davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
By JACK ZAIMAN


(OnltCO FTOSS GUAM 4NUhECnpUhhuCAhV
State Prison, Wethersfield, Conn,
Jan. 4--(UP)--I walked the last
mile and was strapped In Connecti-
cuts new, unusued electric chair
today.
AS sat there, thought: In a
little more than month, another
man will sit In the same clumsy
wooden chair--to die for murder. He
Is Joseph j. McElroy. who killed
Mrs. Anna Mae johnson, his sweet
heart, in a Jealous rage at New Ha-
ven last August 10. Unless reprieyed,
he will be electrocuted the week Of
February 9. Six hours before he Is
scheduled to die--probably minute
after midnight--he viii be taken
from the regular prison cell he has
occupied since his conviction and
placed In q death cell adjoining the
execution chamber. He will be Of
fered spiritual consolation.
When his time comes, two guards
will flank him on the last mile
exactly IS steps. As he enters the
execution chamber, the last room he
will zee alive, his eyes win see: The
back Of the chair Two stabbing
overhead lights battle It In glaring
rays. It Is almost In the center Of
the barren. gloomy, white-walled
chamber. which n about 30 feet
square. 1t stands there like q lonely
sentinel in the midst Of . limitlgss
desert. Far acro{s "a the other Side
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
Great Britain Protests To
Spanish Rebels On Attack

hill easily outdistanced the trawler
and reached Santander.
Britons feared that the German
policy OF retaliation might foretell
German intervention ON an even big
ger scale In Spain. There was not
only the seizure OF the German
freighter Palo's cargo and passenger.
news that German had been ex-
but British quarters were anxious at
ecuted In the Bay of Biscap coast
area for fighting with the national
lists. The man was Lothian Guedde.
He was sentenced to death and shot
at Bilbao last November on the
charge Of leading, as corporal. a ma
tionalist unit In actionz1A statement
OF the German official news agency
on the shooting called 1t "cowardly
murder.
The dangers inherent in the stu
alton off the Bay Of Biscay coast
detracted interest from the text Of
the Italian British Mediterranean
agreemen, signed at Rome SATURDAY
and released for publication today.
But this agreement may have i'm
portant effect soon, because 1t lqui-
dates apparently finally the ill-feel-
ing between Italy and Britain which
brought threat Of war year ago.
Accompanying the text were let
tiers exchanged by Count Galeazzo
Ciano, Italian foreign minister, and
Sir Eric Drunmond. British ambas-
sador TO Rome in which Italy as
surcd Britain that she had no de-
signs ON the Spanish Balearics
islands in the Mediterranean.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
BY RFERERICK KUN
United Press Staff Correspondent


London, Jan. 4.-(UP)-Great
Britain. again anxious over the pos
sibilities of complications in the
Spanish civil war. protested to the
Spanish nationalist today against
an attack on a British merchant
man. Sir Henry Chiffon, ambassa-
dor TO Spain, was instructed to pro-
test against an attack on the freight
steamship Blackhill, of Newcastle. by
a nationalist trawler off Santander.
Chiffon was instructed to tell the
nationalist government that Britain
took serious view Of the attack. 1t
was believed that If there was an
other, Britain would strengthen its
war fleet off the coast in order TO
protect its shipping. 1t was reported
that, In addition to protesting the
Blackhill attack, the ambassador
would demand an apology and an
assurance that 1t would not be re-
peated.
Basque provinces authorities al
legged that the German cruiser koe-
nigsberg, conducting retaliatory SELF
ures of Spanish ships off the Biscay
coast, halted the Blackhill after the
trawler fired at 1t. This, however,
after having been denied at Berlin,
was disproved by a statement Of the
Blackhill's owners. They said that
the Koenigsberg never was near the
Blackhill; that the ship was pursued
by one trawler which fired l6 shots
at It. All the shots fell short Of
the statement said. and the Black
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
FOUR AMERICAN
AIRMEN ARE DONE
Bert AcOsta Was Thrown
Bodily Out of Valencia;
Quartet in Paris

Paris, Jan. When the
Spanish loyalists came near shoot
ing Maj. Frederic Lord because q
wing OF his plane fell off, and Bert
Acosta was thrown bodily from the
air ministry at Valencia, Americas
four man air squadron decided 1t
was time to demobilize and retire
from the civil war, their spokesman
said today.
The squadron, criticised at home
as prejudicing neutrality. is COM
posed OF Lord, the leader; Acosta,
Eddie Schneider and Gordon Barry,
all famous fiers.
They arrived back here, and ex-
planned their retirement from the
war through Hal du Berrier. another
American flyer who preceded them.
Du Berrier said that this final de-
mobilization was their second effort
to leave the war. On the first, he
said, the fiiers sought TO demobilize
themselves informally from Bilbao
TO BiarTitz, France, by inotorboat
after they had been refused Christ
mas leave. But, he said, their plan
was uncovered, their boatman was
shot and they were Jailed for 10
hours.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
PATROLMAN HAS
new EXPERIENCE
Commanders Car TO Pur-
sue AnOther-Man Who
Aids Owned Car

A one-in-a- million chance came
true here this morning when Patrol
man John Donahue, after pursuing
a truck whose driver had sped away
after being stopped and finally halt
ing 1t after lengthy chase In which
he fired bullet into the air, found
that the driver of the ca: he had
Communicated to make the pursuit
was the owner of the truck which he
had been chasing.
The runaway driver. Frank Daufy
20. of 1877 South Main street, was
arrajgned In traffic court today and
given a weeks continuance. He Is
charged with reckless driving and
operating without license.
He Tells His story
Patrolman Donahue tells the story
this way:
He was doing traffic duty at Hem
dricken school on last Main street
at 8:15 this morning when a truck
came speeding by on the wrong side
Of the street. He blew his whistle
Justify and ordered the driver "a
halt. The truck stopped several hun
bred feet down the road, and the
policeman told the driver to turn
around and walt a few minutes un-
til all the chool children had
crossed the street.
Instead, the driver started his
truck and sped down East Main
street at breakneck speed. PATROL
man Donahue halted passing car,
climbed on the running board and
Continued on page A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04

Action by the President
delayed until either made q formal
declaration Of war, 1t was said. Un-
der the present neutrality law the
president Is authorized to embargo
II and when he finds that a state Of
war exists between any two or more
countries.
Officials, studying the rapidly
growing breach between the Ger
man government and the loyalist
government of Spain, believed that
Germany within the next two OF
three days may furnish the legal peg
on which President Roosevelt can
hang an embargo on the shipment
of arms, ammunition and imple-
ments of war 20 all factions In the
Spanish civil war.
Present Law Useless
The United States has desired for
some time to institute an embargo,
but the present neutrality law makes
no provisions for its application to
civil war.
The Spanish ambassador in Paris
already has pronounced the ulti-
matum by the commander Of the
German cruiser Koenigsberg as
equivalent to a declaration of war"
This announcement was noticed
here with the indication that sim
liar, official statement from the
Spanish government might be con-
sidered sufficient grounds for invo-
cation Of the U. 8. neutrality law.
The embargo would apply to both
Germany and all factions In Spain
alike. The neutrality law makes no
distinction between parties or fac
tons In countries at war.
Mexico Cooperation
Officials here expressed gratifica-
ton over the cooperation extended
by President Cardenas of Mexico in
CONTINUED on Page A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
AUTO INDUSTRY
FACING PERILS
Union Leaders to Call Out
275,OOO Workers in
General Motors
By WILEY MALONEY

UNITED Press staff Correspondent
Flint, Mich. Jan. 4-(UP)-Auto-
mobile union leaders, threatening a
strike of 5000 workers In so Gen.
eral Motors plants, ordered major
offensive against that corporation
today.
AS tension increased, Governor
Frank Murphy offered to mediate.
II hope violence can be avoided"
he said, although many Of my ac-
quaintances do not agree that this Is
possible"
Murphy said there had been no
requests for Intervention. Thus far,
federal authorities have remained
aloof but reports on all phases Of
the situation were studied by Secre-
tary of Labor Frances Perkins and
Assistant Secretary Edward F. Nc
Grady.
Strategy Committee
Representatives from SO united
automobile workers union locals In
10 cities, pointing ominously to
spreading the strikes which already
have closed 10 General Motors
plants and thrown their $1,000
workers out Of work. created stra-
tegy committee with full power to
(Contniued on Page Al
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04

determined early this afternoon.
The nine who escaped were Mr..
and Mrs. Frederick Miller, and their
seven children, who live In an apart
Snent over the tire and hardware
stores. The barking of the family's
collie, "Chipsie," awakened Mr.. Mil
Ter. Cropping his way through the
heavy smoke which filled the home,
Mr.. Miller roused the members OF
his family, then ran to the street,
where he shouted to Sergeant Will
liam Feeley. The latter rang In an
alarm from box 10, at East Main
and Cherry streets, at 5:04 a. m.
Firemen Blanketed Children
Firemen wrapped blankets about
the children and they were rushed
to the home of a neighbor, Fred
Nonemack. The seven children are
Leonard, IS; Frederick, Jr, Is;
Edwin, IA; Ruth, IL; Charlotte, 6;
Donald, and Helen, /.
The furniture In the Miller home
was virtually destroyed by the
flames. 1t was not covered by In
eurance.
MIST Of the actual fire damage
elseWhere was confined to the cell
lars and flooring. Damaged by the
CONTINUED on page A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
BOXER FINED

New Britain, Conn.,, Jan.
4-(UP)- Captured after
a IL mile automobile chase
to Middlet0wn, Joseph Kar-
woski, rs, alias Chic O'Day,
a boxer, was heavily fined
In police court today for
speeding and operating
while his license was sus-
pended.
A penalty of $40 and
costs was imposed on the
speeding charge and 500
and costs on the license
count. The court RENTED
$S5 of the latter fine, how
ever.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
Late Neus
Flashes
SISTERS STARvE

New York, Jan. 4-(UP)
Mary and Kate Murphy,
elderly sisters, starved to
death in the. three-room
cold water flat in which
for years they had. lived by
the light Of a kerosene
lamp.
Investigators d e c i d e d
that the sisters, poverty
stricken, had determined to
die rather than ask for
charity. But today bank
books showing deposits of
$4,199.77 were found in the
flat.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
REBEL BOMBERS
SMASH AT MADRID
Two Attacks Were Made
in Center of City-Many
Are Reported Killed
BY IRVING b. PFLAUM
UNITED Press Staff CORRESPONDENT

UNITED Press Staff Correspondent
Madrid, Jan. 4--(UP)-Fifteen in
surgent airplanes attacked Madrid
twice today, killing at least 20 per-
sons in the heart Of the city.
The first attack early in the NOR
ming was accompanied by artillery
fire. Shrapnel shells and bombs
burst along the Gran Via, Madrid's
broadway, as pedestrians scrambled
for cover.
Ali available anti-aircraft batter
les opened fire. The bombers flew
back and forth over the university
city area dropping bombs on the
government trenches.
Near u. s. Embassy
About noon they returned with
fresh loads Of bombs and made
straight for the center Of the city.
One bomb fell in the neutral zone,
two blocks from the United States
embassy, causing numerous casual
ties.
A government dispatch from Gijon
today said that the insurgent forces
had evacuated Grade after bloody
JContniued on Page A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04

Not only the German ship and its
prize. but other German ships. Span
ish Loyalist submarines. Nationalist
warships and warslips Of other ma
lions were on the watery stage OF
the drama at the edge Of the Bay
Of Biscay. The ships Immediately
involved are the 18-year old, GOT tor
freighter Marta Junquera Of San
lander and the crack cruiser Koc-
nigsberg, 5000 tons.
Was Stopped Yesterday
The Marta Junquera left Bilbao
with a cargo Of potatoes and other
foodstuffs for Santander, 40 miles
along the coast. Halfay, II was
stopped by the Koenigsberg yester-
day and professionally seized" be-
cause Basque provinces authorities
persisted in their refusal to surren-
der the cargo or passenger Of the
Palos.
(Contr1itIeA IN Page A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
FIRST BULLETIN
ABOUT P0NT|FF
They Will Be Issued Daily
Hereafter-TO Tell of
Pope's Condition
BY STEWARD BROWN
United Press Staff Correspondent

Vatican City. Jan. 4(UP) The
first official bulletin on Pope Plus
condition was issued today, an
nouncing that both legs were af-
fected with Acknowledgements. There
Is reason, however, to hope for
gradual recovery, although the
Pope,s heart condition advises GER
tain prudence" the bulletin added.
The bulletin summarized the Pope's
illness during the past month, 2ad
added that prudence was necessary
because of the mature of the illness
and the age Of the patient"
Fundamental Cause
The fundamental cause of His
Holiness illness has been pro
cess of diffused anterior -sclerosis
with miocardia localization and
subsequent disturbances OF the
heart rhythm" the bulletin continue
ed.
The text of the bulletin, issued by
the Vatican Secretariat Of State at
3 p. IN. follows:
January, 1887. Osservatore Ro-
mano will publish tonight the fol-
lowing information;
After a month from the initia-
tion of his sickness we can briefly
summarize the condition of the
Holy Fathers health.
The fundamental cause of the i'll
ness Is in a process of diffused ar
terror sclerosis, with prevalent mio-
cardiac localization and consequent
disturbance of the heart rhythm.
December First Change
On the first day of December. the
exaggeration of these disturbances
resulted In a condition of insuffi-
Gent blood circulation which ne
(Contnilled on Page A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
Warships of Many Nations Are on
Watery Stage Of Drama; Europe
Is Watching AnxiOusly
GERMAN WARSHIPS ORDERED
TO CONTINUE SEIZURES
BY FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ
Copyright 1887 by United Press)

Santander, Spain, Jan. 4-(UP)-A Spanish
coastal freghter and its captor, grim German
cruiser steamed together off the Bay of Biscay coast
today making history. Spanish loyalist authorities
flashed series of angry messages to the cruiser de-
handing the little ships return.
Same Reply to Each Wireless
To each message, the German commandment wrelecsea
back mperturaby that he would release the ship when
Spanish authorities released the cargo and passenger
seized from German ship the Palos during the Christ
mas holidays.
Europe Is Anxiously Watching
There seemed obvious danger of incident that would
necessate all the GOODNESS and of European char
celeres watching this situation anxiously to prven
spread of what is only Spanish civil war.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
TONY MANERO
LEADS MANCRUM|

Miami, Fla, Jan. 4-(UP)-Tony
Manero led Ray Mangrum by one
stroke to the turn in their l8-hole
playoff for the annual Miami open
Golf Championship today.
Manero shot the first nine in SO,
one over par, while the Dayton, o.,
pro required 81.
Standings in the playoff changed
many times. Both men were down
with the same totals on only two
greens Of the outgoing nine.
Their Cards:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
Father OfMssir,g Boy
Told That All Is Well
Telephone Message Sent to DR.. MattsOn Police Rush
in All Directions No Trace OF Kidnapped
Boy Has Been Discovered
BY WILLIS DUNIWAY

IUnlted Press StaH C0FrespOndent.J
Tacoma, Wash, Jan. 4.-(UP) -
Police closed all roads leading to the
hamlet of Shelton today where two
men suspected Of being the kidnap-
ers Of 10 year old Charles Mattson
sent an oral message to the dis
tracted father assuring him that
"all Is well".
There was nothing to certify the
authenticity of the message, but SO
desperate was the search for the
child and so low the hopes Of Of
ficials that he still was alive, that 1t
was seized upon eagerly.
A coupe containing two men
LGt1.xa ti.aa4e.<l A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
Nine Persons Are
Almost Caught In
e. Main st. Blaze
Frantic Barking Of Dog Aroused Them in Time tc
n Escape From Flames That Hit Two Buildings
of Strauss Hardware, Inc.

Frantic barking of pet dog gave the warning which
enabled nine persons to escape being trapped by flames
1nc East Main street o'clock this morning The
blaze Of undiscovered origin, started in the cellar Of the
Norwak Tire Rubber Co., and spread eastward through
the cellar and flooring and up stairway doing
siderable amount of damage. The loss had not been
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
TREASURY BALANCE

Washington, Jan. 4-(UP)--Gov-
ornment expenses and receipts for
the current fiscal year ending De-
cember 80. 1895 as compared with a
year ago.:
This Year Expenses Last Year
1854, 260. 1896 $S,774,59t,3l6.73
Receipts
$1.s98,tf2,0G9.7o
Deficit
s1,as6,o1s,7so.4s sl,s7s.As2.247os
Cash Balance
s2,22s,7t2,442.05
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
MRS. wITHERs DIES

New London. Jan. 4-(UP)--A
rangements were being made today
for the funeral Of Mrs. Helen l..
Labar Withers, 46. wife Of Captain
Thomas Withers. commander Of the
u. o. submarine base here, who died
yesterday after a long illneaA
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
EDWARD DILLON DIES

Hartford. Jan. 4--tUP) Edward
II Dillon, financier with large rea!
estate holdings here and at Bridge
port. q director II the Morris Plan
bank and for many years operated
millinery stores In both cities. a
alste9 survives. II.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
TWENTY-FIVE KILLED

Boston, an. 4--(UP)-Twenty-
two persons were killed In motor
vehicle accidents in Massachusetts
last week, according to the report
q REGISTRAR Frank a. Goodwin.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
German Con1n1andant Refused
To Surrender Freighter Spain
Must First Return Maxi Cargo
PresidentR0oseueltT0
Clamp Dol0n Embargo
Both Germany, Spain Will Feel Its Effects-Wil Not
Wait for Any Declaration Of War; Planes
Not to Leave This Nation
b HOBART c. MONTEE
United Press Staff Correspondent

Washington, Jan. A. UP)-President Roosevelt will
clamp down an embargo against both Germany and
Spain when relations between those two countries become
strained to warrant such STEP was indicated
in official quarters today
Actin hv would he
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04
The Weather

Cloudy, Cold Tonight;
Unchanged Tuesday.
Fun weather Report Page 2.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04

tContniued on Page A.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04

'ould not necessarily be
The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-04

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Evening star., 1937-03-26

larly as it affects the automobile in
dustry. He is no longer worrying
over opposition to his Supreme Court
enlargement proposal, because he Is
absolutely confident that his plan will
win when the time comes for the
Senate vote.
The President, however, Is continu-
ing his policy Of keeping in close
touch with the situation and refrain
ing from making any public COM
ment.
President Roosevelt spent the greater
part of yesterday, his final full day
here, driving about the country. After
swim in the Warm Springs pool
he attended a concert in front OF
Georgia Hall, the administration build
ing Of the foundation, which was
featured with the singing Of spirtuek
by the Glee Club from the Fort
Valley Industrial School for Colored
After that the President drove his
car over Pine Mountain to the Pine
Mountain Valley resettlement project,
and on the return journey to Warm
Springs stopped off for short time
at the Pine Mountain State Park,
an emergency conservation project
and at the civilian conservation camp
near Chipley, about 20 miles from
Warm Springs.
Evening star., 1937-03-26
Staying

Continued From First Page.)
Evening star., 1937-03-26

Mail and the Plain Dealer usually were
on opposite sides Of political. questions
"They fought. rs papers will, and
there was q certain amount Of Jibing
back and forth, but none Of the
articles that I remember seeing in
either paper were particularly harsh. u
Wylie said.
Mrs. French, mother Of Harry
French, once came to me and COM
planned that she had received an
anonymous letter making fun Of their
paper. asked McCracken If he wrote
it, and he said he was just having a
joke The letter was harmless and the
incident so trivial that I had almost
forgotten about it.
Zone time McCracken's paper car
ried a piece twitting the other paper
because 1t had neglected to pay ita
light bill and the electricity had been
turned OF. But that was only country
humor."
Evening star., 1937-03-26
zoo GREET SIMON
-: 0N9DTH BIRTHDAY
life Membership in Wood
: mont Club Awarded at
Testimonial Dinner.

Morris Simon, member of the in
vice president of the Simon Dis
tributing Corp, was honored last night
with q testimonial dinner at the
Woodmont County Club on his fiftieth
birthday.
The dinner was rendered by more
than 200 personal friends, business
associates and fellow members of the
Woodmont Club, Of which Simon has
served as president since the Fall Of
1884.
Tribute was paid to Simon for his
successful business career, his ad-
ministration Of the Woodmont Club,
and the part he has played in civic
affairs Of the District and in his own
church.
The dinner was attended by host of
prominent citizens who heard Simon
honored in numerous speeches after
. program OF entertainment.
Gets Life Membership.
Simon was presented with q silver
service, gold certificate of life men,
bership in the Woodmont Club, max
ing him the only person in the clubs
history to receive such an honor, and
. gold key to his Office.
Adlai Mann acted as toastmaster
and introduced Simon to his friends as
"Unk Morry."
Simon also was presented with a
phonograph recording OF all the
speeches and proceedings of the din
ner. One of the entertainment fea-
lures was humorous electrical trans
scription of greetings to Simon from
Rabbi Wise, DR.. Einstein. Premier
Blum OF France, Mussolini and King
George vi" and of Simon himself in
his Office. The narrator of the
transcription, it turned out, was Toast
master Mann.
Speakers paying tribute to Simon
were his partner of 80 years, Eugene
Simon; E. l. Kaufman, DR.. Custis
Lee Hall, Stanley Fischer, secretary Of
the club; David Baer, vice president Of
the club; Rabbi Abram Simon; Henry
T. Quinn, president of the District
Bar Association, and Leopold v.
Freudberg.
Members of Committee.
Members of the committee in charge
Of the dinner were Edmund I. Kauf-
mann, chairman; Freudberg, work
ing chairman; Francis G. Addison,
jr.; Meyer Davis, c. B. Dulcan, sr. /;
Fischer, William G. Illch, Mann,
Quinn and H. Winship Wheatley.
The invocation was delivered by
Rabbi Norman Gerstenfeld, and
greetings were extended by Edmund
Kaufman.
Seated at the speakers table we're
DR.. Hall, Isadore Hershfield, Rabbi
Gerstenfeld, Quinn, Young, Freudberg,
Mann, Simon, Justice F. Dickinson
Let's of District Court, Rabbi Simon,
Justice James M. Proctor of District
Court and Lawrence Koenigsberger.
Among the guests were Morris Luchs
of Shannon g. Luchs, Frank Addison,
president of the Security Savings and
Commercial Bank; Col. Julius Peyser,
chairman of the board of tn bank;
Arthur Sunderland, Judge Nathan
Cayton, Radio Joe" kaufman, Rabbi
Isadore Breslau, Morris Cafritz, DR..
Edward Cafritz, Charles B. Dulcan,
sr. Judge Peyton c. Gordon, Alex
ander Hecht, D. j. Kaufman, Henry
kaufman, Joel kaufman, C. D. Kauf-
man and Judge Oscar r. Luhring.