davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30
HEIRS OF
INVENTOR
AT ODDS
Court Battle Looms Over
Estate OF Late Thomas
Edison.
SON DISSATISFIED
Charges Undue Influence
Used By Second Wife
And Half Brother.

WILMINGTON, Del, Oct. 30
U.PSWilliam L. Edison, announ-
cling a contest of Thomas A. Edi-
sons will, today charged his half
brother, Charles, and stepmother,
Mrs. Nina Edison, brought undue
influence to bear upon Edison.
Edison left a fortune estimated
at Sl4,000,000. The bulk of the
estate went TO Charles and Theo-
dore Edison with the reslduary left
in trust to the executors, Charles
and Theodore, for their disposal
among the six children Of the in
ventor.
The six children are Charles.
Theodore, Thomas A. Jr., william,
Mrs. John Eyre Sloane and Mrs.
Marian Oser.
The widow was not left anything
in the will, but the testator noted
she had been provided for by gifts
from him in his lifetime.
william Edison in a statement
announcing the contest, said:
II have decided TO contest the
unfair will of my father, Thomas
A. Edison. Undue Influence was
brought TO bear on my father by
Charles Edison and by my step
mother, Mrs. Nina Miller Edison.
The codicil attached TO the will
was made only a few months be-
fore my fathers death. This in
itself. knowing he was about to die,
showed what influence my step
mother and Charles had over him.
Every invention Of Importance
that my father made from which
came such n reputation was con-
ceived long before he met his Sec
ond wife And none Of great i'm
portance was created after his mar
riage to Nina Miller Edison.
Others To Aid
Il do not care TO say who will
join me in this contest but I can
assure you that will not be alone
Previously William Edison had
indicated to the United Press he
would be joined in the contest by
Mrs. John Eyre Sloane and Mrs.
Marian Oser, the sisters. He elimi-
Continued On Page 81
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30
Charges Against
Mills Dismissed

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30. W.P)-
Charges that John p Mills, wealthy
real estate operator, contributed to
the delinquency of minor were
dismissed in juvenile court late yes
terday when his. asserted victim,
Clarice Tauber Fladebo, II, refused
to testify against him.
Judge II. P. Neville dismissed the
case for lack of evidence when the
girl refused to testify on the ground
that she might incriminate herself.
Charges against Mills grew out
of his alleged association with the
girl last December. Originally,
Mills, Olive Clark Day and William
Jobelmann, were accused Of statu-
tory charges. The felony counts
against Mills were dismissed. The
girl, who married Thomas Fladebo
sailor, few months ago, testified
against Mrs. Day and Jobelmann at
their preliminary hearings, but re-
fused to testify against Mills.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30
Rolph's Condition
Somewhat Better

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 80. WPl-
Despite a restless night, Governor
Rolph's condition was reported I'M
proved today at st. Francis hospital,
where ne is suffering from a Sc
we're cold.
Acting on orders of his physician.
DR.. John Gallwey, the governor In
structed his Sacramento office to
cancel all engagements until next
Wednesday. Appointments with
Governors Fred BalZar OF Nevada
and George II. Dern OF Utah.
radio speech in Los Angeles and
visit to the Los Angeles breakfast
club were cancelled
All visitors except Mrs. Rolph and
James Rolph III were barred from
Rolph's room.
"The respiratory tract inflama-
ton is slowly clearing up DIR.
Gallwey said, but influenza Is al
ways treacherous and will keep tho
governor In bed for at least a week"
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30
@kM!LlL-.o

DOUGLAS, Ariz., Oct. 29.
(SpeciaD-Early in the autumn
Mrs. Rogers and I sent two sens
away-supposedly to schools.
(We got tired trying TO get 'em
up in the morning. One went
north here in this state, another
to New Mexico.
Since then we have received
no word or letter. We have
looked in every football team all
over the country. Guess they
couldn't make the teams. Knew
their education was a failure
and kept right on going.
Any news from any source
will be welcome. I am flying
to Mexico City today. The big
one spoke Spanish SO maybe he
is there. The little one didn't
even speak English, but he loved
chilli and hot tamales, so he may
be there too.
Yours.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30
Receiver Asked
For Gas Firms

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30. uP)-A
petition on file in federal court to-
day asked that a receiver in equity
be appointed for the California
United Gasoline Corporation, the
Nevada Texas Gasoline Corpora
ton, the Natural Gas Corporation
and the California Gasoline Cor
poration, interlocking companies.
According to the petition, filed or
behalf of trustees and some of the
stockholders of the allied corpor-
ations, the companies assets amount
to S997 842, with liabilities of $780,
1894.
Oil wells in Santa Maria and
Santa Fe Springs are included In
the companies assets.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30
Alfalfa Bill
Wins His Point

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 30.
tU.P)-Gov. William ii. alfalfa
Bill" Murray was credited to-
day with being a hard driver
of bargains.
The executive wished to make
a public address here and
asked to use the Shrine audi
torium. The price, he was
told, would be $3.50.
Two hundred and fifty dol
lars to use a building one
night?" exclaimed Gov. Muir
ray. "I'll hold my meeting
right out in the street"
He was allowed to use the
hall free of charge.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30
INSANITY PLEA DENIED

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 80. UP
Ruling that Edward Nolan, former
police officer had two months in
which to enter a plea of not guilty
by reason of insanity and did not
do SO, Superior Judge William c.
Doran today had set November 4
as the starting date of Nolan'S trial
on charge o: numbering Mrs.
Grace Murphy Duncan, his sweet
heart.
Nolan had pleaded not guilty and
his attorney sought to add the in
sanity plea.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30
PHOENIX CROWD
JEERS ARRIVAL
OF MRS. JUDD
Accused Slayer Unnerved
BY Reception Accorded
BY Huge ThrOng.
BY GEORGE d. CRISSEY
United Press Staff Correspondent


PHOENIX, Ariz., Oct. 80. U.P)-
Mrs. Winnie Judd, a slender blonde
known to her 'playboy" friends of
Phoenix as 'Winsome Winnie re-
turned here today to face a first
degree murder trial on charges of
killing two former friends.
The woman's arrival at 2:40 p.
M, was just few hours lacking
two weeks after the shooting ana
killing of Mrs. Agnes Anne LIE Roi
and Miss Hedyig Samuelson.
A crowd estimated at 5000 per-
sons jeered and hooted as Sheriff
J. r. McFaddens big sedan, used
in transporting the prisoner here
from Los Angeles, rolled down JEFF
ferson street and into the driveway
leading to the criminal division of
the sheriffs office.
Mrs. Judd was deathly pale when
she saw the throng around the
buildings entrance. She looked
searchingly into many faces, as
though In search of a play boy"
friend But she looked in vain for
the play boys" who PARTED with
her and the murdered girls were not
present.
Two roped off paths guarded the
entrance to the city and county
building and the sheriff, without
Stacking speed, drove through the
lane and into the building. A staff
Of policemen closed the lane with
ropes behind the car.
The doors were slammed shut as
soon as the car was inside.
Sheriff McFadden and other Of
ficers assisted Mrs. Judd from the
car. There was no formality in the
sheriff's office. AS she stepped out
an elevator door opened and she
was carried, within a minute after
arrival, to a cell on the fifth floor
Of the city and county building.
The transfer from the car to the
jail was accomplished with surpris-
ing speed. Mrs. Judd was behind
the bars before she had chance to
say a word.
Upstairs she was fingerprinted
and photographed in the big room
used as the women'S division of the
Jail. Five other inmates looked on
with interest.
Mrs. Judd was so tired that jail
matrons supported her while she
was being photographer. She asked
feebly for a chance to rest and
seemed grateful when the ordeal of
fingerprinting and photographing
was over.
Mrs. Winnie Ruth Judd, escorted
by Sheriff j. R. McFadden of Phoe-
nix and other officials in three au-
tomobiles, stopped in El Centro for
short period at GAS this morn
ing on her way to Phoenix, where
she must stand trial for the mur-
der of two girl companions.
After eating breakfast at q res
taurant on the city limits. and fill
ing the automobiles with gasoline
and oil at a local service station,
the party proceeded on its way to
Phoenix.
The route of Mrs. Judds escort
was closely followed by both Los
Angeles and Phoenix newspapers,
and news services.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30
Seek To Close
Baldwin Estate

LOS ANGELES. Oct. 30. W.P)-A
probate petition on file today in the
will Of Clara Baldwin Stocker
daughter of E. j. Lucky" Baldwin
sought final distribution of remain
ing assets totaling s10,763,912.
Most Of Mrs. Stocker's property
went to her children although she
left Sl,500,000 to various charities
Approximately s4,0O0,000 of the es-
tate already has been distributed
according to the petition.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30
Airplane Firms
Upheld In Court

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 80. U.P)-
Two airplane firms today had been
declared victorious in a S775,000
damage suit brought against them
by eight relatives of 10 men killed
last January during the filming
of an air picture over the Pacific
ocean near Palo Verdes.
Among the plaintiffs was Mary
Astor, screen actress and widow Of
Kenneth Hawks, who was directing
she picture.
The companies sued were the
Tanner Air Livery and James
Granger, Inc. They were charged
with negligence and unskillfulness
on the part of their plane pilots.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30
WHAT'S DOING
TONIGHT

TONIGHT
Present Day club, 8, 673 Olive.
Football, Central vs.. Calexico,
s, high school.
Health banquet, 6, De ANA
hotel, Calexico.
Troop %, b. S. A., 1880, Nc
Cabe school
Troop FL, b. S. A., 1880, M. E.
social hall.
Fox Imperial theatre, "The
Yellow Ticket"
TOMORROW
Story hour, 1890, city library.
Free matinee, 2:15, Fox I'M
perial theatre.
Home department chairmen,
10:30, court house.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30
HOOVER
Defends
POSITION
President Replies To At
tack By Navy League
On His Naval Policy.
PROPOSES BOARD
Chief Executive Favors
Impartial Committee To
Sift League Charges.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 80. U.p)-
President Hoover's proposal to in
vestigate recent statements of the
Navy League, announced by him
last night, is designed to show the
leagues propaganda is "a tissue OF
falSehoodS" and to reveal It's pur-
pose, Theodore Joslin, secretary to
the President said today. He was
speaking for the White House.
Mr.. Hoover announced last night
that he proposed to name a COM
mittee to study his naval economy
program and the charges of the
Navy League made against him this
week in statement by William
Gardiner, president of the league
accusing Mr.. Hoover of showing
"abysmal ignorance" in navy af-
fairs.
The purpose of the inquiry"
JcSlin said today, "is first to call
attention of the country and the
members of the league to the tissue
of falsehoods spread by Mr.. Gardi-
ner
Secondly, the intention is to
show the true purpose of these
falsehoods and the people who are
interested in propagandizing them"
The White House gave out no In
formation as to the size Of the pro-
posed trial board, its personnel or
as to how soon it would begin to
function.
The Navy League prepared at the
same time to go into action. Pres
ident Gardiner sent out call for q
meeting of the executive commit
tee to be held in Washington, "as
soon as is convenient to members"
for the purpose of discussing the
Presidents announcement.
The President struck boldly back
at his accusers in a statement Is
sued before he left his executive
officers for dinner last night.
Throughout the day he maintained
silence upon the Navy League state
ment But his response was a direct
reply to Gardiner, although 1t mis-
spelled GARDENERS name by leaving
out the a.
Strong Statement
The Presidents statement, one Of
the strongest of his administration
follows:
THE Navy League states in its
announcements that it has for q
quarter of century specialized Ill
accurate information as to navy
matters and the principal activity
of the league is to disseminate facts
bearing on navy matters to the
press
In order that the country may
know the untruth and distortions Of
fact in Chairman GARDENERS re-
cent announcement, will appoint
a committee including members of
the Navy League to whom agencies
of the government will demonstrate
these untruths and distortions OF
fact. Such an inquiry will absolve
the members of the league who
have not participated in this state
ment. Upon its completion shall
expect Mr. Gardiner to make pub
lie correction of his misstatements
and an apology therefor.
1T is desirable for the public to
know the character Of this indirect
campaign of misinformation to de-
feat the efforts of the high officials
of the navy department and the ad-
ministration for reduction of fed
eral expenditures not inlmediatly
essential in order that we may
avoid increased taxation Of the
people in these tines.'
Gardiner Immediately replied In
formally TO the Presidents state
ment, saying he was not sure wheth-
er the league would appoint mem-
bers to the committee as Mr. Hoover
asked.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30
DOG RETURNS TO PUPPY HOME

GRASS VALLEY, U.P)-Walker, a
deer hound, turned up at a Roseville
home where it had been raised as
a pup after disappearing during a
deer hunt east of here. Matt Ar
gall, owner, was unable to under
stand why the animal went to the
home it knew only as a puppy.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30
FIFTEEN DIE IN
ISLAND DISORDER

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt, Oct. 30.
U.P)-Advices today from the island
of Cyprus, where a revolt has been
in progress against British rule, re-
ported Is killed and so wounded in
the interior when peasants clashed
with British troops who used ma
chine guns.
British reinforcements from Pal
estine arrived at Cyprus and arrests
of those involved in the movement
for union with Greece continued.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-10-30

Continued On Page 81
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-28
Young Boy Was
 Drowned Sunday
tcontinued rom Page i.l

(Continued rom fuBe Ai
 Eustaohio Racano, who was fatally Injured last April when part of the old Third Congregational church building in process of rasing col. inpscd, MT Racano, one of several ih the basement of the old build ing. was attempting to salvage some wood, The responsibility for his death has yet to be determined py the corner.
 Charles Hurban, 23, and John Hurban, 10, brothers figured very prominently in the attempted res- cut of the Racano boy. They re side a short distance from tne pond and reached the scene with in n few minutes after tho young friends of the unfortunate lad started to scream for help. The Hurban brothers attempted to toss Q rope to the lad struggling In the water. The ice on which they were standing gave way under their weight and they were pre- cipitated Into the water. By swimming and by attempting to break the leo with their fists as they proceeded along, the two brothers were within q few feet of the lad when he disappeareo from their view. Finding further progress in the water barred py the resistance of the ice the HUT ban brothers and spectators op- tained Q boat and continued the search. They found the body within Q few feet of the spot m which 1t had disappeared.
 According to stories told by youngsters, who had witnessed the tragedy, they were tossing sticks onto the ice. As the Racano boy started to retrieve one the ice broke and he fell Into the water. He made several desperate at tempts to climb back onto the ice' but each time 1t gave way.
 The body was taken to the Col- asanto funeral home pending iun- eral arrangements. The lad is sur vived by his mother and two nroth-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-28
DON'T QUOTE ME
fnr I1nlteti Preaal

Washington, Dec. 2s.-(UPl.-- Nearly eight years after the wars end the last alley agreed on what ie owed the United States. And even since the debt funding commission finished it's work in 1e26 by. toe taiiing Europe's obligation at $11,. B22, ,a64,0O0, there has been con- stant Outcry for revision.
 When the post-war ledgerg were balanced 13 European countries owed the United States something over $12,0OO, 100000. After long and tedious negotiations, Bel gium, Czechoslovakia, Eetonia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania. Poland, Roumania and Jugosiavia agreed to pay within a half-billion dollars of their total debt. Pay- ments extend until near the end Of the century.
 Although the debts were funded at almost their face value, large concessions were made by the Uni. ted states on interest. When the European countries signed their original notes they agreed to pay between three and five per cent in- terest. But the bonds that most of them exchanged for these demand notes when the debts were funded more much lower rates.
 TO many observers It appears that Uncle Sam was partial. Great Britain, one of the first nations to fund its debt, was assessed an aver age yearly rate of 3.36 per cent. Its effect becomes clear when one finds that $1,3b1.720,o00 Brit. ain has paid 50 far. s1,114,. 72O,0O0 was for interest and only s2o2. 1000, 900 for principal.
 France and Italy fared better. Frances debt of $4,025,000,000, virtually the same amount as Britain's, was funded at 1.64 per cent, and 1t was not required to pay any interest until 1880. Thus, of the $200, 100000 Paris has sent to Washington thus far, e1el,3t0,OO0 has gone to reduce It's debt and only $3s,650,000 has been paid In interest. Italy received the best treatment of any nation, paying only .405 per cent on the S2,042,- OOO,000 1t owed. Of the ySv,- 62l,250 1t has paid, only $E,- 521,25O has gone for interest.
 officials disclalm internetional partiaiity. When Britain funded US debt, 1t appeared to be regaining It's prosperity. France and Italy were in acute financial trouble. So the treasury did the best 1t could.
 All of the debt agreements with these three powers contain clauses allowing them to default on prin- cipai payments, for two years in the cases of Great Britain and Italy and for three years in the case of France, which also may postpone both interest and principal in ex- cess of $20,000,000 per year.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-28
Philippines and
 Independence
(contlnued from Page l.)


 against Philippine products ana complete independence subject to Q Filipino plebiscite after live years experiment.
 The national interests involved grow out of the rise of the United States as a world power since the conquest of the Philippines In the Spanish War at the end of the last as . liability strategically and of shaping administration policies Automatically the prestige of the be injured by withdrawing from capable of becoming one of the velopment of such trade, 1t Is con- pines would be invaluable to the United States.
 .Strategicaily, the islands lost some value to the United States by the Washington arms conference treaty, under which this govern. ment agreed not to further bases AAA0 AAeSN9A AtAGAAAeAg0 AsA sAS AoseshAN"' Even so, naval experts regard tho islands as invaluable as Q potential operating base In the far Pacific.
 There Is no expectation of war in such discussion of strategy. High American officials are convinced that the strongest reasons, eco- homie and otherwise, make 1t in- conceivable that any leading world power in the orient or elsewhere should contemplate war with America.
 However, q nations Fundamental policies are fixed on 0 foundation of maximum security. In reaching such decisions, naval and military strategists take all possibilities, however remote, into consideration and usually manage to carry civil. ian authorities along with them.
 (To.morrow = Economic argu. ments behind the administration policy)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-28
To-Day's Sport
 P ar a.d e
sidney n. Whipple. United Prcs' q Staff Correspondent 4 (Pinch. Hitting for Henry

New York, Dec 2s. (UP)--Un- like the democratic and republican conventions, the meetings of the brotherhoods of football coaches and officials are held at the same time in the same city, probably as counter.irritants to each other.
 The rules committee goes into session here this week, as usual, .determined to make the game SO safe and sane that 1t could Do played by teams representing the home for decayed gentlewofnen or the Misses Bingle's School for Tiny Tots.
 The coaches. on the other hand. seek to keep the game masculine and try to hold the officials down to adding only such regulations as will prevent assault in the first de- gree, unlawful use of firearms, and mayhem.
 Finally, they compromise by adding something like this: Section 32, Water wings.
 Article 1. Players shall not be permitted to wear water wings. helium gas bags or other lifting device.
 | Article 2. Hauberks, battle axes and chain mail shall not be worn or carried conspicuously.
 Penalty: Half the distance from the goal line to the gentleman in sec. (, row 22, section 9, who has just dropped his bottle.
 If these meetings were anything like annual parliaments of the baseball industry, we'd all expect something like this: < Dean Christian Gauss, owner of the Princeton Tigers. announced to-day that Princeton will be withdrawn from the big three league next year. and that the club