davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-04-26
Byrd Hurries Back 10 j. 5.
To Plead for Funds
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd is
hurrying back from the Antarctic
to plead-if need be-for funds to
support the Governments expedi-
ton in the polar wastes for a second
year.
Quitting the flagship Bear at VAL
paraiso, Chile, the explorer was
booked to sail today on the liner
Santa Elena for New York.
The House already has rejected a
$250,000 request for further Byrd
expedition expenses, and indications
are that the Senate may act before
Admiral Byrd reaches the United
States May IA.
Defeat of the appropriation, how
ever, would not necessarily doom
chances of getting the money, for it
could be voted later in special bill.
Champions of the South Pole ex-
ploration are ready to make q re-
newed appeal to Congress not to
abandon the most extensive venture
OF its kind ever undertaken.
The expedition went to the Ant
arctic late last year to dig in for a
stay OF from three to six years. It's
work program called for charting
unknown areas, making scientific
observations and laying the basis for
an eventual American claim to a
large segment of the icy continent
at the bottom of the world.
Evening star., 1940-04-26
Husband Takes Life
Because Of Illness Of
Wife and ; Children
W. N. McCurdy Suicide,
Family Stricken With
Scarlet Fever

Believed to have been despondent
over the illness with scarlet fever Of
his wife and three children, Walter
M. McCurdy, 48, World War veteran
and an auditor for the Union Trust
Co., was found dead early today of
carbon monoxide poisoning in his
sedan parked in his garage at rear
OF his home, 1900 Newton street NE.
Mr.. McCurdy's children-a son
3 years old, another son, 10, and a
9-year-old daughter-were stricken
with scarlet fever early this month.
Then the mother. Mrs. Won Zelle
McCurdy, caught the contagion
while nursing the children. The
house was placed under quarantine.
Kept From Sick Rooms.
The father was allowed to enter
the front room of the home, it was
said, but not the sick rooms. He
helped a nurse administer to the
needs OF his family as best he could.
Shortly after midnight, Andrew
Edwards, a domestic employe of the
family, went, looking for Mr.. Nc
Curdy. He found him in the garage.
A hose from the exhaust had been
passed into the car through a rear
window and the engine was still
running. Edwards summoned as
sistance and the man was pro-
nounced dead by private physician.
On Mr.. McCurdy's body, police
said, was an envelope addressed to
his wife, on the back of which had
been written, Father, forgive me-"
Detectives had not opened the en-
velope today.
Homicide squad detectives were
told that Mr.. McCurdy had been
worried over his family's illness and
financial affairs.
Eldest Child With Neighbors.
His eldest child, a 16-year-old
daughter, had been staying with
neighbors during the quarantine.
Mr.. McCurdy had been away from
work for the last eight days. assisting
his family,
Mr.. McCurdy was an employe of
the trust company for eight years
prior to the World War. He Joined
the Army in 1917 and spent 10
months in France, his friends said
Upon his return to this country,
Mr.. McCurdy went into business for
himself. A short time later, he re-
joined the trust company, and since
had bene employed there.
Deputy Coroner christopher Muir
ply issued certificate of suicide.
Evening star., 1940-04-26

was seeking to escape f1anking fire
from three German destroyers in
nearby Trondheim Fjord.
Hardy French veterans and ar
tillery now are supporting the main
British line north of Steinkjer, au-
thoritative sources stated, and added
that no further immediate German
pressure was expected in that area.
Difficulty Seen With Bases.
The same sources said no reports
of allied losses had been received
yet, and that it was not known
whether the expeditionary troops
had support from artillery and anti
aircraft guns.
1t was believed in London that
Britain might be having difficulty in
getting bases in the rugged Nor
wegian territory.
An informed source said there
had been mo attacks" on the Brit
ish position at Myra, north of
Steinkjer, midway between Trond-
helm and Namsos.
The British reported that Norwe-
gian guerillas using explosives had
blocked Osterdalen, the valley which
stretches southeast from Trondheim.
French poilus were said to have
scrambled into supporting positions
behind the British line at Myra as
the allies strove to prevent contact
between German forces rolling
northward from Oslo and those op-
Grating in the Trondheim area.
Informed quarters said today that
should the allies be cut off from
contact with Southwestern Norway
their task would be to reach the
Swedish frontier and seal Northern
Norway from further German pen
etration.
Great Britain, keeping a close eye
on the position of Sweden in the
Scandinavian phase of the war, was
reported to have told Swedes that il
German troops invaded their country
the allies would go to their aid.
The British were said to have as
sured Stockholm, however, that al
lied troops would not attempt to oc-
cupy the Swedish ore port of Lulea,
on the Gulf Of Bothnia and soon to
be ice-free for shipments Of iron
ore to Germany.
German military preparations said
to be under way at Memel and other
East PrusSian ports caused consid-
cradle apprehension in diplomatic
quarters here.
German troops were reported
concentrating in German Baltic
ports and embarking on ice-break-
ers. Some thought that these prep.
arations might b aimed at thl
Finnish -owned Aland Islands, at thu
Evening star., 1940-04-26
Technology Has Cost
1910 Miners Jobs,
Monopoly Quiz Told
U. N. W. Official Says
Advances Have Token
That Toll in IS Years

| BY the Associated Press.
A union leader told the Monopoly
Committee today that chronological
changes had cost the jobs of 1910
coal miners in the last Is years.
Thomas Kennedy, secretary treas
urer of the United Mine Workers Of
America &C. I. o., testified that
economic scissors" threatened en-
ployment of hundreds of thousands
| of miners.
"One blade of these scissors con-
tinually cuts the number of men
needed to produce each ton Of coal
while the other blade cuts the num-
Der OF tons needed to carry on the
industry, transportation and the
generation Of heat, light and power"
he said.
If unions had not won a shorter
work day and week in recent years,
Mr.. Kennedy said, job losses in the
sick coal industry" would have
been much larger.
William Green aroused the inter-
est OF the committee yesterday
with disclosure that the A.
F. of L. is working on a plan to in
crease national income by $4,000
600 900 year and to create jobs for
most of the unemployed.
Reticent about details, the Feder-
alton president said his organization
was now giving careful study to
proposal which after further analy-
sis and consideration I hope 1 will
be in a position to place before the
country as practical program for
unemployment and as a realistic
Evening star., 1940-04-26
Holy Cross Alumni Club
Elects Officers

The South Atlantic Alumni Club
of Holy Gross College heard four
speakers and elected William l..
Lebling president for the coming
year at the clubs annual banquet at
the Mayflower Hotel last night.
Speakers included the Rev. Joseph
N. Maxwell, rector of Holy Cross;
the Very Rev. Arthur j. OLeary,
president of Georgetown University;
the Rev. Francis E. Lucey, regent Of
Georgetown Law School, and Will
liam E. Leahy, class of 1907.
Other officers named were: Mat
thew MCGUIRE and Thomas A..
Courtney, first and second vice
presidents, respectively; Eugene
Butler, secretary; James j. Far
rell, treasurer, and the Rev. Joseph
Fenton, chaplain.
Evening star., 1940-04-26
". 0. Saunders, s.,
Former Editor and
Publicity Man, Dies
Coined Fame Crusodinq
For Pojomos as
Summer Dress

w. o. Saunders, 56, former editor
Of the Elizabeth City IN. c. Inde-
pendent and one-time Washington
publicity man, died yesterday aft
ernoon when his automobile plunged
into canal south Of Norfolk, ac-
cording to the Associated Press.
Mr.. Saunders, who once served as
associate editor of Golfers Weekly
and gained national fame in 1929
with his crusade for pajamas as
summer dress for men, was driving
north toward Norfolk from Elizabeth
City when his car left the road.
While in Washington he main
tanned publicity Office in the Ma
tional Press Building.
For some years he was a frequent
contributor to national magazines.
Evening star., 1940-04-26
RoHCo. Wins Damage
Suit Against Motorist
Stalled on Trccks
~ the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
OMAHA, Nebr., April 26.-
This time 1t was the railroad
that got the damages from
the motorist.
Last December 20 the car of
Martin D. Wilson, Schuyler
Nebr., a Burlington engineer,
stalled on the Union Pacific
tracks near Richland. A Union
Pacific mail train struck the
car just after Wilson jumped.
The train was wrecked and
two trainmen injured fatally.
A Federal District Court jury
awarded the railroad $4O,o25
damages from Wilson-the full
amount asked.
Evening star., 1940-04-26
London
CONTINUED From First Page.)

\NOlltllluCu 3 lO!Il Z 1St dSCJ
five, possibly six, air bases in Nor
way" and pointed out Britain might
be having difficulty getting bases in
the rugged Norwegian territory.
These sources pictured the war in
Norway as settling down to battle
for Trondheim, on the outcome of
which the whole future course of
the Scandinavian conflict may de-
pend.
"A treacherous INVASION" one
British source said, gave Germany
all the initial advantage in Norway,
with her airplane bases playing q
vital role in fighting over the noun
famous terrain.
I'VE knew we would have a diff
cult time and certain of our forces
probably are having difficulties, but
don't think for moment this is
going to have detrimental effec,
on the allied efforts in Norway"
I'VE had to send out to Norway
the troops Immediately at hand. We
had to use undeveloped ports ano
inprovise facilities. The first land
ing was carried out by men who hac
just what they could carry with
them"
There were authoritative indica-
tions that both sides are striving tt
consolidate strategic positions, with
the allies rushing reinforcements
with all speed and the Germans
driving northward from Oslo in ar
effort to unite forces with the de.
tenders of Trondheim.
The allies are harassing the Ger.
mans as much as possible with long.
range bombing attacks across ths
North Sea in an attempt to keeI
the Germans rocked back on theil
heels until fast fighting planes ane
anti aircraft defenses can be estab.
lished on Norwegian SOIL
An unofficial amplification of tn,
Air Ministry communique said &
British Bristol -Blenheim bombe
attacked two German flying boat
far out over the North Sea and that
after sharp dog fight. the Ger
mans fed.
Smoke was pouring from the en-
eine of one of the German plane
hit by British fire.
The War Office said the British
withdrawal to point miles nortl
Of Steinkjer, Is miles northeast o
Trondhein, on Wednesday involve,
nly . British advance guard tina
Evening star., 1940-04-26

entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia and
near the coast of Sweden.
Sweden was reported to be
Strengthening her defenses at
Sundsvall, which was described as
more likely German objective than
Lulea, since Lulea is still locked by
ice.
Evening star., 1940-04-26
Boyd Sisters on Proqrum

The Misses Elena, Mildred and
Edith Boyd, guitar strumming
daughters of DR.. Jorge de Boyd, the
Ambassador of Panama, will present
program of songs at a meeting of
the Segovia Society tonight at $50
o'clock at 1000 N street NV. Allison
Sanderford, pianist, will appear on
the same program.
Evening star., 1940-04-26

approach to our immediate prob
lem"
Mr.. Green told the committee that
although industrial production last
year equaled that Of the boom year
Of 1929, t,lis production was attained
With 5000, 900 fewer workers,
Evening star., 1940-04-26
Students to Present PIoy

FAIRFAX, Va, April 26 (SpeciaD
Wild Ginger" comedy drama,
will be presented by members Of the
junior class at Fairfax High School
tonight and tomorrow night.
Evening star., 1940-04-26
Postmaster Confirmed

The Senate yesterday confirmed
the nomination of John L. Downs to
be postmaster at Clear Springs, Md.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-03
Commissions Of Brokers

The administrator advised the joint
committee that commissions were
granted, ranged in Montana from
about two percent (28o) to a maxi
mum of five percent (5%). However,
the evidence discloses that on certain
fast moving brands, the E. ]. Johnson
Company of Lewistown have received
as high as seven and one-half percent
GkTo) in commissions. Our opinion
is that unless something is done to
curb this matter of commissions, there
is an opportunity of real racket in
allowing excessive commissions to be
charged and division made to silent
partners. A few of the leading dis
tillers, including the firm represented
by Benedict & Bardon, allow only sal
aries to their representatives. We be-
lieve that this is very commendable
course for all the distilleries to pur
sue.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-03
Bonus Liquor

Bonus liquor" is the term applied
to extra or additional cases shipped
from the distilleries in carload lots.
This liquor is shipped either as SAM
pies for the representatives of the dis
tillery who are supposed to pay the
state mark up on the same, or IN
other cases what might be termed "a
good will donation" to be used as seen
fit.
The investigation disclosed that SIT
cases of bonus wine, gin, whiskey and
cordials were received by the Liquor
Control Board at it's warehouse be-
tween April 1, 1887 and January l.,
1889. OF this number the administra-
tor reported that he delivered 1876
cases to "the consignees," and that
on January 26, 1889, he had 20 cases
Of such samples on hand, and that
the remainder, amounting to 295
cases, he disposed Of in any way
that he deemed expedient." He re-
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-03
Advertising

Unfortunately, your committee did
not have sufficient time to satisfac-
torily investigate the amounts paid to
the various newspapers for advertis-
ing brands of alcoholic beverages.
From the little evidence available, GER
tain distillers are alleged to have paid
as high as $1.00 per case for general
advertising, and in one instance it was
stated that approximately soc per case
of this amount was spent on Montana
newspapers. While we do not know
how this contract compares with 9TH
ers, it would be possible for the dis
tillers to pay handsomely for newspa-
per advertising, and no doubt in re-
turn would expect certain concessions
from the Press. The matter of plac-
ing advertising seems to be largely in
the hands of the state distributors.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-03
Stamps

There seems to be a general mis-
understanding in the matter of han
ding of the state seals or stamps
placed upon liquor purchased from the
Liquor Control Board. Since July,
1887, approximately 100000 of such
stamps have been purchased. 1t
seems to be customary throughout the
so-called control states for the dis
tillers to requisition the stamps and
place them on the bottles or cases
prior to shipment. In the case of i'm
ported liquor, there is no procedure
for the placing of stamps at the points
of origin, and for this reason stamps
have to be placed on the bottles either
at the wholesale house or at the va
rious stores. This situation is diff
cult one for the administrator to han
die, owing to the peculiar conditions
existing The administrator advised
the committee that he will recon-
mend the purchase of stamps with
serial numbers.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-03

principal?
A. did.
| Mr.. O'Neill further testified as for
lows:
O. You will observe from the letter
of this former principal of yours that
in 1888 they paid Mr.. Dow the SUN
of s19,926.7S. Did they ever pay any
where near that sum to your f1rn
as brokers?
A. No.
Q. What is the greatest amount
they paid to you in any one year!
A. s12,700.00.
The evidence before the COMMITTEES
discloses that in 1888, the Dow COM
pany received $19,9267S in commits
sions. An increase of over 81 900. -
of what it formerly received
c. L. Dow was subpoenaed before
the committee to bring his bank
statements. His evidence was far
from satisfactory but disclosed thax
approximately one-half of this COM
mission was drawn in the shape Of
cash from checks on Havre bank
He refused to divulge what had be-
come of this money other than to say
that it was In money in his posses
sion. He stated that it was not in =
bank or safety deposit box or in the
shape of cashiers checks or other
form of credit, but large checks wero
paid in currency and retained by hin
Dow was to appear for further en-
animation the following morning after
he testified, but failed to appear, and
the committee received letter inclos-
ing a wire from his wife in Mines
polls stating she was i'll.
The attitude of Dow was very de-
fiant. He repeatedly refused to dis
close the disposition of cash drawn
from the bank in large amounts. Tho
committee feels that he was telling
untruths, and the disposition of ap-
proximately s9,500.O0 in cash for the
year 1888 was not satisfactorily ae-
counted for.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-03
Racketeeriing

We are Of the opinion from evidence
submitted that under the present sys-
is becoming racket, and if not
stopped, will soon be out of control.
The front man for this set-up seems
to be Leslie or Jack Ayers. The com
mittee procured and obtained much
first-hand information relating to
Ayers from the records of various
provinces in Canada and from the
Identification bureau at Great Falls,
and these in effect show Jack Ayers
record in part as follows:
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-03
F avoritism in rices

The committee secured the prices
charged F. o. B. distillery of various
brands of whiskey in adjoining states
at specified time, and in nearly all
cases the price in Montana was from
a few cents to at least $1.06 a case
higher than in adjoining states.
In justice to the administrator,
there may be some justification as to
this variance in price due to effective
date of price change TO consumers,
but the committee has not had an
opportunity to fully investigate these
regulations. Also the committee had
evidence submitted that certain
grades, particularly bar specials, could
be purchased from three to four dol
lars per case cheaper than the pre-
vailing price, had these dealers been
permitted to sell their wares in Mon
tana. We were unable to have re-
lative comparison of grades and
quality.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-03
Contraband Liquor

The committee and investigator
made a special effort to ascertain the
true status of the much discussed
subject of "contraband liquor" Con
traband liquor might be divided into
two classes-first, moonshine or Ii
ouor without federal stamps, and Sec
ond. regularly distilled liquor SOLD
without the state receiving its tax
Tn this connection the gross mark
m" is fifty percent 5000 and seven
nercent (79o), the latter being the
figure agreed upon as an excise TAX
In the case of "bar specials, the
MAKEUP is approximately forty per-
cent (4O@o) and seven percent 7%).
.sRar Specials" is the term used for
liquor purchased in case lots. The
committee has checked almost every
reasonable clue as to the existence
of contraband liquor. All available
records of truck loading at the various
ports of entry in the state have been
reviewed. The railroads nave Iur-
nished lists of carload shipments or
alcoholic beverages into the state. In
the matter of railroad shipments, the
rumors were apparently based on one
carload that was moved into Yellow
stone Park over which the Montana
LIQUOR Control Board has no jurisdic-
ton. 1t was also partially founded on
a carload shipment or two that for
mer Board had divertly legally to
eastern Montana points in order to
effect a freight saving, and carload
that was partially unloaded in Beaver
head county prior to the tenure OF
office of the present Board. There
were also rumors of carload being
unloaded in Missoula, but your COM
mittee was unable to substantiate this
claim. and the same may be ground
less. In regard to the truck ship
ments. there was some bearsay evil
dence as to the isolated movements, |
but it is our opinion that in the past
few months these shipments would
not be of any great Importance. Like
wise, there was hearsay evidence of
suspected moonshine either from stills
or combinations from alcohol, but we
were unable to obtain in the limited
time sufficient evidence to warrant
1t is our opinion that
little contraband liquor is being
shipped into Montana. AS the eyi-
dence discloses, there are simpler
methods Of obtaining personal gain.
The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-07-03
$4,000 a year or more.

$4,000 year or more.
@. Was there anything unpleasant
with your relations with the compan,
which caused you to abandon con
tract that was producing about $40,
600 or $4,000 year?
A. No, nothing.
DR.. Aranow testified as follows rel
alive to the severance of his con
tract:
Q. Have you heard the rumor thai
man selling the board. or trying tc
sell the board might do better, or gel
along better IL he made financial ar
rangements with a man by the name
of Jack Ayers?
A. No l didn't hear, except that
saw some letters of Ayers when
was with an agent of the American
Distillery
Q. Where did you say it was?
A. New York.
@. Did he write letters to the Amer.
lean Distillery before you released
your contract with them?
A. Yes, he did.
@. And in those letters, did he in.
dictate that he had influential connec-
lions which might be to the advantage
of the company If they employed him
A. Yes, he did.
Q. And in those letters, did he men,
ton a connection with the present
governor of the state?
A. He made promises that he is an
influential man.
Q. Well / mean, did he mention the
governors name, his connection and
association with him, and influence
with him?
A. Yes, he did.
Q. Don't you think, Doctor, that
perhaps as result of those letters
the American Distillery took the posi-
ton that perhaps it would be better
If they were represented by Jack
Ayers than by you?
A. Well, / thought possibly that 1t
was.
The committee made an earnest
effort to procure the files respecting
this matter from the American Dis
tillery company but were unsuccessful
in obtaining the same.
In this particular, attention is called
to the fact that since the Capitol
Brokers, Inc, secured the American
Distilling company contract, that the
purchases have increased until it now
leads all other lists in volume.