davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
CONTRACT
AWARDED
FOR DAM
Six Companies, Inc., Given
JOB Of Building Project
AT Black Canyon
WAS LOWEST BIDDER
Work Can Start 36 Hours
After Formal NOtifica-
tiOn Received

WASHINGTON, March II. (U.P}-
Secretary of Interior Wilbur today
signed an authorization awarding
the construction of the giant Hoov-
er dam and power plant or the
Black canyon OF the Colorado river
to the Six Companies, Incorporated.
Last week Six Companies, Inc, a
combination of as many construc-
ton firms, made low bid of SAB
890999 for the contract to build the
dam and power plant. F. T. Grove.
manager of the companies and tor
many years a construction engineer
in the interior department, has no.
titled Secretary Wilbur that his or
ganization is prepared to start work
within SO hours after it receives
formal notification to proceed.
The firms which merged under
Grove to take the low bid on tins.
the largest construction contract
ever let by the federal government,
include: Utah Construction COM
pany, Henry j. Kaiser and w. A.
Bechtel, Mcdonald and Kahn, Nor
rison-Knudson company. j. F. Shea
company and the Pacific Bridge
company.
An impressive ceremony marked
! Secretary Wilbur s ratification OF
the contract for Hoover dam, a prof.
ect which is expected to turn a des-
| ert of the far west into a garden
land supporting 100000 people.
Wilbur signed the authorization
in his outer office in the interior
building, under the eyes OF a group
of senator's and representatives
from western states. A little knot
| of interior department officials,
! headed by Reclamation Commission
er Elwood Mead, to whom Hoover
| dam will be the crowning achieve
ment of lifetime of public service,
followed the final act with smiling
faces
The first task which will face the
construction company at the dam
site will be that of driving four tun-
nels, SO feet in diameter and about
one mile long, through solid volcanic
rock on each side of the CANYON.
These tunnels alone are expected to
| cost approximately S15,0OO.OOO. A
Golfer dam, so feet high, will then
be constructed above the site OF the
permanent dam, and a similar one
below. When these temporary dams
are constructed, it will insure dry-
ness of the river bed during the con-
struction period.
When preliminary work is accom-
plished great concrete structure
will be erected from the base OF tine
canyon. This structure, the dam
proper, will be $50 feet long at the
base, sloping to width OF As feet
at the top and will be 727 feet high
While Wilbur was formally award
ing the contract for construction OF
the dam, the supreme court was
studying the merits of Arizona s suit
TO halt the project on the ground
that it invades the state IS rights.
Arguments in the suit were COM
pleted yesterday
The court will devote much of its
time to considering the merits OF
the Swing johnson bill and Santa
Continued on page 81
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
GOTHAM PROBE
MAY INCLUDE
MAYOR WALKER

NEW YORK, March II. U.P)-
Mayor James j. Walker, who left
two days ago for California to get
away from all these investigations"
faced the possibility today of be-
coming the subject of an investiga-
ton himself.
The movement for a general in
vestigation of the whole Tammany
controlled city government, which
gained great impetus with the start
of an inquiry into incompetency
charges against District Attorney
Thomas c. T. Cram, may be broad
ened to include the mayor.
The society for the prevention of
crime, in a letter to individual
members of the legislature, has cit
ed specific charges against Walker,
understood to be of the same ma
ture ii. e., of laxity and incomp-
tence) as those against Grain. 1t
was rumored that the city club,
author OF the formal charge against
Grain, was also Considering filing
charges against the mayor.
At the same time the New York
City Congregational Church Asso-
citation, representing ~ churches,
moved for united protests by pro-
testants, Catholics and Jews against
civic corruption. A resolution was
adopted last night asking Governor
Roosevelt to take immediate action
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
ROlph COmmutes
Two Sentences

SACRAMENTO, March H. U.P)-
Governor Rolph today committed the
sentences of two murderers con-
demned to hang Friday at San
Quentin and Folsom prisons to life
Imprisonment without parole.
They were: Ernest A. Dias. 25,
Alameda county "petting party
killer, who shot Mary Munoz and
her fiance, Stanley Montero, to
death, and Albert M Stewart, 80,
the squealer," the last member of
the gang of six convicts who en-
gineered the bloody riot of Thanks
giving day of 1927, in which IL per-
sons lost their lives.
The governor granted a further
reprieve to Pedro Magsaysay, Fres-
no Filipino, who killed fellow
countryman, Alexandra Posigian, in
order to give further study to the
caSp
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
PAYMENTS ON INDEBTEDNESS BY
DISTRICT REACHING PEAK POINT

passes below the million dollar marx
and continues to dwindle until in
1857 the final installment of inter-
est and principal amounting $780,
900 will be made.
Since 1926 the district has been
paying over million dollars an
nually on its bonded Indebtedness
Payments have included the liquid.
alton of bond principal since 1925
In 1884 the final installment on the
third bond issue amounting to s.,
100000 will be made. This yea
100000 is being paid on the thirc
bond issue principal.
The records show that there are
four bond issues outstanding against
the district. The first issue was
voted on October 90, 1914, and
amounted to s3,5O0,O0O and was de-
voted almost entirely to the pur-
chase of the properties of the Cali
fornia Development company At
the time this issue was voted the
board of directors included w. o
Hamilton, Earl Pound, Porter N
Ferguson, c. w. Brockman and j. A.
Mcbride.
The second bond issue amounting
TO S2,500,000 was voted on May 26
1917 At that time the board OF dl-
rectorS included: j. R. Edmunds
Leroy Holt, R. d. McPherrin, j. S
Nickerson and G. D. Manning.
The third issue amounting to ST.
100000 was voted on September Is,
1919. Both it and the second bond
issue were for the purpose of build
ing up the irrigation system. The
board of directors at this time in
cluded: Edmunds, McPherrin, Nick
erson. Manning and j. Stanley
Brown.
The fourth bond issue was voted
on June l, 1922, and amounted tc
S7,500,000 Five million of that is
sue went back into the pockets OF
Continued on Page 2)
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
EAKER CLAIMS
HIS FLIGHT NOT
ENTIRE FAILURE

CAVINROCK, Ill, March II. U.P)
The attempted cross country
flight of Captain Ira Eaker which
began at Long Beach, Cal, early
yesterday and ended in a corn
field near Tolu, Ky, was not wholly
a failure, the army flyer" indicated
today.
Eaker drove here from Tolu last
night, and was reticent about the
accident which had cut short his
attempt to demonstrate to the gov
ernment the feasibility of trans
porting troops across the country
in a transport plane of the type he
flew.
He was flying high, as he had
done during most of the flight from
Long Beach, when the motor
stopped, and the plane, heavily
loaded with gasoline. came down
to earth. 1t was SO badly damaged
in landing that Eaker said a con-
tinuance of the flight was impos-
Sible.
The army flyer had covered l725
miles in his secretly constructed
Lockheed Vega monoplane before
he made a forced landing. He
pointed out that the length of this
flight had partially proved that it
was not impossible to move troops
by airplane. Using his craft for a
transport plane, he explained,
would be accomplished by remov-
ing the huge auxiliary gasoline
tanks with which his plane was
equipped, making added room for
troops.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
PLAN EXTENSIVE
HUNT FOR FIEND
WHO KILLED GIRL
San Diego Police Follow
ing Few Clues to Slayer
OF Virginia Brooks

SAN DIEGO, March II. U.P) "A
single blond hair, clasped in the
hand of little Virginia Brooks, gave
police today a tangible clue with
which to continue the search for her
murderer.
Autopsy surgeons found the hair
while making further examination
of the body today. The hair was
not that of Virginia, they reported,
and did not resemble that of Harry
L. Wahlstrom, 81, suspect in the
case. who was held for questioning
while police investigated his record.
Meanwhile, search for her killer
continued in the Escondido district,
| where several weeks ago two men
reported seeing a girl bearing a
striking resemblance TO little Vir-
/ ginia in company with an elderly
man in green coupe.
Tire tracks found at the scene of
| the grewsome find yesterday lead
from the Escondido road, and dep
uty sheriffs expressed the belief that
the Escondido trip might bear fruit.
Deputy Sheriff Harry Gompert of
Los Angeles, expert on tire tracks,
was to be brought here today to aid
local officers in identifying the au-
! tomobile which carried the Brooks
girls mutilated and hacked remains
| into the hills not far from Camp
kearney, where q sheepherder,
George Fl. Moses, found them yes
| terday.
1t was agreed that the automo-
bile was old, for its tires were OF the
fashioned high-pressure type.
The automobile which Escondido
residents named in their intorma-
ton, fit this description, it was said.
Police also were checking the types
of earth found in Wahlstrom s yard
to compare with the leaf mould
found in the sack which contained
Virginia S body. Deputy Sheriff
Blake Mason declared the sack ap-
parently had come from a nursery
or farm, and that the clue was one
OF the most valuable on which he
had to work. Wahlstrom is a poul.
tryman.
j. Another man sought was described
as ''gold toothed'' and was report.
ed to have disappeared from Sar
Diego about the time of the kidnap.
ing. A third suspect was "her.
nit living near San Diego.
A bottle and box found near the
body were other leads held by au-
thoritieS.
Checking Clues
The box, Deputy Sheriff Blake
Mason said, may have contained
surgeon s gloves. The bottle. it was
believed, contained acid used by
the slayer in efforts to dispose OF
the body.
The gloves and the fact that the
head, arms and legs had been sew
cred and part of the girl S vital Or
gans had been ,emoved led Mason
and Chief of Police Arthur Hill to
believe that someone with a knowl-
edge of surgery committed the mur-
der.
Although several thousand per-
sons joined n hunt which extend
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
Griffiths Wins
Damage Action

LOS ANGELES, March II. U.P)-
David Wark Griffith. veteran pro-
ducer and film director, won a
judgment of $67,445 against the B.
and II. Circuit Inc, in Superior
Judge Frank c. Golfers court to-
day.
The suit emanated from the ex-
hibition of the motion picture play
America" at the Forum theater in
1924. Griffith alleged that when
his film was booked at the theater
payment of $4,000 had been guar
anteed him but that he received
only S2l ,237. He asked for the bal
ance of S53,762 with interest.
Opposing payment, the B. and H.
concern maintained the play had
been financial failure.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
CLAIMS POWER
INTERESTS SEEK
PARTY CONTROL
Norris Opens Meeting Of
PrOgressives With Blast
Against Utilities
BY RAYMOND CLAPPEK
United Press Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, March IL. WP)-
Electric power interests are seeking
control of both major party nation
al conventions to name presidentia
candidates of their viewpoint while
a sham battle RACES over false is
sue. Senator George w. Norris, Re-
publican, Nebraska, said in key
note speech in opening the progress
sive conference here today.
Though he did not mention pro-
hibition which was excluded as q
topic of discussion, many in the au-
dience knowing his personal views
assumed this was the ''false issue
to which he referred. Denouncine
control by large wealth, he said use
of money in elections would soor
engrave the dollar sign on the ma
tional capitol.
This combination, Norris said,
referring to the power industry, lis
now beginning its work. the pur-
pose of which is ts control both OF
the great national party conven-
tions. Their attempt is to fight the
campaign on a false issue. about
which they care nothing, being
careful that the candidates for
President in each of the parties
shall have their viewpoint upon the
real issue. which, to the very best
Of their ability. they will keep in
the background.
They will contribute to both
sides and, while the sham battle is
going on, they will celebrate III
high glee, knowing that while in
any case the people will lose, yet
they are sure to win
More than 100 independent Re-
publicans and Democrats, labor
leaders, economists. sociologistS and
publicists gathered in the luXuri-
ously appointed ballroom of the
Carlton hotel, to consider an econ
omic and social program of legisla-
ton TO be pressed in the next con-
gress by the small group of insur-
gents who will hold the balance of
power in both houses. Utilities
farm relief, tariff. unemployment
and restoration Of popular govern
ment are on the program.
Norris declared at the outset that
he was not moved by any personal
ambition or intention of furthering
the candidacy of any man or the
interests of any party.
Neither are we moved by any
intention or idea Of organizing a
third or independent party" he
added. I'VE desire only to relieve
the distress of our fellow men and
do what we can to place our gov
ernment in all its branches on a
higher and more efficient plane Of
operation
Norris advanced no proposals.
Instead he discussed what he re-
CARDS as evils III the present order
which await attention.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11

That the payment OF bonded in
debtedness, principal and interest,
by the irrigation district is ap-
preaching the peak is shown by a
schedule of payments worked out at
district headquarters.
The announcement comes as a
contradiction to rumors that recent
ly have been broadcast through the
valley and which have intimated
that the district is just beginning
the major bond interest and prin-
cipal payments, according to district
officials.
The total interest and principal
payments to be made this year Is
81 ,1l6, 900. Next year the total will
fall off slightly to $685. 500. In
1888 it will be 1,13l ,625, and in 1884,
the peak year, it will amount to ST.
l61 coo. After that the total drops
gradually until in l948 when 1t
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
PUBLISHER SAYS
CONDITIONS NOW
GETTING BETTER

LOS ANGELES, March II. Up)-
Business is definitely on the up
grade III people have the power
to make the grade" Adolph Ochs,
publisher OF the New York Times
who has Just returned from Homo
lulu, said today.
He declared he had always been
claSSea as an optimist, but added
he sincerely believed the world, and
particularly the United States, had
been passing through transition
period with sounder ane better
days ahead.
I'VE have been goirg pretty fast
Ochs told the United Press, and
naturally ran out of breath. There
is no doubt in my mind that Tic
world Is Just beginning its develop
ment and I congratulate young
people on the part they play in
this development II is not a case
of over production but one OF un-
der consumption. There Is plenty
of money in this country but 1t Is
not working ant d unemployed
money presents a greater problem
than unemployed men.
Perhaps things have been bad.
but in my recollection conditions
have been in a mueh more unset
tied state and everything worked
out"
Ochs reiterated his opinion thht
prohibition and its modification G.
repeal would form the chief politi
cal problem OK the major parties
and that the parties will be forced
TO take a definite stand one way
IN. thu othar IN th.s i4a4te
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
1Mx& R14~~.
@ 1880 MeNsurht syndicass. las
NAVAL ACCORD
TERMS REVEALED
By WEBB MILLER
United Press Staff COrreSpOndl

Oultcu ETcSS StdlI SOITcSpOiluCht
LONDON, March II. U.P)-The
terms of the Franco-Italian naval
limitation accord here were made
public today in an official memor-
andum revealing that both coun-
tries had agreed not to build more
than two capital ships each of a
maximum tonnage of 23,333 tons
before December 81, 1886.
The ships will be armed with
guns not to exceed II inches in
caliber.
The agreement permits France
to build the proposed 23,333 ton
super cruiser" for which plans al
ready have been drawn up by the
naval ministry at Paris.
The official memorandum, which
embodied the terms of the accord
in an annex, specified that, sub
ject TO decisions of the forthcom-
ing 1882 world disarmament con-
ference, the tonnage of French
submarines in commission would
not exceed 1899 tons up to Dec
ember 81, 1886. The total figure
represents the tonnage of vessels
now built or under construction.
The London naval treaty limited
the United States, Britain and
Japan to total of 52,700 tons in
submarines and declared a holiday
on capital ships, or battleships un-
til December 81, 1896.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
Daniel May Be
Smart At That

HASTINGS, Mimi, March IL.
U.P-Dan E. Eyre, who claims to
be the worlds oldest bachelor, cele-
brated his Tooth birthday today
and announced he would rather
have a sense of humor than a wife.
You get more attention if you're
unmarried" he said, especially
from the girls. Besides, a sense of
humor is a mans most valuable
possession and lots of times when
a man gets married he loses it."
Eyre celebrated his birthday at
Hastings hospital, where he has
been confined since he partly lost
the use of his legs more than a
year ago. Nurses provided him
with a cake bearing 100 candles.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
BUILDING LOAN
FIRMS OPPOSED
TO LEGISLATION
Object To Measure Which
Would Put Teeth Into
Present Regulations
By HOMER L. ROBERTS
United Press Staff Correspondent

SACRAMENTO March II. U.P) -
Building and loan interests OF Cali
fornia moved their big guns closer
to the legislative battlefront today,
with unexpected opposition develop
ing to the new building and loan
measure.
Representatives of II building and
loan associations appeared before
the assembly building and loan COM
mittee last night to voice objection
to the measure introduced by AS
semblyman Milton Golden of Holly
wood.
The proposed law, designed to put
"teetho in the present act, and
prevent future repetitions of the S6,-
100000 Beesemyer embezZlemcnt in
Los Angeles, has the approval OF the
California Building and Loan league,
and H. L. Carnahan, state building
and loan commissioner
Opponents of the bill declared the
present depression in building aid
loan business is not the reSul. OF
the BeeSemyer affair, and that the
present laws are sufficient to safe
guard both associations and their
depositors.
The bill was put over until the
committee S next meeting.
Two measures aimed to speed
progress of the San Francisco bay
bridge were before the senate today
with favorable recommendation OF
the committee on roads and high
ways.
Charges that Frank G. Shook
chief of the state division of motor
vehicles, had "played politics - with
the division by hiring employees IN
disregard of civil service require
ments, would be investigated undel
a resolution by Assemblyman Harry
Lyons, Los Angeles, introduced IT
| the assembly late yesterday.
Lyons asked the appointment oI
a committee of six members to lool
into the matter.
The assembly committee on ned.
ical and dental laws today reporte,
its refusal to investigate Che den
tistry of the College of Physician
and Surgeons at San Francisco.
A resolution calling for the inves
tigation, introduced by Assembly
man James Quigley OF San Fran
cisco, was tabled. Quigley charged
J favoritiSm and discrimination a
the school. 1t was later brought out
! that the institution is soon to be
taken over by Stanford University
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
Sailors Save Lives
AS Ship Is Wrecked

HONGKONG, March IL. U.P) -
Thirty y-seven seamen aboard the Da-
nish motorship Roseville saved
themselves by leaping ashore when
the vessel grounded on Turnout Is
land in the Straits of Formosa, ac-
cording to word received today by
Hongkong agents of the Klaveness
line.
The tug Henry Keswick was dis
patched from Hongkong to the scene
of the wreck to pick up the stranded
sailors,
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11

NlSiOiidiy La
PASADENA, March IL. (U.H - II
is quite possible that the new planet
Ba, discovered by Professor Lac
chini may be another of the group
of asteroids, which contains more
than a thousand such planets, DR.
S. B. Nicholson, of Mount Wilson
observatory stated to the United
Press today when informed OF the
latest astral discovery.
"We can give no definite details
regarding this latest discovery he
said, "until we have studied the
motion. This we expect to do WITH
in the next two or three days.
"We are just receiving a cable
gram now of the planets location
and motion and from the informa-
ton we receive will study its motion
to ascertain what type of planet 1t
Is.
"It is quite possible, however, that
Ba may be another planet similar
to Pluto. This depends, however, on
the measurements of the planet S
notion
DR.. Nicholson said that Lacchini
was the discoverer of many OF the
planets in the asteroids group and
that 1t might be possible that ne had
found another unknown member OF
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
WHAT'S DOING
TONIGHT

TONIGHT
Scoville revival, 1880, State
Street Christian church.
City council and library board,
1880, city library.
Mid week meetings, churches.
De MOlay, 8, Masonic Temple.
Moose lodge. 8, Moose home.
Basketball. 7, high school.
Oasis lodge, F. and A. NJ,
1880, Masonic Temple.
Eagles, s, $50 Broadway.
Troop 8, B.S.A., 1880, Scout
hut.
Civic orchestra, 1880, Wilson
school.
Fox Imperial Theatre, "The
Royal Family of Broadway.
TOMORROW
Rotary club, Barbara Worth.
Dairy day, 1880, w. B. Have
korst ranch.
Bridge luncheon, /, Moose
home.
Christian missionary society,
10. ChriStiap church.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-03-11
PANTACES
IS FREED
ON BAIL
Accused Theatre Magnate
Denies Guilt In Latest
Accusation
FRIENDS INVOLVED
Aftermath OF San Diego
Party Finds Business
men Under Cloud

SAN DIEGO, Cal, March IL. (Up)
Bail for the release of Alexander
Pantages, charged with conspiracy
to contribute to the delinquency of
minors, was posted in the court OF
Judge Arthur Mundo shortly be-
fore 10 O'Clock this morning, and
preliminary hearing set for April 13.
A few minutes later, John P.
Mills. Los Angeles real estate man,
accused with Pantages and Jesse
s;hreve, San Diego financier, on
similar charges. appeared in court
and posted $4,000 bond. $4,000 on
each of the two counts of which he
was accused. His preliminary hear
ing was set for April l3.
Judge Mundo at the same time
set ahead the date of Shreves pre-
liminary hearing from April TO
April l3. Shreye had surrendered
yesterday and was at liberty on
S25 900 bond.
SAN DIEGO, March II. WP). -
Alexander Pantages, who became a
multi millionaire in the chain vau-
deville theatre business, faced arrest
for the second time on a charge IN
volving 4 minor girl.
Pantages was named IN two COM
plants issued by the district attor-
ney's office accusing him and Jesse
Shreve OF offenses against Alice
Blake and Helen Livingston, both
II.
1t was charged that Pantages and
Shreve met the girls through VIII
liam Jobelmann and Mrs. Olive
Clark Day. accused in Los Angeles
OF having made a business OF intro
dGcing minor girls to wealthy neu
as party companions
Included in the complaints were
the names of William Jobelinann
Mrs. Day, and John Mills. wealthy
real estate man, who once was q
partner of Pantages of Streve.
Mills had been arrested i'll LCS
Angeles earlier on a charge OF an
offense against Ciarice Iauber. 10
who it was said he met through
.Iobelmann and Mrs. Day.
Pantages was at liberty in Aqua
Caliente, Mexico. Shreve had gain
ed liberty under S25,000 bond and
his hearing set for March 30. Pan
tages sent word he would come
across the border to San Diego as
soon as he obtained a Jockey tc
ride for him in place of one Just
suspended at the Caliente race
track.
Mills and Mrs Day were at liberty
in Los Angeles under bond in the
Tauber case. Jobelmann was in jail
here.
The complaint issued here charged
that Pantages had secured Tic COM
parry of the Blake girl, and Shrevc
Of the Livingston girl, for immoral
purposes. The girls were IN tech
nical custody today in Los Angeles
Faces Large Suit
The party at which the offenses
were said to have occurred was held
IN the Ell Cortez hotel here on the
Continued on page p