• ASSOCIATED 9. 9 < PRESS 9 9 DISPATCHES 9 999999999 VOLUME XXV EptNCE TEHOS TO IS BIG TAX LOSER Couzens Committee Says Amortization Allowances to Certain Companies Cost Government Much Money.- EXPERTS FINISH THEtR INQUIRY United States Steel Com* pany, the Aluminum Co. of America and Hundreds of Others Named In Report. (By the Associated Press) Washington, March 0. —Evidence de signed to show that the federal govern ment has lost millions of dollars in tax es through the war amort : zation allow ances to the U, S. Steel Company, the Aluminum Comi>any of America, and hun- of other companies, is contained in official transscripts of hearings filed with the Henate by, the Couxens Investigating committee today. Counsel and engineers for the commit tee contended that an amortization al lowance of $55,063,312 to the U, S. Steel Corporation was $27,020,014 in excess of what It should have been, and that there was involved n difference in a tax of $21,478,513. This case has not been closed, however. An over allowance of at least $6,500,- 000 to the Aluminum Company of Amer ica on the amortization total of $15,- 580,014 was alleged by counsel and the engineers. Church. Wilmington, March B.—A legacy of approximately $450,000 left to the First Presbyterian church, of this city, by the late Dr. James Sprunt, was announced at the morning service of that church today by the pastor, the Rev. Dr. A. D. P. Gilmour. The bequest is divided into two di visions. payable in SIO,OOO installments over a period of 20 years. One is to be used for sueh benevolent purposes as the officials of the chiiVeh may approve, ' white the second isto go for the support of the Kiangyin mission station hi China. The First Presbyterian church, of which the lkte Dr. Sprunt was a -mem ber, is the oldest and largest of that-de nomination in the- city. It is the church at which the Rev. Dr. Joseph Wilson, father of the late president, was pastor. Dr. Sprunt, who was widely knoWn fdr his philanthropies jmd writings, died here last July. Man, at village madam, I take very ’ naturally to dancin’—me bein’ engaged in the furnituremovin’ business. One hundred millibn dollars a year Is estimated as: the aggregate paid out by golf enthusiasts in the United States in the way of club, dues. STAR THEATRE PROGRAM FOB WEEK OF MARCH 9th to 14th MONDAY—TUESDAY A Big Super-Special “STRANGERS OF NIGHT’ With Matt Moore, Enid Benett, Barbara I*a Marr, Robert Mskim, Otto Hoffman, Emily Fitzroy, Thomas Ricketts. Now what can you any? It bha a real cast and ft is a good, pteture. It’s a Metro. WKDNESDAY-THURSOAYFRIDAY “THE SEA HAWK" The leading picture of the year with Mil ton Sills, Enid Benett, Wallace Beery, Lloyd Hughes. This ia the picture you should see—lt’a a First National picture. Admission 25c and 50c. Special Music. SATURDAY Buck Jones, in "SHE CIRCUS COWBOY" ! AND A COMEDY The Concord Daily Tribune . - ■ ** y - . • SIX MEN -HELD AFTER * CLASHES ON STREETS Rum red Fight Wae Between Klan and Anti-Elan Forces, But Report Is De nied. (By the Associated Press) Niles, Ohio, March 9.—Six men are under arrest today and three more are held in Warren city jail on charges of fighting, carrying concealed wen (tons, and auspicious as a result of two clashes at" i street corners here late last night. Re- J ports that the fighting was between Ku Klux Klansmen and anti-klansmen were .denied by’Police Chief 1,. J. Hound. The first trouble occurred when two men engaged in a fistic fight and a crowd gathered. The police arrested one man on ft charge of fighting, and three others on charges of suspicion. Later the police were called to anoth er street, corner where Harry Williams reported a man rushed into his house. Joe Ilavis was arrested on a charge of suspi cion. Davis said hefjjjfan info the house to escape several men who were chasing him. ’ WANT feimster as ROAD COMMISSIONER Friends in Catawba Urge Appointment of Well-Known Newton Lawyer- Newton. March B.—For some rime the friends of Hon. W. C. Feimster nave been urging bk) name for the post of district highway commissioner, to suc ceed W.< O. Wilkinson, asserting that he js eminently qualified by both business and professional experience to fill ' this positibn. Mr. Feimster has taken an ac tive interest in public affairs, both in this county and state for a number of years, Qjid is generally regarded ns one of the ablest men in western North Carolina. - 'Mr. Feimster has received good and substantial endorsement from eleven counties in-the district, most of this support coming without solicitation on his part. His friends claim that it the matter were left tq. the people of the sixth district, Mr. Feimster would un doubtedly be’ chosen. JUDGE HORTON RESIGNS FROM SUPERIOR COURT Poor Pay, Absence From Family and De sire to Return to Private Practice Giv en as Reasons. / (By the Associated Press) Wilmiiigton, N. C., March 9.—Judge .T. Lloyd Horton, of Farmville, today re signed ns judge of the Superior Court. . Judge Horton announced his resigna tion shortly after noon today and made public the following telegram which Mie had Ncnt to Governor McLean : “I hereby tender my resignation as judge of the Superior Court of the sth judicial district, to take effect March 15.” Poor pay, a desire to re-enter (he pri vate practice of law, and objection,, to spending a greater part of his time away from his family were assigned b.v Judge Horton ns among the reasons for his de cision to quit the bench. BILL TO RETIRE. LACY AGAIN KILLED IN HOUSE “Clincher” Put to Bill Preventing Con sideration of It at Present Session. -■ (By the Associated Press) Raleigh, March 9.—The measure to re-, tire State Treasurer R. R. Lacy, up as a. special order today after the House had voted for reconsideration Saturday night, failed on second reading. 55 to 33. Representative Falls, of Cleveland, put the motion, which put the “clincher” to the bill, preventing consideration during the 1925 legislature. The house concurred in the senate amendment to the revenue bill exempt ing courts of jurisdiction lower than Su perior Courts from a tax on judgments, and the bill was ordered enrolled for rat ification. AGREE ON MARCH 29 AS DAY -OF ELECTION On That Day Governors Will Vote Fis; .Selection of New President. Berlin, March 9 (By the Associated Press).; —The government's proposal des ignating March 29 as presidential elec tion day and April 26th for a second bal lot if one were necestuivy for the election of a successor to the late President Ebert, was adopted by the reichstag today with out debate. The bill appointing Dr. Walter Simons acting president had its second reading in the reichstag over the opposition of the nationals, socialists and communists. Cursed by Buddhist, Temple' Violators We. Paris, March ».—A “death curse” placed - on the late Lord Northcliffe, Mau rice Long, late governor of Indo-CJiina. and Andre Tunesqu, prominent journal ist, by a Buddhist priest when com mitted the sacrilege of entering a forbid , den temple, has claimed its last victim. This revelation is mads by the presi dent of the French Press of Indo-China, who says that Tunesqu, on his,deathbed, declared: i “Pam marked. There are holy places ’ which ope dares not violate. When Lord i Northcliffe, Long and I entered the tem ple despite the efforts of a priest , to pre : vent us, be cursed us and predicted all three Wjmld be dead within five years. Long has been murdered. ..Northcliffe died. Now it to my turn. It is she l fourth year.” The Creeping Man. “The wolfhound was braking furious ly, straining on nis chain and quivering with eagerness and rage.” This part t of Sir Arthur CoUan Doyl’e gripping mystery story, “The Creeping Man,” ap -1 peering in The New York Sunday World t magazine next Sunday. The story com plete in one issue is the second of five of Bor Arthur Conan Doyle's gripping stories to appear for the next four Sfin ; days in The Sunday World. Edition _ limited. ' Order from your newsdealer in " advance. 1 Jacksonville, Fla., ie. said to be the largest city in the United States with out representation in a professional base ball league. \ The lam Angeles Pacific Coast league club in to have one of the largest and costliest baseball .plants In the country. CONCORD, N. C, MONDAY, MARCH 9, 1925 HELL ’iT MARIA! THE NEW KID’S TOUGH ' f n\ * Goshain'T “ - \ xs. v\ LV6M BEEN AI3CW W \o , LONG tKOOQH W 6 \ \ \ \ 1b Ggr ACQUAINT f . n/V\ \V \ vfiii 'tbu * THE COTTON MARKET First Prices Were 19 to 27 Points High er, With July Into New High Ground ] For Movement. (By the Associated Press) New York, March 9.—Failure of early weather news to show anticipated rains < in the (southwest combine with relatively 1 firm Liverpool cables led to a good deal of covering and rebuying at the opening of the cotton market today. The Aset prices tyeri?. J 9 to 27 points . higher, with July selling itp to 28.38. or > into new high ground for the movement, while .May advanced to 26.18 and Oc tober to 25.66. These quotations at- : rtcated considerable realizing, however, , while the weather map was regarded ns , pointing to probable showers in Texas, Prices eased off several points from the best, but still showed net gains of 15 , to 20 points at the end of the first hour. , I’rivatefcables reported a steady under- . tone in Liverpool on Texas weather news and a brisk spot demand. The opening prices were 1 : March 25.90; May 26.10; July 26.35; Oct. 25.58; Dec. 25.60. POLICE CALLED TO QUIET '< . ' MARSHAL NEILAN, ACTOR 1 ,• i Neilan Said to Have Fought Mon Who < Danced With His Wife, Blanche Sweet, i (By the Associated Press.) 1 Culver City, Cal., 9.—Police • early today were called to* a Boulevard 1 case here today to quell a disturbance 1 said by witnesses to hnve started between Marshal Neilan; motion picture director, 1 and an unidAtified man who was danc ing with Blanche Sweet, film actress, and Neman’s wife. Witnesses said the fight began when the stranger struck Neilan after the di rector had objected to the manner in whioli he accompanied Miss Sweet over the dance floor. The excitement spread and the police were called. Wont Storage Plant to Lift Egg Prices. Mortroe, March has simply got to -have a cold storage ar rangement for' keeping eggs. Tom Broom, county agent, snyß mat the poultry producers of the county are clamoring for it. And no wonder they are, for they will lose this summer some thing like SIOO,OOO for lack of it. There are between five and eight thousand eggs being laid daily fiy Union county hens and thin will ‘go through the entire, warm season. These eggs sold on the market now bring twenty to twenty-two Vents. Placed on cold storage for six months they would bring forty to sixty cents, depending upon the market- The 1 difference is being lost for the mere lack of storage. The storage for six | months should cost only about two cents a dozen. The eggs surplus is now being bought up by cold storage houses which J will reap the profit. Poultry growe-s want such a storage house in Monroe ; to 'take care of the egg surplus of the ; county. If ft were here eggs could be ! stored the day after laying and would come out six months far superior to the average cold storage eggs because the . commercial houses do not get them on r storage till two and three weeks after t they are laid [ steamship Aalsum Safe After Collision. I (By tkc Associated Preaa) Boston, March 9.—The Holland steom * ship Aalsum, damaged in a collision with ! the U. 8. Shipping Board steamer Dan - nedaike 25 miles south of Nantucket last 1 night, reported today that she was quite 1 safe, according to a message to the Dan nednlke intercepted by the Tropical Radio b Corporation here today. - Miss France Jarrett, of Salem College. * spent Sunday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Jarratt. e jjrs. H. G. Gibson is confined at her 1 home on West Depot Street with the' in * fluenza. M 1 T— i i = TWO BILLIONS IS THE 1 ESTIMATER NEGRO WEALTH Rapid Progress of Race Revealed in So- 1 ciologfeaf Survey. (Special ta The Trlbuae.) Atlanta, Ga., March 9.—Two billion dollars is the present estimated .wealth of Negroes in she United States, accord- ( ing to a recent survey made for the Re- | search Section of -the American Socio- | logical Society by Pffe. Monroe N. Work , of Tuskegee In stß*©)) The'wealth of the group in 1912 WTftre>stimnted at seven 'i millions. | The survey reveals great progress also in the matter of Negro education, the < amount expended for this purpose by all J agencies having been about $40,000,000 1 in 1924, as against $13,576,561 in 1912. > Up to 1912 five thousand Negroes had 1 completed college courses. Since that 1 time, the number has doubled. The de- 1 maud for educated Negroes has been rap idly increasing in all lines,, according to t Dr. Work. 1 The race has made decided gains also in the matter of health. The denth rate, 1 whieh was 22.9 per thousand in 1912. | hadi fallen to 15.7 in 1922, or a de crease of 31 iter cent. A study of mor tality among 1,800.000 Negro policy-hold- ] ers of the Metro|s>litan Insurance Com pany shows that their life expectancy in creased from 41.3 years in 1912 to 46.9 years in 1922. For the whole colored group, the life span has increased in the ; same period from 35 years to 40 years. ‘ The survey calls attention to the re cent heavy movement of Negroes from , rural communities to the city and from , the South to the North. As a result, there are now almost a million more Ne groes living in cities than there were ’ thirteen years ago. and over half a mil lion more living in the North than at , that Fine. This shift has been accom panied by a large-scale entran'ce of the Negro into industry, the 1920 census re- , porting 332,249 Negroes engaged in skill- ] ed and -semi-skilled work. The survey points out a decided growth ] of independence in politics on the part of Negroes and an increasing tendency in many localities to vote the Democratic ticket. It calls attention also to the growing tendency,, particularly in the South, to deal with the problerrfH of race adjustment on the basis of understand ing and co-operation. This policy, ac cording to the survey, has been found “of mutual benefit to both groups and to the whole community.’ Asha Reappointment For W. C. Wilkin son. Charlotte, March 7.—Keen interest has beeu aroused b.v the fact there is some doubt whether W. C- Wilkinson, of Charlotte, a member of the Mate high way commission of the Sixth district, will be reappointed by Governor Mc- Lean to succeed himself when his term expires in the near future. Telegrams have been forwarded td the governor by the chamber of commerce, the automotive merchants' association, the Charlotte Merchants’ assoemtion, the Civitan, 1-ions and Kiwanis clubs, urging and insisting that Mr. Wilkinson be appointed to succeed himself. The telegram forwarded by several of the organixations rend as follows. i “We earnestly urge and insist that W. C. Wilkinson be appointed by you to 1 succeed himself on the state highway coinmission of the sixth district.” Prince Frederick Wilhelm Dead. Dresden, Germany, March 9 (By the Assosciated Press). —Prince Frederick , Wilhelm, of Prussia, second cousin of the former Kaiser, died in a sanitarium at Weißßernhirsch today aged 45. He , was the youngest son of Prince Albrecht, l regent of Brunswick. Mrs. Ll O. Stephens, of Charlotte, and ' her daughter, Nell Alice, are spending • the week at the home of Mrs. Stephens’ mother, Mm. W. D. Harry. BOY THOUGHT DEAD IS. RECOVERING RAPIDLY NOW Heard Funeral plans Made But Paraly sis Prevented Him From Telling Peo ple He Lived. (By the Associated Press) Madisonville, Ky., March 9.—ltoscoc Qanlls. 9 years old, lying helpless in his bed unable to move, heard his parents give him up for (feqd, and plan the fun eral arrangements. Today lie ia recovering after hours of near diritrnrtltfft at the thought of being buried alive. Roscoe fell while skating. Paralysis developed and physicians found the youth ■had suffered a concussion of the brain. He lost his speech nnd was kept alive several days with liquid food. This fail ed to bring improvement, and the boy ap parently died shortly after the doctors left. • * Parents .and relatives moaned and be gan planning the funeral. Roscoe said he heard it all. A physician was called for- final exami nation and found (he boy still breathing. PRESIDENTS DECISION IN TACNA-ARICA CASE Derides in Favor of Chilean Viewpoint, But Final Decision Rests With Voters There. (By the Associated Press) * Washington, March 9.—President Cool idge handed down his award in the Taona and Arica arbitration case today deter mining the uiajor • contention between Chile and Peru in favor of the Chilean viewpoint, that the question of perma nent sovereignty to the two territories must be finally determined by popular vote. . , The arbitarator lays down, however, specific conditions as to tlieultimate pre biscite whieh covers the question of de termination of the qualification of voters and also that of supervision of the pre biseite by n special commission set up for the purpose consisting of three mem bers. one to be apointed by Chile, one by Peur, and one by the United States. With Our Advertisers. In a few dnys the opening of the new Ruth-Kesier Shoe Store will be an nounced. The Parks-Belk Co. has a wonderful line of dress linens, cotton and siik mix tures and cotton goods for Spring dresses. The Standard Buick Co. has a num ber of used cars for sale. See list in to day’s ad, The smartest styles in new Spring Coats you will find at J. C. Penney Co.’s. Priced at $29.75. The Yqrke & Wadsworth Co. has just received a big shipment of flower pots and flower boxes. Get automobile insurance from John K. Patterson C«, cohering fire, theft, collis : on, liability and property damage. The Cabarrus Savings Bank is always on the lookout to be helpful to its cus tomers. Let it render service to you. New spring millinery, all shapes, colors and prices, for the ladies and the chil dren too, at Efird's. Ulster Government Will Be Dissolved. Belfast, March 9 (By the Associated Prcsss). —Dissolution of the present Ul ster government will occtir during the week, and elections will follow during the next three weeks, according to the best informe dpolitical circles here to day. The proceedings of the boundary com mission have occasioned considerably an xiety recently and this, it is thought, will he the main issue at the general elec tons. .. Asheville, N. C., has two 18-hole golf courses in operation and four more under construction or projected. The first baseball playei- to uae a glove for the left hand was Douglas Allison, of the Cincinnati Reds, in 1886. i 1 . : TEAPOT DOME LEASE SUIT NOW UNDERWAY Su:4 Will Be Heard Before Judge T. Blake Kennedy, in Cheyenne, Wyo. Cheyenne, 'W.vo., March 9 (By the As sociated Press), —The government's suit,- to annul the lease of Teapot 11 Mammoth Oil Co., Sinclair group. opci*v» ie _ „,nrf here today before .5 .- -rfialte Ken nedy, at 10:02 o’elcMYthls morning. Atiee Pomerene, associated with Owen .T. Roberts as l si>eoial counsel for the gov ernment. opened the trial in a statement which reviewed briefly the transactions which led up to the granting of the lease to the Mammoth Oil Company. Mr. Pomerene declared that the gov ernment would seek revocation of the lease on two grounds; first that it was authority of law because it was let to the Mammoth Oli Company with out competitive bidding and without hav ing been advertised. CROSS-WORD PUZZLES "HAVE HEALTH BENEFIT Chicago Department Says They Are Aiding in Better Health Apd Happiness. Chicago, March B.—The Chicago De partment of Health weekly health bul letin, issued todny. emphasizes the bene fit of crossword puzzles to general health and happiness. It was discussed under title of “Orossworditis.” The causes nrrtl effects of “the savage little cross-word puzzle microbe.” the bulletin said, “may be largely explained by the fact that part of our lives and much energy must be put into amuse ment. to satisfy the play instinct within us. Therefore, any play or game that thas has a mental ‘kick' in it is quickly accepted and eagerly pursued.” United family circles and happiness 'to convalescents and chronic invalids were listed tn the report as among the good purposes served by the cross-word puzzles.” MARQUIS CURZON HAS SUCCESSFUL OPERATION Operation Was Severe One, But Attend ing Physicians Are Very Hopeful Now. (By the Associated Press) London, March 9.—Marquis Ourzon of Dedleaton, lord president of the coun cil, this morning underwent an operation which was described as quite successful. An official .bulletin issued after the op eration says: “Marquis furzon underwent a severe operation this morning. Tiie patient is as well as can be expected at firs early stage, hut his condition must cause great anxiety for a few days.” While there is still nothing official an nounced regarding the character of I/>rd Curzou's ilneSs, the Daily Express says lie is suffering from kidney trouble. CONFERENCE WITH BORGLUM " ' .. j*. IS “OUT OF THE QUESTION” 1 ' - So Hollins N. Randolph Advises Robert M. Hanes, of Winston-Salem. (By the Associated Press) Atlanta, (la., March 9.—Hollins N. 1 Randolph, president of the Stone Moun tain Confederate Monumental Associa tion, todny told Robert M. Hanes, presi i dent of the Winston-Salem, X. C. cham ber of commerce that a conference “on neutral grouad” looking to a reconcilia tion between officers of the Association and Gutzon Borglum. deposed sculptor of the memorial is "out of the question.” Mr. Randolph wrote Mr. Hanes in re sponse to a telegram from the North Carolina man in which it was suggested 1 that a conference at Winston-Salem might compose existing differences. 1 MACHINERY ACT IS v DISCUSSED IN SENATE . That Body Gives Attention During Day i to Appropriations Bill. (By the Associated Press) i Raleigh, March 9. —The senate took up i today the machinery act for the revenue ■ bill and after this was disposed of, turned > its attention to the appropriations bill. • The measure to tax admissions to thea tres and motion picture houses, so as • to increase the pensions of Cohfederafe ■ veterans was set as a special order after ■ the appropriations bill. In anticipa • tion of the debate on this bill more than • a score of uniformed Alonfederate veter -1 ans were in the galleri® and a large num ■ her of women also were in attendance. > , £ Thirty-Five Injured, One Dying, In Col lapse of Church. Winsted, Conn., March 7. —Thirty-five ' persons were, injured, one probably mor ■ tally, ia the coilapse of a frame taber nacle in Mason Street, Torrington, this I afternoon. Sixteen of the injured, who - sustained fractures, are in Charlotte • Hungerford Hospital. Recovery of Leon Moore, wfiose back - is badly injured and legs broken, is re garded as doubtful. Frank Kramer and K Frank Craig also were taken from the v debris witli legs fractured. The tabernacle was being built by t eighty volunteer workmen, under the su it pervision of Contractor Nicholas Celesta, for the evangelistic campaign under the a auspices of all Torrington’s Protestant :, churched. The committee in charge t. called for volunteer workmen today, and s about ninety men responded. The ma jority were working on the roof of a wing forty feet high when the collapse s occurred. I- * Police and' an army of onlookers re moved the injured from the wreckage. Scott Dtvprce Hearing Postponed. (By Associated Press) Alpena, Mich., March 9.—A formal or der postponing the divorce hearing of Congressman Frank D. Scott against Ed na Jane Scott, set for tomorrow, was is sued by the clerk of circuit court upon instructions from Judge Frank Emerick, who is ill. The heariqg Will be set for a later date to be decided upon after consuta ‘tion with attorneys. Mrs. Patterson Wins Rifle Shooting Con test. (By tkc Associated Preaa) Pinehurst,.N. C., March 9.—Mrs, Lou ise Pat ter sod, of Plainfield, N. J., today won the we»*ly rifle shoo (jug contest for woimen with A score of 129 points out of a possible UjO. • TODAY’S 0 0 NEWS 0 0 TODAY 0 000000000 NO. 57 AIOTHER tPtHTREHT: U| NEW YORK SCENE ' OF MIG ROBBERY Jewels Valued at More Than $50,000 Taken From the Home of Mrs. Fay Perkins by Robbers. MRS. PERKINS”WAS BEATEN ON HEAD Her Escort Was Gagged With a Pillow and Bound to the Bed While Rooms Were Closely Searched. (By the AuwUM Press) New York, Miych 9.—Three'masked men broke into the studio apartment of Mrs. Fay Perkins in West 58th street early today and escaped with jewelry val ued at $50,000 after beating Mrs. Per kins and binding and gagging her escort, Mjlton Abbott, wealthy cotton broker. The robbers chopped down the door of the apartment in making their entrance. They are believed by the police to have been members of the same gang that rob bed'the apartments of several well known persons on Broadway, including Louise Lawson and Dorothy Keenan, who were murdered. After choking Mrs. Perkins and biting rings from her fingers, and taking brace lets and nee.klaees from her, the robbers beat her with revolver butts until she re vealed the location of the rest of her jewelry. Mrs. Perkins was a frequenter of Broad way cabarets, as were the victims >n the other apartment robberies. She is sepa rated from her husband, Benjamin Per kins. who is a wealthy proprietor of a case. Mrs. Perkins and her companion had just returned to her apartment after din ing in one of Broadway's fashionable sup per clubs and making the round of other night resorts. A crowbar and other tools found at the scene were used in breaking into the apartment. Abbott was seized by the robbers, gag ged with a pillow, and bound to a bed with ripitei) up lengths of sheets. "Che robbers then attacked Mrs. Perkins and stripped - her jewelry from her. The three men wore silk handkerchiefs across their faces,- the victims told 4 the ptdice. s TKe Jewelry taken included several dia monds which were collected by her hus band from famous lapldares of the world, Mrs. Perkins told the police. COOLIDGE INVITED TO CHARLOTTE MAY 20TII Overman and Bulwinkle Extend Invita tion and Hope For Acceptance. Washington, March 7.—President Cool idge has under consideration the matter of a visit to North Carolina, with Char lotte as his destination, the occasion to be the* celebration of the sesqui-centennial anniversary of the Mecklenburg declara tion of independence, May 20th. The invitation was extended the President this morning when Senator Overman and Congressman Bulwinkle called on him by appointment to confer with him con cerning the selection he is to make of three members of the committee of eleven authorized by Congress to deal with the matter of the United States participat ing in the celebration under the Act of Congress. Senator Overpan says that President Coolidge appeared pleased at the invita tion to visit Charlotte at the meeting of the Mecklenburg declaration celebration, and said that while he could at this time make no positive promise to go to Char lotte for the celebration, that he weuld take the matter under consideration, and give an answer later. Senator Over man called to his attention the fact that Prsidents Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson had attended such celebrations in Char lotte, and urged upon the President that he take this opportunity to visit North Carolina, that there would be a most hearty welcome given him. Calls God a Scoundrel, Draws 200 Franca Fine. Berne. Switzerland, March 7.—M. Canova, a member of the national coun cil. was convicted as a blasphemer today ' for describing God as a scoundrel in his socialist newspaper, Votkswacht. . *¥ , said in his defense that as there is no God there is no offense. He was fined 200 francs, with jail as an alternative, , and announced he would enter an ap peal . 1 r.f , The sentence aroused a demonstration by Canova’s friends in the court room at . Cire. capital of tlje Department of Qris [ ons, where the trial was held. He was . showered with flowers as he left the ! room. ' Motor Vehicle Theft Act Valid ( By the Associated Press) Washington. March 9.—The National' Motor Vehicle Theft Act was declared valid and constitutional today by the Su preme Court. WHAT SMimrS CAT SAYS , HIS ' Unsettled tonight and Tuesday, warm} er in west portion.