MISCELLANEOUS CABLES

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 March 1932, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS CABLES

■ ROOM 13 SEIZED. LONDON, March 3. Angered at the Labour party’s refusal to allot them a room in the House of Commons, members of the Independent Labour group have resorted to direct action. Messrs McGovern, Buchanan and Maxton raided Room 13, which is occupied by the former member, Mr Charles Buxton, on behalf of the Labour party, removed his hoods, papers and furniture, and took possession of it. 1 " i Mr McGovern subsequently wrote to Mr Buxton addressing him as “Dear Comrade,” notifying him that the group had decided to occupy the room. Mr Buxton heatedly replied, accusing the Clydeside members of having adopted a policy of bully, and adding that his Quaker principles forbade his retaliating. He asked what would happen when a more muscular group than the Independent Labour party wanted the Room 13. Mr McGovern retorted that violence was sometimes less harmful than the Labour party’s “mean and uncomradely methods.” The trio, meanwhie, is consolidating its position and taking precautions against a counter-attack. The Speaker, Captain E. A. Fitzßoy, interviewed Mr Maxton and expressed strong disapproval of the raid.

AMERICAN PROFITEERS. KANSAS, March 3. A farmer sold seven lambs to a Chicago packing-house. After the deduction of insurance, commission, inspection, and other charges, from the wholesale price., the farmer got '3/for his lambs. 1 The United States Department of Agriculture, on investigation, found that consumers ultimately paid £l7 for the prepared lamb. Senator Capper violently denounced the nation’s food distribution methods. GANGLAND’S FEUDS. CLEVELAND, March 3. Seven Portello brothers “racketeered” their way into control of the corn and sugar industry in the area surrounding the city of Cleveland. A year ago two of the brothers were killed in a fight, and now two others have been shot by rivals. The three remaining declare that they are willing to forfeit their lives in revenging the deaths of their brothers. Fred and Carlo Portello joined some friends at a card table in a downtown resort, when four gangsters arriving by motor cai' unlimbered their revolvers. The first round of cards' wa« being dealt when they blazed away through the plate-glass windows.-Two of the Portellos and one of their friends slumped dead over' the table. BARONET’S WRATH. LONDON, March 3. Sartorial solecisms in Rotten Row have perturbed Sir Walter Gilbey, the millionaire distiller, who has been shocked by the numbers of men and women who ride in costumes that are “a disgrace to Royal Park and the country, especially when foreigners think that Rotten Row represents the last word in horses and riders.” “Thousands,” he says, “would welcome the prohibition of unsuitably dressed equestrians, particularly the hatless, of whom there were 30 on Sunday. “Others wear stockings and pullovers of every variety of colour—a very unsuitable kit. Soon, riders may be seen in bathing costumes or running shorts.” The “Tailor and Cutter,” the men’s fashion journal, echoes Sir Walter Gilbey, and declares that King George is an equestrian sartorial model. He wears a bowler hat, riding jacket and breeches, with suitable accessories. “If the majority of riders were only half as well groomed as their horses there would be no complaint.” FARMYARD RECORD. SAN DIEGO, March 3. Mistress Rhode Island Red, living in Jimmy de Witt’s chickenyard here, took the sweepstake prize for providing four yolks in one egg, weighing six ounces. It is the first time this freak has ever been recorded in this country. “POCKET HERCULES.” LONDON, March 3. “Mr Amery is known as the pocket Hercules. The question is—whose pocket is he in?” exclaimed a shareholder at the meeting of Southern Railway Company, when opposing his addition to the board of 14 directors at a salary of £lOOO a year. Another shareholder condemned the appointment of the “political unemployed” and urged that young and energetic men should be obtained : as directors from the road transport business.

The chairman deprecated attacks on Mr Amery, and said that he was an able and experienced man. The retiring directors, and also Mi’ Amery, were elected amid uproar. In 1931, the company’s passenger revenue declined by 1% millions. All the big four railways have now presented reports showing heavy decreased in revenue and deploring “unfair road competition.” *