouse, chief of the tariff division of the commission. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Frank Singleton, when presented, but Chairman John W. McCardle and Commissioner

THREE PLANS OFFERED AS BONUS COMPROMISES

B)/ 1 niled Press WASHINGTON, April 25.—Three compromise plans to the proposed payment of the soldiers' adjusted service certificates in $2,000,000,000 of new currency were placed before the house ways and means committee today at a hearing marked by a brief but sharp outburst of hisses from war veterans in the audience. The hisses and a shout of “throw him out” came as a mild-mannered former army chaplain, the Rev. F. C. Reynolds of Baltimore, charged that the bonus bill was class legislation. He said it was “unpatriotic and would jeopardize financial stability of the country.” Acting Chairman Henry T. Rainey (Dem., 111.) rapped the gavel sharply and warned that “this hissing must not occur again.” The roomful of veterans quieted down thereafter.

‘ECONOMIZE!’ SENATORS CRY AS U. S. GIVES THEM FREE HAIRCUTS

BY RAYMOND CLAPPER United Pree* Stair Correwendent iCoovriaht, 1332. bv United Pressi WASHINGTON. April 25 Though ruthless economy is about to be decreed for the government departments, congress has not yet undertaken to set an example itself. Not only are senators and congressmen keeping wives, daughters, sons, and other relatives on the pay roll, they also are managing to continue, while attending their legislative duties, to live in the style to which they have been accustomed. They completely have escaped the ravages of a depression, which has even stripped millionaires of their yachts, brought such men

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1932

Jere West deferred action on it until today, when Cuthbertson returned from a rest period at Martinsville. Upon convening today the Ellis probe motion was voted down by Cuthbertson, McCardle and West. Then Singleton moved an investigation to be launched May 2. West added an amendment, pointing out that Cuthbertson originally had arranged for such a probe when the first bills were in under the settlement rates. Whereupon Ellis moved to amend this proposal to provide for his mode of procedure in the case. This was defeated due to lack of a constitutional majority, Cuthbertson and McCardle refusing to vote, West opposing it, and only Singleton and Ellis voting approval. Then the West amendment and the Singleton motion to investigate carried by West, Singleton and Ellis voting approval. This leaves the case again in the hands of Cuthbertson, who obtained a three-to-two vote for original approval, both Ellis and Singleton refusing to o. k. the new rates that were increased. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 47 10 a. m 65 7a. m 48 11 a. m 68 Ba. m 57 12 (noon).. 70 9 a. 62 1 p. m 71

The compromise plans were offered by Representative Pettengill 'Dem.,* Ind.), Representative McKeown. (Dem., Okla ), and George D. Evans, self-styled “man without a party" of Philadelphia. Under Pettengill's proposal, tfcq war veteran at his option could turn in his service certificate and receive coupon bonds, maturing in 1945, bearing interest of 2 or 3 per cent. McKeown offered an intricate scheme which would allow the veteran to borrow on his certificates, through the banks. He said, after the hearing, that his plan, "appeared to be over the heads of the committee.” The Philadelphia witness. Evans, proposed that the government “hire” all adult unemployed. Representative Sanders. (Dem., Tex ), asked him what party he belonged to. “Only ignorant jackasses belong to any party,” Evans replied.

as Charles Schwab and Percy Rockefeller to the point of hinting that they may have to spend their declining days in the poorhouse. m * a IN the senate barber shop, for instance, senators still can get free service, haircuts, shampoos, shaves and massages. A squad of barbers, maintained on the senate pay roll as “skilled laborers,” attend to the tonsorial requirements of the senators. Every senator has a shaving mug—furnished at government expense. Os course. At the end of the old congress a year ago when a number of Democrats replaced Republican senators, the senate barber shop

DARING CAREER IS ENDED FOR EX-DETECTIVE William Rugenstein, for 21 Years Underworld’s Foe, Is Dead. FIGURED IN GUN FIGHTS Police Pay Glowing Tribute to Perseverance in Man Hunts. (Picture on Page 2.) William Rugenstein, 49, retired city detective, whose record for daring has few equals in the Indianapolis police department, is dead. A career of twenty-one years’ battle against the underworld, j marked by numerous gun fights j with criminals and the capture of ; scores of bandits, ended early today when Rugenstein died of pneumonia. Retired on pension four years ago because of physical disability, Rugenstein left behind him the reputation of being a master detective, known for his vigilance and perseverance. His death is mourned by scores of j fellow officers. Rites Set for Wednesday Funeral services will be held at j 1:30 Wednesday afternoon at the home and at 2 at the Capitol Avenue M. E. church, of which Rugeristein was a member, with the Masonic and Moose lodges in charge, j Burial will be in Washington Park cemetery. Survivofs are the widow Elenor; a daughter, Mrs. Wilma Bourne, and two brothers, Emil A. and Otto H. Rugenstein, both members of the Indianapolis fire department. Honorary pallbearers will be Major Herbert Fletcher, Captain Jess McMurtry, Detective Chief Fred Simon and Detectives Harry Irick, John Giles and George Stewart. A native of Germany, Rugenstein came to America with his parents at an early age and was appointed to the police force April 10, 1907. He was one of the first drivers of the police emergency car, and figured in many gun battles with bandits during the early part of his career. Had Enviable Record “He was onp of the best emergency drivers we ever had,” Simon said of him. “Time meant nothing to Billy. After he was made a detective in 1916, his work was his first interest. He worked night and day when hot on the trail of a criminal.” Rugenstein was credited with exposing and capturing such notorious | criminals as Norman Price, bank I robber; William E. Cronkrite, leader of a gang of auto bandits; William iL. Winter and Forest Reynolds. I leaders of a gigantic car theft gang. I and Howard Serf, auto theft ring leader. j Rugenstein and McMurtry served I as partners for six years in the detective department, during which j time they wrecked operations of the 1 Bridgewater bank bandit gang, one I of the largest ever exposed in cenj tral Indiana. Rugenstein captured ' the gang leader thirty minutes after ! receiving the case for investigation in 1924. . Battled Bandits On Circle Seven members of a. bandit gang ' perpetrating the Greenwood (Ind.) | bank holdup several years ago were ! caught by Rugenstein. All are servj ing prison terms. One of the most sensational catches ever made by Rugenstein ! occurred on the Monument Circle when Rugenstein and McMurtry in | 1918 staged a gun fight with threa ! bank bandits while standing on the running board of the bandits' speeding car. Rugenstein was knocked from the running board and fell dazed into | the street, from where he fired at the car. periling McMurtry’s life and critically wounding one of the bandits. All three were captured. Since his retirement. Rugenstein engaged in the hobby of building cement bird baths for friends and relatives

The Primary With the primary election only a week away, Ben Stern, in his They Tell Me column in Tuesday's Times, will start his discussion of campaign issues, with sideline comments on the multitude of candidates who are seeking office this spring. This scries will continue until primary day. Turn to Page 5 for his column today.

had to buy eighteen more mugs at $1.50 each. They are splendid mugs, with the names of the senators in gold letters. A mistake was made and the name on one mug had to be changed, for which in due time a bill of 75 cents was turned in, certified and paid out of the contingent fund of the senate. The senate shop is complete to the last detail. Was not the disbursing officer of the senate billed for three blackhead removers at 15 cents each not so long ago? mam WASHINGTON city water is as pure as any in the country. It is used constantly in automobile batteries.

Entered as Second-Clas* Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolia

She No Longer Is ‘Bat Child’ Spindly - legged, under - developed, 13-year-old Edith Riley Is shown at left as she appeared after her rescue from a dark rloset last November, and at right as she looks today after four months of expert rare in a Washington hospital.

Bn XPA Service WASHHINGTON, April 25. Wise science and the mysterious, wonder-working processes of nature have made 13-year-o!d Edith Riley whole again. The pitiful little human wreck that they called “The Bat Child” when they dragged her last November from a dark closet that was her prison in a .Washington home, has been developed into a normal, healthy individual by treatment at Gallinger hospital here. The child, victim of a hateful stepmother who confined her to a lightless “c<m.” weighed only eighteen pounds when she was rescued by a policewoman. She had been fed only scraps. She had been given no opportunity to learn to talk and could answer only “Yes” and “No.” She could barely walk upon her spindly . legs. Her body was scarred. She blinked furiously in the light. Today, physicians described her as a child like any other child. Se walks, runs, sings, shouts and plays with toys. Her intelligence, which examination early proved to be normal, has been given an opportunity to develop. Kind words and treatment have put to route the ugly fears which beset her. A long series of injections of pituitary extract has enabled her bones to grow to normal size, neglected muscles have grown stronger. Nature, aided by science and kindness, freed of handicaps, has worked its miracles. Publishers See Trade Upturn Bn T nited Pre** NEW YORK. April 25.—Improvement in business conditions was reported today by the vanguard of more than 500 publishers, arriving for the forty-sixth annual convention of the American Newspaper Publishers Association beginning tomorrow.

WOOLVERTON UNABLE TO IDENTIFY KIDNAP SUSPECT

B>/ United Press CHICAGO. April 25.—A dozen suspected members of a gigantic middle western bank robbery ring paraded today before robbery victims from Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana in a showup at the detective bureau. Howard A. Woolverton, wealthy South Bend manufacturer, kidnaped by men believed to have been members of the bank robbery gang, participated in the showup. He failed positively to identify Mario Raineri, one of the suspects, on Saturday, and was to view Joseph Barrett, alleged leader, later today. Two alleged members of the gang,

i But the senatorial stomach pre- , fers more expensive bottled waters. So the government pays between S7OO and SI,OOO a month 1 to supply the sentors with fancy bottled drinking water. If any one is interested, he can find among the bills paid out by the senate disbursing officer one to Acme Plating and Manufacturing Company, for nickel-plating five bottle openers for cloak rooms at 50 cents each, total $2.50. It would be lowering the senatorial standard of living to permit a senator to have his White Rock opened with an opener from which the nickel plating had worn off. Senators all use blotters when signing letters at their desks in ‘

ECONOMY BILL READY TO FACE FIGHT ON FLOOR

HITLER NEARLY CONTROLS DIET Nazis, Allies Now Only Ten Votes Short of Majority. Bn United Press BERLIN, April 25.—The growth of Fascism in Germany, checked recently by re-election of President Paul von Kindenburg over Adolph Hitler, carried Hitler and his militant supporters today close to an absolute control of the Prussian diet. Hitler's Nazis increased their strength from nine seats won in the 1928 election to 162 of a total of 418. With gains made by Fascist allies, right, wing parties held approximately 200 votes, or only ten short of an absolute majority. Communists, however, most bitter foes of the Nazis, held the balance of power. The Nazis became the strongest party in the diet, while the Social Democratic party of Premier Otto Braun lost forty-four seats for a total of ninety-three. Unless Braun receives the fifty-seven Communist votes in the new diet his government will be ousted. Other members of the government coalition, the Catholic Center party and the Constitutional party, won sixty-seven and two seats, respectively, for a total of 162. Fascists also made sensational gains in the Wuerttenberg. Bavaria, Anhalt and Hamburg elections. Hitler counted on the elections, especially in the important state of Prussia, to recoup his loss of prestige from his recent defeat in the presidential race, and from the recent disbanding of his brown shirt army by the government.

Frank Kamin, 29, Burlington, Wis., and Reinhold Fleusker, 31, Burlington case owner, were convicted at Racine, Wis., Saturday on charges in connection with the $6,400 robbery of the Mcinhardt State bank of Burlington. A circuit court jury, after deliberating twelve hours, found Kamin guilty on charges of bank robbery, and Fleusker on charges of conspiracy to rob. Kamin faces a prison sentence of fifteen to forty years, while Fleusker may be sentenced to one year in the county jail, or fined SI,OOO, or both. Fleuker also faces arrest on a warrant charging him with a Flossmore (111.) bank robbery.

the senate chamber. But it is an old custom that each senator's desk be equipped with a little box containing fine sand, used years ago for blotting. So last year the senate spent $41.83 plus freight to have a consignment of the little glass boxes shipped from the factory. a a a IN 1930 the senate ushered in the Christmas season by ordering on Dec. 16 from the Lake Erie Chernies 1 Company two gas riot pistols at SSO each and two dozen gas riot pistol shells at S4O a dozen, presumably to be used on any groups of the unemployed who became too persistent in their appeals for help from congress.

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County, 3 Cents

House Committee Is Split on ‘Steamroller' Plan to Pass Measure. FIERCE BATTLE SEEN Virtually Every Provision for Cutting $200,000,000 Opposed by Factions. B’j Tnitcd Press WASHINGTON, April 25. Dissension in the ranks of the house economy committee came into the open today when Chairman McDuffie appeared before the rules committee seeking legislative right-of-way for the national economy program bill, estimated to save upward of $200,000,000. McDuffie asked the committee to port out a special resolution which would give “as much restriction as possible." He presented a rule to the committee, however, which would permit almost unlimited debate and opportunity for amendment. Representative Wood (Rep., Ind.) demanded that a special resolution permitting consideration of the economy bill be placed before the house which would handicap opponents of various sections of the economy bill. “Steamroller" Is Hinted “If I had the responsibility I would make an ironclad arrangement that the whole bill must stand or fall together,” he said. “We w'ar.t real econom and you can’t fool the people.” Other members of the economy committee, including Representative Cochran, <Dem„ Mo.), and Representative Ramseyer, (Rep., la.), also clashed with McDuffie's views on the manner in which the program should be considered. Indications were that the rules committee might report out a “steamroller resolution,” on the economy bill, severely limiting debate. While the rules committee was debating the manner in which the bill is to be considered. Speaker Garner announced at his regular press conference that he hoped the measure would be safely through the house by Saturday. A 68-page national economy bill to reduce the cost of government by $200,000,000 or more was ready to be reported to the house Nearly every provision in the measure is disputed by one faction or another. Fight Over Tariff Clauses A fight in the senate over tariff provisions in the new $1,000,000,000 revenuee bill was promised today after the senate finance committee defeated an effort to write a lumber tariff into the measure. The committee, meeting in secret session fater two w'eeks of hearing witnesses on various phases of the $1,000,000,000 house tax bill, defeated a motion to eliminate all tariff provisions. The committee defeated an effort to have a lumber tariff included, but supported the tariffs on coal, oil and copper. Proponents of the lumber tariff said they would continue their battle on the floor. Necessity for enacting these drastic bills doubly was emphasized as the treasury deficit mounted to $2,213,948.164. It gives every indication of exceeding the treasury estimate of $2,500,000,000 before the fiscal year ends June 30. Months of Wrangling The economy bill was completed by the house economy committee after tw'o months of alternate cooperation and wrangling between the two parties, between the committee and President Hoover, and among the committeemen themselves. Its most controversial provision would reduce the federal pay roll by from $60,000,000 to $30,000,000. A powerful element of the house is determined to resist the pay roll reduction. It argues that to lower the income of the 700,000 government employes would be a virtual invitation to private industry to do likewise Advocates of the pay roll reduction themselves are sharply divided. One camp favors a direct cufc of 11 per cent in all wages and salaries, above an initial exemption of SI,OOO. Fight Pay Roll Cut The other backs President Hoover's plan which would, in effect, place the federal worker on a fiveday week, with five day’s pay instead of six. A leading argument for this plan is that it would create thousands of additional part-time jobs for the unemployed. The committee bill carries the 11 per cent cut. But the Hoover plan will be offered as an amendment, and the issue will be settled on the floor of the house. The economy measure is to be considered Wednesday, as a “rider” on the legislative appropriation bill —a device to assure senate consideration later. Consolidation of the army and navy under a single national defense department is another disputed item. The administration opposes it. The army and navy blocs are fighting it like they would a dose of poison. Sponsors of the merger claim it would save between $50,000,000 and $100,000,000,