davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
Wright Declared
'Automaton When
He Killed His Wife

LOS ANGELES, Feb 4. CUP)-
The defense strove today to prove
medically that Paul A Wright was
shocked into a shooting auto
maton, his mind a blank, by the
sight cf his wife and John B. Kim
mel in unnatural sexual embrace.
Wright claims "everyt ling inside
me exploded at the sight-and the
next thing he knows, ne was stand
ing with an empty pistol and Dretly.
Mrs. Evelyn Wright and Kimmel
lay dying.
DR.. Samuel Marcus was the de-
fenSe' expert witness as the murder
trial of Wright, a 38-year-old air
port manager, resumed this MORN
ing.
He expressed the professional
opinion that Wright could have
been so shocked by such a sight
that the shooting could have occur
red automatically without Wright
being mentally aware of emptying
a Luger pistol into the bodies OF
his wife and best friend.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
ATTACK UPON
VESSEL Anglers
GREAT BRITAIN

LONDON, Feb. 4. (UP) = Great
Britain decided today to take ener-
3etic measures to sink pirate SUD-
marines in the Mediterranean on
sight and to shoot down airplanes
that attack British ships.
The government was thoroughly
aroused by the latest incident, the
sinking of the British freighter Al
cira by two airplanes from the
Balearic Islands.
Since the latest attack occurred
from the air, It was considered like
ly that the government would ex-
pedite its decision to order naval
air units, which recently were with
drawn from the Mediterranean to
rejoin the 40 British warships nov
patrolling the area and about to be
reinforced.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
20 SNOWbOUND
IN MOUNTAINS
DURING STORM
Falling Temperatures End
Week of Blustery
Weather

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb.
4. (UP)-ApproXimately 20
persons were marOOned by
storms in the Sierra Neva-
das today as heavy SHOWS
in the mountains and frost in the
lowlands, accompanied by sporadic
showers and falling temperatures,
climaxed a week of rough, blustery
weather in California.
The death of Mrs. Leila Saylor
55, of Arbuckle, was attributed
directly to weather conditions. She
died of exposure and exhaustion
in Complexion Canyon, near Colu
Sa while attempting to obtain food
for her family
Reduced rainfall was expected
to alleviate temporarily the threat
Of floods in the Sacramento VAL
ley. Farmers and engineers at Col
usa joined to repair levee breaks
as the Sacramento river neareo
a 25 foot crest Twenty eight feet
is the danger mark
The heavy rains that marked
breakup of the coaStwide storm fell
throughout the state. In southern
California they caused a slide that
derailed Santa Fe train in Cajon
Pass and blocked the transconti-
mental lines of Santa Fe and Union
Pacific
SAN DIEGO. Cal, Feb. 4. CUP
Rain which early today and last
night dampened this area also
spoiled plans of winter sports en-
thusiastS in the San Diego county
back country mountains, the wealth
er bureau said today.
The downpour melted all snow
in the Lagunas, Cuyamacas and
Palomar mountains.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04

The city was in panic over
reports that a Japanese up
rising was planned. Troops eXer-
cised iron control over the thou
sands of Cantonese who ventured
forth into the streets between raids.
The clatter of anti-aircratt fire
coincided with the sporadic BOOM
ing Of bombs dropped in the out
skirts.
The air raids were accompanied
by an attack of japanese Warships
on the Bocca Tigris forts defend
ing Canton at the mouth of the
river. Foreign shipping was ordered
to leave the river and seek safety
in the lower bay towards Hong
Kong, beyond the protective boom
erected by the Chinese.
The steamer Shing Cheong, which
tried to get out, was too late and
was turned back by the boom.
When the ship returned here, pas
described bombing on both
sides of the river and said they saw
a formation of 30 japanese planes
flying inland.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
RATE EXTENDED
ON SHIPMEN
|OF VALLEY HAY
Lower Figure to Prevail
Until May l, State
Commission Rules

. Imperial Valley hay grow
ers Friday were assured of
continuance, at least until
May |, of low IA i way
freight rates to coast mar.
kets.
In letter to the Imperial Hay
growers Assn, the state railway
commission granted a rate extern
sion to the Southern Pacific Co.
The low rate, obtained by the
Southern Pacific several years ago
in order that valley growers might
market their hay at a profit, is
S150 per ton to the Ell Monte dis
trict, and 81 per ton to Los Angeles
The rate obtained at that time
was claSSed as a temporary basis
by the commission, but the South
ern Pacific has been successful H.
obtaining time extension on the
rate.
The new extension will keep Che
rates in effect until May Is, &C
cording to Roy Wood, haygrowers
manager. The present grant would
have expired Feb. 7.
There are 10000 tons of hay in
the valley available for shipment.
according to Wood, but the Los
Angeles market is too low to make
large shipments advisable
Nearly 5000 cars OF hay were
shipped from the valley last year.
according to Wood. and more ship
ments are expected this year
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04

board of inquiry, headed by Comdr
Henry M. MulliniX sought to es-
tablish cause of the tragedy in
which two patrol bombers locked
wings, during a rain squall, and
plunged into the sea
Aboard the hospital ship, U. S
Relief, when she steams into San
Pedro harbor late today, will be the
body of radioman, 1st class, J. H
Hester, who died soon after he was
picked up from the wreckage with
} survivors.
Expected to recover were D. 2
Mckay, V. o. Hatfield, and Louis
Carpenter, all non commissioned
officers.
So short was the elapsed time
between the moment the planes
locked wings, until they sank be-
meath the waves, that naval Off
eials agreed the survivors, who
parachuted to safety, probably will
be unable to give the board accur-
ate details OF the mishap.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
Leahy Hides Secret
Macy Cooperation
DODGES QUIZ
ON AGREEMENT
WITH B BRITAIN
Arrangement Absolutely
Secret Vital to u. S.
Interest, Defense

WASHINGTON, Feb. A.
(UP)-Admiral William d.
Leahy, chief of naval opera
tions, today refused to an
swer specific question as
to possible agreement for naval
cooperation between the United
States and Great Britain on the
ground that lit is absolutely secret
and vital to the interests and de-
fense of this country.
Leahy made his refusal in re-
sponse to a question by Rep. Ralph
E. Church, r., Ill. who asked il
there were any plans regarding
naval policy between the United
States and Great Britain.
Il will make no statement in
this connection in public hear
ings," Leahy replied. However, ]
will make frank statements in pri-
vate sessions, of course on the ba-
sis that it is absolutely secret AND
vital to the interests and defense
of this country"
Leahy then refused to say whe-
ther there had been any converse
tons in London between Capt
Royal E. Ingersoll, head of the
navy war panning board, and Off
cials of the British admiralty.
II will reply to those questions
tnat you have asked categorically
in executive session." Leahy said
Il will tell you about it,"
The navy's ranking officer APP
peared before the house naval af-
fairs committee for the fifth con-
Secutive day for questioning Oh
President Roosevelt's program fol
a 20 per cent bigger navy.
Rep. John j. McGrath, D., Cal,
asserted before the committee that
he believed the United States may
have occasion to use its navy in
Brazil in the very near future"
Members of the committee ques-
toned Leahy as to why the fleet
is almost entirely based in the
Pacific.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04

boat, first reported the attack.
A fishing boat and a government
launch saved the remainder of the
25 men of the Alcira's crew, it was
said officially. and a British OBJ
server of the international Spanish
e-intervention committee who
was aboard
The official statement said that
the seaplanes first dropped three
bombs at the Alcira and then re-
turned to attack with two more
bombs.
The Alcira sank at once with the
cargo of coal it was bringing from
Great Britain. it was said.
A member of the Alciras crew
said
I'VE were warned that planes
were overhead but took no notice.
We thought it was a joke. We
heard machine gun fire and then
we knew that something serious
was happening.
The planes first machine gun
ned us and then returned slowly,
very low, nearly touching the masts
and flying from the stern.
THE planes dropped three bombs
and made three hits. One struck
the hold and started a fire. One
struck in the Intervention OBJ
servers cabinet which was empty.
Continued on Page 2; Col. A
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
Roosevelt Signs
New Amendments
TO Housing Setup

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4-CUP)-
The White House today announced
that President Roosevelt has signed
amendments to the Federal Housing
Act de-igned to spur a projected
50 000,000,000 building boom.
Mr.. Roosevelt signed the housing
amendments yesterday, the White
House said, during a day spent III
his White House quarters oncen-
trating on business which has piled
up on his desk during the past fort
night,
The hcu'ing amendments, spon-
sornd by Sen. Robert F. Wagner, D..
N. Y. were passed by the House and
Senate during the special session of
Congress last fall. The bill was
finally approved in compromise
form this week.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04

John Murray, representative OF
the carpenters international, de-
clared, Il had no idea the viola
tions were as bad as they are
Murray added that, because of the
asserted violations, the federal gov
ernment can, under the Lewis
Chambers contract, remove the
firm from the job. international
offices are attempting to have such
action taken, he declared.
Meanwhile the strike situation
and labor complaints were inves-
tigated by Edward Fitzgerald, de-
partment of labor commissioner
who interviewed laborers, employ
ers, reclamation bureau oiHcials
and State Employment Office au-
thorities in an attempt to reach
Continued on Page 2, Col, a.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
FARM BUREAU
MEETING PUT
OFF ONE WEEK

Imperial county farm bureau di-
rectors meeting, originally schedul-
ed for Saturday afternoon. has beer
postponed one week, according to
Charles l.. Wieman, president of the
bureau.
The Board refunding committee
meets with the Imperial Irrigation
District bondholders in Los Angeles
Friday The bureau meeting was
postponed to allow directors to at
tend the conference in Los Angeles,
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04

in Yuma, union representatives
took the first step in a campaign
aimed at obtaining a federal order
replacing Lewis Chambers with
some other contractor on the six
highway siphon and structure jobs
now contracted by Lewis s-Chambers
in southern Imperial Valley
Defeated in an attempt to halt
work on the six contracts by call
ing a strike, the union turned to
the reclamation office to hand l.
J. Foster, construction engineer, &c
affidavits by laborers of all crafts
who said they had been paid from
Is to IS cents an hour less than
the prevailing wage scale, and sew
eral other affidavits by workmen
who declared they had been fore
ed to work overtime without proper
adjustment of pay envelopes.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
LABOR SURPLUS SCARS TO
NEW HIGH POINT IN VALLEY

Imperial Valleys agricultural la
Dor surplus reached new high this
week following an avalanche Of
farm laborers from other states ano
a general decrease of employment
opportunities.
The surplus at this time is vari-
ously estimated at a point between
l,5OO and 5000, check of employ
ment and relief offices revealed
Friday. There are approximately
30 per cent more agricultural la
borers concentrated in the north
end of the valley than can be useo
in harvesting winter crops there
growers declared.
Fruit and vegetable pickers OF
every type and description pack the
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04

State Employment office in FL Cen
tro in daily attempt to get work
Russell Bailey, director in charge
said. There is, he continued, al
most no demand for this type Of
labor. A gradual increase in the
labor surplus was noted at this Of
flee for several weeks.
This years mid-winter rise il
the number of cases on relief rolls
at the State Relief association was
late in starting, Robert Elliott, di-
rector, said Friday The rise match
ed the decrease in agricultural en-
ployment, he pointed out.
Recipients of relief from this Of
flee total 900 families with II OF
Continued on Page 2, Col, -
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
WOman's Body, Bound
In Gunny Sack, Found

INGLEWOOD. Cal, Feb. 4-CUP)
The body of woman, wrapped
in gunny sacks, was found today
off jefferson Blvd, one-eighth of a
mile west of Centinela, police report
ed They said the body apparently
had been tossed from an automobile.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
UniOnists Attack
Lewis Chambers
Upon New Front

Striking American Federation of Labor union chief
tans moved Friday in ast-ne attack to have the federal
government strike the Lewis Chambers Construction COM
pany the list contractors the All American canal
In meeting at u. S. reclamation bureau headquarters
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
WAR GAMES END
ON TRAGIC NOTE
OF CRASH PROBE
Fleet Returning to Base as Inquiry Into
Mid-Air Collision of BOmbers
Proceeds on Board Ship

SAN DIEGO, Calf, Feb. 4 (UP)-War games which
assumed in few brief minutes the stark realism of actual
conflict with the death plunge of II naval fers to
end today than 100 warships and 800 fighting
planes headed back to their bases. Meanwhile, a naval
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
Crew Escapes
While Vessel
Raked by Guns
English Ship, Off Barcelona, Attacked
By Aircraft From Nationalist
Base; Direct Hits Made

BARCELONA, Feb. 4.tUP)-It was asserted officially
today that two seaplanes from the Nationalist base in
Majorca island in the Baearics, bombed and sank the
British steamship Acra 20 miles southeast Of Barcelona
Members of the Alciras crew, arriving here by
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
JAPANESE AIR
ARMADA RAIDS
CANTON CHINA
Martial Law Declared, City in Panic After
Report of Pro-Nippon Uprising; Iron
Troop Control Ordered
Copyright 1888 by United Press

CANTON, China, Feb T. (UP)-(By telephone to Hong
Kong)-Martial law proclaimed today this great
metropolis of South China subjected to mass air
raids by 80 more Japanese airplanes
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
Saga OF The Gloves

Saga OF The Gloves
Fire Chief Tom Reams came
down to work one day this week
to find all five of his smoke-eaters
lined up in ceremonial array, al
decked out in spotless gray silk
gloves, admirably setting off theii
natty blue uniforms.
why don't you guys get to
Work?" the chief demanded
I'VE can't work" said spokes-
man. wed get the gloves dirty"
Just as he suspected, Chief Tom
found that the gloves had beer
donated by Bert Lemons-with no
other thought than to disrupt the
morale of the service. Worst of ali
at last reports, Bert refused to
take the gloves back. And the fire
engine needs polishing.
Some day. murmured Tom
I'm going to set that fellow afire
and not put him out"
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
BATTLE PL LANES BOMB
SINK BRITISH STEAMER

CIVILIZATION, Feb. d. tSpeciaD
Silent, grim and defeated, the
desert today nurSed sore stomach
where a major operation Thursday
(at lasD removed RRs automobile
from the sands.
AT the same time, RR announc-
cd his intention to prepare an
affidavit that the sands of the
desert are, in reality, shifting
sand" that they all shift in
one direction: toward his automo-
bile. Coincidentally, public mass
meeting was rumored to demand
action by the county board of su-
pervisors fencing off the bottom
less pit where RR's automobile
recently rested, and posting warm
ing signs to curious tourists not to
come too near the edge of the
great hole, where crumbling en-
bankmentS endanger life.
Already one party of scientists.
misinformed as to the origin OF
the hole, was reported searching
for the meteor they believed must
have caused it, RR remained silent.
hoping they would find the muffler
that dropped off in the excavation.
Extraction of the automobile
from the sand after four days
residence there was a comparative
ly simple thing. RR merely bor-
rowed a golf club and golf ball,
hypnotized himself into the be-
lief he was in a sand trap on the
Del Rio golf course, and started
blasting away. Soon the car was
completely exposed, a plank roao
was hastily built, the motor roared,
the wheels squealed and, in the
words of the great poet, She starts,
She moves; She seems to feel the
breath OF lite along her keel"
1t seemed that the mountains
turned a deeper crimson from NOR
tification in the sunset glow, the
desert grew grimmer in its defeat.
and the sidewinders whizzed CHOIR
us of hate as RR wheeled merrily
toward civilization, thumbing a
sandy nose toward the spell OF the
desert.
BACK TO BUSINESS
The Early Bird
George H. Killen was first into
the California Highway Patrol Of
flee when that institution opened
at am. Friday, the last day for
obtaining 1898 license plates at
the original bargain sale price.
There was a line several miles long
behind him.
How come" asked Patrolman
Bill Mitchell, that you're first in
line?"
How come!" exploded Killen
why, man, I've been a-Waitin' IN
this place since $50 this mornin'.'
Try II Some Day
Some people are born geniuses,
others get that way by practice
Lucy" Mackay, who's lost his first
name somewhere back along the
trail, is in the former class. He
can take a pair of ice tongs, flip
cube of ice back under his arm
and over his shoulder, and CATH
i. as it comes down in front. RR
can testify that no amount of prac-
tice will accomplish the feat. He's
tried.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04

Butter: Los Angeles, 3ie; but
terfat, Imperial Valley, fob. ranch
grade A, 42e; manufacturing milk
38c; route gathered cream 3ie.
L. A. Hay: u. 5. No. l $500
1900: No. 2, leafy, S14-14.50; No.
2 S13. Mpls. Flax. May S2.07la
I. V. Lettuce fob, CT. as, 81.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-02-04
BANK DEBTS

THURSDAY
1897 ,002.69
BUILDING PERMITS
TO DATE THIS YEAR
$7,726
Imperial Valley press., 1938-03-17

pTeSluGill bl tllG ASSOCldbCu 81 III -
ers of California, inc. said today.
Bancroft said several San Joaquin
Valley farm groups have petitioned
their county boards of supervisors
to that end.
Bancroft expressed confidence
that the problems Of California
farmers-including low prices ana
oversupplies of stored crops-can
be solved with cooperation OF the
cities
A 14-man committee. half from
the San Francisco employers COM
mittee of AZ and half from the
Associated Farmers, is being form
ed to formulate a joint policy for
movement OF farm produce through
city terminals. Recent conferences
between the two groups were held
at Sacramento and San Francisco.
Meanwhile, Holmes Bishop, of
Orange. president of the Associated
Farmers, released a statement in
criticism of union tactics toward
producing, harvesting, hauling and
distribution of farm products.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-03-17

of American historians. declared
today that another European war
is inevitable.
THE United States will not en-
ter into any war unless it is clear
that our national existence is
threatened the white bearded
Harvard Professor Emeritus added
in an interview with the United
Press.
He believed that Hitler, dreaming
of a new and greater German cm-
pire, would seize CzechoSlOyakia
perhaps within four weeks at
least within four months
mo military force nat can be
raised could prevent Germany
from taking Czechoslovakia," he
said. The Czechs could not hold
out four days. There would be one
battle-a showdown"
NeXt-or perhaps before-Hitler
will annex Poland, Hart predicted.
II had expected him to take
over Poland before this, even be-
had held off so long. His interna-
tional defense for such a step would
be stronger than for taking Zcech-
oslovakia. The people of western
Poland, the aristocracy, are either
Germans or German-speaking. And
of course, if he were going to move
into western Poland, he would take
over the whole country"
The Baltic states - Lithuania,
Latyia and Estonia-and Finland
likewise will fall to Germany, prob
ably in bloodless revolution, Hart
believed
Britain and France will be fore
ed to side with Russia, and it looks
as though Italy would side with
Germany. Right now Germany Is
patting Italy on the back and tell
ing her, Don't be scared"
The only thing that can stop the
expansion of the German empire,
barring Hitler's death by illness or
assassination, is Russia, Hart said
Imperial Valley press., 1938-03-17
66.2 PER CENT
FARMERS VOTE
COTTON QUOTA

SAN FRANCISCO, Mar. II. CUP)
The state agricultural conserva-
ton committee announced to1ay
that 662 per cent Of CALIFORNIA;
cotton producers voted March II
in favor of cotton marketing quotas
for 1888
Complete returns OF Californias
vote, made as part of national
referendum. showed 2,908 cotton
growers for quotas and ,483 against
Incomplete returns from Arizona
and New Mexico showed favorable
votes of 1876 per cent and 86.1
per cent respectively. w. B. Parker
secretary of the conservation com
mittee said.
He announced that provisions OF
the 1888 program would be consi
dered at community meetings, the
dates for which would be announced
later.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-03-17
Alaska COlOnist
Starts Fight Over
Contract Signing,

PALMER, Alaska. Mar. II. CUP)
The interest of Matanuska colon
lists today centered on a case which
they believed would determine
whether the Alaska rural rehabilita-
ton corporation could force them
to sign mortgage contracts con-
tanning provisions not in original
agreements.
The case developed when Colonist
John Stahler applied for relief yes
terday. The corporation denied him
pay under the security develop
ment program because he refused
to sign the mortgage contract Or
an agreement relinquishing his
tract.
This morning, however, Stahler
forcel payment by applying to the
u. S. commissioner for relief gro
ceries. Corporation officials meas
ured the extent of his land slashing
and gave him $236 for his work.
This was not considered final set
tlement of the question.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-03-17

he was her boy friend. SO hospital
attendants let her go home in his
care. Fifteen minutes later another
young man called and said he was
her boy friend come TO take her
home. Fifteen minutes after he
left alone, a third youth called
and told the same story.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-03-17

DR.. Roy Mills. state sheep expert,
and together they traced the cause
to the leakage OF an electric power
line which sending a strong charge
through the wet ground was shock
ing the sheep.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-03-17
BOY FRIENDS

SAN FRANCISCO. Mar. II tUP)
Beatrice Wool, %. admitted to
an emergency hospital suffering
from razor blade wounds last night,
said she had slashed herself be-
cause her boy friend had. left her.
Then a young man calle1' and said
Imperial Valley press., 1938-03-17
WITH INTEREST

NEWCASTLE, Ind. Mar. II. up
Mae L. ScLuardt wondered today
if losing ones purse isn't a good
idea sometimes. She lost hers about
a month ago. 1t had S57 in 1t.
Yester lay two small boys returned
it-With S58 in il.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-03-17
SHEEP COLLAPSE

SACRAMENTO. Mar II. CUP)-
4. Sacramento area sheep rancher
was shocked to see his sheep col
lapse suddenly, roll in agony, and
then run drunkenly away from
corner of the pasture. He called Ill
Imperial Valley press., 1938-03-17
CRIMINAL CROW

COLUMBUS, o, Mar. II. tUPJ-
IF Joe, pet crow, doesn't curb his
criminal tendencies, he will be
lodging the G-men. Joe is accused
of stealing caps from milk bottles
and a cufflink from a shirt but
his federal offense is stealing a
letter from a mailbox. Joe makes
his headquarters at the home OF
Myron S. Seibert in suburban
Grandyiew Heights.
Imperial Valley press., 1938-03-17
FARMERS CONSIDER
BOYCOTT IN FIGHT
ON UNION TIEUPS

SAN FRANCISCO, March Il. (UP)-California farm
groups are considering boycott of the 1899 Golden Gate
international exposition by central California counties
unless San Francisco keeps its terminals open farm
products and free from labor teups Philip Bancroft vice
Imperial Valley press., 1938-03-17
Another European
War Inevitable.
Declares Scholar
nell Hart predicted that

predicted
World War and that the allies
interview with the United Press he forecasts
he next developments n he cure