davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
Christmas Tragedy
ListIncIudes |. Y.
Automobile Death
Over 500 Die AS Yule
Observed: II Drunk
Drivers Held Here

Imperial Valleys weekend
contribution to Americas
Christmas toll of more than
500 dead by violence was
counted Tuesday as one dead,
one near death, II in Jail for drunk
driving and At in Jail for drunken
ness.
At least $50 persons died through
out the nation in traffic accidents,
shootings, drownings, fires, suicides
or other violence, the United Press
reported Illinois led all the states
in the number of dead, with total
of SIS. Only two behind was second
place California, with SO dead Thir-
ty-tWo California deaths were blam-
ed on traffic accidents.
Imperial Valleys vain effort to
keep its highways clear of death
reflected in the activities of Cali
fornia Highway Patrolmen, the
sheriff's office and various police
departments.
Highway patrolmen arrested seven
drunk drivers on rural highways
while city police arrested 10 drivers
for being drunk in the seven cities
of Imperial Valley, totaling II for
the county.
In Ell Centro 10 men were arrested
for drunkenness and one man for
drunk driving. In Brawley Is men
were arrested for drunkenness and
two for drunk driving. Five drunkS
and one drunk driver were arrested
in Calexico, eight drunks and one
drunk driver in Holtvllle, two drunks
in Imperial, six drunks in Calip2-
tria, and one drunk and one drunk
driver in WeStmorland.
William Campbell, 25, El Centre
oil company employe was Killed near
Heber Sunday when a car he was
driving went out of control, rolled
over and over, then bounded over
canal. Two passengers in the car,
Anna Mae Berretta and Mrs. D. W.
Continued on Page 3, Col. %
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26

of the key stores reported the Dig
gest buying day in it's 20-year his
tory and expected December busl-
ness to be 20 per cent over last year
to set a new record.
Reports from virtually all mer-
chants followed the same trend. An
other commanding dry goods con-
Germ reported the best Saturday be-
fore Christmas in seven or eight
years. 1t was 4 per cent superior
to the parallel day last Christmas.
The store executive expected his
total December business to be five
to ten per cent above last year and
on a par with 1897.
One of the large hardware firms
said Saturday was its biggest day
in four years and that the months
total would be the best in three
years.
All reports were not yet in for
another large hardware chain, but
indications were that the story
would be much the same. The
months total was certain to be
higher than last year and perhaps
the best in many years.
The same department store that
had its biggest day in history re-
ported that monthly sales would be
Continued on Page 3, Col. -
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
Hull Defies Foes
OF Trade Treaties
To Probe Results
Secretary Says Inquiry
Would Be Welcome If
Made Impartially

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.
(UP) - Secretary of State
Cordell Hull said today he
would welcome an investiga-
lion of the administrations
reciprocal trade agreement program.
The program has come under in
creasing criticism since the govern
ment began to negotiate a proposed
agreement with Argentina.
Hull said friends of the program
would welcome an investigation
provided it is undertaken in an
earnest desire to secure informa-
ton"
The statement was made in re-
sponse to an assertion by Sen. Ar
thur H. Vandenberg, R., Mich, that
the senate finance committee, of
which he is a member, would study
results of the program thoroughly
before renewing the authority to
negotiate new agreements when the
present act expires next June.
The press OF yesterday quotes
a leading legislator as insisting upon
an exhaustive investigation of the
government S reciprocal trade agree
n1ent policy Hull said.
"The more comprehensive and
searching an examination is made.
the more pleasing it will be to
friends and supporters of this pro-
gram of restoration of our agricul-
ture, commerce and industry-pro-
yided it is undertaken in an earnest
desire to secure information.
1T would hardly be useful, how
ever, to entrust this investigation
exclusively to those who supported
and voted for the HaWley-Smoot
embargo policy as a sure road to
permanent prosperity to all, instead
of which, as we all know, universal
depression promptly overwhelmed
all OF business, agriculture and la
Continued on Page 3, Col. 50
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26

county agricultural office, as the
frost was not severe. County field
men, as we'll as Weather Observer
Woodrow Jacobs, went out early
however, to survey fields and deter
mine extent of the freeze.
Despite warm sun. the mercury
had climbed only as high as &c de-
greeS in Ell Centro by noon. At am.
it was 81 Mondays high point was
ST.
The Christmas cold snap was vir
tually the seasons first in Imperial
Valley and closed one of the warm
est autumns in history. The un-
seaSonable warmth was felt all over
the nation during the fall and re-
suited in giving many states the
mildest season in several decades.
Christmas forecasts of rain
squalls and clouds failed utterly to
materialize, for the valley had bright
but crisp weather on Christmas
Many other sections of the nation
had a white" Christmas, forcing
weather forecasters to disclaim,
wryly, Wrong again.
Northern states reported snow and
cold, with the thermometer dipping
to II below zero in Montana. A
6noWstorm moved across Pennsyl
vania and flurries dropped on the
sidewalks of New York.
More snow was reported in the
Laguna mountains over the week.
end, as the closest point of real
winter to Imperial Valley. North
ern Arizona, also reported blizzards
and Sleet
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
Pope Welcomes FIR
Envoy for Peace
In European War

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26. tUP)-
President Roosevelt today received
assurances from Pope Plus XII that
the presidents newly designated
personal representative, Myron c.
Taylor, will be cordially received
at the vatican to aid in working
for world peace.
The pope's sentiments were con-
veyed to the president in a letter
from the Apostolic Delegate Amleto
Giovanni Cicognani to Archbishop
Francis j. Spellman of New York.
At the same time DR.. George A,
Buttrick, president of the federal
council of churches of Christ in
America, and Rabbi Cyrus Adler,
president of the Jewish theological
seminary of America, assured the
president they were grateful for
his invitation for them to cooperate
in seeking peace.
Shortly after making public the
letters the president invited DR.
Buttrick and DR.. Adler to confer
With him tomorrow.
The letters from the three religi-
ous figures were made public by
The White House.
Archbishop Cicognani's letter to
Archbishop Spellman said the pres
ident's message brought very great
10Y to the Heart of the Holy
Father, coming from so exalted a
source, inspired by such noble sem
timents. and containing such high
hopes of spiritual and civil benefits
for the cause of peace"
1t was stated that his holiness
desires himself to make a personal
and official reply" to the president
but that Archbishop Cicognani was
requested to express to the presi-
Continued on Page 3, Col p
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26

Russian attacks had been repulsed
with heavy losses at four points on
the Suvanto river, where 700 Rus
slams were killed The river is on
the Karelian isthmus.
Soviet airplanes meanwhile drop
ped 10 bombs on Porvoo, about 80
miles from Helsinki, killing nine
persons and wounding several Others.
Only two of the bombs exploded.
Air raid alarms and intermittent
anti-aircraft gun fire kept the peo-
pie of Helsinki anxiously watching
a clear blue sky today, after reports
of widespread Christmas day actiy-
ity by Russian planes.
Official reports implied that hun
dreds of Russian planes were active
over a wide area of Finland Christ
mas day, and il VIZ believed that
casualties might prove high.
An official communique said two
Continued on Page 3. Col. u
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26


not balance the federal budget.
In addition were other highly con-
troversial measures sure to make an
appearance. They include a dis
cussion of the Wagner Labor Rela-
tons Act, revision of which is the
subject of widespread public clamor.
and a potential battle over EXTEND
ing activities of the Dies committee.
which expires at the first of the
year.
Other notable l94o expiration
3atos include:
Frazior-T on'ke farm MORTGAGE
moratorium act-March 4.
Municipal bankruptcy act-June
20.
Central statistical board-June 25.
Chandler railroad reorganization
act-Juiy %.
Guffev coal act-Dec. 81.
1897 sugar act-Dec. 81.
Authority for the investigation of
un-American activities undertaken
hv Chairman Martin L. Dies. D.,
Tex. Of a special house committee
"ynirns Dec 81, 1899. A resolution
IS pending to appropriate 800 900
to continue the inquiry through
1od0. Mr.. Roosevelt and some of
his cabinet have been consistently
and caustically critical of the in
orIv which. however, was continued
through 1939 House Democratic
leaders informed the White House
that the investigation was too poou-
lar to stop. On Feb. 3, 1899. the
house voted 344 to 35 to continue it
through this year.
A budget of sharply controversial
legislation is held over from the
last regular session. Here are some
OF the major bills which passed
the senate but where not acted on
by the house and which, therefore.
still are pending:
L. $l.6l5,000,000 spending lending
bill.
2. $800,0O0,OOO expansion of U. S.
housing authority's borrowing power
3. Creation of five man rail-
road reorganization court
d. Bankhead cotton crop insur-
Continued on Page 3, Col. q
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
Where to Send
Finn Relief Monev

"Where can I send my contri-
button to the Finnish Relief
FUND.-"
Many Imperial VaIleyitcs have
asked that question recently.
The answer:
To the Post Press office i'm Ell
Centre.
This newspaper will accept
contributions to the fund headed
by former President Herbert Hoo
yer, and will forward them to
the central agency set up by Hoo
YER in New York. The policy was
adopted in line with a request by
the former president that news
papers in all parts of the nation
accept such contributions. Cash
or checks are acceptable. If your
contribution is a check, make il
payable to Finnish Relief Fund,
Inc"
All contributions will be
promptly forwarded to the proper
office in New York.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
California Auto
Deaths Up -Four
Per Cent in 80

SACRAMENTO, Dec. 26. (UP)-
California's death toll from traffic
mishaps during 1899 will be four
per cent greater than those of 1898,
Director Howard Philbrick of the
state motor vehicle department esti-
mated tooay.
Figures compiled by the depart
ment showed 26O1 traffic deaths re-
ported thus far for the IL months
compared with 2505 in the like per-
iod last year Complete tabulations
for the year, it was estimated, will
record between 1850 and 2900 fatal
tiles, compared with the total of
PITS last year
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
Black Sea Storm
Claims 81 Lives

ISTANBUL, Dec. 26. CUP)-Two
ships foundered during a severe
storm off Sinopa in the Black Sea
with a loss of "a lives today.
The Turkish steamer Kizilirmak,
2,794 tons. went down with a loss
of its entire crew of 20 and the
Greek steamer Astrea, 4,090 tons,
sank with the loss of its crew of IA.
Latest reports said that the storm
was continuing unabated.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26

falling to include evidence on activ-
tiles of Fascist and Nazi agents on
the west coast.
The investigators were said to
have obtained statements and affi-
davitS from former Communist Off
cials relating to the party member
ship of prominent film personages,
and to have learned that about 40
such persons contributed to Com
munist or front" organizations. AS
result of these contributions, the
Investigators said, the income of
some of these groups was as high as
SO 900 a month. Income figures were
understood to have been checked
with bank statements.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
One Hour, 80 Minutes Passes Between
Crime, Conviction in Police Court

Everything clicked for the e
Centre police department Tuesday
and brought this sequeG of events:
7:35 a. m. Don Damron complain
ed that one Ray B, Smith had
eloped from the Damron place Of
business with a sack containing $40.
TAO a. m. Smith arrested as he
emeged from bus depot washroom
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26

The aged woman walked across the
hospital grounds and through an
unguarded back entrance, II was
surmised. She was too weak 10 climb
the new steel fence. topped with
barbed wide. which has been built
around the hospital buildings.
The woman was captured when
the deputies went 10 Scottsdale 10
answer routine call that strange
woman was seated In parked auto
moile in front OF the constable's
home. O'Clair. a former hospital
guard, recognized Mrs. Lutick by her
hospital clothes and haircut.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26

pUUUUoUdIV Uy MdIICOpd county depu-
ty Sheriffs, Richard OClair and
Lloyd Cavnees.
Hospital authorities did not notify
the sheriff, city police, or the state
highway patrol of the escape of
Mrs. Lutick, for nine years an in
mate of the asylum
The slightly-built woman, who
weighs less than 100 pounds, escaped
from the hospital about 6 o'clock
Christmas Eve. A hospital attendant
said she apparently had escaped
while inmates were returning to
their wards after dinner.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26

by Officer Frank Smyer.
7:45 a. m. officer Frank Records
persuasion leads to recovery of mo-
Ney, hidden in Washroom
a. m. Smith sentenced in po-
lice court to 80 days in Jail for petty
theft.
SIS a, m. Smith en- route to Jail.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
Italy, Holy See
Auree on Peace

VATICAN CITY, Dec. IS. (UP)-
Italy and the Holy See were reported
tonight to have reached an under
standing in regard to parallel action
IN behalf of peace and against the
spread of Communism.
Sources that are usually we'll in
formed said that the understanding
had been reached as result of
conversations between Cardinal
Maglione, the papal secretary of
state, and Dino Alfieri. the new
italian ambassador to the Holy See.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26

tee soon would be called to declde'
whether to make the report public.
The committees authority expires
Jan. 8, but Chairman Martin Dies,
D., Tex, has an extension resolution
pending and expects it to be ap-
proved.
Rep. H. Jerry Voorhis, D., Calf,
a committee member, said he had
not been notified officially of the
existence of the report, but believed
the committee "in all fairness"
should make public the names of
persons accused of communistic ac-
tivities if it decides to make the
report public.
Voorhis criticized the report for
confining itself to Communism and
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
3 DIE AS POWDER
MAGAZINE EXPlODES

WATERFORD, N. Y, Dec. 26.
CUP)-At least three men were kill
ed today when a powder magazine,
being used in dredging operations
on the state barge canal system,
exploded.
The victims, police said. were not
Immediately identified.
The explosion, they said, occurred
near lock six, on the canal system
Residents of Waterford said the
explosion could be heard miles
away.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
Motion for New Trial

Notice of a motion for a new trial
was filed in superior court Tues
day in the case of Wong Fun, Braw-
ley Chinese found guilty of pos
session of narcotics after a trial
before a jury last week.
The hearing on the motion was
set for Jan. 5.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
Let's Have Another Cup

At the last minute, Mrs. Lee Lam
derman remembered that she should
have coffee on the Christmas din
ner table for her guests. Wilson
Ferguson and Earlene Northrop. At
a deal of inconvenience to herself
she made special trip to the store.
Then on Christmas day with the
coffee all made and poured she
found neither one of her guests
drink coffee. Neither do the Lander
mans.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
Reds Turn Guns
On Finnish Citv

WITH FINNISH ARMIES at Viipuri Dec. &c. CUP
Finnish officials ordered further precautionary evacu
alton of Vpuri tonight after long and heavy lombard
ment by Russian big Bertha guns
AT Helsinki, official communique tonight said tha
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
Dies Report Hits
Hollywood Reds

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26. (UP)-Dies committee inves
tigators have prepared report based eight months
investigation of Communism in Hollywood which asserts
that at least prominent actors have been Communists
committee said today 1t indicated the commit
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
Winter Descends
On Valley Areos

At long last winter came to Imperial Valley Tuesday
and plunged the thermometer to low of % degrees dur
ing the early hours.
Ell Centros low point, however, 80, just barely
freezing No serious damage to crops reported at the
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
9TH Escape Mars
Arizona HOLIDAY

PHOENIX. Dec. 26, (UP)-The fourth escape from the
Arizona state hospital in less than three months place
Christmas Lucy Lutick about 6 quietly slipped
an unguarded entrance into the night
She was recaptured eary Yesterday morning
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
Fuse Set to Political
TINT as Lawmakers Set Up
Program for New Session
Roosevelt VIII Announce Inability TO
Balance Budget; Wagner ActDue for
Hot Discussion; Dies Committed Expires

WASHINGTON, Dec. 26 UP)-Admnistraton and
congressional leaders turned today to plans for convenng
January to consider schedule loaded with
political dynamite in election year
President Roosevelt expected to for the
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
e Centro Shows
Business Gains
Biqgest in Years
Largest Volume in 2 Years Reporte dby
One Local Store. Others Declare Trade
Surpasses Last Year by Big Percentage

Chrstmas-the dollars and cents part of lt-outstrlp-
ped the predictions of the most optimistic IN FL Gen.
tro survey of key merchants showed Tuesday
One of the large department stores reported Saturday
the largest buying day its 21year history Another
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
A Burglars Christmas

Through RR, warm thanks was
extended Tuesday to the El Centro
police department. The thanks was
for Christmas tree. A certain or
ganization, whose chief pleaded for
ANONYMITY, made this announce
ment:
Il hope the police department will
accept this thanks for our Christ
mas tree. 1t is probable that we
wouldn't have had one without the
departments kind cooperation.
(Just between you and me, they
stole the treeD
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
Moratorium

MOratOrium-
Charlie Schlanze and Fred Rid
die aren't speaking any more. They
tried to keep score in bottle pool
game on the same thingamagig. For
an interval there was plenty of
speaking, on both sides, over their
respective scores Then silence.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26
u AMBLING
X EpORTER

One of Bill Schofield's Christmas
presents bore a card with this in
scription:
From The Blonde . one Of
your many admirers
o
Wed in Whispers
Fauvette Thompson, now Mrs. La
mar Watts, has by now recovered her
voice, we trust.
Not so last week when she was in
the throes of pre-marital anxiety.
Slated to wed Sunday, Fauvette
started losing her voice wednesday
and as the days passed she dWin-
died down to whisper.
"TIoW will I ever be able to say
I dol" she Wheezed to a friend.
When the time came for Fauvette
to speak her piece, the bride was
ready. She had practiced sign Ian
guage and head nodding and had
even considered smoke signals and
a senaphore, but miraculously the
voice returned for one brief instant
and she didn't need to call out the
reserves.
(RR can just hear the eXper-
fenced husbands remarking, after
reading this: "A wife with laryngi-
tis! How heavenly
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-26

Butter: Los Angeles 3Olsc; but
terfat. Imperial valley fob. ranch.
grade A, 4012e: manufacturing milk
341ac; route gathered cream 29c.
L. A. hay: U. $. No. S16.5O-l7.50;
U. S. No. 2 leafy Sl5.50-l6i u. 5. No.
2 12.5O-13.5O. Mpls. May flax S2.OO1s.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-03-02
LOOKING FORWARD
Bv FRANKLIN MAILMAN
Publicity Director, Republican National Committee

mysterious and vague development IN
Europe.
Even if some momentous event were
brewing in Europe-and twenty-four
hours search in the capitals of Eu-
rope by American newspapermen
failed to reveal it-what could be
gained by the President throwing out
another war scare? Nothing, except
unduly to alarm the country generally,
and Europe as well, and to throw COM
modify and security markets into a
state of filters.
Mr.. Roosevelt undoubtedly had no
such thought in his mind. In all prob
ability he was not thinking of the eff
feet his words would have on business.
But that is exactly the trouble. Mr..
Roosevelt has demonstrated again and
again that he does not understand the
mechanism and the psychology under
lying business confidence. 1t is a
chasm between the New Deal and
business that has not been bridged in
six years and in all probability will
not be bridged as long as Mr.. Roose-
welt is in the White House.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-03-02
SWANTON

Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Rhodes or
nounced the birth of a daughter Mon
day, February IS.
Ellis Harvey was visiting his broth
er, Leroy Harvey, near Kitzmiller tbo
past weekend.
Mrs. H. P. Lowman underwent .
major operation at Memorial Hospitsl
in Cumberland on last Friday. He,
condition is said to be favorable
The Christ Ambassadors will hold .
rally at the Painter church SATURDAY.
night, March 4. All are welcome.
Mrs. Albert Baker and Mrs, Raw
Custer visited the latter's motbar
Mrs. John McRobie, on Monday. Mr.,
McRobie has been i'll.
A revival meeting will begin in Tho
United Brethren church on Sunday
night, March 5. Meetings will be con.
Quoted every night at 1880 by the Rev
C. w. Fraker.
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-03-02
KITZMILLER
Wedding Anniversary Celebrated

Wedding Anniversary Celebrated
A surprise party was given Mr.. and
Mrs. William Paugh at their home in
Kitzmiller in honor of their fifty-sec-
ond wedding anniversary on Satur-
day.
Mr.. Paugh came to Garrett county
when only a child and has resided
within the confines of the county ever
since. He was railroad worker for
many years and later engaged in coal
mining. He retired about five years
ago. He is "a years old and his health
is almost perfect. He does quite bit
of gardening and thoroughly enjoys it.
He was married to Miss Emma Davis,
a native of Garrett county, and has
lived her life here also.
To this union thirteen children were
born, twelve of whom are still living:
Mrs. Grover Amore, West Lafayette,
Ohio; Miss Sue Paugh, Elkins, West
Va; Mrs. Gene Aultman, Newport,
Washington; Mrs. Harry Aultman, of
Vindex; Mrs. Pearl Warwick, Shall
The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-03-02
NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS

THIS IS TO GIVE NOTICE To the
Taxpayers of Garrett County, Mary
land, that the annual levy for 1899 has
been made and published and to call
their attention To the following ao'
stract of Section 102, Chapter Ivy,
Acts of 1887 of the Laws of Maryland
relating to the discounts to be allowed
and the interest charged on all taxes:
"All County taxes shall be due and
payable on the first day of April OF
such calendar year, and shall be over.
due and in arrears on the first day OF
the succeeding October; on all County
taxes paid on or before the first day Of
June a discount of two per cent shall
be allowed; and on all county taxes
paid during the months of June ana
July discount Of one per cent will be
allowed, and on all taxes paid dur
ing the months of August and Sep
TENDER the amount thereof without
discount or interest shall be required;
but upon all State and County taxes
remaining unpaid after the 30th day
of September interest at the rate Of
one-half of one per cent per month
shall be charged and collected; but
the discount shall not be allowed I'M,
less the whole amount Of State ana
County taxes due be paid when the
same is made"
All State taxes are due on the first
day of July. Interest will be charged
at the rate of one-half per cent per
month, or fractional part thereof
after the 30th day of September. NO
discount allowed on State taxes.
JESSE J. ASHBY, JR,
County Treasurer