davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
sun SHINES FOR
C0NVICT-AUTHOR
AS RAIN FALLS

SAN QUENTIN, Dee. 10. U.p)-
Robert Joyce Tasker walked through
the gates of San Quentin prison to-
day a free man.
The tall, pallid youth lift,l his
face to the rain and smiled-just
enough to show that his spirit was
strong.
Sixty-seven months ago Tasker,
then 20 years of age, entered the
prison gates to serve a 10 year term
for robbery. He was one of the
great unknown.
Today he left San Quentin, 4 free
man pardoned by the state, and ear
rying with him the reputation of
being one of the country's most vivid
writers.
at may be raining" he said to
those who waited to greet him, "but
it's really the most wonderful sun
shine l ever saw.
"This morning, from my cell win
dow, l watched the sunrise there
was never more beautiful"
Practically at the gate of the
prison he was met by several liter
ary agents who desire him to pro-
duce more writings like his novel,
"Grimhaven."
1t was "Grimhaven" that caused
prison authorities to ban the sale
Of manuscripts by convicts. Tasker
smuggled his work from the prison.
'First of all 1 want to get San
Quentin off my shoulders" he said.
81 don't think l shall do any more
writing about prison life-at least" "
Tasker also intimated that he
might make ga living" at the trade
nc had learned in prison--furniture
making.
81 feel, just now, that I am a bet
ter craftsman than writer, and
may earn my living at my craft"
he commented.
Tasker was arrested when he at
tempted to holdup an Oakland.
Calf, restaurant. He started writ
ing, "for the first time" in San
Quentin.
His articles and stories on prison
life won him immediate renown
and many were published in maga.
2ines of national reputation.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
NINE DIE
| IN F lin
BLASTS
Series Of Explosions In
Movie Studio Take Big
Death Toll.
SEVERAL INJURED
Fear Other Victims May
Be found In Ruins Of
Building.

NEW YORK, Dec. 10. W.n)--
Seven explosions in rapid succession
scept the Pathe Company's sound
film studios at Park Avenue and
130th Street, today, killing nine per-
sons, and injuring others.
AS rescuers penetrated the build
ing they brought out bodies and laid
them on the sidewalk. The forms of
four women and five men, all of
whom bystanders believed were dead
were thus laid on the curb and fire.
men were searching for others re-
ported trapped inside.
The fire still was burning in parts
of the building shortly after noon,
and firemen were having extreme
difficulty penetrating some Of the
rooms of the studio.
The studio was used for produc.
tion of sound films.
It was estimated that about IS
persons were in the building when
the first explosion occurred. As they
fled other explosions followed, while
fire spread after each explosion, un-
til the place was burning fiercely.
Police reserves were called and
drew lines around the district, hold
ing back the crowds which gathered.
Ambulances from nearby hospitals
and fire apparatus from all stations
in the vicinity, came changing
through the streets.
The explosion came just as stage
in rear studio had been prepared
for the recording of film by Eddie
Elkins and his IA musicians.
In room above, 30 women OF tho
ensemble were gathered, in their
filmy and scant costumes, awaiting
their call for ballet.
just as the recording was to be-
gin, there was sudden flash-the
first explosions. Those in the
studio began to make for the exits
but six more explosions followed in
rapid order, cutting off escape for
many.
Confusion Reigns
The second explosion brought the
first fatality. Then the others tooks
their toll Women screamed as they
fled in their filmy costumes. The
scene was one of intense confusion
OF the dead five were men and
four were women. At the Harlem
hospital, where ambulances began
taking the dead and injured. the
names of four of the dead were Civ
en- as: Harold Bishop, AL Kramer,
Bronx; Bob Mussman, Bronx; Jack
Guin, Brooklyn. The identifications
it was explained, were tentative.
Four fire alarms were turned in
and seven ambulances were sent
with instructions to take the in
jured to the Reception, the Harlem
and the Kniekerbocker hospitals,
which were the nearest emergency
stations.
The studio is located beyond tho
point where Park avenue, home Of
the fashionable, fades into the Har-
lem district, home of the negro. 1t
is an old building which had been
remodeled to accommodate the pro-
.duction of sound films. 1t was 4
two story brick structure.
The work being done today was 10
have been part of sound musical
comedy, featuring Harry Delmar.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
Two OF Trio
Enter Pleas

Leaving Lee Trimmer, the third
OF the trio charged with the murder
of Jose Hernandez at Brawley ON
November 81, to bear the brunt of
the crime, Delmar Garrett and j..
Helms, jointly accused with Trim.
mcr, appeared in the superior court
this afternoon to enter pleas Of
guilty.
Garrett, 1t was reported from
authoritative sources, would plead
guilty to second degree murder,
while Helms was to plead guilty to
manslaughter.
Admissions made following the ar.
rest of the trio shortly after the
crime was committed, indicated
Trimmer actually fired the shot that
killed Hernandez while the trio was
robbing him.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
DOHENY may
NOT BE- ASKED
FOR TESTIMONY

LOS ANGELES, Dee. 10. W.P)-
Because L. l.. Doheny, multi-million-
ere oil man, testified in another
similar suit he probably will not be
called in the present federal court
hearing wheer the government is
trying to cancel certain leases held
in the Elk Hills naval oil reserve
by the Pan-American Petroleum oor-
poration.
This announcement was made by
Norman Sterry, chief counsel for
he oil company. Sterry said it was
planned to take Doheny's testimony
in the prior hearing and intro
duce it.
The government closed its case
today with testimony by Lieutenant
Commander I. F. Landis. A short
eime later the defense introduced Y.
F.. Klipstein, Bakersfield, Calf, oil
man as the first witness.
The Pan-American company al
ready has paid Klipstein $685. 900
for an option on a small placer min
Ing claim and expects to pay another
half million, it was testified.
klipstein testified he obtained the
claim from two Los Angeles men
who had filed on it in good faith,
believing the ground contained q
"aluable deposit of Fuller's earth, n
beauty preparation.
The company hopes to show the
leases were obtained in legal man
ner. The government holds that
they were obtained through fraud
engaged in by Doheny and Albert
Fall, former secretary of the interior.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
CHINESE THREAT
TO END TREATIES
MAY ANNOY u. s.
Intends To End Extra
Territoriality Pacts On
January l.
BY LYLE c. WILSON
United Press Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10. U.P)-
The Hoover Macdonald naval con-
ference seems destined to begin
work in London with the echoes of
uproar in the Orient resounding
around the world.
By the time the delegates are seat
ed in the first plenary meeting in
the house of lords, the world will
know whether the struggling nation
alist government at Nanking will
go through with its threat to abro-
gate existing extra territoriality
treaties Jan. l. The United States
will have to face this potential diff
ficulty with Secretary of State Slim
son either about to depart or on
the high seas and with Assistant
Secretary of State johnson enroute
to his new post as minister to China.
rs c. c. WI, Chinese minister, had
n long conversation with Johnson at
the state department regarding
Chinese affairs after which he told
reporters he would not predict his
governments action regarding the
extra territoriality treaties under
which foreigners enjoy special treat
ment in China.
A strong current of influential
opinion, WI said, is in the direction
of abrogation.
He deprecated some of the more
alarming reports of Chinese civil
war but observers considered evac-
uation of Marking by American
women and children to emphasize
the seriousness of situation which
has been developing for some weeks.
1t is recalled Americans were be-
leaguered by mutinous Chinese on
Socony Hill in Marking in March
1927 and that British and American
warships were compelled to shell the
town tc effect foreigners escape.
Nanking is reported quiet and the
cruiser Tulsa is anchored in the
iangtze river opposite the town.
About 53 Americans remained in
Nanking at last reports.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
Indian Fighter
Bites The Dust

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10. U.H
Richard Mears, three and one
half year old Indian" fighter,
was recovering today from ser
ious pistol shot wound in the
hest.
With a gang Of his friends,
young Mears entered into "cow-
boy Indian" battle late yester-
day afternoon. Walter Hartman,
8, a companion decided that
wooden guns were not so effect
i've as his fathers .38 caliber re-
volver.
With "a few blood-curdling
yells, Walt started shooting.
Richard fell seriously but not
critically wounded.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
HEAVY D0WNP0UR
REPORTED FROM
NORTHERN AREAS
Long Dry Spell Ended
With Emphasis When
Rain Starts.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 10. U.P)
Heavy rains which We're expect
ed TO continue throughout the day
were falling along the coastal region
of California today, from the north
ern extremity of the state to as
tar as Fresno, 200 miles south of
here.
Contrary to previous forecasts,
the United States Weather Bureau
reported that the storm had not yet
gone further south, but said that
during the day the storm clouds
might blow over the Tehachipi
range into Southern California.
Air mail service was badly dis
rupted by the storm, because of
which planes were landing and for
warding their postal freight by
train on both the northern and
eastern routes.
CALISTOGA, Calf, Dec. 10. U.p)
A veritable cloudburst, dropping
almost five inches of rainfall in less
than half hour, struck this town
between 4:30 and 5 a. nj. today.
No serious damage was reported,
although easements of several build
ings were flooded.
The Napa river, which rises in
the hills short distance above Cal
istoga, was dry yesterday. but early
today was filled with rushing tor
rent of water six feet in depth.
Calistoga's precipitation for the
present storm was 5.4l inches at
a. III.
SACRAMENTO, Dee. 10. UP)--
Rain and snow, worth their weight
in gold, continued today to drench
all of northern California.
High in the Sierras and along the
northery boundary of the state, a
steady mantle of snow was falling.
Six inches was reported on the
ground at Summit, between here
and Reno, and five inches at Ken
nett, near the source of the Sacra-
mento river.
The Sacramento Valley was being
literally soaked with rain. A heavy
fall started again at midnight and
was general throughout the valley
this morning For the "a hour per.
iod ending at a. m., "a inches fell
at Red Bluff and .73 at Sacramento.
Redding reported the storm abating
at s a. m, after receiving a rain
fall of 500 inches.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
Trading Dull On
L. A. Exchange

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10. U.H-
Activity was dull on the Los An
geles Stock and Curb Exchanges to-
day with New York money at 5, and
most issues off fractionally.
With the exception of the oils,
trading was confined to odd lots.
Taylor Milling was the only active
industrial, trading 800 shares at 25,
off ~.
Southern California Edison, com
mon, was up y at 50, but only
traded 100 shares.
Security First National was off
II at ia with 100 shares traded.
Pacific Finance traded 800 a. 421s
off u.
Trans-America continued to lead
the board in sales with 1900, and
was up Il at rs.
Union Oil of California lead the
oils in sales with 800 and showed
no net change at 46H. Rio Grandc
traded 800 at 21M, up ". Standard
Oil of California traded 200 at 46,
off "A
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
WATSON EVOLVES
PEACE PLAN TO
HELP TAX BILL
Promise Quick Action To
Muscle Shoals SuppOr-
terS.
BY PAUL r. MALLON
Omitted Press staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Dee. 10. UP
A peace plan has been negotiated
by Republican Floor Leader Wat
son to get the ADMINISTRATORS
$l60,000,000 tax reduction bill
through the senate next Friday.
Unable to get the consent for CON
sideration of the measure now,
Watson has promised the senators
interested in Muscle Shoals that
their legislation will be taken up
soon and has delayed the tax bill
so at least one senator can pre-
rare an amendment. lie has secured
their promise of cooperation in TAX
ing up the house resolution Friday,
with the expectation it will be
passed before the senate adjourns
that day.
Watson could have used the big
stick on the opposition if he chose.
Jle had a strong majority with him.
Since the tariff bill caused such
furor, however, there has been a
marked willingness to go any
lengths to preserve peace.
ptg uiltu III HIS clIOTtS W get tHt
measure through now, Watson
worked five hours in conference fo-
the agreement. The Muscle Shoals
enthusiasts, Senators Heflin and
Black Of Alabama, were determined
10 stop the tax bin if necessary to
get recognition for the pending Nor
ris resolution, providing lease or
government operation of the Tenn
essee river project.
Senator Blaine, Independent Re-
publican, Wisconsin, served notice
he would not consent to take the
measure up until after the tariff
hill is passed next month. Senator
lIawes, Democrat, Missouri, was
threatening to move consideration
tf the tax bill.
All now have been more or less
:ppeased, and little difficulty is an
ticipated.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
FAIL TO FIND
ANY CLUES TO
GIRLS SLAYER

ROCKFORD, ILL.,, Dee. 10. U.P-
Pretty COrdelia E. Gummensheimer,
may carry the secret of who crushed
in her skull with an iron pipe to her
grave, authorities feared today as
fragmentary clues in the murder of
the accomplished and popular young
teacher led up strange cul de sacs.
Back through the years, investiga-
tors traced the life of the blackhair-
ed, flashing eyed girl who had been
head of the languages department at
the Rockford high school. They
learned she had won the affections
of men readily and pinned hopes of
solving the crime on the gruesome
aftermath of lovers quarrel.
But in each case their efforts led
them against seemingly impenetra-
BILE wall of mystery. Nothing was
certain except that someone, had
climbed through the window of her
third floor apartment late Saturday
night and beaten her to death as she
lay in her bad.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
ASSERTS WOMEN
WILL TAKE LEAD
IN WORLD PEACE

RIVERSIDE, Cal, Dec. 10. W.H--
World peace will receive powerful
aid through the efforts Of organized
women, it was predicted at the In
stitute Of International Relations in
session here, by Mrs. Robert j. Bur
dette, in charge of work for the
Federated Women's clubs in % for
eign countries.
"The day will come when women's
Influence on international peace will
be vitally important" ;drs. Burdette
said. "WOmen in foreign countries
need only the leisure to make a vital
contribution to the cause Of the
world good will. Already many
units in various parts of the Orient
and in Mexico are asking guidance
in social work, education and other
problems affecting the home.
The United States policy of peace
ful settlement Of frontier controver-
sizes in South America has greatly
strengthened relations with that
part of the American continent. ac-
cording to David p. Barrows, pro.
fcssor of political science and for
mer president of the University Of
California, who addressed the insti.
tute. DIR. Barrows recently return
ca from tour Of the southern coun-
tries.
Our craftsmanship may at times
have blundered, but it has never fol-
lowed the vicious principle of divide
and rule" he said. "The most i'm.
Eortant result Of our interest is the
recent settlement of the Taena-Arica
controversy. The opening of the
Panama canal has ended the cxtrem,
isolation of the west coast. Dali,
our business, financial and diploma. .
nc relationships become more init
mate and profitable"
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
Heroic Engineer
Victim OF Crash

BAKERSFIELD, Calf, Dee. 10.
tU.D-Two more victims of the collis-
ion between the Southern Pacific's
San Joaquin limited and a gasoline
truck near here, were dead today.
Engineer X. Tollans, whose brav-
cry in bringing the train to stop
despite terrible burns from flaming
oil with which the engine was
sprayed, and Fireman Martin Stin.
SON. both died at local hospital.
j. II. Christensen was killed at the
time of the accident.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
WANT HALF OF POWER

LUS ANGELES, Dec. TO. W.P)--
Southern California was prepared to
ask so per cent of tho power to be
generated at Boulder Canyon dam,
W. p. Whitsett, chairman of the
Metropolitan Water district, said
before leaving for Washington, d.
q, to attend the ALLEGATION hearing
called by Interior Secretary Wilbur
for December l6.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
HARD-HEADED. GIRL

HOLLYWOOD, Dee. 10. U.p)-Al.
though Miss Rose Horne, screen ex-
ira toppled head-first from the win
dow of her second story apartment
here early today she suffered only
minor injuries. Miss Horne lost her
balance and fell to the ground when
she leaned from the window to toss
the key to the apartment to her
room mate.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
AGED MAN SUICIDES

Los ANGELES, Dec. 10. (U.P)-
The body of w. H. Stevens, 65, was
found hanging by belt from a post
of his bed here today. He left
note to his nurse stating that i'll
health made life not worth while to
him.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
INDICT CONGRESSMAN

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10. W.P)-
The grand jury today in indicted
Representative Frederick N. Zihl.
man, Republican, Maryland, on
charges of using the mails to de-
fraud.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
SOLDIERS
D|SPERSE
STRIKERS
Troops Summoned To
TaylOrville When Miners
Threaten Workers.
CONDITIONS QUIET
National Guardsmen In
Control To Prevent Any
Violence.

TAYLORVILLE, H., Gee. TO-
tJ.Pt-A mine strike demonst ration
which threatened to grow serious
was broken up today at the Peabody
mine No. in Kincaid near here by
rational guardsmen who went on
guard last night with machine guns
and bayonets.
One man was placed under mill
tary arrest.
Union members at four Peabody
workings in this vicinity refused to
go to work this morning because Of
ihe presence of troops.
Nationalists, out on strike at.
tempted to march on the Kincaid
mine but were dispersed by the
troops.
Several hundred strikers and
ssmpathizcrs, many Of the latter
women, were headed in their march
by Freeman Thompson, Nationalist
leader.
They were met by soldiers with
hayoneis fixed and machine guns
Iosted at the openings of the shaft.
Dispersed, the strikers and sympa-
thizers broke up into small crowds
and were harangued by speakers.
BUCkNER, ILL.,, Dec. 10. Up)-A
crowd of 30 national union miners
were dispersed by Sheriff James
Pritchard today at the entrance to
Old Ben Mine No. Il.
Reports said the nationalists had
placed Pickets at the shaft and be-
came engaged in an argument with
working miners.
No arrests were made, Several of
the nationalists were said to be
armed.
TAfLORNlLLE, H., Dee. 10. U.p)
Guns of 600 national guardsmen
were ready to blaze today should a
threatened miners war break out
between 1000 strikers and other
thousands still at work.
-Four companies, including infan.
try, cavalry and machine gun units,
took charge of the town and nearby
coal districts at dawn. They were
ordered mobilizcd by Adjutant Gen
eral e. f, Black at Springfield last
night after he had conferred by tel.
ephone with Acting Governor Fred
+. Sterling.
Threats of the strikers, members
OF the national miners union which
was formed by malcontents in the
United Mine Workers of America.
to support their strike with blood
shed, caused Sheriff ID. l.. Dunbar
to ask for troops.
violence was narrowly avertcd
yesterday when a mob of 400. armed
with butcher knives, shotguns. riff.
les, and clubs, gathered at Peabody
Mine No. So, the largest in the dis
trict, and turned miners away from
the gates as they came to work.
The National Miners union de.
manded n six hour day, five day
week, minimum weekly wage Of
S33, abolition of the checkoff sys-
tenn and equal rights for negro min.
crs.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10

Contributions may be sent to II.
y. Hughes at the Security First Ma
t,onal bank, or to the editor of the
Press, and will be duly acknowl-
edged. Approximately $400 is re-
CURED to complete the quota and
prompt action is urged by those who
ARE in position to aid.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
Red Cross Fund
Still Needs Aid

"Slow response to the emergency
appeal for funds to complete the
city's Red Cross quota, is probably
due to the fact that some people do
not understand that the money so
raised viii! be used to employ n
trained worker to whom all requests
for aid and charitable work can be
referred" member of the com
mittee said today.
"Froqucnt calls for aid are met
by many individuals. Some of these
calls are worthy; many are not. 1t
~ ogive aid where it is desirable,
and to prevent imposition on the
good will of those inclined to give
aid, that trained worker is TO be
employed" the committeeman said
awe still hope to have the quota
filled by the end of the week, and
feel certain that those who have
not yet contributed, will do So"
Today's contributions amounted to
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10

Carloads of navel oranges began
moving out of Tulare county gen
orally, November %.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
TOMORROW

The dairy payroll Of the ereamcr.
les at Tulare was $4l7,052 In Sept.
ember and si67,9i9 in October.
Imperial Valley press., 1929-12-10
WHAT'S DOING
TONIGHT

TONIGHT
I. o. o. F. No. 397, 8, Davis
hall.
I. v. Commandery No. 54,
1880, Masonic Temple.
7. v. Choral club, 8, Wilson
school.
Women's Gym classes, TO,
high school.
English to foreigners classes,
high school.
Naturalization classes, high
school.
Tractor school banquet, 6:15.
Barbara Worth.
Entire Nos club, $3.50, 10000
club.
Card party, 1880, Episcopal
parish house.
Fox Imperial Theatre, "Hal-
lelujah".
Bronson players, loose An
kles", 8:15, Palace Theatre.
TOMORROW
Junior chamber of commerce
breakfast, $50.
Chamber Of commerce lunch
con, Barbara Worth.
Arts and Crafts section. 0.
10000 club.
Music section, 2, a57 Sandal
wood.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-02
CanZOneri.
Fight Sidelights

CHICAGO, August (P.-Sammy
Mandell is expected to receive $4,000
for defending his lightweight crown
against Tony Canzoneri tonight. Both
are signed on a percentage basis,
Sammy to get 40 per cent and Tony 20
per cent. The gate is expected to be
worth $140.0
PA" Mandell and PA" Canzonerl
will cheer their fighting sons. The elder
Mandell will be assisted by a delegation
OF 500 fans from Rockford, Ill, Sam
my'S home town, while Tony's father
will receive the help of old friends from
New Orleans.
Regardless of the outcome, the light
weight champion tomorrow will be of
Italian parentage. Tony and Sammy
are both of Italian blood.
Tonight will be the first time Mandell
ever fought an important, title bearing
hight without delays or troubles. He
won the title from Rocky Kansas in
1926 In driving rainstorm and was
handicapped by fractured rib. His
hrst match in defense of the CHAMPION
snip, against McGraw, was postponed
one day and injured his training plans,
while his battle against Jimmy McLar-
MN was postponed three times.
Ticket scalpers are reported to be
doing land Office business.
One-Eyed Connolly is on the lob
again, but he has become so famous
now that he has been given a free
ticket.