davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04
Democrats Exceed
Republicans Here

Official party count for Imperial
county vas announced Thursday by
County Clerk w j. McClelland
or the grand total of 1880 reg
lStered voters the Democrats had
ll,345 and the Republicans 6,221.
Those who declined to give a party
utilization numbered $50.
The Townsend party registered
286, the Progressives II, the Social,
lists 25, the Prohibitionists 10, and
the Communists 2.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04
NeutraIs Express
Nervousness Over
Allied b|ockades
Cabinet Reorganization
Signalizes Stronger
British Attitude
BY JOE ALEX MORRIS
United Press Foreign News Editor

Great Britain and France
confidently campaigned to
tighten their blockade of
Germany Thursday despite new
threats of trouble in European and
Asiatic waters
Following reorganization of the
British cabinet to give Winston
Churchill greater power in direction
of the war, Prime Minister Neville
Chamberlain declared that he was
10 times as confident that the allied
blockade would drain Germany's
life blood and assure a victory.
GermanyS most hated foe. Chur-
chill was elevated in the British
cabinet to be chief minister for al
the fighting forceS--Sea, land and
air.
Elevated from war monger to
grand war monger," scornfully COM
mented the German official radio.
The British public was disappoint-
ed in the cabinet re-shuffle. which
involved almost no changes in per-
sonnet One paper referred to it as
a game OF puss-in-the-corner and
another likened it to the changing
of seats at the mad tea party in
Alice In Wonderland"
There was no discomfort with
Churchill's appointment. The people
look on the dynamic, cherubic- faced
warrior as man who gets things
done. Now he is not only first lord
of the admiralty but also will be
chairman of the committee which
directs the strategy of all three
branches of the fighting service.
But from other world capitals
belligerent and neutral-came word
of nervousness over the allied plans,
Continued on Page 2. Col. A.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04

'deSk in his deserted court room in
Imperial city nall late Thursday.
Friends planned Thursday to car
ry out the wishes of the kindly old
gentleman who presided at justice
and city courts in Imperial for seven
years. He will be cremated and his
ashes scattered over Imperial VAL
ley, his home since April, 1908.
He took his own life because an
incurable ailment robbed him of
the ability to speak. his friends
agreed. During the last weeks OF his
life he was forced to write notes
10 convey his decisions in court ana
in carrying on conversations with
his associates and friends.
The gun he used to take his life
was borrowed from an Imperial po-
lice officer who left it at city hall
while he was off duty. Before he
sent a bullet crashing into his brain
Baker went 10 Ell Centre and file5,
his final report with the county ano
gave City Clerk Milo Foster his re-
port as city judge. Foster and E. H.
Graham heard the report of the
gun a few moments after Baker
handed Foster his report.
Baker was one of the valleys
oldest pioneer residents and its old
est printer and newspaper editor.
He was born in Virginia in 1861. He
arrived in Imperial in April 1903
and went to work as Il printer on
an Imperial newspaper. In 1908 he
took Il Washington handpress, q job
press, and a rev cases of type to
Continued on Page 2. Col. 50
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04
Court of Honor
Slated ToniQt1t

FL Centre boy scouts will receive
advancement awards tonight at a
court of honor ceremony at Wilson
school, described as the biggest
court of the year.
More than SO boys will be honored
at the program which will be high
lighted by entertainment features
as we'll as the distribution of badges.
Two now troops. Troop 80 of
Seeley and Troop IA of Ell Centre
will be invested.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04
Cat Hikes From Salinas TO Valley;
Faces Gas Death For Trouble

A gray cat with quizzica!
expression and stamina enough
to walk from Salinas to Ell Cen
try sat in the dog catcher's cage
Thursday and awaited its fate.
The animal was turned over to
Officer Jim ScrOggins Wednesday
night by a man whom Scroggins
did not know.
"He told me the cat belonged
to some neighbOrs of his who
moved away to Salinas" ScrOg-
gins recalled.
about a month ago" he said,
the eats Ow.ierS wrote that the
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04
Straw Vote Gives
Haffon ADVANTAGE

Robert Hatton, candidate for city
council in Ell Centre, led by a close
margin in popularity among 35
Eastside citizens in a straw vote
taken at a recent mass meeting.
R. j. Burleigh, Eastside leader, de
Clared Thursday.
John McNeece was second with
% votes to Hatton'S 81 and John
r. Robertson was third with %
Charles Bratton polled A. Wesley
He'll, IA and Joe Bush 10.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04

1st CantaIoupes

The first carload of 1910 canta-
ioupes rolled from Imperial Valley
Wednesday. nine days earlier than
any previous carload shipment in
history and nearly one month
earlier than in 1889.
Five Imperial Valley shippers.
Freedman, Engleman, Golden VAL
ley, Hilvert and Arena sheds, COM
bined to ship the first car to an
eastern concern in New York, nine
days ahead of the earliest previous
shipment record, set on April r.,
1898.
Charles Freedman announced that
another full car would be loaded
in two days and that daily ship
mentS would be started within Il
week.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04
Two Convicted in
SUPERIOR Court

Verdicts of guilty we're returned
in superior court late Wednesday
by juries which heard Boyd Nc
Lemore tried for grand theft and
Bob Mcclure for burglary.
McLemore, arrested in Holtville,
will be sentenced Saturday. The
Jury found him guilty of stealing
an automobile and driving an au-
tOmoble without the consent of the
owner. Mcclure applied for proba-
ton and will be given a hearing
next Tuesday.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04

will head this bureau.
2. Establishment of an undersecre-
tary to handle problems specifically
assigned to his jurisdiction by the
secretary of the navy.
3. Delegation to an assistant sec
rotary of the navy specific author
ity to coordinate industrial shore
activities.
Darden and VinSon said that Mr..
Roosevelt had not approved all de-
tails of that reorganization plan.
but had given his sanction to the
outline.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04

w. Darden, jr, of subcommittee
on naval reorganization announced
after a White House conference
that they will present bill to eff
feet the changes Immediately. Hear
ineS on similar new proposals were
completed recently.
VinSon said that the revised meas
ure approved by the president en-
viSages:
/. Creation of a bureau of ships
by the consolidation of the bureau
of engineering and the bureau Of
construction and repair. An admiral
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04

animal had disappeared and for
him to look out for the cat in FL
Centric
Scroggins did not know the
wouldn't talk. Unless a miracle
takes place, the cat probably will
lose all its nine lives at once in
the lethal chamber where home
less dogs and cats go. Which is
rather shabby treatment for 4
tourist who liked I'll Centre
enough to walk all the way back
from Salinas.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04

IllODllt ABOUT 80 lilies SOuIIl VI MI.
Signal when two companions. Eliza
beth Dietrich of Los Angeles and
Luis Selby OF Zacatecas state, Mex
leo, left them to walk for help.
Seby and Miss Dietrich reached
Mexicali Monday and went back
Tuesday with a truck without re-
porting the difficulty to authorities.
Wednesday they returned to Mexica-
Ii and reported to the American
consul that Mrs. Bowman and Pru-
EFT were not at the disabled car
and had left note saying that they,
too, had gone in search of water.
The breakdown occurred during
a trip from Tijuana. The four stay
ed in the car from Friday afternoon
until Sunday, waiting for help. They
were reported on search for rare
minerals.
While a score or more of Mexican
soldiers formed ground parties, Ell
mer Little of the Calexico police
department offered his services and
flew his plane over the territory
Wednesday afternoon and Thursday
morning.
Il am convinced they are not
still on the desert but have reached.
safety somewhere" Little said soon
after he had ended a three hour
flight, accompanied by Miss Diet
rich. There are a lot of Woodcut-
tiers near that region and perhaps
they got ride to Tecate, or maybe
they went on south. We flew over
lCQntinled Pape . Col 81
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04
D M AMsl!Ne
A Damp Center

a Damp Center
1t was early morning and the mist
was scarcely risen from the Colo
RADIO river when Fred Riddle and
Bill Clements reached the boat
anchorage.
Hurriedly they shifted cargo from
one boat to another, preparatory to
setting out for early morning fish
ing. Bill was in one boat and Fred
was in the other as they moved
bait and paraphernaiia. Maybe Bill
had his mind on the fish more than
the business at hand, because he
didn't notice the widening breech
between the boats as he shifted a
particularly heavy parcel.
At any rate, he noticed the
stretch of water too late and found
himself in the awkward position of
having his feet hooked over the
glmWhale of one boat and his hands
clutchi1g the side of the other boat,
His middle-Which is substantial
part of Bill-WaS dragging in the
water!
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04
Roosevelt Okovs
Navy Dep Shift

WASHINGTON, April 4. (UP)-President Roosevelt
today approved congressional plan for reorganization
of the navy department and establishment office
of undersecretary of the navy
Chairman Carl O. Vinson of the house naval affairs
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04
Demented Mother
Kills ; Children,
Sets Self Attire

LOS ANGELES, April g (UP)-Mrs. Lolita Davis. 40
yearold housewife today reported by police to have
beaten her three children to death with hammer her
self afre and then ordered fourth child to strike her
the head with the hammer until she dead.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04
Judge John B,Boker. list
Valley Editor. Mourned
By F friends, Associates
Last Wish Will Be Observed When
Ashes Of Pioneer Are Scattered Over
County; Sickness Cause Of Suicide

The Judge OF the highest tribunal of all had the
of Judge John b. Baker, 7S, of Imperial Thursday
Baker resident of Imperial for 81 years and dean of
Valley newspapermen appealed from earthly
SderaOn when he shot killed himself he at his
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04
Search BY Plane
South of Border
Proves FruitIeSS
Coast Pair Strand ed in Was+eland
Southwest of MexicaIi When Car
Breaks Down. Gone When He p Comes

Arpane searchers returned empty-handed Thursday
from hree-hour flight barren desert southwest of
Mexca where Mrs. Bessie Bowman, 70. of Los Angeles
and Edward Pruet 81 of Santa Monica, reported
The last Sunday in their disabled auto
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04

Raining Pigs
Lots OF things have fallen upon
Gordon Scriven at one time or an
other, but we'll bet he never came
closer 20 having a pig fall on him
than just the other day on Main
street in Ell Centre.
The pig, named, rather unimagin-
atively, "Porky", came tumbling out
of nowhere to plop with grunt
alongside His Honor the Mayor. The
pig thereby gave away an aerial
farm yard maintained for some time
atop Main street ,builiing by
Marshall Jones.
The pig was one of family that
includes chickens and rabbit
Whether the pig "bailed out
through accident or design, Jones
didn't know Neither did he know
why Porky had to pick on the
mayor.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04

r Tuzzle-
When Miss Helen Barsumian,
teacher in the eighth grade at Will
son school, sent her pupils out
Thursday with instructions to find
cut the meaning of the word
"isotype' she probably didn't real
ize what Il shock it was going to
be to the PostPreSs.
The youngsters, following quite a
Continued on Page 2. Col. 81
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04
Coming And Going

Coming And Going
When a friend remarked about
T. A. Jolly having his desert cooler
in operation so early in the season,
jolly replied:
Eyes, and l have the stove going,
too. This Imperial Valley weather
can't catch ME napping!'
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-04-04

Butter: Los Angeles BIC: but
terfat, Imperial Valley I. o. b. ranch,
grade A 36c; manufacturing milk
zoe; route gathered cream 26c.
l. A. hay: u. s. No. Sl4.00I
L 3. No. 2 leafy S13l3.50; u. $. No.
9 Sl05O-11; MpIs. May flax sl.s6.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01

grees on the first and the lowest, 41 degrees, was recorded on the eleventh. Previous extremes of temperature for June were 87 de- grees and 33 degrees.
 The total precipitation for this past June was ell inches, as com- pared with the normal of 4.0l inches. Over a 47-year period, the Wettest June was that of 1904 with 11.5O inches, and the driest that of 1886 with O.54 inch. The great est 24-hour amount of precipitation was 0.90 nich on the 20-2lst. Meas urable rainfall occurred on 2l days of the month.
 There was one clear day, seven partly cloudy and 22 cloudy days during the month. Out of a possible 544.6 hours, the amount of sunshine received was 145.5 hours, or 27 percent, about two-thirds the nor maj amount for June. On only one day was 100 percent of sunshine recorded.
 The prevailing wind direction was from the south. with an aver age hourly velocity of 66 miles. The maximum wind velocity for a sustained period of five minutes
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01
CPR Liner
 Moves0 Out
 Refugees
Hongkong Area Is Being Evacuated as Nippon
 Threat Increases

HONGKONG, July l. = Gray coated, a Canadian Pacific liner is carrying the vanguard of some A. 500 British women and children being removed from this colony.
 The ship nosed out of Hongkong harbor this afternoon and ot h CT outgoing ships are also jammed with refugees.
 damned among the passengers is a sprinkling of Americans, al- though the majority preferred to remain until definitely ordered to leave.
 The American liner President Coolidge remained on an order from Washington while Americans prepared for the possible necessity of removing their women and chil- dren.
 The exodus, authoritative quar- ters said, is precaution against possible Japanese enforcement of land and sea blockade of the colony to enforce demands for closing the Burma route of the embattled Chinese Government.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01
DERBY ALMOST
 FI5HLESS, BUT
 KISSED BY SUN
Three Salmon and Deep Tans Brought Back
 from Marmi0n

Derby contestants angling for the biggest salmon of the first derby of the year for the Juneau Sports Fishing Club didn't get many fish at Marmion Island yesterday, but came home with plenty of sunburn.
 Three salmon only were caught, Mrs. Phil Gordon winning first prize with a 1852 pound king, Tex Lovett getting second place with an 1112 pound king and Gust Erickson, with the third fish, get ting third prize with a 6h pound king.
 Lous Niederhelman was champion halibut fisherman with 32 pounds, Peter Warner was given fourth prize for catching the most Dolly Warden, and Terry Crondahl was handed sixth prize for being the only junior in the derby.
 The cutter Haida furnished two fully equipped launches to patrol the derby and twenty-eight private boats took part in the fishing. Many halibut, Dolly Warden and tom cod were caught and with the practically cloudless weather, every one reported an enjoyable Sunday.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01
1kAGWAY HAS 16 FOR CITY
 WITH DENIAL

Sixteen persons came in from Skagway with the Denali early this morning and seven persons sailed out on the steamer.
 Arrivals were H. B. Crewson, Cliff Dawson, Gene Davis, Elizabeth Ges- berg, Jack Goding, Shirley Keller, Rosalie Kokel, R. s. McCarey, 5. w. Mcclure, Gene Smith, Mrs. Gene Smith, Alice Smith, Mrs. Robt Wal lin, Mrs. E. Waltonen, O. E. Wilcox and Robert Wallin.
 Sailing to Sitka were Carl Hall, Mrs. s. c. Palmer, Fl. M. Gustaf- son.
 To Petersburg-Mrs. s. Hansen.
 To Ketchikan-T. B. Brown.
 To Seattle-R. J. Jarnberg, Jos eph Knebel.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01
JUNE WEATHER NOT 90 GOOD
 SAYS REPORT
Last Month Cooler and Wetter than Usual Re-
 ports Weather Office

The month of June in Juneau was cooler and wetter and had con- siderably less sunshine than usual, according to the monthly meteoro- logical summary issued today by the Juneau Weather Bureau Office.
 The average temperature for the month was 531 degrees as com pared with the normal of SAP de- grees. The warmest June of record was that of 1886 with a mean tenn perature of GOA degrees and the coolest was that of 1882 with 49.4 degrees. The highest temperature recorded last month was "A de-
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01
LOCAL BOY JOINS
 FIRST NATIONAL

Richard Bruce Brown, Buddy" to his many friends here. has joined the staff of the First National Bank here in a clerking capacity. it is announced today
 Brown is a graduate of Juneau High School and has attended school at the University of Alabama for the past two years.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01
FOREST ENGINEER
 FLIES TO SITkA

T. w. Norcross, Chief Engineer of the IT. S. Forest Service, flew with Assistant Regional Forester Wellman Holbrook yesterday to Sitka to have look at the Sitka Highway. The Forest Service men flew round trip with Pilot Alex Holden.
 Tomorrow Norcross and Regional Forester B. Frank Heintzleman will leave for the Westward on a two weeks trip.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01
Will Spend Three
 Months in States

Mrs. R. Lindquist and daughter. Kristin, sailed south on the steam CT Columbia yesterday for a three months sojourn in the States. The plan to visit with Mir Lindquist's s father. MT. Carl Lindquist, and sis ter, Mrs. Frank Myers. both of Bellingham, then spend the re- mainder of the vacation in Seat tie.
 Also making the trip is Mrs Ro- bert Gordon and son, Bobby. They will remain in Seattle for tn e summer with Mrs. Gordon's mother, Mrs. c. V. Kay, who accompanied
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01
Mrs. Henry Solomon
 IsHonored with Tea

Mrs. James Larson entertained informally this afternoon with a tea honoring her house guest, Mrs Henry A. Solomon of Springfield, Ill.
 Pouring during the tea hours were Mrs. V. R. Farrell and Mrs. Arthur Adams. Twelve guests were asked.
 Mrs. Soloman arrived here on the steamer Mount Mckinley and will sail tomorrow on the Aleutian to enjoy the Circle Tour before re- turning to her home in the States.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01
GUESTS SUNDAY
 ON BOAT TRIP

AS guests of MT. and Mrs. Trevor Davis, a group of Juneauites and their visitors enjoyed cruise around Douglas Island yesterday on their boat, Cordelia-D.
 Those making the trip were Mir and Mrs. Stacey Norman and two children, their house guest, Miss Ruth Heiber, John Jones and his cousin Margaret Robinson.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01
New Drive
 Being Made
Communists and German American Bunders May
 Be Forced 10 Register

WASHINGTON, July l. The House has passed, without debate, and sent to the Senate, legislation which the Judiciary Committee said will subject the membership of the Communist Party and German-Am- erican Bund to register and also come under close scrutiny Of the Justice Department.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01
Reorganization Changes :. ln OF Bureaus Decy

Transfer of the U. 6. Weather Bureau from the D partment of Ag- riculture under one Of the reor- ganization moves o. fhe President is signified at the ot. here fv change in the lettering th" docr. The Bureau is now part - ,4!s De- partment of Commerce.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01
GIRL SCOUTS END
 ANNUAL EN(AMpMENI

The Girl Scout Camp at Eagle River broke up yesterday two days ahead of schedule, by vote of the girls.
 Kinky Bayers will take his boat Forester to Eagle River bar tonight to pick up the camp equipment, which was dismantled yesterday by the Rev. John A. Glasse, Waino Hendrickson and Henry Meier.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01
Miss MlNaughton, Walter Scott Are
 Guests of Honor


 Marking the birthday of Miss Mary Jean McNaughton and of Walter Scott, Jr., Miss Elaine Housel en- tertained Saturday evening at the family home on the Glacier High way with a buffet-supper and danc- ing party.
 Asked for the occasion were Misses Jean Taylor, Betty Sharpe, Elizabeth Terhune, Edytn Young Virginia Null len, Mary Jean McNaughton, and Messrs. Max Mumford, John Di- mond Guy Schubert, James Gray, Arthur Ficken, Harry l. Lucas, Jr. Bruce Brown, Tom Dooley, Tom Stewart and Walter Scott, Jr.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01
Baby Girl Born
 To Sarnistos

Announcement of the birth of an 8h pound baby girl, born in Far well, Minnesota, June 12 to MT. and Mrs. Oliver Sarnisto, was received by friends here.
 Mrs. Saristo is the former Helmi Ruotsela, daughter of Mir and Mrs. A. Ruotsela of Juneau, and MT. Sarnisto was employed here at the Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Go. prior to his departure for the south in March The new arrival has been named Selma Elizabeth.
 ~
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01

the young mothers south on the Columbia.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01

was 29 miles from the east on the 14th.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01

Empire classifieds bring results.
The Daily Alaska empire., 1940-07-01

Try a classified ad in The Empire,
Evening star., 1940-03-10
Puerto Ricuns Are Found
Eager for independence

Rembao, Mexican editor, who said:
LAS a colony Puerto Rico is
moral blotch upon the integrity of
the land of Lincoln, who said that
no Nation can remain half slave
and half free. Puerto Ricans are
slaves; part of the United States
against their will
DR.. Julia, whose paper was read
by his wife, urged American atten-
ton to the problem Of building
loyalty on the island in view of the
military Importance of Puerto Rico
The trend of affairs in Europe
and in Asia, the aggressive policies
of certain totalitarian leaders, and
the increasing effectiveness of long
range bombing planes have focused
attention on our vital defenses link,
the Panama Canal" he said, "and
Puerto Rico has assumed Importance
as factor in plans of Canal de-
fense-with the prospect of making
it formidable Gibraltar of the
Caribbean.
1T would be difficult to convince
the Puerto Rican, who is under the
Evening star., 1940-03-10

Whether the nearly 100000 in
habitants of Puerto Rico are eager
for independence from the United
States became the center OF con-
troversy yesterday at the Institute on
Puerto Rican Problems, held at the
Washington Hotel under sponsor
ship of the Women's International
League for Peace and Freedom.
Charging that the island is DOM
mated by economic terrorism" Earl
P. Hanson, former planning con-
sultant for the Puerto Rican Recon-
struction Administration, declared
that 80 per cent of the people want
independence, but are in such a
position they can't say So
DR.. Mario Julia, vice president OF
the San Juan Board of Commis-
sioners in Puerto Rico, maintained,
however, that the populations de
votion to the flag of the United
States for over 40 years never has
been subject to question" He indi-
Gated, on the other hand, that ma
tionalist agitation is so strong on
the island that the typical Puerto
Rican would feel indifferent to ag-
gression by any totalitarian Euro
pean power, and urged statehood as
a remedy.
A position for complete independ-
ence was taken by Senor Filiberto
Lopez of the Nationalist party Of
Puerto Rico and Senor Alberto