The St. Louis Star and Times from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 1

MOVIES- A VfCSt- MENT3 ft PEARSON-ALLEN PICTURE PAGE 21 RADIO PROGRAMS 1 SERIAL STORY 1 SHORT STORY 23 SPORTS PACES 20-21-2'J UNCLE RAY 1 VITAL STATISTICS 2.T WOMEN'S PAGES 1-IT SPORTS FDCmiL Closing Market Prices DOROTHY DIX EDITORIALS IVfRYBODY 8 COLUMN HOROSCOPE JIMMTX riDLEU DR. McCOY 17 It It IS 11 TM VOL. 51 NO. 103 ST. LOUIS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1910.

24 PAGES PRICE THREE CENTS JV IA INDEX COMICS CROSSWORD PUZZLE 1H I 11 -s ST. I ou STAR mum Mrs. Roosevelt Takes the Cake CHEAPER FOODS SUB SINKS SHIP SPECIAL 1939 BUSINESS BEST IN THIS AREA SINCE '29 $207,000 in Bonds And Bills Found in Borah's Lock Box The President's wife holding up a piece of the cake she cut at the birthday ball for Mr. Roosevelt in Washington last night. Gloria Jean, child movie actress, is looking on.

(Acme Telephoto to the Star-Times.) St. Louis U. Pick's 'Dukes' Duford as Its Football Coach Wilfred (Dukes) Duford, former coach at St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, today was named head football coach at St. Louis University to replace Cecil Muellerleile, who recently resigned.

Terms of the contract were not revealed, Publicity Director J. N. Fueglein said. (Complete story on page 21.) Widow Amazed Although She Always Had Key Had Financial Fears. WASHINGTON, Jan.

31. (U. For many years Mrs. William E. Borah maintained a Joint checking account and a safe deposit box in a Washington bank with her husband, the late senator from Idaho.

She had a key to the lock box, but never used it. When the senator died earlier this month Mrs. Borah was not certain whether she could even afford the Immediate costs of the funeral trip to Idaho. She did not expect to be able to continue living In their seven-room apartment. Then In arranging her affairs, Mrs.

Borah sent a secretary to the bank to check the contents of the deposit box. The box, it was learned today, contained $207,000 in $1,000 bills and government bonds. "It was just as much a surprise to me as anyone else," Mrs. Borah said. "I had always believed that the senator would leave me provided for after his death, and I knew that he had insurance policies In three companies.

But we never talked much about his finances. I never believed that he wouli pass away before I did, as his people were "all long-lived." Borah usually was regarded in Washington as a "poor man, whose Income was limited to his salary as senator, $7,500 a year up to 1929; $10,000 after that. He lived modestly, entertaining only close friends in the apartment for which he paid $175 a month in rent. However, when Borah came to the United States Senate thirty-three years ago he was a moderately wealthly man. Judged by 1907 standards.

When he was defeated for the senate in 1902 he was making $30,000 a year as a lawyer, according to reliable information. These sources said Borah had a personal fortune of $100,000 when he came to Washington. After he became senator Borah refrained from accepting any legal business, although attractive, legitimate offers were made to him. He did invest rather heavily in life insurance policies, it was said, and cashed them upon their maturity. The safe deposit box contained the fruit of these savings and investments, with a simply worded will bequeathing the entire fortune to Mrs.

Borah. NOW THE CHINESE THINK THEY'RE FIGHTING APES CHUNGKING, Jan. 31-(U. The Chinese press reported solemnly today that the Japanese army is using monkeys for soldiers on the Nanchang front because of a shortage of man power. A number of apes have been killed by the Chinese, it was said.

The Japanese claim that the monkeys are used to detect poison gas "with their sensitive noses," the dispatches said. PELLET FROM AIR GUN STRIKES BOY IN EYE Robert E. Smith, 12-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Smith of 2545 Dodier street, is in City Hospital with a serious injury to his left eye.

suffered yesterday when he was struck accidentally by an air-gun pellet fired by a 13-year-old boy residing in the neighborhood. Robert was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. ASKS TO WATCH IS ACCUSED OF ROBBERY KANSAS CITY. Jan. 31.

(U. Fat Willie Lugge went to police headquarters yesterday and asked to watch the show-up from the detectives' side "because I've seen It so often from the other side." But he was arrested and charged with robbery. "It's a bum rap," commented Willie from his cell. BROUGHT LUNCH FUND PROFITS Former Head of High School Dining Rooms Asserts Change Wis Made in 1935. SERVED MORE "HOT DOGS' Says Barr Ordered Shift After Letter From Gerling Expressing Dissatisfaction at Deficit.

P.T HARRY T. BRINHIDGE. Et. Louis public hlah school lunch rooms ee put uion a paying basis In September, 1935, by Increasing the amount of frankfurters hot dogs), hamburgers and other cheaper foods and decreasing the volume of expensive cuts of beef, vegetables and other low-profit Items. This was disclosed today by William Bradburn, former superin tendent of the lunch rooms, now Inspector of supplies.

Operation of the lunch rooms for the three school years from 1932-33 to 1934-35 resulted In a loss of SI8. 775.23. In the four school years which followed the adoption of the new food buying policy, the lunch rooms have made a total profit of $43,532.21, according to Board of Education records. The lunch rooms originally were organized with the Idea they would be self -sustaining, but never make large profits. Bradburn was asked If anyone had ordered him to put the lunch rooms on a basis.

He said in reply that he had received such an order In September, 1935, from Charles Lee Barr, then supply commissioner, now a sentence of four years in the state penitentiary on his plea of sruilty to a charge of embezzling school funds. "Birr told me, emphatically, that the lunch rooms must be put on a money-making; basis," Bradburn He handed me a copy of a letter from Superintendent of Instruction Henry J. Gerling, who dissatisfied with the way thlr.es were going in the lunch rocrr.5 Text of Gerling's Letter. The text of the letter written by Ge rhng. who recently resigned, obtained from the files of the Board of Education, follows: "My Dear Mr.

Barr: This department Is very much Interested in the problems connected with the management of the high school lunchrooms. The losses ustalnrd during the last three years in their operation, amounting to 118.776.23. indicates that the accumulated surplus will be drawn on to wipe out the deficits. "An analysts of a table showing the gains and losses during these three years, a copy of which is attached, shows that the Roosevelt made a gain each year; the Beaumont, Cleveland, Hadley Voc, and Com. made a gain for two years; the Central for one year; while the Harris Teachers College, Blewett.

McKinley, Soldan. Sumner and Vashon show losses for each of the three years. "The above facts are, of course, known to you. Attention is drawn to them because of the interest which the instruction department has in the successful operation of the lunchrooms and also on account of our desire to co-operate. If some schools are able to operate without incurring a deficit, it Is difficult to understand why all schools cannot operate successfully.

Particularly i3 this hard to understand in view of the fact that no offsetting charges, as I understand it. are made for rent, water, electricity or gas. "Or the supposition that this department may be able to be of service to you, I am writing to Mr. Powell, in charge of high schools; Mr. Jeffrey, in charge of vocational schools, and Mr.

Hawkins, in charge cf the Harris Teachers College, suggesting they see you and arrange for whatever co-operation may be "Very truly yours, -HENRY J. GERLING. "Superintendent of Instruction." und Had Surplus. Records of the Board of Education show that at the time Gerling's letter to Barr was written, September 17, 1935. all debts of the lunch rooms, including the losses of S18.776.23 mentioned in his letter, had been paid and the High School Lunch Room Fund, to which all profits from the operation of the lunch rooms accrue, had a surplus Of S14.617.42.

The records also show that the fund had this surplus notwithstanding that Gerling. between 1931 and 1934. had transferred $50,000 from the High School Fund to other funds personally handled by him. The fund today has a surplus of 147.181. although additional transfers of $31,000 were made by from 1935 up to and including Transfers by Gerling from to ether funds totaled $81,000 in nine years.

Approximately $15,000 has been spent for new equipment for the lunchrooms during the present 3939-40 school year. The fund has r.o other income except that derived from lunchroom sales. Bradburn was asked if Barr gave him any definite instructions as to how to put the lunch rooms on a money making basis. He said the method was left up to him. "I changed the menus, eliminat- Turn to FOOD, Page 8.

IN CONVOY, THEN PLANE SINKS IT Crew of British Steamer, and Some of U-Boat Survivors Are Rescued. SEA BLITZKRIEG KILLS 50 Seamen of One Vessel Bombed By Nazis Believe New Type Weapon Was Used. LONDON, Jan. 31. (U.

The Air Ministry announced tonight that a Royal Air Force craft had sunk a U-boat as announced earlier by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain after it had sunk the British steamship Vaclite, of 5,025 tons, while the ship was in a British navy convoy. The naval escort of the convoy attacked the submarine with depth charges but lost contact with it. Later, the Air Ministry said, a flying boat sighted the U-boat, bombed and sank it. The crew of the Vaclite was rescued by an Italian ship. A number of the submarine survivors were sighted in a rubber lifeboat and rescued.

Still later, additional survivors from the U-boat were picked up by British warships. Meanwhile, naval circles indicated that a fifth wave of German U-boats believed to have been sent to sea in another attempt to break up the British convoy system would be met with an increased number of anti-submarine patrol squadrons. In a recently created safety zone the British have laid a mine barrage for 400 miles, and naval experts said this has presented a severe hazard to the U-boats. The German air force has been attacking ships in the area, the British said, because of the difficulties encountered by U-boats. German air raids on British shipping within the last two days have taken an estimated fifty lives.

New Type Weapon Reported. The crew of the trawler Russeli reported that Nazi planes were using what appeared to be a new type of weapon. The crew members also charged that the Germans dropped incendiary bombs. The "new weapon" looked like hundreds of darts" dropping from the plane that attacked the Russell, according to the story told by the crew. The darts fell into the wa ter, the sailors said, and the trawler escaped damage except for small lires started on the deck.

The 2.712-ton freighter Giralda, one of the latest casualties reported. was sunk by bombs a half mile from the Orkney Islands with a lass of sixteen of tne crew. The freighter Bancrest, 4.450 tons, sent out a distress call late last night, and an unidentified steamer went to the rescue and reported all but one of the crew saved. The Bancrest met disaster off the north coast, of a nature not yet learned. In addition to the ships sunk and attacked by planes, two Danish steamers went down after explosions off the Scottish coast with the lass of all hands on both ships except one second officer.

They were the Fredensborg, which sank after two explosions, due either to mines or torpedoes, and the steamer England, which suffered the same fate. The ships were traveling together and the Fredensborg was sunk while trying to rescue the England's crew. The second officer of the England was rescued after spending two hours on a raft. British Deny Berlin Report. The announcement in Berlin that seven armed British merchantmen and three patrol boats were sunk by Turn to RAIDS, Page 10.

On January 19, when the temperature fell to 12 degrees below zero, ninety-three alarms were received. This was the greatest number in any one day for the past twenty years, according to the department's figures. It was on this day that the largest fire of the month occurred, when a two and one-half story building at the northeast corner of Cherokee street and Iowa avenue was destroyed, with damage estimated at $250,000. The previous day firemen had been called out in sub-zero weather to a blaze which destroyed the interior of the Negro First Baptist Church at 3100 Bell avenue. Damage was estimated by Chief Cornoyer at $40,000 to $45,000.

The third general alarm fire of the month occurred January 24 in a building at 934-36 North Main I street when the temperature was I again below zero. Damage was estimated at $13,000. A general alarm fire is one for which four alarms are turned in. A two-alarm fire January 9, resulted in an estimated loss of when the garage of the Keeshhi Motor Service 1729 North Elev- Turn to FIRES, Page 6. APPEAL TO JAPAN Premier Says War Will Be Pushed Vigorously but Allies Do Not Want to Involve Others.

LONDON. Jan. 31. (U. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain appealed today for the friendship of neutral jiations, emphasizing the Allied desire for good relations 'with.

Japan and for future trade pacts with European states em bodying the idea behind our agreement with the Lmted States." The prime minister made an almost personal appeal to the Japanese government and peo ple to settle controversy over the incident arising from the seizure of twenty-one German seamen from the Japanese liner Asama by a British warship. Chamberlain admitted the British and Japanese governments may disagree as to interpretation of international law in the Asama incident, which aroused angry protests in Japan, but he said such issues "are not the strongest influences in the lives of nations or the hearts of men." Surprisingly Friendly. His remarks concerning Japan were the most friendly heard here in a long time. Except for a jesting- remark about secrecy surrounding Adolf Hitler's speech in Berlin last night. Chamberlain made little reference to the Nazi leader.

He did, however, announce the destruction of another U-boat by British sea and air forces and charged Germany with threatening the existence of small European states. The main part of Chamberlain's speech was devoted to assuring the European neutral states that they had nothing to fear from the Allies. "There is not a single non-belligerent country that feels itself threatened by this enormous (Allied) accumulation of powers," the prime minister said In discussing British military preparations at a luncheon meeting at Dorchester House. "We do not for a moment question the rights of neutrals decide whether they shall go into the conflict or stay out or, if they choose to stay out, in what fashion they shall use the neutrality they have chosen. Wish to Be Friendly.

"Nothing would distress us more than that there should be in the minds of the Japanese people or the Japanese government any idea that we deliberately or intentionally exercised our belligerent rights as we see them with want of courtesy or want of consideration to the Japanese nation. "We are bound to take all measures open to us to frustrate tbe machinations of a powerful and utterly unscrupulous enemy," he said in connection with the Japanese protests as well as the attitude of other neutrals. "But certainly the last thing we want to do is to affront the self-respect of a friendly nation with which we want to live in peace. "We fully recognize that disturbance of trade of neutrals may be serious to them. "If I may take an example, we have been in the past the largest customer of he United States for their agricultural produce.

Since the war we have been compelled to curtail imports of things not essential to us in order that we might concentrate our dollar resources upon the purchase from the United States of munitions and equipment. "But don't let anyone suppose we want to use these measures for any other purpose than prosecution of the war." "Don't let anyone suppose we are indifferent to the losses which neutrals might sustain." the premier continued. "We ask neutrals, whether they are small and weak or great and powerful, to consider that, though in the exercise of our undisputed belligerent rights we may have to take action which causes them inconvenience and even loss, we at any rate never have sunk a neutral ship; we never wittingly have sacrificed a single neutral life." Keview of the War. Chamberlain said the empire now had upwards of 1.250.000 men under arms and that the toll of German submarines estimated here at close to forty had been increased yesterday. Chamberlain said the destruction of the U-boat resulted from the first attack in a "long time" by a German submarine on a British naval convoy.

"Very differently from the Ger- Tnrn to CHAMBERLAIN, Page 6. Highest Point Reached in December, Federal Reserve Bank Report Shows. UPSWING IN FINAL HALF Given Marked Impetus by War Iron and Steel Production Led Rise. Statistics today gave an encouraging story of business, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reporting that 1939, taken as a whole, "was the most favorable year for business experienced in this area since 1929." The bank's report covers the Eighth Federal Reserve District, which includes eastern Missouri, southern Illinois, Arkansas and parts of Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi.

"While there were gains during the first six months over the relatively low levels obtaining in the similar period a year earlier," the bank's monthly report asserts, "substantial upswing took place in the final half and was given marked impetus by the outbreak of the war in Europe. "Increased production occurred in virtually all classifications of commodities, but was most pronounced in the durable goods industries, particularly iron and steel and their products." During December general business conditions in the district carried further forward the notable improvement of the last half of the year. Production Held Up. "After allowing for the customary seasonal changes," the report continues, "industrial activity reached the highest level in recent years. In virtually all the principal lines, production showed less than the expected contraction, and in a number of instances was maintained at or about the best rate of the year.

"Bolstered by the heaviest holiday trade since the pre-depression era, retail distribution in December expanded to the highest volume for the year. "The prolonged spell of extremely low temperatures, accompanied by heavy snows and ice, since the first of this year has served to slow down retail buying in both the large cities and the country. Weather handicaps have also interfered with activities in the building and some other industries." The year 1939 saw a revival in the building Industry. This was reflected in notable expansion in demand for all descriptions of building materials, and sharp Increases were recorded in production of lumber, cement, glass, fire clay products, builders' hardware, paints and similar products. Picking Up Fast.

Activities in the iron and steel Industry increased steadily throughout the year until mid -December, when seasonal influences, such as repairs, inventorying and vacations, caused a temporary slowing Recovery from the holiday lull, however, has been more rapid than Is ordinarily the case. Because of the extensive development in the new Illinois oil fields, production of petroleum in the Eighth Federal Reserve District during 1939 was more than twice as large as that of any preceding year. Department store sales, long considered a barometer of business ac- Turn to RESERVE, Page 6. THE WEATHER Forecast for St. Louis Partly cloudy and warmer tonight, with lowest temperature 28 to 30; tomorrow cloudy and colder, with snow flurries in afternoon; considerably colder tomorrow night.

For Missouri: Partly cloudy and warmer tonight; tomorrow mostly cloudy, followed by snow flurries in north and central portions; colder, except in extreme southeast portion; much colder in north portion tomorrow night. For Illinois: Mostly cloudy tonight and tomorrow; probably some light snow in northeast portion; slightly warmer in south portion tonight and in extreme south portion tomorrow; somewhat colder tomorrow in extreme north portion. TEMPERATURE READINGS. 4 a. 26 5 a.

25 6 a. 24 7 a. 24 8 a. 24 9 a. 26 10 a.

in 28 11 a. 31 MP 12 noon 34 Midnight ...29 i n. ni 36 1 a. 29 2 p. 38 2 a.

28 3 p. 39 3 a. 27 4 p. m. 40 Unofficial; based on Star-Times standard theimometer.

(Weather map and weather readings from other cities on Page 10.) Relative Humidity. 7 a. 85 12 noon 67 Stage of river, 2 feet, a fall of .5 of a foot. Sun sets 5:21 p. m.

today, rises 7:09 a. m. tomorrow. There will be a full moon tonight. $40,000,000 Budgeted For Air Raid Alarms WASHINGTON, Jan.

31. (U. The United States Army plans to spend $40,000,000 of its billion-dollar 1941 budget for an air attack warning service, it was learned today. The plans were revealed by Gen George C.Marshall, chief of staff, in testimony before the House Military Affairs Committee. Marshall said the War Department would need an appro priation of Gen.

G. C. $1,090,000,000 for 5 Marshall, the year beginning July 1 to achieve an adequate national defense. The amount included $300,000,000 for a construction program, including completion of coast defenses. JOHN L.

LEWIS INDICATES APPROVAL OF BIG FAMILIES COLUMBUS, OHIO, Jan. 31 U. John L. Lewis binupht down the house at the United Mine Workers convention today by his hearty approval of large families. During debate on a resolution shelving demands for an endorse ment of President Roosevelt, G.

A. Patrick, Richlands, a minister and a miner, with eleven children, was criticized for talking beyond the time limit. But Lewis came to his defense. "Any delegate with eleven children may talk as long as he wants to in this convention," Lewis said. Delegates applauded.

48 Per Cent of Births in Hospitals. WASHINGTON, Jan. 31. (U. The Census Bureau reported today that in 1938 almost half the babies born in the United States were born in hospitals.

Babies born in hospitals that year numbered 1.098,530, or 48 per cent of the 2.286,-962 births. hp. U. M. W.

CALLS FOR NEW DEAL REVIVAL AS IN FIRST TERM Convention Leaves to Executive Board Question of Endorsing; Any Candidate. COLUMBUS, OHIO. Jan. 31. (U.

The United Mine Workers' Union today demanded continuance of the New Deal program begun in President Roosevelt's first administration and left to its executive board the question of endorsing Mr. Roosevelt for a third term. The 2,400 delegates to the U. M. W.

convention approved the recommendation of their resolutions committee and U. M. President John L. Lewis on voice vote after 1 hour and 30 minutes of debate. Lewis announced that the voice vote was "overwhelmingly" in favor of the resolution, although a substantial number of "noes" were heard when the question was called.

There were no demands for a standing vote or a roll call. Want "Liberal" Candidate. The resolution virtually directed the executive board to support a "liberal" Democratic presidential nominee if one Is named by "a united party" at the national convention. Lewis already has said he does not expect Mr. Roosevelt to be a candidate and has predicted "ignominious defeat" if Mr.

Roosevelt seeks a third term. Several delegates criticized Lewis for his attacks on the New Deal during debate on the resolution today. Demands of delegates that the committee resolution be, voted down and one of the forty-seven resolutions agitating a third term be adopted drew applause and some jeers during the debate. The debate was confined entirely to rank and file delegates. Neither Lewis nor any of the other officers participated.

Elgie Crawford, Itic heyville, said his local union had telegraphed Turn to MINERS, Page 2. KEEPS DATE FOR LECTURE BY RIDING FREIGHT TRAIN BRADFORD, Jan. 31. (U. The lecture was given on schedule but Dr.

John Harvey Fur-bay of New York, traveler and columnist, had to travel by freight train to reach his destination. Finding there was no passenger train service. Dr. Furbay rode a freight train for sixty miles between Dunkirk and Salamanca. N.

late yesterday, then went on by automobile to Bradford in time to deliver his lecture. least twenty.women Jumped to their feet and began firing questions. "What right has the government to pry into our personal affairs?" one woman asked. "Do you think I'm going to entertain a census taker for two hours answering those fool questions?" another shouted. Three New Questions.

Kendrick explained that the census was nothing new, that the population count was the same as in 1929 with three questions added, two relating to income and another to place of residence in 1935. "Divulging of information obtained by the enumerator or refusal to answer questions will subject violators to heavy fine and imprisonment," he said. This brought on another outburst. "It's getting worse than under Hitler." was one comment. As the irate women filed out of the assembly hall, Kendrick said it Turn to CENSUS, Page 2.

FINNISH-RUSSIAN BATTLE RESUMED IN SALLA SECTOR Soviet Planes Again Bomb Ro-vaniemi, Northern Headquarters of Defenders. ROVANIEMI, FINLAND, Jan. 31. (U. Russian airplanes raided Rovanicml again today and military dispatches reported a renewal of heavy fighting on the important Salla sector of the north central front.

The Red army was 'reported in unofficial advices to have moved better trained and equipped forces from the Karelian Isthmus front to the Salla sector in an effort to counter-attack Finnish troops which drove them back thirty miles recently to the Lake Marka district. Repeated Red army, thrusts designed to outflank the Finnish forces facing the Russians in the Salla sector were reported in military dispatches. The Finns have been besieging the Russians who had established front line positions at Ijake Marka and centered their main forces at the village of Salla. (Dispatches to Scandinavian newspapers reported that severe fighting also was in progress in the Kuhmo sector of the central front, about Ucenty miles from the Russian border, where a strong Red Army offensive teas believed being prepared.) Today's air raid was the fourth of the war. The planes apparently came from the Petsamo sector, held by the Russians.

Bombs struck a hospital air-raid shelter. The number of casualties had not been tabulated, but it was believed there were several dead and wounded. The air raid lasted for half an hour. Twenty-seven Russian planes circled the town four times, raining bombs on the city and outskirts. Russian Attack on Karelian Front Is Reported Repulsed HELSINGFORS.

Jan. 31. (U. An official communique today said Finnish troops had repulsed Red army attacks at Taipale, on the Karelian' Isthmus adjacent to Lake Ladoga, killing sixty Russians. The communique said Russian attacks continued for the eleventh day northeast of Lake Ladoga, but had been repulsed at all points.

Nine Russian tanks were destroyed in fighting there yesterday. Five Russian airplanes were shot down In yesterday's fighting, the communique said. All of the planes were brought down by anti-aircraft batteries. The communique said that on the night of January 29 Finnish aircraft carried out reconnaissance and bombing raids against Russian positions. It was the first official statement of night operations by the Finnish air force.

The blue cross flag of Finland Turn to FINLAND, Page 10. MARINE QUOTA REACHED; RECRUITING TO END HERE The United States Marine Corps has reached Its authorized strength of 25,000 enlisted men largest since the World War it was announced today at the St. Louis dis trict headquarters, Room 106, New Federal Building. As a result, re cruiting in the St. Louis district will cease officially at 1 p.

m. Saturday. Future applicants will be placed on a deferred list. No Fine on Honeymoon. KANSAS CITY.

Jan. 31. (U. Police Judge Thomas V. Holland dismissed a speeding charge against newly-wed Herbert Morrow with the explanation: "There's no reason for you to be financially embarrassed at such a time by having to pay a fine." i 990 Fire Alarms This Month; 67 Pet.

More Than a Year Ago Olean, N. Housewives Declare War on U. S. Census 'Snoopers' January has been the coldest month in the memory of most St. Loulsans, but city firemen have found it pretty hot.

During the first twenty-nine days they responded to 990 alarms, compared with 592 in the same period last year a difference of 398, or 67 per cent. So serious has been the epidemic of fires this month that members of the Fire De- partment have been required to keep in touch with headquar ters by tele phone on their days off, and chief Lawrence Cornoyer has had a bed in stalled in his office in the City Hall, remaining on duty twenty- four hours a day. Overtax I the capacity of Chief Cornoyer. heating units. and improper use of oil stoves and electric heaters have been largely responsible for the increased number of blazes, Cornoyer said.

OLEAN, N. Jan. 31. (U. The housewives of Olean were at war today with the federal governmentor that branch of it which has to do with taking the census.

They informed William O. Kcn-drlck, Census Bureau manager of the Syracuse area, at a meeting last night that they'd stand for no "snooping" into their private lives. One woman said she would take a broom to any census taker that came to her house, and when Ken-drick pointed out that refusing to answer questions was a crime, another shouted: "Then they'll have to build a lot of jails to hold all of us." His First Mistake. Kendrick thought he was addressing a group of businessmen, clergymen and civic leaders, but he hadn't got far in his talk before he became aware of a bevy of middle-aged women down front. All was serene until he finished enumerating the questions to be asked by census takers.

Then at.