davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
KEYES TO PRESS
USURY CHARGES
IN OIL MIDDLE

Los ANGELES, Oct. 20.-A radl-
cal change of policy in the hand
ling of the Julian Petroleum cases
was announced today by the dis
trict attorney S office when it was
stated that al usury cases not yet
settled must go to trial.
Previously the district attorney s
office had recommended dismissal
1f eases where they thought persons
indicted for usury had acted in
coed faith and had made restitu-
tion of illegal moneys collected.
Attempts of defendants to de-
ceive the Julian Petroleum Corpo-
ration receivers and the prosecutors
guided the change in policy, it was
said.
The statement issued jointly by
District Attorney Keyes and Chief
Deputy Harold Davis read as fol
lows:
"Orr policy of cooperation with
receivers of the Julian elroleum
Corporation to the extent that we
have dismissed certain eases before
trial on showing of restitution
and failure of the proof of the
intent to commit a crime has been
discontinued.
"An attempt on the part of de-
PENDANTS to deceive the district at
torncy S office in settlements with
the receivers, and TO make it ap-
pear that one of the defendants was
an innocent victim in; an usury
transaction. was so nearly success;
full that hereafter the evidence in
these cases must be presented in
court.
9th district attorney is concern
ed first, with the successful prose
cution of criminal eases. The CO.
operation which has existed be-
tween the district attorney and the
receivers has been incidental Where
the cooperation threatens to inter
fere it must be discontinued.
Dismissal of three more cases
had been recommended to the Judge
by the district attorneys office,
but Judge Doran s. refusal to act
upon them led to the-subsequent in
vestigation.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
Judge Regrets He
Cannot Flog Man
Who. Beat Girls
Nv United Press Leased Wire

SAN JOSE, Cal, Oct. 20.-Again
expressing regret that the state law
does not permit flogging, Police
Judge Percy O'Connor today put
Leo F. Armstrong on one year s
probation.
Armstrong was found guilty yes
tcrdav of beating his two daughters,
Lilly, Is, and diff, Is, with a cat o
Gine tails.
"You are living 40 years behind
the times Judge O'Connor told
Armstrong. ethics have changed
since your dav and children must be
treated with kindness and not with
the brutality with which you have
treated your daughters.
"You must change your manner
of living and treat these girls with
love and affection. My only re-
cret is that the law does not permit
me to have YOU flogged as you
logged these girls. y
Armstrong admitted on the wit
rcss stand that he beat the two
girls. He said he did so at the re-
Guest of his wife, an invalid, be-
cause the children had refused to
obey their mothers orders to pre-
pare potatoes for dinner.
The two girls barred their backs
and exhibited ugly, swollen red
welts to the astounedd spectators.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
San Diego County
Battling Score
OF Forest Fires

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 20.-Dcfying
efforts of 300 fire fighters, nine
blazes were burning at widely dis
tant points in the county today.
Seventeen fires that started yes;
tcrdav and burned over more than
1900 acres of land were brought un-
der control or extinguished, Luther
Gorden, county fire warden, said.
Fifty men were combating the
most serious blaze today on the
George DAILY ranch, northeast of Els
condido More than 200 acres had
been scared and the flames were
threatening to spread.
At Hot Springs, six miles north
east of Julian, 20 workers were
building backfircs in an attempt to
check brush fires and 30 men were
fighting flames over large area
six miles west of Ramona.
Scores of men also were trying to
put out fires near Lake Hodges, two
on the Otay Mesa, at Tecate and in
the Maron valley, and in Bear val
ley. north of Escondido.
An east wind, combined with low
humidity and high temperatures, was
blamed by Gordon for the many
fires. No fires were reported with
in the Cleveland National Forest,
Joe Elliott, supervisor, announced.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
Military Escort
For Ambassador
BY United Press LEASED Wire

LAREDO, Texas, Oct. 20.-Uu-
usual military precautions will be
taken by Mexican federal forces
Saturday when Dwight Morrow, am
hassador from the United State to
Mexico, is expected to cross the Dor
der at this point.
The military headquarters at Men,
vo Laredo, across the border, today
made plans for heavy military es-
cort to accompany Morrow's train
10 Mexico City as a result of the
dynamiting Tuesday of the Mexico
CityrLaredo train. O..
Morrow is expected Saturday
morning and will leave that after
noon for Mexico City. Represent
atiyes of the administration will
come here to meet the train. In
addition, troops from the Nuevo La
redo garrison will accompany the
train.
Eight passengers, most of them
women, We're killed when the train
was dynamited Tuesday by bandits,
believed to be sympathizers with
General Arnulfo Gomez, the revolu-
tionary leader.
The passengers quoted the bandits
as saving they had believed it car
ried federal troops.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
D0WD'S REPORT
SHOWS DISTRICT
in GOOD SHAPE

The annual report and financial
statement of NJ. j. Dowd, chief en-
gineer and general superintendent
of the Imperial Irrigation District,
has been placed on file at the dis
trict office here. The report cover
ing 81 typewriter pages gives a
complete summary of the district
business as conducted for the cal
cndar year, 1926.
The financial statement figures
show that the district is in sound
, condition. This, Engineer Dowd
declares, is due to the strict eco
monte program carried on during the
last year which has met with coop
Grafton of all the district depart
ments.
The financial statement shows an
! excess, however lin expenditures for
the year over the budget estimate.
In explaining this the engineer de-
clares that it is due to the awards
made in the settlement of Salton
sea damage claims, an unforeseen
expenditure of $4,000 and the
payment of the seventh installment
ON the Laguna Dam contract of
! 100000.
The report on the district proper
ties shows that the canal system and
protective levees are in the best of
condition.
In addition to giving detailed
report on all business conducted by
the district during the calendar
year the report gives brief out
line of the history of the district.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
COOLIDGE OBJECTS TO BOOM
FOR MAKING HIM CANDIDATE

WASHINGTON, Oct. 90
Senator Fess, Republican, Ohio,
said today after a White House
call that President Coolidge is
displeascd with the reelection
boom being conducted in his be-
half by some Republican leaders
and that in talk today gave the
senator the impression he would
not consent to be drafted by the
Republican National Convention
next year.
Fess intimated the president
had protested against the SEN
ator's frequent public remarks
to the effect that Mr.. Coolidge
would be Republican nominee in
1923 by virtue of a draft.
'The president meant what he
said,' said Fess, referring to his
famous "choose' statement.
cit was with good deal of
regret that l learned. the pres
ident would rather not have the
situation discussed in connec-
tion with denomination"
Asked whether he was under
the impression after his con
versation with the president
that Mr.. Coolidge would refuse
a draft, Fess said:
"He has lot of feeling on
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
FORMER WIFE OF CHAPLININ
LINE GREETED BY PRESIDENT

former wife of Charlie Chap
lin.
Spry, Lita and her mother
were received Just ahead of the
regular noon time line of
handshakcrs. The President,
Spry said, spoke the usual
words in such cases. He said
he was glad to see his visitors
and hoped they were enjoying
their visit to Washington.
Lita s presence in the White
House executive offices was
known among the President 3
staff only a few minutes before
she passed by the President 3
desk.
"They We're Just part of
the regular line, - it was said In
the executive offices.
Lita was reluctant to talk
after her brief appearance be-
fore the President. She ex-
pressed a desire to hurry back
to her children in Hollywood
as soon as the photographers
had taken their fill of close
ups.
Few if any of the others
who came to shake the Presi-
dent s hand knew Lita's iden-
tity and she had stood for five
minutes in the public lobby
without attracting comment.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20

the subject. If you had heard
what he said that would have
been your Interpretation. If the
president has his own way there
will be nothing doing with him
in 1928.
Gle feels that this is not
one man country and that there
would be no more reason or ne
cessity of his reelection now
than four years from now.'
Fess explained he answered
every argument of Mr.. Coolidge
with an argument in favor of
his denomination and reelection
and insisted that he would con-
tinue because he was urging
Mr. Coolidge again for the pres
idency as duty to the people
of the United States and not in
an effort to do the president
favor.
The senator said he was es-
peciallv eager that the reporters
understand the president had
taken decided stand with him
with respect to reelection talk.
He indicated that, despite n
request from the executive that
he abandon talk of another term
he still felt it proper to sugges
Mr.. Coolidge as the best choice.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
May Change Date
Of River Farley

Los ANGELES, Oct. 20.-Re.
commentator that the date of the
reconvening in Denver of the gov
ernor s conference on the Colorado
river problem be changed from No.
vember to November q will be
contained in a communication to be
forwarded today to Governor Dern
of Utah, w. B. Mathews, of the
California River Commission an.
nounced.
More time for California, Ari-
IONA and Nevada delegates to reach
an agreement on power revenue and
water division problems was given
as the reason for seeking the de
lay.
Robert Tally, of Arizona, and
State Engineer G. w. Malone, OF
Nevada, concurred with Mathews il
the recommendation
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
By United Press Leased Wire

WASHINGTON, Oct. 90
Lita Gray Chaplin and her
mother were introduced to
President Coolidge at the White
House by former Governor
Spry of Utah but the former
wife of the famous Charlie
went away apparently undecid-
ed how she would vote in 1928.
Mrs. Chaplin evaded a oues-
ton regarding the desirability
of rejecting Mr.. Coolidge and
refused to express an opinion
regarding his sartorial stan
dards as compared with those
of the men in the Hollywood
movie colony.
She said she had to get back
to her children and was leav-
ing for California.
President Coolidge did not
know Lita and her mother
We're coming, Sprv. now COM
missioner of the United States
land office, said.
Although the commissioner
introduced Lita nv her full
name-Mrs. Lita GRAY Chaplin
-Sprv was under the impress
sion, he told the United Press,
that Mr.. Coolidge did not rea-
lie that his visitor was the
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
Says PIE. Can
Save Big Sum
by United Press Leased Wire

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 20.-By
changing operation of a number of
lines and by disseminating others
the Pacific Electric railway can
save in excess of 100000 annually,
E. F. McNaughton, assistant. engi-
neer of the State Railroad Commits
sion testified at the commission s
hearing today on the application of
the railroad for increased rates.
BY changes in operation over one
third of the interurban system II
Saving of $l07,7Sl could be made
annually, while by abandoning a few
lines another $4,000 would be
gained by the company, he said.
The Pacific Electric is asking. for
a rate increase on it's various lines
ranging from 0 to % 1-3 percent.
Eight cities are associated in a
committee organized to fight the
proposed fare increases. They are
Los Angeles, Alhambra, Glendale,
Long Beach, Pasadena, Riverside,
Santa Ana and Santa Monica.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
Grapefruit Men
TO Meet Tonight

Grapefruit growers of FL Centre
and vicinity are reminded of the big
meeting, to which all grapefruit
growers of the county are invited,
which is to be held tonight at the
court house. Cooperative Handling
and Marketing of Grapefruit, will
be the subject of the principal ad-
dress of the evening, which will be
given by Paul S. Armstrong, of the
California Fruit Growers Exchange.
The meeting will be held in De-
partment l of the Superior Court,
and is called for 1880 O'Clock. The
Imperial Valley Grapefruit Growers
Inc. is sponsoring the gathering.
Other men well Informed ON citrus
problems of the valley will also be
on the program.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
CHAMBER HITS
FEDERAL ENTRY
INTO BUSINESS
National Body Opposed
to Creation of Boards
Affecting Industry.

WEST BADEN, Ind, Oct. 90
The convention of national council
Tors of the chamber of commerce
closed here with an appeal for Amer
lean business to take firm stand
against creation of government bu-
rcaus, boards and commissions af-
fccting industry.
A resolution adopted by the dele
gates declared business must take a
militant stand on the premise that
''Once the government has protect
ed life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness, its next duty is to main
tain American prosperity BY secur-
ing to industry its native independ
ence.'
During its meeting here the con.
vention passed resolutions which
outlined the stand business will take
on legislative matters before con
gress.
In accordance with these, the bus
mess men will be pledged to support
a $40O,O00,O0O tax reduction, legis
lation to bring about flood proven
ton and a revision of postal rates
The convention opposed govern
ment ownership of the merchant ma
rine, approved the plan of bringing
about a closer relationship between
business and agriculture and chal
lcnged the tactics of France in tar
Tiff bargaining with the United
States.
A sound development of CONNER
cial aviation was urged. 1t was sug
gcsted established air lines deserved
support of business.
The businessmen also will unite
i'll trying to stimulate greater inter
est in national elections.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
SWING COM ES
TO VALLEY BY
NAVAL PLANE

Phil Swing, California congress
man and father of the Swing John
son Boulder Dam bill, arrived in I'm
perial Valley shortly after l / o clock
this morning. A navy airplane
soaring into lew over the west
crn horizon brought the congress
man to the valley from San Diego.
+. H. McIver. secretary of the I'M
perial Irrigation district met the
congressman as he alighted from the
ship at Imperial airport and brought
him to Ell Centre Immediately. Here
he registered at the Barbara Worth
hotel and was then taken to Calex-
leo to attend the weekly luncheon
meeting of the chamber of commerce
where he made an address.
Tonight the congressman will ap-
pear as the principal speaker at a
meeting to be held at the Dunlack
Hotel in Brawley under the auspices
of the Brawley Chamber of Com
merce. Earl C. Pound, president of
the Irrigation district and a member
of the California Colorado river COM
'i'o"''h, VIII diSo Sptdh dt Tie
Brawley meeting, outlining the pro-
gress made by the commission in its
recent conferences seeking to bring
about a seven state river pact.
The meeting will begin with a
dinner at O'Clock and numerous
features have been included on the
program.
Three visiting congressman, Ash
ton c. Shallenberger, Democrat of
Nebraska; Albert f. Carter. Repub-
lean, of California and William f.
Hull, Republican, of Illinois are
scheduled to arrive in FL Centre at
. o'clock this afternoon. The con
gressmen are here to make a tour of
inspection of the valley and have
been invited to attend the meeting
in Brawley tonight. All will be
asked to say few words to the
gathering.
Speaks in Light Vein
In addressing the chamber meet
ing. Congressman Swing dropped his
fighting manner relative to Boulder
Dam legislation. and became iovial
congressman. He related the daily
program of the congressman at
Washington in humorous vein, des
cribing some of the unique instances
which are confronted daily. He told
of freak letters received daily by
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
Woman's Warming
Hats Jail Break

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calf, Oct.
9o.-An attempted Jail break was
frustrated here last night when an
unidentified woman telephoned a
warning to the sheriff's office.
investigating the woman's tip to
watch your jail officers found
that Herbert Fry and James Carol,
prisoners, were attempting to saw
their way out. The men had plac-
ed dummies of old clothes in their
cells and would have gotten away
in another 20 minutes, it was said.
Fry was sentenced Tuesday to
serve from one to five years in San
Quentin, the first still operator to
be given more than fine in this
county. Fry is held on 4 charge of
robbery.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
Miss Elders Garb
Surprises Natives

ABOARD STEAMER LIMA AT
SEA, Oct. 20-(By Radio to United
ress)-Natives Of Angra on the
Island of Tcrceira were more as
founded at seeing Ruth Elder CARRIED
in plus tours than at the story Of
her attempted transA tiantic flight.
When the natives saw women
CARRIED in knickcrs, probably for the
first time in the history of the
Island, they Stared VIVA eyed at her
during her visit yesterday.
After lunch she and her co-pilot,
Captain George Haldeman, toured
the Island, visiting the monument to
Don PedroeIV. They saw ancient
water wheels grinding corn and went
to the postoffice and cathedral.
At ) p. m. Miss Elder and Halde-
man returned to the Lima.
Angra is on the Island of Tercei-
ra, one of the Azores, approximately
920 miles west of Cape De Roca on
the Portuguese coast.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
Citrus Prospect
Reported Good

Los ANGELES, Oct. 20.-A fav-
orable report on the prospects OF
marketing next seasons citrus fruit
crop has been made to the board OF
directors of the California Fruit
Growers Exchange by General Man
ager Z. G. Dezell, recently returned
from six months tour of the prin-
cipal markets of the world.
Early reports show that the Cali
fCrnia orange crop will be lighter
this season than the one Just past,
pezell said. His survey Of Florida
would indicate their crops will be
considerably lighter.
Because of the late bloom the
Florida production will extend over
la longer marketing period and ne.
cordinglv will improve distribution
of citrus fruits.
Dezell reported that exchange WINS
in a favorable position for the
1929 citrus crop. II. II. Powell,
Lemon sales MANAGERS, and w. ".
Cteissinger, advertising manager. me-
COMMANDED him on the taur. They
conferred with 80 district salea
managers Of tho exchange.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
PLEA OF
F ALL IS
REFUSED
Court Declines to Allow.
Witness to Answer Ques-
tons by Defense. .
ACTION IS SURPRISE
Accused Addresses Judge
Without Consulting His
Attorneys.
By HERBERT LITTLE
Omitted Press Staff Correspondent

(Unlted Press stall correspondent
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2O-Form-
err Secretary of the Interior Fall
rose at his trial on charges of con-
spiracy this afternoon and pleaded
a point in his own defense.
Fall, speaking vigorously and di-
rectly at the court, said he wished
neither to make a speech to the
jury nor disparage his own law
ers.
Justice Siddons, presiding over
the trial of Fall and H. F. Sinclair,
! on a charge of conspiracy to defraud
: the government in making the Tea
Pot Dome naval reserve lease, lis
tened gravely.
| Fall asked that Justice Siddons al
| low Assistant Secretary of the In
terror E. c. Finney on the stand to
answer questions on cross examina-
! ton by defense lawyers relating to
interior department leases made pre-
vious to the Teapot lease to Sim
clair.
Fall s appearance created sem
sation. He stood up with his hands
in the pockets of his grey trousers
and his statement apparently sur
prised Sinclair and the lawyers OF
both defendants, as much as the
government.
Much of the day had been taken
m by cross examination of Finney.
Under government examination he
lad indicated the Teapot Dome lease
was surrounded by much secrecy.
| But later, under cross questioning,
| Finney had testified competitive
| bidding on such leases was NOT al
ways customary
Point Is Important
(! The point was important since
+ the government had offered to prove
that Fall was showing favoritism by
letting Sinclair have the valuable
llcase without competition from 9th
or bidders. l.
Judge Finney has qualified him-
self as an expert-serving as as,
sistant secretary and acting secre5
tary,' Fall said. "He acted for
the government in many matters,
and was required to interpret the
law frequently as he is being asked
! TO do here.'t
Fall also paid high tribute to his
| lawyers, in connection with his
warning that the court was making
possibly reversible error intrulihg
out the questions put to Finney by
| the defense.
! At first no objection was made to
| Fall s dramatic Intervention in the
proceedings, except that Justice
Siddons reminded him he had@very
capable COUNSEL. Fall disregarded
the court and continued speaking
five minutes about an involved
technical point.
! He told the justice that some of
his rulings Knight be very much
regrettcd' by the court later-ap-
rarently limiting at possibility of
appealing possible adverse verdict
on the grounds of error committed
/ by the judge.
Justice Siddons denied Fall g
plea, sustaining government objee-
tions to the witness being asked to
explain a "policy letter. by Sec
rotary of the Navy DENLY in 1921.
providing for leasing of naval oil
land by the interior department.
Fall resumed his seat, the loser
! in his move.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
Court UphOlds
Eccentric Will

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 2O.-The
state supreme court today affirmed
judgment of the superior court of
Fresno county and left Rov Zediker
and his wife heirs to the property of
Emma A. Stump.
Mrs. Stump, in her will left ST to
each of her eight brothers and sis
tiers and the remainder of her prop
erty Roy Zediker and his wife.
After the will was admitted for
probate, David S. Zediker, a brother,
Laura All, Susan Woodward and
Carrie Foster, sister, contested the
will on the grounds of alleged men
tai INCOMPETENCE.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
What's Doing
TONIGHT

TONIGHT
Grapefruit growers meeting,
court house, 7:30 p. m.
"Open house, Valley Lum-
Der Company.
Baseball: Telephone Company
VS.. Southern Sierras, 1880.
1.-The Road to Romance,
Valley theater.
Back to Gods Country" Pa
lace theater.
Radio: KEEN, 10-11 p. m.
Elks dinner, 6:45.
TOMORROW
Radio: KEEN, 1915 to lis
p. m.
Ell Centre high school girls
indoor baseball team VS.. Braw-
ley, $40 p. m, here.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20
SMOOT PREDICTS HEAVY
REDUCTION IN TAXES

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20.-Tax re-
duction of between $300,00O,0OO
and $3.50, 100000 probably will be
made possible by the next session
Of congress, Reed Smoot, chairman
of the senate finance committee,
said today after visiting President
Coolidge.
Several days ago the treasury in
dicated it would recommend to con
gress holding tax reduction to $780,
0d0, 900.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-10-20

HALSTEAD, Pa, Oct. 20.-The
engineer and fireman were killed
and two persons slightly injured last
night when Lackawanna passenger
train was wrecked at washout
three miles east of here. None of
the five passenger ears left the
track.