davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31
BRITAIN, FRANCE
 CALL HITLER HAND
Unprecedented Declara= ton Is Made - Nothing
 Like It Since World War
BY JOE ALEX MORRIS

 United Press Foreign News Editor)
 Great Britain and France today called Adolf Hitler's hand in cen- tral Europe.
 In a declaration unprecedented since the World War, Prime Min ister Neville Chamberlain an- nounced in the House of Commons that during the present crisis Brit ish armed might would go to the aid of Poland in event that nation is attacked and her armies fight back.
 France, known to have the finest troops in Europe, stands with Great Britain.
 Thus an aroused democratic bloc put military teeth into Europe's faltering Halt Hitler" movement and sought without abandoning the hope that the great powers can yet live peacefully together-to end the Nazi method of expansion by threat of armed force.
 Pledge To Poland
 Chamberlain made Britain'S pledge to Poland at a time when only the vaguest Nazi threats had been made against the Warsaw government. Nazi officials had denied that Ger many had anything but peaceful in- tentions toward Poland and vigor- ously denounced as English lies the recent reports of German troop movements toward the Polish Corri- dor or Danzig. Thus the Chamber lain pledge requires no official back tracking by Hitler.
 Great Britain took full cognizance of the fact that reports of troop movements were not confirmed. In that way, Chamberlain avoided em- barrassing Hitler by threatening him with war at time when the Fuehrer
 (C.0ntinuad 0Yo papa Al
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31
HOUSE SUSPENDS RULES ON BONDS
Passes Bond Measures for Windhanl, WiIIimantic
 at Session Today

Hartford, Conn.,, March 31-(UP) The House today suspended the rules to approve $70,000 bond is- sue for bridge repairs in Windham County and another of $l00,000 for reconstruction of a municipal pump ing station and dam at Willimantic.
 Rep. Clarence F. Baldwin, R., Woodbridge, who moved their pas- sage, said that both issues were not favored by the finance committee but were necessary to the county and city.
 The county, he said, had exceeded its 5 per cent debt limit and was not in 8 position to float another issue but repairs to the bridges, washed out in the September hurri- cane and flood, were imperative.
 Operates At Deficit
 Concerning the municipal issue, Baldwin said the committee felt that the water works had been oper- ating at a deficit and the city was lax in collecting its assessments, but that repairs also were imperative in this case to preserve water facilities.
 The committee, he said, heartily disapproved of one feature in Will limantic, and that was its water system"
 Bond issues, he declared, were floated every four or five years, which reacted to the benefit of large water users and to the detri- ment of taxpayers"
 The city, he asserted, was way over its neck in debt, but water is necessary"
 Some Bills Passed
 Among bills passed were those changing the name of local boards of relief to boards of tax review; allowing the commissioner of public welfare to be named guardian or conservator over insane or feeble minded persons who are wards of the state and granting pension of $150 month for 24 months to the widow of National Guard Capt. Will liam c. Bushnell, Groton, who died from exertion brought on in clear ing Groton airport of debris during the hurricane last fall.
 The House refused to approved a
 (Continued on Page 2)
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31
Local Broker, Chairman Of R. F. Griggs Co. Board, Maintains
 His Innocence Of Wrong-Doing
Conn. Utilities Leader Accused Of Embedding $16O,OOO In Bonds

Hartford, Conn, 31-UP)-Viggo leading utilities executive held today under oo bond for the April criminal superior ebezzlement $160oO0 in bonds of the New London Northern Railroad Bird of alegedy Hartford Springfield, Mass. bank.
 He arrested last night warrant by States Attorney Hugh investigated
 
  The bond furnished by Bird and he released H. executive asked Superior for two days that he would be arrested
 turned all his his furniture within because be prevented from paying his creditors"
 S3O0OO of amount banks-he Hartford the Phoenix State Bank Trust the Hartford National Bank Trust Co, and the Springfield Institute of Savings. The railroad would repossess bonds without criminal acion thus eliminating possibility trial in New London county.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31
British Lion Begins To Roar War Cry AtHitler
Prime Minister Chamberlain nrls His Challenge in
 Commons Today-Britain, France Will Back Poland With Every Armed Force
BY FREDERICK KUH United Press Staff Correspondent)


 London, March 31-CUP)-Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain told the house of commons today that Great Britain and France will come to the military aid of Poland if the latter's independence is threatened during the present European secur- ity consultations.
 Chamberlain said the French gov- ernment had authorized him to make it plain that it stood in the same position as the British govern ment.
 Chamberlain made the specific statement that in the event of any action which clearly threatened Polish independence during the present consultations and which the Polish government considered it vi- tai to resist, his majesty's govern ment would feel bound at once to lend the Poles all the support in their power.
 No Truth On Rum0rs
 Chamberlain began by saying that the government had no official con- firmation of rumors of projected attack on Poland and that the gov- ernment must not be considered as accepting such rumors as true.
 He said that his majesty's govern ment had constantly advocated ad- justment by the means of free ne- gotiation of the differences arising among the peoples of Europe.
 In the opinion of the government, there should be no question that is not open to solution by peaceful means, he declared.
 Chamberlain said the government could see no justification for the substitution of force or the threat
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31
AMBASSADOR OF
 SPAIN IS DONE.

Washington, March 31-(UP)-- Fernando de los Rios, Spanish am- bassador representing the old Loy- alist regime, abandoned his embassy today. He turned the embassy over to the keeping of the Colombian ambassador, Miguel Lopez Pumaejo
 Delos Rios said Spanish consulates throughout the country, and in Pan- anna, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and the Philippines were being turned over to custody of Cuban consuls.
 He said farewell to Secretary of State Hull and prepared to move to New York. where he will teach at the new School for Social Research
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31

Leonardo, N. J., March 31--(UP) -Twenty-four pupols of Leonard high school were injured today, two seriously, when two school busses collided in front of the high school. tis, 12, both of Sandy Hook, were re- Juanita Gooch, IS, and Arthur Con- moved to Riverview hospital with se- rious head injuries. Others were treated at the scene and at the hos pital for minor injuries.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31
BRADLEY, HUBBARD STRIKE

Meriden, Conn, March 31.-CUP) Demanding recognition as sole bargaining agent, more than 250 cm- ployes of the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Co. were on strike today for the. second day.
 The strikers were members of the Congress for Industrial Or ganization. Employees of the concern, in . recent vote by the National L,abor Relations Board, turned down the Steel Workers Union as bar gaining agent in a close vote.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31
MRS. JoHoNsoN WINS

Chestnut Hill, Mass, March 3i.-
 (uP) Mrs. Melvin M. Johnson, Jr.,
 of Brookline defeated Miss Pauline IBetz of Los Angeles, Cal, national
 women's indoor champion 6-2. 6-3 on the Longwood ccSered courts to- day to win the New England w0m- ien's indoor singles tennis champions
 ship.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31
FRONTIER SHIFTS
 TO VETULA RIVER
Only a Few Years Ago Bri- tain Maintained Frontier
 on the Rhine
By WEBB MILLER

Copyright 1889 by United Press)
 London, March 31.-(UP)-Great Britain today shifted her military frontier in Europe from the Rhine to the Vistula river in Poland.
 Only a few years ago the then Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, focused attention on Britain's vital interest in maintenance of French independence by declaring that "Britain's frontier is on the Rhine"
 Today in the house of commons, Prime Minister Neville Chamber lain's conditional pledge of military aid to Poland represented the most revolutionary alteration of British foreign policy ever undertaken n peace time.
 Abandons Old Policy
 Chamberlain, in shifting Britain's frontier to the Vistula, abandoned
 (Continued on Page 4A
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31
TREASURY BALANCE

Washington, March 31-(UP)- Government expenses and receipts for the current fiscal year through March 29, compared with a year ago:
 This Year Expenses Last Year $6.741 ,604,S ,S51.4S $5,506, 6,079,977.6S
 Receipts $4,4O2,514,17562 s4,s01.717.551.ss s2,ass ,oso, ,s75.ss s7o4,ss2, 42s.oo $2.sos, ss9, ,s25.s6 Ss47,791.17s.o
 Cash Balance sS,4Os,732,o9712 $s,10s,e22, ,o5o.ss
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31
The Weather

Fair, Mild Tonight; Cloudy on Saturday Fun Weather Report Page g
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31
"A PUPILS HURT

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-31

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The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
SUSPENSION OF
Term ORDERED
Former Postal Clerk
Let Off by Judge;
Wife Happy

Dewey Poindexter. Longview
postal clerk. who pleaded guilty
last Friday to charges of extract
ing letters from the mails. was
given a five-year suspended sent
ence by Judge jeremiah Neterer in
federal district court "Wednesday.
Poindexters wife. nervous and dis
traught, frightened when sentence
was pronounced.
Poindexter's attorney pointed
out to the court in his plea for
leniency for his client. in some nine
years at the Longview postoffice,
had never been in trouble before.
He said Poindexter had been
promised another job.
Poindexter was indicted Friday
by a grand jury here. He was ac-
cused Of stealing approximately
500 from letters over a period of
several weeks. Judge Neterer also
imposed a mandatory fine Of $25
against Poindexter.
Merton E. Tucker, charged with
giving Intoxicating liquor to In
dams on two counts by a federal
grand jury last week. pleaded
guilty before Judge Neterer.
He was sentenced to serve two
months in Jail on the first count
and given a one-year sentence on
count two, which will be exacted
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
TOWNSEND MEETINGS

Meeting Thursday: Harmony
No. so at X. c. hall. 9Th ave. and
Steele St. card party and refresh
ments. Falkland No. IL. at James
Sales Grange hall. corner Airport
road and So. Park ave. South
Tacoma No. s, at Reisinger home,
1921 So. Puget Sound ave.
Meeting Friday: All-City No. 81
at Townsend hall, 11314 Com
merce St. at 7:3o. Business meet
ing. musical program. speaking
and refreshments. Des Moines
No. /. ? p. m, at Community house.
Fircrest No. 10, special Christmas
party. program, at the schoolhouse.
Fern Hill No. at So. s3rd and
Yakima ave. Christmas tree, pro-
gram and distribution OF presents.
Issaquah No. at Grange hall.
Meeting Saturday: Fawcett No.
10 at Eagles hall. So. 18th and
Fawcett ave. Christmas tree, pro-
grams and treats for the children,
apple pie and coffee.
There will be no meeting at
headquarters on Sunday. Dec. "a,
and no broadcast at 10 o'clock
Monday. Christmas day.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
Gun Source Puzzle

When Langsdorff got the
revolver with which he
committed suicide was a
mystery. All men from the
Graf Spec were unarmed
when they came ashore, and
Langsdorff did not even
carry his sword.
There also was some
question as to why the shot
was not heard by others in
the hotel, but it was pointed
out that there are naval
factories near and the
sound of machinery might
have drowned out the noise
of the revolver. Hotel au-
thorities, presumably under
instructions from the gov
eminent, refused to discuss
the case.
The Graf Spec crew has
aided in duties at the hotel
since they were lodged
there, carrying out guard
duty and doing kitchen
police.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21

Later, the embassy is
sued this statement:
"The commander of
the glorious cruiser
Graf Spec, Captain
Langsdorff, sacrificed
his life last night for
the fatherland by TAX
ing his life voluntarily.
According 10 a let
ter he wrote to the
German ambassador, he
decided from the first
moment to share the
fate of his beautiful
vessel.
'0nly by overcoming
powerful self-resistance
and considering the
responsibility w hich
fell on him for the safe
Decentralization of his
crew, composed Of more
than a thousand young
men, was he able TO
postpone carrying out
his decision until he had
complied with his duty
and reported complete
ly to his superiors.
This mission was
completed last night.
The destiny of a brave
sailor. who has written
another glorious page
in the history of Ger
man maritime war, was
fulfilled"
Officials said LangS
dorffs aide had gone to hi
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
Body Is Sealed

He Immediately notified
the ambassador, who hast
ened to the hotel. The am
bassador then personally
notified the Argentine min
lister of marine and sent a
message to Foreign Min
lister Jose Maria Cantillo
excusing himself from a
banquet he had been sched-
uled to attend Wednesday
night.
The body was prepared
for burial and sealed, and
now rests in the marine
naval arsenal. Burial will
be in Buenos Aires, it was
understood, with full honors
for the man whose destiny
prevented him from going
down on the blazing deck of
his ship.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
WIN DIVORCES

Interiocutory divorce DEGREES
were granted in Pierce county
superior court Tuesday afternoon
to Violet c. from James Z. Bell.
Hazel from Harry Fellers. Ruth
from A. G. Lundquist. Sue Viola
from Donald C. Gin and Margaret
r from J. H. Nensen. A final
decree was awarded to Alice from
Newton West
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
Crew Disbelieves

Most of the Graf Spec
crew are lodged at the hotel
where Langsdorff killed
himself. Two members of
the crew stood guard at the
gates Wednesday afternoon.
When asked if the COM
mander had killed himself,
one of them replied:
That is a lie !"
Even when the embassy
issued its statement, they
continued to insist Langs-
dorff still was alive.
Il saw him half an hour
ago. one of the sailors
said. "Tm sure it was
Langsdorff. Are you try
ing to be funny? Don't you
think | would know my
own captain ?"
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21

He had reported to his
superiors that the orders
he received We're carried
out. He had foregone the
satisfaction - dear to any
naval commander of his
type-of standing on the
bridge of his ship while he
pressed the button that
blew her to pieces.
Now, he disclosed in his
letter, he was free to fol-
low the course he himself
chose.
Wednesday morning an
aide found his body at $3.50.
There was a letter by his
side, addressed to the am
bassador.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21

He stood at attention as
the Graf Spec burst into
flames, and he came ashore
at the Argentine naval port
with a grim smile on his
lean face and a firm hand
shake for those who greeted
him at the pier. Then he
and his men were informed.
There were some hostile
comments. There were
newspapers in Paris and
London which wondered
why Langsdorff had not
gone down with his ship.
But the commander of
the Graf Spec gave no in
dication he knew of such
comment, and quietly re-
tired Tuesday night to his
room at the hotel, which is
a group of large buildings
directly back of the main
customs house.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
julius ThurstOn
Trial on Jan. 10

Julius Thurston. 5e-year-old Ia
conan, who was indicted by q
grand jury here last Friday on
charges Of looting a wPA store
house Of q pairs of hip-boots,
pleaded not guilty when arraigned
before Judge jeremiah Neterer in
federal court. His trial was set
for Jan. 10.
Thurston. taken into custody by
Pierce county deputies. is accused
of being a companion of William
Pitts and jeremiah Clayton Boyer
when they robbed the storehouse.
Pitt and Boyer pleaded guilty last
Saturday. each sentenced to serve
is months in prison.
e - = -
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21

Sailors inside the hotel
grounds were moving about
normally and it did not APP
pear that any of them were
aware of Langsdorff's death
for some hours after his
body had been found.
The members of the
crew-whose average age
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
Following Ancient Sea Code,
Specs Captain Kills Himself

room Wednesday morning
as usual and discovered the
body of his commander in
bed.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21

PUYAExUP-checks are being
distributed to members Of the
Warrington Farmers Products
Control Board. Inc. this week in
further payment On 1859 sales Of
cuthbert and sour varieties Of red
xa<pb<rries.
According to officers Of the
board, this brings the advance TO
date to five and three-quarter
cents per pound On cuthberts and
four and . half cents on the sours.
A final settlement IL sim TO be
made On these, and on Evergreen
hlackberries. on which two cents
Aas already been pasd.
ss.. sssser fnee-
Or. Howard II. Preston. dean Of
TIE college Of business and eco
nomics 1t University o. Washing
ton. was the guest speaker at the
Chamber Of Commerce meeting
Tuesday.
Modern Trends In Business"
was hia subject. He showed that
business h not boosting prices on
account Of the war. The general
trend. he said. II to keep commod-
itiss within the buying power Of
the people. The speaker said we
are enjoying the best Christmas |
trade IN 10 years and predicts |
better prices in 1870. He does not |
believe that the United States win |
enter ths war.
There win be no meeting next /
week. January , the new officers
headed BY Hiram spear win take
over. Completing two years Of
servics ~ president, Frank Man.
ming thanked the members for
thar support.
ire Program Friday
Friday evening the First Chris
tiAn church win hold it, children's
program Ia the church auditorium.
Thsrs win b . large Christmas
tres with gifts.
outstanding features Of the eve
nins's program win be = playlet,
'Christmas Gifts." by the Chris
han Endeavor. Taking part in the
latter win Be verna and Zelda
Beaman. Dayis johnson. Marjorie
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
Continued From Page One)

CONTINUED From Page One)
Ter himself - decided his
course, and Sunday evening
he took the battleship out
and touched off the blast
that exploded her in flames.
He saw all of the wound
ed men from the Graf Spec
which he had commanded
since 1938-safely ashore;
he saw the dead buried and
the remainder taken aboard
rescue vessels and trans
ported to Buenos Aires.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
Craxy' He
dug SIX stories
doslw to
$I5,ooo,


THIS & The eoth anniversary
i Of sDrake's Folly" and the
cob anniversary Of this Com
pany ed in is beginning
thought = piece of foolishness.
They lauehed, until Col. Edwin
L brakes first commercial well,
sf 6oh feet. OF. roughly, six
SCORES deep. strnck oil and G.
sablished tie fifteen billion dol
lar petroleum industry.
4 4 4
They laughed. roo. when
d. G. Sco6eld, familiar with
Drske's achievement in Penn
sylvania, 81 up his crude SPRING
pole drill IN Pico Canyon near
Newhall, California until he
broueht h the we'll about which
efew up our parent ofsaniza-
fion.
loday the far-seelns FOLLY
wnicn mousated Drake and
scoaeld = . hefit.ge OF this
So9Pany. e Sos through our
whole make-uP-here obvious
snefs uns:en--d,cs,s'ns aetav'-
go Polanes' and relationships
=: ) /: . is ss: . ss:s.. 90 , ,ss::
~hisA I.ss lessss-s a which
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
Presbyterian Program

Members Of the Presbyterian
Sunday school viii present their
Christmas program in the school
rooms Friday evening at T:so with
all departments taking part. There
win be tree and gifts for all.
James Cowan heads the committee
and Ia being assisted by Mrs.
George Mckinney. Mrs. Lewis Red
ford and Mrs. George Harlow.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21

FARMERS DECLINE SUBSIDY
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
Dairy farmers organized in the
South Africa Milk union do not
want any subsidy for producers Of
tuberculin-tested milk. il Was de-
eided At their annual meeting
here.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21

is 22-were laughing, talk
ing and reading newspapers
which still carried long
stories about the Graf Spec
case.
do you think we would
be laughing and joking if
our captain were dead"
one of the guards at the
gate asked. He called four
sailors who were walking
nearby and they also were
indignant when told Langs-
dorff was dead.
Crew Is Informed
1t was not until 3:15
p. m, that all members of
the Graf Spec crew were
called into the hotel for the
official announcement of
developments.
1t was reported they
might be ordered to form a
final review of honor for
Langsdorff.
AS they were called to-
gether, the afternoon news
papers came out with blaz-
ing headlines telling of the
death of the battleship COM
mander.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
Christmas
Carols
Through the Ages
JOY TO THE Worlds

JOY TO THE WORLD!
"Joy to the world! the Lord
is come:
Let earth receive her King"
Words to this spirited carol were
paraphrased by Isaac Watts from
the s8th Psalm in l7le. The
original pSaln-tune was later re-
placed by an adaptation Of parts
OF Handels Messiah" Watts,
frsil and in III health from over
work. composed many OF his nu-
merous hymns while writing in
pain on a siekbed.
= SHOPPING Days
y Till Christmas
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
Leave For Pasadena

Mr.. and Mrs. Kenneth spooner.
son Kenneth jr.. and daughter.
vernita. Of Alderton left wednes-
day for Pasadena where they will
see the Southern California Ten
nessee Rose bowl game New Years
day.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21

only if Tucker breaks a five-year
probation term.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
Mira. Longmire Home

Mrs. Minnie Longmirs has re-
turned here after several weeks
visit At Lsongview.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21

Miss Frances Crosby, teacher In
the Alderton school. Is at Puyallup
General hospital suffering from
broken leg and an injured ankle.
She was injured when she slipped
on the steps of the school and fell
Monday evening.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21

Mr.. and Mrs. Bruce Saunders
and daughter. Carol Jean. OF Port
land are to be the Christmas
guests OF Mrs. Saunders parents.
Rev. and Mrs. Give Taylor Of
West Pioneer ave. Mrs. Saunders
arrived Tuesday evening and viii
be Joined by Mr.. Saunders at the
week end.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
willing worksrs' Club

Willing Workers club OF the
Royal Neighbors will have their
annual Christmas treat Friday.
This win be . turkey dinner served
At Ny Wife's cafe In Sumner at /
o'clock.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21

The Christmas program and tree
for the children of Christ Episcopal
church win be held In the parish
hall Friday evening At o'clock.
There win be a puppet show and
special treat for all who attend.
The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-21
Organ Concert Series

Due to the many requests follow
ing his recent recital. Frederick w.
Hoyt. organist at Christ Episcopal
church, win present a series Of
organ concerts beginning the first
Sunday In January. He win be
heard on the same Sunday OF each
month until Easter.