The Washington Post from Washington, District of Columbia • Page 1

I JityikM Member of the Associated Press Ifie Associated liss Is exjlisuvly eMjtled to the ue for republication of all news dispatches credited to It or not otherwise credited ia this papeVand also the local nevrs published herein The Washington Post is a member of the Associated Press receiving the omplete services of the worlds jrrcatest news gathering organization a0ltnwii post Weather Fair today and probably tomorrow no change iu temperature diminishing northerly winds Temperature yesterday Highest 3 lowest 31 4 vjf5 13kJg sgm znJm i4B XO 16 28 DAILY AND SUNDAY EXTKRED AS SECOND CLASS MATTER IOSTOFFICE WASHINGTON WASHINGTON TUESDAY JANUARY 11 1921 COPYRIGHT 1921 BY THE WASHINGTON TOST CO TWO CENTS HARDING ASKS THAT INAUGURAL CEREMONIES ALL BE ABANDONED Presidentelect Would Set Example of Economy SENDS VIEWS BY WIRE Says He Realizes the Great Dis appointment in District SIMPLE PLAN FOR CAPITAL Telegraphs Senator Knox That He Would Take Oath With As Little Ceremony as Is Consistent With the Occasion Sends Message Also to Chairman McLean Had Never Really Wanted Elaborate Inauguration Consented Only Because1 Pressed by People of the Nation By ALBERT FOX Copyright 1021 by The Washington Pwi Co President elect Harding wants the inaugural celebration abandoned In a telegram sent last night to Edward McLean chairman of the inaugural committee he expresses the wish to take his oath of office and assume his duties without the accompanying ceremonies which at heart he has never desired He believes that a wholesome example of economy and thrift will be best served by the simplest kind of a program and he favors the absolute denial of public expenditures in connection with it Ceremonies Called Off His telegram means that the inaugural ceremonies the parade the inaugural ball and other features of the program will be called off The celebration outside the Capitol will be reduced to the minimum of necessity if Mr Hardings wishes are followed and the money already appropriated by Congress will not be needed Favors a Simple Ceremon Mr Harding telegiam reflects the views which lie has held from the first with resnttct to the inauguration He his all along had a decided preference for the Minpleyt posible ceremony and has never taken kindly to the idea of a big celebration Bue he was besieged from all parts of the country to permit precedent be followed Friends urged him ot to deny the American people the privilege of making ths inauguration the usual gala diy which has accompanied the induction into office of Presidents the pat and it was mphat zi that th campaign oiian of Back to normal implied a Tom Si to jdnei 10 ihtst precede Mr Hardings statement ir UardiMs jtutudt in th re pc db ion on tie return trip trom Panama wh Ik ummoned ibout him a few of the newspaper men including myself and explained that was reeeivtng appeals by wire ess to sanction the inaugural celebration My idea he saul to hang up my hat and go to work That is my preference That is the way I feel labout it In the frank talk tha folowed the President elect was irtually forced to admit that the people rather generally seined to feel otherw use and that some good reason would have to oe found to go counted to this general desire Had Agreed Reluctantly Presui for the tubrat in continued and the President elect reluctantly agreed when it was shown to him that he would be breaking a long line of precedents if he did not allow the people of Washington to fahow their respect to the incoming precedent But his heart was never in the plan It has been known ta me from the beginning said Mr McLean last night that Mr Harding has been adverse to any celebration which would involve the expenditure of large siirne of money Thp wonderful response which the people of WaslunRton ha given to i ae inaugural guarantee fund is a 1 appy omen of the fondness and a spect which they already ha lor Mr and Mrs Harding Realizes the Disappointment I realize of coure how keen will be the disappointment to the people of Washington but I have all along known how President elect Harding felt with respect to the expenditures of large sums of money at this time Because of this knowledge of Mr Hardings feelings I was always in doubt about the inauguration program being carried out I feel that Senator Hardings friends and advisors no matter how much they regret the loss to Washington will with him in this matter Telegram to Senator Knox in a telegram to Senator Know chairman of the committee having the arrangement at the Capitol in charge Mr Harding said Senator PCKnox Chairman Com mitte6 Washington I have been reluctant to Intrude Text of Mr Hardings Telegram Giving View to Chairman McLean And Statement by the Latter Mr Edward McLean Chairman Inaugural Committee Washington I beg respectfully to suggest to your committee the complete abandonment of all plans for an inaugural celebration Heretofore I have been very reluctant to express my personal views to your committee because I know of the cherished regard in our National Capital for this quadrennial event and the generosity of the citizens of the District in making provisions for it You were good enough to accept the chairmanship at my request and you and your associates have won my lasting gratitude for the time and labor you have given to the preparation However if it is becoming to express my preference I wish you and your committee to know that the impression of extravagance expenditures and excessive cost would make me a very unhappy participant I know full well that the government outlay is relatively small and that the larger expenditure comes from the generous contributions of District citizens here but it is timely and wholesome to practice the utter denial of public expenditure where there is no real necessity and it will be a wholesome example of economy and thrift if we save the many many thousands which the inaugural celebration would call from the private purse of those attending I have sent a message of like purport to the congressional committee and expressed the wish that no preparations or outlay of any kind be made It wiil be most pleasing to me to be simply sworn in speak briefly my plight of faith to the country and turn at once to the work which will be calling Again expressing my gratitude to you and your associates and to the generous people of Washington I am Very respectfully WARREN HARDING Chairman McLean said in commenting on Senator Hardings message I realize of course how keen will be the disappointment to the people of Washington but I have all along known how PresidentPresident elect Harding felt with respect to the expenditures of large sums of money at this time Because of Mr Hardings feelings I was always in doubt about the inauguration program being carried out I feel that Senator Hardings friends and advisors no matter how much they regret the loss to Washington will be with him in this matter HARDING OELflYS TRIP Conferences and Correspond ence Hold Him in Marion SEES SHARP AND GALBRAITH Former Ambassador ays America Will Share Worlds jurden Declares Plan of President elect Shows No Danger of Aloofness by Hopes for Security of France Legion Commander Presents Case of Disabled Soldiers and Appeals for Their Relief 1 my views relat ng to inaugural plan 1 but 1 unnot longer lemain ilent without embai ra stnent and misunderstanding Inch had lather avoid I Please coin ey to join tommittec my sincere for the simplest augural program consistent with the actual requirements taking the oath of oftic and the utterance of be ntting address I very respectfully i request that Congress will not appro I priate and your committee will not expend any funds whatever An Example of Economy I I am familiar with the custom of erecting a platform and providing seats for guests to witness the ceremonies at the Capitol but it will be most pleasing to me to have this ceremony take place ithm the Capitol or on the cast porcji in stattely simplicity without a single extra preparation for the occasion I This will reciuire no exp nc and we shall bt joint participants an example of economy as well as sini plicity which may be helpful in the I process of seeking our normal way I once more I have addressed a menage of lke import to th inaugural com nittee asking the abandonment of the parad and ball and hope for an ao eptanc of the intudd suggo tioii iie spn Inch has inspir there is little doubt an inciuirv will be held It is also helieed that an lmiuirj of a friendly nature is not held to pass on the strange experiences of the ballooni ts one will be asked for by Lieut Stephen Farrell BALLOONIST TRAIL SWEPT BY SNOW May Not Emerge From the Bush 1 Until Late This Week PROBABLY FORCED TO WAIT Conferees Adjust 8 Issues in Controversy Scout 45 Miles Out Reports No I Sign of Airmen Mounted Po i lice Deny Arrest Plans Matticel Ontario Jan 10 By the Associated Press A report receied i hfre tonight from a spoilt lo miles out on the MK anb River trail that he had found no sisiis of the American naval balloonists returning from Moost Factoiy was foundaton for the rn ief that thi aeronauts will not emerge from the bush until late this week They may be further delaed by the snowstorm which is reported to have tart at Once announced tonight He said the other grievance i be decided the board Senate May Investigate Roanoke Va Jan 10 Eight of flio fnnrrppn nneTions controversy between the Norfolk and West I broken oer the trail today Trappers em Railwav and members of the say the storm probably will be one of Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen the most severe of the winter and that which were carried before the Fed Lhe naval heutenants and their guides eral railway labor board in hieago I VU be compellfcU to stav encamped early this month have been with I untll lt 1S ovcr drawn from the ooara consiuerauon i and adjusted ill conference between i Will Sta rmnan officials and union beads Smith chairman of the train Tne message fiom the scout mens organization on the Clarke was brought by Dave Sagabishkom Cree Indian runner Clarke reported that he had made I camp and would wait for the party from Moose Factory Once they were sighted he said he would start for ri i is i lnis point ana wouia arrive nours Flight King Requests Data i ahead of them i After procuring a store of provi sions the Indian put out on the trail again He told one of the traders here that the trail was slowr as a result of the snowfall Basing their predictions on the Indians report the traders said they were quite certain the party could not get out before Thursdav afternoon at the earliest George MacLeod one of the Indian runners who brought in the first message from the naval officers is preparing his outfit tonight for the return trip to Moose Factory He will be accompanied by Factor Mavor another trading post employe of the Hudson Bay Company They will leave at daybreak carrying mails for Moose Factory and other isolated posts Ariest Plan Denied senatorial investigation of the remarkable free balloon flight which landed the three naval flyers in the wilds Canada was forecast yesterday when Senator King of Utah Demoerat addressed a letter to Secretary Ianiels asking for information concerning the flight its purpose and the conditions under which it was undertaken If the reply to his letter justified he would ask for an investigation the Senator said Considerable sympathy with Senator Kings purpose was expressed by other Senators who have been interested in knowing the object of free balloon trials genet ally and are anxious to know the real purpose of this one Hint of Record Breaking Secretary Daniels was asked concerning the purpose of the flight and said it was for exercise The term exeici is a technical one meaning the utilization ot the balloon and the Ottawa Jan in Official denial was made here today of published stories that the Canadian mounted police would arrest the three American naval baloonists on their return to tiainn ot its opeiators in navg a fcivilizatlon in a friendly action tion In spite of this explanation there are indications that the flyers set out to break a free balloon record and did so under conditions which proved extremely unfortunate obtain an explanation of why they technically violated international air regulations by landing in Canada without due formalities Commissioner Perry of the mounted police asserteu bergeant ilac It is part of Senator Kings purpose Laughlln was waiting for the airmen to discover what provisions are made mushing down from Hudson TJay to in this country to determine air fly dellver to tnem official documents mg conditions and whether any pre cautions were taken before the commanding officer at Rockaway sent Lieut Kloor Hinton and Farrell out in their frail gas bag Daniels Against Inquiry from Washington His forces had no Intention of demanding any kind of explanation he said Will Be lost Ship Inquiry Rockaway Jan 10 jA board Intimations were given at the Navy officially Into the loss of the balloon Department that a naval inquiry to abandoned In the Hudson Bay country investigate the flight would not be bv the three naval officers trekking ordered Secretary Daniels said he back to civilization from Moose Fac preferred to make no comment until torv Ontario near where they landed he hd received the official report of I after their wild sail from the navys the officers He added that a naval station here December 13 inquiry was automatically called for This was announced today with the in the case of a naval officer who stattment that the Investigation will lost his ship but the loss of a balloon be a routine one for offlolal record In did not necessarily enter this cate accordance with navy regulations re ory quiring such an inquiry whenever a In spite of this yuletlng assertion Bhip in the service ia lost By HARRY PRICK i Copyright 1921 by The Washington 1ost Co Marion Ohio Jan 10 It is pretty well settled that President elect Harding will not be able to leave Marion for his holiday in the South until some time next week or later Senator Harding had hoped to get a vacation but he has been unable tu conclude his conferences with the leading minds and at the same time dispose of a mass of important cotre pondence The date upon which Senator Harding will leave Marlon has not been fixed but it is likely he will remain here for some time Senator Harding after a restful Sunday which however ws occupied with various important matters again plunged into his work He had among his callers former Ambassador to France AV Sharp of Elyria Ohio Col Galbraith national commander of the American Legion and other persons more or less important Sees No Hope In Old League Mr Sharp in talking to the newspaper correspondents following his interview with the President elect made it plain that nptwithstanding he supported Senator Harding in November and voted for him he tm still a Democrat Moreover Mr Sharp insisted that he has not abandoned hi advocacy of a league of nations but he admitted that the Wilson league is no longer a possibility He believed he said that the principles of the league of nations as now existence might well form the basis foi a new agreement and he thought Fiance might go into such an agreement Rut he could not speak for Prance he said although it was inferred from his talk that he thought France preferred the present pact It is reasonably well known especially among my political friends said Mr Sharp that I have been in favor of the league df nations But it does not seem at all probable that the old league will ever be adopted by the United States and there is no such thought in the mind of the President elect Points to Basic Principles I believe Senator Harding undoubtedly has a plan to bring the nations together in agreement and the principles of this plan are not unlike those that underlie the league of na I fons In my opinion any internation al agreement into which the United States will enter must be passed upon by three fundamentals limited arma ament a world ce ui and arbitration Asked if he believed any international agreement could be made by which war would be absolutely prevented Mr Sharp said that no international agreement or anything else could absolutely prevent war but he did believe he said that an association of nations founded upon the principles he had suggested ould minimize war Senator Harding outlined in general to me his idea of an establishment of international relationships which while it is not on all fours with the league as I have favored it yet embraces some of the most useful and important features a permanent court of international arbitra ttion and an association of nations and a useful means of counsel Has Xo Pear of Isolation I recognize he said in view of the issue such as drawn in the last campaign and of the result at the polls that the league of nations so far as this country is concerned is not to be On the other hand I am most gratified to learn from my conversation with the President elect that so far as he is concerned there is no danger of this country lapsing into a state of splendid isolation such as we might have feared If a conception of American aloofness from the affairs of Europe were dominating in his mind He entertains no such Ideas On the other hand he is keenly alive to the fact that Amer ica cannot be aloof that lt must carry its part in the worlds burden and that there exists a mutuality of Interests between it and our allies In the latest struggle which we cannot fall to recognize Security of France Essential The French people naturally after their experience of the last half century and the two fearful wars from which they have suffered find their fist and overweaningr concern In their necessity for securing guarantees against a repetition of these experiences The security of France is at the heart of the European situation of European peace Is to be reasonably insured and I hope strongly that Senator Harding will be able to develop a program alongr the lines he Is now laying down that will help to accomplish these results Mr Sharp who ia one of the big manufacturers of Elyria Ohio and while in Congress was a member of the House ways and means committee and is regarded as an authority on business and financial conditions when asked about the business outlook said he had no apprehension as to the future He believed he said that conditions are improving and that by spring there would be a decided change for the better Presents jLegion Memorial Col Galbrainth pxesented Senator Harding a copy of the memorial which the legion is presenting to the government and the American people directing attention to fhe breakdown of the service rehabilitating disabled soldiers Col Galbraith made an appeal for what he declared to be the most important service the government now has to perform The present administration he said has failed completely to meet the tremendous demands that are presented by the disabled soldiers of the world war Why it has so completely failed is perhaps not so Important but it is a fact We expect the incoming administration to perform the duty thus far neglected and to redeem the national pledge to these men There are now about 21000 men of the late war in hospitals There are other thousands who ought to be but are not because of the breakdown of the entire system From the time we entered the war the government never realized at all the need of an adequate hospital service to care for the derelicts who would come out of the war Men came back wounded disabled broken in health and were put into temporary hospitals The army was demobilized and men ds charged and sent home Hospitals Needed for 16900 Then by thousands they broke down and became incapable of supporting themselves or their dependents Now they must be sought out among the body of the public wherever they are A most conservative estimate preparecT by the legion after a survey has shown at least 16900 men who ought to be in hospitals cared for by the government and receiving compensation for horn nothing is beng done My own judgrh ent is that if we knew all the tacts as they ought to be known That figures would be placed at 40000 In 1919 the surgeon general asked appropriation of 5000000 to provide a hospital service The absolute need of it was shown but when th matter came up in September of that year the director of the war risk insurance and the Soldiers Home officials gave assurance that they had up to 15000 beds available in army hospitals and Soldiers Homes Congress was led to believe this and no adequate provision was made Yet when it came to the test it was found that instead of 15000 beds in these institutions only 1500 could be provided and these did not insure the kind of hospital treatment these men needed Fail to Get Compensation The disabled man is entitled law to compensation But in thousands of cases the men have never been able to get it In others thej have had to wait from five months to a ear before getting it I have talked with hundreds of men in hospitals who have NtoId me that they could not stay there because they are not getting an allowance for their families They must get out without waiting for their health to be properly restored and go to work to support their families We ask that the bureau of war risk insurance the public health service and the board for vocational education so far as concerns all their dealings with the discharged army personnel shall be consolidated into one bureau under the Department of the Interior with bne responsible man a its head As matters now stand a disabled former soldier may be put in the hospital for attention but before lie can get compensation for his dependents he must make up a case which frequently is very difficult and then he is placed on the roll and a compensation is granted Transfer Affects Dependents After a while he is so far recovered that it is possible to send him to the vocational education establishment but while he is transferred his right to compensation for his dependents is not automatically transferred It must be taken from one roll and put on another which necessitates another long delay when his dependents are left without means Finally if presently proves that he is not sufficiently recovered to go ahead with his vocational training and it is necessary to return to the hospital for further treatment there is another long delay in getting his compensa tion transferred back again to tbat roll This delay at times is as long as three months during which time his dependents are without means Not so long ago I sat jn a hospital by the bedside of a poor devil whp was dying of tuberculosis His wife was also there and I asked them if she had received any compensation on his account They said she had not She told me that she was working every day in the city 15 miles from the hospital earning from seven to nine dollars per week with which she was trying to keep body and soul together and coming out every night to be with him at the hospital Thousands As Badly Off That si not even an exceptional case There are thousands of others just as bad That man had no possible chance of enjoying the peace of mind that was absolutely necessary if he was ever to recover As a matter of fact he lived only ten days after I saw him The bureaus that serve the disable men asked for appropriations of 323000000 for their work The sundry civil bill carrying these appropriations was cut by 104000000 In the house Last year appropriations were based on an average of 15000 men in the hospitals This year there will be at least 30000 men in the hospitals and yet the amount allotted to this service Is 123000000 less than last year If Congress makes the horrible mistake Qf trying to elpnomiae in this direction it will bring a disgrace upon the nation that will make us all ashamed as long as we live In Poor Honses and Jails The unfortunate men who ought to be in properly equipped hospitals getting the best attention and knowing that their dependents are being provided for are today by hundreds and thousands in poor houses and jails and insane asylums Even the American Legion had no conception of how bad the situation was until it made its recent survey Col Galbraith said he had been greatly pleased to learn how profoundly concerned Senator Harding is In nebalf of bettering conditions and insuring that disabled soldiers will set the attention that they de serva When you think of writing think of WHITUrG Adv GETS ALL GftBLES Britain Exacts Surveillance Over Copies Carlton Says INCLUDE OFFICIAL MESSAGES Kept for a Few Hours Though Probably Not Head Senators Told Secretary Davis in Clash Denies Cuba Has Been Threatened to Prevent Western Union Cable Connection Press Men Heard on Service Mackaye Wants German Cable Line Restored to By the Associated Press Charges that the British governmentgovernment exercises surveillance over American cable business official as well as private passing through the British Isles and that the State Department had extended its controversy with the Western Union Telegraph and Cable Company to bring in the Cuban government came up yesterday before a Senate committee considering cable legislation Norman Davis Acting Secretary of State and Newcornb Carlton president of the Western Union conducted a cross tabl argument over the Cuban allegation when Mr Davis flatly denied it Chairman Kellogg ended the hearing by questioning Mr Carlton as to the English practices Clarence Mackay head of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company another witness told the ommittee that English secret service authorities were obtaining copies of all cable messages Reluctant to Testify Mr Carlton several times expressed reluctance to discuss the subject of English surveillance because it would make trouble but at last yielded Ten days after messages have been transmitted Mr Carlton explained our copies of them are turned over to the British secret service which keeps them for a few hours and then returns them No exception is made nd the American official dispatches like the dispatches to all other countries to anel from England are included but I have reason to believe that no examination is made of them I have been assured that the official messages are not even Inspected but they arin tne physical possession of the authorities while other messag es are being inspected The orders for the surveillance were issued Mr Carlton explained because of disturbed conditions in Great Britain and Europe He indicated that other European countries took more complete control over American cable messages passing through their territory than did England Emphatic In Denial Mr Davis and President Carlton argueel with considerable heat over the State Departments opposition to the Western Unions attempted connection with the British cable sfctem in Brazil via the Barbadoes cable Mr Carlton declareel the State Department had made threats to the Cuban government to prevent the connection going through that island and that President Men ocal now had before hirri the question of revoking a license already granted for landing of the Barbadoes cable in Cuba The State Department has done nothing of the kind Mr Davis said and President Carlton promptly broke in to characterize this statement as diplomacy Says Shipment Was Stopped The Western Union head insisted that merican officials had made representatives to the Cuban government and Mr Davis replied that no one but the State Department had authority to take such a step President Carlton asserted as instancing the animus of the State Department in persecuting an AmericSn corporation that a shipment of cable to Ms company through a Cuban subsidiary of the Bel Telephone system had been stopped by the American governmnt Secretary Davis also denied this assertion I can still catch that ship Mr Carlton interjected Do I understand that you will do nothing prejuidlcal to the telephone company if they bring on the cable Mr Davis said nothing would be done if the Western Union lays no cable surreptitiously in American waters Mr Carlton announced he would get on the wires and catch that ship Calls Fight a Dirty One Secretary Davis made more definite his denial that the Cuban government had been asked to stop the landing of the Barbadoes cable Can I tell the Cuban government that Mr Carlton asked Tell them anything you please the Secretary replied Ive been approached by eertaln people Bugg eatlngr that since the Western Union is amklng such a dirty fight over this cable Mr Davis added it would be an easy thing to get the Cuban government to block it Ive replied that the United States ought not to be In the position of going before a foreign government asking action against an American corporation Mr Carlton announced that some officials of the United States are doing it and an agreement waa made to get evidence later Frederick Roy Martin acting jren ral manager of the Associated Press told the committee at its morning session that any increase of cable facilities out of the United States would Increase dissemination of American news reports and described the present system of distributing newks to American insular possession and to South America To get sufficient facilities in South America he said the Associated Press had been forced to go through the neck of the bottle at London in cable communications and contract with an English company for dispatch of 1000000 words a year George Hargraves representing the Universal Service also spoke of difficulties and congestion encountered in cable news distribution Walter Rogers an American delegate to the international communications conference will appear before the committee today Pleads for German Cables Return to their former use of the cables between the United States and Germany seized by the allies during the war was urged yesterday by Clarence Mackay president cf the Postal Telegraph Cable Company Mr Mackay said that while Great Britain and France might have had the right to seize sections of the cables between Germany and the Azores a Portuguese possession there was no right for the seizure of the sections between the Azores and the United States as both the United States and Portugal then were neutral Both on the grouhd of equity and justice said Mr Mackay and in the interests of American trade which requires direct communication with north and central Europe the United States should insist on the restoration Both of the German cables to the United States he added have been maae part of French and English cabbie systems since their seizure JOSEPH LETTER JR KILLEDBYACCIDENT Ten Year01d Son of Washing ton Resident Loses Life in Louisiana SHOT WHILE DUCK HUNTING Youths Body to Be Brought to Capital on Special Train by His Father New Orleans Jan 10 By the Associated Press Joseph Leiter jr aged 10 son of Joseph Leiter millionaire Chicago and Washington resident was instantly killed hy the accidental discharge of a shotgun wnen returning from a duck hunt near the Leiter camp at Chateau uanara near the mount of the Mis Sissinni iver fnHav oews of tnexieatfc reeivell here late today when Mr LeiUr tele phoned instructions for arrangements for a special train to convey the body to Washington ine jLeiter party arrived here last Friday and went directly to Chateau Canard where Mr Leiter has leased thousands of acres of marsh lands famous for duck shooting The boy with his father and a number of other hunters was returning today from the marshes when the accident occurred Had Just Shot a Duck According to the father the lad left the hunting camp at Chateau Canard near the mouth of the Missisippi with a party of friends for a hunt in the nearby swamps After shoot ng a duck the lad reloaded his gun laid it on the ground while going after the duck and in picking the gun up the shell was exploded kiling the boy instantly The father was not with the party at the time of the accident The boys body is being brought to Buras the nearest town to the hunting camp about 100 miles south of this city by boat There it will be transferred to a special train and brought here to be prepared for burial From here it will be taken to Washington on a special train Interment will take place at the Capital Member of Noted Family The slain youth was a grandson of Levi Leiter of Chicago who founded the immense Leiter fortune He was a nephejrfr of Lady Curzon daughter of Levi Leiter who married Lord Curzon of England and became vicereine of India The boy was heil to an estate of several million dollars His sudden death was such a great shock to his father that he was almost unable to give a coherent account of the affair when Interviewed over the telephone tonight CARDINAL SUFFERS 2 FAINTING SPELLS Condition Improved How ever Says Doctor Prelate Sleeps Well Baltimore Jan 10 By the Associated Press Cardinal Gibbons while In a reclining chair in his study today had an attack of faint nesa from which he soon rallied Later he had another similar attack of weakness Tonight Dr ODono van his physillari said his condition was improved and that there was no cause for alarm The doctor said the cardinal was not regaining strength rapidly but that his general condition was not serious At the cardinals residence it was stated by members of the household that ho had been cheerful during the day despite the two fainting spells and thai he probably overtaxed his strength yesterday and 4oday At a late hour he was reported to be looping peacefully Cardinal Glsbans arses all Catholic Suae THE MAJfUAL OT PRATERS John UvrvhTV Ik 1 at Balto Ad FIRE RUJifCOffi Priceless Census Papers Suffer in Commerce Building TWO OVERCOME BY SMOKE Paruter and Newman Carried Out but Neither Is Seriously Affected Damage to Building Unofficially Estimated at From 10000 15000 AH of 1200 Employes Out Before Flames Were Discovered Crowd of 10000 Watch 3 Hour Fight May Delay Work Priceless census records were ruintd two firemen were overcome by smokn and sent to Emergency Hospital anl damage unofficially estimated at tween 10000 and 15000 was done tho Commerce building Nineteenth street and Pennsylvania avenue by a five alarm fire which originated in the ctrpcntr shop in the basement about 530 oclock yesterday and for threw hours defied the efforts of practically all the downtown fire companies to extinguish it The principal damage to the census records was caused by the thousands of gallons of water with which the basement was flooded Firemen braved the dangers of the smoke filled basement time after time in an effort to locate and extinguish the flames fearing that they wou reach an elevator shaft and blaze upward through the building and also hoping to save the records with which the basement was filled William Parater of Engine Company No 3 was the first to succumb completely although several others were slightly overcome and rendered first aid by Dr Daniel Borden and Dr A Brandenburg who were present Frank Neumann who showed conspicuous bravery in rescuing a woman at the Everett Hotel fire recently was thr second man to be entirely overcome by the smoke which was pouring in thick volume from tho basement windows Neumann wart dragged tnrough a window struggling against the nn who lifted him under the impression that anotlu fireman as lying overcome in the smoke and that he must rescue him Neumann was loaded Into an ambulance with difficulty insisting all the tiihe that he mffsTfa back forihja coipride and was sent to the hospital Neither of the firemen was serious affected 1200 Out Before Fire The fire was discovered about 330 oclock by James Foster a night watchman less than an hour after the huge building had disgorged its 1200 clerks and officials Officials of the bureau congratulated themselves last night that the fire did not take place during working houra declaring that the smoke might havo caused a panic and probable loss of life The carpenter shop which was located in the west end of the buildingbuilding was filled wih shavings and other debris made a fierce blaze The flames spread to the shelves containing the 1S90 census records thrt most voluminous ever compiled by the Lnited States and then died to a sulien omnious smoulder threatening to break into flames at any minute These books are arranged on pins shelves with only 20 inch aisles between them and the number of volumes can be estimated from a statement by Eugene Hartley chief statistician who said that placed side by side they would measure 1 1 3 miles In what is declared to be a fireproof vault located in the southeast corner of the building and measuring about 100 by 45 feet are stored the oldest volumes in the census bureau dating back 130 years to the first census made in 1790 Water Reaches Old Records When smoke was seen pouring out of the windows of this vaalt the officials almost gave up hope think ing that the flames had penetrated the vault This proved to be a mistake but water did seep through the doors and had reached the lower volumes before the flames were ex tinguished so that some of the first census records were utterly ruined Some of the foreign and domestic commerce records also stored in tho basement were also badly injured if not entirely ruined by the water which stood from three to five feet deep in the basement Fitzgerald chief clerk of th census bureau and Dr A Murphy his assistant said that the damage was incalculable The records We priceless sid Mr Fitzgerald They cannot be replaced and a large number of volumes particularly of the 1890 census which bore the brunt of the water tatack are certain to be absolutely ruined There is no method of restoring the legibility of a water soaked volume Secretary of Commerce Alexander and Director of the Census Sam Rogers were oa the scene early but could give no estimates of the probable damage done Stored There Oyer Protests In order to get at the flames the firemen chopped seventeen holes in the first noor of the building directing streams through these orifices to the basement below They were compelled to cut through a wooden floor and then through six inches of concrete in order to fight the flames iag this manner I CONTINUED ON 8EC0NTJ TAOM 9 1 Havana Special Only direct fhrAitcrh train in Havana A frlawfrf rtnMf thi Railroad 141 Al Adv jpj 3l SSI KI gsrl 4Kl a Sjpjr.