davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
METROPOLIS OF
COAST LEADS in
PROPERTY VALUE

LOS ANGELES, Aug. %. W.1)-
Los Angeles county leads all coun-
ties of the United States in value
of taxable personal property, Coun-
ty Assessor Ed W. Hopkins report
cd tdoay.
Hopkins report showed that 28l,-
900 parcels of unsecured property
were assessed producing revenue of
$7,l97,023 on a valuation of $685.
161 ,460.
He further reported total of
479,720 parcel of secured personal
property, with gross assessed val
uation of S9l7,657 ,487 listed during
the last fiscal year
Figures from Cook County, ILL.,,
including those of the city of Chi
cago. showed only 51,947 persons
paying any personal property tax
there last year The assessor stat
ed in calling attention to reports
that this figure represents only
about 10 per cent of the normal
taxable persons as compared with
almost 100 per cent payment
here. He stated 187,070 persons
were assessed a personal property
tax in Chicago in 1929, but that
only 1852 persons paid the levy.
The assessor urged renewed eff
forts to have state laws changed
so that a personal property tax on
automobiles could be collected for
counties at the time license plates
arc issued He declared so many
owners of automobiles are constant
ly moving that it has been impos7
siblc to collect a personal tax on
thousands Of cars, resulting in a
heavy loss,
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
VALLEY GIVEN
CHANCE TO SEE
DERBY ENTRANTS
AyiatOrs EnrOute On An
nual Race Remain Over
night AT Border.

PHOENIX, Ariz.. Aug. "a. U.P)-
Gladys O'Donnell, Long Beach, Cal,
led the cross country aerial derby
flyers into Phoenix today, landing
at Sky Harbor airport at l1:24:54 a.
m, mountain time.
Miss O'Donnell was the fourth
flyer to leave Calexico, Calf, this
morning. She checked out of the
California town at 9:04 a. m, be-
ing the fourth plane to leave.
The three planes ahead of her
were passed in the first hour. The
woman flyer came into Phoenix at
an altitude of 5000 feet and at a
speed of approximately ITS miles
per hour
The flyers will lunch here and
leave in the afternoon for Tucson,
the next overnight stop on the trip
from Santa Monica, Calf, to Cleve-
land, Ohio.
Imperial Valley turned out in fine
style yesterday to witness the ar
rival of the air derby flyers at the
Calexico airport. Despite the ex-
treme heat several thousand cars
were parked all around the airport
waiting to see the famous men and
women who are participating in
the cross country run to Cleveland.
1t was 3:45 when Gladys O'Don-
nell, the first arrival, landed her
plane. She was sighted several min
utes before that and shortly after
ward sent her big red and yellow
plane around the field while she
picked out a landing place.
She was taxing up to the place
assigned her when Phoebe Omlie
was sighted and landed soon after
ward, to be followed by Florence
Barnes, formerly a resident of El
Centro.
From then on it was no unconl-
mon sight to see eight or 10 planes
circling above the field while their
predecessors landed and went to
their parking point.
After checking In at the timers
station the flyers were taken to
Calexico in cars provided by the
chamber of commerce and last night
were guests at a dinenr given them
at the Owl in Mexicali.
Earl Ovington, veteran flyer in
charge Of timing. was the busiest
man in Southern California, ano
will be continually busy until the
flight is ended. He stated yester-
day that approximately 1000 cal
culations will be necessary TO decide
the elapsed time for each leg OF the
trip. For this reason only the
elapsed time of a few flyers was
available even today.
No Accidents
Fortunately there were no acci-
dents at the field during the land
ing yesterday, or departure this
morning. Clouds of dust stirred UP
by the tail-skids of the planes. OBJ
structed the view considerably but
the arrangements for handling the
planes were SO perfectly worked out
that even possibility of any accidents
was at minimum.
Captain Oswalt and a squad OF
traffic officers kept the crowd in
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
ALFALFA BILL
VICTOR IN FIGHT
FOR DOLLAR Oil

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla, Aug
"a. (U,P))-Victory in his battle for
81 barrel crude oil came to Gov
ernor William H. (Alfalfa Bib Muir
ray while the embattled Oklahoma
governor was on foreign field en-
gagged in a new struggle against un-
employment
The Phillips Petroleum company,
a major crude petroleum purchaser
in the midcontinent area, was the
first oil buyers to post the price ap-
proximately 30 cents barrel to a
top of 70 cents.
The crude shortage which sud-
denly has developed in Oklahoma
and Texas because of martial law
DEGREES, closing some 1000 wells,
brought conformity of the Phillips
company to the 81 price and the
generally increased price, officials
said. Closing of one-fifth of Kan
Sas daily average production of
slightly more than 10000 barrels a
day by the state public service COM
mission, added to the crude famine.
Cicero l. Murray, chairman of the
oil states advisory committee and
generalissimo of his cousins militia
forces, received the news of the
Phillips posting today and dis
patches the official report to Gov
ernor Murray who was at Memphis
at the Mississippi valley states un-
employment relief conference.
That is fine and came really
sooner than I expected" he said
when informed of the 81 price. THE
rest of the companies will come
around by Wednesday. think some
are hesitating until the proration
meeting at Austin, fixing the states
new conservation law percentages,
has been held"
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
Standard Merger
Still Discussed

LAKE TAHOE, Cal, Aug. "a. U.P)
Discussions regarding advisability
of a consolidation or merger of
the Standard Oil Company of New
Jersey and the Standard Oil Com
pany of California were resumed by
executives of the two companies
today.
Walter C. Teagle, president of the
eastern concern, and K. r. Kings
bury, head of Standard of Cali
fornia, with a few of their associ-
ates, have been considering vari-
GUS plans for uniting the COM
panies since they arrived here last
Thursday.
An announcement is expected
within few days.
The men are in seclusion at a
private estate near here and de-
cline to make any comment.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
NOVEL RACE ENDS
IN DEATH TO ONE
OF CONTESTANTS

ALTURAS, CAL, Aug. "a. ((U.P)
"A novel stunt at the Modoc coun-
ty rodeo in which cowboys rode
airplanes and COW ponies today had
cost the life of Ralph Leonard, 10.
Leonard was killed when he fell
into the whirling blades of a pro-
peller. He was almost decapitated
The American Legion Post here
hired three airplanes for a unique
feature in which the three planes
were to line up with a pilot and
cowboy in each and fly around the
race track. After they landed and
TAXED up to line, the cowboys
were to jump to their horses and
finish the race.
The pilots arrived for the race
and informed the legion men that
special permit would be required
for such low flying. Edison f. Mou-
ton, department of commerce air.
craft inspector for northern Cali
fornia at first refused permission
for the stunt, but after hearing pleas
OF the promoters agreed to permit
one plane and one cowboy to race
at time, the winner to be deter
mined by elapsed time.
Charles Russell and another con-
testant were the first two to at
tempt the feat. Russell missed the
whlrling propeller by inches as he
ran for his horse. The next man
stepped through the wing of his
plane and wrecked it.
Leonard was poised on the wing
OF the plane as it landed. He leap
ed, but his foot caught in a wire
and he fell headforemoSt into the
whirling propeller.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
Sunday Weather
Makes Records

LOS ANGELES. Aug, "a. (tU.HD-
Another spell of summer weather
was forecast for Southern Califor-
MIA today, although temperatures
were not expected to reach the high
marks recorded Sunday when all
records for the season were broken.
Los Angeles was plenty warm at
"a degrees. but Pasadena had high
mark of lot and Riverside reported
l03 degrees.
LOS ANGELES, Aug. "a. U.P)-
The current heat in Southern Cali
fornia will not last until mid-week
Col H. B. Hersey. federal meteor
ologist, predicted today
The weather will grow gradually
cooler late today and tomorrow, Col
Hersey said. with cooling winds off
shore.
Yesterdays high mark of "a tied
the years record, but humidity was
low and the day was not so un-
comfortable for those forced to
stay in town. Thousands flocked
to the beaches.
In Pasadena the mercury reached
l07. in Riverside l08. both 1881 rec
OrdS.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
CLARK TO
GET new
HEARING
Second Trial Decided Up.
on BY District Att0r-
ney Fits.
FORD STEPS OUT
Special Prosecutor Re.
signs Unless Needed BY
State Again.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. %. oUpO-
The charge against David Clark OF
numbering Herbert Spencer, maga-
zine editor, will be set down for
retrial pending further investiga.
ton of his story of self f-defense. Dis
trict Attorney Buron Fits announc-
cd today after a conference with
special prosecutor Joseph Ford and
others.
Fits announcement was followed
by another by Ford, who said he
will submit his resignation pending
the outcome Of the investigation in
to the proposed second trial
In addition to the Spencer charge
which resulted in an IL to ! hung
jury in favor Of acquittal, Clark also
faces a charge of Staying Charles
Crawford, political boss.
LOS ANGELES. Aug. "a. U.p)-
a prediction that David II. Clark
will not be tried the second time
on charge of numbering Herbert
Spencer, magazine editor, was made
today by Judge Leonard Wilson
cne Of the defending attorneys.
'I am personally disappointed
that the jurors did not reach ver-
dict" Wilson said However, dc
not believe the case will be tried
again. After we stop and think
what the trying of David CLARK
cost the county I can hardly be-
lieve that District Attorney Buron
Fits or Special Prosecutor Joe Ford
would try the defendant again with
a jury voting IL to for acquittal.'
LOS ANGELES. Aug. "a. tU.PO
David II. Clark, brilliant young
attorney. today had lost his first
chance for acquittal Of charge OF
numbering Herbert Spencer, editor
of political magazine.
A jury of seven women and five
mon was discharged yesterday by
Judge Stanley Murray when it was
unable To reach a verdict. The vote
was IL TO for acquittal, one man,
William E. Weller, holding out for
death penalty.
The statement of Mrs. Alice o.
Thomas. forcwoman. that "wc be-
licved every word Of Clark's self
defense story" was heartily second
cd by the other 10 jurors who voted
with her during the So hours they
dcliberated.
Ten ballots were taken during the
deliberation, which began at 3:l8
p. M. Thursday. There were eight
votes for acquittal on the first bal
lot, two blanks and two guilty. On
the fifth ballot, polled Friday, John
f V. Langdale changed his guilty
vote to one Of not guilty. and there
eftcr the complexion was unchang-
ed
Clark will he retired Immediately,
special prosecutor w. Joseph Ford
said today. He was present when
the jury was discharged, and after
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
JAPAN EXTENDS
WARM GREETING
TO LINDBERCHS
Arrival AT NumerO Brings
First HOnOrs To Fa-
nous Visitors,

| NEMURO, Japan, Aug "a. 0U.PO
,-Shouting residents of Nemuro to-
day took Colonel and Mrs. Charles
A. Lindbergh to their hearts in CIV
ing the flyers their first scheduled
welcome to the country which thus
far has been to them land of fog
instead of cherry blossoms.
From the moment the Lockheed
monoplane landed near Nemurc
wharf until the aviator and his wife
were tucked under the specially
made quilts at Nibici Inn, their ap-
pearanee was the signal for pro-
longed and vigorous cheering.
J This little seaport on the eastern
shore of Hokkaido Island had never
seen a celebration like it. All day
! farmers and fishermen with their
wives and children streamed into
the city, adding their "banzais' to
those of the townspeople for the
couple from across the Pacific.
The celebration was climaxed
when 5000 Japanese and a few Am
ericans crowded into the Hanasaki
primary school and literally shook
| the building with three cheers for
the flyers.
A band played the American An
them and then the japanese shout
of welcome, "banzai,' was repeated
| three times.
The greeting gave the Lindberghs
an idea of what they may expect
when they reach Kasumigaura ma
val airport, near Toxic, Wednesday
noon.
There it will be magnified many
| times, for Nemuro could muster on
ly 10000 persons from the town and
nearby communities.
! Colonel and Mrs. Lindbergh ar
rived six days later than they had
planned.
| They had been delayed by four
unexpected landings after leaving
Petropavalovsk, Siberia. Colonel
Lindbergh was so relieved upon COM
pleting the perilous 900 mile jour-
ney that his first thought was to
issue a statement in which he
| thanked radio stations and the
crews of streamers for aid they hao
given.
Had Close Call
! THE past few days have beer
among the most difficult of my life,
| Colonel Lindbergh said during {
| press interview. THE most danger
GUS moment on the entire trip from
theaUnited States was when a tov
rope broke while the plane was be-
ing pulled around Ketoi Islet ano
the waves almost carried us onto
| the rocks
The Lindberghs came ashore here
at 8:25 a. m and were escorted un-
der an arch of flowers. They head
ed a parade to Nibici Inn, where
they rested until afternoon when
the public reception was held.
Mayor Ando made the speech of
welcome and presented bouquet OF
flowers to Mrs. Lindbeigh. She re-
piled briefly, thanking all for their
hospitality.
Later they were guests at Japan
ese banquet and were permitted to
retire at p. m.
Colonel Lindbergh indicated he
would depart shortly after daybreak
Wednesday for the Island of Hon.
; shu, where Toxic is located.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24

Cabinet
RESIGNS
Macdonald Appointed By
King To Head Coalition
Government.
CRISIS IS AVERTED
United Parties Will Try
To Solve VexatiOus
Problems On Finance.

LONDON, Aug. "a. UPj The
labor government resigned today,
but j. Ramsay Macdonald, its lead
er, remained as premier to guide
Great Britain through a desperate
financial crisis at the head of a ma
tional, or coalition, government.
Macdonald called on the king and
informed him of the state of af-
fairs. The nations second expert
ment with a Socialist government.
after little more than Two years
of depression and financial weak
ness, ended in the governments in
ability to solve the problem unaided.
The king commissioned MacDon-
aid to form new ministry, includ-
ing Labor, Conservative and Lib
eral elements. AS in the days of
the war, when the parties joined
hands to present a united front
against the enemy, the new govern
ment will go to work at once to boil
ster Britains faltering credit, inl-
pose rigid national economies, and
raise $600,0000 900 budget diflcit.
The governments resignation
came late this morning, after the
anxiety of trouble of the last week
had been climaxed by day of mo-
mentuous decisions, and many ru-
mors. 1t became certain that the
government would resign early In
the day, but Macdonald clung to
office until he was certain of his
course. He called at Buckingham
palace at Alb p. N. G:13 a. m
PST) and left at 4:30 p. m, after
presenting his resignation and re-
ceiving his commission.
Issue Statement
An official statement issued az
No. 10 Downing street, the pre-
mier's residence, at p. m. said:
THE prime minister this after
noon rendered to the king the res
ignation of the ministry, which
was accepted by His Majesty, who
entrusted Mr.. Ramsay Macdonald
with the task of forming a national
government on comprehensive
basis for the purpose of meeting the
present financial emergency.
Ramsay Macdonald accepted the
commission and is now in confer
ence with Stanley Baldwin and Sir
Herbert Samuel, who are cooperet-
ing with him in the constitution of
such an administration"
Macdonald kissed the kings
hand when appointed prime minister
in the new government. He hurried
TO No 10 Downing street and began
final preparations to construct the
coalition cabinet.
The resignation terminated
fortnight's political and financial
crisis. The new ministry was en-
pected to continue the effort to bal
ance the budget on a basis OF
equal sacrifice for all"
The coalition government will be
the third cabinet headed by Mac
Donald, the Scottish statesman
having headed both the labor re-
gimes.
LONDON, Aug. "a. U.P)-Britain'
labor government came to an end
today
II was announced officially that
national government was being
formed to ride out the present econ-
omic and financial crisis.
Battling heavy odds in attempts
to make up a budget deficit of $780,
100000 pacify elements which OPP
posed a reduction in the unempioy-
ment benefit, and keep members OF
his own cabinet in line, Premier j.
Ramsay Macdonald capitdlated this
morning.
The announcement of the forn,a-
ton of the national government iol-
-------------~----------
Ira-%,,roI -, ,Nn~o El
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
CANCSTERS SHOW
THEIR DEFIANCE
TO new WORKERS
One Killed And Two Fa-
tally Shot In Latest
Debauch OF Law.

NEW YORK, Aug. "a. U,p) -
Gangsters reenacted Chicago's VAL
entine day massacre in miniature
last night in a blazing defy to New
York's crime sickened citizens mobi-
lizing today for war on crime.
Their ghastly sense of humor lea
them to back three young men
against a wall opposite slaughter
mouse IN a deserted section of Brook
lyn where the victims faced fir
ing squad of four.
One was killed. The other two
may die. Seven died in the Chi
cago massacre.
The three Brooklyn victims STEP
ped from a gangster sedan in the
pitch black stencil of the slaughter
house district.
Four men stepped from the wait
ing automobile to the curb, a fifth
remained at the wheel.
There was one moment OF silence,
broken only by the idling Of the mo-
tor of the car at the curb.
Then guns blazed their defiance
rage of last Friday when six were
killed and a dozen were wounded
during the deadly running barage;
they Knocked a federal and local
drive against crime, intended to be
the greatest in history.
The men against the wall top
pied to the ground at the FIRST burst.
The guns continued to spit lead
until 30 bullets had been imbedded
In the men or the wall behind them
Identify Victims
Then the four men drove away.
One of the three crumpled figures
screamed, stumbled to his feet and
staggered down the street. A nigh:
watchman on his rounds found him.
He called police.
OF the other two, one was dead,
the second suffering wounds prob
ably fatal.
The slain man was identified as
Anthony Ferrary, 25, Brooklyn. His
companions were identified as Muir
ray Leonardo, 81, Brooklyn, and An
gelo Currano, %, Brooklyn
No weapons were found on the
victims. Police said Ferraly ana
Leonardo had served term in the
Elmira reformatory.
Police got their story Of what
happened from Leonardo, who re-
fused to give the names of their
assailants.
A mass meeting expected to pack
facilities of Central park was Or
ganizcd for tonight
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
Mother Stays
Child And Self

PHOENIX. Ariz., Aug. 24-t(U.HO
Mrs. Freda Harmon chloroformed
her three year old daughter before
sending a bullet through the child's
skull then killed herself with a sec
ond shot here last night.
Friends discovered the double
tragedy after investigating when
Mrs. Harmon failed to attend a pic
ture show with them. The bodies
we're found in the home of Mrs.
Harmon's mother who is on the Pac-
ific coast vacationing with another
daughter.
Two letters we're found. The first
was open and indicated the deed
had been contemplated since Sat
urday. The second was a sealed
letter addressed to the sister. The
investigating coroner said 1t was
believed the motive for the acts
would be explained in this letter.
Attempts to locate the mother
and sister of Mrs. Harmon had fall
ed early this morning as their
names were not Immediately avail
able.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
CONTINUED on page 6)
TUCSON CLAIMS
EARLIER ORIGIN
THAN SANTA FE

SANTA F'E, N. M, Aug. "a. UP)
--Disdainful of all things modern.
Santa Feans at last have had their
civic pride aroused because Tue
son, Ariz., is trying to claim 1t is
more of an antique than is Santa
Fe.
All citizens are reviewing history
to disprove Tucson's claim that 1t
is the oldest city in the United
States
A recent edition of the Tucson
Citizen quotes findings of DR.. Al
cxander Craig. published in 1907.
The Craig article says that Gen
eral Coronado raised the flag Of
Spain over the little Indian viii
lage of Tucson in 1852 and laid
the cornerstone of that first mis-
sion with his own hands"
AS his authority, he recites a
time worn document of vellum
signed by Ferdinand and Isabella.
This paper is said to be In the IL
brary at Washington.
ST. Augustine, Fla, claims TO
have been founded in 1865. The
date of the establishment of Santa
Fe is placed all the uAy from 1912
to 1914. DR.. Andrew Douglass, OF
the University of Arizona, has been
seeking to prove that Santa Fe was
founded about 1914.
Santa Feans who know their his
tory contemptuously tell Tucson to
be its age. G. F. Coan. New Mexico
historian, says Coronado came
through southern Arizona in 1912
without ever visiting New Mexico
or Arizona again in an official Ca
pacity. So now could he have been
in Tucson in 1852?
Amused Santa Feans claim Tue
son will have to think up a better
one than that.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
mIMluL1L-..

SANTA MONICA, Aug. %.
(SpeciaD Best news in a whole
bale of Sunday papers was from
a senator. (Wouldn't think it.
would your Senator Jim
Couzens offered a million to
Detroit's relief fund. A few ex-
amples like that, early before
the cold sets in, will have great
effect. Young insult of Chicago
is doing some fine work. That's
the best thing about Mr.. Hoov-
er's big committee. It's what
they will give themselves and
get their friends to give that
will make them valuable. Our
rich are mighty liberal when
the real showdown comes
Yo1ir.c
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
Condemned Plane
Takes Two Lives

OAKLAND, Aug. "a. U.p)-Dep-
uty coroners went into a sparsely
populated section of Alameda coun-
ty today to return the bodies of two
men killed in AN airplane crash.
They learned that the victims,
Stewart Wallburg, pilot, and Rich
ard Neiman had gone up in an air.
plane condemned and grounded"
by the department of commerce.
The stick" had apparently jam
med while Wallburg was instruct
ing his passenger and the craft
went into a tail spin near Center
vile.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
Arizona Convict
Taken On Coast

FRESNO. Cal, Aug "a. (UPO-
Jess Harvey, as, in charge of the
Arizona prison dairy at Florence un-
til his escape three weeks ago, was
held in Jail here today awaiting
Arizona officers.
Harvey was arrested yesterday at
home on the outskirts of Fresno
where he was visiting with friends.
He was said to have been serving
five to 10 years on a statutory
charge.
Officers said they believed Har-
vey would waive eXtradition. ...
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
Ocean Gives Up
Bodies OF Men

LOS ANGELES, Aug. "a. U,P)-
Bodies of two men washed up ON
beaches at San Pedro and Santa
Monica were held today while COM
plete identifications were attempt
ed.
One victim. a man about 70
years old, was discovered near a
Santa Monica Beach club. The
other, apparently about SO years
Old was found in a steamer slip at
San Pedro. A watch in his pocket
was inscribed with the name, JOS
eph Trestler.
Both men wore street clothes.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
OPEN AQUEDUCT OFFICES

LOS ANGELES, Aug. "a. U.P) -
In space donated by building own
ers, Is district headquarters OF the
citizens Colorado river water COM
mittee were opened today to pro-
vide voters with information regard
ing the Los Angeles aqueduct prof.
ect. Three offices were in Los An
geles, the remaining II in each of
the other member cities.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-24
MISSING WOMAN SAFE.

MENLO PARK, Cal, Aug. "a. U.P)
Mrs. Helena Anderson, so, wealthy
society woman of London who was
sought for a week after sac disap-
peared from her apartment in Cor
onado, explained here today that it
was her "carelessness" that caused
alarm for her safety
Il should have told my daughter
I was coming north to visit friends" !"
she said. The daughter, Dagmar
Anderson, "a, reported her missing