AMERICAN AFFAIRS

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 8 March 1921, Page 15

AMERICAN AFFAIRS

FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT. NEW YORK. February 27. It is reported that between 30 and 40 people were killed and scores injured by the wreck of two passenger trains near Porter, Indiana. February 28. Details of the train wreck show that a Canadian train, travelling at 50 miles an hour, was derailed while crossing the New York Central track. A Central train, travelling at a speed of 60 miles an hour, plunged into the derailed coaches, several of which were telescoped. AMERICAN LAW FAILS. WASHINGTON, February 28. The Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional certain provisions of the Lever Law, by which profiteering is pun* ishable. "The Federal Government will be compelled to make restitution of 100,000 fines collected from merchants who have been convicted of charging high prices for various commodities, principally food and clothes. COLLISION OFF PANAMA COAST. WASHINGTON, February 28. The Navy Department has been informed that the United States destroyer Woolsey was sunk in a collision with a merchantman, Steel Inventor, off the Pacific coast of Panama. One of the Woolsey’s crew is dead and 15 are missing. EMERGENCY TARIFF BILL. PRESIDENT WILSON’S VETO. WASHINGTON, March 3. President Wilson’s Message vetoing the Emergency Tariff Bill is predicted to be the doom of the party for mutilating the tariff, thus increasing the cost of living. It points out that there is no necessity for a high tariff for agricultural and pastoral products since the United States itself exports these largely. The Message added : “ Clearly this is no time to erect a high tariff barrier which would strike a blow at the large and successful efforts which our great industries have made to place themselves eon an exporting basis. It would also stand in the way of the normal readjustment of business conditions throughout the world. The United States has a dutv to itself as well as to the world, and can discharge this duty by widening, and not contracting, its world’s markets.” During the early hours of the morning the House of Representatives sustained President Wilson’s veto of the Emergency Tariff Bill by a vote of 201 to 132. The Bill has therefore definitely failed. The Republicans expected the veto, and it is understood they will discuss with Mr Harding the legislation taking it place. AMALGAMATION OF SERVICES. WASHINGTON, March 3. It is reliably reported that Mr Harding has determined to amalgamate the War, Navy, and Air Services into a single department of national defence, comprising Secretary of War, Navy, and Aviation with one purchasing agent and joint boards to form the proper defence of the country in all times. This plan meets with the hearty approval of army and navy experts. NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL. WASHINGTON, March 3. The Senate has abandoned attempts to pass the Naval Appropriation Bill this session. The Senate’s amendment to the Bill asking the President to invite the Powers to confer on disarmament therefore lapses. It is expected, however, that the Senate will revive it next ses*. ision. M ISC ELL ANEOUS IT EMS. NEW YORK, February 28. At Lexington Senator Harding announced that ex-Senator John W. Weeks Keen has been appointed Minister of War. The Rockefeller family have announced that they have made a donation of 500,000 dollars to the Chinese Famine Relief Fund, and 2,000,000 dollars to the European Relief Fund. NEW YORK, March 1. It is announced that the American troops on the Rhine will be withdrawn shortly after the new Administration takes office. William Dalton, a clerk aged 17 years, employed by the Northern Trust Company of Chicago, jsrho absconded with £150.000 wirth of negotiable securities has been captured with the whole of the missing bonds in a travelling bag.*,. NEW YORK, March 3. Governor Harrison, of the Philippines, in his last report to President Wilson, urges Congress to take final action necessary to give the Philippines complete independence. President Wilson has announced that he will practise law with his former Secretary of State, Mr Colby. Mr Harding announces that Air James J. Davis has been appointed Secretary of Labour, which will complete the formation of his Cabinet. Mr J. Daniels has announced that the Board of Inquiry decided that Mr Terhune, Governor of American Samoa, was insane at the time he committed suicide. His administration was blameless and honest. Another naval officer who conspired against Terhune was found guilty of a serious offence and dismissed, and his abettors have been deported. March 4. Mrs Harding has eliminated soup from the White House luncheon table, having recently joined a society of United States housewives to save money for the famine sufferers in China. Her first contribution is the inauguration of luncheon soup the latter.