North Carolina Newspapers

ASSOCIATED ', PRESS DISPATCHES VOLUME XXVI - NEW HEARING ASKED FOR THE COUNTESS 1 OF UTHCART LOST The Labor Department De clines to Grant Hearing, Saying the Matter Now Rests With Courts. NEW EVIDENCE TO BE GIVEN The Department Officials Decide Any New Facts Must Now Be Given to the Courts. % Washington, Fab. 2-4.— UP) —A new hearing for the Oountaea of Cathoart on the order for her exclusion from the United States was denied today b.v the Labor Department. '. In the opinion of Acting Secretary White the case now can be decided only by the court. A judicial deter J m : nation as to whether moral turpi tude is-a crime and constitutes a bar to' admission of aliens admitting acts of that sort, it was said, is-desired by the Labor Department. Mr. White, after a conference with Assistant Secretary Husband and So licitor Theodore Risley, notified Ar thur Garfleld Hays, attorney for the Countess, who had requested that the case be reopened for the admission of new evidence, of the decision. Mr. Risley said cases similar to ’ that of the Countess were continual ly coming before the Department and he ho)>cd the court action growing out of the habeas corpus proceedings in stituted by Mr. Hays for him would define for the Department a course to follow in the future. The solicitor added he had ordered • bond only after he had conferred with various departmental officers who ad vised that the case be decided by the courts, and the Countess bo given bond while it was in process of ad justment. The Labor Department, Mr. Risley said, considers that the contention of tlie Countess was correct under laws regulating the adm'sskin of aliens to this country. The order for her ex clusion, added, would be defended in court, probably by legal officers from the Department’s own personnel. In denying a new hearing. Acting’ Secretary fWhite raid close adherence -hid been given to Departmental poti - Cies. ‘Under the practice of the Depart ment,” lie added, “we cannot reopen a ease for submission of additional evi dence while a writ of habeas corpus is pending. That always has been our policy and we have never departed from it. There is no reason why this , case should be an exception." Will Not liytitute Reprisals. London, Feb. 24.^—C4»>-—The British . government will consider no proposals to institute reprisals for the barriug ■ of the Countess ot Cathcart from tile I United States. This in effect was the rei»ly of the 1 foreign secretary. Sir Austen Cham berlain, to a spirited cross-fire of questions in the House of Commons 1 today regarding Cue workings of the American immigration' laws. Sir Austen said the British govern ment considered it entirely the busi ness of the American authorities as to who should or should not be ad mitted to the United States. BROWN SAYS GARNER IS A “COMMON LIAR” “Ordinary Blatherskite” Also Ap plied to Texas Congressman For His Remarks. Columbia, 8. C., Feb. 23.—Edgar A Brown, speaker of the house of representatives of the South Caro lina general assembly and chairman of the state Democratic executive commimttee, replying tonight to charges made by Representative Garner of Texas in Congress * today that he had been “bought” by the American Bankers’ league to advo cate repeal of the federal inheritance tax law, denounced - the Texas con gressman as "a common, ordinary blatherskite and liar.” Speaker Brown declared that “Congressman Garner ought to pro duce the proof and put it in the Congressional Record, in proof of his rash statements or he ought publicly to admit that he is the liar that he is, and say that the reason he made he statement against me was made because I went at the invitation of his own people, to his own state, and by the record proved that 'his posi tion on the inheritance (tax matter wan inconsistent, undemocratic and communistic in its tendency, and be cause of my .speech out there a great state wide mass meeting was later held in Tegge, as a result of waieh Garner will likely be retired to private life at the end of this year.” Coca-Cola Dividend. Atlanta, On., Feb,. 23.—The re gular quarterly dividend of $1.75 a share on the 500,000 outstanding shares of common stock was voted at the annual aieetiqgy of stockhold ers of the Coca Cola Company here today. The dividend will be payable April I to stockholders of record March 15. One new director, John P. Illges. of Columbus, Ga.. was elected. The remainder ofthe direc torate was re-elected. While the British .radio public is complaining of “too much talk,” the American radio public begins • to complain of "too much music." A i balanced program is desired. The Concord Daily Tribune Kitty Plays the Mouth Organ ' If A’• - 'i' , “ '•' f - Jt-.v’ i., „* 1 y- SP If “W a f jfc Mk, A S ” RRs Zlta Harrison of San Francisco has a pet kitten, “Pagllaccio,” -that • .very musical—so it is said. Anyway, here’s a picture of the kitty play, ins •- mouth organ and strumming a banjo, all at once. METHODISTS FIGHT BEER. Modification of Dry Laws Would Mean •Return of Alcohol to Its Old Power. Washington. Feb. 23.—A militant denial that the churches have weak ened in their support of prohibition was issued here tonight over the signatures of high officials of the Methodist Episcopal church, the Methodist Episcopal church. South, and the Methodist Pitotestant church. "he joint statement characterized the recent Inhibition survey of the research department of the federal council.'of churches as “an inex cusable betrayal of many church bodies: declared there turn been no lipparent change in tub sciitfment of the people as a whole and appealed to church members to unite in sup port of the law. • It was the first time high digni taries of the Methodist organizations had joined in a common outline of their views of prohibition. The state ment was signed by Bishop Jnmes Cannon, Jr., chairman of the com mission of • temperance and social service of the Methodist Episcopal church. South; Bishop William F. McDowell. • president, ■ and Dr. Clar ence True Wilson, secretary of the board of temperance, prohibition and public morals of the Methodist Epis copal church, and Dr. Thomas H. Lewis, president of the general con ference ofthe Methodist Protestant church. ROSS N. SCOTT TAKES LIFE IN CHARLOTTE Body Discovered in Bathroom Which Was FUled With Gas.—Every Sign of Suicide. Charlotte, Feb. 24.— UP) —Ross N. Scott, 45, book keeper, was found dead, today in a gas-filled bathroom at his home here. Police after investi gating. said there was every indica tion of suicide. He bad been dead several hours, they said. Scott, clad only in underclothing, was found crumpled iu a heap on the floor when they forced the door to the room. With Our Advertisers. Just three more days in which to get one of the beautiful free oil col-_ ored portraits giveh free with each' order of one half dozen or more photo graphs at the Boyd 'W. Cbx Studio, over Cowell's Jewelery Store. Phone 871). The Concord Furpiture Co. has just received a big shipment of Block go cart* at a large reduction. They will seH them for about half the form er .price. See new ad. on last page for description. \ The Reid Motor Co. is calling to your attention in 'their ad. the facts about the new Ford. . Today they tell you about the left-hand drive. Fire insurance *is a sensible in vestment. See new ad. today of Fet *er & Yorke, with offices in the Ca barrus Savings Bank. All kinds of notiorih for dress-mak erp at J. C. Penney Co’s. Quality supplies that are low priced. See list in new ad. tod# on page five. . Schloss Bros. Suits, S3O to $45, Schoble hilts $5 to SB. Harry Ber ger Shirts, $1.50 to $5, at Hoover’s. Two Men Shot by Robbers. Baltimore, Feh. 24.—UP)—Three men shot down Assistant Paymaster M. I. Berlin, of the Western Mary land IMly Company, and Patrolman Patrick Durkin today, and escaped in an 'automobile with $16,000 In cash and checks Berlin and the patrol man are dangerously wounded. Os the money taken nearly SIB,OOO was in cash. Berlin with bis police es cort wag on hiß way to ,a bank, i Ten Pages Today Two Sections DEPLORES SENDING YOUTHS TO PRISON Chaplain Shaeklette Criticises Judges For It—Discusses Conditions in the Penal Institutions. Rocky Mount. Feb. 23.—Conditions among the prisoners at State peiml institutions were portrayed by Rev. William S. Shaeklette. State prison chaplain, in an address before the Woman’s Auxiliary of the Church of the Good Shepherd at parish hotTse of that church last night. Rev. Mr. Shaeklette, who is n mem ber of the commission on Christian social service for the Episcopal dio cese of North Carolina, discussed iy detail the program which the coro ■lat-nio- l— the individual churches to aid in put ting across. , The speaker took up in detail the duties of the rector, the local commit tee and the| general commission in carrying out this program, which he outlined in detail. Byway of definite suggestion, Rev. Mr. Sbaek lette urged that good reading matter be provided for county homes, insti tutions and jails, that aid be given the families of men who are in prison, that they be supplied clothes and food and a better invironment created, that sympathetic help be given to dis charged prisoners and those paroled from prison and reform schools and that assistance be accorded them in finding employment. Rev. Mr. Shecklette deplored cer tain conditions which he declared he had found in the State prison. He declared that he knew several in stances where children in their early teens had been sent to the penitenti ary and minced no words in criticis ing judges who had sent them there. “Hard-boiled methods’’ on the part of pardon commlsioner likewise came in for comment on the part of the speak er. < MYSTERY STILL VEILS OHIO BATHTUB KILLING Timepiece of .Former College Girl and ' Tennis Player Stopped at 12 O’clock. Troy. Feb. 24. —Re-examipation of Jacob Nesbitt, husband of Mrs. Fran ces Drake Nesbitt, twenty-five, whose body was found submerged in a bath tub of water at their home here, was the next step of police today in an effort to solve the crime. Officials admit they are up against a blank wall in attempting to find a solution of the murder of the attract ive former college girl and tennis player. It hag been definitely, determined that Mrs. Nesbitt wis not seen from 11 o'clock Thursday night until her body was found. • She had gone to a Dayton theatre With a party of friends, while her husband was at a food show demon strating the kitchcne appliances which he distributed. Nesbitt met her after, the show and took her home. Mrs. Nesbitt's wrist watch had stop ped at 12 o'clock and officials said they believed that was the time of the killing. They have gone on the assumption that it was noon 'Friday. Hunger Defeats Fear; Birds Invade Village. Princeton, Mass., Feb. 24. —Wild pheasants are walking the streets of Princeton Village; the canny crow lias d'searded his wariness and is haunting the farm yards, and par tridges and other shy birds are leav ing their wild homes iu search of food. One of the rarest and shyest of all American birds, the giant pileated woodpecker—black excepting for its | soaijkt topnot—was seen .boring a great hole in a highly prized pine tree at the summer cottage of former Representative Charles G. Washburn. the Audubon Society an appeal has been made to people in suburbs to feed these starving birds. .North Carolina’s Leading Small City Daily CONCORD, N. C„ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1926 Leads China W IjiHßJ*' Si Hsu Shih-Ying. one of the most notes* jurists in China has l>een appointed Chinese prime minister He come* to office with two world conferences On Chinese Hlfairs being held in Peking t . SCHI’MANN-HEINK IS TO SING UNTIL 1928 Famous Contralto Plans One Final Grand Two-Year Tour of the Coun ,try. New York. Fob. 24.—Youth imper ishable. as well as., a glorious voice, ffie gods gave Ernestine Schumann- Heink, who, at the age of sixty-five, ix/nbout to make another debut in the Metropolitan Opera House. Af ter nine years', absence, she will re turn to the scene of many of her earlier triumns to sing in Wagner’s “Ring” cycle, beginning with “Das Uheingold” fit# Thursday afternoon. White-haired now, she is as ra diantly alive and as energetic as ever —and as domestic. A reported for The World wtio called at her suite in the Waldorf-Astoria yesterday af ternoon found the famous contralto sowing buttons on a son's shirt. Welcome at Rehearsals/ She laid aside the white garment to free her hands for the rapid gesture that always accompany her equally rapid speech. "Yes, it js a 'happiness to come back,” she said. “I like the rehear- - sals. There are no hullabaloos, but from the singers, from the orchestra, I feel there is a welcome from the' heart. From the men back stage too —many of them were boys when 1' last sang liere.” Two more years Mme. Sehumann- Ileink will sitig, and then she plafW to She wants to give Concerts in afe all over the country, but she TOl not call it a farewell tour— “ The people, they are fooled so often and they might think it a fake.” Her health is excellent, her voice in perfect condition. “But,” she explained, “I wish to cease when "people will say, ‘What a pity!' and before they ask one an other, ‘Oh,,why doesn't she stop’?” Praise for Miss Talley Mme. Sehumann-Heink, oldest star of her fame to reappear at the Metro politan, was generous in praising one of the youngest—ninetten-year-old Marion Talley, who made her debut in “Rigoletto” on lagj Wednesday. “The girl is a wonder,” she said. “I heard her for a few minutes in re hearsal. Her coloratura was perfect. One hearing only her middle and lon notes would not think she lmd the high notes.” If Miss Talley's singing is deficient in emotional power, age and experi ence will remedy that lack, the older star remarked. '(lie girl was fortu nate in that she never was nervous. “Nerves, nerves, nerves! They are the great trouble of the American women today. AH the time they are sick. - My ner-r-ves’ ” —the singer raised her voice to a petulant whine and hunched her shoulders express ively. “It is the excuse for every thing. “I think I know why the American women are so nervous. They smoke too much. They cannot a tonic to stimulate them, and so they have a eigaret.” She relaxed her shoulders, leaned forward and grinned. “No, no tonic! No brandy! No wine! Ido not criticise people. Ido not criticise even that old Volstead. But I suppose some one will come in one of these days to stop me from cooking Boston beans.” And Rhe laughed, not one of those thin, high-pitched titters, hut a right hearty, robustious, honest laugh. It is, perhaps, the ability to laugh where others stortn or preach that gives this woman of sixty-five the sturdy fresh ness of youth. Hts Later Philanthropies After she had retired, Schuinanii- Heink will devote herself to her “boys,” the disabled veterans of the World War, which robbed her of two sons, and to teaching young and struggling singers who cannot afford instruction. “They are absurd, these prices,” she cried. “Twenty-five dollars for half an hour! And what can be done in half an hour, anyway? There is the {iow-dc-you-do, and taking-off of wraps, and the telephone rings for the teachers” Her hands went out in a gesture of repudiation. Teachers who have made money should be glad, she said, to take a few talented pupils who could not pay for lessons. Women Voter* Meet in March. Charlotte, Feb. 28.—The North Carolina League of Women Voters will hold its annual state convention in Charlotte March 9-10. The Meck lenburg county league will be hostess to the convention. Headquarters will be Hotel Charlotte. BROWN AND SIMPSON ADMIT ATTACK WHEN I CASES ARE STARTED Plead Guilty to Simple At i tack When Taken in Mecklenburg Superior Court During Day. BROWN RESIDENT OF KANNAPOLIS ; Cases Grew Out of Attack Made on Charlotte Girl. —Attack Was Not Suc cessful, the Girl States. Chariot,tp, Feb. 24.— (A) —Pleas of | guilty to charges of simple attack I were entered by Knox Brown, Kan napolis youth, and Brady Simpson, 34, of Thoipasboro, who is married, | when they were brought to trial to | day in Mecklenburg superior court. The attack charges grew out of an investigation by officers that followed the disappearance of a young Charlotte girl some time ago. Simpson, who ioft the state, was arrested recently in (leorgia. The girl told the court that the de fendants' attempt to attack her were hot accomplished. NEW ENGLAND TEXTILE MEN CAUSE AGITATION Grist Thinks They Are Jealous And Are Agitating Investigation in State. Raleigh. Feb. 23.—Massachusetts’ jen ousy of North Carolina's newly acquired lead in the textile industry is blamed by Labor Commissioner Frank (iris! for much of the deter mined agitation for an investigation of employment conditions in the state’s manufactories. Basing his statement on opinion and not absolute knowledge, Mr. Grist said he felt sure there was con siderable truth in reports that Massachusetts textile interests were behind the agitation. "I can see no other sound reason for such agitation.” he said. "Com paring the cost of living here with that of New England, North Caro lina cotton mill workers are just as well paid as they are in Massachu setts and their living conditions nrc just os good or better.” " 'The Raleigh Times carried a story yesterday declaring that "mote man one state offieia.” believed New Eng land textile interests had been lend ing encouragement to. the agitation for a survey. The story brought n rejoindeF to day from members of the Women’s League of Voters to the effect that the suggestion was "absurb and without foundation." The only state official to get his name hitched to such a belief is Commissioner Grist. The matter of a survey of the state's industries is now pending be fore the child welfare 'commission, which has been requested by a dele gation ow women representing the League of Women Voters and other women’s organizations to call on the women’s bureau of the federal de partment of labor to do the job. Governor McLean has registered op position to the idea of calling on outside help, and his attitude may cause the commission to turn down the request of the women’s organiza tions. Tlie commission lacks the funds to conduct such a survey itself. When the women’s organizations find ask ed for the survey two years ago the commission announced its agreement if the necessary funds could be pro vided. It o;ade nil estimate of the cost and submitted it to the 1025 legislature. The law makers, how ever, failed to provide the appropria tion. , MRS. COOLIDGE S’OW CONFINED TO HOME Heavy Cold, Similar to That of Hus band, Causes Her to Cancel Engage ments. Washington. Feb. 24.— A) —Mrs. Coolidge was confined to bed today by a heavy cold which caused her to cna cel engagements to attend a dinner given last night by Attorney General and Mrs. Sargent in hoiftr of the President and Mrs. Coolidge. Dr. Jas. F. Coupal, the White House physician, reported that, ahe was resting comfortably and would be in her usual health in a day or two. Man Burned to Death in Cavern Dis tillery. Athens. 0.. Feb. —ln a cave reached by a fifty-foot passageway 14 inches high Prohibition officers today found the charred body of Frank Len ingaf, twenty-six. and the uncouseious form of his brother, Amos, twenty three. People living in the vicinity had re ported “there was something queer in the cave. The dead man apparently had been overcome by fumes from n gasoline stove used to operate a still, then burned in an explosion of the stove. -> The cave was elaborately fitted up for making liquor. Six barrels of i mash were found. Everything bulky, | the officers said, must have been knocked down, carried into the chamber and assembled there. Belgian Senate Ratifies Debt Plain. Brussels, Feb. 24 (A)—' The Bel gian senate today ratified the debt funding agreement with the United States, negotiated at Washington. The vote was 110 to 10, with one absten tion. t “Snooks” Winsjiis Own Case \ jfl Hr Es J -Bre,ck* , .’SHU i.> I. is ir.l lent, Memphis. Tenn.. got his master Into a lawsuit —and then got him out again. FVank was sued for 15000 by a neighbor, who claimed the dog had bitten the neighbor’s boy. The dog was malicious, he charged. Frank replied that the dog bit tha boy because the boy had hit him with a stick, and to prove the dog was ■M of an ugly disposition, led him before the Jury. "Snooks” wagged tall, the jury grinned—and Frank won the verdict. WILL ENTER PROTEST WITH HIS GOVERNMENT Owner of Schooner Eastwood, Says Boat Was Illegally Fired Upon By Coast Guard Vessel. I-unetiburg, N. S.. Feb. 24.— UP) — B. B. Cann.'of Yarmouth, owner of the schooner Eastwood, which is al leged to have been shelled about a week ago while at anchor 20 miles off of Long Island. N. Y„ b.v the Dr S. coast guard cutter Seneca, is preparing to register formal protest at Ottawa with the Canadian government. “I would not consider tnyself a pa triotic citizen,” said Mr. C’ann in a statement, “unless I registered a pro test against this sort cf treatment. I will surely make a formal protest to the government at Ottawa. I intend to fight thiß case to the very limit, not because of the damage done ray ves sel or the expense to myself, but be cause I as a Canadian will not stand idle and allow any foreign country to treat the Union Jack as a joke when it is hoisted on the mast of a British merchantman.” TRIES FLIGHT THROUGH EIFFEL TOWER IN PARIS Aviator Killed When His Plane Caught in Wireless Apparatus in Tower. Paris, Feb. 24.— UP) —An attempt to fly through the opening of the Eiffel Tower proved fatal today. T’iie airplane caught In wireless ap paratus, crashed in flames and the avi tor was burned to death. The aviator, Lieutenant Leon Cal lot, had passed through the arch when lie struck the radio wires. He made a despairing attempt to bring the ma chine under control, but it fell and burst into flames. firemen were quickly on the scene, but were unable to save the aviator. Lieutenant Callot’s brother wit nessed the accident. He said the lieutenant attempted the feat after a wager with an American friend. JAILED MINISTER NOT “ CHRISTIAN SCIENCE Mias Emily Jones Calls Attention to Error Made in Newspapers. Asheville, Feb. 23.—1 n answer to a news story in several papers. Miss Emily Jones, a member of the Chris tian Science committee on publica tion. made a statement in which she says: “In Sunday 'morning's paper, ap pears on the front page nil article telling of the arrest of a 'Christian Science minister’, Mr. Robert Yod ger. charging him with inhumanee treatment of his three children in that he refused to allow them to be treated for infection. “Mr. Y’oder is not a Christian Sri cnists, I am informed that he is a minister of the ’Holiness faith. The Christian Science church does not have ministers, bu,t readers, who rend from the Bible and the Chris tian Science texbook, ‘Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,' by Mary Baker Eddy.” Named Delegates to' League Meeting. Berlin, Feb. 24.— (A*) —The cnblnet today authorized Chancellor Luther and Foreign Minister Stresemann del egates to the coming meetings of the league of nations. The restoration 6f Rheims Ca thedral will require 30 years. rooooooooooooooooooooooo X Place Your Application g jj[ With Mgr. Concord 8 i Theatre For x X . o Charleston Contest \ j Ist Prize—sls in gold ? ]j| 2nd Prize in gold. S X 3rd Prize— Season Pass, jj ANOTHER PAGE IN COBB HISTORY WRITTEN The “Margaret" Mentioned in Letters Fcund to Be Ano.her Wife of Noel Cobb. Dothan, Ala., Feb. 24.—(A)—An other page in the history of Noel Cobb's adventures was here today when whispers concerning “Mar garet" developed into cold facts which revealed the somewhat mysterious fig ure in the Decatur triangle as another of Ills wives. The "Margaret” whose letters were found in Cobb’s possession is Mrs. Noel Cobb, formerly Miss Margaret Farmer, prominent Dothan girl, who met and wedded Cobb while she was a student at Peabody College, Nash ville. Cobb and Miss Farmer were mar ripd at Jeffersonville. Ind., November liltli last year. Thj# Mrs. Cobh is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs Charles B. Farmer, well known talijfns. Cobb was introduced to Miss Farm er as a Presbyterian minister. He trld her he was in chatge of a church at Indianapolis at that time. After marriage Cobb and his wife came to Dothan to visit Mrs. Cobb’s parents. While here he was invited to fill the pulpit of the First Presbyterian i Church. He accepted the invitation and created a most favorable impres sion. THE COTTON MARKET More Active and Showed Generally 1 Steady Tone During Early Trad ing. i New York, Feb. 24. — (A) —The cot ton market was more active and ; showed a generally steady Jone lu to day’s early trading. Some selling at Hie opening was promoted by rela tively easy cables, but it appeared to be absorbed by covering or price fix ing in old crop months, while there v.-as good demand from trade inter ests for new prop positions on the basis of 17.75 for Dot-ember. First prices were seven points low er to one point higher, March selling off to 20 00 and October to 18.00. but offerings were well enough absorbed at this level to cause rallies of 2 or 3 points. Active'positions ruled about 5 points below to 3 points over yes terday’s closing figures at the end of the first hour. No further March notices weie reported. Private cables attributed the de cline in Liverpool to hedging and con tinental selling. Cotton futures opened steady. March 2003; May 19.40; July 18.83; (let. 18.10; Dec. 17.76. HERBERT L. COBB DIES FROM PISTOL WOUND Gun Found by His Side, Indicating That He Hook His Own Life. < Birmingham, Ala., Feb. 24.— (A)— Herbert L. Cobb, president of the Bir mingham Athletic Club, and pay master of the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Company, was found dead today in his room at the recently completed building of the athletic club. A pistol was found by his side. His body was found by a maid. He had been in ill health for some time, j Coroner J. D. Russmn was summoned and immediately started inquiry to 1 determine whether it was a case of self-destruction as reported to police j headquarters. i February White Sale at Parks-Belk Company. The big February white sale at the I’arks-Belk Co. will take place Thurs ut.y. Friday Saturday and Monday, j Household linens, towels, curtains, j blankets, underthings, all 'materials • for home sewing will be in this sale. ! This is an event that always attracts big crowds. This year it is going to be one of the biggest ever. All white goods will be included in this sale. Big bargains will also be offered in spring fashions in everything for men and women. In the bargain base ment you will find some especially attractive bargains. Head the two pageß of ads. in today’s paper for details. THE TRIBUNE . J PRINTS TODAY’S NEWS TODAY 1 NO. 44 ARMY Am SERVICE' < s ot DEVELOPED ASOTHER BRANCHES Secretaiy of War Davis Working Now on Plan to Be Presented to Con* gress Next Week. PROGRAMWILL COVER 5 YEARS i v ..jP| jit Is Planned to Spend j Less Than $100,000,000, Amount Wanted by the Navy. Washington. Feb. 24.— (A) —A five year continuing aviation develop ment program similar to the naval avaitiou project now before Congress will be submitted to the House mili tary committee by Secretary Davis of the War Department uext week.’ The project provides for a propor tionate increase in aviation As com pared to other branches of the'army. . It was described at the War Depart- I ment today as designed to strengthen the army air service materially in equipment although it was indicated that the plan would not involve as great an expenditure as the $100,000,- 000 in the five year navy plan. w The program was worked oUt as a result of thp study Secretary Davis directed be undertaken of all the tes timony at the recent Congress and other aviation hearings. Major Gen eral Mason M. Patrick, ctiief of the air service co-operated with other branches of the army in its, prepa rotiou. The project was described as in na ture of first phase of the Lassiter board program which eontempated a ten-year expansion of 2,500 planes but modified to make expenditures reason able and conservative, and also to confirm wjtli the recommendations of the President’s air board. RELEASE OF COUNTESS SOMEWHAT OF MYSTERY No Public Announcement of Why Cathcart Was Allowed to Leave Island For Ten Days. Washington, Feb. 23.—Mystery continued tonight to envelop • the reasons which prompted Solicitor Theodore & Risley, as acting secre tary of the labor department, to der the release of Vera, Countess -of Cathcart. from detention by immi gration officials at F.llis Island for a ten day stay in New York under bond. In the absence of Secretary Davis and Mr. Risley, the department to day had no official copy of the order ' nor any record of the reasons it was issued. It was indicated, however; that there had been .an exchange of messages between the solicitor and the secretary, who is in Florida, be fore the release order was telegraph ed to Ellis Island. Mr. Risley’s return to his desk after a speaking engagement yes terday in Rochester, N. Y., is ex pected tomorrow. At that time Act ing Secretary R. C- White, who, with Assistant Secretary W. W. Husband, was out of Washington when the release order was sighed, will get his first information as to why the ijrder was issued. ■ The absence of Secretary Davis and Solicitor Risley compelled Mr. White and hie assistants to await developments and do nothing more today that mark time. Even the decision on the request Os the countess’ counsel, for a reopening of the case looking to modifieation of the ruling by which the countess was denied admission to the United States was postponed pending a con ference between Mr. Risley and Mr. White, probably tomorrow. Phelps and Lund Saved. Cristobal, Canal Zone, Feb. 24. lA) —Merley Phelps and Harry Lund, of West Palm Beach. Fla., were land ed here today by the British motor ship Silver Elm. which had picked them up about 70 miles of Miami af ter they had been tossed in an open boat in rough seas for four days. The pair left West Palm Beach on February 13th for a fishing trip. Their engine stalled a short distance from shoje -and a strong wind blew them out to sea. The Silver Elm picked them up on February 17th. They ex pect to leave for New Orleans on the first ship. Will Sign Present Tax BHI. Washington, Feb. 24.—-OP)—Presi dent Coolidge indicated today to Rep | resentative Tilson, the Republican 1 House leader, that he would sign the tax bill if assured Congress would not go too far in increasing government ! expenditures. SAT’S BEAR SAYSt Increasing cloudiness and warmer tonight, Thursday cloudy and warmer ’ probably showers in west and centMl 1 • portions. Moderate to fresh east and southeast wind. i