davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
HOPES FATE MAY
Be KNOWN TONIGHT
Final Arguments Being
Made in Murder Case
Today

Dedham, Mass, Oct S NP)
The case OF Stephen j. Hoppe.
notorious safe-blower and jaiI
breaker. charged with murder
ing policeman, went TO the
jury at l:45 p. H., today.
Dedham, Mass. oct. S CP)-
Attacking government evidence as
being purely circumstantal. Attor-
ney James I. Cassidy OF defense
counsel presented his final argu-
ments at today's session OF the trial
OF Stephen J. Hoppe, charged with
numbering a policeman.
Hoppe is alr ged to have slain
patrolman Alfred n. Hollis during
a robbery in quincy last October.
II convicted on the first degree mur-
der charge, the notorious safe-blow-
or and ail-brcaker faces an auto
matte sentence of death in the cleo
trio chair.
In opening. Cassidy cautioned the
jury against holding Hopes long
police record against the defendant.
The case must be decided. the de-
fensc lawyer said, merely on the
evidence. and the jury must remain
open minded.
Alleged inconsistencies in the tes-
timony of two state witnesses were
mentioned by Cassidy. He pointed
to the fact that Joseph T.. Lund and
John Westberg testified that Hoppe
walked with a limp when they saw
him in Quincy on the night preced-
ing the murder.
I.und and Westberg saw the man
identified as Hoppe from across a
street on a misty night. Cassidy said.
whereas a CARA ageman who also tes-
titled for the government and who
had seen the same man in lighted
garage, declared he had noticed no
limp.
Cassidy asked the jury whether
II was going to believe "empty head
ed Youths like Lund and Westherg.'
or the defcnse's chief alibi witness.
Frank Hickey, whom the lawyer de-
scribed as honest and upright and
youth whose testimony had never
been shaken.
II was Hickey. a former pal Of
Hoppe. who testified he saw the de-
fendant in Hartford. Conn. shortly
after Patrolman Hollis was killed In
Quincy.
Cassidy also held as being import
ant the testimony Of Helen Brad
shaw, Hopes sweetheart.
He declared that while Lieutenant
Fallon of the Quincy police. who
directed investigation of the crime.
was undoubtedly reputable official.
EalIon's zeal had carried him too
far in building up weak case.
Police Inspector Thomas Hickey
of Hartford also was attacked by
Hopes counsel. who told the jury
that three bullets found in Hopes
suitcase in a New Haven. Conn.
warehouse. might have been plant
ed by Hickey.
Indications we're that Hoppe might
know his fate tonight.
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
us Prisoners Asleep IN
Dormitory as Con.
Aagra6on Starts Fight
Madly to Escape From
Burning Building
Early Today.
Check Of Missing Reveals
20 Unaccounted for
Authorities Believe That
Three Escaped From
Guards While Others
Perished.

Junction City. Ohio. Oct. S R-
Seventeen convicts. are believed to
have burned to death while an equal
number were injured when fire at
o'clock this morning swept the
wooden dormitory at the state>
owned brick plant near here. There
were 275 prisoners locked in the
building when the fire broke out.
A check Of the prisoners after
the fire revealed 20 missing, but OF
these, officials believe three escaped
from custody Of the guards during
the confusion.
See II Bodies
When the ruins had cooled sui.
fcently to permit a search to 10
started, officials said they could
make out the charred remains of at
least IL bodies. None had been re.
moved, however, before noon.
Twelve of the most seriously in.
jured were taken to the central
prison hospital at Columbus. All
were expected to recover but some
were said to have been burned ser.
iously.
The fire was discovered by Peter
O'Day. Of Dayton, and Edward Til.
lotson, Of Toledo. prisoners. accord.
ing to guards. They had been listen-
ing in on the radio and had shut it
Off about midnight. shortly after
ward. O'Day said, he smelled smoke
coming from the south end OF the
building where the commissary was
located. He opened the commissary
door and found the room filled with
smoke. A moment or two later 1t
burst into flames.
O'Day and Tillotson cried ''Fire!"
and the alarm was taken up and
echoed through the dormitory
Continued on Page 10Y
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
MRS. HAROLD HERRICk
killed in COLLISION
Former Irene Swift Fa.
tally Injured at
Mineola, L. l.

Mrs Harold Herrick Of LATCH
mont. n. Y. was killed and her hus-
band was slightly injured Saturday
afternoon at Mneola. Long Island
when their automobile was struch
by another machine and hurled
against a telephone pole. Mrs. Her
rick. before her marriage. was Miss
Irene Swift, daughter OF TaIlmadgc
Swift of As Cedar street, this city.
Mr.. and Mrs. Horrck WAS driving
to the International poiV polo match
between the United States and Ar
gen Se teams. AS they were struck
by the other car driven by a woman.
their machine was turned around
and thrown against the pole Mrs.
Herrick received an injury to her
head which rendered her uncon-
scious and caused her death about
an hour later at the Nassa hospital.
MIR. Herrick was scratched and
bruised.
Mrs. Herrick was born in Hart
ford on December 81. 1896. She
married Mr.. IIerrick or April is.
1928. Mr.. Herrick is connected with
the sales department of the Parker
Shirt Co. of this city, his territory
being New York city and enyirons.
Besides her husband and father.
Mrs. Herrick is survived by a broth
er. Orlando r. Swift of Lowell.
Mass, and a. sister. Miss Barbara
Tallmadge Swift of this city.
The body will be brought hero
aud funeral services will be held
at her fathers home on Cedar street
tomorrow morning at II o'clock. In
termcnt will be in Warren, this
state.
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
Supreme Court Won't
Review Tapping Decision

Washington. Oct. S.1AeTho
supreme court today refused to re-
view its five to four decision Of last
term holding that evidence obtained
by wire tapping could be used IN
criminal prosecutions.
The question was presented IN
three cases from Seattle. wash.
brought by Roy Olmstead and others
convicted OF a conspiracy to violate
the federal prohibition law. The
principal evidence against them was
obtained by tapping telephone wires
and listening to conversations alleg-
ed to have been conducted In the Nh.
lawful sale of Intoxicating liquor.
They contended that such evilenco
was excluded by the fourth anA flftA
amendments to the federal eoo1e3.
tuition protecting them asainGe 80
lawful search and seisurv 80
against being compelled 70 eive ~.
dence against themselves.
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
mrs. WILLEbRANDT
ATTACKS GOV. Smith
Says Nominee Unfair to
Church by Trying to
Hide Behind 1t"

Hardinsburg, Ky. Oct. S Rl-Mrs.
Mabel Walker Willebrandt. assistant
attorney general in IN address here
today charged Governor Smith with
doing the unfair thing to his own
church by trying to hide behind it,
and renewed her denial that in ap-
pealing to religious organizations to
oppose his prohibition .tand she
was dealing in religious prejudice.
Mrs. Willebrandt read a letter
from I. ii. Callahan of Louisville.
Ky. representing the association OF
Catholics favoring prohibition. who
declared that her previous speeches
had not dealt at all with religion.
Il was attacked by the democra-
tic candidate because at a meeting
sponsored by Methodists ! spoke
against his liquor proposals." Mrs.
Willebrandt said. He insinuated
my appeal was because of his re-
ligion. He made an accusation en-
tirely unfounded and so today ! am
touched and gratitied thate one Of
your Kentucky gentlemen steps for
ward TO defend my intellectual
honor"
MIR. Callahan as prominent
Catholic favoring prohibition does
not stand alone in his church," Mrs.
Willebrandt continued. 1T has been
championed by some Of the great
est spiritual leaders of half a CEN
tury. Governor Smith failed TO
realize the extent Of passionate de-
votion of dozens of organizations
comprising hundreds Of Thousands
of people throughout the United
States have given to the cause Of
prohibition. When he attacked the
eighteenth amendment. he stirred
up among them such a recoil that
his plight is like that OF a boy who
has overturned hornets nest.
May 1t be said to Mr.. Smiths
everlasting credit that he does not
run from opposition. but he does re-
sort to the we'll known Tammany
(COntinue on Pare 111
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
Armed Bandits Hold
In New Haven Store

New Haven. Oct. S tR - Two
armed men held Mp Peter Cunnur-
rius, proprietor of confectionery
store. early today and escaped with
s4oo. One Of the bandits polled his
gun into the storekeeper's ribs
while his companion. to prevent an
out break. hit Cunnurrius on the
head with the butt Of his weapon
The robbers then rifled the safe
which was open at the time and
cash register. They made their
getaway before police we're notified.
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
LARRY SEM0N, film
Comedian, SUCCUMBS
Noted Actor Wages Losing
Battle Against Double
Pneumonia

Victorville. Calf, Oct, s lP-
Larry Semon. motion picture comed-
ian. died here today.
The comedian had been Waging
a losing battle against death since
last Friday. when he was stricken
with double pneumonia. He sank
rapidly, and his life was despaired of
Saturday.
Semon went to ranch near Vic
torville about six weeks ago In an
attempt to recover from nervous
breakdown. which came several
months ago after series of financial
reverses incurred in the motion pic
ture business. Never of robust
health. he seemed to rally from the
depression and illness.
His wife. Dorothy Dwan. screen
actress. and her mother. Mrs. Nancy
Smith, attended him during his ILL
ness
Semon was born in West Point.
Miss, 80 years ago. The stage
claimed him as soon as he was old
enough to appear in juvenile parts.
lie pldy6O Ill several Fiildu tlledteis
in his home state in juvenile roles
and then became a magician. Later
he worked as newspaper Cartoon
ist but the stage called him again
and he toured in vaudeville as a
tumbler.
Semon's first efforts in the films
were in comedies of the "slapstick"
variety. He wrote some of the first
photoplays in which he appeared.
On turning to the producing field he
encountered both happiness and
tragedy. While working as an actor
producer he fell in love with Miss
Dwan. his leading lady. They were
married in 1925 in New York.
The business of producing films
was said to have led Semon into a
program 30 ambitious that IL swamp
ed him financially. Last March he
filed voluntary petition in bank
ruptcy. listing liabilities of nearly
half million dollars.
Just before his first illness Semon
tried directing. meeting with little
success. He was working again as a
film actor when his health failed.
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
KEY WORKERS ESCAPE
CAPTURE BY Minutes
Believed in Beaver Street
House When Alarm
Is Given

Once again, the key workers who
for several weeks have eluded the
police and have operated on several
streets about the city. escaped arrest
by IN eyelash about. 9 o'clock last
night. after having added three Jobs
TO the already long list over the
Weekend. Despite the vigilance of
tho police. which has taken on a
form that is expected to prove sue
cessful but cannot be disclosed for
obvious reasons. tenements continue
to be ransacked and jeweIry stolen.
and not a clue has been left to the
identity Of the marauders.
Motorcycle Officer Louis T.. Har-
per Was riding through Beaver street
shortly after ? o'clock last night
when Rocco Macholo of 15S Beaver
street called him and reported that
his tenement had been entered and
he believed the burglars were still
inside. Statloning Macholo in a no
sition where he commanded a view
of one part OF the house, Officer
Harper took up his stand in another
place which he sent a boy to sum-
mon Supernumerary Officers Spoon
er and Curry from Washington and
Beaver streets.
Surrounding the house, the quar-
tet planned the capture. but Officer
Harper found that the front door
was locked and the key was on the
inside. SO he put his foot through the
glass and reaching in. tried 10 un-
lock the door. 1t was impossible to
do SO, even with Macholo's key, as
the lock had been tampered with.
probably while the burglars key was
being fitted into it.
Making his way through kitchen
window. Officer Harper found the
drawers in dressers in two bedrooms
had been ransa acked and the con-
tents strewn all over the floors, while
a screen. pushed out of rear bed
room window. told the story of the
escape. In all probability. the bur-
glars made their exit when they
heard Macholo trying the front door.
for the police had the house entirely
surrounded within a. few minutes
after Officer Harper was summoned.
and several minutes had elapsed be-
tween the time Macholo was at the
door and the time he met the Of
ficer.
The missing articles included a
lady's wrist watch, lavalliere, a
diamond ring. two rings with em-
erald settings. two rings with ruby
settings, and a baby's ring. Macholo
also reported chest of silver miss
ing but this afternoon he called at
police headquarters and corrected
this part Of the report. having 10
Gated the silver. He was out of the
Continued on PAGE I'D
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
GIRL KILLED, CHUM
IN Critical STATE
Mary Jennings, 10, Victim Of
Berlin Auto Accident
WALKING AT ROADSIDE
Alice Chapman, 10, At New Britain
Hospital-BernardS solomon Under
-, 600 Bonds-Three Drivers Ar
rested During Weekend

Mary Jennings. -, OF Percival
avenue. kensington. was killed in
stantly and Alice Chapman. 19. also
of Percival avenue. was critically in
jured last evening at o'clock On the
Beach Swamp road. kensington,
when they were struck by an au-
tomobile driven by Benjamin Solo
mon Of 1913 Francis street. this city
The accident occurred about 1UD
yards from the auto parts garage
owned by Peter Rosso. :, third girl,
Mabel Chapman, who vas walking
with the two other girls escaped
without a scratch.
Girls Condition still Critical
The three girls were walking on
the south side of the road in the di-
rection of kensington. According to
Solomon's report to the police he
was driving in the same direction
and as he neared the girls they
stepped out farther onto the pave
ment and the front part of his car
struck Miss Jennings and Alice
Chapman. Solomon brought his car
to stop almost Immediately after
hitting the girls he said and took
them to the New Britain hospital.
The Jennings girl was found to be
dead on their arrival at the institu-
ton and the Chapman girl was
placed on the critical list. The hos
pital authorities reported this MORN
irg that she had passed very poor
night and was still in q critical con-
dition.
solomon Held UMlcr 81. 900
Solomon was arrested on a techni-
leased on bonds of $1,000 for ap-
pearance in the Berlin town court
on Tuesday evening. October 16. He
is we'll known in real estate circles
in this city.
Constable Frank Brown invcsti
gated the accident and stated today
that he had not ascertained wheth-
er the girls had been walking on the
pavement or on the side of the road.
There is a distance of about two
yards from the road 10 the white
fence that runs along the highway.
As far as he could learn. there were
no witnesses to the accident.
Girls skull Fractured
Upon examination at the hospital
it was found that Miss Jennings had
died from fractured skull. She
was the daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
Patrick Jennings Of Percival ave-
nue., Kensington. She was born In
Brooklyn, N. Y. in 1909 and spent
most Of her life in kensington. Be
sides her parents she is survived by
two brothers, William and Joseph,
Continued on Page 10.)
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
STAFFORD DESIRES
UNIVERSAL DRAFT
Legion He'd Wants Le8Midon
EDactod iF Var Time
CONVENTION IN SESSION
Tenth Annual Gathering Of Wosld
War Veterans' Association OpenS
In SAa Antonio, Texas, To-Day
Los Angeles Arrives safely.

San Antonio, Tex. Oct. 8 ~
Enactment Of legislation providing
for universal draft In time Of war
should now be the first aim Of the
American Legion. Edward e. Spaf-
ford. retiring national commander.
told the tenth annual convention OF
the World War Veterans organiza-
ton here today.
Aid Fur Pcaco
THE universal draft" Spa6ord
said. should do more for peace on
earth than anything written on the
statute books.
1T should be the first order Of
business for the American Legion
until enacted into law"
Commander spafford recommend
ed that Legionnaires determine the
attitude of presidential nominees
and Of every candidate for congress
on the question of universal draft
legislation.
Next month";" he said. I'VE will
be electing a president and there will
be elected 435 congressman and 80
senator's. Every one of them
should be contracted and their stand
on the universal draft should be
known by the voters. We must keep
the faith and prevent slackers and
profiteers."
All Subject to Draft
Under the universal draft in time
OF war all citizens would be subject
to the draft and civilian occupations
would be regulated by the govern
ment.
Commander Spafford devoted
much of his speech to rehabilita-
ton and child welfare of the Legion
during the last year. Monetary
awards up until June so. he said,
totaled $2.7SS,301 and more~ than
$4,000 claims were handled by the
committee in charge of the work.
Veterans Relief
An executive department to deal
with all forms OF veterans relief
was advocated by Brig. General
Frank I. Hines. director of the Vet
S'Nho CUiGdV az ~ AuOEcS0 lUuAy
Lefore convention.
The main advantage in such 5scon-
soI0ation, he said. would be In
bringing together in one definite
agency, under the president. mat
tcrs which are SO closely related at
this time as to make it essential for
those charged with the administra-
tive duties to be familiar with all
phases Of the problem"
A total Of $l,2S0,1S9.194 was paid
to World war veterans and their de-
pendents by the bureau up to Aug
ust 81, he said, and disability conf
pensation totaling s12.000.0o0 is
being paid to veterans every month";
He placed the total disbursements
to August 81 for all forms of vet
Grams relief at $4,416,SsO,?S6.
The peak of disqualification need
for veterans suffering from mental
and nervous disorders will probably
not be reached until 1947. he said.
noting that the bureaus greatest
need, at the present time. was for a
larger medical personnel.
Continued OH Page 10.)
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
Stone Picked Up by Tire
SmasheS Store Window

A stone on the pavement on
Commercial street was struck by a
passing automobile this afternoon
in such Il manner as to propel it
through the air with the force of ii
missile fired from a slingshot. 1t
crashed through window in Bel
kln's wholesale fruit and produce
establishment, but fortunately did
not strike anyone.
Sergeant 7. J. Feeney WAS called
to investigate, nobody having seen
the stone and consequently great
wonder having been aroused as TO
the cause of the hole in the win
dow. The mystery was cleared up
when the sergeant found the stone,
which fitted the hole in the window.
and showed the mark. of having
been struck on one side by the au-
tomobile tire
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
u. S.-POlish Trade
At New High Record

Warsaw, Oct. s LP-Trade be-
tween Poland and the United States
half of this year with total value
of S27.927,5S0. Polish imports of
American oods increased ~ per
cent over the imports ror the same
period last year nd exports from
Poland to the United States in
creased 10 per cent. The United
States retained : ond place among
the countries of origin for Poland's s
imports, accounting for Is per cent
Of the total
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
MARTIAL CRUELTY

Nice. France, Oct. 5 R-Because
her husband answered all her ques-
tions at night by means of formal
printed cards. such as Yes, | have
brought the cat in" Yes. the win
dows are closed" woman here
has been granted a divorce.
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
JEWELS WORTH 100000
STOLEN IN new YORK
Four Marked Robbers Hold West
10th Street Diamond MGR.
chant and Escape

New York, Oct. s R-As noon
time crowds thronged the streets
below four armed and masked rob-
bers held up West 46th street dia-
mond merchant In his 18th floor
offices q half block from Fifth ave-
nue. today and escaped with gems
valued at 100000.
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
WEATHER Prevents
FOURTH BALL GAME
Field Too Wet in St. Louis
Contest Postponed to Tuesday
FANS In Line ALL NIGHT
Thirty Remain Outside Gates TO Be
First ut Ticket Oflice This Morn
ing-Cards In Their Last Line OF
Defense.

Defense.
st. Louis, Oct. R-The fourth
world series game between the ST.
Louis Cardinals and the New York
Yankees was postponed until tomor-
row by Judge X. NJ. Lands. COM
missioner of baseball. because OF
rainy weather today.
A hard downpour shortly before
a. m. was followed by a drizzle.
withs overcast skies.
TheMorecast was for cloudy this
afternoon and fair tonight and Tues
day.
Crowd Out Early
Three defeats at the hands of the
enemy and the early morning rain
meant nothing in the lives of the
dyed in the wool baseball fans bent
on witnessing a worlds series game.
AS early as 1880 a. m. about 200
pavilion and bleacher fans were on
hand at Sportsman's park. holding
paper cartons and newspapers over
their heads and hoping for clearing
skies.
Some so enthusiasts spent the
night outside the park in order to
be first inside when the gates OPEN
ed at $50. Six small negro boys in
the group Of bleacher fans enter.
tanned with songs and interpreta-
tions of the BLACK Bottom until
| eXha usted. Then they curled up in
a large paper carton and went to
sleep.
Field Too Wet
The postponement was made after
Sam Breadon, president of the
Cardinals. had inspected the dia-
mond. Although the infield was
covered with waterproof canvas, he
found the remainder of the field
muddy with pools of water standing
IN low places and rivulets pouring
from the edges of the canvas.
Brea don Immediately telephoned
Judge Lands at Hotel Jefferson and
told him that. in his opinion, the
field would be In no nit condition for
a championship game even II the
sun came out. Judge lands con-
Cured and authorized the an
nouncement of postponement.
Shortly hefore noon the drizzle
stopped and the sun was making
feeble efforts to shine.
Tickets for the fourth game of
the series will be honored tomor-
| Continued on PAGE 15)
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
Again Asks for Hearing 50
School Committee Cln Explain
"Intolel1bk Situldon"
RAPS 'ONE INDIVIDUAL"
FOR BLOCKING PROJECT
Public Commissions SupcfAuOsie
II They Arc to be Restricted TO
Consideration Of Only Such Meas
ures q May be Approved In Ad-
Vance by Lone Official Education
Departmcut Head AaocrtS.


Department Head Asserts.
With q thin veneer Of restraint
covering thrusts at Mayor Paonessa.
Chairman P. F. King Of tho school
committee returned today to resume
the fight for a bond issue with which
to erect an addition to the senior
high school plant.
Mr.. King once more asks Edward
+. Hall. chairman of the finance
board. in a letter received today by
Mr.. Hall. TO call a meeting Of. that
board in order that the school COM
mittee may explain its plan of pro-
cedure to correct what the school
committee chairman calls the pres
ent intolerable housing situation at
the high school," Mr.. King also re-
veals that a general survey on
school housing needs in this city IS
being made by experts furnished by
the state board of education.
Why Maintain Commissions?
Referring to the inability of the
school committee to get its case be-
fore the finance board, Chairman
Hall having refused twice at the
suggestion of Mayor Paonessa to
call a meeting. Mr.. King says: u
believe it is true that il twelve citi-
zens OF New Britain were to petit
ton the park board. or the fire
board or the police board for a
hearing on any subject proper to
come before these boards, that such
a hearing would be granted"
Continuing his argument along
that line. he says, Il maintain that
it Is an unheard of situation IT this
committee cannot be allowed 10 pre-
sent their case to your board until
they can get approval IN advance
from one individual" Later, he
writes land If the commissions
CONTINUED on Page Four)
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08
THE WEATHER

New Britain and vicinity:
Fair and slightly warmer to-
night: Tuesday increasing
csOasdiness and warmer: prob
ably followed by showers at
night.
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08

Continued on Page ~
New Britain herald., 1928-10-08

CONTINUED on Page ~