Indianapolis Times, Volume 44, Number 36, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 June 1932 — Page 1

BEER AT ONCE URGED ON DEMOCRATS BY AL SMITH AS QUICKEST WAY TO AID JOBLESS

Unconditional Repeal of Dry Amendment Also Is Demanded. ARRIVES IN CHICAGO He Has No ‘Second Choice’ for President, and He’ll Fight for Shouse. BY RAYMOND CLAPPER Unit'd Pres* Staff Carrtsnondent CHICAGO, June 22.—Beer at once was urged upon the Democratic party today by former Governor Alfred E. Smith of New York. Hr proposed that the party declare for unconditional repeal of the eighteenth amendment, meantime pressing congress to raise the alcoholic content of legal beverages as the quickest way materially to increase revenues and to aid unemployment. Smith arrived from New York today, fought his way through cheering throngs at the station and then entered a staccato cross-questioning by the press, in which he made known his position on prohibition. He punctuated his answers with the declarations that: He is not in a "Stop Roosevelt” movement, but is for "Alfred F. Smith” for the Democratic nomination. The Roosevelt forces are engaged in a “Stop Smith”, movement—a charge the Roosevelt manager, James A. Farley, sub- j soquently denied. It is not necessary to discuss ; now whether he will support the | convention nominee should some- ; one else win. Smith, crisp and smiling, issued e statement favoring amendment of the Volstead act now by giving a "correct definition” of permitted alcoholic content that ‘‘will permit the sa’e of beverages of reasonable alcoholic content.” Scouts Roosevelt Claims His program, he said, would give people relief “which would divert the profits of the bootlegger irfo legitimate taxes.” Conceivably his program might permit light wine as well as beer. Asked his preference for the nomination, Smith retorted: "Alfred E. Smith.” And regarding the claim of Roosevelt workers of victory on the first ballot, Smith said: "That’s just a little ballyhoo.” Smith declared he would go belore the convention, if necesary, to battle for the election as permanent chairman of Jouett Shouse, who is opposed by the Roosevelt group. He also stated had no second choice for the presidential nomination. He Has No Second Choice “I haven't got any second choice. I'm for myself alone.” he said. Mayor Frank Hague of Jersey City was designated by Smith as his convention floor leader. With Smith's arrival, the “stop Roosevelt” high command was here ready for business, and awaiting the 1 arrival of a potential re-enforce-ment, former Treasury Secretary William Gibbs McAdoo. Meantime, there was much speculation as to the course Tammany would take toward the nomination, and rumors that it wxvuld steer Mayor James Walxer to the resolutions committee. This would be interpreted generally as defying Roosevelt. John F. Curry, Tammany leader, was expected here late today, when * \ might clarify whether Tammany gbes with Roosevelt. "The eighteenth amendment never should have been put into the Constitution,'' Smith said in a typewritten statement to the press. "It is unworkable. I attacked it from the time It was first proposed and prophesied its failure, and that it woul'* prove the worst curse ever put on an unsuspecting people. Modification Is Urged "I fought it when it was unpopular to take that side of the issue in many parts of my own state and in many other states of the Union, and when every weapon of narrowminded intolerance was turned against me. “I carried the banner when the army was small, the strikers numerous and the opposition bitter. I was then, and I am now. for the unconditional repeal of the eighteenth amendment. "The Volstead act should at once be amended by a scientifically correct definition that will permit sale of beverages of reasonable alcoholic content. The people of the United States are entitled to this relief, which would divert the profits of the bootlegger into legitimate taxes.” Farley Still Confident Smiths statements were repeated lated to James A. Farley, Roosevelt manager, in his regular press conference. "Roosevelt will be nominated on the first ballot.” Farley said confidently, "and that shows what I think of Smith's chances." "Are you still counting on 90 votes from New York?” Farley was asked. "I never said that. I said if we had 90 form New York we would have 745 votes on the first ballot. <770 votes are needed to nominate). Farley said he had heard Mayor Walker would be New York's representative on the platform committee. „ "I would object to Walker being on," he added. Questioned about Indiana’s delegation, Farley said he believed they would be "substantially for Roosevelt.”

The Indianapolis Times Fair tonight; Thursday partly cloudy and cooler.

VOLUME 44—NUMBER 36

Alleged Vice-Presidency ‘Hawking’ by Roosevelt Stirs Bitterness. ‘BACKING’ DOZEN MEN Support Is ‘Promised’ in Order to Win Delegates He Needs. BY RAY TUCKER Time* Staff Writer CHICAGO, June 22.—Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt’s alleged "hawking” of the Democratic vicepresidential nomination provoked bitterness among his opponents here today. The New York Governor’s spokesmen are charged in every hotel lobby, with promising support for the second-place nomination to a dozen men in return for delegates needed to put Roosevelt over the top. Several favorite sons are said to be staying in the race, only in order to force the Roosevelt people to make good their vice-presidential pledges. Other Rooseveltian tactics also have caused uneasiness. His refusal to keep his promise that Jouett Shouse, executive director of the national committee, should be permanent chairman, has raised a doubt as to how much all these reputed vice-presidential offerings are worth. Bargaining May Hurt Him The result may be that Roosevelt will be hurt rather than helped by this sort of bargaining. Instead of dropping out of the balloting, men, who think they have mortgages on the vice-presidential nomination, may stay in the contest to insure that they will collect—and help to “stop Roosevelt.” The situation has caused unusual comment, and some ridicule, because it violates political tradition. There always has been some bargaining of this kind, but it never has reached the stage of barter and exchange so far in advance of convention opening. Roosevelt, himself, was not picked for the vice-presidency in 1920 until after James W. Cox of Ohio had been selected as a compromise presidential candidate. Follow Second-Place Lure The lure of second-place honor already has led several candidates to quit their race for first place on the ticket. Senator Alben W. Barkley (Ky.), foreswore his presidential ambitions after the Roosevelt faction chose him for keynoter, despite his dryness, and his votes for tariffs in the tax law. So did Senator Thomas J. Walsh as soon as the Rooseveltians decided to make him permanent chairman instead of Shouse. Senator Joseph T. Robinson f Ark.), senate majority leader, got out of the race after it was intimated the second crash of lightning might strike him. Senators Clarence C. Dill (Wash.) and Burton K. Wheeler of Montana were boomed for the vice-presi-dency as soon as they became Roosevelt's preconvention workers. Even friends of Melvin A. Traylor, Chicago banker, admit they are really aiming at second place. Governor George White (Ohio) is another. Delegates Are Bewildered The strategy may work, but it may make as many enemies as friends. Delegates are bewildered by reports that Roosevelt is willing to accept almost anybody. Among those named as satisfactory to the New York- Governor are wets and drys, conservatives and liberals easterners and westerners, northerners and southerners. Besides those already named, others said to be under consideration by Roosevelt are Senator Robert J. Bulkley and ex-Governor James W. Cox of Ohio, ex-Governor Harry F. Byrd of Virginia, Speaker John M. Garner of Texas and Senator Cordell Hull of Tennessee.

GUNS ROUT GHOULS AT SLAIN GANGSTERS GRAVE

By United Press CHICAGO, June 21.—A band of ghouls seeking to rob the grave of George (Red) Barker, slain claimant of the gang power of A1 Capone. was driven from Mt. Carmel cemetery in a heated gun battle early today. Police were mystified by the strange grave robbery attempt made by four or five men in a large truck. The ghouls riddled the automobile of Joseph Sobol, cemetery caretaker, when he discovered the men huddled about the gangster’s grave. From the fact that the men escaped in a large truck police believed they planned to steal Barker's body. Another theory was that papers containing information valuable to Barker's gang associates were buried with the body. It was first thought the men planned to steal the expensive floral offerings which were piled about the grave after the typical gangster ceremonial Monday. This was discounted. however, by Sobol, who said the men were tossing the flowers to one side as he approached and were apparently about to open the grave. When the caretaker surprised the ghouls at theri work, they opened fire op him. He fired back several]

INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1932

Race of Death Two Drown in Dispute Over Whether Man or Dog Swims Best.

By United Press CHICAGO, June 22.—Bubbles, a frolicking police dog, today was the sole survivor of a friendly dispute as to whether man or dog is the best swimmer. Jack Gallagher, 26, a friend of John Gilligan, 35, who owned Bubbles, asserted he could swim faster than the dog. The two men agreed to a contest. While Gallagher and the dog poised on the bank of a lagoon, Gilligan tossed a stick far out in the water. Dog and man plunged after it. Suddenly Gallagher shouted for help, and sank below the surface. The dog swam after the stick to an easy victory. Gilligan dived in in an effort to save his friend. Both were drowned. ORDERSWALKER PROBE ANSWER Roosevelt Calls on Jimmy to Give ‘Explanation.’ By United Pres* ALBANY ,N. Y., June 22.—Mayor James J. Walker of New York City was called upon today by Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt to answer charges preferred against him by Samuel Seabury, counsel to the Hofstadter New York City investigating committee. Roosevelt sent a letter to the mayor requesting an answer to the Seabury charges, and also to allegations filed by two New York City organizations. The Governor informed the mayor that he had requested Seabury to forward him the transcript of testimony which he gave before the committee. The documents which Seabury sent to the Governor after the Hofstadter committee’s investigation of the New York City government were accompanied by a summary in which Seabury alleged that Walker’s testimony and other evidence bearing on his administration showed he was unfit to hold office. Seabury charged that Walker’s ownership of stock in a company that sold street light fixtures to the city was enough in itself to disqualify him under he law. RULES OIUNOUSTRY ‘Alfalfa Bill’ Sends Troops to Control Outpost. By United Pres* OKLAHOMA CITY. June 22. Governor W. H. (Alfalfa Bill) Murray today declared himself ruler of the Oklahoma oil industry. To assert his authority, he dispatched thirty national guardsmen to the Oklahoma City oil field, conscripted present oil regulatory bodies under a military executive order and assumed complete control of proration of oil production. The troops took their posts with instructions to guard wells day and night in three eight-hour shifts. A proration board, to administer the oil curb, which the Governor charged was being violated by several companies, was created by executive order. Lieutenant-Colonel Irving Murray, the Governor’s cousin, was named director. CHICAGO CIVIC OPERA DROPS WINTER PLANS Economic Conditions to Prevent Performances, Leaders Say. By United Press CHICAGO, June 22.—The Chicago Civic Opera Company announced today it has abandoned plans for opera next winter in the $20,000,000 structure ‘ in view of the economic conditions now prevailing.” The company also announced acceptance of the resignation of Samuel Insull as president. Insull, whose giant utilities companies collapsed recently, has gone to Paris, France.

times, but his gun jammed. The would-be grave robbers continued to fire as they made their escape, and crippled the caretaker’s automobile. Barker, a power high in Chicago gangs, was slain in a machine-gun ambush early last Frilay

T. R.’s Magic Name —Roosevelt —Was Peg for Franklin D.’s Climb in Politics

This is the second of s series of r---tirles on Franklin P. Roosevelt and his record. BY WILLIAM O. TRAPP Scrinos-Howard Staff Writer ALBANY, June 22.—Ta11, handsome and young, well-educated with agreeable manners, Franklin D. Roosevelt came to Albany as a state senator in 1911. He had won his first political victory by a house-to-house canvass in a district usually looked upon as heavily Republican. His distant cousin, Theodore Roosevelt, had finished his presidential career, and Armageddon still was a name known only to students of the Bible. Roosevelt was a name at lhat w--

ORDER DELAY IN EXECUTION OF YOUTH, 17 Darrow’s Briefs Bring Boy Indefinite Stay of Sentence. WAS TO DIE FRIDAY Ignorance of Parents Is Blamed for Killing by Prisoner. By United Press SPRINGFIELD, HI., June 22. The execution of 17-year-old Russell McWilliams, boy slayer, scheduled to die in the Joliet penitentiary Friday, was postponed indefinitely today by the Illinois supreme court. The supreme court granted a petition for writ of error and allowed a motion for a writ of superseadeas. That automatically stayed the execution of the sentence. The briefs on which the supreme court acted were prepared under the direction of Clarence Darrow, noted criminal lawyer. Darrow, who had intended to appear before the supreme court, was prevented by a last-minute slight illness. ‘This defendant,” the motion on the briefs said, had passed his seventeenth birthday only a few days when this crime was committed. He lacked four years of being old enough to give a promissory note for $5, and had he given such a note the law would hold him to no obligation to repay it. “His environment was unfavorable. His parents were both very poor and ignorant. His father went only to the third grade in school, the mother to the fourth. The father had farmed a little, mined a little, done jobs of ordinary labor. “Russell was a faithful, steady, hard-working boy until about a month before the commission of this crime.” Grieves Over Dog By United Press JOLIET, 111., June 22.—Forty-odd heurs before he was doomed to die in the electric chair, 17-year-old Russell McWilliams grieved today over the death of his dog. He seemed then to be trying not to think of his own plight. Informed that a bitter legal battle was expected between opposing attorneys at Springfield, the young confessed slayer of a street car motorman in a holdup at Rockford almost a year ago, commented only: “It was a dirty trick, that motorist running over my dog.” Abashed Host to Reporters The young slayer was an abashed hesitant host to newspaper men, ushered into his cell in the solitary building by Assistant Warden E. M. Stubblefield. Upstairs. 100 paces away, was the death chamber. Perhaps the proximity of the chamber might have made him seltconscious. He is paler and not so heavy now —this 6-foot, buff-haired, condemned youth—but he still is a reticent, friendly boy. “No; of course, I don't want to die,” he said. “But if I must go, I want to die ready for what comes after this life.” He handed over his Bible, which he has read through once since being imprisoned, and is now half through again. He has been rereading the Psalms and they have impressed him. He pointed to his penciled crosses in the margins. Faced Death Second Time Later, pitching horseshoes with other convicts in the small, flowerbanked courtyard outside his cell, Russell seemed like a different youth. He smiled frequently, wiping the sweat from his hand on to his tan dungaree trousers, or his blue denim shirt with its white up-and-down stripes. This was the second time Russell has faced death from the ground floor cell. After his confession and his death sentence by Circuit Judge Arthur E. Fisher at Rockford, the supreme court remanded the case. The judge repronounced the death sentence. Insull Arrives in Paris PARIS, June 22.—Samuel InsuTChicago utilities magnate, slipped quietly into Paris today and went into seclusion at a hotel: where he refused to receive callers. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m 71 10 a. m 80 7 a. m 73 11 a. m 82 Ba. m 76 12 (noon).. 82 9 a. m 79 1 p. m 84 !

to arouse liberal Republicans to a frenzy of enthusiasm. If it should so happen the name was borne also by a Democrat—well, there were those who overlooked the fact that Franklin Roosevelt bore a Democratic label. Asa vote-getter, his supporters pointed out that he could catch the ballots on both sides of the street—a phenomenon that promises to be stressed next week at Chicago. Franklin Roosevelt’s critics have pointed out the name of Roosevelt, because of T. R., has become syronymous with vigor of action, -r i ' T h fer —irdness of purpose, the >■> s i?k,” features of temperament Frr '-’ n Roosevelt himself '• '-'eh have been widely j bis ivmnagfefc as parts

One-Third Slash in World Arms Is Urged by U. S Offers to Cut Own Navy

Shriner Sari

r w

Sari Maritza, one of the new importations to Hollywood, is shown above in the collegiate sweater she will wear in the movie pageant at the North American Shrine convention at San Francisco July 26-28. She is one of the reasons coast Shriners are expecting a record attendance, despite the depression.

U. S. CASE AGAINST WORLEY FINISHED

Ha, Ha, Pain! Dangling by Crushed Arm High in Elevator Shaft, Boy Laughs.

WASHINGTON, June 22. Dangling by his crushed left arm four stories up in an elevator shaft, James Perley, 17, bantered with rescuers for thirtyone minutes before they extricated him. Perley, a newsboy, started to enter an automatic elevator on the third floor of an apartment house. The outer door slammed shut behind him. Before he could open the safety door on the elevator itself, some one pushed the button on the fourth floor, and the car started upward. Perley’s arm was caught in the bottom of the grilled door and he dangled beneath the elevator. At the fourth floor his arm became wedged between the elevator and the landing. “Hurry up,” he called to rescuers, “if you don’t get me out of here pretty soon. "I’ll miss my supper.” Doctors at Sibley hospital believed today they could save the youth’s mangled arm. HITS STEPHENSON PLEA Attorney-General Files Brief in Opposing Rehearing. Brief opposing petition of D. C. Stephenson for rehearing of his appeal to the Indiana supreme court from a murder conviction, was filed today by James M. Ogden, attorneygeneral. The brief asserts that the former klan leader, serving a life term in the Indiana state prison, is not entitled to a rehearing, and maintains that in denying it, the court did not err and counsel for Stephenson has not shown wherein the finding w r as erroneous.

of the Democratic Ftoosevelt’s equipment. Franklin Rooseveit was not known outside of Duchess county, but in that rural section the Roosevelts were esteemed, respected and known to be wealthy, with acres extending down to the Hudson’s edge. • District Attorney John E. Mack of Poughkeepsie, who had done much for Catholic charities, liked young Roosevelt, and nominated him for the state senate —the same John E. Mack who will put Roosevelt’s name before the Chicago convention next week. When Roosevelt took his seat in the state senate, the floor leader was Robert F. Wagner, now United States senator, and the assembly leader wa& Alfred E. Smith, both

4 Entered ts Second-Class Matter at Poatolfice, Indiana poll*

Won’t Investigate Further, Says Federal Atv torney. The federal government does not plan further investigation of Claude M. Worley, former police chief, and his associates, it was indicated today by George R. Jeffrey, district attorney, as Prosecutor Herbert E. Wilson began a probe of Worley’s activities. Jeffrey said he would be glad to turn over to Wilson any information he has in the case, but that he has no information other than that contained in the bill of particulars filed in the income tax evasion case, to which Worley pleaded guilty Monday. “As I have said before,” Jeffrey commented, “Worley is the only one that could uncover his activities for us. “The income tax evasion case was based on the fact Worley failed to make proper income tax returns. We were able to show bank deposits and expenditures *by check, but we had no information on the source of his income other than his salary. “I don’t see how we could prosecute any one else in the case without more information. There are a lot of rumors afloat about Worley and his associates, but they are not definite enough for court action.” Wilson’s separate investigation, begun today, may lead to a grand jury investigation of Worley’s regime as police chief. Wilson said he wishes to learn where Worley obtained a gross income of $91,368 from 1927 to 1930, during two years of which he received an annual $4,800 salary as police chief. Touches Third Rail; Lives By United Press NEW YORK, June 22.—Frank Barreras, 1 4, was dared to touch the third rail on the car tracks with a wire he carried. He did, and he was revived after an inhalator had been used on him for n hour. He will recover.

of New York City, both self-made men. From fop to bottom, the state government was Democratic, with Tammany Hall, joined in coalition with the Buffalo Democrats, riding high, wide and handsome. The legislature in those days elected the United States Senators. Chauncey M. Depew (Rep.) was to be succeeded by a Democrat William F. Sheehan of Buffalo, powerful ally of Charles F. Murphy, Tammany Hall chieftain, was slated to get the place. Sheehan, “Blue-Eyed Billy,” was everything abhorrent to the liberal Democrats. , At this time he was rounding out his career of political domination Turn to Pafe 14)

HOOVER'S SWEEPING PLAN PRESENTED TO POWERS BY GIBSON AT GENEVA PARLEY Profound Impression Is Created; Italy Backs Proposal; Britain Is 'Somewhat Disappointed’; France Against It.

BY JOSEPH H. BAIRD United Pres* Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, June 22. A sweeping proposal to reduce the world's arms by one-third and lift a burden of from ten to fifteen billion dollars from the shoulders of the common man during the next ten years was advanced today by President Herbert Hoover. A year and two days after his momentous moratorium proposal, the President again has presented an unexpected and concise plan for dealing with one of the world’s greatest barriers to peace—armaments. Every kind of fighting weapon would be reduced or banned under the proposal. Mr. Hoover that not only land armaments should be cut, but that there should be a one-third reduction in naval strength under existing treaty levels. “Cut Through Brush” The President’s plan was outlined today by Mr. Hoover before a small group of newspaper men. He read his proposal, emphasizing the fact that it touched all branches of armament. At his side sat Secretary of State Henry L. Stimson, who aided him in drafting the plan. Attempting to put new life in the fagging Geneva disarmament conference, the President declared that “the time is come when we should cut through the brush and adopt some broad and definite method of reducing the overwhelming burden of armament.” “This,” Mr. Hoover said, “would be the most important world step that could be taken to expediate economic recovery.” The proposal, on high , official authority, is linked in no way with the problem of war debts. It was stated authoritatively that the American delegation has not discussed war debts with European statesmen. Officials here held that to offer a trade of war debts for disarmament would be insulting to the nations of Europe. Requires U. S. Navy Slash The state department said the i Hoover proposal would require some reduction in American naval tonnage. It did not know precisely how much, but officials estimated that at lease five battleships would be scrapped under the one-third reduction clause. The London treaty entitles the United States to fifteen such ships. Officials estimated that if the Hoover plan is accepted, the United States will have 250,000 tons of cruisers, Great Britain the same amount and Japan 150,000. As the naval cuts are based on treaty strength rather than actual strength, scrapping of existing vessels probably will not be necessary. However, the avoidance of building the navy up to the London treaty strength probably would save American taxpayers $2,000,000,000 during the next decade, officials estimate. Principles Are Listed The President proposed the following five principles to guide the world toward arms reduction: “1. The Kellogg-Brland pact, to which we all are signatories, can only mean that the nations of the world have agreed that they will use their arms solely for defense. "2. This reduction should be carried out not only by broad general cuts in armament, but by increasing the comparative power of defense through decreases in the power of the attack. “3. The armaments of the world have grown up in general mutual relation to each other. And, speaking gei. 'rally, such relativity should be preserved in making reductions. “4. The reductions must be real and positive. They must effect economic relief. “5. There are three problems to deal with —land forces, air forces and naval forces. They are all in-ter-connected. No part of the proposals which I make can be disassociated one from the other.” Urges One-Third Cut * After enumerating these principles, the President declared: “Based on these principles, I propose that the arms of the world should be reduced by nearly onethird.” The land force section of the proposal provided that all tanks, chemical warfare instruments and large mobile guns should be scrapped. He held these weapons to be offensive. H*' called also for : a one-third cut in all land armies above the strength required for police needs. Simple and direct was the section on air forces. It said: “All bombing planes to be abolished. This will do away with the military possession of types of planes capable of attack upon civil populations and should be coupled with the total prohibition of all bombardment from the air ”

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County, 3 Cents

BY STEWART BROWN United Press Staff Correspondent GENEVA, June 22.—The United States is prepared to scrap more than 300,000 tons o; existing ships, Hugh S. Gibson, United States minister to Switzerland, told the world arms conference today, in presenting a plan by President Hoover for a one-third reduction of armaments by all nations. In addition, Gibson said, the United States is ready, as part of the Hoover program, to forego the right to build more than 50,000 tons additional permitted by treaty. “In land material,” he said, "our proposal would affect more than 1,000 heavy mobile guns, approximately 900 tanks and 300 bombing airplanes.” The Hoover statement, a challenge to the world to meet the economic crisis by cutting down on war expenditures, created a profound impression when read to the general commission of the conference. France to Voice Objection "It is hoped a Dublic statement of such a program,” Gibson told the tense and crowded hall, “will fire the imagination of the w’orld and allow all nations to consider deeply and state openly how much they can contribute to the concrete general program.” Gibson said the proposals need not be taken up for immediate action by the conference, but would form part of private conversations already begun. Objection to the plan was expected from France, which always has been adamant for a promise of security as the price of lowering her armed strength. No such promise was contained in the Hoover proposals, and it is not a part of American policy to make any such guarantees. Italy Accepts Proposal Italy immediately accepted the Hoover proposal. Sir John Simon, British foreign secretary, surprised the assembly by reading a long, hastily prepared speech in which he said Britain was not entirely pleased with the Hoover plan. Great Britain was especially disappointed, he said, by the failure to abolish or reduce the tonnage of submarines to 250, and also by the failure to reduce the “present monstrous size” of battleships. When Arthur Henderson of Great Britain opened the meeting, the tribune was jammed in expectation of President Hcover’s statement. Every delegate’s chair was taken, and the press section was crowded. The reporters overflowed into the visitors’ gallery, where the seats reserved for them had been seized by others, causing great confusion. "We hope what takes place today will lead to real disarmament,” Henderson said. Scene Marked by Urama “It is a magnificent gathering,” he commented. “It shows what can be done when we excite interest in disarmament.” The presentation of the proposal, the most sudden and striking world act since the Hoover moratorium was accomplished with a touch of drama. Gibson, a veteran diplomat, although 48, advanced somewhat nervously, his white hair well brushed back. “I am desired by the President of the United States,” he announced formally, “to indicate to the conference the text of a statement which he is giving out at this moment.” The hall was tensely silent as he read the text of the statement. After he had finished, he said: “The significance of the President's statement will be apparent to all. It is clear, self-contained and comprehensive. I am well aware that every one here will wish to study it in detail.” France to Have Proposal The French claimed the United States plan for reducing armaments on land, on sea and in air was unnecessary, as its counter proposal that armament budgets be cut 10 per cent would achieve the American aims. France, under this plan, was expected to reserve the right to make its own 10 per cent budget saving anywhere it chose, in land, air or sea appropriations. Its agreement to such a reduction was believed due to American pressure within the last twenty-four hours, in which the United States is believed to have let it be known that no war debt revision can be considered without an armament reduction. The world disarmament conference was considered to have made progress, as result of the French counter proposal. For the French also dropped the Tardieu plan for a world police force under League of Nations supervision. Dropping the Tardieu plan was not unexpected.