Indianapolis Times, Volume 45, Number 214, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 January 1934 — Page 1

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LIGHT EXPENSE IS TOPHEAVY, PROBERS SAY Average Cost Per Customer Exceeds Other Utility Rates, Is Claim. COMPARISONS ARE MADE ‘Promotion of Business’ Fund Termed Exorbitant by Accountants. BY BASIL GALLAGHER Time* Staff Writer From reports of the Indianapolis Power and Light Company to the public service commission, statistics were drawn today to show alleged exorbitant charges for overhead expenses since the merger. These statistics were cited by Sherman Minton, public counselor, as an example of why rates in Indianapolis for electric power are so high. An investigation by Mr. Minton and The Times rec°ntly resulted in the issuance of an order to the utility to show cause why electric rates here should not be reduced. Hearing on the order to show cause has been set for Feb, 1. Yesterday, in an exclusive story in The Times, Mr. Minton pointed out that Indianapolis residential electric rates are in excess of the rates charged in the twelve largest cities in the nation. Mr. Minton pointed out that high rates here prevail, despite the favorable location of the city in a “concentrated community." Expenses Are Compared Today, utility experts selected some “overhead expenses" reported by the light company to the public service commission and compared them with the same expenses as reported by the local gas and water companies. Mr. Minton suggests that these figures may have some bearing on the high electric rates in Indianapolis. Under the classification “overhead charges” in the reports made by the light company, are included, “commercial," "general,” and “undistrib- ■ uted” accounts, according to in- | vestigators for the public counselor, j Charges Still Prevail These high charges, it was pointed out. still prevail despite the supposed elimination of a duplication of overhead expenses since the merger. Attention was called to the highly competitive conditions exist- j ing before the merger when two rival companies paid high fees for management and operation and extraordinary prices for “promotion of business” due to keen competition. An accountant for The Times has computed the "general expense" item of the three local utilities on a “pier customer basis" to show the average costs to patrons of the utilities. Taking the year 1932 at random, the figures show that for general expenses, the average cast to a customer of the light company amounted to $5.74; for the gas company $1.67, and for the water company only 23 cents. Salaries Are Included Under the caption “general expenses," accountants pointed out, are included salaries of general officers, general office clerks, legal expenditures and “miscellaneous general expenses.” In 1932 for example, a comparison of the general officers’ salaries of the three utilities reveal that the light company reported general officers' salaries for 1932 as $134,938; the gas company in the same year reported their general officers' salaries as only $40,987 and the water company in the same period reported the general officers' salaries as $54,846. A comparison ol legal expenses for the same year reveal that it apparently cost the light company $68,099 for legal talent in 1932. while the gas company managed with only $1,483 and the water company $8,301. according to reports to the commission. Comparison Year Taken The following overhead expenses paid by consumers of the three local utilities on a "per customer" basis have been computed by an accountant for The Times. The year 1928 has been selected at random for the sake of comparison. For this item it is alleged to have cost the average consumer of the light company $4.54; for the gas company consumer the cost was $2.07. and for the water company only 57 cents. Under the item “promotion of business" the comparative figures of the light company and the gas and water utilities are even more striking. Accountants consulted by The Times expressed wonder that this expense should be so large for the light company when it practically constitutes a monopoly in this city due to the elimination of competitive conditions. Following is a promotion of business" comparison of the light company expenses as reported to the public service commission with the gas and water companies. li*ht Cos, G* Cos. M otor Cos. <92* $1:4.939 JU2.O9A S.VIOO 1929 $22x.5:s s ss.xsn 1930 $224,345 S *.039 $4,446 1981 $229,899 $ 1.98; $.'4,990 1932 $115,339 $ ;.99.% $4,303 According to investigators for Mr. Minton and The Times, the item “miscellaneous general expenses” increaaed approximately $143,000 in 1932 when an apparent large reduction appeared for that year under the "promotion of business” expense in the report of the light company to the public service commission.

VOLUME 45—NUMBER 214 -

Cops’ Army Seeks Trail of Dillinger Notorious Bandit-Killer Is Hunted in Bank Raid, Killing of Cop. By United Prrxx EAST CHICAGO, Ind., Jan. 16. Two small armies of manhunters today worked in two states to pick up the trail of John Dillinger, killer and escaped convict, and two companions who shot a policeman to death here while escaping from a bank holdup. The desperadoes burst through a cordon of East Chicago police in front of the First National bank yesterday, escaping with $20,376 loot. Policeman William P. O’Malley blocked their path and was cut down with a submachine gun. The other policemen who had responded to a burglar alarm set off inside the bank were forced to hold their fire as the bandits emerged from the bank, holding Walter Spencer, a bank official, as a shield. One bandit, beileved to be John Hamilton, apparently was wounded by a bullet fired by officer O'Malley. Policemen poured a heavy fire at the bandits’ automobile after Mr. Spencer was released. Bullet proof glass and vests were believed to have made the fusillade ineffective. As news of the bandits' raid spread, a special picked detail of fifty Chicago policemen was mobilized again to seek Dillinger. Meanwhile, Captain Matt Leach of the Indiana state police ordered details from various stations to join in the hunt for the trio. MOTHER FIGHTS COURT ORDER Indianapolis Woman Facing Prospect of Losing Custody of Child. An Indianapolis mother today faced the prospect of losing custody of one of her two children as result of a court order, according to dispatches from Milwaukee. The mother, Mrs. Clara Ruppert. was divorced from her husband, August, last June in Marion superior court one. They formerly lived at 869 North Grant avenue. Several weeks ago Mrs. Ruppert went to Milwaukee, taking with her her two sons. 3 and 5. She was followed to Milwaukee by Mr. Ruppert, who had been given permission by Superior Judge John W. Kern to see the children at reasonable intervals. Then Mr. Ruppert returned to Indianapolis. about three weeks ago, and told Judge Kern that the former wife refused to see him or perlmit him to see the children, and the ccuit gave an amended order permitting the father to have custody of the oldest child during the school year. Armed with this order, Mr. Ruppert returned to Milwaukee and obtained a writ of habeas corpus, for possession of the child. He denied to the Milwaukee judge that the present Mrs. Ruppert. caused his divorce, but admitted that he married her four days after the divorce decree was issued last June. The Milwaukee judge gave Mrs. Ruppert two weeks to present her case at Indianapolis in an effort to have the amended decree set aside. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 31 10 a. m 34 7 a. m 30 11 a. m 36 Ba. m 30 12 moon).. 37 9 a. m 32 1 p. m 38

Huey's Politics ‘Vicious , * Senate Probers Report

Conditions ‘Deplorable and Distressing.’ Is Word to Congress. By United Pres* WASHINGTON. Jan. 16.—Stern denunciation of “vicious and abhorrent political practices" in Louisiana was conveyed to the senate today by its special committee which investigated 1932 campaign expenditures by Senator Huey P. Long's state Democratic organization. The committee reported that it felt itself bound “candidly and frankly to reveal to the senate the deplorable and distressing political conditions existing in Louisiana.” Political organizations in the state, it said, “play the political game according to the standard that the result is the important thing and the means of obtaining it are secondary conditions.” “It appears that Senator Long and his lieutenants completely controlled the affairs and policies of that organization.” said the committee. "It further appears that this organization dominates and controls not only the Governor of Louisiana and his policies, but also directs and controls all. or practically all. of the state departments and their employes.” - The committee was instructed to inquire into the 1932 primary campaign in which Senator Overton, a Long candidate, defeated former Senator Broussard. Broussard filed no contest, but charged his defeat was brought about by fraudulent election tactics. Although it made no recommendations, the committee directed a

The Indianapolis Times Generally fair tonight and tomorrow; slightly colder tonight; lowest temperature tonight about 25.

MACHINE GUN PAIR FREES 5 FROM PRISON Two Guards Are Wounded in Texas Break: One Near Death. DESPERADO IS FREED Vicious Gunman Suspected in Helping Notorious Pal to Escape. By United Prrxx CROCKETT, Texas, Jan. 16. Two men manning machine guns, one of them believed to have been Clyde Barrow, notorious southwest gunman, liberated five convicts from the Eastham prison farm near here today and wounded two guards. An ally of Barrow, Raymond Hamilton, former Dallas desperado under sentences totaling 263 years, was one of the five who escaped. The others were A. B. French, of Hunt County; W. H. Bybee, of Stevens county; Henry Meghein of Refugio county, and Joe Palmer of Limestone county. The delivery was made as the men left camp about 7 a. m. to chop wood. Two men in a small black sedan began firing with machine guns as the line of convicts reached the open, dropping the two guards. Then, as if prearranged, Hamilton and his four companions broke ranks and fled to the car. The machine roared away with a hail of bullets pouring from guns of the two deliverers and weapons issued the five men who joined them. Major Crawson, one of the guards, was taken to the prison hospital in Huntsville in a critical condition. Olen Bozeman of Groesbeck, the other guard, was taken to Huntsville with less serious wounds. All of those who escaped with Hamilton were classified as dangerous characters. They were serving the following terms: Bybee—Life, for murder. French—Twelve years, for robbery with firearms. Meghein—Ten years, for assault with intent to murder. Palmer—Twenty-five years, for robbery with firearms. Indiana Break Foiled MICHIGAN CITY, Ind., Jan. 16. Albert Such. East Chicago, a guard at the state prison, was questioned by officials today after two convicts rfearly escaped by climbing the wall near his watch tower. The attempted escape was witnessed by Warden Louis E. Kunkel, Deputy Warden L. E. Schmuhl and Chief Clerk Howard C. Crosby. They were conferring in the warden's office when two unidentified convicts laid two ten-foot planks, which had been spliced together, against a wall near the administration building. As one of the convicts began to ascend the wall, Schmuhl telephoned Such in the watch tower and asked him to investigate. Ringing of the bell frightened the convict and he scampered. The two convicts removed the planks and carried them away. Then they lost themselves in a group of prisoners working nearby. It was believed the convicts were identified later, but prison officials refused to reveal their names. Wardn Kunkel said he blamed Such for not stopping the convicts at the point of a gun. It is believed that the two prisoners intended to scale the wall, slug Such, seize his guns and keys and make their way to freedom down a winding stair in the tower which connects with a door opening on the outside of the wall. *

vigorous attack on “dummy-candi-date” tactics, and said it found evidence of "fraud" in New Orleans. “The courts of Louisiana appear to accept the view that the nomination of candidates is purely a matter to be left largely to regulations by political parties,” the report said. The committee also condemned the practice of levying compulsory assessments upon office holders to raise campaign funds. “The practice of coercing office-holders to contribute to a political campaign,” it said, "is against sound public policy and should be prohibited by law.”

Northern Cities Scored by State Health Board for Failure to Co-Operate in War on Stream Pollution

Northern Indiana cities are failing to give other than “lip service” to the state health departments anti-stream pollution campaign, it was charged by department officials today. Proof of the charge was contained in a detailed report prepared by L. A. Geupel, chief sanitary engineer. and M. L. Lang, chief of the division of chemistry. The report has been presented to Dr. Verne K. Harvey, state health director, who will confer with Governor Paul V. McNutt regarding it. Deplorable condition of Hoosier streams and lakes was exposed last summer in a series of articles in The Times. These brought immediate action from both the health and conservation departments. Twenty-six cities were cited to appear before the state health board

INDIANAPOLIS,' TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1934

Teacher Fails to Aid in Unraveling Mystery of Rheta Wynekoop’s Death

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Burdine H. Gardner of Indianapolis, father of the slain Mrs. Rheta Gardner Wynekoop. with his wife and Assistant State’s Attorney Martin Ward (right) in court in Chicago during the trial of Dr. Alice Lindsay Wynekoop for her daughter-in-law’s death.

Enid Hennessey on Stand: Accused Doctor Is Refreshed. By United Prefix CRIMINAL COURT BUILDING. CHICAGO, Jan. 16.—Enid Hennessey, veteran high school teacher, today revealed how the city’s strangest murder struck suddenly into her workaday life in the home of her longtime friend, Dr. Alice Lindsay Wynekoop. Testifying as a state witness in Dr. Wynekoop’s trial on charges of murdering her daughter-in-law, Rheta, Miss Hennessey's sympathies obviously were with her old friend, who sat silent garbed in black, a few feet away. Dr. Wynekoop, whose critical physical condition has caused much apprehension, was refreshed when she appeared in Judge Joseph B. David's courtroom. She had enjoyed a good sleep during the night and was prepared to watch the state build up their theory of coldblooded murder against her. Describes Finding of Body Her nerves were steeled for whatever revelations might come. Her attorneys, Frank Tyrrell and W. W. Smith, explained to her the manner in which Assistant States Attorney Charles S. Dougherty likely would build up his theory of murder to obtain insurance money and she said whatever testimony would be given would provide little shock. Miss Hennessey told of her first sight of Rheta's body on an operating table in the basement of the Wynekoop home. Over objection of defense counsel, photographs of the operating room were introduced in evidence. Miss Hennessey identified the photographs, but complained that a number of minor details of the room had been changed, specifically that a drawer from which Dr. Wynekoop claimed morphine had been stolen was open on the murder night, but had been closed by police. No Quarrels, She Says “I never heard a quarrel between Rheta and Dr. Wynekoop,” Miss Hennessey said on crossexamination. “Rheta was treated very well in the home.” In minute detail, Miss Hennessey described her actions and those of Dr. Wynekoop on the murder night. Not once did she reveal any detail which would dispel the mystery of Rheta’s death. Miss Hennessey’s testimony was given in a flat unemotional voice. She told the story of the murder night as she might have described an interesting exhibit to her zoology class. Mrs. Vera Duncan, next door neighbor of the Wynekoop’s and last person outside of the Wynekoop home to see the girl alive, was the next witness. Times Index Berg Cartoon 12 Bridge 7 Broun H Classified 15, 16 Comics . 17 Congress Page 3 Crossword Puzzle 18 Curious World 17 Editorial 12 Financial 13 Hickman—Theaters 11 Lippmann 13 Our Gang—A Series 11 Pegler *. 11 Radio 8 Sports 14. 15 State News 2 Unknown Blond 17 Woman’s Pages 6, 7

for hearings. Where city officials refused to co-operate in building sewage disposal plants and halting industrial waste in streams, the health department issued orders demanding that they do so. In the case of both Ft. Wayne and Anderson, these orders have been appealed by the city to the circuit courts. Today's report discloses the following status of the twenty-six cases: Nine have plans completed and applications filed with the public works administration for loans to construct disposal plants; three have plans prepared with the intention to file for such a loan; four have completed plans but express no intention of borrowing the construction funds; eight have taken no official action, and the other two

G. 0. P. OPENS VETERAN FIGHT Senate Republicans Vote to Wage War for Soldier Aid. By United Prrxx WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.—Senate Republicans in formal conference today voted unanimously to wage a determined fight for restoration of veterans’ benefits at the present session of congress. Twenty of the thirty-five Republican senators attended the conference. It was decided also to attempt restoration of government pay cuts and to force, if possible, public hearings on the administration's gold reserve act proposed by President Roosevelt yesterday. 10 DIE AS FRENCH AIR LINER CRASHES Governor-General of Colony Is Among Victims. By United Prrxx PARIS, Jan. 16.—Governor-Gen-eral Pasquier of French Indo-China. and nine others were killed tonight in a crash of the tri-motor monoplane Emerald, returning to Paris from Saigon, in the Orient, from her maiden flight to the Far East. The tragedy occurred as the Emerald, flagship of the France-Orient air mail line, was completing her initial round trip to Indo-China. The huge plane crashed at Corbigny, in the department of Nievre, about 125 miles southeast of Paris. HOUSING PROJECT IS DECLARED ILLEGAL Controller-General Ties Up Slum Funds. By United Prrxx WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.—A ruling by Controller-General John R. McCarl has hopelessly tied up funds of the Federal Housing Corporation. aggregating $100,001,00, Public Works Administrator Harold L. lickes said today. In effect. Mr. Ickes said, the con-troller-general holds that formation of the housing corporation was in violation of the Constitution. Mr. McCarl has refused to approve any disbursements by tha corporation, which has created as a subsidiary of the public works administration to further housing and slum clearance projects. ROOSEVELT GOLD PLAN IS BACKED BY GRANGE Approval Is Expressed to President by Taber. By United Prcxx WASHINGTON. Jan. 16.—Approval of the administration’s policy for monetary reform was expressed to President Roosevelt today by a group of the nation's agricultural leaders headed by Louis J. Taber of Ohio, head of the National Grange.

have filed the appeals to prevent the state health board from forcing them to do so. Northern Indiana cities, including Hammond. Gary, East Chicago. Whiting. Ft. Wavne, South Bend. Mishawaka. Elkhart. Garrett, Auburn, Anderson, Noblesville and Newcastle, are scored roundly, in the report for failure to comply with the anti-stream pollution program. “These cities lie close to or adjacent to Indiana’s summer recreation lakes and resorts and receive a great deal of the summer tourist traffic during the recreation period,” the report sets out. “These cities also are industrial cities and the conditions of pollution reflect against their own citizens’ welfare and health, not including those living downstream or

CONGRESS CLEARS DECKS FOR QUICK ACTION ON ROOSEVELT GOLD PLAN

SSOO IN 1930 MONEY STILL SSOO IN CASH Buying Power Decreased, but Commodity Prices Are Due to Climb. BY JOHN R. BEAL United Press Staff Correspondent NEW YORK, Jan. 16.—“ What I want to know," said a stranger entering an office on Forty-Second street today, “is what’s going to happen to the SSOO I have in the bank?” An economist in the offices of the committee for the nation said; “You have the advantage of us, sir. We don’t recall—” “Why, you’ve heard of me! I’m the man in the street. I’ve got a brother who is a milkman in Omaha. My uncle raises wheat in Minnesota, and my second cousin raises cotton in Tennessee.” “Ah, yes,” the economist replied. “Now what brought this up?” Buying Power Doubled “Well, I see President Roosevelt wants to make the dollar worth between 50 and 60 cents of its former gold value. I’m not interested in this $2,000,000,000 equalization fund, but I’ve got SSOO in the bank and I want to know what's going to happen to it.” “A fair question. But first you must tell us when you obtained this $500.” “I saved it out of my earnings before 1930. I lost my steady job as a garage mechanic then ana since that time I’ve had enough in odd jobs to pay my expenses without , saving or drawing on my savings.” “Admirable. Now, sir. you prob- ! ably realize that your money was only a measuring stick for the amount of commodities you could buy. While you were out of work your measuring stick—the gold value of your money—increased until this i year you could have bought approximately twice that amount of commodities. Your money was worth SI,OOO in purchasing power compared to its value when you put it away. No Less Than Before “If President Roosevelt fixes the gold value of the dollar at 50 per ■ cent of the former value, your SSOO will be worth only SSOO again in purchasing power. “Now you may say you don’t like j the idea. You'd like to hang onto that additional SSOO. But at the i same time you agree you have no less than you had before —and how about your uncle and your cousin? “In 1926 your uncle could raise 1.000 bushels of wheat, pay his j debts with 500 bushels, and ex- ! change the other 500 bushels for ! clothes, a radio or anew car. It Looks Reasonable “Now while your SSOO was increasing in purchasing power, your uncle’s wheat was bringing less and less in dollars. Things finally came to the point where your uncle got only SSOO for his 1,000 bushels of wheat and he didn't have enough money left to buy a pair of denim overalls. And your second cousin in Tennessee, in a similar situation, couldn’t buy food. j “If you were to be convinced that by restoring the former purchasing | power of the dollar your uncle could again buy your second cousin’s cotton in the form of denim overalls, j and your cousin could buy bread made from your uncle's wheat, maybe you would be willing to see your SI,OOO purchasing power reduced to SSOO again.” “I'm not saying, but it looks reasonable.” said the man in the street. | “I guess I’ll just wait and see what happens. Three Policemen Named The safety board today announced the appointments to the police force of John J. Sullivan, 613 North Emerson avenue; Frederick J. Craig, 415 North New Jersey street; and James Hasch. 4235 Sangster street. All ap- ! pointees, it was learned, are Demoi crats.

within the range of the dangerous pollution,” it continues. “In the Calumet district alone there is danger to 4.000.000 people in Indiana and Ililnois. The St. Joseph river is polluted as it flows into Michigan. The Maumee river is polluted as it flows into Ohio, and it may be said these conditions as they exist are no credit to the sovereign state of Indiana.” A survey of all summer resorts is recommended with the promise of publicity for those with lakes and streams that are a danger to health through polluted waters. Cities listed in the report as having taken some action include Muncie. Hartford City, Michigan City, Hobart, Goshen, Bedford. Kokomo, Union City, Marion, Tipton, Richmond, Green castle and Lawrence,burg.

Entered a* Second-Ciass Matter at Poatoffice. Indtanapolia

Legislation Encounters Delays, but Reasonably Swift Adoption Is Forecast by Leaders of Both Houses. SILVER BACKERS ARE DISORGANIZED Republicans Concede They Have Little Chance of Stopping Measure; Democrats Shrug Off Charges of Illegality. By United Prrxx WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.—President Roosevelt’s new gold legislation encountered delays in congress today, but everything pointed toward reasonable quick adoption. Action in the house was held up by hitter fight as to whether the gold nationalization and devaluation measure should go to the banking or the coinage committee. Speaker Henry T. Rainey said both committees had besieged him so much that he had to take more time to decide which should have the bill. He said both promised speedy action.

HOKE IS NAMED RELIEF LEADER Prominent City Man Named Director of State Emerge ency Council. Controversy over the selection of ; an Indiana director for the new j national emergency council today ! was at an end with the selection of Fred Hoke. Indianapolis business man, for the post. I As director, Mr. Hoke will coj ordinate work of all recoveiy I agencies in the state, including civil works, agricultural adjustment NRA, public works and others, and he will have the power to name directors for each county. Original nominee of Senator Frederick Van Nuys for the post was Richard A. Werneke, Terre Haute political leader, whose name was rejected as all political leaders were barred from such pasts. Learning that President Roosevelt's advisers were considering the name of William Fortune, Indianapolis philanthropist, a Republican, for the job. the senator objected on the grounds that Mr. Fortune was “not in sympathy with the new deal program.” Instead he suggested Mr. Hoke or Evans Woollen, Indianapolis banker. Mr. Hcke is chairman of the Governor’s unemployment relief commission, and chairman of the Indiana CWA. He served on Pres- | ident Herbert Hoover's relief commission, attended Hoover's charity I conference in 1932. and has reprei sented Governor McNutt in Washington at conferences called by the j President. He is vice-president of Holcomb & Hoke Manufacturing Company. He has been active many years in civic and charitable affairs, and in 1928 was a member of the committee of five to select a mayor when John L. Duvall resigned. Mr. Hoke has been Indianapolis Community Fund president six i times, and headed several Liberty Loan and the Victory Loan drives. SCORES OF MINERS RETURN TO WORK I Anthracite Strikers Lose Ground in Walkout. J By United Prrxx WILKES BARRE. Pa., Jan. 16. The strike called by the united anthracite miners lost ground today 1 as scores of workers returned to the pits, satisfied they would be protected by state and county police from pickets. The strike became effective yesterday. The most severe blow to the strike was a temporary injunction issued ! at Scranton which restrained the < union and its members from picket - j ing or molesting miners at the Penn Anthracite Coal Company.

$7,500,000 FOR POOR AID IN STATE IS ASKED BY M’NUTT

Governor Paul V. McNutt today dispatched an air mail request to Washington for *7,500.000 of federal funds for poor relief. He explained that 55.500.000 will be used to meet the augmented Civil Works Administration payrolls in the state and $2,000,000 for direct relief in counties. Counties where such relief is given must match the federal funds. When the $5,500,000 is received, it will care for CWA until the present closing date. Feb. 15, the Governor said. He anticipates congressional action which will provide funds for CWA until May 1, he said.

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County, 3 Cents

, Senate Republicans in their | first caucus of the session determined to exert every effort to force the senate banking committee to hold exhaustive public hearings on | the bill. Chairman Dun Can Fletcher of the senate banking committee said the Republicans could have as many hearings as they wanted. Governor Black of the federal reserve board, meantime, disclosed that the board on Dec. 29 had recommended to the President that congress be asked for the new legj islation under which the treasury will take over the reserve bank’s gold holdings of more than $3,500,- : 000,000. On the surface at least, this disposed of indications of reserve board ; opposition to the new program. Sentiment Overwhelming The gold reserve act. title of a bill carving out the President’s recommendations for taking into the treasury all monetary gold and revaluing the gold content of the dollar at a point between 50 and 60 cents, : aroused constitutional dispute, but | sentiment appeared overwhelming in support of the measure. Senate Republicans were called together to discuss opposition strategy. Their leaders, however, had little hope of defeating the President’s program. The most they believed they could do would be to force public hearings on the bill. They foresaw a senate division approximating the 64 to 21 vote last April on the Thomas amendment by which the President was given authority to devalue the dollar down | to 50 per cent. Objections Are Raised Constitutional objections were raised promptly, and answered equally promptly after the President’s newest monetary proposals reached Capitol Hill. Representative Robert Luce (Rep., Mass.) stated the case of the objectors. The intended seizure, he i said, whereby the treasury would take from gold owners, ‘two-fifths, possibly one-half, of their property, without just compensation,” would violate the bill of rights. The government, he pointed out, is paying more than $34 an ounce for gold abroad, but proposes to pay ‘‘citizens of the United States $20.67 an ounce.” He predicted the supreme court would invalidate such legislation. • Byrns First to Reply Representative James Wadswort ‘Rep.. N. Y.i, said the constitutional question involved was the right of the government to take the federal reserve banks’ gold stocks of 53,566.000.000 and giving in return j “certificates which are not negotiable.” House Majority Leader Joseph W. Byrns was first to reply. ’ There is no doubt of the constitutionality of congress delegating monetary power to the President,” Mr. Byrns said. “The supreme 'ourt decision in the Minnesota mortgage foreclosure case indicated clearly the court would take a similar view as to emergency monetary matters.” Sees “N’o Violation” Senate Majority Leader Joseph T. Robinson conceded the constitutional question involved was “not without difficulties,” but declared his study had convinced him that the seizure “does not appear to me to be a violation of the Constitution.” He declared it would be “fairer” to give the public the profits of revaluation. particularly in the case of the gold which the public was required to deliver to the federal reserve banks under the anti-hoard-ir.e proceedings. Silver advocates were disorganized by the President's message. Some regarded his declaration for a • greatly increased use of silver” in the monetary structure as a hopeful sign. Others were disappointed in his insistence on waiting until results of present international and domestic silver policies are demonstrated before embarking on new moves to rehabilitate the white metal. Senator Burbank Wheeler ‘Dem., Mont.), announced he would continue to press his bill for silver remonetization at 16 to 1. A monetary conference summoned :by Senator Elmer Thomas ( Dem., Okla ), for today planned to devote its attention to silver, the President's message having disposed of I gold proposals originally scheduled to be discussed.