Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 46, Number 32, 16 December 1920 — Page 1

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A. VOL. XLVL, No. 32 Palladium, Est. 1831. Consolidated with Sun -Telegram, 1907. RICHMOND, LND., THURSDAY EVENING, DEC. 16, 1920. SINGLE COPY 3 CENTS

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FOUR NATIONS ADMITTED TO LEAGUE FOLD Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Finland and Luxembourg Made Members France, Australia Pass Bulgarian Vote. MAY CONSIDER BUDGET

(By Associated Press) GENEVA, Dec. 16. Four new nations were made members of the League of Nations by the x Assembly of the League here today. They were Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Finland, and Luxembourg. France and Australia abstained from voting when the admission of Bulgaria was before the assembly for -decision. Rene Vlvlanl. the head of the French delegation declared it had no objection to Bulgaria as a member but preferred not to vote in view of the Incompleteness of the information given it regarding Bulgaria's fitness. Thirty-five states voted affirmatively when the balloting took place and Australia joined France in not recording her vote. Admit Costa Rica. The question of admitting Costa Rica was the next on the day's agenda. Dr. Nansen. of Norway, explained that the only doubt in his mind was whether Costa Rica was not too small a country, but in view of the membership of its neighbor Panama, he decided Costa Rica could not be excluded on that score. Antonio Huneus, of Chile, and Senor Hestrepo, of Columbia, asked that the assembly vote unanimously in admitting Costa Rica. It was stated before the voting took place that France had no objection to Bulgaria in particular, but would not vote' because there was some analogy between the cases of Bulgaria and Germany. It was asserted the delegation desired to maintain a consistent attitude on auestions relative to qualifications of applicants for admission. Interested In Russia. Debate was expected when the report relative to the admission of Baltic and Caucasian states was to be considered. N. W. Rowell, of Canada, r&ve notice to the committee that Canada, as a Pacific ocean power, took p special Interest in the Russian question. He declared that question had been raised in Its entirety by the prorosed relations between the league pnd the states carved out of the former Russian empire. Although the Baltic states had the full sympathy of Canada, he asserted the situation in Russia might change. nd the league might find itself faced by a new government claiming access 1o 1he sea. in which eventually the - league would incur grave responsibility. May Consider Budget. It was planned, if the assembly finished the election of the members soon enough to take up the league budget and pass appropriations for the coming year, which have been somewhat criticised at committee meetings with regard to salaries of men con nected with the secretariat. At the opening of today's session President Hymans announced that the request for consideration of the Tacna-Arica case at this session of the assembly had been withdrawn, with the request that it be put on the agenda of the next assembly, to meet In September. WAR DEPARTMENT LAX SAY LEGION OFFICIALS WASHINGTON, Dec. 16. William G. Murdock, department adjutant of the American Legion for Pennsylvania, and H. H. Raege of the Legion's legis lative committee, declared that the war department "has done nothing but promise prosecutions of more than 150,000 draft evaders and deserters under military regulations. They also charge that the department of justice was making little progress in dealing with another 150,000 who they claimed had violated the service act, but were . punishable under criminal statutes r.her than under military law. Air. Murdock submitted a letter signd bfj;Adjutant General Harris to for mer rovbst Marshal General Crow der n which he said that the war de partment had records of 489,000 de serters falling under military regulations, or these, the letter said. 163.738 had been dealt with under military regulations prior to Feb. 28, 1919. There remained, however 173,911 indi vidual cares of which the war department has made no disposition prior to last Sept. 1. according to the letter. Chairman Volstead of the commit tee .said he believed the war depart ment should be called upon for in formation concerning its disposition of these caes. The committee, however, left the matter in the chairman's hands and he said later he expected to write Secretary Baker for. the information American Bank Obtains Bowman as Treasurer L. S. Bowman, deputy auditor of state for two years, will return to Richmond Monday to become treasur er of the American Trust and Saving3 bank, says an announcement today. Mr. Bowman has been in the state liou-e for two years, and was auditor of Wayne county for seven years. Park Gipe will have charge of the Washington Township bank at Milton. Furniture and fixtures for the bank have been purchased and the room in the Odd Fellows' building has been renovate!. , The bank probably will be open for business by the first of the year.

MANY OUT OF WORK IN GREAT BRITAIN; GOVERNMENT TO AID

(By Associated Press) LONDON,, Dec. 16. Unemployment In Great Britain which has been steadily growing, has created a serious problem which during the last few days has become more urgent owing to the advent of severe weather. There Is a general anxiety over the situation as nearly every trade in the country is affected. Unemployment is common among clerks and middleclass occupations as well . as among manual laborers, and official statistics show that about 600,000 are without occupation at present. It is admitted, however, that this is far below the real figure as there are many without work who have not been reached by state or other organizations. Soldiers Lack Work. Labor circles declare the actual number of men, out of employment is fully 1,000,000. Upon a majority of these there are dependents, and the total number of persons suffering from the present conditions is placed at from 3,000,000 to 4,000,000, a large proportion being former soldiers. The national executive council of the labor party yesterday passed a resolution declaring the present scandal of innocent starving persons cannot be allowed to continue, and calling upon the government to maintain persons for whom no work is available. Ask for Help. The government is asked to pay each man 40 shillings per week and each woman 25 shillings, with additional allowances for dependents. This it is asserted, could be done for ten weeks for "the modest sum of 5,000,000." Meanwhile the government is giving close attention to the problem and Thomas J. MacNamara, Minister of Labor, announced yesterday a plan expected to provide work for 50,000 men. They' would be employed in the construction of buildings, and the scheme will be submitted to the building trades' union next Monday for final acceptance or rejection. NEW GARDEN LEADS IN SALE OF XMAS SEALS Returns from the townships of the county,s showing the progress of the Christmas Seal sale indicate a very popular response to the cause by the people of the outlying districts. Re ports from New Garden township show that the pupils of the schools there have already sold $40 worth of seals. Of this amount, the senior class of the Fountain City high school disposed of $13 frorth, the Juniors and Sophomores $2.70 and $2.90 respectively and the Freshmen $8.54. Pupils of the fifth and sixth grades disposed of $12.70 worth of seals. Mrs. O. N. Huff has had charge of the work in that township. Reports from Mrs. F. F. Greenstreet of Economy, show that $15 worth of seals had been sold there. In making her report Mrs. Greenstreet commended especially the attitude of cooperation shown by the teachers, pupils and principals of the schools in that vicinity, all of whom worked to help the sale. In addition to the sales already reported, Mrs. Willard Petro of Cambridge City sent in $25 realized from the sale of seals, in that place recently. INCREASED TAX LEVIES ANNOUNCED BY BOARD (By Associated Press) INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 16 Increased tax assessments, some exceeding one milion, were announced today by the state board of tax commissioners in making public 800 assessments levied by the board at its session just ended. The largest single increase was that of the Miehawaka Wool Manufacturing company. The state board increasing the county board assessment from $7,688,990 to $9,329,830 on personal property. The American Bridge company in Lake County was next, its personal property assessment being raised from $581,000 to $1,582,675. Some reductions ranging to as much as $50,000 were made by the state board, while many county board assessments were unchanged. CONSTANTINE SAILS -FROM VENICE TODAY (By Associated Press) VENICE, Dec. 16. Former King Constantine. Queen Sophie and their children sailed from Venice this morn ing on board the Greek cruiser Aver off for Phaleron. Former King Constantine, Queen Sophie and the children last night slept under the royal banner of Greece for the first time since June 14, 1917. During the night the cruiser Averoff, on which they embarked yesterday and which will take them to Phaleron, made preparations to depart from Venice at dawn. From the moment Constantine set foot on the deck of the Averoff yesterday morning and thus figuratively stood on Greek soil regal honors were paid him. The big cruiser roared out a royal salute, Italian dignitaries paid calls of ceremony, and the crews of many vessels in the harbors dressed ships. Among those who called on Constantine was Rear-Admiral Philip Andrews, commander of the American naval units in the Adriatic. The Averoff was accompanied to this port by a squadron of destroyers which will convoy her back to Greece. SELECT JURY CLEVELAND, O., Dec. 16. Selection of a jury to try William H. McGannon, chief justice of the municipal court on a charge of second degr,e murder for the death of Harold C. Kagy was resumed today. Eleven Jurors had been tentatively accpted when court opened.

Reapportionment of Solons x May Change Representation

PALLADIUM NEWS BUREAU WASHINGTON, D. C. Dec. 16. Republican members of the house of representatives will hold a caucus Friday evening for the purpose of discussing a reapportionment of representatives in congress in accordance with the census of 1920. The caucus promises to be full of pep and ginger. If the reapportionment bill provides ! that the constituency of each member shall remain the same as the past 10 years, approximately 211,000 people, it will mean an increase of about 50 members in the lower house, which now numbers 435. However, there are a large number of congressmen who believe the present membership is large enough to be cumbersome, so a vigorous and, probably, successful opposition to increasing the number of representatives can be anticipated. May Reduce Solons. It has been suggested that the house can retafn its present membership by reducing the representation in certain states where there have been only slight increases in population and increase the representati 1 1 of those states where there have been large increases in population. Under such a plan Indiana's representation would undoubtedly be reduced from 13 to 12 congressmen and it would be necessary for the next Indiana legislature, which begins a 60-day session in January, to redistrict the state. Representative George H. Tinkham of Massachusetts is making a fight to reduce representation from the states of the "Solid South" for the reason that so many of the colored citizens of those states have been disfranchised. NATIONAL MARKETING MACHINERY OFFERED AS HELP TO FARMERS (By Associated Press) ST. LOUIS, Dec. 16. Farmers from more than a dozen states met here today to decide on some action to relieve conditions resultine from the decline in prices of their products. Delegates j declared present prices mean bankrupcy and emphasized they were not; . . .. . i j j i due to tne law oi suppiy ana uemauu. The conference called by the national board of farm organizations is said to represent 16 farmers organizations throughout the Unite States with a combined membership approximating 1,500,000. The representation here is principally from the grain and cotton producing sections of the country, officers said. Plans which were suggested to the delegtaes as affording avenues of relief Including the setting up of national marketing machinery to sell produce and purchase agricultural supplies and the establishing of banking institutions in the various states through co-operation of he several farm organizations to strengthen their credit. CABLES TO AMERICA PROBED BY ENGLAND (By Associated Press.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 16. All American cable messages leaving Great Britain are now being held up for examination by the British naval intelligence authorities, Newcom H. Carleton, president of the Western Union Telegraph company, testified today when recalled before a special senate committee investigating cables and the advisability of legislative action affecting them. The new British requirements have been imposed Mr. Carleton said for the purpose of "throwing light upon internal disturbances in Great Britain and I presume more particularly with reference to Ireland and Bolshevism." Mr. Carleton added that he wat, .'ot sure whether inbound cables from the United States also were being held. ROAD SUES HOUSTON TO RECOVER RETURN WASHINGTON, Dec. 16. Arguments in the mandamus proceedings brought-by the Grand Trunk railroad against Secretary of the Treasury Houston, were listed for hearing today before Justice McCoy, in the District of Columbia supreme court. The secretary has been notified to 6how cause why he should not pay the Grand Trunk roads operating in the United States, 500,000 under the guarantee provision of the Transportation act, giving the carriers a six per cent return up to September 1. On the decision in this case which has grown out or a recent decision of Comptroller of the Treasury Warwick, that further payments to the railroads under the guarantee provision of the act must be withheld until complete statements are submitted by fix is of amounts due them, depends the paypent of more than $400,000,000. The carriers claim this is the balance the government owes them for losses incurred during the guaranty period. Chili Favors Argentina in Stand on League (By Associated Prs!5) SANTIAGO. Chile. Dec. f6. Chile will co-operate with Argentina for the purpose of bringing about the success of "the high proposals sustained by the Argentine delegation in amendments proposed before the assembly of the league of nations at Geneva," said ar official statement issued from the? ice of president San Fuentes to.y. This statement was issued toileting two meetings of the cabinet at which the president acted as chairman. Expressions of sympathy toward Argentina were made in the statement, r .

He points out that -under the constitution congress is directed to reduce the representation of any state in proportion to the disfranchisement of any of its citizens. A statement issued by Mr. Tinkham reads: Tinkham Opposes. "If the house of representatives pass a reappointment bill which is plainly unconstitutional .... it is now my intention to question the constitutionality of the election of the next house of representatives by' legal process." Mr. Tinkham points to the fact that at the election in 1916 the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia cast a total vote for all presidential candidates of only 1,870,209. In congress these states have a total of 104 representatives. The same year the state of New York alone cast a total vote for all presidential candidates of 1,706,354 but that state has only 43 representatives in congress. Haste Is Urrjed. Owing to the fact that many of the state legislatures will be in session next year and that some of them will have adjourned before the new congress is called into special session, abount the middle of March, congress is being urged to put through the reapportionment bill before the present congress adjourns. Following the passage of this bill it will be up to the various legislatures to redistrict their states. Should the reapportionment bill, providing for a reduction in Indiana's representation to 12 members, be passed without the forthcoming Indiana legislature redistricting the state it probably would be necessary to elect all Indiana congressmen from the state at large in 1922, unless the state was redistricted at a special session of the legislature held prior to the 1922 election, because there will be no regular sssion of the legislature after 1921 until 1923. It has been predicted than in the event of a reduction in Indiana's representation in congress at least two additional counties would be added to the Sixth district.

HARDING MAKES GOOD ON CAMPAIGN PLEDGE: SEES COOLIDGE TODAY MARION, O., Dec. 16 Making good another of his campaign pledges, President-elect Harding today sought the advice of Vice President-elect Coolidge on, the problems and policies of the coming administration. Although the plan for an association of nations is understood to have been one of the principal points to be discussed at the conference, it is known that Governor Coolidge's invitation to Marion was prompted in a large part by the desire of the president-elect to secure his advice on various domestic questions. One of Mr. Harding's first announcements after his nomination was his promise of a more active part for the vice president in the next administration and now that actual experience has brought home to him tie wide range of subjects with which a president must deal, he is understood to be even more anxious to let Mr. Coolidge share some of the administration responsibilities. If any plan has been worked out to delegate definite subjects to the vice president for investigation or decision, however, Mr. Harding has not revealed it even to his close advisers. It is thought more likely that Mr. Coolidge will be asked to act in a general advisory capacity and will be entrusted from time to time with important special missions. Arriving early in the forenoon, the governor was to spend several hours with Mr. Harding before returning east. Require Boston Women to Register Again (Bv Associated Press) BOSTON, Dec. 16. In order that the list of all voters may be sufficiently descriptive, women in this city will be compelled to register again if they wish to vote next year. A statement Issued by the election department today said that the new list would include the height and weight of all registrants. Owing to the short time available for registering for the recent elections women were only required to give their age. The purpose of the re-registration is to guard against improper voting. Weather Forecast Moore's Special Forecast Partly cloudy but mostly fair weather will prevail for the next 24 hours. Conditions still favorable for snow flurries. Temperatures will be lower tonight than pn Wednefday, but no severe cold iher is yet imminent For Indiana, by the United States Weather Bureau Unsettled . tonight and Friday; probable snow flurries in north portion ; little change in temperature. Temperatures Yesterday Maximum 36 Minimum 29 Today Noon 33 General Conditions, by W. E. Moore The center of the intense storm is now over the St. Lawrence valley, while fair weather prevails over the northwest and southern and western states. Cold weather covers the Rocky mountain states, with minimum temperatures of four below at Lander, Wyo, and six below at Yellowstone National park. It is getting warmer over western Canada. Another extensive rainstorm is moving in the United States from the Pacific ocean.

IRISH HOME RULE READY FOR SOLONS

House of Commons to Act on Amendments by Lords DeValera Hiding in United States. CORK FIRE IS PROBED (By Associated Press) LONDON, Dec. 16 Amendments to the Irish home rule bill made in the house of lords during the last two weeks were ready for consideration by the house of commons when it met today. After the bill had been sent to the upper house of parliament and that body was found bent on making material alterations in tne measure, intimations were given that any amendments made by the lords would be stricken out by the commons, but there appeared to be sentiment in some quarters in favor of going as far as possible to meet any objections which developed during the debate of the bill by the house of lords. There seemed to be a probability that the reappearance of the home rule bill might be made an occasion for a debate on the Irish situation generally. Want Action First Liberal members of commons have asserted that acquiescence by parliament should be secured before the government puts into opration such a serious measure as declaring martial law over a Jarge section of IrelaDd. Withdrawal of "Black and Tan" units from Cork has been completed, but the military commission investigating the origin of the fires in 'hat city Saturday night and Sunday, has not as yet made public its conclusions. Major General Sir Edward Strickland is head of the commission and it 6eems the work of arriving at a verdict has been more difficult than was at first expected. De Valera Expected. Eamonn de Valera, who bears the title of "president of the Irish republic," is rumored to be on his way to Ireland from America, where he has been for nearly 18 months. Tacit permission for bis .return to Ireland is understood to have been given by Premier Lloyd George In a letter to the Rev. Michael O'Flanagan, acting president of the Sinn Fien. NEW YORK, Dec. 16. Eamonn De Velera, "President of the Irish Republic," is in hiding in this country, but may consider returning to Great Brit ain, if granted a safe conduct by Premier Lloyd George, Harry Bolland. "presidential secretary," announced here today. SEISMOGRAPH SHOWS HEAVY EARTH SHOCK (By Associated Press) WASHINGTON, Dec. 16. An unusually long earth quake shock, estimated to be 2.800 miles, in an eastwesterly direction from Washington, was recorded early today on the seismograph at Georgetown university. i lie uiaianup wouiu indicate me location of the disturbance to be in the United States, near the Pacific coast, if to the west, or the vicinity of tho Azores, if in the east. Father Tondorf said the estimate of distance was difficult to calculate from the early position of the record of the shock. The recording of the shock began 7:20 a. m. The maxium intensity was reached at 8:07 a. m., and it was still in progress at 9:50 a. m. The disturbance was described by the Rev. Father Francis A. Tondorf, director of the Georgetown seismographical observatory as the worst record here in two years. CHICAGO, Dec. 16. An earthquake, ' the severest recorded here in two years, is being registered on the seismograph at Chicago university. The center of the disturbance was estimated at 3,080 miles from Chicago. At the observatory at Washington the same quake was 2,800 miles in an cast or west direction. The quake is apparently centered in the Atlantic ocean, being farther from Chicago than from the capitol. Navy Seeks Location of Missing Balloonists (By Associated Press) NEW YORK. Dec. 16 No further information regarding the whereabouts of the naval balloon which left Rockaway point on Monday afternoon bearing three naval officers in her basket, has been received, officers at the station said today. The last official word from the aeronauts who started for an endurance test, came shortly after the craft was placed at the mercy of the winds. This report was brought back by a homing pigeon released from tne aerial ark over the Brooklyn navy yards. Since the balloon was reported seen floating over Wells, N. Y. at low altitude late Monday evening, there have been no reports, direct or indirect, that she has been seen. Six pigeons were carried. WEDS BRITISH PEER (By Associated Press) LONDON. Dec. 16. Viscount Stewart, son and heir of the Sixth Earl of Castlestewart and Miss Planor May Guggenheim, daughter of Solomon M. Guggenheim of New York were married here today. The ceremony was performed by Canon David of Coventry, assisted by the Rev. Stewart, rector of Stewartstown, county Tyrone, Ireland, and was witnessed by more then 100 relatives and intimate friends of the couple. J : - - ''

WOMEN'S AUXILIARY OF AMERICAN. LEGION FORMED IN JANUARY

(By Associated Press) INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 16. Formation of the Indiana Women's Auxiliary of the American Legion is planned to be completed at the auxiliary's first annual convention here Jan. 18. L. R. Gignilliat, of Culver, state commander of the Legion, will open the convention and Mayor Charles W. Jewett, of Indianapolis, will give the address of welcome. The morning session will also include the appointme'nt of convention committees, and consiaera t ion, of adoption of a rituaL I In the afternoon organization of the state department will be completed with the election of officer. Resolu tions will be brought forward concern ing the care of disabled soldiers by tie government and other after-war problems now facing the country. Delegates will be elected to the national convention of the auxiliary to be held later in the year. Two delegates and two alternates from each congressional district will be named. Raymond S. Springer, of Connersville, formerly state commander of the Legion, will serve as parliamentarian for the convention. . District Organizers District organizers, now at work forming units of the auxiliary whereever there are posts of the Legion, Include: Mrs. Margaret French, Evansville, first district; Mrs. " W. H. McGrew, Sullivan, second district; Mrs. Jennie Hemphill, Cannelton, third district; Mrs. R. E. Farmer, Terre Haute, fifth district; Miss Ruth McDougall. Shelbyville, sixth district; Mrs. J. E. Barcus, Indianapolis, seventh district; Mrs. John O. Hood, Ft. Wayne, eighth district: Mrs. L. C. Scauer. Valparaiso, tenth district; Miss Dorothy Wilson, Logansport, eleventh district. PARENTS AND PATRONS INVITED TO ATTEND SCHOOL THURSDAY The following invitation to "every parent, patron and taxpayer of the city" was issued Thursday at the high school: "The pupils and faculty of Richmond high school invite every parent, patron and taxpayer of the city to visit the high school Thursday evening and see the school in operation. A half-day session will be run, all classes meeting as usual and all work being carried on as it is in the regular classes. -The night session is the pupils' contribution to 'Better School Week in an effort to exhibit the use now being made of the school equipment in Richmond. "Visitors will-be welcomed at anyj time during the evening. Guides will be on hand to direct you and you may make a tour of the building, visit any class, stay a few minutes or for the whole evening. If you cannot come for the entire session, come for a shorter time." Three 30 minute class periods will be run beginning at 7:30 p. m. Visitors may go in and out of the classes as much as they like. Placards placed ! on the doors will tell what kind of work is being carried on in each room. Classes will be conducted in every room of the building. Chapel for Visitors. Chapel in the auditorium, which is scheduled for 9 p. m., is for visitors cnly. It will be impossible to accom modate both visitors and students j pre ceding the address by Dean Smith, of Indiana University, a short concert will be given by the high school or chestra. Slides will be shown in the auditorium all evening for the visitors who go not care to spend all the time visiting classes. These slides were made by the school physics department. All entrances to the building will be open. The exhibit of Leigh Lithographs which left New York for Richmond two weeks ago. has been lost enroute. The exhibit which was announced to open at the art gallery Thursday evening has been postponed indefinitely. ANTI-STRIKE MEASURE IS PASSED BY SENATE (By Associated Press.) WASHINGTON. Dec. 16. The Poindexter anti-strike bill was passed today by the senate without debate or a record vote. The measure which now goes to the house provides that interferences with interstate commerce shall be a felony. Penalties for combinations interfering with Interstate Commerce either by agreements Detween operatives or those of employers are provided by the bill. The Poindexter bill was reached today during routine consideration of the regular senate calendar with only a small percentage of senators in their seats. No senator objected to its consideration and without discussion or roll call the bill was passed. DANIELS RECOMMENDS ADDITION TO FLEET (Bv Associated Press) WASHINGTON, Dec. 16. Authorization for new construction to round out the fleet built built or rebuilding, consisting of five 10,000-ton light cruisers, four - gun boats,, five minelaying submarines, two cruiser tubmarines and one airplane carrier, was urged today by Secretary Daniels before the naval sub-committee of the house appropriations committee. The secretary added that, while he had given tentative approval to the general board's recommendation to a new three-year building program, including major craft, he would not ask that congress authorize more than the rounding out program he. had presented. ,..

HOUSE LEADER URGES THRIFT IN EXPENSES

Representative Mondell Recommends Rigid Economy in Government Appropriations Asks Reductions. RAPS INCONSISTENCY (By Associated Press) WASHINGTON, Dec. 16. Urging "rigid economy" in appropriations for government expenses during the next fiscal year In order to lighten the tax burden, Repprsentatlve Monrell, of Wyoming, Republican leader declared in the house today that the total estmate of $4,653,800,000 submitted by the secretary of the treasury should be reduced by approximately $1,400,000.000. This reduction he said, must be effected chiefly by a drastic scaling down in estimates for the army and navy and also for sundry civil expenses, the total of which, he pointed out, exceeded current appropriations by more than $914,000,000. Criticising the administration for the "unfathomable inconsistency" in the estimates submitted to congress and the "pleas for economy made by the president . and the secretary of the treasury," Mr. Mondell declared he would "leave it to others to properly characterise these estimates." Demands Reduction. "Two years after the war" the Republican leader added, "when the world outside our borders is largely bankrupt and everybody is praying for reduction of armaments, the administration asks for an appropriation of more than $1,414,000,000 for the army, navy and fortifications, or five and a half times the highest peace-time appropriation of 1916." Pointing out that current deficiencies were not included in this total, Mr. Mondell declared these "may be swollen indefinitely" if the war department continued Its policy of recruiting the army up to full strength, contrary to the understanding he BaW that it should not be increased above the total of 178,000 men contemplated by the appropriations". Urges Action Declaring this action was "In entire harmony with the attitude which tiw war and some other departments had assumed toward congress in this administration," Mr. Mondell said it had become the duty of congress to take action that would prevent "such squandering of the people's money by creating deficiencies in violation of law." Asserting that if the economy in aopropriations advocated by him was carried out the tax burden for the calendar year 1921 might be "substantially lightened", Mr. Mondell said he believed continuation of a tax program to raise a minimum revenue of $4,000,000,000 for two years, as recommended by the sercetary of the treasury, was "unjustified". It is not justified, he added, "even for one year". Opposes Houston. The Republican leader said he was opposed to Secretary Houston's plan for .retiring with current revenue! more than $3,600,000,000 of the country's floating and bonded war debt, including a half billion of Victory notes, by January 30, 1923, as placing an "unnecessary burden upon the people and business." With 44 per cent of the net cost of the war excluding foreign loans already paid, he said, it was unnecessary to "keep up war rates of taxation for the purpose of reducing the public debt at a rate greatly in excess of the sinking fund rate applied to the entire debt." "By the end of the fiscal year," Mr. Mondell added, "we shall have reached a point in the reduction of our war debt where further reductions except through the sinking fund operations should not continue to impose warj -time burdens." While he favored repeal of the ex cess profits tax and reduction of the higher income taxes, Mr. Mondell said he thought it unnecessary at this time to consider alternative revenue provisions because "no one can tell what increased revenues may result from the passage of a a tariff bill along protective lines." GERMANY AND ALLIES CONSIDER WAR DEBT 'By Associated Press) BRUSSELS, Dec. 16. Economic experts of five of. the principal allied powers and Germany met at the conference table here today in the first of a series of meetings which will go far toward determining what Germany must pay for war reparations. Delegates from the allied nations appeared hopeful that the session, which will last probably a week or ten days, would be fruitful of results. The German representatives, who arrived last night, gave an impression of being on the defensive. Both sides professed a desire to talk things over, but they were more than willing the other should put its cards on the table first. Large German Delegation The German delegation is composed of 27 delegates, headed by Sigmund Bergmann. Rudolf Havenstein, president of the Reichs bank, replaced Karl E. Van Siemens. One of the German representatives, Herr 8ilbe richmidt, labor representative, will arrive later in the meeting. The first meeting was called to order at 10 o'clock with former Premier Delacroix of Belgium presiding. The arrival of the delegates at the Palais des Academies, where the sessions are being held, attracted no attention on the part of the public ' h