davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
ANALYSIS OF SUPREME COURT
DECISION ON ARIZONA'S SUIT

Analysis of the United States Su-
preme court decision dismissing the
Arizona injunction suit against the
construction of Boulder dam shows
that it is the opinion of the court
that Improvement of navigation is
a legitimate function of the United
States and that it is not for the
courts to inquire into the motives
of congress or the necessity for i'm
provement of navigation.
1--WE know judicially, from the ev-
idence of history, that large part
of the Colorado River south of
Black Canyon was formerly navi-
gable says the opinion as deliver
ed by Justice Brandeis.
Commercial disuse result G
from changed geographical condi-
tions and a congressional failure to
deal with them, does not amount to
an abandonment of a navigable
river or prohibit future exertion of
federal control.
"We know from the reports of the
committees Of the congress which
recommended the Boulder Canyon
project that, in the opinion OF the
government engineers, the silt will
be arrested by the dam; that,
through the use of the stored water,
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
SAFETY DEPOSIT
BOXES FAIL TO
GIVE EVIDENCE
Authorities Find Nothing
Of Value Belonging To
Crawford.

LOS ANGELES, May 26. (U.P)-
Three safety boxes rented by
Charles Crawford, murdered poll
tical boss, failed to reveal single
important document, authorities an
nounced today after the third OF
the boxes had been searched.
Belief grew among the investiga-
tors that Crawford, shot and killed
with Herbert Spencer, editor of a
political magazine, last Wednesday
may have "felt show down was
coming and placed his house in
order"
The third box, opened at a loan
company shortly after noon while
newspapermen, police, district at
torney deputies and friends of the
late politician stood around expect
antly, contained nothing.
Two other boxes, opened late yes
terday yielded 1929 drivers license
and a few rubber bands.
LOS ANGELES, May 26. W.P)-
State and defense attorneys de-
clared today they were confident
and ready any time for the trial Of
David H. Clark, 33, former deputy
district attorney, on charges of
numbering Herbert Spencer, a vet
eran newspaperman, and Charles
Crawford, political boss.
Joe Ford, criminal lawyer ap-
pointed by District Attorney Buron
Fits to prosecute Clark, said the
states case practically was COM
plete. He said all he was called
upon to prove were the facts of the
murders. The motive lying behind
them was not necessarily a subject
of concern to the state, Ford ex-
planned.
81 am interested, however," the
attorney said, "in the conditions and
the background which would place
young man of the promising legal
and civil character of Clark in such
position.
Clark, in jail, continued his poll
cy of silence, but Leonard Wilson,
one of his attorneys, made a state
ment in which he said:
"We have no hesitation In saying
that the defense is good"
Fits, in. personal charge Of many
angles of the investigation, said the
Crawford-Spencer murder appeared
to be taking on aspects similar to
the Chicago killings of William Nc
Swiggin, a deputy state attorney
and Alfred Jake" Lingle, police re-
porter.
1t was said that Clark, a candi-
date for municipal judge, had the
backing of Guy McAfee, powerful
gambling boss and rival of Craw-
ford. McAfee was technically under
arrest. Authorities wanted him
Continued on page g.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
STUDENT TAKES
POISON BECAUSE
OF DISMISSAL

BERKELEY, Cal, May 26. UP
Victor Herbert Massey, %, Univer-
sity of California senior, was in a
critical condition here today as a
result of taking poison after he was
advised that he must leave the uni
versity because of unsatisfactory
scholarship.
In young Massey's pocket was
found a note to his mother, Mrs.
Gladys Massey, SIT Mound avenue,
Pasadena, announcing that he had
done his "level best, but failed
In the same pocket was the no.
tice of dismissal from the university.
Massey's landlady said the youth
had been studying day and night
recently in an attempt to keep up
his scholarship so that he could
graduate. He said he was moody
and depressed because he felt he
might be dismissed.
Late yesterday it was learned that
Massey purchased four poison tab
lets and swallowed them.
He was rushed to the Alta Bates
hospital where it was said today
that his condition was critical.
The note to Mrs. Massey read:
Dear Mother-I am through with
life. Sorry I could not go on to
the finish. I tried my level best,
but failed You have been my only
hope. Love-"
The message was signed Victor. "
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
Practice Race
Fatal To Driver

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. May 26
W.P)-Joe Caccia, Bryn Mawr, Pa.
automobile race driver, and his
mechanic were killed today on q
practice run at the Indianapolis
speedway.
Their racer, a JoneS-Malay spe-
cial they were tuning up for a quail
flying run in the Memorial day
races, leaped the outside wall at the
southeast turn, hit tree and burst
into flames.
The mechanic killed was Clarence
Grove, %, of Haverford, Pa. Both
were burned to death.
Grove was dead when rescuers
reached the crushed machine and
Caccia died few minutes later.
1t was the first accident of the
1881 racing season.
The southeast curve where the
Jones' Malay special left the track
is recognized as the most dangerous
turn on the brick course because of
slight depression.
Track experts said Caccia made
a habit of over driving on the turns,
attempting to pull his racer out of
spins rather than allowing it to
right itself.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
MEXICO PLANS
CHANGE IN LAW
UPON GAMBLING

MEXICO CITY, May &c. W.P)-
Palatial gambling casinos rivaling
the gaming tables of the Riviera
may dot the Mexican border near
the United States line if plans un-
der consideration by the govern
ment today materialize.
A reversal of the administration s
attitude toward gambling W.; indi-
Gated, and laws were understood to
be planned legalizing games of
chance. Mexican officials have
been studying the operation of the
gambling resorts of Europe with a
view to adopting a new policy in
this country.
One of President Ortiz Rubio's
first public acts following his in
auguration in February, 1880, was
to instruct the governors of all
states and territories to combat
gambling concessions which con-
tinued to operate publicly near the
frontier, especially in Lower Cali
fornia, the president explained it
was necessary to respect concessions
granted by previous administra-
tions. At the same time, he de-
clared no new concessions would be
granted.
Gambling nevertheless has con-
tinued in many places, and gam
bling establishments have flour
ished. According to recent reports
from the states of Tamaulipas and
Nuevo Leon, several new establish
ments have been opened on large
scale in the last month.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
Vatican Clashes
With FascisIn

ROME, May 26. W.p)-An In
creased strain was placed on the re-
lations between the Holy See and
the Fascist regime today by recent
clashes which resulted in charges
from the Vatican that Fascists
were guilty OF frequent mistreat-
ment of Catholics.
Counter-charges were Immediate
ly made by the Fascists, asserting
that parish priests in several In
stances had openly prayed against
Fascism.
The strain was intensified Sunday
when Fascists beat the driver OF a
Vatican City mail truck carrying
personal letters OF Pope Plus XII TO
the station in Rome. The driver
failed to halt his truck during a
Fascist parade. A Fascist militia
officer struck the drivers assistant.
The Osseryatore Romano. semi
official Vatican organ. has started
a column listing purported Fascist
and anti-Catholic manifestations.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
Serious Loss In
Los Angeles Fire

LOS ANGELES, May 26. W.p)-A
fire swept through the warehouse
and factory of the California Thorn
Cordage, Inc, at $50 East 1llth
street, today causing damage esti-
mated by the management at be-
tween $750,000 and $1,000,000.
Machinery, buildings and 5000
bales of hemp burned as water
pressure in the vicinity proved in
adequate to fight the blaze.
Colonel ]. c. Thorn, general man.
ager, said he believed the fire was
caused by spontaneous combustion.
He said huge force of men will be
put to work to clear the wreckage
in order that operations may be
resumed in about a week. The loss.
Thorn said. was covered by insur-
ance.
Jim Hernwood, foreman In the
preparing room where the fire
started, was severely burned about
the right arm and shoulders as he
attempted to extinguish the fire.
The factory offices and a part or
the factory were saved from the
flames.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
Pictures OF Sound
Waves Recorded

LOS ANGELES, May &c. U.P)-
Motion pictures of sound waves and
air currents, made at a speed of
10000 pictures per second, we're
exhibited late yesterday at a meet
ing of the Society of Motion Pic
ture Engineers here.
The pictures, made at the Imper-
ial University Toxic, Japan, were
expected to prove valuable to de-
signers of airplanes, since they show
the paths taken by air when COM
ing in contact with objects of diff
ferent shapes. In some of the pic
lures sound waves were photo
graphed, and from them studies are
being made which probably will
result in the design of motion pic
ture sets having better acoustic
qualities.
The morning session of today's
meeting was devoted to sympos-
ium on sound recording. In the
afternoon members of the society
were to inspect Hollywood motion
picture studios.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
Accuse Woman OF
Poisoning Four

CHICAGO, May &C. U.P) - Four
persons who died in the home of
Mrs. Margaret Summers, leaving
her as the beneficiary of insurance
policies, were killed by arsenic
poisoning, DR.. Clarence w. Muehl-
berger, coroner's physician, testified
today at the inquest in which the
highest prosecuting officials of the
country joined.
Separate coroner's jury verdicts
returned in the four deaths accused
Mrs. Summers of causing them by
administering arsenic and recon-
mended that the widow be held for
the grand jury on murder charges.
Mrs. Summers, dark, short and
stout, still wearing a black dress
and black coat as mourning SYM
bols, moaned in protest against the
accusing testimony offered by DR..
Muehlberger and other witnesses.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
ne R1~~
q 1889 MsNsusAs 8ysdieats. la
Fits CLAIMS
CONFESSION IN
PANTACES CASE

SAN DIEGO, Cal. May 26. CUP
Evidence of a sensational nature
in the trial of Alexander Pantages
and three co-defendants, accused OF
morals offenses, was promised by
District Attorney Buron r. Fits OF
Los Angeles today, when he in
formed defense attorneys he was in
possession of an alleged confession
involving two of the defendants
which had not hitherto been dis
closed.
Fits has been subpoenaed by
George Shreve, attorney for Jesse
Shreve, his brother. In telephone
conversation with Shreve today,
Fits informed the attorney he held
a purported confession of Mrs.
Olive Clark Day, also a defendant,
which involved two men.
The stenographer who took the
confession" also was under sub
poena to produce it in court.
Pantages, with Shreve, William
Jobelmann and Mrs. Day, are on
trial on charges of contributing to
the delinquency of minors and con-
spiracy as the outgrowth of a party
held here last October.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
REGARD HUGHES
AS OUTSTANDING
AMONG LIBERALS
Head Of Supreme Court
Is Linked With Brandeis
And Justice Holmes.
BY RAYMOND CLAPPER
United Press Staff CORRESPONDENT

WASHINGTON, May 26. U.P)-
Though his appointment was fought
last year by senate progressives who
regarded him as too conservative,
Chief Justice Charles E. Hughes has
become an outstanding champion
of so-called liberal principles in re-
cent decisions of the supreme
court.
His dissent in the conscientious
objectors cases is the latest and
most vigorous instance.
The man who is said to have
lost the presidency in 1916 because
he failed to shake hands with Hiram
johnson of California, Roosevelt's
running mate in the progressive
movement, has taken his place on
the supreme court with that famous
pair of dissenters, Oliver Wendell
Holmes and Louis D.. Brandeis.
Either of them might be suspected
of ghost writing the latest opinions
OF Hughes but for the fact that the
chief justice, who in 1923 said he
was too old to run for President,
goes at the work of the court with
the same overwhelming energy that
he threw into the investigation of
New York Life Insurance scandals
a quarter century ago.
So with life time of achieve
ment Hughes reaches what might
be regarded as the fullness of his
wisdom and shifts over from the
conservative factions and joins the
dissenters-Who more and more are
coming to command majority in
five-to-four decision, due to the
accession to the court of Harlan
Fiske Stone and Owen w. Roberts,
both OF whom frequently side with
Holmes and Brandeis.
The test case" for Hughes as a
liberal came in the decisions re-
garding citizenship applications of
Prof. Douglas Clyde Macintosh of
Yale Divinity school, and Marie
Averil Bland, both of whom saw
on-combatant war service in
France but who refused, in seek
ing American citizenship, to prem
Use to bear arms. Both had had
religious scruples. Prof. Macintosh
said he would not promise to bear
arms in any war ne thought un-
just.
Uph0lds Professor
Liberal groups had made an issue
of these cases and fought them
through to the highest court. Five
justices upheld lower courts in re-
Continued on page g.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
Rainfall Ends
In Southland

LOS ANGELES, May 26. W.P)-
Clearing skies appeared over South
ern California today as some farm
ers estimated the damage caused by
the past 48 hours of rain and others
viewed with relief an end to long
dry spell.
In the case of hay wheat and
strawberry crops considerable DAM
age was done, particularly did hay
crops suffer Many farmers had
been curing hay and were unable
to get it under cover so unexpected
ly did the storm strike the farming
areas.
The precipitation during the past
48 hours brought Mays quota of
rainfall above normal, although the
average for the year so far is still
below normal.
The outlook for today was consld-
cradle cloudiness near the coast but
no rain in Los Angeles and vicinity.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
Cablegram Sent
To Mayor Porter

CLEVELAND, Ohio, May 26. U.P)
"A cablegram, commencing Mayor
John C. Porter, of Los Angeles, for
refusing to drink champagne as a
toast to the Presidents of France
and the United tSates, today is to
be dispatched to the dry official by
the Cleveland Dry Maintenance
league.
Over TOO members of the league,
attending their 18th annual BAN
quet, cheered Mayor Porter as "one
American who respects his coun-
try's laws" and voted the approval
message. The Los Angeles official
is one of party of American
mayors touring France as guest of
the French government.
Pleading with newspapers to give
the dry cause a fair DEAL" George
G. Southwell, league director, told
of a S5,000,000 fund to start an un-
biased national publication. The
fund is supported by Frank Gan
nett, publisher of the Brooklyn
Eagle, he said.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
FEDERAL
GAS TAX
FAVORED
Mellon Said To Advocate
Tax On Sale Of Auto
mobiles Also.
PLAN is 'FEELER'
Increase In Taxes Is Not
Favored By Majority Of
Congress.

WASHINGTON, May 26. tU.p)-
A federal tax on gasoline and re-
storation of the federal sales tax on
automobiles are being considered
by Secretary of the Treasury Mellon
and his experts in formulating a
longtime program to meet dwind-
ling revenues and increasing cost
of government.
Mellon is planning to submit his
program to congress in 1892 after
the elections, as announced by the
United Press several days ago.
He realizes that neither house
would sponsor any tax increase on
the eve of national election un-
less it is imperative, and is leaving
the initiative for early presentation
to President Hoover and congress
sional leaders.
The proposals for the new tax
plan, while yet general and vague
and put out as a "feeler", already
nave stirred up controversy among
members of congress, the burden of
criticism being directed at his sug-
gestion that more people should
pay income taxes, and thus the
burden on the average taxpayer be
increased. This would be done by
reducing or eliminating present ex-
emptions.
I'm my judgment, the lowering Of
the exemptions and the taxing Of
the smaller incomes is on the same
principle as the lowering of wages. /"
said Senator Borah, Republican,
Idaho. Both would have the ef-
feet of reducing still further the
purchasing power Of the great
body of people"
Most members of congress are
opposed to any tax increase. but
Senator Couzens, Republican, Mich
igan, is an exception. Taxes must
be increased l.e said, to balance
the governments budget, but he
urges that the increases be applied
to the wealthy.
Couzens, many times a Million
aire, recommended gift tax. an
increase on the estate tax, and in
creased surtaxes on the rich.
Urges Retrenchment
There is no sound reason in
economics or finance why the grad
uated surtax should stop at $780,
000," he said. Prior to the 1926
revenue act, graduated surtaxes
continued upward to incomes of
$l000,000, but for some unaccount-
Continued on rage six)
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
HUNT FOR LOST
PROSPECTOR IS
NOT ABANDONED

While other officers are inyesti-
eating the possibility that Fred
Gunderson, 63-year-old prospector
caught an automobile ride out OF
the desert near inland, and is not
lost, Undersheriff Rodney Clarke
today continued his search of the
Chocolate mountain region for the
old man or his dead body.
No word had been received at
the sheriff's office from the search
ers, who are expected to make re-
port some time tomorrw, if they
find Gunderson.
An employee of the telephone
company was sought today to tell
officers how he picked an old man
up near Frin@s Springs, about &c
miles west of inland last Thursday
and carried him into Calipatria.
Officers could not get in touch
with the telephone employee early
today, and could get no description
of the old man.
Frink Springs. however. is about
rs miles from the camp Gunderson
and his partner, Jack Harley at
Pegleg Wells west of the Chocolate
mountains. Gunderson disappeared
last Wednesday.
Unless the tracks of an automo-
bile that had stopped on the desert
and the tracks of a man coming
from the desert to the automobile
discovered last week by Sheriff
George l.. Campbell, mean that
Gunderson caught a ride at that
point. there is little likelihood he
could have been rs miles from his
camp next day.
When he disappeared Gunderson
was carrying $500, his partner told
officers. This money came from
sale of gold found by the prospect
orS.
Officers and other searchers to-
day inclined to the belief Gunder-
son is lost on the desert Six days
with only three quarts of water
in q canteen would have proved
fatal to the old man, it is believed.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
New Coast Air
Service Planned

SAN FRANCISCO, May 26. U.n)
The Inauguration of new bor-
der-to-border passenger service off
ering daylight flight from Seattle
TO San Diego in 10 hours and 10
minutes was announced today by
the Boeing division of United Air
lines.
Seven ton airliners with a cruis-
ing speed of 118 miles an hour will
leave both cities each morning and
arrive at the other end of the route
before dinner, Boeing officials said.
The passenger service supple
ments the present overnight air.
mail service now operated between
San Diego and Seattle. The ex-
pansion was planned several weeks
ago when the Boeing system merged
with Pacific Air Transport.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26

lrregularity in its flow below Black
Canyon can be largely overcome;
and that navigation for consider
able distances both above and be-
low the dam will become feasible"
Regarding Arizona's contention
that the insertion of the improve
ment of navigation clause in the
Swing-Johnson bill was a subter-
fuge by which its trainers hoped to
conform to constitutional require
ments, the opinion says:
Into the motives which induced
members of congress to enact the
Boulder Canyon Project Act this
court may not inquire. The act de-
clares that the authority to con-
struct the dam and reservoir is
conferred, among other things, for
the purpose of improving naviga-
ton and regulating the flow of the
river AS the river is navigable
and the means which the act pro-
vides are not unrelated to the con-
troll of navigation, the erection and
maintenance of such dam and res
ervoir are clearly within the power
conferred upon congress.
whether the particular struc-
lures proposed are reasonably nec-
essary is not for this court to de-
termine. And the fact that pur-
poses other than navigation will also
be served could not invalidate the
exercise of the authority conferred
even if those other purposes would
not alone have justified an exer-
else of congressional power"
Continuing further with its reas-
oning the opinion says: "Since the
grant of authority to build the dam
and reservoir is valid as an exercise
of the constitutional power to i'm
prove navigation, we have no oc-
casion to decide whether the auth
ority to construct the dam and res
ervoir might not also have been
constitutionally conferred for the
specified purpose of irrigating pub
lie lands of the United States, or
for the specified purpose of regu-
lating the flow and preventing
floods in this interstate river, or as
a means of conserving and appor-
Continued OIL page 90
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
BOARD APPROVES
MAP OF DISTRICT
AIDED BY CANAL
BrOckman Lone Dissenter
In Order To Keep Rec
ord Consistent.

Another step toward completion
of the All-American canal contract
was taken this morning when the
irrigation district board approved a
map showing areas that are to be
included in the district under the
All-American Canal project.
Chief Engineer M. j. Dowd sub
mitted the map, which, he told
board members, is more or less ten
tative, but which has been worked
out to the satisfaction of reclama-
ton service engineers. The direc-
tors approved the map by vote OF
four to one.
In voting against approval Direc-
tor G. W. Brockman of Calexico
stated that since he opposed inclu-
sion of new lands on principle he
could not consistently approve map
whose only purpose is to define the
lands that are to be included.
The map will become Exhibit A
of the proposed All-American Canal
contract. Dowd stated today that
it is necessary for the district to
have such a map before the con-
tract can have the final approval of
the secretary Of interior.
The proposed contract provides
the means for changing the inclu-
sion boundaries whenever such
changes appear beneficial, hence
approval of the map as submitted
to the district board today does not
preclude changes in the boundaries
as shown at present.
The aggregate area of lands to be
served by the canal is slightly in
excess of a million acres. None of
the lands which are not capable of
crop production are included in the
new areas, Dowd said.
Approve Rock Sale
The board approved the sale of
1000 cubic yards of rock to be taken
from Pilot Knob by r. B. Dennis,
contractor, for use in the con-
struction OF roadways near Yuma.
The cost involved is $1,000. The
contractor is to do all work in con-
Continued on page o.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-05-26
English Queen
Has Birthday

SANDRINGHAM, Eng, May 26.
W.P)EQueen Mary of England Gel
ebrated her Gath birthday quietly
today, surrounded by members of
the British royal family at Sand
ringham.
For the first time in many years,
the birthday OF the queen was
commemorated away from Buck
ingham palace Queen Mary and
King George v came down to Sand
ringham house.
The king only recently recovered
from o recurrence of semi-acute
bronchitis, preferred to be away
from Buckingham palace because of
fatigue caused by the first two
courts of the season last week.
There was little to mark the
queens birthday aside from lunch
con attended by the king, the
Archbishop Of Canterbury, an d
three of her four sons-the Prince
of Wales, the Duke of Gloucester
and Prince George. The Duke of
York was not present. but sent
congratulations.