davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
World Flight To
Start In June

NEW YORK, May Z. W.P)-The
projected round the world flight by
Hugh Herndon Jr.. and Claude Pang-
born, will start from Old Orchard,
Me-, in about three weeks, Herndon
announced today.
The youthful flyers returned last
night after a leisurely flight to Por-
to Rico, intended to try out their
plane in preparation for the globe
girdling attempt. They were accom-
panied on the trip by Captain Lewis
f. Yancey, veteran of one trans
Atlantic air crossing, who acted as
navigation instructor.
During their seven-day flight, the
aviators estimated they flew $500
miles, of which more than half was
without sight of land because of
clouds or water. 1t gave them ideal
prospective in blind flying" for
their prospective world flight, how
ever, they said.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
Militia Guards
Kentucky Town

HARLAN, KY, May 7. U.I)-Cav-
airy and infantry units of the Ken
lucky National Guard arrived here
shortly after 8 a. m. today to con-
troll a situation of bloody disorders
growing out of labor disputes in coal
mines in southeastern Kentucky.
The troops and cavalry men were
enroute to the little mining town of
Evarts, 10 miles cast of here, where
they were due to arrive and pitch
camp by noon. The cavalry unit
arrived here by train and was
scheduled to move east by 10 a. IN.
Meanwhile, at Evarts, a group Of
more than 300 miners under COM
mand of Police Chief Asa Cusick was
drawn up in Semi-military array
tour American flags flying-to greet
the troops on their arrival there.
Everyone is glad the troops are
coming" Chief Cusick told the
United Press in a telephone conver-
sation from Evarts.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
FRESNO SUSPECT
DENIES GUILT IN
BROOKS TRAGEDY

FRESNO, Cal, May 7. U.P)-
Doubt was expressed by police here
today that Merle Mercer, 22-year-
old Salt Lake City youth accused of
many burglaries and at least one
statutory offense, had anything to
do with the murder of Virginia
Brooks, II, in San Diego last Feb
ruary IL.
Police questioned Mercer at the
request of San Diego authorities.
The young man admitted he had
been in San Diego about February
l and once shortly afterward, fol-
lowing a trip to San Francisco, but
said he was unable to give definite
dates nor the routes he had cover
ed in his travels.
MY Lord" he cried, when po-
lice mentioned the Brooks case.
They're not trying to pin that on
me too, are they?"
Mercer explained his inability to
give dates and exact routes of travel
by saying he had driven so much
and visited so many cities the last
several months he was unable to
remember dates or routes.
Mercer is accused of 35 dinner
hour" burglaries here that netted
about $4,000 in loot, one burglary
and a statutory offenSe against a
girl in San Diego. and is suspected
of many other burglaries in cities
from San Diego to Seattle.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
TALE OF CRUELTY
is REVEALED BY
CLEVELAND BOY

CLEVELAND, Ohio, May 7. U.p)-
Physicians at Lakeside hospital to-
day were attending a six-year -old
boy who police claim, escaped from
his home after being locked in the
bathroom without food for more
than two weeks.
Police arrested the boys father,
James Robinson Sr., and his STEP
mother, who fled but was appre-
hended several hours later. They are
held for action of juvenile authori-
ties.
The boy is in a serious condition
with tuberculosis-p -peritonitiS, caused
by undernourishment, physicians
said.
Hospital physicians said the boy
was conscious and able to furnish
them with a description of his i'm
prisonment. According to his story,
there was little food in the house
and his parents were depriving him
of his share so that his four-year-
old brother, Arthur, could have
plenty. James said he climbed to
the cupboard and took "the bread
and butter"
Angered by his deed, Robinson
Sr. tied him up in the bathroom.
where he remained for more than
two weeks, 1t was said. A few days
ago he jumped from the bathroom
window and ran to the home of a
neighbor with the story that his
"Dan1a waS moan IN mo ~
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
.CANTALOUPES IN
VALLEY SHOW NO
SIGN OF MILDEW
Shipments Reported To
Be Of Unusually Fine
Quality And Flavor.

With practically no mildew exist
ing in the valley. cantaloupes this
year are unusually fine in quality,
and shipments are increasing daily
35 cars going out of the valley yes
terday with 10 from the south end
including Ell Centre and Seeley. The
J. w. Asher Co. of Calexico is bill
ing a car out today which is the
first car load shipment from that
city.
A slight weakening in both the
Eastern and Los Angeles markets
occurred yesterday according to re-
ports received by the federal state
market news service in Brawley.
Yesterdays New York market
vas: jumbo Ass, $10-12; standard
Ass, S10-11; pony Ass, S8-lo; pony,
5As. SO; pony orange pack, $3.50;
standard flats, lbs and 15s; S350-4.
Yesterdays Los Angeles market
was: Jumbos, Sc; standard Ass,
S5.50-$5.75; pony 45c. $3.5O-3.75;
pony ass, $325-$350; flats, $2-2.50.
The fob. market mere for STAN
dard Ass was $4, with express market
slightly higher. Chicago showed a
slightly lower market than New
York, jumbos bringing $3.50.
From the figures of the market
news service, prices this year are
somewhat lower than at the same
time last year and are due posi-
bly, to two causes, business depres-
sion in the East, and the fact that
shipments began somewhat earlier
this year.
At the same time last year stan
dard Ass brought from S11-13 in
New York as compared to S8-10 this
year. Last year at this date ship
ments totalled 54 cars, while this
year 80 cars have already been
shipped.
A. E. Prugh, marketing specialist
from the U. S. bureau of agricul-
tural economics, arrived in Brawley
yesterday to work with the federal
state market news service, and COM
mented on the excellent quality of
the melons and the freedom from
mildew. Market news officials state
the melons are far superior this year
to last and the same statement is
made in the monthly report of B.
A. Harrigan, agricultural commits
/ Sioner.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
CONDUCT PROBE
INTO CAUSE OF
AIRPLANE CRASH

LOS ANGELES. May 7. W.P)-An
investigation OF the airplane crash,
which caused the death of two
pilots. Arthur Dillar Starbuck and
Charles r. Parmelec, Tuesday mid
night. was being conducted today
by officials of the Pacific Air Trans
port to determine the specific cause.
The plane, which carried mail
from San Diego for Los Angeles on
its fatal trip. was said TO have
been heard over the United Airpor'
at 1870 p. m. Tuesday, the time 1t
was scheduled 10 arrive.
The ceiling. however. at that time
was only 600 feet and fog was said
10 have extended TO an altitude Of
200 feet which officials of the
company said would have made it
impossible for the pilots to see the
strong stone lights which under
ordinary conditions. guide the fly
crs to the landing field at night.
10 Is believed the aviators were
unable TO locate the field and in
circling around In search of the
airport dropped lower and crashed
into the mountainside eight miles
north of Burbank.
An autopsy was to be held today
TO determine the cause of the pilots
deaths.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
M& R1e~~.
a 1850 MsNsusAs syadleas:. la
NYE COMMITTEE
UNABLE TO QUIZ
WOMAN WITNESS

WASHINGTON, May 7. W.P)-Ef-
forts of the Nye committee of the
senate, attempting to investigate
activities of Bishop James Cannon
Jr., of the Methodist Episcopal
church, South, in the 1928 presi-
Dental campaign, failed at least
temporarily today when Miss Ada
Burroughs, an aid to the bishop,
refused to testify.
After a half hour parrying, the
hearing closed without overcoming
Miss Burroughs refusal to answer
questions on the ground that the
committee was without authority.
Futile efforts were made to ques-
ton Miss Burroughs on circum-
stances surrounding the report
made by the Cannon committee ac-
counting for $4,000 of the 64,00O
contribution of E. G. Jameson, New
York financier, to Cannon.
Nye read to Miss Burroughs let
ter written by Cannon in September,
1928, soliciting funds from jane
son and asked her if she could re-
cognize the bishops signature.
81 decline to answer" she re-
piled.
"I will hand the letter to you and
ask the question again." Nye said.
Miss Burroughs looked at the let
ter and said she had nothing to add
to her previous statement.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
MRS. KENNEDY
REPORTED TO BE
SERIOUSLY ILL

LOS ANGELES, May 7. U.P)-
Transfer of Mrs. Minnie Kennedy,
mother of Aimee Semple MCPHERSON,
evangelist, to a hospital was being
considered today when 1t was re-
ported she was growing steadily
weaker from an illness that has con-
fined her to bed during the past
48 hours.
1t was reported she had occasion
al lapses of unconsciousness during
the night and that her condition was
worse than when her illness was
first reported yesterday.
Friends of the evangelists mother
say her illness has been aggravated
by grief over the treatment she has
received from her daughter.
Mrs. Kennedy was reported as
saying she had not received word
from her daughter since she started
on a trip around the world-'not
even when Roberta (the evangelist's
daughter) was married to Bradley
Smyth," ships officer.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
REPORT THREE
LOSE LIVES AS
DREDCER SINKS

NEW YORK, May 7. U.H - The
motor dredge Trimont sank in Long
Island Sound today with the loss of
several members of its crew after q
collision with the coastwise steam
er New York of the Eastern Steam
ship lines.
Five members of the Trimonts )
crew we're rescued by the steamer,
radio messages. to the coast guard
here said. Three men were missing
and assumed TO have drowned, the
messages said.
Two coast guard vessels which
went to the scene of the collision
remained in search for bodies Of
the victims while the steamer left
for New York.
The New York was inbound from
Boston when it collided with the
Trimount one mile west of Race
Rock. The dredge was proceeding
to New York with a motorboat in
tow. Coast guards here said there
was heavy rainstorm when the
accident occurred about 1:30 p. m.;
and that mist shrouded the
sound.
Immediately after the collision,
according to the coast guard, tn,
New York put about and picked uo
five members of the crew. The
steamer was undamaged by the
impact.
The Trimount went down almost
at once. radio messages said, and
was believed to have taken with it
the remaining three members.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
RUSH TO
GET OUT
MEASURES
Closing Days OF Assem-
bly, Indicate Many Bills
To Be Lost.
INCREASE SALARIES
State Referendum On Pro-
hibitiOn Is Blocked In
Committee.
BY HOMER L. ROBERTS
United Press Staff Correspondent

SACRAMENTO, May 7. W.P)-
With only six days left before ad-
journment, the grand scramble to
get bills out of committees began
in the state legislature today.
Hundreds of bills we're doomed
to die on committee files in both
Senate and assembly, as tomorrow is
the last day each house can work
on its own bills.
Administration measures con-
tinued to the front today as the re-
suit of the marked victories won by
Governor Rolph's forces in both
houses.
Reorganization of the state de-
partment of natural resources, by
taking two divisions--lnineS and
mining and oil and gas-out of con-
troll of the director and placing
them under two state commissions
ers, was approved by the assembly.
The chief of the oil division would
receive $4,000 a year, and chief of
the mining division $4,000 a year.
An airplane for Governor Rolph
was a step nearer reality today fol-
lowing approval by the assembly of
a SIS, 900 appropriation for purchase
and upkeep of a machine.
The measure, by Assemblyman
Roy Bishop, Oakland, is now before
the senate. The senate finance
committee recently tabled similar
proposal.
The assembly also approved an
increase in salary for ROLAND A.
Vandergrift, state director of fl
nance, from $4,000 to SIS 900 year.
By vote of A to 33, the assembly
late yesterday turned down reso-
luton SEEKING to withdraw from
committee bill calling for state
wide referendum on prohibition.
A similar bill was ordered with
drawn from committee by the senate
Tuesday
Action on the resolution culminat-
ed d lengthy debate in which the
assembly dry forces, headed by T..
M. Wright, San Jose, author of
CALIFORNIA; Wright Act, were VIC
torious. William Hornblower, San
Francisco, led the fight in favor of
the referendum.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
COUNCIL ORDERS
EQUIPMENT FOR
SEWER REPAIRS
Refuses Appointment Of
Two Police Officers AS
Harmony Move.

An extended session of the city
council last night resulted in action
on several matters of prime import
ance to Ell Centre residents, among
other things the authorization of
the city engineer to purchase emer-
gency equipment to care for posi-
bic collapses of the outfall sewer
line out of Ell Centro.
Phil knights, city engineer, pre-
sented a request for emergency
equipment, citing two recent cave
ins of the sewer line. He was au-
thorized by the council to purchase
a motor driven pump with a capac-
ity Of approximately two times the
flow of the sewer, a truck on which
to mount the pump, and other in
cidental equipment.
Knights said today that the
equipment will probably be obtained
and ready for action within three
days, greatly reducing the menace
presented by further collapse of the
sewer line.
Appointment of two Ell Centre
police officers was disapproved by
the council. when its members re-
fused to allow Bill Keating and
Bill Atkinson to remain on the
force, but voted to pay them for
their services since they were put
to work two weeks ago.
The majority of the council took
the stand that Police Chief Frank
p. McCaslin cannot secure coopera-
ton from Atkinson. while w. j..
Clements. police commissioner, cam
not agree with Heating. Because of
this the council felt 1t best to hire
neither man.
AS a result of $4,000 judgment
recently, in favor of George II. Os-
wald. paving contractor, against
the city, the council last night
adopted a resolution to return the
paving plant which has been the
object of contention to Oswald
The court judgment provided that
for every month the city kept the
plant 1t was to pay an additional
$1,000 Little discussion of the
court proceedings was held.
An amendment to the city ordin-
ance governing itinerant peddlers
was passed. providing that peddlers
who first come into the city to So
licit business, then return to deliver
their goods. will be classed the same
as those who peddle directly, and
will be taxed accordingly.
Fred Riddle, local store proprie-
Continued on page 81
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07

HOLLYWOOD, May 6.
(Special) - Uncle Andy
Mellon don't blather at
these luncheon club fiestas
very often and when he
does things amt looking
so good. And he was sent
in as a pinch hitter to bat
for confidence. But even
him, they couldn't get to
promise us much.
He did say that things
were worse in '73. Now
if we can get much nour-
ishment out of that, let's
do it. Course, Mr.. Mellon
feels mighty bad over his
books not balancing for the
first time in years. We are
just $4,000, 100000 in the
red, so you can't blame
him very much for not
feeling any too pert.
Think of how you'd feel
if you counted up at night
and found you was $9,O0O,-
100000 short.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
BUTLER RELATES WORK DONE
DURING TROUBLE IN MEXICO

him as MIR. Johnson" to Mexi-
can officials.
He convinced one. of Presi-
dent Huerta's aides that he was
a secret service man from Ohio
looking for an escaped murder
er, whom it was believed had
enlisted in the Mexican army.
The aide took him to see the
president.
Il was led into the presi-
dents room" he said. "Old
Huerta was in bed. drunk. /
told him that If he helped me
catch that murderer he would
be helping the whole United
States and that President VIII
son might recognize his govern
ment as a result.
THAT sounded good to him so
he signed an order that per-
mitted me to enter every one
of the % or "a garrisons i'm the
city and inspect every man at
close range. While I'm the gar
risons 1 found plenty of time to
note all the arrangements and
the amount of munitions and
artillery on hand"
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
SlayerS Receive
Life Sentences

LOS ANGELES, May 7. U.I)-
Life Imprisonment in San Quentin
penitentiary was the sentence i'm
posed today on Ray R. Brown, as
serted ex-convict. for his part in
the killing of Carlysle Lord, retired
Long Beach businessman, last jan
uary 20.
Superior Judge Clair S. Tappan
sentenced him.
Co-defendant in the case, Char
ley R. Moe, had already been SEN
fenced to similar term for the
same offense. Both men are &C
cused of entering Lords home, be-
lieving it was the residence of hi
jackers, who had robbed them of a
liquor cargo.
Under this impression, it was
charged, the pair shot and killed
Lord in the presence of other men,
bers of the family.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
WOMAN CONVICT
CONTINUES TO
EVADE CAPTURE

BOISE. Ioa.. May 7. Up)-The
a mere woman-even though aided
by man-could not elude wide
spread and systematic search,
dwindled perceptibly as the third
day since Mrs. Lydia Southard's
escape came without a definite
clue of her whereabouts.
This woman called the female
Bluebeard" by some and Idaho's
Lucrezia Borgia by others, staged
one of the most sensational peni-
tentiary escapes in the history of
the northwest Monday night.
Prison authorities were convinced
she was met outside the walls by
David Minton, ex-convict of Idaho
and notorious automobile thief,
weeks ago.
Minton and Mrs. Southard were
believed to have carried on sur
reptitious love affair inside the
prison walls. The warden said he
had good reason to believe that
Minton actually broke into the PEN
itentiary last Saturday and talked
with the woman.
Mrs. Southard was convicted Of
numbering her fourth husband, Ed
ward Meyer, Billings, Mont. with
fly poison. She was strongly sus-
pected of numbering six others. in
cluding three husbands. a brother
in-law, her two-year-old daughter
and a travelling salesman. All six
died under mysterious circumstance
es. At her trial the state proved
she collected insurance on the
deaths of at least four and attempt
ed to establish that she poisoned
oil
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07

PHILADELPHIA, May Z. (U.H
--Brigadier General Smedley
d. Butler relating the story of
his espionage work in Mexico
in 1914, declared In a speech
last night that the late Victor
iano Huerta, while president,
signed an order under the influ-
ence of liquor which gave the
marine officer power to enter
every army barracks in Mexico
City, count the soldiers and ex-
anime the equipment.
Buffers work I'm Mexico, for
which he received his first con-
gressiOnal medal of honor, was
assigned to him by President
Wilson.
In the guise of a Capitalist
he reached Mexico City after he
had slipped over the side of a
boat in the harbor at Vera Cruz
In the night and gone ashore in
a tropical suit of civilian clothes.
In Mexico City, Nelson o.
Shaughnessy. then charge d.
affaires at the United States
embassy in Mexico City, who
knew his mission. introduced
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
Ask Dismissal In
Damage Action

An order for dismissal of the
damage suit of the Valley Steam
Laundry against the Natural Gas
Corporation of California was filed
today by HickcoX and Trude, attor-
neys for the laundry company.
II is believed that a settlement
has been reached out of court.
The, laundry company sued for
damages caused when a gas main
under the sidewalk In front of the
laundry building on East CONNER
cial exploded, partially wrecking
the building.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
Police Arrest
Senator's Son

LOS ANGELES, May 7. SU.R)-
Jack Talbot, %, actor, who told po-
lice he was the son of Senator Tai
bott, of Kansas, was arrested early
today on a charge of drunkenness.
Talbot is alleged to have bit F..
E. Mailey of 1911 North Hudson
street and then leaped out of Sec
ond story window.
Declaring the assault was un-
provoked, Mailey refused to press
battery charges against Talbot, po-
lice said. He was unable to explain
why Talbot bit him other than he
vas under the Influence of liquor
at the time, Mailey told police.
Talbot, who said he lived at the
Hollywood Y. M. c. A., was not in
jured in his fall.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
Weather Delays
Japanese Flyer

NUMERO, Japan, May 7. U.P)-
Seiji Yoshihara, 27-year-old Japa-
nese aviator, met the first reverse
of MS attempted flight to the
United States today when bad
weather forced him to return here
two hours after he had taken off
for SimiSur Island.
Yoshihara started for the island
on the third lap of his flight at
1915 p. m. but returned at l:55
p. IN. He said he encountered un-
favorable flying conditions and de-
cided not to attempt crossing the
dangerous country that lay ahead of
him.
The pilot will resume the flight,
weather permitting. tomorrow.
Simisur island is $50 miles from
here.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
CH|[DFRS
OPPOSED
TO BILL
Districts Attorney States
He Cannot Follow
Boards Instructions.
GIVES EXPLANATION
Believes Vote Restricting
Measure Will Be Found
Unconstitutional.

Another resownding blast In the
voters property qualification con-
roversy was fired today when
Charles L. Childers, attorney to the
Imperial Irrigation district. respond
ed to orders from the district board
that he exert every effort to Sc
cure passage of the bill," with the
flat statements that he cannot sup
port the measure.
Forces OH both sides of the ques-
ton are lining up for renewed strug-
gle during the closing days of the
legislature and Childers' telegram
received at district headquarters
this morning. sets forth his stand
IN the matter. His telegram fc<.
lows in full:
May 6, Sacramento, Calf.
IF. II. McIver,
Imperial Irrigation District.
"El Centre.
Il have your night letter of yes
terday with copy of resolution of
the board of directors ordering and
instructing me to exert every effort
TO secure the passage of the bill now
pending in the Legislature which
will, If approved. require a real prop
erty qualification of all voters with
IN irrigation districts of more than
five hundred thousand acres. In the
irrigation districts association and
elsewhere on many occasions / have
expressed myself as being opposed
TO the principle involved In this
bill. am convinced and have SO
advised Mr.. Robinson that this par
ticular bill Is unconstitutional. Even
II / am wrong in this regard and
the court finally holds 1t constitu-
tional We are bound 10 have an ex-
tended period of uncertainty follow
ing the first election while II is be
ing tested. For these reasons ]
cannot support the bill and I wish
you would advise each member oi
the board so there may be no mis-
understanding. So far l have not
discussed 1t with any member OF
the legislature except our assembly,
man.
"CHAS. L. CHILDERS."
Approved BY Board
The district board passed a res
olution favoring the measure ad-
vocated by the .arm board at a reg
ular session several weeks ago. The
vote at that time stood: ayes. G. w
Brockman, chairman; Ira Aten and
Continued on cage six)
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-07
Helene Will Not
Be RecOnciled

BUCHAREST, Roumania, May Z.
WPl - Princess Helene, estranged
wife of King Carol. has left Buch-
Arrest for Belgrade. Jugo-Slayia, 1t
was disclosed today.
Her son. Crown Prince Michael,
who has been III of angina, was re-
ported recovered. His mother
nursed him constantly during his
Illness
IN the absence of any announce
ment regarding Princes Helene's
departure from Roumania. or the
probable length Of her stay in Ju-
go-Slavia. considerable speculation
arises regarding the dynasty In Rou-
maria. Repeated efforts to effect
y reconciliation between Carol and
Helene have failed. The princess has
refused 70 leave Bucharest however.
because of Michael. and King Carol
ia.f ne1u4d "a rive the boy up