davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
DAVIDSON DENIED
DEFAULT HEARING
in LOCAL COURT.
Informed By Judge That
His Case Is Not To Be
Considered Here.

Judge Vaughn N. Thompson today
| denied the motion of William Game
| Davidson for default hearing OF
evidence against three prominent
San Francisco people in his million
dollar damage suit, and informed
Davidson the superior court here
has no further Jurisdiction in the
matter.
The entire case was transferred
to San Francisco after default was
entered by Davidson here against
H. l. Mulcrevy, San Francisco coun-
ty clerk, Thomas Finn, former San
Francisco sheriff, and l.. w. Hell
scher, cashier of the Liberty bank
of San Francisco.
Judge Thompson explained this
to Davidson, saying any further
proceedings in the matter must be
had before the bay county superior
court. 1t had been Davidsons con-
tention the case could not be trans
ferred after default was entered.
At the same time he denied Da-
Wilson's motion, Judge Thompson
sustained the demurrer of Edward
H. Law, county clerk, to Davidson's
motion for a writ of mandamus to
force the clerk to issue writ of
execution on the default. David
son previously had been told no
writ OF execution can be issued
where a judgement has not been
returned.
Only one item in Davidson's legal
battle yet remains before the local
superior court. Judge Thompson
this morning continued for one
week the motion of the plaintiff
for an order to force Don C. Bitter
to turn over to Davidson all papers
dealing with the suit first filed
here. Bitler resigned as Davidson's
attorney after default had been en-
tered.
Davidson's suit sought 100000
damages from various San Fran
cisco city and county officials for
alleged false Imprisonment in San
Quentin, charging he was impris-
oned to keep him from talking of
liquor transactions between coast
banks and bootleggers.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
WOMAN BANDIT
BADLY WOUNDED
DURING H0LD-UP

SACRAMENTO, Dec. 4. U.P) -
Suffering from bullet wounds re-
ceived when she allegedly attempted
to hold up a service station attend
ant, Mrs. Mary Penfield, 90. was
near death today at Sacramento
hospital.
Sheriff's deputies investigating
the case said the young woman en-
tered the service station of w. j.
Hassley near Bennali late last night
and flourished a revolver, demand
ing money from the cash drawer.
Hassley refused to comply, he told
officers, and the woman fired. He
seized a rifle and returned the fire.
hitting her in the hip and abb
domen.
The woman then fled to a watt
ing automobile driven by man.
officers said, and several hours
later applied for assistance at
Sacramento residence. Officers
were summoned and the woman
taken to a hospital.
In a statement to Deputy Dis
trict Attorney Chris johnson. she
said she had recently come from
Washington and yesterday had been
elected from her hotel for failure to
pay the rent. She claimed not to
know the name of her male COM
panion. Officers today were
searching for him, after receiving
a description from the wounded
woman.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
CLARA BOW AND
REX BELL WE'D
AT LAS VEGAS
Effort Made To Keep
Ceremony Secret Is Not
Successful.

LAS VEGAS, Nov, Dec. 4. U.P}-
Clara Bow. famous screen red-head.
and Rex Bell, her actor fiance. were
married here secretly last night. it
was revealed today.
The ceremony was performed by
Judge William z. Orr. Every effort
was made to keep the wedding sec
ret. A representative OF the United
Press learned that the ceremony
was attended by Deputy Sheriff
r. G.. McCubery, friend of the
couple.
Judge Orr declined TO make any
comment, saying that he wished to
respect the wishes of bride and
bridegroom that the wedding he at
tended by a minimum of publicity
1t was learned that Immediately
after the wedding the couple set
out by automobile for Bells ranch
at Searchlight, so miles from here
and 10 miles from a telegraph sta
ton or telephone.
The couple gave their names as
Clara Gordon Bow, IS, and George
F.. Belham, 28
Some indication. of the sudden
ness with which the wedding was
decided upon was learned from
County Clerk William F.. SCHUYLER.
who said that his first intimation
that they We're even In Las Vegas
was when he was reused out Of bed
to issue the license.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04

canal, irrigation development to
be constructed as part of the
Boulder canyon project, will rest
chiefly with the house appro-
priatiOns committee. Congress
already has authorized the
project, but no money has been
appropriated.
Active agitation for the i'm
mediate start of construction
work has been delayed by failure
of the California water users tn
approve the contract for repav-
ing the government appropria-
tiOns... This question is ex-
pected to be voted upon within
the next two months by the
California water districts. If
the contract is approved the in
terror department has indicated
II will ask congress for aprro-
priatiOns TO begin work as soon
as possible.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
BELL EXPLAINS
His LIMIT FOR
GAMBLING DEBT

LAS VEGAS, New, Dec. 4. <U.p)-
As the escort of Clara Bow. Red
headed, dynamic motion picture ac-
treSs. Rex Bell, actor and rancher.
was quoted today as saying he had
informed gambling house dealers
his responsibility for her losses was
limited.
Bell was quoted as having told
dealers at the Meadows gambling
casino near here the night he
asSertedly gave a so far unpaid
lou. for $l1O0, that her losses
were to be limited to $4,000.
Close friends said Bell had inti-
mated he might gay the note to
avoid going to court, and that he
was perfectly willing to pay the
$500 which he was said to have
fixed as Miss Bows limit" but OBJ
jected TO the other $500.
Miss Bow was reported to be linz
ited toloSseS of 500 a day in Search
light gambling clubs, where Bell
was said to have informed dealers
he would not pay more than that
amount.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
THREE GRANTED
PROBATION BY
JUDGE FINNEY

Three prisoners were sentenced TO
San Quentin penitentiary and their
sentences suspended on probation
by Judge A. c. Finney this morning,
while two cases were continued for
plea, two set for trial and one con-
tinued for hearing On probation.
Lottie Fisher, charged with is
suing a check on insufficient funds,
was sentenced to the penitentiary
and execution of the sentence with
held on condition she repay to the
county $3.50, the amount expended
in returning her from Dallas, Texas,
where she was arrested.
Florentino N. Gauna, charged
with escape, was sentenced to San
Quentin and probation granted on
condition he serve 90 days in the
county Jail.
Rufus Johnson, colored, charged
with burglary, was sentenced and
execution of the sentence stayed on
condition he find work III Los An
geles, where two sisters reside. The
case was transferred to the Los An
beleS courts for further supervision.
Joe Aguayo and Robert Olivas,
charged in two counts with theft of
an automobile, changed pleas of not
guilty to guilty and applied for pro-
baton. Hearing on their applica-
tions was continued until December
II.
A. D. Dixon, charged with non-
support of a minor child, and Clara
Osben, charged with forgery, each
pleaded not guilty. Their trials were
set for the January calendar.
Cases of Ansell Bostick, charged
with contributing to the delinquent
cy of a minor, and Wallace Wagner,
charged with issuing a check on in
sufficient funds, were continued un-
til December 18 for plea.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
HO0vER'S
KIN GETS
FREEDOM
BrOther-In-Law OF Presi-
dent Gets Acquittal On
Liquor Charge.
DECIDED BY JUDGE
Jurist Declares No One
In Courtroom Would
Return Guilty Verdict.

SANTA MONICA, Cal, Dec. 4.
U.H &C. Van Ness Leavitt, 81.
brother-in-law of President Herbert
. Hoover. today was found not guilty
OF a charge Of possession of liquor.
The decision was made by Police
Judge c. A. NJ. Spencer, who tried
Leavitt without Jury
Judge Spencer invoked "the orig
inal law" requiring that unlawful
and wilful possession must be
shown.
At the finish of his short state
ment, he said: II do not believe
there is a man or woman in this
courtroom who would find this de-
fendant guilty; I find him not
guilty"
The crowded courtroom burst
into thunderous applause and
scores OF we'll wishers milled around
Leavitt, seeking chance to shake
his hand
Judge Spencer's complete state
nent follows:
In a case in which a charge
similar 10 this is involved. an un-
lawful possession must be proved
The defendant showed how he oh
tanned possession and what his pos
session was, and it reverts back to
the original law-that testimony
must show possession unlawful and
wilful.
The defendant has sworn that
he did not know what was In the
sack.
There must be intent, either ex-
pressed or committed. 10 commit
this crime. Under the testimony in
this case, there is absolute proof
that the defendant did not know
what was In the sack.
so far as he is concerned. and
the conditions surrounding this
case, I do not believe there Is man
or woman in this courtroom who
who hold the defendant guilty
II find the defendant not guilty"
LeaWtt was arrested on the night
Of November 0 as he stepped from
Continued On Page 81
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
STORES TO OPEN
CHRISTMAS FETE
HERE TONIGHT

With Christmas but three weeks
away, the Inauguration of FL Gen.
tro's annual Christmas festival to-
night Is expected to draw thousands
of persons from the city and sur
rounding territory for their first
view OF the new gift merchandise
now on display IN all the retail
stores of the city Shop doors will
open at z o'clock and remain open
until 0. and the merchants Of the
city have issued an invitation to
the public to visit their stores dur
ing these two hours to familiarl1e
themselves with the many novelties
and staple gifts which are offered
to holiday shoppers this season.
The Christmas festival, which
event is sponsored by the El Centre
Chamber Of Commerce, will be OPEN
ed with musical numbers in keep
ing with the occasion and the 5usi-
ness district will be strung with
colored lights which will remain
lighted every night of the holiday
season.
I4t ltSllhdA COilllllutS ullllL
Christmas day, and plans are be-
ing made for city-wide entertain
ment each Saturday night and for
individual entertainment in the va
rious stores throughout the pre-
Christmas period. Christmas trees
will make their appearance on the
business streets within a short time
and the large tree at Fifth and
Main streets will occupy its usual
position week before Christmas.
All shops are open tonight with
the entire sales force ready TO greet
the public and merchants invite the
people of this community TO visit
their stores and complete their
Christmas lists and choose gifts.
Gifts can be purchased If desired
but the public is welcome TO exam
inc merchandise and view what is
offered without purchasing if they
have not yet decided on their gift
lists and do not care to buy at this
time.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
POSSIBLE VOTE
ON PROHIBITION
B0THERS HOUSE
'Straddling' Members Not
Anxious To Be Brought
Out Into Open. -
BY THOMAS l.. STOKES
United Press Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4. U.D -
A vote on prohibition in the house
Of representatives appeared vir-
tuany certain today, and plenty of
members are quaking IN their boots
over the prospect.
Those who have straddled on pro-
hibition are looking askance at the
rapid trend Of developments which
have put both parties on record for
changes in house rules which
would permit a vote.
Republicans have approved a
modification of rules which would
give any bill in the house a vote if
las members sign a petition. DEM
ocratic leaders have come out for
similar revision, and have thrown
the issue into the party caucus to
be held tomorrow.
The Democrats, who have been
split more than once on prohibition.
apparently are destined to face a
fight In their party caucus as did
Republicans yesterday. Leaders are
seeking to submerge the prohibition
issue as part OF the rules fight, but
1t forces its way to the front not
withstanding.
Republicans Skirted about it for
two days during their discussion o.
rules. and then it burst forth in
full flower at the final meeting yes
terday. Representative Hull, Illi-
nois, a wet, finally brought up the
controversial subject, telling his COL
leagues they might as well face 1t.
DryS then rallied to make a last
ditch fight. They supported an
amendment to the "145 rule" which
would require 100 members to sign
a petition before a vote could be
taken on a constitutional amend
ment. This was designed to prevent
a vote ON one of the most popular
anti-prohibition proposals. resub-
mission of the 18th amendment to
the states.
It was defeated when some willy
vets, learning that the Democrats
had come out for rules revision,
warned the Republicans that unless
they adopted the "145 rules" the op-
position would steal their thunder.
1t worked. The amendment was
lost, and liberal rule endorsed.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
NONE INJURED AS
AUTOS MEET AT
STREET CROSSING

A typhoon in the South seas
might manage to knock down a
palm tree and spill the milk of
cocoanut, but Frank Schwartz did
the same thing this morning with
out the aid of a typhoon, except it
was not the milk of a cocoanut but
the regular line of dairy milk that
was spilled.
OF course, j. Roy Salassi aided
considerably, or at least so said
Lewis Mitchell, California highway
patrol officer.
1t was all brought about by AN
automobile accident at Sixth and
Park streets, when Salassi's car
struck the milk truck driven BY
Schwartz. The truck then departed
from beaten paths to seek greener
fields in the city park. attempting
to climb a palm tree enroute.
The palm tree proving somewhat
obstinate, the milk truck went over
instead of up leaving g. downfallen
palm in its wake, and milk bottles
scattered here and there over the
eXpanSe of the lawn.
Both the truck and Salassi's car
we're badly damaged, but the drivers
escaped injury.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
JUDGE ASSUMES
DISGUISE WHILE
OBSERVING GANG

CHICAGO, Dec. A. U.P>-A Judge
who doffed his judicial mein for
shabby clothes and played a mod
ern Haroun Al-Rashid in criminal
hauntS of the westside valley" to-
day moved to exterminate the
youthful 40" gang of hoodlums.
Like the ancient Caliph of Bag
dad who mingled in disguise TO OBJ
serve the state of his people, Judge
Francis Borrelii risked his life daily
for nearly month to penetrate the
inner circles of the notorious ring.
Thirty-one men were jailed in
early morning raids today by DO
lice who announced they would CO.
operate with the daring jurist in his
drive. Yesterday six "42" gang
sters were fined and several others
held for investigation.
Judge Borrelli, a studiouS man
who wears large horn trimmed
glasses. told how he disguised him.
self in checkered cap and the cheap,
gaudy clothes of the petty ganGster
to learn the intimate details of the
gang which is blamed for hundreds
of crimes.
II determined to put an. end to
the depredations of this gang" the
Judge said. Most of them are
Italians, members of my race. but
they are a disgrace to their ma
and a menace that l am
resolved to destroy.
"Once in the inner circle.
learned how the gang is divided
into two groups the judge said.
One is made up of veteran crimi-
nails. The other is composed OF
who are trained as ap-
prentices in crime.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
WOMAN JUMPS
TO DEATH FROM
CHURCH STEEPLE

LA JOLLA, Cal, Dec. 4. U.P)-
Mrs. Edmund Duckworth, 65. of
st. Louis, either fell or leaped to
her death from the 75-foot high
tower of st. James Episcopal
church here yesterday. She was
the widow of former Episcopal
minister Of st. Louis.
No one saw the body fall, and 1t
was only discovered at 5 D. m. by a
police patrolman.
Mrs. Duckworth had been at
church during the afternoon, and
several churchgoers reported to
Coroner Chester Gum the woman
was acting strangely during the
service. Afterward, to reach the
tower of the church, she had to
force her way through a heavy
trap door.
Mrs. Duckworths only known
relative, Mrs. r. L. Mcdonald of
Los Angeles. said to be a STEP
daughter, was to arrive here today
TO take charge of the body.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
BIG TASK
IS FACING
CONGRESS
Session Opening Next
Monday Considered Most
Serious Since War.
FRIVOLITY MISSING
Members Of Both Houses
In Grave Mood As Com
ing Fight Is Discussed.
BY RAYMOND CLAPPER
United Press Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4. UP)-
Party groups are going into their
final huddles today and tomorrow
preparatory to what is probably the
most important session of congress
since the war.
Senator's and congressman, here
almost in full force now, are more
serious and grave than usual Ey-
eryWhere under the capitol dome,
there is realization that this prob
ably Is destined to be q history
making congress, carrying momen-
tous responsibilities.
The usual atmosphere Of the cir
Gus lot, Just before the big tent Is
set up, is missing. Clowning is sub
dued. Members are weighing their
words more carefully. Little wise
cracking is heard. There is the
sense Of representative body as
sembling for serious work. Already
in The last two weeks there has
been more serious deliberation pri-
yately among members than Is seen
often in most of whole session.
This session of congress, opening
Monday, will be marked because:
l. Democrats, in control of the
house after II years as a minority,
will be tested as to their party's
capacity to exercise responsibility.
The impression they make will 60
far toward deciding the mind Of the
country IN the presidential election.
2. Congress will exert a mighty
force one way or the other on a
nation which is now Just getting
over dead center in its struggle to
overcome the depression.
3. 1t will, to a large degree, shape
the issues on which the presidential
election will be fought-the first
contest since 1916 in which most
politicians anticipate close race.
4. Congress, by virtue of Demo-
cratic control of the house, becomes
a more assertive body in legislation
than at any time since the war.
and as it rises toward parity with
the White House in this power, its
actions gain increasing Importance.
House Influence Strong
For the last decade congress has
been somewhat shackled by the
sthrong administration control of
the house and the prestige the
White House gained under the
Coolidge regime. 1t is now return
ing more toward its place as an arm
of the government coordinate with
the White House. From now on
President Hoover will propose but
congress will dispose.
This is the situation in the back
ground which gives exceptional i'm
portance to the conferences now
going on. Senate Republicans and
Continued On Page 81
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
WalkOut'
RumOr Is Denied

HOLLYWOOD, Cal, Dec. 4. U.P)
Clark Gable, motion picture lead
ing man, appeared at the M. G. M.
studio for work today after rumors
of "one-man walkout" over SAL
ary difficulty had circulated through
Hollywood.
Studio officials refused to make
any statement and said that Gable
could not be reached on the set.
They would not say whether new
salary arrangement had been made
with Gable.
1t was said that Gable, who made
swift rise to movie fame during
the last year, felt his salary was
not large enough. He has been
leading man to actresses who re-
ceive $4,000 or more weekly.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
.x& R1~~~.
@ isae xeNsrsh. s,ndlcati. lsA
JUVENILE SUICIDE
EPIDEMIC BRINGS
PLEAFOR ACTION

CHICAGO, Dec. 4. <U.P)-A series
of strange juvenile suicides
throughout the country brought a
plea today from DR.. Morris Fish
bein that steps be taken to stop
what he considers an unnecessary
loss of human lives.
Doctor Fishbein, editor of the
Journal of the American Medical
association, long has advocated es-
tablishing some system under which
high school and college students
could be guided scientifically along
the mental byroads which recently
have led SO many of them to self
destruction.
This is more serious than people
realize" he said. when shown a
stack of United Press reports on re-
cent juvenile suicides in various
parts Of the country. 1T Is more
serious" he said, because 1t is 60
Ing on almost all the time"
On the table before him were
stories about a host of boys and
girls who killed themselves for var
ious real or fancied reasons.
These cases are-may we say
spectacular" Fishbein commented
They attract attention. Each
tragedy, you will note, came about
from some disappointment which
adults would consider trivial. Other
youths are suffering these same
little disappointments every day.
In most cases, the hurt passes
quickly. In too many, the juvenile
broodS until he does something
foolish"
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
.WlLl-
. ps0ys:

ABOARD S. S. EMPRESS OF
RUSSIA, Dec. 3. (SpeciaD-
Here is the best war story, and
1t happened on this boat:
This fall a Chinaman work.
ing on the boat, who evidently
knew how big Chinas popula-
ton was, asked about the war
from the radio man.
How she go warp
The radio guy, kidding him.
said yesterday Chinese lost 500
men, japanese three men,"
Next day Chinaman back
again: "Catchem mo- news?"
Sure, Chinese lost 600 men.
Japanese two men,"
Third day: What air man
say about war today?"
Chinese lost 700, japanese
lose one man"
The Chinaman was pleased.
and said: Plenty soon be no
japanese left"
Yours.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04
BELIEVE JAPAN
MAY RESORT TO
FORCEFUL MOVE
BY MILES w. VAUGHN
United Press Staff Correspondent

TOXIC, Dec. 4. U.P)-New in
structions believed to be Japans
last stand for peaceful settle
ment of the Manchurian dispute
were forwarded to Paris today.
Meanwhile 1t appeared that the
government would resort to arms
rather than diplomacy TO force
Chinese troops to withdraw from
Chinchow inside the great wall.
The government did not consid-
or the situation at Paris hopeless
If the league would leave evacuation
OF the Chinchow area TO direct
Sino-Japanese negotiations and ac-
cept Japan's notifications to the
Leagues plan to settle the conflict
. with China. That, of course, is
what Japan has insisted
Aristide Brands declaration as
president of the league council re-
garding the rights of japanese
troops TO operate against bandits
In a neutral Manchurian zone was
described officially as especially un-
satisfactory. One of the provisions
W WHICH, Japan ooJcCVSu Wdo Una
neutral military observers should
accompany either Chinese or Jap
anese forces in action in the zone
Reported increase of Chinese
troops in the Chinchow area in
creased the belief that Japan would
resort to military strength rather
than diplomatic measures to clear
the district.
TOXIC, Dec. L. W,p)-Hunho,
south of Mukden, was invaded to-
day by $50 Chinese bandits. some
wearing uniforms resembling jap
anese. They hoisted two Japanese
flags.
japanese guards were sent to the
scene.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-12-04

OF bystanders were struck by burn
ing fragments.
Great sheets of blue flame shot
into the air and debris was hurled
as far as three blocks away. fire
enveloped the wreckage surround
ing gaping hole left by the blast,
spreading to an adjoining fiat
where part of a wall and roof al
ready were blown in.
Sherman Pepper, son of a Uni
versity OF California philosophy pro-
fessor was standing 10 feet from
the scene of the explosion, watch
ing firemen fight the blaze. He
was killed instantly.
Little hope was held for the re-
coyery of Fire Chief George Hag-
gerty, so, OF Berkeley, Sire1nen E. A.
Maxwell and E. P. Clarry, and John
OBrien, of Mare Island, a laborer.
The firer1en were in the house at
the time of the explosion and were
burned and crushed.
Peggy Skytte, 10. another by
stander, was among the critically
injured. She was at first reported
dead. Firemen also reported one Of
their number had been killed but
this was found incorrect.
Lieut.. Norman L. Saunders, chi-f
pharmacist, U. S. N. attached to
Mare Island. and owner of the
house, received serious injuries
when he Joined firemen to fight the
blaze.
Saunders said that shortly after
he came home last evening he heard
a small explosion and found that
his gas furnace was afire. Three
alarms were turned in while the
flames spread to upper floors.