davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
There's a Reason
For That FeeIinq:
Spring is Here
Valley Greets Season
With Clear Skies While
Northern Area Freezes

Why were the skies bright
er Wednesday?
Why did more children
stay out of Ell Cen tro
schools?
Why did office workers stare out
the windows neglecting their tasks ?
Why did reports suddenly appear
that youngsters have been seen
swimming in irrigation canals in
Wanton disregard for the rules?
Why do you feel like a STRIPPING
youth, despite the years?
Why? It's because Spring is here
Wednesday was the first day. This
is the time for new talk, for Spring
running and good hunting.
A dome of sky as blue as Alice S
gown. scarcely flecked by clouC
Wisps, hung over Imperial Valley
while the temperature driftcd in
the 80'S, There was no sign of the
brief rain squalls that Tuesday pass
ed over sections of the valley.
Citrus trees blossomed, spreading
their fragrance as their own recog :
milton of the seasons turn.
Meanwhile, in the nations north
ern tier of states Spring was greet
ed by snow.
A white blanket extended from
Montana to New York state. rang
ing from an inch of snow at the
western extremity to 10 inches IN
parts of Wisconsin and Michigan.
South of the north central states
and below the Ohio River Valley.
skies were clear generally and tenn
peratures were normal. Both sea-
boards received spring in sunshine
The U. S, weather bureau at CHI
cago reported that Canadian born
snoW-laden clouds were over the
Great Lakes region. Continued
Continued on Page 2, Col. D
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20

how.
DIR. RaynOr Clemens, called as
defense witness, gave more
damaging testimony and McNeece
retired S. poorer and the Legion
SIS richer.
Second prisoner called before
the court was Dudley Laughlin.
accused of being an ''iccman".
He got away with probation, but
most of the others had to pay,
including Osborne, who was called
back and fined for perjury.
Charles Bratton and Neal Gavin,
contestants in the cOmin9 city
elections, we're fined for attempt
ing to steal public office" and
Mark MCGEE for general misrep-
resentation. Commander Charles
Small was fined for arranging the
whole thing.
Jake TisOn was hailed before
the court for being too thin and
Bill Wright for being too fat.
George Witcher was nicked for
"grave-rObbing."
Most cCntentcd person when
court adjourned was Judge Hick-
cox. He collected S22.
The court session closed an
evening that began with dinner
for workers of the Community
Chest during which Judge Vaughn
Thompson, as head of the chest
drive, was presented with Boy
Scout statuette in recognition of
his work in the drive as we'll as
on the bench.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
District Directors
Ask Most Complete
Audit in History
Go AS Far as Needed to
Make Thorough Check,
HeWes Tells Auditors

An audit of the Imperial
Irrigation books that will go
deeper than ever before was
ordered by directors Tues
day afternoon when instruc-
ting auditors regarding the annual
inquiry.
Chairman Evan T. Hewes de-
clared in the presence of M. H.
Bloodgood of Hutchinson g. Blood
good, Glendale. that he expected
them to go to whatever extent nee
essary for a thorough accounting,
even to the extent of duplication
if necessary, in investigating indi-
vidual departments as we'll as the
central office
Remarking that 1.-The light of the
sun has a tendency to kill germs"
Director Mark Rose asked that the
grand jury's recommendations be
followed as closely as possible and
suggested that the district attorney
be urged to make recommendations
I1CWcS dlSO dShcu d ucllIllCc CIlcCk
be made upon all materials and
supplies.
The board discussed the advant-
ages of continuous audit and
action was delayed pending COM
pletion of the annual investigation.
Hutchinson and Bloodgood won
the contract recently for the third
year. Their bid was $3.50 a day
for a certified public accountant.
SIS for first assistant and $40
day for junior assistants.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
CITY ELECTION ISSUES BROUGHT OUT
Not Guilty.. Just Crazy is Defense
AT Legion's Annual Kangaroo Court

Hes not guilty. He's crazy"
1t was a tense moment during
the annual kangaroo court ses-
siOns Tuesday night at the Vet
Grams hall in Ell Centre, during
which Defense Attorney Ralph
French directed an uninspired
plea to the jury in behalf of
John b. McNeece, charged with
highway robbery OF the first
class.
While the dazed defendant sat
and looked glum, French fought
verbal duel with Judge Ross
HickcOX and Prosecuting Attorney
Elmer Head which was climaXed
by examination of the defendants
head.
my client is not guilty." French
announced as he thumpcd Nc
Ncecc's skull in the manner of
water melon buyer, because
of the barren condition of his
Uranium. He's nuts"
Even the testimony of Sterling
Oswald and Hugh Osborne
couldn't save McNeece from pay
ing fine, despite French's mo-
nOtonOus plea. A slight cOntrO-
versy was encountered when Os-
borne took the stand and con-
fessed to COmmunistic leanings.
Hes Red and won't take
the OATH" Head protested, but
Osborne was allowed to talk any
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20


|. A new and improved police
department administration.
2. Application to city affairs of
the same strict efficiency and bust
nesslike methods that are followed
in successful private enterprise.
3. installation in city depart
ments of every businesslike method
to protect public money.
4. Reduction of taxes where it
can be accomplished without I'M
pairing public service, city efficiency
or public security.
The two candidates reiterated
pledges that if elected they will give
Ell Centre a business administration
and continued:
6. our Interpretation of the
issues is Identical and we find
that our attitudes on these issues
are SynOnomouS.'
The announcement appeared un-
der Nle heading Here's How We
Stand!"
Pressed for further comment, par
ticularly upon proposed police de-
partment reforms, Robertson de-
clared:
Il think the statement speaks for
itself.
1T is impossible for me TO say
just exactly what changes I might
recommend in the police depart
ment until 1 have had opportunity
/ to investigate as thoroughly as pos
sible. 1 have heard many rumors
and complaints. Whether these are
true remains to be seen. 1 would
not wish to go off 'half-cocked'
without knowing what I'm talking
about
There is no doubt but that I
favor change in administration OF
the police department. My state
ment makes that clear"
McNcece cautioned that his ad-
vocacy of an improved police de-
partment administration did not
mean a sweeping turnover.
The statement should not be
mlSconStrued to mean that l favor
sweeping every officer out of the
police department. I never have
been an advocate of these clean
sweep reforms" he declared.
Efficient, conscientious officers,
doing their duty properly and cap
ably. are needed. I am not con-
WINGED, however that the execu-
tive administration of the depart
ment is all it should be and if
investigation reveals this suspicion
we'll founded 1 shall certainly Ia
vor making whatever changes or
improvements necessary, no matter
whom they effect"
Wednesdays announcement from
Robertson and McNeece was the
first enumeration of issues in the
coming election. Other candidates
for the city council are Joe Bush,
Charles Bratton, Rooert Hatton
and Wesley He'll.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20


have reported that it was almost
certain that little of the operational
part of the base at Hornum. on
Sylt Island. was left standing.
The German hangers still were
blazing when the reconnaissance
and photography pilots swooped
over HOrnum at 9 am. and the bar
racks were a smoking ruins, it was
Said. The slipways were severely
damaged. the British pilots report
ed. The Hornum base was the start
ing point for many Nazi aerial raids
on British shipping.
Reports on the surveys by the
pilots were received while the House
OF Commons was discussing the raid
and the threat of future regular"
raids and counter-r raids which First
Lord of the Admiralty Winston
Churchill said must be expected.
Air Minister Sir Kingsley Wood
told Commons that the recOnnaiS-
SanCc pilots had confirmed the sue
cess of the all night British bomb
ing attacks. in which probably 80
airplanes led by a spearhead of
Wellington bombers participated
Each bombing plane was ir the
air II hours and they roared over
their detectives with time table pre-
cision, aviation circles reported. The
attacking waves were scheduled so
that some of the planes were back
at their bases as others reached
Continued on Page .. Col a.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
Court 0kays Anti
Birth Control Law

HARTFORD. Conn, March 20.
oUP)-The state supreme court to-
day upheld the Connecticut anti
birth control law, which prohibits
use of contraceptives without ex-
ceptions
The justices ruled that super
Tor court Judge Kenneth Wynne
had been in error when he sustained
dcmurrers in behalf of Drs. William
A. Goodrich and Roger B. Nelson
and Nurse Clara L. McTernan who
commended that physician should
have the right to prescribe contra
ceptive measures when the health
of the patient was at stake.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
|QuintupIets Due
In Florida, x.Ray
Pictures Reveal

MIAMI. Fla. March 30 tUPD-
X-ray pictures indicated that gum
tuplets will be born in May OF
sooner to the wife of an apprentice
furniture worker hero, the Miami
Daily News said today in copy
righted story.
The prospective parents are Emory
Callahan. 30, an apprentice plane
worker in a furniture factory. and
his wife. Earline, 90 who were mar
RED last June II, the article said
The News reported that X-rays
~ possession of Johns Hopkins med
zeal men showed quintlplctS might
be expected.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
Threats, Suicide,
Escape From Jail,
Mark Woman's Ddv
Not Poisoned, Just
Drunk, Police Discover;
They Can't Keep Her

Lone star in three spectac-
ular acts in Wcstm0rland
Tuesday, Mrs. Ruth Dunlap
80, rested behind the bars of
the county jail in Ell Centre
Wednesday.
Her acts included a fake suicide
a threat to kill Jail matron. and
escape from the city jail
She first came to official notice
when she convinced residents she
had swallowed carbolic acid. Chief
OF Police Ed Dickerson and Con-
stable Pan Cochran put her in a
police car and started to take her
to a hospital in Brawley Half way
there they discovered she had been
drinking intoxicating liquor instead
OF poison. they. said, and took her
back to WcStmorland.
Next she waved a shoe at City
Clerk Elizabeth Cummings. who
was acting as Jail matron, and
Threatened to kill her if she locked
her up. Miss Cummings Gained her
down to such an extent that Mrs
Dunlap handed over both her shoes
as evidence of good faith.
Her third and last act was tC
pick two locks on the new Jail in
Wcstmorland and disappear Braw-
ley police arrested her in their city
after radio broadcast had initial
ed a countrywide search for the
escaped prisoner.
Accounts of past crimes and
stories of her husband, allegedly
the Santa Claus bandit of Texas
caused Sheriff Robert w. Ware to
start an Investigation of her past
record.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
Postal Robbery
Declared Untrue

Its news to me- Postmaster
Frank Richmond of Ell Centre de-
clared Wednesday when asked con-
cernlng a rumor that the postoffice
was held up and $1OO taken We'd
neSday forenoon
Il don't know thing about it
and l assure you it isn't true" he
added. The rumor was reported to
have been included in a radio re-
port
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20

signed 20 fly in the sub-stratospherc
at 10000 feet at more than four
miles per minute. Allen said he
would make the delivery flight at
normal altitude and speed.
The strato-clipper can carry 33
passengers and a crew of five or
six. Two more of the planes are
being built for Pan American. ana
five for Transcontinental and Wes-
tern Always.
The ship has wing spread of l07
feet, 3 inches; length of IA feet,
q inches; an overall height of 20
feet, al2 inches. and a gross weight
If $4,000 pounds
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20

When the budget cuts were made
last Feb. "a. Chambers announced
that the Legislature had failed 70
provide sufficient money TO continus
paying clients the full amount spe-
Gifted in the new relief bill.
Today, however. Chambers fell In
line apparently with the VIEWS Of
the legislators in announcing thai
economies and enforcemsnt o. new
relief bill regulations pestainine u
residence requirements. doduGtt0u
OF other income. and ottluoas0aso
made II possible 10 restore ful)
pay.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20

''iU 0fle ueCIedSe III CNe Case
load and economies effected in ad-
mlnlstratlve costs, through separ-
atlon OF personnel, made it possible
TO restore full pay, in spite of the
recent 40 per cent reduction in the
relief budget.
Previous to Chambers announce
ment, members of the state assem-
oly committee investigating the
state Relief Administration had
taken the stand that the drastic
cuts ordered by Chambers were un-
necessary and could have been
avoided by economies in he admin
istration program.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20

embezzlement case involving city of
Ell Centre water department funds.
Grand jurors themselves refused
to reveal when the indictments and
report would be forthcoming. Some
said they did not know.
Court house observers, however,
predicted an early return of the
expected indictments since the grand
jury has been engaged in an inten-
Sive investigation of the case since
the more than $4,000 shortage was
discovered in Ell Centre city water
accounts last January.
Auditors were understood to have
filed their report of the audit made
of the city water accounts kept
when Mrs. Richards was city water
clerk
Public interest in the cmbezzlc-
.ment case continued at high pitch
as residents of Ell Centre watched
the activities of the grand jury
Wednesday.
While the RichardS-Little case
was the most important before the
grand jury at this time, other mat
tiers were considered during the
morning session. They questioned
Judge H. B. Griffin of Brawley and
Highway Patrolman Walter Walsh,
apparently concerning the objec-
ton Ed Hale of Brawley made to a
recent arrest and conviction in a
traffic case in the north-end city.
In addition they called Judge T. E.
White of Winterhaven justice court
into the grand jury room for brief
questioning. White supposedly was
questioned about routine matters
in the Winterhaven township.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20

PARIS. March 20. (UP)-The
government Of Premier Edouard
DaIadier (above resigned today
and Paul Reynaud. a bitter foe
Of Nazism, was asked by Presi-
dent Albert Lebrun TO form a
new government in response to
demands for a more aggressive
war policy. Reynaud agreed to
consult with political leaders and
TO advice Lebrun by tomorrow
morning whether he would ac-
cept the invitation. additional
story on Page Three.)
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
FILM PLAYER GRANTED
EXTRAOlTlON HEARING

SACRAMENTO, March 20 tUPD-
Irving Cohen, 37-year old Holly
wood o. player suspected of being
involved IN a Brooklyn, N. Y. muir
der syndicate, will be granted
hearing ON the request for his ex-
tradition, M. Stanley Mosk. secre-
tary to Gov Culber Olson, said
today
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20

TI1t WUTIU IITSI dIJlJUUe-COndl-
toned" air liner.
The plane, built by the Boeing
Aircraft Co. of Seattle. roared away
from Boeing field at 9:37 a. m. psf
after being delayed three hours by
local fogs.
Pilot Edmund T. Allen, Boeing' s
director of flight engineering and
research, said he might stop In Oak
land, Cal, but would put the big
ship down for the night at the
Grand Central air terminal in Los
Angeles. The plane will fly to
Brownsville tomorrow with stop
at Ell PaSo, Tex.
Although tie strato-clipper is de-
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
London Struggles
To Wresf Offensive
From Nazi Chiefs
Diplomatic, Military
Lead in Balance With
British Forcing Action
BY JOE ALEX MORRIS
United Press Foreign News Editor


Great Britain sought to
wrest the diplomatic and
military offensive from Ger
many Wednesday by the most Sc
we're aerial bombardment of the
war and by sharp warnings to neu-
tralS-including the United States
that the Allies are in lifc-and-
death struggle.
Along with political crisis in
France due to resignation of the
Daladier government, developments
included:
Announcement in the House
OF Commons by First Lord of the
Admiralty Winston Churchill that
the raid by perhaps so British bomb
erS on the German air base at Sylt
Continued on Page .; Col. 81
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
SRA bdcktrucks
On Relief Cuts

LOS ANGELES, March 20. (UP)-Cafornias thou
sands OF relief clients will be restored pay within
1he next few weeks, with the first restored full-time
checks to be mailed Saturday. Walter S. Chamber state
relief administrator, announced today
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
SUI er-PIane on
Delivery Flight

SEATTLE March 20 (UF)-Pan American Anyways
new 22-ton fourmotored stratoclipper "Fying Coud'
took off today for Brownsville Tex via Los Angeles on
its delivery flight. -
Six aboard the al-metal ow-wng monopane
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
Richards Little Report
From Grand Jury Thought
Ready: Officials Silent
I Auditors Work Done. Interest atPeak
As |nquisitors Refuse to Revea|Date
For Indictments; Minor Probe Made

While Imperial county grand jurors Wednesday
ing dabbed in routine investigation Of justice court pro-
cede throughout the county, court house observers
NAMED in momentaly expectation that the jurors would
return long-eXpected indictments in the Richards Little
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
British Raiders
Leave N al Base
In BIdzin9 Ruins

LONDON, March 20. (UP) - British reconnaissance
pilots reported today to have informed the air minis
try that the Royal Air Force bombing attack Sylt
Island resulted in tremendous damage to of Germanys
most important North Sea air bases.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
Just Friendly

Just Friendly
A fairly recent newcomer to the
valley was at that misty stage in
between knowing only few per-
sons and having fairly wide range
OF acquaintance. After he was in
troduced to Russell Haas he recalled
that the name was familiar and.
wishing to cement the acquaintance
remarked:
Why, you must be Dick Haas
father!"
The acquaintance was we'll &C.
mented! Anyhow, Russ won't forget
him.
The same mistake was made so
frequently concerning the relation
ship of Paul and Logan Jenkins that
Paul rucfully remarked the other
day:
so many people must be right.
All these years l thought he was my
brother. Come along home, sonny
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
Candidates Favor
Executive Change
In Police Dept.
Robertson McNeece Fire First Shots in
Municipal Campaign for Council with
Joint Statement Of Aims If Ele cted

Clearcut issues in the april municipal elections in
Ell Centre brought into the open Wednesday in joint
statement of intentions from John B. McNeece and JnO
K. Robertson, candidates for city council.
In political announcement both went record as
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
u EP0RTER
Ducky Trio

Ducky Trio
The youngster and the pet duck
mat aroused RR's attention the
Other day were Barbara Worten-
dyke and Lum and Abner. There
were two ducks instead of one.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
What's the Game?-

In BraWley Tuesday evening we
watched with amusement-and some
envy-at the bowling alley while
baShful Lee Lamberson gave a few
bowling hints to a very fetching
young lady.
Significant part was that Lee
made only one demonstration and
spent the rest of five minutes in
discussion!
Also watched Mrs. Bob Culver
display her skill on the alleys and
take it from us, the men don't have
to spot her thing. South paw or
not, she does right smart.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20

Butter: Los Angeles SOC: but
terfat, ImpefraI Valley I. o. b. ranch.
grade A, 39c: manufacturing milk
33c, route gathered cream 29c.
L. A. hay: U. s. NO. l $14.50-S15;
U. S. No. 2 leafy S13-sl4; u. s. No.
2 S11.OO; Mpls. May flax Sl.99.
Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1940-03-20
Backwards. maybe

Backwards. maybe
The reporter came away shaking
his head when Marguerite SWerd-
fogcr announced:
The meeting has been postponed
from Mar 80 to Mar. %"
Jake tho Punchcr-
Pursuing a habit of years standing
that originated we know not why
nor when. RR hung his head and
examined the assembled pedal ex-
AremetieS of score or so OF Cltl-
ZenS at the American Legion kan
CARGO court Tuesday night. We were
about to pass on to more pleasing
prospects when pair of cowboy
boots caught our eye.
How did a coWman get into this
august assembly," We wondered and
looked at the boots owner. 1t was
Jake TiSon.
A pretty fancy pair of dogs, we'd
say.
On Second Thought
Never leave a job unfinished, even
on peaceful settlement, Denver
West must have decided to himself.
During a battery trial at West
morland the prosecutor asked West
why he returned to do battle with
Jack Kennedy after the scrap had
once ended on pacific note.
L..
West explained, land I was dis
satisfied"
Dissatisfied with What?"
Dissatisfied with the way the
fight came out West concluded.
The Wilmington morning star., 1940-11-11

suggested, gloomily. THE devil
can't take much more away from
us!"
Don't shout too loud!" Gun ad-
vised him. He's hardly realized
the full value of such trifles as salt
and sugar until now"
The next morning when they
rose, they found that the water
was no longer possible.
Tommy was aghast.
Hell, but this is getting a bit
TOO thickl' he exclaimed, angri-
ly.
II agreed" Gun replied. "But-
what are you going to do about it
unless you choose to give in?"
"You know damn well I won't
do that! Or, at least, l hope you
DO! But. by God, I'll knock that
swine's block off, when he turns up
this morning"
II wouldn't, if I were you," Gun
advised. He's got the whip hand,
you know"
MAYBE he has!" growled Tom
my. But I'll show him I've got a
hard fist, even if it amt a mailed
one. You watch! Besides, if I don't
do it now, l shall soon be too
damned weak to, at this rate!" 3
Ito Be Continued)