Newspapers / Asheville Citizen (Asheville, N.C.) / July 30, 1921, edition 1 / Page 1
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THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN WATCH LABEL ON YOUH PAPER It Will Ttll You When Your Subscription Expires. Renew Five Day Before Ex piration, So You Won't Miss An Issue. UNSETTLED ESTABLISHED 1868. ASHEVILLE, N. C, SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 30, 1921. PRICE FIVE CENTS UGHES WILL HEAD mir nmN mm mmm uun uumuimwii ! iiijiul uii uni iinLj DISARMING MEET AND GOTHAMFRIDAY; Harding oonsiaenng, dui, Has Not Made Actual I Choice of Personnel. PREVIOUS MEETINGS OF GROUPS OPPOSED Washington Fears Any Such' Movement May Defeat j Purpose of Session. WASHINGTON, July 29. (By the I Associated Preaa Proposals for j preliminary meetings of the represen tatives of all the powers or any sep-' ,(iHte group of them prior to the (lis- 1 'armament conference are receiving no encouragement from the American j government. ! Although officials decline to com ment formally, it is the apparent he-1 her here tnai an of uie various i themes suggested for pieiimimiiy , .sessions are impracticable and might i ad to dofeat of the purpose of the .inference Itself. This feeling is understood to apply Hith particular force to any proposal ihat certain questions he taken up beforehand in separate conferences j where oniy memDers 01 me main con ference are represented. It is held that such a plan not only would have the undesirable result of creating groups within the main group, hut might open such avenues of discus sion that it would leave the partici pants further from solution than they were in the beginning. It is also increasingly apparent that the United States is doing what it can to discourage suggestions for a pre liminary conference among all the na tions that-are to be represented in the principal conference. No details of i the negotiations of that subject have been revealed, but tt is generally un derstood that Great Britain is urging sueh a conference and this country is holding out against it. It Is also understood that this gov ernment holds to Its original sugges tion that the conference assembled here on Armistice day, November 11, though some of the other invited na tions have urged that a later day be selected. Meantime officials are working steadily in the preparation of details, and although it is said actual choice of the personnel of the American del egation is yet to be made. President Harding is known to have given the ipiestion some serious thought. It is expected generally that the President himself will not sit at the conference table, but that Secretary Hughes will art as head of the American delega tion. It has been indicated that se rious consideration might he given to suggestions that at least one of the places on the delegation go to a wo man. president'harding off to mountains Speaks Monday at Plymouth, cn Voy age, at Celebration. WASHINGTON, July 29. President Harding left Washington late today on the presidential yacht Mayflower for an absence of more than a week, most of which will be spent resling in the White mountains of New Hampshire. The first stop will be made Monday at Plymouth, Mass., where the Pres ident is to deliver an address at the tercentenary of the landing of the Pilgrims. He expects to arrive Tues day by automomle at Lancaster, N. H . where he will be the guest of Sec retary of War Weeks. Mrs. Harding, apparently complete ly recovered from the slight indispo sition which had kept her in the White House for the last few days, accompanied the President and will go with him to Lancaster. Making the trip by the way of Cape Cod canal, the Mayflower is expected to arrive off Plymouth about V o'clock Monday morning. The President will review a parade before delivering his address late in the afternoon and during the evening will witness a pageant. He will go aboard the Mayflower again lato Mon day night and reach Portland, Maine, on Tuesday. From that point, he will go bu automobile to Lancaster. A convoy of battleships and de stroyers will pick up the Mayflower at Hampton Roads and accompany her to Plymouth. MORGAN ZIMMERMAN FOUND NOT GUILTY SPARTANBURG, S. C, July 29. The jury In the 'case against Morgan Zimmerman, on trial for killing his father, returned a verdict of not guilty at 8:15 tonight. The Jury was out only nine min utes. Zimmerman's defense was that he killed his father to protect his mother, whom the latter was alleged to have been mistreating. Mrs. W. R. Zlm-i merman, mother of the defendant andj wife of the slain man, testified for the i defense this afternoon, and so touch ing were her statements she made about the domestic life at the Zim merman house, that sobs were heard in every part of the court room which was filled to capacity. The killing occurred May 4, nt the Zimmerman home at Duncan, twelve miles west of Spartanburg. Within five minutes of the court's verdict had been announced, the de fendant and his mother were on their way home. FRANCE REPLIES TO LATE BRITISH NOTES PARIS, July 29. (By the Asso ciated Press.) Premier "Briand this evening handed to Lord Hardlnge, the British ambassador, the 'reply of Prance, approved by the cabinet this afternoon to the latest British note dealing with the sending of rein forcements to the Upper Sileslan zone which was presented to tho for eign office this morning. The British note protested against 'lie action of France in seeking to send troops to Upper Silesia without acting Jointly with her other allies. R reminded France that President Mlllerand, after the invasion of Frankfort promised to consult with the Allies in the future. The note, which consisted of a dozen pages, asked France for an explanation of her intentions, consld ring -trankna --jisoessary for a coiW tinued Allied co-operation. AERIAL 'ATTACK' IS seat of Government and' Metropolis Said Theoreti- ' cally" Bombed Off Map." PHILADELPHIA WILL i BE "BOMBED" MONDAY' General Mitchell Leads1 Three Squadrons of 17 ; Bombers in Air Raids. XKW YORK, July 29. New York : and Washington today in theory were bombed off the map. following in the wake of Norfolk. Newport News, and j Richmond. Philadelphia is due for a theoretical bombing Monday. The tale of the various cities was ! made know n today l.y Brigadier Gen- I era I William Mil. hell, assistant chief of the arinv air s rviee. when be st p- I nr.r from bis .,f,,,r i....Hin- n. squadrons of seventeen bombers on an aerial attack" against New York A simultaneous attack on Washing- ; ton by seventy machines had been or- ' dered. I AH these air raids are ptrt of a) war proniom vlucli armv aviators i working out after having partlcl- paieo m tne recent liomoing or i, ,-rner German war craft off the Virginia capes. The planes which made New Yorkers stare aloft had arrived here after coining up, the coajst from Iaiigley field. Virginia, and leaving devastation astern. After week-ending at Mlnoola air fields, they v,lll I start the week right by swooping down on Philadelphia. Seventy men were assigned to the New York attacking party. Weather conditions were ideal for an air at tack. The haze that hung ovei the I,. ml made observation cf the planes flying at X.OOO feet virtually impossi ble, and officers declared the planes could have bombed away without fear of successful counter attack from anti aircraft guns on the ground. After the forts had been put. out of action, the squadrons swoop'd down to 4.000 feet and flew over Wall street. The sub-treasury was their chief "target." Although curious New Yorkers never knew It. thousands of them were slain always theoretically and scarcely a building was left standing in the financial district. The avia tors declared theV .lad opened the way for a hostile force to steam into tlM- harbor and seize the city. POWER COMPANY'S PETITION PRESENTED Review of Corporation Commission Tax Rate Order Asked. RAI.BIUH RrRFAn TUB ASHKVU.LB C1TI7.KN I Hi f? f. fOWULL.) RALEIGH. July 2a. Petition of the Carolina Power and Light com pany to the Corporation commission today for a review of its order reduc ing tax rate was laid before the lom mission today. The cities of Durham and Raleigh are involved and the company sets up its average earnings of less than three and a half per cent for five years as the basis of its appeal. The utility declares that it rannot serve these municipalities on the pres ent rate and that it is not in position to reduce wages to pre-war level when coal was 50 cheaper than now. The petition sets out th-it a certi fied accountant employed by Raleigh went over its books and found that it mado a maximum income of three and two-tenths per cent after depre ciation charges, the last five years be ing considered and Raleigh plans be ing under investigation. This move the Carolina Power and Light will doubtless bo followed by other companies which were reduced in revenues with the company here. IBB RESIGNS AS II S. MARSHAL Notified by Daugherty Ad ministration Would Make Change Acts at Once. Charles A. Webb, United States marshal from the western district of North Carolina, was notified by H. M, Daugherty, attorney general, that a change in the office at Asheville Is desired. Marshal Webb immediately tendered his resignation to take effect upon the appointment and qualifica tion of his successor, whom it Is gen erally believed will be Brownlow Jackson, of Ilendersonville. Mr. Webb expects to devote most of his time in the future to tho interests of The Asheville Citizen, of which Me is one of tho principal stockholders. In official circles it is believed Mr. Jackson will be appointed to the of fice of United States marshal immedi ately. When Marshal Webb goes out of office the following deputies also go: Joseph D. Pool, of Asheville and J. F. Garner, -of Randolph county, who are stationed in yje office here; Reu ben F. Lee, of .Asheville and J. B Holloway, of Morganton, field men; R. B. Slaughter. Robbinsvllle; Charles C. Mason, Dlllsboro; J. Rogan Rous seau, Wllkeshoro; John L. Milholland, Statesville; H. C. Trott, Salisbury; W. E. Ogburn, Winston; C. T. Roane, Greensboro, and C. W. Russell, Char lotte. Marshal Webb was appointed De cember 29, 1913 and served out his four years' commission. He was re appointed for a term of four years on January 7, 1918 and his present commission would have expired Janu ary 7, 1922. Some time ago the attorney general announced that the appointees would be allowed to serve out their commis sion and the local office was declared to be in good shape. However, it ap pears the republican administration desires to make the change in the marshal's office at once. Garner and Pool have been in formed by the republicans they would be given a place In the event they cared to remain in the service. Neither Is expected to remain in the Asheville office. Mr. Pool will accept a post tloa.ln lha bucss omca.oUba-Aiihe- ville Citizen. 1 WESTERN DISTRICT TAIN T NOTHIN BABE BURNETT ON STAND ADMITS W KILLED Jl ROSE Declares He Had Heard Rose Was Dangerous Man Shot to Save Own Life. ' Sprrtol ( The rm.-rnl BRYSON CITY, July 29. Babe j Burnett, on trial for his life here charged with the murder of Prohl- ! bition Agent .1. II. Rose on the 25th i of last October, admitted on the stand today that he tired the shot that killed Rose but sct up the plea of self de fense. "I started to go from the crib to help the boys In building a. sledding road," the defendant said, "and when I got half way between the crib and the barn Rose shot me in the leg. They were both advancing toward me. I ran around the barn and when I came to the straw stack I fell over some rails. I had left my gun at the stack, and Rose was (standing at the end of the barn with his pistol in my face when I fired to save my life." So testified the witness in be half of himself. Referring to the first visit of the officers to his place that day. Burnett stated that when he came to the house, Rose, Reck and Deputy Sheriff Welch were there and that Rose said "I am a bloeka-der and a revenue officer and am hunting your whiskey." The witness stated that he went with Rose to the base ment and helped him In his search and led the officer to the two barrels of apple pumice in the back yard and helped Rose pour the pumice out and that he directed them to the barrels in the orchard. leaving the officers, he stated that he went to drive the cattle from tne corn field back to the foot of the mountain, and that he came back, ate his dinner and had Just finished un loading the sled load of roughness when the officers returned, at the time Rose was killed. He stated that the officers never showed him a warrant for his arrest and that they did not demand that he be placed under ar rest nor call upon him to halt, but that Rose began firing. "Heard Rose Was Dangerous" He said that he had heard that Rose was a dangerous and violent man and that he fired to save his own life after he had been shot by Rose. He stated that he Is 60 years of age and tiiis uvea in awain ana Macon counties all his life. Upon cross ex amination the defendant admitted that he knew of the presence of the still furnace upon his premises, and stated that it was there when he re turned from the west, hut that he himself had repaired it for the pur pose of making brandy, but that his still was stolen before he got to make anw and Instead that the pumice found was for the purpose of making vinegar. The witness also admitted that he had been indicted a number of times for affrays and for carrying concealed weapons, and that he had been convicted In the Federal courts for having been Interested in a dis tilling operation, but stated that these transactions were 20 years ago. The wife of the defendant took the stand and in a large measure corroborated the evidence of her husband. She also Insisted that Rose fired at Bur nett before any other shots were fired and Sat she ran to the barn in time to see Rose fall, and to see her hus band running away, with Beck shoot ing at him. Evidence AM In The evidence was completed bv 3 o'clock this afternoon and argument to the Jury began. The defense Is of course, basing it claims upon tho promise that the officers had no warrant for the ar rest of Burntt, and that Rose had the reputation of being a dangerous and violent man, and that the officers being themselves engaged In an unlawful as sault upon Burnett, and he fearing for his life had a right to shoot. And the defense Introduced evidence tending to show that Rose was generally consid ered a dangerous man. The state will Insist, so District Attorney S. J. Dur ham stated to the court, that Burnett is guilty of first degree murder, and that It will base Its case upon the fol lowing principles of law, that the fact that Burnett had his gun In the straw stack, and that he ran toward It at the approach of the officers, and fired killing Hose as soon as he had secured the gun, shows premeditation and therefor murder In the first degree; that In the act of secreting the gun and shooting from behind the straw stack Burnett was making a secret assault upon the officers and In that act was committing a felony, and cannot therefore claim sefl defense; that the officers were armed with a warrant for the arrest of Burnett, and were using no more force than was necessary to make the arrest when Burnett killed Rose, and that Burnett rannot for that make good his plea of self defense, and that at the time of the killing, the Lever act was In- 4oro whloa a mad tt trlcmy under i ICMtfewetf m Tm AIM GIVING HIM THE "ONCE OVER." BY BILLY BORNE. Simmons Forecasts Early Passage Of Farmers' A id Bill w ax B I Vf;TOM nrltttn TRC AhHKTIM.B I ITI7.KS IKu R F Toil 1.7.1 I WASHINGTON. July 20 Sena tor Simmons predicted today that the substitute for the farmers re lief bill will be passed hy the sen ate early next week. The substi tute makes available two and a half billion dollars in cash and sc curltles for the war finance cor poratlon to use in helping take cart of agricultural products for export and to allow farmers to secure ad vances to enable them to bold the exportable part of their crops until markets abroad are ready to buy. STATEMENT TELLS i Declares Financial Relief Afforded Measure of Largest Importance. WASHINGTON. July 29 The ac complishments of the administration toward relief of financial conditions are reviewed at length in a statement issued today from the White House, declaring that tho work done in that direction during the last four months constitutes "an achievement of Ihu j largest importance to the country. In support of this assertion the statements points to and discusses at length the recent reduction i f dis count rates hy Federal reserve bankb; steps taken by the treasury towards refunding the national debts; the re sumption of active operation by tho war finance corporation; efforts to ward final settlement of the railroad problem; extension of relief to argi culture and tho livestock industry, and various other items of the admin istration's financial polity. "It Is unsafe," said tho statement, "to prophesy concerning conditions In the future, but It may be expelled that recognition will be given to fur- ther improvements in conditions in accordance with tho dictates uf sound banking practices." Tho statement pointed tu successive reductions in rediscount rates hy the Federal Reserve banks and addod: English Rate Reduced "It will not have escaped attention that the rates of -discount cf the P.ank of England havo also been success ively reduced and that thede reduc tions have been substantially coinci dent with the reduction of the Fed eral Reserve rates in this country. This would appear to be a frank rec ognition of the intimate relation be tween the money markets In this country and of Europe and a recogni tion as well of the improvement in world credit conditions. The Import ance of coincident reduction by these two leading banking systems lies chiefly in the fact that it indicates a mutual desire to reopen the inter national channels of credit upon which international trade depends. "The treasury on its part has, dur ing the past four months, successfully inaugurated its new policy of refund ing the short-dated debt of the gov ernment and distributing tho early maturities over the period between the maturity of the victory loan in 1923, and the third liberty loan In 1928. The first offering of treasury notes pursuant to this policy met with a most enthusiastic response, and tho further development of the program should bring about a better distribu tion of tho public debt and much Im proved market conditions for govern ment securities. There has already been a marked Improvement In the market prices of liberty bonds and victory notes, and the market for all outstanding Issues of short-term gov ernment securities is in better shape than at any time since tho depres sion, i "The work of the revived war fi nance corporation," the statement said, "has been according to many evidences received an inspiring and heartening factor in the whole agri cultural situation." To Help Rail Credits Referring to the President's propos al that the powers of the War Finance corporation be extended to allow it to purchase railroad securities from the railroad administration in order to finance the settlements by that ad ministration, the statement said that tt wciM emecteri intervention of th ADMINISTRATION IN ACHIEVEMENTS nnaae oorporalUm in rttUro4-lCipjacUce. relating to speechcajfowe ICohIbmk i Ptn A'iuJ Ithron in parliament. my BE NOT, BUT 'TlVONT HUF1T Tf LOOff . LORD N0RTHCL1FFE DENIES STATEMENT CREDITED TO HIM Incident Adds Chapter to Bitter British Politi cal Controversy. WASHINGTON, July 29 !ird Northclifl'e, (he most widely known newspaper publisher of the British Ifdes left Washington tonight after a two-day visit without having been entertained at the British embassy ! and without having received from embassy officials any of th" attentions Recorded by foreign diplomatic to distlngiiinhed fellow countrymen. Both embassy officials and Lord Nnrthellffe maintained silence today with regard to the withdrawal of In-! vitatlnns extended the publisher to stop nt the embassy while In Wash ington and to attend a dinner in his honor there last night. The viscount, however, was understood still to re gard the withdrawal of the Invita tions as an outgrowth of the con troversy now raging in England be tween the Nnrthc llffo press and Lord Curzon, the British foreign minister. Despite fhe withdrawal of the din ner invitation. Lord Northclifl'e was understood to have met at a dinner given tonight by Mrs. E. H. Mrlun. wife of the Washington publisher at her country home, most of the guests he would have met at the proposed embassy dimmer. Sir Auckland Gctldes, the British ambassador and a personal friend of the viscount, was understood to have been one of the guests at the McLean dinner and un doubtedly he and the publisher met again. Lord Northclifl'e called on Sir Auckland Geddes yesterday to pay his respects. Many members of the cabinet and of congress were understood to have been among tonight's guests fit the McLean home, although tho list of thoee present was withheld. The single new- development here to day In the controversy between Lord Northellffe and Lord Curzon and also Premier Llnyd Goorge was a reply by the nubllsher to the statement rend In the house of commons by Premier laoyd George and authorized bv King (ierrt-go. The reply made In the form of a cable gram sent to Iird Stamford Hani, pri vate, secretary to the king was made public as follows: "Please convey to his majesty with my bumble duty, my denial, of ever having ascribed to his majesty the word or words as stater bv the prlino min ister yesterday. I gave no such Inter view." Leaving here tnniehl after the Mc Lean dinner. Lord N'orthellffo will nr. rive early tomorrow In N'ew York and after spending the day there, will de part for Vancouver by way of Toronto, He will board ship Vancouver for his trip to Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, the Philippines and India. The viscount spent a busy day la Washington today, lte. was entertalnej at luncheon by the Overseas yv'rlter.H, an organization of American newspapi r men who have done, work abroad, and late In the day joined the regular work ing newspapermen of the capital at President liardlng's semi-weekly confer ence. The British publisher showed i great Interest In the President's talk with the newspaper men, but asked no question Of Mr. Harding Later through a heavy rainstorm, he went to the capi tal and visited the senate presa gallery. The senate had adjourned and he did not call on any senators. He made a brief talk to the correspondents of the gallery, mostly of a "shop" nature. DENOUNCED OFFICIALLY LONDON. July 29 (By The Asso ciated Press.) Prime Minister Lloyd George in the house of commons today read a statement, authorized by King George, declaring words attributed to the king concerning the gdvernmcni'n Irish policy In a reported Inf-rvlew In the United States by lord Northellffe who controls the London Times are "a com plete fabrication." Mr. Lloyd George rend a statement which he said the king had authorized him to read on his majesty's behalf: "His majesty, the king, has had his at tention directed to certain statements reporting an Interview with Iord North ellffe. appearing In the Daily Mall and reproduced n the Dally Express and some Irish newspapers. The statements contained in the report are a complete fabrication. No such conversations s those which are alleged took place, ner were any such remarks as those alleged made by his majesty. "His majesty alBO desires It to be made clear, as the contrary is suggested In the Interview, that In his speech to the parliament of northern Ireland he followed the Invariable constitutional Harding Declares Probe On Pellagra Situation Will Still Go Forward PRESS" ASSOCIATIONPRESIDENT WRITES ! NVITES Ft SIDENTIGIIRNES TO CAROLINA FAIR1SUSTAIN POSITION Editors Are Heart and Souli Behind the Program to "Sell" the State. JOHN B. SHERRILL j ELECTED PRESIDENT, : Co operative Marketing and School of Journalism Get Formal Endorsement rSrM.if 10 7h.- f oi-'nl I MORKHF.AD CITY. July 29 The' editors, the publishers and a part of the hired help-' this looming cruised i: miles mi the Atlantic, thus begin-. I ning their Intensive study of North 'Carolina. Afterwards they came back icisscd resolutions and elected officers of the association for ensuing year John H. Sherrlll, editor of the Con cord Tribune, was elected president of the association without opposition, a motion from the floor nominating Miss Beatrice Cobb, of Morganton. was stopped by previous action of a special committee appointed to select a secretary, Miss Cobb being the choice. The other officers are: first vice president. It T Wade, editor of the Mnrehrad Cilv Coaster: second vico- president. Sam l arabce. editoi oi inei Hickory Record; third vlce-presmeni. ukgerntc the seriousness of the slt Mrs. W. C. Hummer, editor of the, uuli(1I1 ,. (Jo anythng which would Asheboro Courier; treasurer, R. K. cause undue alarm. Tho effort 1 Price, editor of tho Kuthcrfordton : merely to develop the facts In order Sun. I that a proper course may be determ- Daniels cxt Ornlor. j lned n view of them." Editor .losephus Daniels, of the. The President quoted a telegram Raleigh News nml Observer, was nnan-i from Charles O. Harnn. editor of the Imously chosen as the orator for the I Spartanburg, S. C, Herald, who de ncxt slimmer meeting, the choice of elured that although there was noth a place for which was left with the, ing .alarming in tho South Carolina executive committee. Mitchell L. situation, bo felt that the public Sblpman was again re-elected hlstor health service was "on the right track Ian of the association and Jesse Dan-, and should continue Its investigation." lei Boone, editor of the Waynesvllle The text of tho President's letter Mountaineer, In niruiii the nnet. Illsi poem, read at. last nigni s hicchok. is an offering of a new state song, music for which has been written by an Italian. John L. Ibrnecla. The resolutions committee, without much debate killed the most signifi cant and far-reaching piece of busi ness attempted at the meeting. U was In the shape of n resolution merg ing tho state press association with read at. last night's meeting, the master printers' organization of tho slate and It precipitated a warm discussion when It was introduced by Editor John Gold, of Wilson. I'lnat action at last night's meeting, too late for reporting, was the reference to tho committee composed of Editor Daniels, Clarence Poo and Sam Fnra bee and several hours of discussion was Hhut off when tt was rtoridfd to Continued n Pio Stnt) PUBLIC HEARINGS Committee Told Farmers Feel Accumulated Wealth Should Be Taxed. WASHINGTON, July 29. Public hearings on tai revision were closed today by the houso ways and means committee which will start drafting the new revenue hill after hearing Secretary Mellon. Internal Revenue Commissioner lllair and other treas ury officers, in executlvo session be ginning Monday. Chairman Pordney said today it probably would take three weeks to get the bill before the bouse. The majority members of the committee have as yet had no conferences to agree upon a revision program and evidence of a difference of opinion among them on certain changes pro posed has mil been lacking. All of the republicans have not yet agreed to the treasury proposal to repeal tho excess profits tax ami substitute an Increaie in the normal tax on corporations, but leaders gen erally believe this program ultimately will prevail. A reduction In the sur tax btaekets to a maximum of at , least 40 per cent also is forcast with probably some other changes In the present law. Like the great majority of those who had gone before, most witnesses before the committee today sought removal of the tax from their par ticular industries, but as Chairman Fordney repeatedly pointed out, tho committee got few suggestions as to how-the loss in revenue proposed was to be made up William A. Brady, of New York, and other spokesmen for the moving picture Industry, Including theatres, asked that the theatre seat tax, thn 5 per cent sales tax on films and the 10 per cent admission tax bo removed. James A. Emery, of this oity, on behalf of the National Manufacturers association, urged repeal of the excess profits tax and the higher brackets in the surtax, substituting a general turnover or sales tax. Representative Appleby, republi can, New Jersey, argued In favor of his bills to impose a two-cent stamp tftx on bank checks, to repeal the soda water tax and to levy a federal tax of 40 cent por horsepower on pas senger automobiles and $10 on trucks with a part of this to go to the states in lieu of the present state taxes. Opposing repeal of the excess profits tax and higher groups of sur tax, Charles A. Lymani secretary of the National Board of Farm Organi zations said there was a feeling on the part of the farmers that some plan should be worked out under which the vast accumulations of I w i hi wealth should bear a part of the tax urden. ON TAX REVISION CONCLUDE E DAY REPORTS Official Statements Do Not Bear Out View Condi tions Exaggerated. HARDINGQUOTES BYRNES' OWN LETTER Editor Hearon of Spartan- burg Herald Quoted aa Approving Work. YVASH1NOTON, July 29 -Replying to charges thai the administration had exaggerated pellagra and famine con ditions in the south. President Hard ing declared In a letter to Represen tative Byrnes, of South Carolina, to day, that official reports indicated the contrary and that the govern ment's Investigation of the situation would go forward. The President wrote in response to : letter In which Mr. Byrnes had j characterized any belief that plague or famine existed in South Carolina I "as an niter absurdity." Public health reports and private advices from the south. Mr. Harding said, certainly Justified the opinion that a thorough in ostlgatiou should bo made, "You may bo assured" the Presi dent said, "that fhe Inst thing In the administration's mlnd has been to ex- ioiiows "My dear Mr Byrnes: "I have received and have to thank you for your letter 0f July 27 and its illuminating enclosures. Tho letter Includes a number of telegrams from South Carolina regarding conditions there, aa to food supplies and exist ence of pellagra. Tour letter sum marlaes your conclusion from thees communications thus: " 'While assuring you that I speak the views of our people In expressing gratitude to you for a generous spirit that prompted you to make thta ap peal for aid, I am confident tHat in South Carolina there exists at this time no necessity for any greater co operation on tho part of the public health service than la rendered at all other times. And the existence In South Carolina at this time of a plague or famlno Is an utter absur dity, there is no necessity for the Red Cross furnishing aid. Should the. stale ever be unfortunate enough to j suffer a disaster with which the peo ple of the state cannot cops, we will gladly welcome aid and ask for It, but I think It would be unfortunate it the Red Cross Is called upon to relieve n plague and a famine of which the people of South Carolina are una ware.' "It Is gratifying to be assured that South Carolina Is so fortunately sit uated, and wo must all "hope that full Information will show that conditions generally are equally satisfactory. "I'nfortunately, tho reports Indicate they are not. One, dealing with Mis sissippi says: That in May 1,700 new cases were reported in the state: in June about 2,400 and that a further lncreu.se over the June figures is ex pected in July. The reports indicate that a wide territory Is affected, and, coming through the pullic health service, strongly suggests the advisa bility of thorough Investigation aa a measure of preparedness against fur ther spread of pellagra another season In my Impression this Is highly desir able, and, confirmed hy a telegram from Mr. Charles O. Hearon, editor of the Spartanburg Herald, which you have been good enough to forward to me. In part ho says: " '1 am thoroughly familiar with the pellagra studies that have taken place here from the coming of the Thompson-McFadden commission with Captain Slier, of the United States army, and Captain Garrison, of the United States, on that commission, to the final report on the disease by Dr. Goldherger as the result of Investi gation made at the United States pel lagra hospital In this city. That in stitution was closed last January, I believe, hut Dr. Wheeler, representing the public health department, is still located here and Is studying the dis ease, lie says there has been some increase in the number of cases, in my Judgment there Is nothing alarm ing In the situation, but those of us who have been interested In the study of this disease in this part of the country have felt that the govern ment's study of pellagra stopped just at tho timo it should have been con tinued. The. disease subsided In the days of abnormal prosperity and the experts predicted at tho time it might recur In any period of the depression. I do not know what causes pellagra but 1 think the public health department is on the right track and should continue its investigation just now when they tell us the disease is coming back.' "There have been so many reports of precisely tho sort which would Jus tify Mr. Hearon's views, and they have come from such authority that It has seemed to nie desirable to take tho steps which have been adopted. These do not contemplate any organi zation of relief measures, or special extension of relief, unless full investi gation, covering tho entire affected area, shall make it apparent that such measures are necessary. "I can but feel that if these reports have -misrepresented conditions in any part of the south to the disadvantage of that section, a full and official refu tation of them would be highly deslr-. able: while, if such investigation should develop the need for unusual measures of relief, those could be promptly and Intelligently applied. "You may be assured that the last . . - - - - - .
Asheville Citizen (Asheville, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
July 30, 1921, edition 1
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