davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
FREEDOM STILL
WITHHELD FROM
'COOTS' DAVIS

Checkmated again in his efforts
TO secure freedom for M. K. "Coots"
Davis, charged with numbering Will
liam Presley in Mexicali February
16, Ernest r. Utley, Ell Centro attor-
ney, arrived in Los Angeles today
only to find that a warrant for Da-
Wis had been issued by United States
Commissioner David 3. Head of Los
Angeles.
Head is the only United States
Commissioner in California en-
powered to issue warrant holding
prisoners for extradition TO foreign
countries. Utley left here with an
order from United States Commits
sioner Dorsey Whitelaw authorizing
release of Davis from custody
District Attorney Elmer w. Heald,
who has taken an active interest in
efforts to extradite Davis to Mexico,
today is confident that no further
legal bitches are possible in the
case.
The complaint signed before
Commissioner Head in Los Angeles
was signed by Rafael de la Colina,
Mexican consul in Los Angeles, and
authorized by officials in Mexico
City.
In a telegram received by the dis
trict attorney here today, Ramon v.
Santoya, secretary to the Lower
California governor, asserted that all
legal and diplomatic steps to pro-
cure extradition of Davis have been
carried through by the Mexican
government.
The governor of Lower California,
stated the telegram, forwarded ex-
tradition papers through diplomatic
circles to Mexico City, where gov
ernmental officials in turn forward
ed them to Mexican ambassador in
Washington, D. c., who will make
formal request to President Hoo
yer for extradition of Davis.
1t was at the request of the
foreign office in Mexico City that
the Mexican consul in Los Angeles
appeared before Commissioner Head
to sign the complaint and witness
issuing of the warrant on which Da-
Wis will be held.
Hearing on writ of habeas COR
pus. last effort OF Utley to procure
freedom of his client, was scheduled
before the federal court in Los An
geles today.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
RAIN lessons
FIRE HAZARD in
SO. CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES, April "a U.P)-
Fire hazard in Southern California
was considerably reduced by the
rainfall during the last 48 hours.
The storm, which swept the Pa
cific Coast, and ended a 67-day
drought, was described as most
beneficial to farmers, while the for
estry department reported that dam
ger of fire had been greatly les
sened.
The high wind and accompanying
rain, which yesterday caused delay
in airplane service and in some in
stance complete abandonment of
certain long distance trips, had
somewhat abated today. The out
look was for clearer weather with
the possibility of an occasional
shower today and tomorrow.
Mount Wilson, Pasadena and
Sierra Madre reported the heaviest
downpour for the storm. The pre-
cipitation in those centers was 3.35
inches, 1.01 inches and 1.16 inches
respectively.
Rainfall in the hills was eXcep-
tionally heavy, the Los Angeles
county flood control stations re-
ported Reservoirs were replenished
and wells assured of an abundant
suppl.t OF Water for irrigation and
home consumption purposes.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
zH&e R1~~
G Ieso M.Nsnsht Syndicate. Ina
ASSERT RUSSIAN
SWINDLED MANY
IN film COLONY

HOLLYWOOD, Cal, April "a. U.P)
"A tour of Hollywood and Los An
geles banks vas started today by
Deputy District Attorney Milton
Black and a squad of investigators
! in an attempt to gather more de-
tails of the financial operations of
Michael Roomonoff, at liberty in
$4,000 bond pending a preliminary
hearing on grand theft charges.
! Prompting the Investigations of
his transactions with several banks
was The discovery of numerous can
celled checks found in a suitcase be-
longing to the Russian, and dis
closing the wide extent of his ope-
rations.
i Roomonoff's condition was re-
ported improved today. He at
tempted suicide last week by jump
ing into the ocean from Redondo
Beach pier.
| His condition yesterday was such
that arraignment proceedings had
to be held at his bedside. Prelimi-
nary hearing was set for May 10.
Already Roomonoff, New York
banker and brother Of the accused
man, was reported due here Monday
to assist Michael with his defense.
Michael is specifically charged with
bilking Meyer Levin, Glendale con-
| tractor, out of $4,000.
, Roomonoff is said to have sis
ter residing at lat Rue de General
Rupert, Paris. She is believed by
police to be Mrs. Levinson Levitt,
wife of a leading Partisan banker.
An unidentified woman was
sought by district attorneys inves-
tigators today when they learned
that she had received thousands of
dollars from Roomonoff, who as
sertedly victimized scores of Hol-
lywood residents with Ponzi-like in
yeStmentS.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
AR RRE:ST
NEAR IN
Staying
San Diego Police Hoping
To Catch Perpetrator
In Latest Outrage.
HOT CLEWS FOUND
Victim Of Brutal Crime
Dead A Week Before
Body Discovered.

SAN DIEGO, Cal, April "a. U.P)-
Strands of hair under the finger
nails of Mrs. w 2. Bippens, known
as Diamond Dolly" may lead to
the identity of her slayer, it was
announced by police today
An autopsy by DR.. F. E. Toomey
and Dr. E. G. Colby disclosed the
hairs, which were given to police
for further examination.
I'VE have definite clews which we
believe will lead to the arrest Of
the slayer within a short time,' was
the announcement of Police Captain
Paul Hays shortly after the autopsy.
Captain Hays refused to tell the
color or texture of the hair at pres
sent.
For the first time in three sensa-
tional murder Investigations here
within three months, authorities ap-
peared certain that an important ar
rest was near.
The killing of little Virginia
Brooks, school girl, who was kid
naped early in February, and the
hanging of 17-year old Louise Teu-
Der last Saturday night at the base
of Black Mountain still were mys-
teries.
As police made the important dis
covery of the Bibbens clew, it was
announced at the sheriff's office
that there was nothing new in the
Teuber case"
No trace has been found of the
slayer of Virginia Brooks since her
dismembered body was found on the
Camo Kearney Mesa last March IL.
The autopsy surgeons determined
definitely that Mrs. Bibbens died of
| strangulation. She suffered severe
blow on the head and either kick
or blow in the abdomen, according
to the surgeons. Her face and bo-
dy showed a number of scratches
and abrasions.
Suspect Freed
It was estimated that the victim,
known in night life circles here and
at the Caliente race track in Mexico.
was dead approximately six days
before R. 3. Brown, plumber,
found her body. She was clad in
expensive pale plue pajamas.
walter W Batelman, a 63-year-
old elevator operator, was released
after questioning by police 1t was
said chat he freely gave all informa-
ton he had about the middle-aged
woman with Whom he assertedly
associated.
Although diamonds belonging to
Mrs. Bibbins were missing, as was
her automobile, Captain Hayes said
it was possible that the robbery mo-
tive was faxed by the killer.
I'VE are considering the POSSIBLE
ity that the killer may have wanted
to establish robbery as the motive
in an effort to cover up another
reason for the Staying" Captain
Hayes declared.
Presence of the hairs under the
dead woman's nails and bruises on
her body were. taken by police as
an indication that she fought des-
perately against her slayer.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
BROKERAGE FIRM
IS SUSPENDED BY
STOCK EXCHANGE

NEW YORK, April "a. U.P-
The stock exchange house of Pyn-
chon and Co., was suspended from
the stock exchange today for in
solvency.
Pynchon & Co, was sponsors for
Fox Film Corporation, General The
atres Equipment and Utilities Pow
er and Light Company.
The company operates branch
offices in Battle Greek, Chicago,
Liverpool, London, Manchester, Mil
waukee, and three New York
branches in addition to the main
office at Ill Broadway.
Wall Street attributed the failure
to recent financial difficulties In
Fox Film Corporation and Gener-
al Theatres Equipment, which have
crashed to new lows on the stock
exchange.
Fox Film "A" broke to IT'S, off
II today after the failure was an
nounced. Yesterday it had a wide
open break that unsettled the en-
tire market. General Theatres and
Utilities Light also were weak.
Shortly after the stock exchange
suspension, the curb exchange an
nounced that Pynchon & Co. had
been suspended for failure TO meet
meet obligations.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
HUGE SUPPLY OF
LIQUOR MATERIAL
SEIZED in RAID
Supplies For Still And
Alleged Operators TAX
EN- By Officers.

Organizing a crew of raiders for
the first step in campaign by his
office against bootlegging establish
ments in Imperial county, Sheriff
George L. Campbell and two depu-
ties this morning raided what Off
GERS described as one of the largest
liquor layouts ever taken in Imperial
county.
The raid came today following the
activities of the sheriff's office and
county grand jury in investigating
bootlegging activities in general
The investigation was brought about
as the result of an alleged hijacking
raid and the fatal shooting, almost
week ago, of Jack Eugene Gees
man, l8, said to be one of the hi
jackers.
A. Baiddi was arrested this morn
ing as proprietor of the raided place
Two other men, whose names will
not be known until Sheriff Camp
bell and Ernest Clay and Harold
Gillett, deputies, return to the sher-
ifs office late this afternoon, were
also arrested
A huge quantity of home brew
and vermouth, four tons of raisins,
half ton of figs, one 1900 gallon
vat and one 1000 gallon vat, which
Officers asserted were used in manu-
facture of liquor, were confiscated
Following the raid, Sheriff Camp
bell called his office to ask that
District Attorney Elmer w. Heald be
notified of the find. D. H. Wolford
deputy district attorney, was told of
the raid when it was found Heald
was out of his office on other busi-
ness. He promised action.
May Face Prison
Serious charges, conviction Cn
which would result in a prison term
may be filed against the alleged
bootleggers.
The place raided is about six
miles east of Imperial on the Holt
Imperial road, and just east OF
the Alamo river. Details of the
raid were not available, since the
sheriff and his deputies were still
guarding the raided property this
afternoon.
Aside from raiding activities, and
in connection with the hijacfing
and killing on Blackie Bells ranch
near Brawley last Saturday night
members of the sheriff's force are
still carrying on their investigation
into the affair. Many theories have
been advanced since the shooting
first came into prominence.
One theory, advanced by officers
as we'll as others, is that the raid
of the hijackers on Bells ranch was
the result Of a bootlegger's war. An
other rumor is that the robbers who
entered Bells place were attempting
to put Bell on the spot" and failed
only when Bell slammed door be-
tween them and started shooting.
The body of Jack Eugene Gees
man, victim of the shooting, re-
mains in Lemons Undertaking
establishment in Ell Centro.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
Jail Sentence
Given Filipino

Only one sentence, and that 20
the county Jail. was passed by Judge
A. G. Finney during hearing of the
criminal law and motion calendar
in his court this morning.
B. Bascadillo. Filipino, entered n
plea of guilty to contributing to the
delinquency of minor. and was
sentenced to six months in the
county Jail. The material witness
would not testify against Bascadillo.
Shortly after he pleaded guilty a
charge of assault with deadly
weapon against him was dismissed
in justice court.
Hearing on the case of Manuel
Rodriguez, charged with burglary.
was continued until tomorrow
morning.
Jose Gonzales, charged with burg
larry, pleaded not guilty. Trial was
set for May 4. Tony Morales ap-
peared on a charge Of burglary, but
the case was continued.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
FINE PROGRAM PREPARED FOR
CONFERENCE OF LEGION FIFTH
CORPS AREA HERE TOMORROW

Post-Richard J. Welch Jr., Past
Commander 5th Area, Riversie.
5. The Civic Responsibility of the
Post Officer-Judge Arthur l.. Mum
do, Commander United Veterans of
the Republic, San Diego.
6. The Forty and Eight as Phase
of Legion Activity-George f. Rus
sell, Grand Chef De Care, San Ma
teo.
p. m.-Adjourn.
7:45-Organization meeting of
Eight and Forty, election of officers
and Wreck" at the Hotel Imperial.
Imperial Voiture, 40 ct 8, will have
a wreck il the old Legion clubhouse
in Imperial at 9:30
8:30-Big Dance at Legion Club
House, Imperial.
SECOND SESSION
Sunday, April 26th, 10 A. NJ.
Opening ceremony-Ocean Side
Post No. lac, Adrian C. Nadon,
Commander.
l. The District Commander as
First Aid to the Post Otficer-L.
Continued on Page Six)
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
AGED OFFICIAL
DIES.AT LONELY
Home in PICACH0

David M. DeLone, Sc, constable
and prospector at Picacho, died of
old age yesterday afternoon in a
lonely shack on hill overlooking
the Colorado river.
He had been failing rapidly for the
last week and yesterday died while
sitting alone contemplating the hills
where he searched for gold for many
years.
The body was brought to Ell Gen.
tro last night by B. E. Lemons, un-
dertaker, and Bert Underwood, coro-
ner. The coroner was called to make
an investigation as DeLong died
without a physician having been
summoned TO treat him.
Funeral arrangements have not
been made, as word has not been
received from relatives. He was a
32nd degree Mason, Shriner and
an Elk.
He was appointed constable at Pi-
cacho by the county board of su-
pervisors on June 7, 1926, and was
elected to the same post in 1928
and 1880. 1t was said he never had
made an arrest but was very proud
of representing the law in that iso-
lated precinct.
In company with recer Russ, Ri
chard Young and George Maxon,
his partners, DeLong for many
years did assessment work on min
ing claims in the region which has
been honeycombed in search for
a lost vein of gold
A search of his papers in an at
tempt to discover the names of rela-
tiyes, revealed the fact that he had
spent large sums of money in pros
pecting for gold. He is reported to
have met with but sight success.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
MAN ACCUSED OF
OLD CRIME HERE
Held IN NORTH
Three Fingered Blackie'
Walters Charged With
Calipatria Staying.

A. d. Walters, alias Three Fin
ger Blackie,' indicted by the grand
| jury five years ago for the alleged
brutal Staying of Charley Abel Feb
ruary 26, 1926, during drunken
brawl in Calipatria, today is held
in Delano, California, while George
Evans, deputy sheriff, is on the way
there to return Walters here for
trial.
Information transmitted to the
| Delano police chief by UnderSheriff
! Rodney Clarke resulted in arrest of
Walters. Clarke received informa-
ton about month ago, he said to-
day, that the hunted man was in
Delano. Searching the files, Clarke
found that Walters is under indict
ment by the county grand jury on
charge of murder.
History of the case is tangled
skein of sordid facts. Strangely
enough, George Evans. the deputy
who, will return Walters to this
county, was the only who uncovered
the evidence that resulted in in
dictments against Walters and How
ard johnson. Evans arrested john
son, but could not find the other
man.
Johnson is now serving term in
San Quentin after conviction by
jury here of second degree murder.
Four others were arrested by Evans
just after the murder, but charges
against all were dismissed in justice
court, and the case taken before the
grand jury, which indicted Johnson
and Walters.
The two we're charged with beat
ing Charley Abel to death after a
drunken fight in the latter's house
IN Calipatria. Olivia lie Vega, col
ored, who was living with Abel when
he met his death, was later beaten
TO death with a flatiron in the same
house.
The Vega woman was one of those
arrested after murder of Abel.
Others were Lucian Duncan, who
has since died: A. d. Watkins, and
another colored woman named Pan
sy The Duncan and Vega women
and Watkins served 60 days in the
county Jail following the murder
and after conviction on charge
of possession of liquor.
Evans left this morning for De-
iano. where he will assume custody
of the alleged murderer. Walters will
be tried before the superior court
here on the fiye-year-old indict-
ment.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
GOVERNMENT OF
HONDURAS SAYS
REVOLT CRUSHED
Rebels Reported Routed
By Loyal Troops In
Series Of Battles.

WASHINGTON, April "a. U.P)-
The government of Honduras in
formed it's legation here today that
the rebellion in that country has
been suppressed.
The Honduran secretary of state
in a dispatch from Tecucigalpa
timed $40 a. m. said: "Revolu-
|. tionary movement quelled."
Copyright, 1881, by United Press
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, April
"a. (U.P)-The government troops
concentrated in northern Honduras
pursued disorganized revolution
ary army today in an effort to force
final and decisive engagement III
the mountainous Intibuca region.
Victorious in their two day de-
fense of the strategically impor-
tant railroad city of Chameleon
near San Pedro Sula, the federal
forces under Colonel Alfredo Reina
rallied and dealt a smashing blow
to the rebel army.
The routed insurgents under Cen
eral Gregoria Fererra were forced
to evacuate the CorteS zone, where
many United States citizens had
been in danger, and fled to the
southwest. The government mill
tary leaders pursued, bringing their
reinforcements from Tegucigalpa
into action, and informed the presi-
Dental palace that they hoped to
engage the rebel forces Immediately
Meanwhile government force
was set out from the capital to in
tercept the rebel march toward In
tibuca. where there have been mi
nor clashes. The Intibuca region
was said to be in the main concen-
tration point of the revolutionaries
at present and the federals, moving
in from two directions, were expect
ing a battle in that vicinity.
IF a battle is fought there and
the federal troops are victorious, as
we are certain they will be, the re-
volution may be considered ended,
it was said in official circles.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24

Everything is in readiness to en-
tertain hundreds of American Leg
ionnaires and Auxiliary members
scheduled to arrive here for the
fifth area convention which con-
venes in the court house tomorrow
afternoon at 3 o'clock.
Visitors will be in the valley IRON
four counties, San Bernardino, San
Diego, Orange, Riverside, as well as
Imperial. More than % Legion and
auxiliary posts will be represented.
The program follows in full:
Saturday, April 25, T. Nj.
/. Opening Ceremony -- Boyce
Aten Post 25, N. E. Dupont, Com
mander.
2. The Relation of the Office OF
Department Commander to the
Work of the Post Officer-B. w.
Gearhart, Commander, Department
Of California.
3. The Function of the Office OF
Vice-Commander -at-Large - Ger
trude r. Tracy, Vice-Commander-
at-Large, Los Angeles.
4. The Relation of the Area
Commander to the Officers OF the
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
SCHOOLS
PE:RPLEX
S0L0NS
Mounting Cost OF Educa-
tion Causes WrangIe In
Legislature.
SEEK COMPROMISE
Proposal To Give Super
yisOrs Partial Budget
Control Opposed.
BY HOMER L. ROBERTS
United Press Staff Correspondent

SACRAMENTO, Cal, April "a.
W.P)--How to check the mounting
cost OF education in California rep
resented one of the major problems
before the state legislature today.
Bills seeking to give county boards
Of supervisors partial control over
school budgets were the center of
heated debate in the senate ed
ucation committee last night. At
tempts were being made today to
gain compromise between oppos-
ing factions.
A bill by Senator Charles H.
Deuel., Chico. requiring school trus-
tees TO publish the school budgets
before final adoption and hold hear
ings in the event any protests were
filed by taxpayers, was discussed.
The possibility this measure
would not be pressed prompted Sen.
ator II. c. Nelson, Eureka, TO in
troducc a similar bill which was
approved by the committee last
night.
Senator David +. Bush, Oakdale,
however, in two other bills. sought
to extend the play by permitting
an appeal to the board of supervis-
ors in case such action is demanded
by 10 or more taxpayers who have
objected to expenditures set up in
the school budget.
Roy Cloud, Berkeley, representing
the California Teachers association.
led the opposition against the plan
of putting the budget in the hands
of the supervisors. The Bush plan
would permit downward, but not
upward, revision of the school fin
ancial plans.
In answer TO charges that the
plan would put the schools back
in politics. Senator Nelson stated
that they ARE in politics now" He
made additional references to pres
sure brought against him by teach
ers to Substantiate his counter
charges concerning their political
activities"
James McSheehy. San Francisco
supervisor, claimed that some meth
od of halting the rapidly increasing
educational costs was absolutely
necessary" He pointed out that
San Francisco schools cost $780,
COO in 1916, and Sll,060000 in 1880
Members of the committee ap-
peared in sympathy with the plan
of board of appeal in connection
with school budgets. and the mat
ter is to be threshed out before the
next meeting OF the group.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
Checks Stolen
From Local Firm

Two burglaries last night were re-
ported to the Ell Centre police de-
partment after discovery this morn
ing that the packing shed of the
Fruit Distributors company of Cal
ifornia and the office of the H. P.
Garen company were entered.
Merchants and business men to-
day were warned by police against
accepting any of five checks stolen
from the fruit company. Nothing
was taken from the office of the
Garen company.
The checks stolen last night were
blank printed forms, numbered
from 1884 to 1888. ANY person pre-
senting these checks, police said
will Immediately become the object
Of suspicion.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
GRANITE BLOCK HONORED

BISBEE, Ariz. U.P) - A block of
granite used years ago in deciding
single jack and double jack drilling
contests is to be accorded a place
of honor in the new courthouse
square, created last year when the
county seat was transferred here
from Tombstone. The Cochise board
of supervisors complied with a re-
quest of the Pioneers association 70
use the stone block as a monument
which will bear copper plate de-
scriptive of its history.
Imperial Valley press., 1931-04-24
ACTRESS NOT TO
BESUMM0ED in
FEDERAL HEARING

LOS ANGELES, April "a. (U.H -
Frederic II. Girnau, publisher OF a
weekly tabloid newspaper, will not
be given the opportunity to call
Clara Bow to the stand in his own
defense when he faces trial for as
sertedly sending obscene matter
through the mails, federal authori-
ties said today.
Girnau, who printed series of
articles on 1.-The love life of Clara
Bow" in his periodical, The Coast
Reporter, claimed today that his
highly sensational articles about
the motion picture actress, were
privileged, ana printed without
malice.
Filing of further misdemeanor
charges against the publisher would
give him the opportunity to call
Miss Bow into court with a further
attempt to besmirch her character,
United States Attorney Samuel w.
McNabb declared, as city and coun-
ty officers agreed to withhold fur
ther anticipated charges.
Girnau's defense that he had no
malice toward the actress, was
struck blow by the government to-
day when McNabb said the federal
law covering distribution of obscene
matter through the mails. concern
ing itself only with the question of
obscenity, and not with the quest
ton of substantiation of the attack
or malice.
Daisy De Voc, former secretary of
Miss Bow, convicted of stealing SS25
from the actress, was claimed by
Girnau to have supplied him with
the alleged information about Miss
Bow which was the foundation for
the articles, but she emphatically
denied she gave him the material.