davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
Boys Confess When
Innocent Man Held
In Exfortion Case

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 10. up
Two SchoolboyS, alarmed by the
arrest of an innocent man. confessed
they attempted to extort $4,000
from a Philadelphia insurance COM
pany executive. police disclosed to-
day.
William MeiSel Al, an orderly at
Jewish hospital, had been arrested
by l3 detectives disguised as order
lies, physicians and flower vendors
when he picked up a decoy package
containing stage money He had
been held without bail but was freed
Internationally after detectives tes-
titled that he had nothing what
ever to do with" the case.
The boys. y and IA and sons of
a clergyman and a WPA worker.
read of Meisel'S arrest for their per
feet crime" and told their parents.
The clergyman notified police and
the boys were returned TO their
parents after a thorough dressing
down by President Judge Charles L.
Brown.
According to Detective Capt.
George Richardson, the boys said
they had been listening to detective
and crime radio programs and de-
cided to write the extortion note,
picking the name of John Kremer,
vice president of the Insurance
Company of North America. from
a telephone.
Meisel, on his day off, had been
waiting for a friend when he saw
the tin box containing the plant
ed" stage money. He kicked it then
picked it up out of curiosity Then
the l3 detectives pounced on him.
Meisel charged that he was sub
jected to third-degree methods by
police but he maintained his inno-
cence throughout.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19

waited. He saw nothing. He shouted
imperlously. There was no response.
Lieut.. Nicely had a decision to make.
He coulo abandon the ship and
save his own life, but he would doom
a member of his crew who, for a
reason he didn't know, had dis
obeyed orders and failed to jump.
or he could try that forced landing
now even more difficult, because
the darkness had intensified-and
perhaps save his own life and the
other.
He held his ship as level as he
could and let it glide. For all he
knew, 1t would crash into the side
of a hill or a tree or some other
obstacle any instant. But it glided
for two miles and bounced into
field. finally dragging to a stop.
Lieut.. Nicely pulled himself out
of the wreckage and tore into the
rear compartment. If the man who
had not jumped was alive, he was
going to get the dressing down OF
his life from his superior officer.
But the compartment was empty.
The man had jumped.
But. as Lieut.. Nicely discovered
later. his parachute hadn't opened.
He had forgotten TO take off his
gloves before jumping and his gloved
hands had been unable to manipu-
late the rip cord.
Farmers found the body of Pri-
vate Kenneth c. Seamans, 81, of
Pa. He had fallen 1000
feet.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
British Challenge
Germany in Air
lContinued from Pace y

Continued from Page ID
are intended to keep German mine
laying planes at their bases in the
early morning hours, their usual
time Of departure.
The air ministry asserted that I2
German Messerschmidt fighting
planes. out of a total of "a engaged.
were shot down in the Helgoland
battle yesterday. II was admitted
that seven British planes had not
returned
Germany asserted that 34 of a
total of Al British planes were shot
down and admitted the loss Of but
two planes.)
Air force experts were especially
pleased by the performance of
British bombing planes in their
fights over the German coast. They
said the German planes shot down
in yesterdays dramatic fight were
fighting ones and that bombing
planes had done the shooting. They
said also that not q single British
fighting plane had been shot down
by German bomber since the war
started This was cited as evidence
of type-superiority of British planes.
Germany for the moment was
concentrating on airplane attacks
on small British ships. German
planes sank six fishing boats and
one coastal vessel in attacks on "a
ships during the weekend, il was
said.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
Aerial Recruits
Sought Here

Young men interested in en-
listing as flying cadets in the United
States air corps may obtain infor-
nation from Sgt. Frank zapata, in
charge of the recruiting office in
the FL Centro post office, by writ
ing to the recruiting station in Los
Angeles.
The corps recently announced the
need of 400 qualified applicants. for
February, March, and May classes,
zapata said. The applicants must,
be between 20 and 81 years OF age,
have completed two years of college
or be able to pass an equivalent
test, and be able to meet the rigid
physical requirements for aviators.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
One. .Two...' Pilot Counts Opening
'Chutes. Waits for Third, Braves Peril

HILL CITY, Kan. Dec. le. CUP)
Through the dusk at $500 feet
flew a two-motored army bomber.
Suddenly both motors coughed
and died. Pilot Lieut. Harold E
Nicely switched to the emergency
fuel tanks and went into a dive to
start the motors again. They didn't
start.
Abandon ship" he commanded
through the speaking tube to the
three men in the rear. Adjusting his
own parachute and keeping the
ship level, he watched the air below
in which there was only a darker
mass to indicate the earth. A white
ball exploded below him, dropping
away. 1t was an opening parachute.
One" said Lieut.. Nicely.
A few seconds later, another ball
expanded below him and dropped
away.
Two" he said.
He eased out of his seat, still
holding the ship level. When he
saw the third parachute open. he
would go himself. He waited He
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
Rambling Reporter
Challenge Arouses
High School S Ire
Continued from Page

Continued from Page II
play now being finished in the
high school arcade over the junior
college study hall as inferior to
none" He said the 13 stained
glass windows" representing two
weeks work on the part of art
pupils. will be up and ready for
inspection by Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, several score other
Christmas display in El Centre de-
served glowing praise. Judges in
the Tournament of Christmas, di-
rected by Mrs. Earl Farris of the
Arts and Crafts section of the Ten
Thousand club, returned from pre-
liminary trips around the city with
enthusiastic stories of displays that
far outshine any ever before erected
in El Centre.
AS in past years, Wensley, San
dalwood and Len Rey have so far
shown a stronger response to the
appeal TO light every home in the
city. However. other districts also
have done their part One of the
most striking displays is at st.
Mary's Catholic church where a
huge Christmas tree has been light
ed, with a Christmas scene behind
it.
Judges will cort+nue tours Tues
day night and then make final
decisions Wednesday, Mrs. Farris
said The Post Press will mail ont
the S133 in awards Thursday.
Donors Of the impressive prize
list are
Chamber Of Commerce, Imperial
Irrigation District, Nev-Cal Electric,
Sones Lumber Co., Sears Roebuck
Co., Tom Allen, E. w Riggs, Otis
Hinson. Edgar Bros. Co., Imperial
Hardware Co, and H. l. joe
Bush.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
Red Armada Fails
As Asknti.Aircraft
Batteries Open Up
Continued from Page u

Continued from Page u
outside the port of Helsinki haG
been bombed, that one plane had
been shot down, and that four Rus
sian fliers had descended outside
the city in parachutes were not con-
flrned Immediately.
Although no bombs fell in the
center of Helsinki, there were heavy
detonations to the north, in the
vicinity of the airport, that might
have been those of bombs.
Reports persisted that four Rus
slams had parachuted down ano
police cars and bicycle scouts search
ed for them.
Leaflets were dropped in Kaiso-
niemi park at the edge of the city.
Reports of the number of Russian
planes varied from eight to 13. One
man said he had seen one group
of four planes and another group
of nine.
The speed with which the Firms
set up an anti-aircraft barrage,
much of which seemed of three
inch shells, demonstrated how eX-
cellently the city's defenses have
been organized in the past two
weeks.
The Russians had been grounded
two weeks by bad weather.
Finland was reported today to
have advised Great Britain and
France that there was strong hope
of standing off the Red army all
winter if urgently needed supplies
are received from abroad and If the
usual heavy SHOWS fall at Christmas
time.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
Willard D. Ellis
Target Of Blast
Against Policies
Continued from Page y

was first created. it was intended
to give the farmer relatively cheap
reflnancing In this area the
the Federal Land bank has failed
. Rehabilitation loans are
never available until the farmer is
beaten and down and out We at
tribute that result in large manner
to maladminiStration :"
He followed with examples of COL
laboration between the land bank
ana banking chain.
Adams presented specific exam
pies of the land banks refusal to
grant loans in Imperial Valley on
property that reliable realtors had
appraised at lar higher figures than
would be normally required.
In my opinion, liberal farm land
financing is not the solution"
Adams said. But pending such
time as the Department of Agricul-
ture can work out fair basic price
structure for the farmer, l earnestly
believe if he has even a 10 per cent
chance, he is better of on the farm
than on relief j.. ="
Last week, speaking before the
farm debt commission. Adams de-
clared:
Had the management of the
Farm Credit Administration in this
district carried out the broad liberal
policies it was intended to, it would
not have been necessary for the
state of California to set up the
Farm Finance Act Of 1899 to save
its small farmers
He charged that although Cali
fornia is far ahead in farm produc-
ton, there are five states that have
received considerably more federal
land bank loans. He quoted from
a Farm Bureau letter written by
J. j. Duell, in which Duell said:
The crux of the whole PROPOSE
ton is the ultra ra-conservative policy
stuobornly adhered to by the land
bank The bank has built up a
system of blanket restrictions D..
used by its management TO prevent
loans in the great part of the high
ly developed agricultural sections e..
Lands in but few irrigation districts
are eligible for loans, not because
they are not good security, but be-
cause they happen to be in a dis
trict that does not meet the ideals
of the bank
All lands in Imperial county are
a
cause Of an imaginary flood danger,
now because of drainage conditions
and the possible incurrlng of obliga-
tons which would be superior TO
the banks mortgage lien. The abili-
" Of Imperial county lands to pro-
duce tremendously valuable
crops hardly needs comment. yet
those lands are not even eligible
for consideration
Balance of DueIls scorching let
ter refuted land bank alibls.
Secretary Wallace made no com
ment at the San Francisco hear
ing nor gave any indication of his
intentions, Adams declared. The
commissioner, however, appeared
hopeful of impending readjustments
in FCA organization. He saw pos
sibillties behind recent announce
mentS that President Roosevelt is
considering giving Secretary Wal
lace complete control of the FCA
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
Olson Protests
Harbor Boycott
Continued from Page y

L
utility services, estimated to raise
S23 100000 for the remainder of
the biennium if enacted in January.
This would include a tax on water,
gas and electricity, telephone and
telegraph, railroads, car companies,
motor vehicles transportation COM
panies, and water carriers.
,. Tobacco tax, $11700,000 Rates
identical to the Arizona law to i'm
pose a tax of two cents for 20 cigar
cts and 20 small cigars; one cent
for three five-cent cigars and one
cigar over five cents; one cent per
ounce of smoking and chewing
tobacco; one-fourth cent per ounce
for plug and twist
3. Personal income tax, with five
different rate schedules, headed by
New York rate at $33,00,000. with
others ranging between $12,000,000
and S15,000,000.
4. Severance tax: per cent tax
on production of all natural re-
sources, S11,0O0,O0O; 3 per cent on
oil, natural gas, natural gasoline
Sl2,500000; per cent, production
of all natural resources, $17000,000
5. Bank and corporation franch-
ise tax, S14,500,000 from rate in
crease to 6 and 9 per cent.
6. Insurance gross premiums tax
Sl,200000 with tax increase from
2.6 to 3 per cent; 100000 from ex-
tension to fraternal benefit societies;
S1,75000O from other changes.
The Olson program defeated at
the regular session would return
S46 1885, if enacted in January, it
was estimated. The governor says
he will resubmit it intact. The
highlights are:
Personal income tax, $7,450,000
from increased rates proposed pre-
viOusly, and grand total of S11 5000
including other loophole closings;
bank and corporation franchise tax,
SIT 1853 900; severance tax, $8,5O0000;
alcoholic beverages, Sc, 725,000 from
excise tax increase on beer and
spirits, also certain license tax
boosts; inheritance tax increases,
S2,25000C; horse racing, SITS 900
with graduated rates of 4 to 8 per
cent; and gift tax, S175,000 in addi-
ton to S70000O in estimated revenue
from the act passed by the last
legislature.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
q Enrolled in
New Scout Troop

BraWley Elks Tuesday completed
organization of Scout Troop % by
appointing Ted Kipf, M. r. Sted-
man and Wiles Nichols on the troop
committee. Vic Morrisette was sell
ccted scout master.
TWenty-one charter members are
enrolled in the new troop at the
present time, according to Morri-
sette Members are:
Ed Adams, Don Anglin. Nelson
Cain, Bill Campbell, Jack Campbell.
Windell Franks. Jimbe Galloway
Frank Geotas, Clark Hartsock. Les
ter Smith. Jimmy Geotas, Jack Gill
liland. Brad Jackson, Jessie Jack
son, Kenneth Jameson, Tom Nc
MILAN, Octavio Pain. Don Ruston.
T. L. Salmon, Lloyd Smith, Pau
Block.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
Retired Dairyman
Dies Suddenly

Joe Arnold, So, retired Swiss
dairyman and resident of Imperial
Valley for % years, died suddenly
early Tuesday as a result of
heart attack
Funeral arrangements we're not
complete Tuesday
He was born in Switzerland in
1881 He engaged in the dairy bust
ness in the FL Centre area for many
years. In recent years he lived Wth
his family IN El Centro.
His survivors include his wife,
Mrs. Josefa Arnold; four daughters,
Mrs. Rose Steiner Of VacaYille. Mrs.
Ann Prudhomme Of Massachusetts,
Mrs. Mary Bates and Miss Ida
Arnold, all of FL Centre: three sons,
Joe Of Norwalk, Frank of Oxnard,
and Jack CT z. Centre.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
Probation Granted
In Adultery Case

Claud Childers, white, truck oper-
ator Of e Centre, and Marian Cum
ningham. Negro housewife. were
released from the county jail this
weekend after they pleaded guilty
to adultery.
They were granted probation in
e. Centre justice court and told
they would have to serve six months
in the county Jail if they failed to
comply with terms of probation.
The woman was ordered to leave
Imperial county Immediately and
not return. Childers, among other
things, was told not to leave the
county without permission of the
court.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
Ordinance Bans
Highway Grazing

To remove a traffic hazard and
to protect wild flowers, the county
board of supervisors Monday order
ed the district attorney to prepare
an ordinance prohibiting the graz
ing of livestock within half a mile
of any public highway in Imperial
county.
The ordinance was to be in effect
Dec. l to March l and from March
5 to June every year.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
Olson, Rebuffed in ST. Strike Truce
Attempt, Rebukes Dock Employers

settlement already accepted py Uiio
union requires of the ship owners
the surrender of no vital prin-
ciple"
Through Harry R. Bridges, head
of the International LongshoremenS
and Warehousemens union, the
ship clerks announced they would
accept the formula presented by
the governors commission if it did
not involve the surrender of fun
damental union principle. and the
union first would have to deter
mine if it did.
The ship clerks membership voted
last night to keep its strike con-
fined to San Francisco, and at the
same time approved Gov. Olsons
proposal
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
Wiser to Speak at
Regional Meeting

Ray B. Wiser, president of the
California Farm Bureau Federation,
will attend the meeting of Region
No. l farm bureau at Calipatria
on January 20, according to C. O..
Hoober, regional director.
Commodity group conferences will
start at 10 am, Hoober said, and
Wiser will speak in the afternoon.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
Unique SiIo to
Be Demonstrated

George L. Winwright. assistant
county agent, will conduct a silage
demonstration and discussion at the
Hornbeck ranch. one mile south
of the Date ranch, Thursday after
noon at l:30.
Hornbeck has constructed unique
trench silo in which he excavated
four feet and built up the sides
OF the sllo four feet above the
ground. Such a silo offers an ad-
vantage in taking out the feed.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
CaIipat Joins
Health Program

The county board of super
visors Monday agreed to take
Calipatria under the wing of the
county health department on the
same terms as those effective in
other cities in the county.
Calipatria hencefOrth will en-
joy the facilities of the county
health department and problems
of health and sanitation will be
handled by DIR. Warren F. Fox,
county health officer, and his
staff.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
T. J. Smith Named
HoItyine Justice

E. j. Smith was appointed justice
of the peace of Holtville township
Monday to fill the vacancy left by
the death of T. T. Mayfield.
The appointment was made by
the county board of supervisors on
recommendation of Supervisor Dave
Vencill of Holtville. Smith was
acting justice of the peace while
Mayfield was i'll in the months
prior to his death.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
STEAMER SUNK

LONDON, Dec. 10. (UP) - The
Danish steamer Jytte of 1877 tons,
was sunk in the North Sea, appar-
emily by a mine, it was disclosed
today. Ten members of the crew
were believed drowned. Two others
were picked up and landed at
northeastern coast port. One was
taken to a hospital.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
County Asks Fair
Grounds Control
Continued from Page |

NCOntlnued from Page =
county fair board appointed by the
governor of the state.
Supervisors said the shift of con-
troll from the fair board back to
the board of supervisors would not
affect the premiums allocated TO
the Imperial county fair from the
state racing funds. The fair board
was scheduled to meet next on Dec.
%.
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19
WEATHER

data compiled by observers for
the official United states Weather
Bureau station at Ell CentrOD
Maximum Monday ................ 80
Minimum Tuesday Observation-Disclosures. 80
Reading at Noon Tuesday
Temperature ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 78
Humidity %
Reading at a. m. Tuesday
Temperature Observation-Disclosures. AZ
Humidity ....-.-..........- ............-.... 81
Reading at p, m. Monday
Temperature Observation-Disclosures. 70
Humidity Observation-Disclosures. "a
Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-19

HARNESS STOLEN
Jesse A. Smith, rancher of the
district southeast of Seeley, lost four
sets of harness Sunday when thieves
raided his harness shed.
Evening star., 1939-04-24
Points for Parents
BY EDYTH THOMAS WALLACE.

Don't" to small; child Is the
equivalent OF II dare you" to mann
older persons.
Evening star., 1939-04-24

met he has formed in succession to
the ministry of Joseph A. Lyons, who
died April 7.
The new cabinet includes: :
Premier and treasurer, MenZies;
attorney general and industries,
William Hughes; defense, Brig. G.
A. Street; external affairs, Sir Henry
Gullett; civil aviation and assist
ant defense minister, v. Fairbairn.
Evening star., 1939-04-24
Touch Man Seeks Job

If you want to hire a man to do
a tough but honest job, send for
Nikola Hitch. Banatska IA, Bel
grade, Yugoslavia. He is 80, un-
employed, and has announced he is
willing to do any odd task, such
as breaking books with his hands or
on his head, lifting 500 pounds
with his teeth, holding four horses
pulling in opposite directions, dane
ing barefoot an broken glass or hot
embers, licking white-hot iron, ly-
ing buried for half hour or be-
ing run over by automobiles.
Evening star., 1939-04-24

be that Of close relationship with
Germany, in spite of Italy's bitter
protests" she added In her Paris
prediction. I'm fact, Mussolini will
make a very big mistake in the
spring. Nine. Detey also predicts
serious internal troubles in Russia,
including an attempt on Stains
life.
Evening star., 1939-04-24
No 1889 War, Says Seer

I'VE have not yet come to the
end Of our troubles in Europe, but
there will be no war during 1885,"
declares Nine. Detey, the famous
French clairvoyant. who claims to
have predicted the war scare last
September. Our foreign policy will
Evening star., 1939-04-24
AustruIiun Cabinet
Announced by Menzies

BY the Associated Press
CANBERRA, Australia, April a.
The new premier of Australia, Rob-
ert Gordon Menzies, today an
nounced the personnel of the cab
Evening star., 1939-04-24
Bruin TwizzIer
Cyclone Complications

By PROF. ]. ID. FLINT.
Out in an area where there are
frequent cyclones a man decided
to build a cyclone pit for his own
The Key West citizen., 1939-11-28
.TORTUCAS nine
Lose TO NNNIAS
GAME PLAYED LAST WEEK
AT FORT JEFFER-
SON

In the Thanksgiving Day game
at the Conch Bowl on Tortugas,
the baseball team of the u. S.
Coast Guard Zinnia whipped the
Fort jefferson club to the tune
of 16 to 8. Manager Willie Jew
fish Adams of the Fort Defend
ers could not understand how
his so o.called "All Star" team
could be beaten so badly. the
Isupposition being that the losers
had too much turkey.
Line-ups of the two teams
were as follows:
Zinnia-Harry Pritchard, C;
Victor Russell, p; Sven Roller,
lh; Marius Cruz, 2b; Eta Lopez,
3b; Joe Alvarez, lss; Wilbur John
son, rss; Hiram Kline, If; Dexter
Dorgan, CT; Tom Demeritt, rf.
Fort Jefferson-Tony Head, C;
Jack Dillon, p; Henry Pinder, 1b;
Manola Casternera, 2b; Willie
Adams, 3b; Andrew Saunders,
.lss; Bobby Waugh, rss; Norman
Johnson, If; Manola Cervantes,
cf; Troy Harmon, rf.
Umpire, Gene Knowles; score
keeper, Kay-Kay. .
The Key West citizen., 1939-11-28
|EBIE ALBURY WINS
AGAIN AT BOWLING
MEMBER OF FLORIDA CHAM
PIoN TEAM: HAS
HIGH SCORE
Especial to The citIzenl

MIAMI, Nov. 28.-Ebie Al
bury, wife of Charles j. Albury,
formerly of Key West, member of
the all-Florida bowling team,
starred in a game here last Fri
day evening played against the
champions of Georgia. She turn
ed in high score of 173 with an
average of 127 for the set of
three games to help the Florida
girl champions defeat the 'sGeor-
gia Peaches" by 1873 to 1887.
The match was in the nature of
a warm up for the Miami Open
Bowling Tournament. which
opened Saturday to continue this
week. and which has brought to-
gether the leading men and wom-
en- bowlers of the state.
Competition will be especially
keen in the women's division,
with Mrs. Albury appearing for
the first time against such stars
as Roslyn Love, Southeastern
champion.
The Key West citizen., 1939-11-28
sssessessssssesssss
Today's Birthdays
0 eeessssssssssssssssssss

u. S. Senator Edward r.
Burke of Nebraska, born at Run
ningwater, S. D., SO years ago.
Henry Hazhtt of New York,
editor and author, born in Phila-
delphia, As years ago.
DR.. Ernest S. Griffith, dean of
the Graduate School, University
of America, born at Utica, N. Y,
43 years ago.
Helen Jepson of New York
City, singer, born at Titusville,
Pa, 81 years ago.
Genevieve Taggard, poet, born
at Waitsburg, Wash, As years
ago.
DR.. Louis Ginzberg. noted
Jewish Theological Seminary,
New York City, professor, born
in Russia, sc years ago.
Frank Phillips of New York,
oil company board chairman,
born at Greeley, Nebr., 66 years
ago.
Nina Wilcox Putnam, author,
born in New Haven, Conn, 81
years ago.
David Warfield, veteran old
actor. born in San Francisco. 73
years ago.