davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
LEGISLATURE WILL INVESTIGATE
OVERCROWDED PRISON CONDITIONS
Yesterdays Outbreak At San Quentin Centers At
tention On Dangers Caused By Lack
Of Adequate Facilities

will be all right Merriam said.
"There are large numbers of pris-
oners eligible for parole who could
be released if jobs could be found.
That would help some.
Additional assistance is provided
by highway construction camps,
but the number of prisoners en-
ployed in that type of labor fluctu-
ates considerably.
There was some demand also,
for a legislative investigation of
the San Quentin break.
rHow did those prisoners get
the guns they used?" asked AS
semblyman Jesse Mayo, during a
group discussion. ~ think the
whole prison situation should be
investigated"
Legislators generally felt the
break would have an adverse effect
on any attempts to grant more len
iency to prisoners.
A recent report of the state board
of prison Observation-Disclosures from
the board of prison terms and pa
roles which figured in San Quen-
tin break-outlined conditions in
the penal institutions and recon-
mended construction of new pris-
on, preferably in Southern Califor-
MIA, for first offenders.
The reported pointed out that
prison population in San Quentin
had increased nearly 60 per cent,
and in Folsom more than 40 per
cent during the past five years,
more than 5000 prisoners being
confined in the two institutions.
F'With three and four men. oc-
cupying the space originally allot-
ted to the housing of one man.
the board said, 'the twin threats
of institutional regimen - sickness
and unrest = become vastly aggra-
waited. - H~
Construction of a new prison for
first offenders would permit San
quentin to be used for the incar-
ceration of certain types of older
criminals. Folsom would be re-
served as an institution for immur-
alton of hardened habitual GRIM
inals and those cases calling for
the longest period of detention.
Possibility of extending the Sys-
tenn of, road camps. placing therein
prisoners whose behavior would
merit outdoor freedom, gained con-
siderable attention as an economi-
cal manner of relieving institution
al pressure.
Assemblyman Frank G. Martin
chairman of the committee on pris-
ons and reformatories, planned to
introduce bill today advocating
enlargement of prison facilities.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
STREET.
CROSSING UP
BEFORE BOARD

Construction of the State street
crossing as part of a contemplated
federal program which will use
money appropriated for similar
work throughout the country was
considered by the city council at its
meeting last night. The council
determined to proceed with neces-
sary details to have the local work
included in the federal program.
The matter was brought to the at
tention of the council by Harold
Tyler, president of the chamber of
commerce who headed delegation
from that organization.
The council voted to advertise
for bids on improvements of I'm
perial avenue from Adams to Main
street. Preliminary work has al
ready been completed and it was
estimated by the city engineering
department that the contemplated
improvements would cost approx
imately $4,000 to be paid by the
city's quarter cent share OF the
state gasoline tax.
An ordinance prohibiting minors
under the age of 10 to frequent pool
halls in the city was adopted by
the council. 1t had been passed to
it's second reading at previous
meeting.
Other routine business matters
were disposed of before adjourn
ment.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
Pair Arrested
After Accident

Principals in an automobile acci-
dent which happened at 10:45 o.
clock last night near Seal Heights
on the Yuma highway, Clyde Lari-
more and Robert Craig were arrest
ed here early today charged with
drunkenness. They pleaded guilty
to the charge in police court this
morning and were given sentences
of $40 or five days in the city Jail.
Report of the automobile accident
was received at the sheriff's office
last night and stated that a car had
overturned on the highway near
Seal Heights. Slight injuries were
received by the two men. No parti-
culars as to the cause of the acci-
dent were given in the report.
Inder Singh pleaded not guilty to
charges of being drunk and his trial
was set for 4 o'clock this afternoon.
Eta Emmons pleaded guilty to the
same charge and was given $40 or
five days in Jail sentence.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
Escaped Convict
Taken At Phoenix

PHOENIX, Ariz., Jan. IT. U.D -
Luther slippery Eel" Gatlin, 81
with five prison escapes to his Gre
dit, three of them from penitenti-
aries, was being held here today for
Oklahoma authorities where he es-
capped August 8, 1884, after being
sentenced to life for highway rob-
berry.
Luther was arrested Tuesday
night by night watchman in
Buckeye and brought here today
where he was identified. He at
tempted to shoot his way out when
trapped with James Bates and Har-
ry Maukin, of Oklahoma. In at
tempting to escape by walking a
pipe over an irrigation canal he
slipped and fell into the water.
He will be returned to McAllister
where his brother, Melvin, "a, also
is serving a life sentence. The two
escaped from the county Jail here in
1881, the state penitentiary twice
and the county Jail in McAllister.
Luther is one up on his brother with
his recent escape from McAllister
state prison.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
BY GEORGE E. HELMER
United Press Staff CORRESPONDENT

osssSA ASoo OOAhSolsOhtaChs
SACRAMENTO, Jan. 17.-Legis-
lation devised to relieve overcrowd-
ed conditions in San Quentin and
Folsom prison was prepared today
as lawmakers sought to eliminate
wills which contributed to a sensa-
tional San Quentin escape yester-
day.
State officials have recognized
the danger of conditions in the
prisons for several years, but short
age of finances has made it i'm
possible to bring about necessary
enlargementS.
Legislators, discussing the latest
break, were almost unanimous in
believing overcrowded conditions
were responsible for the unrest and
that something should be done soon
to remove the pressure.
Gov. Frank F.. Merriam declined
to voice any recommendations, al
though in the past he has advocat-
ed improvements which would re-
move some of the danger of serious
riots.
"If the legislature wants to do
anything about the situation, that
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
CLAIM BABY
WAS KILLED
BY K|DNAPER
State Presents Evidence Lind
bergh Child Slain The Night
He Was Taken From Crib.
BY SIDNEY b. WIiIPPLE
United Press Staff Correspondent

United Press Staff Correspondent
PENNINGTON. N. j., Jan. H.
Col. Charles A. Lindbergh's son
was kills instantly by a blow re-
ceived during the actual kidnapping,
the government disclosed today
through physicians testimony in
the murder trial of Bruno Richard
Hauptmann.
Morbid details of the discovery
of the baby's body were spread on
the records through those who dis
covered the child IS body in the
Sourlands, and through those who
made an exacting identification of
it.
Poignant as the experience was,
particularly to Col. Charles A.
Lindbergh, who sat through the re-
cital, it was necessary to the state IS
case. Necessary to refute many
strange contentious of the defense,
among them that the body Col.
Lindbergh identified as that OF his
baby, might have been child who
had strayed from nearby orphan
age.
The state opened this phase OF
the case by putting on the stand
William Allen, Negro, and Orville
Wilson, his partner, who made the
chance discovery near the Mt. Rose
road, four and half miles from
the Lindbergh home.
1t began it's testimony to refute
any supposition that Colonel Lind
bergh was mistaken, when Sergeant
zapolsky was called to say that the
baby's hair still clung to his head
when he was found. The hair is
important, because it matched a
curl treasured by Mrs. Dwight W..
Morrow, the baby's grandmother.
Doctor Testifies
1t followed the identification line
through Inspector Harry Walsh, of
the Jersey City police, who told of
matching the clothing found on
the body with cloth from the Lind
bergh home.
Then it called Coroner Walter
Swayze, who signed the death GER
tificate, and DR.. Charles Mitchell,
the coroner's physician who made
the autopsy.
DR.. Mitchell took his hearers
through the chilling details of his
examination, and supported the
states opening declaration that:
/. Death was caused by fractur-
ed skull.
2. Death occurred on the night of
the kidnapping.
Cross examination failed to break
down any of the witnesses, and with
this phase of the case over, the
state began to outline its story of
the ransom money and the recov-
cry of it.
Francis D. Barlow, partner in j..
P. Morgan & Co., and several other
employees of the firm, testified that
they prepared the ransom money
which Barlow turned over to Al
Reich, companion of DR.. John F.
Condor.
At that point recess for lunch
was ordered.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
NIX Ro7NN,
cisss. MeNaught Syndicate. Ina
s
CALM BREAKS

PENNINGTON, N. J., Jan. II.
The steel nerve of Bruno Rich
ard Hauptmann cracked this after
noon. He leaped to his feet and
shouted "That man Is lying as
a government witness was testify
ing against him.
The prisoner usually pale face
was flushed. His eyes spat fire.
For the moment all restraint
seemed gone. '.'.'-
The entire. incident was ended in
five seconds, when Hauptmann Is
guards yanked him back into his
seat. But it stunned the court
room into silence, over which the
calm, quiet voice of Justice T'hom-
as w. Trenchard took command.
eff the defendant desires to
speak," said the justice, "let him
consult with his own counsel. -
Thomas Sisk, United States gov
ernment agent who was on the wit
ness stand at the time, flushed a
deep red at the outburst, but main
tained his composure as the accus-
ed German shouted his challenge
to the testimony.
"ThiS man is lying! I never
said thsS!' Hauptmann said. His
voice was loud and clear.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17

In connection with the anticipat-
ed commencement of water storage
at Boulder dam February l, M. j..
Dowd, chief engineer for the irri-
CATION district announced that
about three or four days after that
date the drop will reach the valley
headgates. Starting February s.,
Dowd stated, and lasting for about
four or five days there will be a
cutout in the valley diversion.
During that period the irrigation
district will construct bypass
around the Eastside heading which
was severely damaged in the recent
earthquake. When water is turned
back again through the regular di-
version it will be carried through
this bypass until reconstruction of
the damaged heading is completed.
While the water is cut out at the
diversion headgates small amount
of water will be run through on
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
SUICIDE ADDS
TO PUZZLE IN
L. A. TRAGEDY

LOS ANGELES, Jan. IT. W.p =
Erie Bletcher, 40 years of age,
sought for questioning in connec-
ton with the death of Mrs. Mary
E. Fry, widow of the pilot of the
Knute Rockne death airplane, was
found dead today. suicide.
Bletcher, said to have been an
executive of a large steel concern,
was found in parked automobile,
near Lancaster, an inner tube lead
ing from the exhaust into the car. A
highway worker said the machine
had been there 10 days.
Mrs. Fry was found dead in her
Glendale home Tuesday suffocated
by fumes from a fire apparently
started by her cigaret. Bletcher had
been missing since he was said to
have visited the woman New Years
eve.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
PAROLE
FROM PRISON
LAST OCTOBER
Clyde Stevens, Named By Sur
vivors OF Daring Escape, TAX
en- Without Struggle
DEATH CLAIMS RINGLEADER
Guns Planted In Truck By Con-
federate Used By Prisoners
In Seeking Freedom

: SAN QUENTIN PRISON, Calf,
Jan. II. W.R)-ConfeSsions by three
convicts captured after an escape
attempt in which one of their COM
panions was killed and three state
officials were injured, named Clyde
Stevens, paroled convict captured
by posses early today, as the
brains" of the break
Stevens provided the guns with
which four felons slugged Warden
James B. Holohan, kidnapped four
members of the state paroles board
and two guards, and made a dash
for liberty that ended in their cap
ture two hours later, the confessions
said.
Stevens had placed three guns in
a construction truck making regu-
lar visits to the prison. For days the
guns lay untouched under the cowl
of the truck. Then Rud o p h
Straight, "a, an Alameda robber,
obtained them and rapidly wove the
plot which crowded kidnapings, a
dramatic chase and a desperate last
stand in country creamery into
two hours. r, = =
Straight, who died last night in
the prison hospita from wounds re-
the prison hospital from wounds re-
OUT with posSemen, distributed the
guns among three other prisoners
Joe Kfisty, 26, serving a sentence
for kidnapping in Los Angeles; Fred
Landers, 27, sentenced from San
Francisco for robbery and assault
with a deadly weapon, and Alex
Mckay, sentenced from Los Ange-
les for robbery.
They went to the home of War
Gen James B. Holohan, planning to
seize the warden as a hostage and
force his chauffeur to drive them
through the gates. The state paroles
board was holding its regular meet
ing in the house when the quartet
arrived.
Holohan was struck down by the
butt of a revolver, supposedly WELD
ed by Straight.
The blow was so vicious that the
warden fell against door, shatter-
ing the panel.
For a time Holohan's life was des-
paired of, but DR.. Leo Stanley, pri-
son physician, announced he will
survive despite skull fracture and
other wounds.
Snapped Clothing
Leaving Holohan on the floor, the
convicts entered the room where the
Continued on page g.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17

PLAN GIVEN
To CONGRESS
Unemployment Insurance, Old
Age Pensions And Child Wei
fare Included.
SUPPORTED BY PRESIDENT
Machinery For Carrying Out
Provisions Outlined In Exten-
sive Statement
SUPPORTED BY PRESIDENT
By FREDERICK STORM
fnitpd press Staff NorraSnouda,,t A

United Press Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt S committee on &C.
onomic security today recommend
ed a system of unemployment COM
pensation, old age security and aid
for children which provided:
l. Maximum unemployment COM
penSation of SIS a week.
2. Three categories of old age
pensions ranging from SIS to $50 a
month.
States would administer unem-
ployment compensation. The COM
mittee recommended that the un-
employment compensation system
be inaugurated by immediate con-
gressional enactment of:
l. A uniform payroll tax on en-
ployers to whom the act would be
applicable.
2. Legislation creating machinery
for federal participation in admin
istration OF unemployment compen-
Sation.
States would administer the COM
pensation system assisted by the
federal government.
The committee recommended a
three per cent pay roll tax to be
effective January l, 1886, but said
states could assess it against en-
ployers alone, or against employers
and employees with or without
contributions from the state. II
general economic recovery in the
first two years beginning next Jam
uary is not satisfactory, the COM
| mittee suggested lower tax rate
but said it should attain three per
cent by 1888. -, 8.
Employers who had employed
four or more persons during any
l3 week period of the taxable year
would be liable to the assessment.
The committee opposed exemptions
for any specific industries but rec
commended a separate national ad-
ministered system of unemployment
compensation for railroad and mar
itime workers. Employers who paid
unemployment compensation con-
tributionS to state authorities un-
der state law would be given q
credit against the federal tax up to
80 per cent.
Maximum 16 Weeks
On the basis of three per cent
contributions, the committee be-
lieved the maximum benefit per-
iod could not exceed 16 weeks and
should be reduced to is. It said
workers long employed without
drawing compensation might be
given an additional week for each
six months of employment during
which they had not received BEN
Continued On Page 81
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
GERMANY To-
D|SAR|M SAAR
Continued On Page 81

GENEVA, Jan. IL. (U.D - The
League of Nations tonight re-
turned the rich Saar mining reg
ion to Germany, ending Is years
of bitter postwar dispute.
The award was in accordance
with the wishes of 80 per cent OF
the inhabitants, expressed In last
Sundays plebiscite.
Copyright, 1895, by United ?ress.)
GENEVA, Jan. 17.-Germany to-
day agreed in principle to demilitar-
ization of the Saar, as demanded by
France and Great Britain.
French fears of attack unless the
Saar was included specifically in the
Rhineland zone caused a dispute
which delayed the League Of Ma
tions council decision to award the
territory to Germany.
AS result of the German agree
ment, the way was believed open for
immediate award of the territory to
the reich.
AS soon as Germany agreed in
,prirtciple to the demllitarization
France agreed that the Saar would
be handed over formally to Ger
many on March l, the date sug-
gested. Germany Withdrew It's de-
mand that the transfer be made
by February IS.
The German reply TO the French
demands said that the Versailles
treaty settled the demilitarizatlon
problem. This implied that. mas
much as the treaty demllitarized the
entire Rhineland and the saar Is IN
the Rhineland, the Saar would re-
main demilitarized.
If the French formally accept the
German reply as satisfactory, it
was expected that the council Will
makes its declaration OF award this
afternoon.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
Injuries Cause
Wonnons Death

TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. II. U.P)-
Mrs. Norman Lawson, of San Di-
ego, Calf, died early today in st.
Mary's hospital from injuries suf-
fered January 8, when the car she
was driving accompanied by her
husband and their eight-year-old
daughter, struck COW on the high
way near Redrock. fa#
Her husband, recovering from
bruises and decorations suffered in
the same accident, will leave by
airplane tomorrow for San Diego.
Mrs. LawSon's body will be sent by
train tonight for funeral services in
the coast city. Their daughter
was uninjured.
Death was caused by terminal
pneumonia, according to Doctors
George Purcell, Tucson, Barrow and
Mcpherson, San Diego.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
Congress Asked
To Aid Central
Valley Project

WASHINGTON, Jan. II. 'W.p)-A
bill authorizing expenditure of
S170,000,oo0 to carry out the Celifor-
mia Central Valley project was in
troduced in the house today by Rep.
Henry E. Stubs, Dem) Calf.
Stubbs' bill provides a water project
authority to supervise the under
taking. ,.
Rep. Frank H. Buck, (Dem) CAL
ifornia, has a similar bill providing
a federal body to undertake the
work. The bill has been sent to CAL
ifornia state authorities for study.
Bucks measure would set up a
Central Valley authority under fed
eral charter similar to iva.
Stubs bill for the secretary of
interior and the secretary of war
TO administer the act.
Money would be advanced by the
federal treasury at per cent inter-
est.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
AnslDer Filed In
Suit For Damages

In answer to complaint brought
gainst him by R. j. Mcclure, w.
A. Swerdfeger alleges that what
ever provisions or agreements he
may have made with the plaintiff
were made as agent for the co-de-
fendant, L. c. Lee, and that it was
understood and agreed between Lee
and the plaintiff that Lee was to
pay the plaintiff for handling cer-
tain shipment of cantaloupes.
Damages of $416.05 had been
asked by Mcclure in the complaint
against Lee and Swerdfeger as pay
ment for handling the cantaloupe
deal
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
PREPARE TO USE BOULDER DAM
Valley Ranchers Warned To Prepare For Cutoff
Early In February. -.

the westside canal but not great
quantity The greater part of the
district S canal system will be dry
during this period.
Dowd asks all water users to
provide for their irrigation and
domestic water needs ahead of
time, that is between now and Feb
ruary S, so that they will be COM
pletely protected while the water
from the river is shut off from the
canals.
Preparations for commencing the
water storage operations at the dam
are nearly completed, the board
was informed at their meeting yes
terday. In a telephone communi-
cation with engineers at Boulder
dam it was learned that two of the
diversion tunnels have already been
plugged and that the other two will
be stopped up probably about Feb
ruaYy 1.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
Cold Weather May
Hit Here Tonight

Cold weather but no frost was
anticipated for tonight and early
tomorrow morning by Fred A.
Baughman, local observer for the
u. S. frost service.
Minimum temperature for Ell
Centre this morning was the same
as that yesterday but in certain To-
cations slightly colder temperatures
prevailed. Hoar frost, which sell
dom occurs during the valley due to
the dryness of the climate and
which. is found when the dew point
is above the minimum temperature,
was seen this morning. ..
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
MERRIAM To
GIVE BUDGET
ON TUESDAY

SACRAMENTO, Jan. II. W.P)-
Gov. Frank F.. Merriam IS budget
message will be sent to the legis-
lature next Tuesday, the executive
announced today.
''Despite strenuous efforts to
conclude my budget recommended
tions, l. shall be unable to send the
message to the legislature before
Tuesday, he said. e..
''The sole reason for the delay
is the imperative need for present.
ing only such proposals and sug-
eestions as meet the requirements
of the situation in which we find
ourselves. ~.t c..-...
"F'irst Of all, am determined,
so far as lies within my power, to
place the state government on a
basis of frugal operation in which
no dollar shall be wasted and not
one penny shall be allocated that Is
not actually required for the prop
or maintenance of the public SER
vice.
son the other hand, sufficient
revenues must be provided for the
adequate support OF our schools, for
the various humanitarian functions
of the state, and for the mainten-
ance of the ordinary services OF
government.
n'These problems are not simple
and the tasks they impose are such
as TO entail the most careful con-
sideration and study. +"
Merriam IS statement was expect
ed to quiet some of the impatience
exhibitedyin the assembly because
of the delay in budget plans.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
Tax-Free Cotton
Limit Announced

WASHINGTON, Jan. IT. U.P-
Henry A. Wallace, secretary of ag-
riculture, today set a Bankhead
tax-free cotton production limit for
1885 of 10,500,000 bales of 500
pounds each.
The allotment is virtually the
same as that for the 1894 crop. Last
years. S quota was 10,460,25l bales Of
478 pounds, net.
The increase in the 1885 Bank
head quota over 1884 is equal to
523,0l2 bales of 478 pounds of lint.
In addition to the tax-exemption
certificates for the 1895 quota, GER
tificates for about 100000 bales re-
main from 1884 allotmentS.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
Cummings Reports
Gangster's Arrest

WASHINGTON, Jan. II. W.D -
Arthur DOC" Barker, one of the
most dangerous desperadoes in Am
erica, was arrested nine days ago In
Chicago, Attorney General Homer
S. Cummings revealed late today.
Twenty-four hours after Barker's
desperate brother, Fred, and his
gangster mother, Ma" Barker, were
slain in a gun battle with federal
agents in Florida, the attorney gem
eral disclosed his department had
captured the notorious DOC" bank
robber, murderer and kdnaper.
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
Burglars Like
Zenos Property

For the third time within a week
the office of the John zenos pack
ing shed in Holtyille was entered by
providers last night the sheriff's Of
flee was notified today.
The last time the place was en-
tered a typewriter was stolen but
last night knife and some inciden-
tai articles of small value were TAX
en-. All desks in the office were bro
ken into in a search for more val
uable' loot. Harold Gillett of the
sheriff's office was investigating to-
day fs" ''
Imperial Valley press., 1935-01-17
GALES IMPROVING

LOS ANGELES, Jan. II. U.P)-
The recovery of General Plutarco
Elias Gales, former president of
Mexico, from an operation for a
gall bladder ailment is progressing
satisfactorily" his physicians re-
ported today. .e .s..s.
General Gales is taking nourish-
ment, it was said, and has. con-
versed with several members of his
family who are at his bedside in
st. Vincent IS hospital -.