davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
STATE OFFICER
DEFENDS ACTS
Vandegrift Asserts He May
Have Erred But Did Nothing
Dishonest In Transactions.

SACRAMENTO, March 18. W.P)
On the eve of the final report
of the Inman senatorial investigat-
ing committee. ROLAND A. Vande-
grift, director Of finance. today ad-
ritted he might have some minor
errors in connection with the Ven-
tura hospital site purchase and the
lease of the San Francisco state
building.
II am not above making mis-
takes, and 1t may be that erred
in judgment" he said frankly. But
I want to emphasize there was
nothing connected with these deals
that was not open and above
board"
One of his mistakes, Vandegrift
observed sardcnically, was in not
being politically minded"
"Had I been politically minded,
wouldn't have purchased land
adjacent to the hospital site bought
for the state. They said there was
something shady about that deal.
Nothing of the sort. I merely
backed my own judgment, as eXer-
cised for the state, but putting my
own money into adjoining land.
"If there was something, bad
about the matter, why did 7 an
nounce my own purchase to the
press as soon as I could? Does a
prafter flaunt his crimes to the
public?"
Vandegrift was under fire dur
ing the senatorial investigation on
the state building lease, the hos
pital site purchase, and bord deals
on behalf of the state.
The director maintained the bond
deals were satisfactory for the
state in view of the present bond
market.
AS for the lease of the state
building site in San Francisco, the
director of finance said il he had
it TO do over again. he would re-
duce the rent allowance tor the
Easement.
Otherwise the deal was sound
he observed.
Vandegrift was bitter over the
appraisal of the state building by
C. E. Berg, connected with the
state board of architecture. He
charged there. was a 30 per cent
difference between Berg's first es-
innate for him and his second, for
the Inman committee.
The director of finance contend
ed he was not given square deal
in this Inman committee inquiry.
ETe charged the testimony was
"hand picked"
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18

Child,rs and D. B. Roberts, counsel
for the Imperial district, and Will
liam G. Irving and Arvin B Shaw,
Jr., and M. w. Conkling, attor-
neys for the Coachella Valley
County Water district and for
Charles Malen respectively, ragged
this morning about the cost of
canal construction.
1t is the contention of those
opposing valuation of the canal
contract, the Coachella district
and Malar. that the cost of con-
struction and the amount of the
obligation to be assumed by the I'M
Deriai district were not properly
represented to voters who approved
the contract at special election
Neither on the notice OF election
nor On the ballots was the maxi
mum cost of construction stated,
the opposition contends. Such a
statement Is required by law.
Counsel for .he district, however
contend that the statement given
was a true one, and that the oppos-
ition forces in their estimate. con-
slider matters outside actual con-
struction, and which may never
occur.
Other legal technicalities remain
to be ironeG oft IN a trial consist
ing for the most part of citation
oi authorities and legal arguments.
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
DIE
IN TRAGEDIES

UPPER DARBY, Pa, March 18.
NU.PS-Gilbert Friend, 35, of Plant
City, Fla, shot and killed his three
small children today and commit
ted suicide on his wife's grave. Mrs.
Friend died several months ago.
Three small bodies, covered with
large towels, lay side by side on
their mothers grave. They had
been shot through the hearts. Near
by was Gilberts body, bullet
through his head.
Friend drove to the cemetery in
the automobile of a brother. Earl
Friend, of Mt. Healthy, Ohio. The
two men with their families had
been visiting relatives in Upper
Darby and Philadelphia.
Since Une burial of Mrs. Friend,
January S, Friend had visited the
cemetery frequently with his three
children, Robert, /; Helen, 6, and
Kenneth, 6 months.
CLEVELAND, Ohio, March 18
sUPy-Bodies o1 a father and four
children were found today in an
automobile submerged III the wa
ters of Cuyahoga river, south OF
Cleveland.
Authorities expressed belief the
man deliberately drowned himself
and his children by driving his
small sedan off a 10 foot embank-
ment into the river.
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
VALUATION SUIT EXPECTED TO
BE COMPLETED BY NEXT WEEK

Under a stipulation entered into
by counsel, Judge Emmet H. Wilson
continued this afternon to take
evidence in trial of the All-Amer-
ican canal contract valuation suit,
in spite of judiciary holiday
which began ut noon and will end
Monday morning.
Under the stipulation the court
may receive evidence and hear test
imony. No order made during the
period of the judiciary holiday
would be legal.
Trial of the suit Swirled forward
yesterday afternoon after Judge
Wilson took under submission de-
'nurrers to the complaint of the
Imperial Irrigation District. AL
though no ruling was handed down
on the demurrers, trial proceeded
immediately after arguments on
the demurrers were completed.
Indications today are that the
matter will not reach an end be-
1ore Monday, and possibly not then.
Witnesses called to the stand
after trial of the suit got under
way were F. H. McIver, secretary
OF the Imperial Irrigation District,
Thomas A. Starr, Washington Nc
Intyre and w. P. Rove. The lat
ter is a civil engineer, called to
testify regarding the cost of con-
struction of the canal.
Controversy between Charles l..
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
BY
CLEVER RUSE

GLENDALE, CAL, Marcn Is. <U.Py
"A sensational escape from the
city Jail here brought a statewide
search today for Joseph E. Clark,
suspected of the Staying of two
Yreka men and the kidnapping of
E. G. Ballinger, border customs
guard.
Clark was arrested in Los An
geles Thusday by treasury depart
ment agents and lodged in the
Glendale Jail. In his cell was an in
surance salesman, charged with in
toxicaticn.
During the night Clark took his
cellmate's property slip and placed
his own in the others pocket.
> Yesterday he requested a bail
bondsman, identified himself by the
property slip, and gained his lib
erty on a $3.50 bond, supplied by
Cecil Armstrong.
With Armstrong, Clark drove to
Los Angeles for money to pay for
the bond and slipped through the
back door of a hotel.
Clark was suspected of the kill
ing of Steve Kent, traffic officer,
and Lester Quigley, garage me-
chanic, at Yreka on Mar. 10, when
they sought to arrest him for Bal
fingers kidnapping.
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
CONGRESS To
DEC|DE: BEER
BILL MONDAY
Leaders Promise Approval With
Expectation House Percentage
3. OF 81 Will Be In Force.
OTHER MEASURES PENDING
Bank And Farm Relief To Be
Decided With Promptness If
Administration Has Way.

WASHINGTON. March 18. U.P)
Prompt and final approval of beer
and state bank relief early next
week was promised today by con-
gressional leaders.
Farm relief was only a step be-
Mind these measures on the pro-
gram over which leaders and COM
mittees worked while the house and
senate took day off to catch
their breath after eight days lab
or at the emergency speed ordered
by President Roosevelt.
House and senate groups hoped
TO reach an informal agreement to-
day on beer, to insure enactment
of that measure Monday and per-
init the brew to go on sale by April
4.
There was every indication the
senate would be forced to accept
80 alcoholic percentage set by the
house bill. The house yesterday re-
jected the senate figure of 3.05 and
ordered the measure to conference
Senate conferees cannot be ap-
pointed officially until Monday
But II was expected they would
meet informally today so that
Mondays action will be only rou-
tine.
The house also has agreed to
take up Monday a bill permitting
ALL state banks to obtain emergen-
cy loans from the central federal
reserve banks on the same terms as
federal reserve member banks. The
senate has passed similar meas
IRE.
The house agriculture committee
continued hearings on the Roose-
velt farm relief program and hoped
10 have it ready for house vote
the first part of the week. The
committee called Secretary of Ag-
riculture Wallace and other Off
cials to explain details of the COM
plex measure.
Wallace told senate committee
the plan would involve taxes of per-
haps $800,000,00 on food products
The money would be paid to farm
erS in return for reducing their
production. Curtailed production,
the administration hopes, would lift
commodity prices to prewar levels,
restore farm purchasing power, and
boost the whole country along the
road to good times.
The amount of the proposed
3axes, and the sweeping authority
which the administration would
have over the whole farming in
dustry, stirred opposition in some
quarters. Most congressman, how
ever, were ready to give the plan
an immediate triAl
Mr.. Roosevelt is prepared to lay
before congress at least four more
major bills to round out his emer-
gency legislative program. These
are: unemployment relief, railroad
rehabilitation, temporary banking
reforms and safeguards against
speculation.
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
AUTO CRASH
MAY Be FATAL

Pinned momentarily in the
wreckage of an aged touring car
when it overturned four and half
miles north of Brawley last night,
Tony Rodriguez is unconscious at
the county hospital today, suffer-
ing a fractured skull and possible
internal injuries.
Authorities are searching for
Juan D. Estrada, driver of the car,
who slipped away from the Braw-
ley hospital after receiving emer-
gency treatment there. Both Mexi-
cans were taken to the Brawley
hospital in the Brawley fire de-
partment ambulance. Rodriguez
was transferred to the county hos
pital here.
Investigators reported that Es-
trada apparently lost control OF the
old touring car, and that it over
turned. No other details of the ac-
cident were available.
Attendants at the hospital told
officers last night that Rodriguez
had little chance to live. His con-
dition was unchanged today.
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
Cousin Of Italian
King Dies In Rome

ROME, March 18. W.P-The Duke
of the Abruzzi, 81, famous soldier
and explorer and cousin of King
Victor Emanuel, died today.
The duke died in Villagio Duca
Degli Abruzzi Italian Somaliland.
The duke was commander in
chief of the Italian navy from
1915 to 1917. In the 1905, he con-
Quoted widespread explorations, Or
ganizing North Polar expedition
and climbing Alaskan mountains.
Several years ago the duke, visit
ing the United States, was seen
inuch in the company of Katherine
ElkinS, daughter of the late Sena-
tor Stephens B Elkins. and their
engagement was rumored. The
king refused to sanction the mar
riage, however.
In recent years. the duke has
spent much of his time in Italian
Somaliland. where he directed ag-
ricultural developments whic h
turned that region from Savagery
into a prosperous farming coun-
try.
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18

reinforced concrete building which
was hardly damaged at all.
II am not saying brick buildings,
properly constructed, are not ade-
quate. But do say that the quake
revealed unmiStakable evidence OF
faulty construction"
The director of finance felt there
should be strict regulations COM
pelling construction of quake proof
buildings, particularly in schools
and other public buildings.
He recommended:
l. Hollow tile bearing walls be
forbidden in the quake area.
2. There should be no unsup-
ported brick bearing walls-that
each wall and each floor should be
tied together securely.
g. Prohibition in quake areas OF
brick facing veneer. Such facing
he said, showered into the streets
by the ton during the quake.
4. Prohibition. of unsupported
brick parapet walls.
S. Prohibition of stilt foundations
for buildings.
/ 6. Elimination of exterior build
ing decorations which might be
easily shaken off during a tremor
Vandegrift declared the lesson OF
the quake should be followed.
1--WE should take reasonable pre-
caution" he said This quake has
demonstrated the need of solidly
built structures. The damage to the
state building was about 5000; tc
the Los Angeles city hall $4,000
That shows you 1t pays to con-
struct good buildings.
above all, steps must be taken to
strengthen school buildings. If the
quake had occurred four hours
earlier there would have been g
death toll of at least 10000 and II
may have been as high as 10000
Thousands of children would have
been crushed in the earthquake
traps they studied in. They would
MT have had a chance"
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
YOUNG SCREEN
COUPLE SPLIT

HOLLYWOOD, March 18. U.Pj-
Joan Crawford, glamorous film ac-
tress has separated from her actor
husband, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
The famous Hollywood couple,
whose separation often has been
rumored in recent months, could
not get along" according to a
statement issued by Miss Crawford.
Her announcement of estrange-
ment came one day after Fair
banks had been named in $780,
coo alienation of affections suit by
Jorgen Dietz, chemical engineer,
who charged him with theft of the
love of Mrs. Solveig Dietz, scenario
writer.
II do not contemplate any di-
vorce action Miss Crawford said.
81 want it definitely understood
that the Dietz suit has nothing to
do with our separation. I have
known of the case all along and I
intend to do everything can to
help Mr.. Fairbanks if the suit
comes to hearing.
MI. FAIRBANKS ana l nave dis
cussed separation for more than a
year."
Fairbanks, located at Laguna
Beach where he was on location,
declared that there is no other
woman in the world for me-"
II feel sure this is only tenn
porary measure he said. I'm fact
I don't think there is any doubt
but what we will be able to look
things squarely in the face and
decide the best thing to do is to go
back together again"
The marriage of the couple cli-
NAKED a whirlwind courtsh h p
which had its start when Doug,
Jr., was playing the lead in young
Woodley" on the stage here and
Joan was a nightly attendant.
On June 8, 1929, New York pa
pers told of their marriage in that
state,
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
Peruvian Delegate
Quits League Meet

GENEVA March 18. U.P) - Fol-
lowing the precedent set by Japan,
the Peruvian delegate to the League
Of Nations walked out OF a meet
ing of the league council today
when decision in the Leticia dis
pute was against his country.
When the council adopted a re-
port assigning the disputed order
territory of Leticia to Colombia
Delegate Garcia Calderon left the
chamber.
This does not mean Peru's with
orawal from the league" Calderon
assured the United Press.
When the report was adopted
Calderon arose from his place at
the council table, fumbled for his
papers which had been scattered
over the table top and Shouldered
his way past rows of silent dele
gates.
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
BY THOMAS b. MALARKEY
United Press Staff Correspondent

United Press Staff Correspondent
SACRAMENTO, March 18. =
Weary legislators enjoyed a week.
ends rest today after a week of
grinding toll marked by legislative
accomplishment.
Spurred on by two crises = the
one financial, the other the earth
quake the legislature enacted
vital laws to ease the strain of
each.
The bank bill, conforming with
federal bank legislation, was passed.
Emergency measures appropriating
100000 for immediate relief in the
Southern California quake area
were rushed through both houses.
An industrial loan company pro-
tective measure received prompt
approval. An emergency bill Gre
ating a new division of the depart
rnent of social welfare which would
coordinate relief work and disburse
funds, was introduced in the legis-
lature yesterday.
Impetus impelled by the two
emergencies was felt in other leg
islation. The assembly liberal bloc
secured passage of the anti-cap-
iral punishment and pari-mutuel
betting bills. They sent them to
the senate where both face stern
opposition in the more conservative
upper house.
The senate kept in step with the
economy drive by passing bills to
abolish the STATE tax bureau and
remove the states participation in
rural and urban school supervis-
ION. A senate committe approved
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
STATE LEGISLATURE RECESSES
AFTER WEEK FULL OF ACTIVITY

abclishment of the state narcotic
hospital at Spadra.
Unanimous approval was given
the bill preventing whites from
marrying Filipinos in California by
the upper house.
"Ice was broken" in committee
on many controversial measures
that will precipitate fights on the
floor of either house.
Beer tax proposals excited COM
mittee controversy. One would
impose a cent-a-gallon tax; anoth-
tr six cents gallon.
The Riley-Stewart tax plan by
which the states tax system would
be junked and an entirely new
system introduced, was given its
legislative baptism of fire" at an
open hearing. Likewise bills pro-
posing repeal of the teachers ten
ure ran the oposition gauntlet at
Il hearing before the senate COM
lnittee on education.
Bills placing contract truck car
riers under the jurisdiction of the
railroad commission hurdled the
first legislative obstacle when they
were reported out 'do pass" by SEN
Gte committee. Another significant
committee move was favorable ac-
tion on the bill proposing the peo-
pie oe given the opportunity to
vote on $55,OOO,O0O bond issue.
The objective is to refinance irri-
cation and reclamation district
bond issues.
The states unemployment relief
fund was accelerated when r. F..
G. representatives frankly informed
the Legislature r. F. c. loans would
be withheld until California got
her house IN order"
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
STATE OFFICIAL DEMANDS
SAFER SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Director Of Finance Flags Faulty Construc
ton Methods Exposed By Destruction Ir
Earthquake Area.

SACRAMENTO, March 18. U.P)
AT least 10000 school children
would have been killed had the
Southern California earthquake
occurred four hours earlier, Rol-
land A. Vandegrift, director of fl
nance, and chairman of the COVER
nor's relief council, said today in a
vigorous attack. on alleged faulty
construction of schools in the quake
area.
II won't go so far as to inti-
mate graft was connected with the
Southern California school con-
struction,' Vandegrift said. But I
do say there was ample evidence
of poor construction.
"In one school, a column-Sup-
posed to be a strength column -
was filled with broken brick and
mortar. In another location, a
brick school was reduced to utter
ruin. Twenty-Five feet away was a
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
Judge Decides On
Knotty Question

When two men owe one another
money, the one who owes the other
the most is the debtor.
At least this was the decision of
Judge Roy D. McPherrin today in
giving Judgment for j. H. Hawley
against Jimmie Hushman in the
sum of $384.01.
Evidence introduced at trial OF
a suit brought by Hawley showed
that Hushman owed Hawley $926.80
for gasoline, and that Hawley
owed Hushman $542.79 on a repair
bill. Judge McPherrin computed the
difference and gave judgment for
Hawley.
Lee Nuffer was attorney for Haw-
ley and Ray D. johnson represent
ed Hushman.
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
Arrested At Yuma
For Coast Police

Kenneth Ellis, 81, was arrested at
Yuma last night at the request of
the sheriff's office here, and is held
for San Diego officers on a charge
of grand theft.
Frank P. McCaslin, deputy sher-
iff, and Elmer Waters, special de-
putty, left e. Centro this morning to
bring Ellis to the county Jail. He
will be held here pending arrival
of San Diego officers.
Arrest of Ellis was asked in a tel
etype message received at the sher-
ifs office late yesterday. From the
local office a telephone message
was sent to Yuma, where Ellis was
arrested. He is charged with the
theft of an automobile at San Di-
ego.
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
SWING HELPS
BURNHAM WITH
CANAL AFFAIRS

Information received by friends
in this city advises that Congress-
man George Burnham, of the twen-
tieth congressional district, embrac-
ing San Diego and Imperial coun-
ties, went over all the phases OF
All-American canal legislation with
his predecessor, Phail D. Swing, be-
fore the latter's departure from
Washington following the expira-
ton of the 72nd congress on March
4. Swing placed innumerable data
concerning the canal and all pha-
ses of Colorado river development
at the disposal of his successor and
cooperated with him in enabling
Burnham to become conversant
with anything in the nature of ma
tional legislation that might have
bearing on the canal or any other
part of the project.
Announcement was made yester-
day that Congressman Burnham
had been named to the important
naval affairs committee of the
house, membership on this COM
mfttee being highly desirable to
San Diegans in view of the large
interest the navy has in that city.
Several other congressman sought
the post but Burnham succeeded in
getting the appointment. This was
Swings old committee before he
sacrificed high ranging on it to
take a place on the irrigation and
reclamation committee in order to
further the advancement of the
Swing-Johnson bill.
1t was also the post Congress
man William Kettner, Swings pre-
decessor, with whom Congressman
Burnham worked for years in con-
nection with San Diego naval de-
velopment.
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
NOTED FLYER
QUITS RACING
Hill HHHvkMiIH

LOS ANGELES, March 18. U.P)
AT the ripe ''old" age of SO years,
Major James Doolittle, one of AM
ericas finest flyers, has decided to
quit air racing in favor of more
youthful pilots.
Doolittle made known his plans
today as he prepared to hop off to
San Francisco in his fast Iockheed-
Orion moncplane just overhauled
in the Lockheed plant at Burbank.
The ship is capable of 240 miles an
jlour.
will you be back here for the
national air races in July, Major?'
nc was asked.
"Ill be back. but not to compete
in the races" he said.
"I'm getting too old to race-I'll
leave that to the youngsters"
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
Long Beach Feels
Another Bad One

LOS ANGELES. March 18 U.P)-
An earthquake, strongest within
the last 36 hours, shook a limited
area in Southern California los p
n. (PST) today.
Hardly felt in Los Angeles, Glen
dale and Pasadena, the quake was
centered around Long Beach, bard
est-hit community in last Friday
disastrous tremor.
There, downtown buildings again
vibrated and swayed, startling a
citizenry which had become al
most accustomed to the hope that
the last of the temblors had come
and gone.
An early checkup in Long Beach
proper showed only negligible dam
age to structures already half-razed
by Fridays quake. and no injuries.
Imperial Valley press., 1933-03-18
CHINESE WAGE
BIT TER FIGHT

HSIFENGKOW, March I8. EU,P,
Japanese positions were strafeo
by fire of Chinese troops late to-
day, opening vigorous attack be-
tween Heurling and Fanchiakow.
Fierce fighting was reported in
the sector as Major General Hat
tori's infantry responded with a
counter attack. The battle con-
tinued despite the lowering shades
of dusk.
The Chinese Iauncned the Of
fensive after suffering serious re-
verse at Chiehlingkow, a gateway
of the Great Wall. Lieut.. Gen Mat
suzakis japanese troops captured
this stronghold after a brisk en-
gagement, marked by hand to hand
fighting. The Chinese defenders
were routed southwark. Chinese
losses for the campaign were re-
ported at 5000 killed.
Meanwhile came reports of spor-
adic activity of Chinese troops in
Jehol province. Headquarters of the
Kwantung army announced that
considerable remnants of Gener-
al Chang Hsueh-Liang's defense
forces were active near Lingyuan
and Chienping. They were offering
but feeble resistance to japanese
troops, however, the announcement
said.
Headquarters expected to annihi-
late the stragglers before many
days. A unit of Gen. Tang F'u-Ting
defenders was dispersed near west
ward from Chaoyang after a briet
skirmish early this week. Gen Chao
Kuo-Tseng, commander of the for
mer Chienpin cavalary brigade.
proposed to surrender, it was claim
ed.