davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-12-17
Man Held as Tests Show
Wife Died Of Poison
Ey the Associated Press.

Ey the Associated Press.
TAZEWELL. Va, Dec. 16.-Com-
monwealth's Attorney Carl Giles
pie announced today the arrest of
Roy Bennett, 35-year-old filling sta
ton employe, after tests disclosed
Benefits wife Annie died from poi
son.
Mr.. Gillespie said State chemists
at Richmond were asked to make
an analysis after one of Bennett S
seven children told officers:
Daddy gave mamma a pill, but
he told us not to say anything
about it."
Mrs. Bennett, Mr.. Gillespie re-
ported. returned home from visiting
a neighbor Sunday night. stopping
on her way at her husbands place
of work.
Immediately after arriving home
she complained of being i'll and at
midnight DR.. Will Shaver of Taze-
we'll was called to her bedside.
Mrs. Bennett died during the
night.
State Health Department chem
lists reported finding traces of a
poison in Mrs. Benefits stomach,
liver and spleen, Mr.. Gillespie said
The official said a hearing for
Bennett has been set for Wednes-
day before Trial Justice Albert
Perry.
Evening star., 1939-12-17
Advances in North
Claimed by Russians

MOSCOW, Dec. II (Sunday) (P.
Advances in the Murmansk and
Ukhta areas and insignificant
skirmishes" on other sectors of the
Finnish front were announced early
today by the Leningrad head
quarters of the Russian army.
The Russian communique said:
"On December Is, in the Mur-
mansk and Ukhta directions, the
Soviet troops continued to advance.
I'm other directions, there were
insignificant skirmishes and action
by patrols.
"Retreating from Salmijarvi, the
Firms burned down all buildings
belonging to the Finnish population
and forcibly took away the popula-
ton.
Brick houses belonging to con-
cessionnaires were not burned but
windows were smashed. The in
habitants were evacuated by the
Films"
Evening star., 1939-12-17
By ALFRED TOOMRS.

John Herndon's crime has come
stalking out of past that was long
forgotten, threatening to bring his
world down around him.
An automobile accident here in
October gave Fate the tipoff, and
now Mr.. Herndon, who is 80 and
lives at 82l Fifth street NV, Is
fighting the efforts of the State Of
Illinois to return him to prison.
This is the story:
John Herndon and his wife were
driving in the 300 block of Penn
Sylvania avenue Sc. shortly after
midnight October % when they be-
came involved in an accident. Mr..
Herndon was charged with reckless
driving and went to Trafnc Court.
His case was continued until No
vember 16. on which day he pleaded
guilty and, at the request of his
attorney, Denny Hughes, the case
was referred to Probation Ofilcer
Joseph Sanford.
Mr.. Sanford, going through the
routine Of his office. took Mr.. Hern-
don's fingerprints and sent them to
the Federal Bureau Of Investigation.
Evening star., 1939-12-17
All Craft Are Ordered Awuy
From Side Of Vessel,
Now Headed Seuwurd
BY the A ssociat,d Press

MONTEVIDEO, Dec II (Sunday).-An emergency ses
sion OF the Uruguayan cabinet called early today by
President Alfredo Baor to consider Germanys demand
for an extension of time for her radng Warshp the Ad
mlral Graf Spec, to remain in this harbor.
Announcement of the presidents action heightened belief
that the Graf would
afternoon despite the fact that had
anchorage
The Uruguayan cabinet summoned to later
morning. The time not announced Immediately
German Envoy Seeks Time Extension
The German minister Dr. Langmann officially
reports that he had requested extension of
PM 43O S. t. deadine fixed Uruguayan govern
possibility that the Graf Spec might
under international law when
two British merchantmen Grange Ovingon
Court would sail for today Grange
uO:30 am, E. S. IT, and the Ovngon Court pm.
E. t..
Under international law warship warning
leave neutral within "a departure
merchantman
Although the barges and shortly before
midnight to leave the welding operations
aboard continued to be visible early today docksde
Men were seen working both fore and aft ship.
Plate Placed Hole n Bow
Welders apparently placed plate hole torn
two which waiting outside the territorial waters for the
Graf Spec
Earlier in the night thousands docks
strainng for view the warshp sought to make
her batte-worthy.
Conditions in the harbor an atempt
TO get and eude allied washp waiting the territorial
waters The of the anchored swung
toward the harbor breakwater less than
has only to hoist her anchors and glide
Evening star., 1939-12-17
Labor Act Fair PLAY
Policy Caused Custer
Ex-Area Chief Says
Refused to Agree to
Violate Statute,
Probers Told
BY JAMES f. CHINN.

A former regional director of the
National Labor Relations Board,
James P. Miller of Cleveland, told
the special House committee in
vestigating that agency late yes
terday he was forced to resign in
May because he refused to take Or
ders from Washington to violate
the Wagner Act.
The statement of Mr.. Miller
brought to a close the first week of
sensational disclosures before the
committee dealing with the admin
istration Of the New Deals emerg-
ing labor policy as embodied in the
Wagner Act.
The committee will resume public
hearings tomorrow at 10 am, at
which time it plans to question
Philip G. Phillips, regional direc-
tor of the N. l.. r. B. Office in Gin
cinnati. Mr.. Phillips already has
been quoted in evidence presented
to the committee that a representa-
tive of the United Mine Workers
of America &C. I. o. had made a
statement that organizers of this or
ganization should shoot down faster
than they would rabbit organ
izers of the rival mine union-the
International Union of Progressive
Mine Workers of America CA. F.
of L..
To Study Office Conduct.
Edmund M. Toland. chief com.
mittee counsel, however, said his
purpose in summoning Mr.. Phillips
was not primarily to question him
about the report over the rabbit
shooting" incident, but to delve into
his conduct of the regional office of
the board in Cincinnati so the COM
mittee can decide whether he has
been fair or impartial"
Mr.. Miller, who since resigning
from the board said he had been
a labor relations counselor in Cleve-
land and charged clients $3.50 a
day for his services, spent most of
his time on the witness stand dis
cussing items in memoranda written
about. him by board investigators
who conducted an investigation of
his Cleveland office.
The chief incident-one that
seemed to amuse the committee
most-related to dinner Mr.. Miller
attended in the swank Biltmore
Hotel in New York last March,
several months preceding his resig-
nation from the board, as = guest
(ses LABOR BOARD, Page A-s3
Evening star., 1939-12-17

And as if to echo the laughter
that will come to other children on
Christmas morning. there was
laughter within the theater walls.
laughter and gasps and squeals and
giggles at the antics of Donald
Duck or the witticisms Of Charlie
Mccarthy.
Many Of Gifts Marked.
Many Of the gifts were marked
with a description of the child they
were to 60 to. On one of them.
a card read, For little girl be-
tween and II. Merry Christmas.
Some members of the audience
brought three or four toys apiece
One woman had An extra toy for
the niece who was too i'll to come
Another woman brought toys for
herself and her husband.
I'VE haven't any children of our
own" she explained. so we'd like
to fill some other youngsters Christ
mas stocking
One mother had shopping bag
full of toys She carried a Is
month-old baby. and a 3-year- old
clung to her arm. Another mother
(See TOYS, Page A-3J
Evening star., 1939-12-17
Your Opportunity
For One Week More

The Toy Matinees are over.
1t is one week till Christmas
one week to make final prep
arations for the happiest
season of the year.
In the rush of it all, re-
member there are those who
can only regard the coming
holiday with heavy, fearful
dread-that is, unless you're
willing to share your Yuletide
JOY. The needs of the poor
can only be met with sub
stantial cash gifts. If you
would make another's Christ
mas as merry as your own,
send your donation at once to
The Star cashier for the
Christmas Heart Fund.
Evening star., 1939-12-17
Warrants Issued
For Three Indicted
As Foreign Agents
One Seized in West:
Coses Are First in
Murphy's Campaign

The "subversive activities probe
instituted by the Department of
Justice before the District Court
grand jury a week ago. yesterday re-
suited in the indictment of three in
dividualS and now dissolved cor
poration of which they were officers.
The charges were brought under
the law recurring registration with
the State Department of agents of
foreign principals. Named defend
ants are the Bookniga Corp. of New
York, reputed agent of a Moscow
concern, which is accused of dis
tributing published matter for po-
litical and propaganda purposes:
Morris Liskin. who was president; :;
Raphael Rush. vice president. and
Norman Weinberg, secretary-treas-
urer
The corporation and the men are
indicted jointly on charge of con-
spring to evade the registration law,
and the men for failing to register
Bench Warrants Issued.
bencn warrants were issued Tor
the trio shortly after the indictment
was returned. Rush was apprehend-
ed in Hollywood, Calf. by agents
Of the Federal Bureau of Investigs- =
ton, and the other two men, who
live outside Of New York City. are
expected to surrender according tc
advice at the department.
Registration law violations are
punishable by fines ranging up to
$1,000 and imprisonment for two
years.
The indictment was the first OBJ
tanned by the Department of Justice
in what has been outlined by At
torney General Murphy as a Ma
(See INDICTMENTS, Page ABB
Evening star., 1939-12-17
New Declaration Ready
On Neutrality Zone
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 16.-Agree-
ment was reached tonight by repre-
sentatives of the United States, Ar
gentina, Brazil and Uruguay on the
text OF a joint declaration once more
fencing off the American republics
and their waters from the European
war.
The declaration, to which other
American nations were expected to
give their consent, probably will be
made by Tuesday.
A high Argentine official con-
firmed that the consultations had
reached conclusive stage and said
the ambassadors were reporting to
their governments.
He said feeling was widespread
that now was the time for a strong,
unanimous expression against repe-
tition in American waters of the bat
tie last Wednesday between the
German Admiral Graf Spec and
three British cruisers.
Evening star., 1939-12-17

African waters, we're expected at
Rio de Janeiro today-perhaps to
form second barrier to the Graf
Specs escape.
Can unconfirmed hint of help
for the Graf Spec was contained
in a Rome radio report picked up
in London. This said the Specs
sister ship. the pocket battleship
Admiral Scheer, was heading for
the Montevideo area with a flo
tilla of submarines
Fuel Key to Preparations.
To all appearances the Graf Spec
had preparations completed to speed
to sea, but the fuel tanks held the
secret of whether she really was
ready to CO.
German officials have asserted
that she took refuge here because
she almost was out of oil British
officials, however, say the Graf Spec
refueled from a tanker at sea less
than a week ago, and if that is true.
naval experts estimate her tanks
are at least one-third full. She
has not taken on any appreciable
(See SPEC, Page A-5.)
Evening star., 1939-12-17
BuIow 10 Seek $1,000
Minimum Pay for
Federal Workers
Plans EorIy Hearings;
Romspeek Bill Due
For EorIy Consideration
By ], A, OLEARY.

Establishment of $1,000 mini
mum wage for full-time Government
employment. and extension of civil
service status to the large group Of
employees still outside the system
are slated for early consideration in
the coming session. it was indicated
at the Capitol yesterday.
The bill to adjust salaries in the
lower brackets of the Classification
Act will originate on the Senate side
where Chairman Bulow of the Civil
Service Committee made known
yesterday shortly after his return
that he will bring 1t to the attention
Of his committee at its first meeting.
The Senator plans to ask for hear
ings.
At the same time Representa- tive
Ramspeck Of Georgia. chairman of
the House Civil Service Committee,
expressed hope the House will take
up at An early date his measure
dealing with extension of the merit
system.
The Ramspeck bill is in a strategic
position to receive prompt attention.
since the Rules Committee granted
a special rule to bring 1t before the
House shortly before the regular
session ended last summer. All that
remains is for the leaders to desig-
nate time for calling up the rule.
Tho vyoinip,,,v, nov, hill
1t has been under discussion from
time to time at the Senate end for
about two years. must still win COM
mittee approval.
Il think it is a matter to which
we should devote attention at this
session." said Senator Bulow. Now
that the Government is fixing mini
mum wage standards for private in
dustry, it should re-examine the
rates in the low grades of the Fed
eral salary classification act"
In addition to making $1,000 the
minimum, the pending measure
would provide small increases in
other brackets near the bottom of
the salary schedule. For example.
in the custodial service, it would
raise the entrance rates as follows:
Grade 2. from $1,000 to $1,000:
grade 3. from $1,000 to 81 300, and
grade 4. from 81 800 to 81 400. Other
salary steps in each of these grades
would receive moderate increases.
In the sub-professional service, the
entrance rates would be raised as
follows: Grade l, from $1,000 to
$1,000, and grade 2, from S1,26O to
(See PAY, Page A-6D
Evening star., 1939-12-17

NEW YORK, Dec. is (P.-The
liner President Roosevelt, one of IL
ships withdrawn from transatlantic
operations by the United States
Lines because of the Neutrality
Act. today began a new service be-
tween New York and Bermuda.
Vincent Astor. a director Of the
United States Lines, said he was
acting as sort of good will am
bassador." There were $50 vaca-
tionists aboard.
Evening star., 1939-12-17
France Reported Buying
$50 More U. S. Planes
By the Associated Press.

BY tie Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Dec. 16.-Six hun
dred and fifty more Curtiss pursuit
planes have been ordered by the
French government, says the New
York Times.
The order increased to about $500
the number of American planes con-
tracted for by European neutrals
and belligerents in the last 18
months.
The total value of the orders
placed in this country by foreign
governments for planes, propellers
and aviation accessories was rough
ly estimated by the Times at $780,
OOO, 900.
Evening star., 1939-12-17
Because Of Car Crash, Clerks
Outliyed Past PeriIs His Future

He waited for results of a search
Of the files. Suddenly, there came
q telegram from Illinois. The wire
said that Mr.. Herndon was wanted
there for violation of parole.
When John Herndon was 10 years
old-and just out of the Navy after
the World War-he fell in with
wild crowd Of youths in Chicago. He
went along with them one night
when they committed an armed rob-
berry and was arrested with them.
He was sentenced to serve 10
years. He was paroled in 1926 and
was told to return to his home in
North Carolina.
The conditions of the parole, as
Mr.. Herndon. says he understood
them, were simply that he was never
to return to Illinois. He said he
kept in touch with parole officers
for = year, then was told that he
could forget the matter. He has
written evidence to back up this as
sertion.
Twelve years ago, he says, he came
to Washington and has been here
TaNH Y4Wp7IrON No. 1aO
Evening star., 1939-12-17
Thousands Attend Motinees
With Toys for Needy Children
Boys and Girls Are Real Show, With Some
Bringing Gifts Their Own Size

Thousands of needy children hang stock
ngs this and know that Santa Claus will be there
them youngsters many grownups have
to that.
They by thousands star-Warner Bros-N B. c.
Toy Matinees yesterday single mnds-that
children must not suffer at the Yuletide
They brought toys of all sizes
tissue and holiday reds and that beneath
mysterious wrappngs toys that cried Mama"
Evening star., 1939-12-17
Boys Head|ess Body Found
On Philadelphia Street

BY the Associated Press.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 16.-The
headless body of an unidentified
nude boy was found in a gutter to-
night block away from busy North
Broad street.
DR.. Anthony Donate Of the
Women's Homeopathic Hospital said
the condition of the body indicated
the boy was killed around s pm.
E. S. TD.
The boys head was cut of at the
base of the neck. The left hand,
right arm. right leg: and part of his
left leg were missing.
Evening star., 1939-12-17
Spec Prepares for Dash to Sea-;
Uruguayan Cabinet Called Today
On Nazi ENJOYS Appeal for Time
Renown, Ark Royal
Expected to RefueI
At Rio de Joneiro
v the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 10
Reliable reports indicated to-
night that two big British war
ships. presumably the battle
cruiser Renown and the air.
craft carrier Ark Royal, would
refuel here tonight or tomor-
row.
An informed source said the
o-MeXican Petroleum Co. S
branch had received a request
for fuel for two British vessels
at the company's tanks on an
island in the center of the bay
some time after midnight. 1t
was said the size of the order
indicated the ships were very
large.
Evening star., 1939-12-17

Ing earlier in the night died
down about midnight and clouds
and a slight fog shrouded, the
vessel.
Expected to Await Session.
The German official reflected the
impression that the Nazi ship,
forced in here last Wednesday after
a long battle with three British
cruisers, would not depart until
after the cabinet session. which
must decide on the requested ex-
tension.
But naval experts said that the
political maneuvering was not likely
to deter the Graf Spec if her COM
mander found likely opportunity
to slip out of the harbor and at
tempt to pass the allied warships.
President Baldomir and his For
eign Minister, Alberto GUAM. ap-
parently were greatly worried by
the pressure to which they have
been subjected by Britain and Ger
many. Britain has demanded vigor-
ously that Uruguay intern or eject
the German raider.
Some quarters expressed the feel
Ing that Uruguay was willing to
grant an extension of time if her
own naval experts recommended it,
but was unlikely to agree to an in
definite period asked by Germany.
Meanwhile the ministers of Nazi
Germany and Great Britain waged
last-ditch fight last night over the
warship.
DR.. Langmann in repeated calls at
the foreign Office last night, pro-
tested furiously against the time
limit for the Graf Specs stay in
the harbor here. Dr.. Langmann
conteRded she could not be made
seaworthy that soon.
Eugen Millington-Drake, the Brit
ish Minister, was equally insistent
that the ship be allowed no fur
ther time for repairs.
The German Ambassador to Ar
gentina. DR.. Edmund Won Thermann,
flew to Montevideo from Buenos
Aires to assist Dr. Langmann.
question Up 70 fTeSluent.
Foreign Minister GUAM. after con-
sulting naval experts. finally put the
question up to President Baldomir
late last night.
DR.. Langmann returned to the
Legation declining to discuss the
conference
United States Minister Edwin c.
Wilson, who has kept closely in
touch with developments. returned
for second visit with Guani. Mil
lington-Drake returned at 945 for
another of his many visits to the
foreign Office. After that Guani was
closeted with his aides.
Uruguayan officials said they were
prepared to intern 9hip and crew as
soon as the deadline is past.
Awaits Hitler Orders.
Capt. Hans Langsdorf of the Graf
Spec waited for a direct order from
Adolf Hitler before risking every
thlng on a dash for escape through
q mighty ring of British men O. war.
naval authorities of several ma
tlons said only such a command
from Nazi Germany's Fuehrer would
start the Graf Specs commander on
the desperate gamble which prob
aoly would mean sacrifice of his
ship and its 900 young crewmen.
Hidden in the haze about 20 miles
OIL Montevideo were the fast Brit
ISM cruisers Ajax and Achilles.
which fought the Graf Spec and
drove her into this neutral refuge
with a daring which Capt. Lanes-
dorm himself declared was more
than seemed credible"
The 10,0OO-ton British cruiser
Cumberland and the 26,5OO-ton
French battleship Dunkerque also
were reported in the allied Gordon.
while the great British battle cruiser
Renown and the Aircraft Carrier
Ark Royal, steaming from South
Evening star., 1939-12-17
Surgeon Hos Eye Operation

CLEVELAND, Dec. IS R.-Dr.
George Grille, famed Cleveland sur
geon, has undergone an operation
for removal Of q cataract. Associates
said today the 75-year -old scientist
has recovered.
Evening star., 1939-12-17
Notice
Change in Prices of The Star.
Effective January 1, 1910

Owing to the greatly increased cost of production, the
following schedule prices be effective January 1910:
City and Suburban Carrier Delivery
Regular Edition
The Evening and Sunday Star 75c per Mo- 18c per
The Sunday Star---------------10c per Copy
Night Final Edition
Night Final and Sunday s5c Mo- zoe Wk
Nlgnt f1nal Star ." or lac
Rural Tube Delivery
The Evening and Sunday 85c per Month
The Evening 55c
The Sunday 10c Copy
other Metropolitan City in the United States is the
subscription rate for the delivery daily and Sunday
newspaper comparable character to that of The STAR
low that announced herewith
Evening star., 1939-12-17

(See HERNDON, Page A-6O
Evening star., 1939-12-17
Weather Forecast

Fair today ard tomorrow. not much
change in temperature; moderate south
west winds Temperatures yesterday
Highest, 48, at $3.50 pm; lowest, So, at
4 am
From the United States Weather Bureau report
Full details on Page A.
Evening star., 1939-12-17

(See GARNER, Page A-4D
Evening star., 1939-12-17
Liner Soils for Bermuda

(See PAY, Page A-6.)
Nogales international., 1939-06-24
Drouth In
Southwest
Not "Alarming"

PHOENIX, June % - (U.P.) -
Short grass on Arizona ranges and
a scarcity of water in some Sec
tions will not seriously affect cat
tie and sheep, according to West
ern Livestock and Range report re-
leased in Denver.
Arizona ranges showed a two
point drop during May, falling to
a, level of n per cent of normal.
Increasing drouth, especially in the
Ashfork- -Seligman district, will cause
the level to drop further, stockmen
believed. The May level is six points
below the 10-year average.
Condition of cattle on June 1 was
78 per cent of normal, nine points
below the 10-year average. Calf
crops were heavy, the report show
ed, with animals holding up well
in the face of the increased lack
of moisture. Most yearlings are Is
to 20 per cent lighter than usual.
Sheep declined in condition from
"a per cert of normal on May 1
to 81 per cent on June 1, with in
creasing decline forecast by cattle
men, the survey showed. No ma
terial loss is expected if the sum-
mer rains come in time.
In II western states, the survey
reported general conditions were
below normal but not alarming" ."
Good calf and lamb crops were re-
ported in most areas.