davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Attack From Behind
FeI|s La Guardid:
AssaiIant Beaten
Hes Been Hounding Ne
For Four Years.
Says Mayor ~
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Dec. 20.-Mayor La
Guardia was slugged today as he
mounted the City Hall steps by a
heavy-set gray-haired man tenta-
lively identified as j. Hagen.
The assailant, who leaped upon
the Mayor from behind and struck
him down with the blow of his fist.
was set upon by bystanders and
police and beaten insensible.
Hes been bounding me for four
years" said the Mayor. He did not
amplify but the remark led City
Hall employees to suppose that
Hagen was a disappointed Office
seeker.
The attack occurred in the pres
ence of hundreds of persons gath
cred in and near the City Hall
Plaza to watch the demolition of
the old Federal Building that
stands there.
The Mayor caught his attacker' S
feet to ward off kicks.
After the man was overpoWered.
he was carried into a secretary,s s
Office which adjoins the Mayor, S
suite.
Mr.. La Guardia superintended the
removal.
On December 8, the Mayor an
nounced the receipt of bullet in an
anonymous letter, signed with the
symbol of swastika, saying:
You will get this if you continue
to attack the German Nazi party"
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Is Drown in River Crash
As Cold Grips Europe
By the Associated Press.


LONDON, Dec. 2O.-Winter rolled
up a heavy toll of lives in many
European countries today.
A ferryboat creeping through the
icy Tagus River at Lisbon struck a
dredge and sank, with Is of the 10
ferry passengers believed drowned
More than 20 deaths were attrib-
uted to the cold, % degrees above
zero in England. A violent north
east wind foiled relief for three
keepers at Fastnet Rock Lighthouse,
off the coast of County Cork, Ire
land.
Paris and suburbs counted nine
dead. Hundreds of barges were
caught in frozen northern French
canals. Railroad signals froze in
Scandinavia, delaying continental
expresses. Norway had the lowest
temperature yesterday. Is below
zero; Sweden was second with 20
below.
In Hungary the cold snapped a
rail and derailed a train, injuring
six passengers. Several ships in the
Black Sea radioed distress signals,
and at least three sailors were be-
lieved lost.
Weather forecasts were continued
cold.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Bill Would Ban W. p. A.
Gift Solicitations
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
BUFFALO. N. Y, Dec. 20.-Rep-
resentative-elect j. Francis Harter
Republican, proposed today to in
troduce bill into Congress making
'it illegal for any one to solicit
political campaign contributions
from those on w. P. A." or others
on work relief projects.
Mr.. Harter's announcement came
on the heels of a Federal grand jury
recommendation that nine w. P. A.
officials be dismissed for stupidity
and disloyalty." The grand jury re-
ported after it investigated Mr..
Harter's charges of fund soliciting
on the w. P. A. for political pur-
poses. The officials included a
superintendent of construction and
several group superintendent.
Mr.. Harter said he agreed with
Federal Judge John Knight, who
declared when he received the grand
jury's report:
Now it is obvious that the oper-
alton of the w. P. A. and organiza-
tions of that kind cannot longer
serve their purpose II they are made
the footstool Of politics"
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Girl, 19, May Be Detained
Unharmed, Police Saw
Ry the Associated Press.

BY tne Associated PreSS.
KINGSTON, Pa, Dec. 20.-State
police investigating the disappear
ance of Margaret Martin, attractive
19-year-old business college gradu-
ate, advanced belief today that she
was being "detained' somewhere
here, unharmed.
At the same time, Luzerne County
detectives checked the possibility
that a stranger who lured her from
her home last Saturday with the
promise of job was a roundup man
for white slave ring.
Miss Martin has not been heard
from since she set out to keep a
street-corner appointment with him.
Maj. William A. Clarke of the
State police said a man taken into
custody yesterday was questioned,
but had not been linked with the
girls disappearance, and no charges
were placed against him.
Maj. Clarke said State police vir-
tually had eliminated the possibil-
ity the girl had been abducted for
money.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Three Tugboots Fail
To Free Italian Cruiser

BY the Associated Press.
RIO GRANDE DO SUI, Brazil,
Dec. 20.-Three tugboats pulled
valnly today in an attempt to re-
lease the new 8,0OO-ton Italian
cruiser Duca D'Aosta, grounded on
shoals yesterday during a storm
while leaving port for Montevideo,
Uruguay.
omcers were said to be planning
10 unload fuel oil and water to
tighten the vessel, which left Naples
November S for a world prestige
cruise" with her sister cruiser. Eu-
genio di Savoia.
The captain of the Duca D'Aosta
had insisted on departing on sched-
ule despite heavy fog in the hope of
reaching Montevideo today for 4
f1ve-day stop before proceeding to
Buenos Aires.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Strikers Threaten
To Tie Up Buffalo S
Food Supply
Warehouse and Produce
Workers Want Boost
In Wages
By the Associated Press.


BUFFALO, N. Y, Dec. 20-A
strike by Warehouse and Produce
Workers Union threatened today to
tie up the food supply of New York's
second largest city at the height of
the Christmas season.
Market and Produce Workers
Local No. 558 of the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauf-
feurs, Stablemen and Helpers voted
the strike last night, claiming that
negotiations for a wage increase
with the food industry of Western
New York, an employers labor re-
lations group, had collapsed.
Business Agent Frank Zee said
the union, which claims 600 men,
bers. was prepared to picket the
Niagara frontier food terminal and
every store involved by the strike.
Mr.. Zee said the union handled
most of the food supply delivered
in the city and that the strike would
affect all the chain stores except
the Atlantic & Pacific, which signed
a new contract recently.
James r. Ruehl, head of the
Truck Drivers Local No. 449. as
serted his union had wired John M.
Gillespie, indianapolis, acting presi-
dent of the International Teamsters,
for strike sanction. The truck
drivers handle the food shipments
into the city.
The Warehouse Workers Union,
Mr.. Zee reported, had asked wage
increases to make up for the money
lost when the work week was cut
from 48 to a. hours under the wage
and hour law.
Gene Gerety, executive secretary
of the food industry, said in a state
ment that employers had no inten-
ton of reducing the wage of work.
ers. The Wage and Hour Act makes
it compulsory to reduce the hours
from 48 to A hours. Industry men,
bers continue to pay the same
hourly rate"
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Grynszpan Relates Story
Of Vom Rath Shooting
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
PARIS, Dec. 2O.-Young Herschel
Grynszpan calmly related yesterday
the full story of his shooting of the
German Legation third secretary.
Ernst Vom Rath. whose death in
November touched off Germany's
latest and widest anti-Semitic cam
paign.
The 17-year -old Polish Jew in
sisted he wanted mot to kill, but
only to protest" against Nazi treat
ment of the Jews. He reviewed be-
fore an investigating magistrate the
scene at the German Embassy No.
vember 7, when the incident oc-
Cured.
1--WE were sitting down." Grynsz-
pan said internationally. II fired
without aiming. I intended not to
kill, but only to protest the bes-
tialities committed by Germans on
Jews who have done no harm.
After I fired, Vom Rath called
me a dirty Jew and got up and hit
me in the face. Then he left crying
for help. I threw the revolver on
the floor and waited for them to
arrest me-"
After few witnesses of SubSe-
quent events were heard Grynszpan
was returned to. his cell to await
further questioning.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Reteivership Is Asked
For Fidelity Firm
By the Associated Press.

CLARKSBURG, w. Va, Dec. 90
A petition for establishment of a
receivership for the Fidelity Invest
ment Association of Wheeling, w.
Va, charged with fraudulent prac-
tices by the Securities Exchange
Commission, was sent to the Fed
eral Court clerks Office in Wheeling
today.
The petition was filed by the law
firm OF Ray L. Strother & O. l..
Mcdonald in the Clarksburg Office
Of the Federal Court late yesterday.
Mr.. Mcdonald said his firm repre-
sented a group of New York and
Philadelphia attorneys who would
press for the receivership.
The petition was filed on behalf
.of Robert McCammon and others
of Philadelphia, representing them
selves as contract holders.
The matter will be laid before
Federal Judge w. E. Baker of the
Northern West Virginia District.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Jan Mosoryk to Sail
Soon for U. S. Visit
By the Associated Press

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, December 20.-Jan c.
Masaryk, who resigned December 5
as Czecho- -Slovak Minister to Lon
don, said today he would sail for a
private visit to the United States
December 80 on the United States
liner Washington.
He added Eduard Benes, former
President of Czecho- -Slovakia. would
sail on the liner Queen Mary Febru-
ary 4, 1889. Mr.. Benes has COM
pleted writing the lectures he is to
deliver at the University of Chicago.
Mr.. Masaryk said Mr.. Benes, who
resigned october after the Ger
man-Czecho-Slovak crisis, had re-
gained his health and was writing a
detailed story of the events leading
to the cession of Czecho-Slovak
Sudetenland to Germany.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Coast Guard Plane
Crashes in Texas,
Killing 4 Men
Fomous Mercy Pilot
Among Victims Of
Disaster
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex, Dec. 90
A United States Coast Guard plane
crashed at Boerne. 30 miles north
west of here, killing four men late
last night.
The dead were identified as:
Lieut.. P. S. Lyons. unit COM
mander of the Coast Guard at Ell
Paso.
Rupert H. Germaine, United
States Coast Guard, Ell Paso.
George c. Latham, enlisted man
Fort Bliss, Ell Paso.
c. H. league, United States naval
ensign, Ell Paso.
The ship was reported seen in
flames as it passed over Boerne.
Crashes In Pasture.
Sheriff Ed Bierschwale said he
believed the pilot headed south
after the plane caught fire in order
to avoid landing within the town s
limits. 1t crashed in, q pasture only
a few feet from the heavily travelled
San Antonio-B -Boerne highway.
The bodies were charred and torn
until none was recognizable. Bits
Of flesh were strewn over a two
acre area.
The body of Ensign league was
not located until early today, al
though it was but few feet from
the wreckage.
Justice of the Peace H. L. Davis,
jr., SAID he heard the ship zooming
over his home, then crash only a
block from his home.
apparently it struck nose down
and turned over several times,'' -
Judge Davis said. Parts were scat
tered for 200 yards and none of the
parts left was large enough to
identify.
Coast Guard officials from Wash
ington, D. c., were due here today
to launch an investigation into the
crash.
Judge Davis said that while sew
eral persons were of the opinion that
the ship was aflame before it struck
the ground, he believed an explosion
which followed the crash resulted in
the blaze.
He said from his investigation, he
believed the plane had developed
serious motor trouble and was at
tempting to locate a landing field.
The body of Pilot Lyons was found
wrapped. in a parachute, indicating
that he had prepared to jump.
The plane left Fort Bliss, Ell Paso
late yesterday for Houston, Tex.
Victims Include Mercy Flyer"
SALEM, Mass, Dec. 20 R.--Lt
Perry S. Lyons, "a, killed in a plane
crash northwest of San Antonio
Tex, last night, won wide fame as
(See AIR CRASH, Page A-l8)
Evening star., 1938-12-20
A. F. |. Meets 10 Man
Legislative Program
For New Congress
Wagner Act Revision
Among Proposals to
Be Discussed
By the Associated Press.

By the AsSocia ted Press.
The American Federation of Labor
called together today the repre-
sentatives of its 102 unions to survey
its legislative program for the next
Congress. including revision of the
Wagner Labor Act
Housing. relief and the Presidents
Government reorganization bill also
were expected to be discussed.
Federation attorneys are work.
ing on drafts of amendments to the
Wagner Act approved at the annual
convention. Their exact nature has
not been indicated The convention
also voted to oppose confirmation of
Donald Wakefield Smith for another
term on the Labor Relations Board.
The Federation opposed the Gov
ernment reorganization bill in the
last session. Organized Government
employees affiliated with the A. F.. L.
objected particularly to substitution
of a single administrator for the
bipartisan Civil Service Commission.
Relief Program Aid Seen.
The Federation is expected to sup
port continuation of the relief pro-
gram, although some unions, notably
the building trades, have criticized
w. p A. building activities on the
ground that inexperienced relief
labor was employed for skilled work.
The A. F. l.. leaders also are ex-
pected to support any expansion of
funds for the United States Hous-
ing Authority for slum clearance
and loW-cost housing.
Meanwhile, President Roosevelt
fastened work on his congressional
program. The emphasis, thus far
is on an expanded social security
system and a larger Army and Navy.
White House officials said the
President would send Congress a
special message asking broadening
of the security program. Mr.. Roose-
welt discussed the national defense
situation yesterday with a number
of officials.
Security Plan Indorsed.
Representative TreadWay of Mas
sachusetts, ranking Republican on
the Ways and Means Committee,
Endorsed most recommendations of
the Social Security Advisory Council
for revisions in the Social Security
Act
He expressed approval particular
ly of the councils proposal to sub
stitute a reasonable contingent re-
serve" for an estimated SAT 900, ,000,-
900 reserve account which even-
tually would be created under the
present program.
The councils recommendation for
(See CONGRESS page A-40
Evening star., 1938-12-20
| II. S. Revolt
| Feared in Deep
Budqet Slash
By the Associated Press.

NJ. w. Thatcher. national legisla
tive representative of the Farmers
Union, asserted today after a White
House call that any attempt to cut
the Government budget by S2,5O0.-
0OO0 900 or SO 900, 100000 will furnish
some exercise for the Army
Talking to reporters in the White
House lobby, Mr.. Thatcher re-
marked:
There would be revolution all
over this country. The people are
going to eat"
Mr.. Thatcher said he had told
President Roosevelt that to halt
soil conservation and parity pay
ments to farmers. under the present
price structure, would destroy the
administration and his party
He added that he had informed
the President that the union was
standing pat on the 1888 farm act
as basis for bringing parity in
come to farmers.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
LIMA, Peru, Dec. 2O-A resolution
expressing the determine ton of
pan-American states to defend one
| another against aggression was sent
to the pan-American conference
delegations today, with the likeli-
hood it would be acted upon before
the week end.
The draft was prepared by Afranio
Mello Franco, the Brazilian chair
man, and represented a compromise
between the United States wish
for a declaration against incursion
by non-American powers and
Argentina's insistence upon condem-
nation OF any aggression.
The compromise was said to be
merely stronger wording of the
1886 Buenos Aires conference agree
ment, which provided for consulta-
ton if peace of the American re-
publics is menaced"
DR.. Carlos Concha, Peruvian
foreign minister, and Mello Franco,
in frequent contact with United
States Secretary Hull. sought the
wishes of the other delegations be-
fore the final draft is presented
formally to the conference.
Indications were adjournment
would be Monday or Tuesday and
! that the l943 conference would be at
Bogota, Colombia.
The Subcommittee of Communi-
cations yesterday approved resolu-
ton urging governments to speed
ratifications of the pan-American
highway, which when completed
would run 10000 miles from Alaska
to Patagonia.
Also approved were regulations for
inter -Amarican automobile traffic
even to assigning license plate letters
to the countries-"U. S. A." was
given to the United States.
The conference put over until
1943 assembly consideration of a
league of American nations, an
inter- American court of justice, and
unification of existing peace agree
ments.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Fire Domuoes Liner

TRIESTE, Italy, Dec. 20 (P.-The
28,000-ton motor ship Stockholm,
being built for the Swedish-Ameri-
can Line IN the Monfalcone ship
yard near here, was seriously dam
aged by fire last night.
Shipping circles said the liner
might be almost q total loss. There
was no indication Of the fires origin.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Munchukuo Sends Envoy

BURGOS, Spain, Dec. 20 R.-
Manchukuo's first Minister Plenipo-
tentiary to the insurgent Spanish
regime, Hsu Shao-hsing, today pre-
Sented credentials to Generalissimo
Francisco Franco from his Japanese
dominated government.
Evening star., 1938-12-20

tic story that Philip Musica, as F.
Donald Coster, respected president
OF McKesson & Robbins, Inc, tried
to sell 100000 rifles and 100000 900
rounds of ammunition to some uni
Identified nation. turned today to a
report they might have been des-
tined for the Chinese general, Chi
ang Kai-shek
Under questioning by Gregory F.
Noonan, acting United States At
torney and other Federal officials,
was Thomas A. Bruni, a promoter,
and Frederick Wingersky. a vice
president in charge of law and labor
relations for the S37,OO0,OOO drug
firm which Coster- -Musica domi-
mated.
The New York Post said Mr..
Bruni told the Federal authorities he
was approached last spring by
agents of the Chinese general and
got in touch with Ben Simon of the
Bronx, promoter who worked at
different times for McKesson &
Robbins.
Mr.. Slmon'S name was injected
into the investigation yesterday by
Mr.. Wingersky, who disclosed that
CosterM Musica had asked him last
May to draft contract for the
purchase of 100000 new Lee
Enfield rifles and the cartridges.
Three Brothers Questioned.
The contract, Mr.. Wingersky told
Assistant States Attorney General
Ambrose v. Mccall of the Securities
Bureau, was never consummated so
far as he knew.
Mr.. Wingersky was also questioned
by Mr.. Noonan today.
Coster- -Musica, facing rearrest
last Friday on charge Of violating
the securities act of 1884, committed
suicide a few hours after he was
unmasked as the brains of a quar-
ter century -old swindle. .~,
His three brothers-George E. Diet
rich-Musica, assistant treasurer and
assistant vice president; George
Vernard-Arthur Musica, Canadian
agent for the drug firm, and Robert
Dietrich -Musica of the firms ship
ping department in Fairfield, Conn,
each held in 100000 bond were
questioned anew today by Federal
officials.
Meanwhile, Assistant Attorney
General Mccall. conducting hearings
to determine if any State fraud law
was violated, heard w. J. Murray,
jr., of Columbia, S. c., describe the
forceful methods Coster- -Musica en-
ployed to dominate the vast corpo-
ration and his own crude drugs de-
partment in which $l8,0000OO assets
are missing.
Financial Reports Forged.
Mr.. Murray merged his own busi-
ness in the South with McKesson
g. Robbins in 1928 and became first
vice president and a director and
was in charge of the New York Of
flee in the wholesale drugs and
liquor division.
Mr.. Noonan said Federal investi-
gators were in possession of forged
Dun & Bradstreet financial re-
ports on w. w. Smith g. Co., fcti-
tious English trading company and
agent for the drug firm, which gave
the assets of the Smith company as
$7OOO,OO0.
MI. Noonan said the Dun &
Bradstreet stationery was faxed
and the ink was not the kind used
by the financial firm. He also said
Federal agents had discovered the
printing plant where the reports
were printed.
Hope to Salvage Large Sum.
Federal investigators said they
were hopeful of salvaging "consid-
cradle cash" of the S1O,OOO,OOO to
$20000.0O0 Musica is suspected of
swindling.
The announcement followed a
statement by District Attorney
Evening star., 1938-12-20

HENDAYE, France CAT the Span
ish Frontier) Dec. 20 (P).-1nsurgen
big guns intermittently shelled
Madrid defense lines today.
Evening star., 1938-12-20

Foreign.
Pan-American defense plan given
Lima delegations. Page Al
Nazi diplomat sees Welles, but is
silent on notes. Page Al
National.
Attack from behind fells Mayor
La Guardia. Page Al
A. F. of L. maps legislative program
for new Congress. Page Al
-Four die IN Coast Guard plane crash
in Texas. Page Al
Musica effort to sell arms to China
reported. Page Al
Buffalos food supply is threatened
by strike. Page Al
Gloria Baker is married to Henry
Topping. Page Az
U. S. crops 4 per cent under 1923-32
average. Page Al
Snyder trial nears close as attorneys
sum up case. Page Alb
Pickets may bring shutdown of San
Francisco port. Page ALT
Washington and Vicinity.
Indictments are returned in medical
investigation. Page Al
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Pan-Amerita Defense
Plan Given Lima
Delegations
Non-Aeeression Proposal
May Be Acted On
Before Week End
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
United States and Argentina
haze been opposed at Pan-Amer-
ican Conference at Lima, Peru,
ouer question OF continental dec
ldration against aggression.
United States 7UdntS conteTt
aimed at non American poUerS
1Uho might be aggreSSorS. Argen-
tina, fearing future reversal of
United States policies. does not
Udnt potential American aq-
greSSOrS excluded.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Musi(a Effort
To Sell Arms 10
China Reported
Forged Financial
Reports Found by
u. S. Probers
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
Philip MusicG killed himself
and three brothers Dere arrested
as result of sensational disclos-
ureS tollo,Ding investigation of
McKeSson & Robbins Drug Corp.
Musicd, 1Uho hid a criminal past
under the name of "F. Donald
Coster," has been accused of H.
legal arms shipments, drug adul-
teratton, large-scale bootlegging,
smuggling and income tai eua-
sion.
Evening star., 1938-12-20

Maryland decides to build disposal
plant at Bladensburg. Page B-1
Editorial and Comment.
This and That. Page A-10
Answers to Questions. Page A-10
Letters to The Star. Page A-10
David Lawrence. Page ALL
Alsop and Kintner. Page ALL
G. Gould Lincoln. Page ALL
Jay Franklin Page ALL
Della Pynchon. Page ALL
Sports.
Bigger gates, interest in pro sports
feature years trend. Page C-1
Cubs Bill Lee dominates National
League pitchers. Page CT
Pro grid play rated fine training for
college coaches. Page C-1
Scouting. PROSECUTING held menace
to college football. Page C-2
Future bright for Macini, decisive
victor over Escobar. Page C-2
Star event may lure record number
of Columbia pinettes. Page C-3
Prestige of U. S. amateur golfers
declines in England. Page C-3
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Security Plan Endorsed.

(See CONGRESS, Page A-4)
Evening star., 1938-12-20

(See MUSICA, Page A-5D
Evening star., 1938-12-20

(See MEDICAL, Page A-18.)
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Weather Forecast

Cloudy and slightly warmer; lowest
temperature about "a degrees tonight;
probably light rain tomorrow. Temper
atures today-Highest, Al, at 2 pm;
lowest, 81, at Sis am.
Full report on Page Az.
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Summary Of Todoy's Star

Maryland decides to build disposal
plant at Bladensburg. Page B-1
Evening star., 1938-12-20
Rebels Shell Madrid

(See AIR CRASH, Page Aid