davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
SCIENTIFIC men
CHECK REPORTS
OF new PLANET

PASADENA, July 8.-tU.P)-Pur-
perported discovery of new planet
old by the Kyoto, Japan, astronom-
ical observatory, caused wrinkled
brows among astronomers at Mt.
Wilosn observatory today.
The new planetoid, or asteroid,
was reported to have diameter of
1000 miles, and to be only 100000
900 miles from the earth.
DR.. Walter S. Adams, director of
Mt. Wilson observatory, said that
"PlanetoidS" are as rule never
larger than 500 miles in diameter,
and that the new body must there
fore be a planet, or the reports of
its size were garbled in transmits
sion.
ut seems impossible that a plan
ct larger than the earth or Venus,
and so close to us, should have es-
capped discovery BEFORE" DR.. Adams
said. THE cart hand Venus are
about 5000 miles in diameter, and
Mars, near which the new body is
located, is only 1000 miles in dia-
meter, or a little more than one
third the size of the reported PLAN
etoid."
Between 1900 and 1900 planetoids
are known, but due to the fact that
some are frequently lost for vary
ing periods, they often are report
ed discovered" when they reappear,
DR.. Adams said.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
BY PAUL X. MALLON
United Press Staff CORRESPONDENT

WASHINGTON. July 8. U.H =
The Wickersham law enforcement
commission in a report made pub
lie by President Hoover today, de-
tails a startling story of alleged
prison tortures which it finds are
being inflicted upon youthful Of
tenders against societys laws.
The report is the second on child
offenders and embodies a detailed
study of the subject.
Dungeon cells, bread and water
diet, flogging and -wracking
punishments are not unusual for
prisoners who laugh or have con-
cealed 2-cent stamp, the report con-
tended. Fatal consequences were
reported in one case.
Writing of conditions at WASH
ington state reformatory. the COM
missioner of investigation, Miriam
Van Waters, said:
Punishment in dark cells is Civ
en- for trivial as well as serious Of
fenses: not standing at count,
speaking in dining room, laughing
in the cell block, making loud pop
ping noises with the mouth. were
listed on some of the discipline slips
of the federal cases studied.
1T was related to our field work
er by one of the reformatory staff
that prisoner was found dead in
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
BY GEORGE +. HELMER
UNITED Press Staff Correspondent


SEATTLE. Wash. July 8. (U.P-
Soaring slowly through light
ground fog and heading directly
north, Reginald Robbins and Har-
old Jones took off from Boeing
field here at $3.50 a. m. on what
they hope will be a nonstop flight
to Tokio-the first nonstop flight
over the Pacific in an airplane.
The flyers headed directly into a
cloudless sky on the first leg of
their journey which will take them
to Fairbanks. Alaska. where their
trimotored refueling plane awaits
them for the first air refueling.
The little yellow and white Lock-
heed Vega monopiane, Fort Worth,
was heavy with its load of gasoline
which will take 1t, If all goes well,
1900 miles TO Fairbanks. 1t reached
the far end of the runway before
the wheels left the ground.
Both flyers were confident they
would accomplish their purpose.
I'VE will be in Toxic tomorrow
night" Jones said as he stepped in
to the cockpit.
Weather conditions for the flight
\ were perfect as far as ALASKA, and
kas far as the weather bureau can
forecast, the flyers probably will en-
counter no bad weather all the way
to Toxic.
Only a handful of newspapermen,
photographers, and policemen were
at the airport as the Fort Worth
sailed into the dawn.
There was no more ceremony at
the start of this flight which may
mark an epoch in transpacific trav-
ell, than there would have been had
the fliers been taking off on a test
flight.
The flyers expect TO reach Fair
banks late this evening.
There their refueling plane, pilot
ed by Nick Greener and Jim Mat
tern. will give them Approximately
100 or $50 gallons of gasoline. After
the Fairbanks refueling the plane
will accompany Robbins and Jones
to Nome and there the Fort Worth
will be filled with every gallon Of
gas 1t will hold. The flyers will
have accomplished about half of
their trip when they leave Nome.
The flight from Seattle TO Toxic.
for which a japanese newspaper
has offered a $4,000 prize, would
ordinarily be about 4600 miles If
the flyers followed the common
great circle route. With Jones and
Robbins heading inward as far as
Fairbanks. and as far north as
Nome, however, their flight will
have been considerably over 5000
miles by the time they reach Toxic
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
RED CROSS HEAD
EXPLAINS STAND
ON MINERS AID

WASHINGTON, July 8. W.P) -
Judge John Barton Payne. chair
man of the American Red Cross,
said today that his organization
would not extend relief to Pennsyl-
vania coal miners because of an es-
tablished policy to give aid only in
eases of catastrophe" This state
ment was made in response to a re-
quest from Governor Clifford Pin
chot of Pennsylvania who appealed
to the Red Cross to extend help.
In letter replying to Governor
Pinchot. Payne said that the situ-
alton in the coal industry has been
brought to the attention of the Red
Cross from eight or 10 states.
1T is an economic situation which
has been before the country for
more than 10 years" Payne said.
THE Red Cross is an emergency
organization dealing with disasters
which. broadly speaking, fall within
a class said to be due to an act of
God; disaster which can be closed
when the emergency has been met.
by confining itself to such things
as are contemplated by its charter
the Red Cross is able to do its work
If 1t should undertake to deal with
distress wherever and however ex-
listing 1t would speedily find itself
financially unable to proceed
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
National Tour
Pilot Injured

MARTINS FERRY, O., July 8.
W.P)-Charles Sugg, pilot in the ma
tional air tour, was injured serious
ly near here today when his air
plane crashed against the side of a
hill.
Sugg was taken to Martins Ferry
hospital where it was said his skull
may have been fractured.
The flyers landed at Martins
Ferry and took off from the lea of
high hill. He failed to gain suf-
ficient altitude to clear the summit.
Farmers rushed to the badly
wrecked plane in which Sugg was
pinned. Broken parts of the craft
were chopped away with axes be-
fore the flyer could be removed.
The tour. composed of 30 air.
planes, landed here from Wheeling,
w. Va, enroute to Columbus, Ohio,
for noon stop.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
YOUNG SLAYER
OF POLICEMAN
TO FACE TRIAL

CHICAGO, July 8. U,P)-Fifteen-
year-old Warner Cory, model school
boy and an honor Boy Scout, must
be tried for murder and risk being
sent to the electric chair for killing
of Policeman Edward Smith, it has
been decided.
Prosecutors and defense attor-
neys previously had virtually agreed
to allow the red-haired youngster
to plead guilty to a charge of man.
slaughter and receive reformatory
sentence. The plan was vetoed by
Mrs. Helen Smith, widow of the
slain policeman.
Hes a murderer, and let him be
treated as one" Mrs. Smith said
when Warmers case was called late
yesterday before Judge Joseph Sab
bath. He made me a widow and
left my children fatherless. Let him
pay"
Warner has admitted, police
said, that he shot Smith when the
policeman ordered him and two
other boys out of a school swimming
pool where they we're trespassing
Trial for the boy was set for next
Monday.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
.& R1~~
. 1850 nsNassAs sysAissA:. La
TORRID WEATHER
CAUSING DAMAGE
in SAN JOAQUIN

FRESNO, July 8. UP)-Sun-bl
tered, pest-ridden crops were the
only promise given many San Joa-
quin valley farmers today for their
years work, as drought and high
temperatures continued to assail
them.
This was the eighth consecutive
day of 100 degree plus heat that
has brought out a horde of vine
hoppers and dried up vineyards.
Weather bureau statistics indi-
Gated scarcely one-tenth the supply
of water provided by the Kings
river a decade ago was today drain
ing from the mountains.
The river, irrigation water source
of more than 100000 acres, has
dropped from a normal July flow
of 1850 second feet in 1920 to flow
that today was only 300 second feet.
County farm advisors here said
the damage to vineyards in some
sections was alarming. Vines are
drying out at a rapid rate. they
said. In addition, vine hoppers
have flourished in the current hot
spell until in many places the dam
age they have wrought is evident
from the roadside.
Peaches were undergoing quick
ripening, both Fresno and Kings
counties shipping Elbertas 10 days
ahead of last year.
The maximum temperature here
yesterday was 102 degrees. In Bs-
kersfield the maximum was report
ed as ITO.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
ROCKEFELLER SURE HE WILL
LIVE TO SEE CENTURY MARK

Copyright, 1881, by United Press
TARRYTOWN. N. V, July s.
(U.P)-John ID. Rockefeller Sr.,
whose habit of saving pennies
as a farm boy of eight down in
Moravia, N. Y, led to creation
of one of the worlds largest
fortunes, celebrated his 92nd
birthday at his feudal manor on
Pocantico Hills today, and
looked forward to his Tooth.
Twenty years ago when he
turned over to his son control
of the Standard Oil corporation,
vast monopoly representing
seyen-eights of the industry, he
had achieved the success he de-
sired in business. Now he is en-
gagged, just as earnestly, in liv-
ing to be 100.
why I'll live to be 100. 1 feel
as well as l ever did. I'll even
beat 100," he told a friend
yesterday.
And in accordance with the
rules of living which he has set
for himself--rules from which
he never deviates-he planned a
simple celebration, different
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08

from any other days routine
only in the fact that members
of the immediate family were
present. and that there would
be a birthday cake on the din
ner table.
Shielded from the public in
the privacy of his 5000 acre
estate by a small army of pri-
vate policemen, he planned to
breakfast, play numerica, golf
his usual nine holes, nap after
lunch, go for a drive before din
rcr, and pass out dimes.
He will not grant any inter
views. His only public an
nouncement was in the form of
a statement which said:
"These occasions offer me a
very welcome opportunity: first
to express my gratitude to the
many many friends who not
only at this time but through
out the year have shown their
kindly regard for me. and sec
ond. to wish them and theirs
and all the world a large mea-
sure of health and contentment
which are the basis of real
happiness.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
SOVIET ORDERS.
new POLICY In
BIG COAL FIELD
BY EUGENE LYONS
United Press Staff COrrespOndenO

MOSCOW, July 8. U.P)-Imme-
diately reorganization of the i'm
portant Donetz basin coal fields
along lines encouraging individual
effort was ordered by the Soviet
authorities today.
A joint order was issued signed
by Josef V. Stain, Premier Viaches-
las, and Serge Ordjonikidze, head
of the Polit-Bureau, announcing the
drastic program.
1t was the first move in making
effective the new Stain economic
era" announced by the Communist
leader recently.
The order specifies that piece
work shall be extended and wage
scales increased, SO that the better
qualified miners and. other workers
will be paid according to their mer-
1t and not as they have been. every
one on the same basis regardless of
whether their work was good or
bad.
Past months show extremely un-
satisfactory fulfillment of coal pro-
duction in the Don BASIN" the Or
der said. THE situation may have
bad consequences for the entire
economy of the Soviet union.
If this backwardness is con-
tinued. it might strike a blow di-
rectly at the realization of our ma
tional economic plan"
This direct reference to the pos
sible failure OF the five-year plan
was regarded as Of vital signifi-
cance.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
BANDITS IN FLIC T.
CRUEL PUNISHMENT
ON THEIR VICTIM

LOS ANGELES, July 8. W.H -
Two bandits, who tortured Edward
Sparks, San Fernando fireman, with
acid because he had only $3.50 and
a cheap watch when they held him
up, were sought by police today.
Sparks was in a hospital SO Sc
verely burned by the acid that he
may die, physicians said. One of
his legs was so badly scared that
amputation may be necessary if he
lives, the doctors declared.
Sparks told police he was accost-
ed by the bandits as he drove his
automobile along Laurel canyon
road last night He said the men,
described as MeXicans, burned him
with nitric acid when he had only
a small amount of money and the
watch to give them.
After the torture Sparks stag
gered mile from the scene and
collapsed on doorstep of & house.
Inmates of the house called an am
bulance and Sparks was taken to a
hospital.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
CONTINUED on page 81
'DRYS' PEEVED
BECAUSE 'WETS'
CAPTURE PRIZE

SANTA BARBARA, Cal, July 8
W.P)-Echoes of a Fourth of July
controversy between w. G. T. u.
members and members of the Cru
saders, an organization for change
of the prohibition laws, continued
today as the mayor and the city
council received written protests
from the w. C. T. u.
A Crusader float which won first
place in Santa Barbara's Fourth OF
July patriotic parade was the bone
of contention.
Mrs. Ruth Reynolds, leader of the
w. C. T. u. in Santa Barbara, ex-
pressed indignation over the award
of a silver cup to the Crusaders.
She urged that the cup be taken
back and given to the float next in
rating.
IF a float advocating repeal of
laws against arson and murder and
other crimes were to go down the
streets of Santa Barbara wouldn't
there be protest?" asked Mrs. Rey-
nolds. "Yet liquor brings Just those
things"
Mrs. Reynolds charged that the
Crusaders wanted light wine and
beer returned in order that they
might avoid payment of income
taxes.
There would be a tax on beer
and the poor man. not the rich
man, drinks beer" Mrs. Reyonlds
said. Therefore he would pay the
tax. 1t isn't the rich man who is
dry"
The members of the dry organlza-
ton demanded that the Crusaders
be excluded from future parades.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
Naval Vessel Is
Running Wild

SAN DIEGO, Cal, July 8. U.P)--
Mariners of coastwise vessels were
keeping a weather eye open today
for the destroyer Stoddert, cruising
off this port without crew.
The Stoddert, slated for decom-
missioning, at the last minute was
turned into a radio-controlled YES
sci, and is using good part of the
Pacific ocean for speed trials,
changing speed and course over a
wide limit without warning.
For this reason, all vessels were
cautioned to give the craft a wide
berth, and special marks of identifi-
cation were placed on the destroyer.
Two huge black balls on the
crafts mast comply with interna-
tional regulations for the prevention
of collisions, while mushroom covers
have been added to the stacks.
AT later date, the Stoddert will
be used for target practice with the
battle force and aviation squadrons.
Small explosives and dummy shells
will be used in bombarding the
craft.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
Maybe He Looks
Like A Bandit

JERSEY CITY, N. J., July 8.
U.P)-Col. Charles Lindbergh,
whose picture has been printed
many times in nearly every
newspaper in the country, had
to identify himself before
bank officer recognized him.
A tall, tanned young man
with a piece of adhesive plas-
ter over one lip asked John
White, branch bank manager,
to cash a check. White asked
him what he had to identify
himself.
my name is Lindbergh," the
man said, producing cards and
letters.
While writing out the check
the flyer explained he cut his
lip while diving at a swimming
pool Sunday.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
Believe Aviator
Foul Play Victim

SAN FRANCISCO. July g. U,P)-
The body of Jack Ness, San Fran
cisco airport transport pilot, was
found at the surf's edge off Sloat
boulevard today a bullet wound
through the head.
Police investigated the possibility
of murder when a careful search
failed to reveal any pistol in the
vicinity. The body was discovered
by Joseph Lobianca. A wrist watch
on the body stopped at las o'clock.
Ness had been a private pilot for
Dana Fuller. advertising manager
for w. p. Fuller 81 Co, paint manu-
facturers. He was last seen at the
airport, where he kept the plane,
on Sunday.
No official designation Of mur-
der was attached to discovery of
the body. Police expressed the
opinion to newspapermen that Ness
had been shot elsewhere and
dragged to the waters edge.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
GERMANY PLACES
SEVERE TAX ON
ALL BUSINESSES
BY FREDERICK KUH
United Press Staff Correspond.


BERLIN, July 8. U,P)-President
Paul Won Hindenburg issued an
emergency decree today levying on
all important business concerns for
guarantees to protect German Gre
dit.
The decree, issued under article 48
Of the constitution, empowers the
government to impose on all busi-
ness concerns having property ex-
ceeding 100000 marks (s1 1,19O,00O)
in value, proportionate guarantees
up to maximum of 50,000,000
marks for debts of the reich gold
discount bank and contracts for the
protection of German credit.
The bank of Industrial Deben-
lures, established under the Dawes
plan, may act as trustee for the
guarantee fund.
The decree legalizes last nights
offer of leading German firms to
guarantee a credit up to 100000. 900
marks (s119,0oo,0OO) for the reich's
debts.
BERLIN, July 8, U.P) - With
drawalS of foreign currency from
the Reichsbank gold reserves drop
ped today, presumably in response
to the guaranteeing of credit by
leading firms and the credit decree
OF President Paul Won Hindenburg.
Withdrawals today totaled 25 000,-
600 marks. as against 40,000,000 yes
terday and 75,000,00O on Monday.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
Anti-Fascist
Plot Charged

ROME, July 8. U.P)-An effort TO
connect the Azione Cattolica with
purported plot against the Fas-
cist regime in Italy caused added
concern today in the controversy
between the Catholic church and
the government.
The Fascist organ. II Layoro Fas-
cista, charged that Don Sturzo,
Sicllian- Green. said to have been
former power in italian politics.
plotted to overthrow Fascism.
The newspaper only declared that
Sturzo attempted to enlist the aid
of the Catholic Action society
(Azione Cattolica, laymans organ
ization) in his plot.
1t was admitted that Cardinal Pa
celli, papal secretary OF state. dis
approved OF the scheme.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
FOUR ACCUSED
STOCK BROKERS
FREED BY JURY

SAN FRANCISCO, July 8. U.P)-
George N. Keyston, former presi-
dent of the San Francisco stock
exchange, and three associates stood
acquitted today by a federal jury
after an eight-weeks trial on
charges of conspiring to embezzle
$4,000 from the Bank of Italy.
Freed with Keyston in one of San
Francisco's most famous stock fraud
cases were Ray S. Rossiter, his part
ner in the firm of Leib, Keyston
81 Co., Claude Galmarino, an en-
ployee, and Daniel P. Burke, former
bank worker.
The acquittal, reached by a jury
last night after celebrating almost
IL hours, appeared to have ended
the long series of prosecutions.
Chellis Carpenter. assistant U. S.
attorney, said he believed the other
charges now pending would be
dropped.
In the original indictments, the
four just acquitted, together with
Joseph C. Bray, former manager of
a Bank of Italy branch, Robert
Haddow, his assistant, and Elmer
j. Griffin, prominent tennis player,
were charged with conspiracy. Grif-
fin was freed on an instructed ver-
dict of Federal Judge F. H. Kerri-
gan.
Bray and Haddow pleaded guilty,
testified for the government against
the others, and then received fed
eral prison sentences.
The government alleged Bray and
Haddow, working with Burke, used
bank deposits and securities to con-
duct huge market speculationS
through Lieb Keyston company.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
@IM!uLIL-.o

BEVERLY HILLS, July 7.
(SpeciaD-Now l can't be so
truthful about these congress-
men in Washington, for yester-
day the head one of all of 'em
drove out with Congressman
Grail to my igloo to see me,
Tilson, the Republican MAORI
ty leader (who will perhaps be
the next speaker, we talked
over old times when we used to
meet and tell jokes in Long
worths room.
He was called in to consult
on Mr.. Hoover's debt plan. 1t
was we'll thought out and no
politics involved as he fed quite
a few Democrats during the
huddle. Tilson says, I'VE are
over the worst" Let's hope he
is right. Even a congressman
can be right occasionally.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
ClaremOre Calls
Rogers Hand

CLAREMORE, Okla, July 5.
U.P)-Criticism of Claremore's
aviation facilities by the
towns favOrite son, VIII
Rogers, brought immediate
action from city officials.
Commenting on his desire
for Wiley Post and Harold
Gatty to stop at Claremore,
the cowboy humorist said that
Claremore's cow pasture would
not permit visit.
A location for an airport has
been staked out and Rogers
has been invited TO christen it
with a bottle of the towns
mineral water.
The port will he named the
Will Rogers airport.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
Missing Actress
Returns Home

NEW YORK, July 8. U.P)-A
three day search for Evelyn Wilson,
beautiful chorus girl believed by her
mother to have been kidnapped or
killed, ended today when it was
learned the girl had returned to
her home a few minutes before mid
night, as mysteriously as she had
vanished.
Detectives, who have sought her
ever since her disappearance after
party Sunday. went to her apart
ment to question her but were pre-
vented from doing so by DR.. Sam
uel Marion, who said the girl was
in highly nervous condition and
could not be interviewed until she
had slept
Imperial Valley press., 1931-07-08
Three Die From
Poisoned Liquor

BROCKTON, Mass, July 8.-U.P)
The deaths of three poison liquor
victims in this city and a nearby
town today resulted this noon in
the arrest of an unemployed shoe
worker as the bootlegger who dis
pensed the deadly beverage.
Dominick Desormiers, 81. arrested
at Brockton hospital where he was
under treatment after drinking
some of the concoction, will be
charged with at least three counts
of manslaughter. District Attorney
Winfield M. Wilbar said.