davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1940-02-25

their Minister of War and Navy as
well as to see the new Embassy
numbered nearly a hundred. DR..
Alberto Nunez Tovar and Sonora de
Nunez Tovar, the latter daughter
of the President of Venezuela, Senor
Lopez Contreras, were among these.
The Consul General in New York.
Senor Tomas Pacanins and Sonora
de Pacanins, and others from New
York who came were the Vice Con-
sui, Senior Nicholas Veloz and Sem
ora de Veloz; Mr.. and Mrs. Hector
PARA Marquee and Mrs. Virginia de
PARA and her daughter. From other
cities were the Consul General in
New Orleans, Senor Jose R. Velasco
and Sonora de Velasco: the Consul
in Philadelphia, Senor Julio Consalvi
and Sonora de Consalvi; DR.. Luis T.
Nunez, one of the most outstanding
newspapermen of Venezuela who
has been in this country fortnight,
and Sonora de Nunez: Mr.. and Mrs
M. v Rodriguez Llamozas, Mr.. and
Mrs. Trino Ramirez, DR.. and Mrs.
Lorenzo Mendoza Fleury, DR.. and
Mrs. German Vegas, Mr.. and Mrs
Armando Capriles, Mrs. Catalina
McManus and Miss Marquita Nc
Manus, Mr.. and Mrs. Mauro de
Tovar, Miss Elisa Elvira Zuloaga,
Mr.. and Mrs. Carlos Adrianza, DR..
and Mrs. Jesus Antonio Paez, Mrs.
Luisa de Mata, Miss Cora Marquee,
Dr. and Mrs. Alfredo Travieso, Mrs.
Della Troconis. Mrs. Della Lares> de
Heuer, Mrs. Margot Boulton de
Radittis. Mr. and Mrs. Luis Alberto
Oiavarria, DR.. and Mrs. Jose Loreto
Arismendi, Mr.. w. Heuer Lares, DR..
and Mrs. Julian A. Arroyo and
their daughter; Mr.. and Mrs. j. H.
Scholtz, Mr.. and Mrs. George Daven-
dorf and Mrs. Corina McBee.
Residential Washington
Set Is Present.
Resident Washington was very
well represented in the large num-
Der of guests and among them were
DR.. and Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Vedder Flem-
ing, Mr.. and Mrs Benjamin Hill. Mr.
and Mrs. Emil Hurja, DR.. and Mrs
Frederick L. Benton, Mr.. and Mrs.
William Byrd West and Miss Billie
Byrd West, Mrs Emerson Howe, Mrs
Jacob Leander Loose, Mrs. Henry
Wilder Keyes, Mrs. John Allan
Dougherty. Mr.. and Mrs. Julian A.
Boiling. Mr.. and Mrs. Victor Alfaro,
Mr.. and Mrs. Joshua Evans. jr.; DR..
and Mrs. Tomas Cajigas. Mr.. and
Mrs. Edgar Morris. Mrs. Harry
Wardman, Miss Joan McKenna, Miss
Molly Stonestreet and Miss Edith
Pearson.
From little cabinet were the As
sistant Secretaries of State, Mr..
Breckenridge Long and Mr.. Henry
P. Grady with Mrs. Long and Mrs.
Grady; the Assistant Secretary of
War and Mrs. Louis johnson, and
the Assistant Secretary of Com
merce, Mr.. John Monroe johnson.
The apostolic delegate, the Most
Rev. Amleto Cicognani. who also is
IN new quarters on Massachusetts,
avenue not far from the Venezuelan
Embassy, greeted the hosts and the
guest of honor. Others of the clergy
who were in the gathering were the
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Earthquake Strikes Wide
Area on Eastern Sedbodrd

south to central New Jersey, and
from Buffalo, N. Y, 400 miles east
to Boston.
Telephone service was disrupted
in central and western Massachu-
setts. At Springfield, plaster fell
from the walls and ceiling of a no.
tel AT nearby towns persons fled
outdoors in their pajamas in freeZ-
Ing weather. Housewives reported
dishes had fallen from shelves and
pictures from walls.
In Boston, many persons believ-
cd there had been a disastrous ex-
ploSlon and telephoned police of
tering their services in emergency
work A Watchman in south Boston
said telephones were knocked from
his desk. Radio Dispatcher Michael
F.. Powers said the Boston police
headquarters building waved like
flag in the breeze"
AT Brookline, Mass, the shock
startled dogs, whose barking arous-
ed the town.
L. Don Leet, SeismologiSt at the
Harvard observatory, placed the
center of the quake Sc miles north
OF The Harvard, Mass, station,
near Lake Cssipee, N. II. DeputJ
Continued on Page 8, Col. 81
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Ono week aWaY!

OllC week away!
Saturday week will be the magic
day when prizes will be awarded ir
the Ell Centre Christmas lighting
contest.
BUT, the judging will be ogine
on all during next week and SO be
sure you have your display up and
burning.
More and more displays went UP
In Ell Centro this week and spon-
sors hoped that by the time the
contest has reached a climax there
VIII be scarcely a home without
Some type of Christmas decoration
Latest residents TO report their
lights up were:
E. l.. Kenney of 642 Len Rey. AL
bert Shinton of 749 Brighton ave-
nue., Mrs. M. T. Davis of 755 Brigh-
ton avenue, Leroy Morris of l48s
Brighton avenue, Jean Delp of 562
Sandalwood drive, George Kassens
Of 1887 Olive avenue, Fuzzy Da-
Wis at Ninth and Main street, Mar
Jorie BowleS of 888 Olive avenue,
and Georgia Coin of 1923 Hamil-
ton avenue.
Meanwhile. the Ell Ccntro cham
Der of commerce failed TO report a
winner Friday from three telephone
calls made to Lee A. Pyle of 142
North Eighth street, j. R. Long
acre of 341 North Seventh street
and Bryan Hurst of 438 Hamilton
None of the three had their Christ
mas lights up and so the nightly
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Roosevelt Calls
Speedup Par|ey
For Defense Work
More Help for Britain,
Reorganization of
Commission studied

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.
(UP) President Roosevelt
today called the defense COM
mission to meet with him to
consider four or five differ
ent plans for reorganizing defense
administration to speed the output
of war materials for the United
States and Great Britain
Mr. Roosevelt said no decision
has been reached on any specific
plan for reorganization.
He emphasized that four or five
different proposals, and several
combinations in each proposal,
were Under consideration.
The most widely discussed of
these proposals would center ad-
ministrative responsibility for pro-
duction speed-up in the hands of
Secretary of War Henry L. Stim-
son, Secretary of the Navy Frank
Knox, and Defense Production
Commissioner William S. Knudsen.
The presidents press conference
was held shortly after congress-
ional leadirs had promised to
make his loan-lease plan of aid
ing Britain the first order of bus
mess at the next session of congress.
Meantime, the British completed
their current war purchasing pro-
gram with S100000.OOO order for
90 new cargo vessels.
On another phase of the de-
fense problem, Mr. Roosevelt said
only three cf the eight bases ac-
quired from the British in exchange
for so old destroyers were being
delayed because OF inability to de-
eide on a site.
Signing of other contracts in
Britains S3,OO0,0O0,00O arms pur-
chase program, including 10000
combat planes, must await action
Continued On Page 8; Column A.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Grand Jury Urges
Closer Watch on
All Public Funds
Municipalities Warned
Against Penny Wise
Policy on ADULTS
More grand jury news on Page 2

more grand jury news on rage ~
Pointedly urging that pub
lie officials constitute them
selves genuine watchdogs Of
public funds and warning
municipalities not to be penny wise
and pound foolish in the matter of
annual audits, the 1910 grand jury
report was on file Friday.
Trend of the report toward the
handling of public funds apparent
ly was the result of the jury's two
big criminal Investigations of the
year, the Lillian Richards-J 1hn Lit
tie theft of $28,5O0 Of Ell Centre city
water funds and the w. E. Walters
embezzlement of S4108 from Ell Gen.
tro Production Credit association.
Grand jurors complimented coun-
ty officials on their handling Of
county business, asked the super
visors to arrange a better system OF
control over delinquent state and
county taxes as they did not con-
slider the present one efficient, urged
that officials Of all public and semi
public organizations watch funds
and recommend an investigation of
the mileage allowances given Off
cials and employees.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20

AUoiC tlldll OO NdllCy ltti PIC
sented their case regarding the ex-
tension of farm credit in the county
to the laid bank committee at ar
open meeting at the county court
house Thursday night.
The open meeting climaxed q
probe of valley farming conditions
during which the Federal Land Bank
group, headed by R. l.. Adams
chairman, met Wednesday with q
selected committee of valley farm
ers and with Imperial Irrigation
District directors.
First indication OF favorable re-
action to the progress of the val
ley during the past decade and to
the possibility of extending credit
to the valley by the land bank COM
mittee was noted at the open meet
ing Thursday night.
Adams gave additional hopes to
valley farmers Friday when he de-
clared the board was more impress
ed by the progress of agriculture
in the valley than ever before.
The land bank board chairman
however, would make no predictions
as to the final answer, but admit
ted the board would follow up the
visit here by additional studies of
valley farming conditions through
research by special committees.
Valley farmers attempted to show
the land bank committee that the
county had progressed in its 40
years of development to the extent
that credit may be extended in the
area with adequate assurance the
loans will be repaid.
M. J, Dowd. general superinten-
dent and chief engineer of the I'M
perial Irrigation District. outlined
the history of development of the
district in answer to questions by
members of the land bank board.
Dowd traced the districts early
program of development, it's solu-
ton of problems concerning flood
danger, drought and debt, and point
ed to a comprehensive program de-
signed to solve the present drainage
problems.
l.. E. Sinclair, Calipatria and Os-
car Peterson. Brawley rancher, de-
clared valley agriculture had reach
ed permanent stage and cited sue
Continued on Page 8, Col. -
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Hitler
Move
British Warships
Invade Fascis+s'
Private Lake
BY UNITED PRESS

Great Britain and Greece
rained blow after blow on
Italy's battered war machine
Friday and pressed a relent-
less aerial attack on Germany de-
signed to offset a possible early big
scale counter-bloW by Adolf Hitler
British warships set the pace for
thc offensive against Italy by q
spectacular dash-led by battleships
into the Adriatic sea (Which FaS-
cists call Itaiy's lake, and lombard
ment of the Albanian port of Valona,
which is a vital base for the hard
pressed Fascist armies in Albania.
Royal air force planes followed up
the attack. it was stated officially
at Cairo, and heavily bombed the
ports of Vanola and Krionero, set
ting fire to military establishments,
The London admiralty said that
the British submarine Truant hao
torpedoed and sunk two and pos
sibly three italian supply and mer-
chant ships off the Italian coast.
The ships included conveyed sup
ply vessel and a large tanker.
The British air and naval often
sive extended over a wide Mediter-
ranean area and to the industrial
heart of Germany, where the big
ornaments center of Essen as well
as Cologne, Bonn, Duisburg and
Dusseldorf were reported effective
ly bombed
In Libya, Royal air force bombers
co-operated with the British lane
siege of the Mediterranean coastal
base of Bardia while British mech
anized forces that circlcd the city
were reported pushing on in the
direction Of the main Italian base
at Tobruk. The Raj attacks were
heaviest against Derna, where great
damage was reported as a result OF
direct hits on barracks, police head
quarters. motor transport parks ano
garages.
Italian forces still held out at
Continued on Page 5, Col. a.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Two Rabid Doqs
Reported Here

Two rabid dogs in Ell Centro and
a Mesquite lake dog believed to
be dying of rabies complicated the
pet situation Friday.
A Cocker spaniel belonging to
Frank Riddle OF 615 Olive and a
Dalmation, belonging to Fred Bright,
who has a packing shed at New
and Orange streets, died of rabies,
Deputy Health Officer Lawrence
Niles said A police dog of L. C..
Avis of Mesquite lake was dying
of the disease,
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20

One version said the extortioniSt
fled with a dummy package of
money" after disarming an officer
in a Santa Rosa cabl<ye patch
designated spot for delivery of the
cash. FBI operatives, whose activity
in Santa Rosa caused high excite
ment, refused comment.
Count and Countess de Tristan
are parents of three-year-old Marc
jr., who was kidnapped last Septem-
ber and rescued in the Sierra New
ada mountains. The child's kidnap-
er, Wilhelm Jakob Muhlenbroich,
was sentenced to San Quentin for
life. He escaped execution only be-
cause his small victim was un-
harmed. The de Tristans live in
Hillsborough, fashionable San Fran
cisco suburb.
Officers, who said they were talk
ing individually and unofficially,
said there was no connection be-
tween the extortion attempt and
the Muhlenbr0ich kidnapping.
The de Tristan home was report
edly under heavy guard.
Identity of the extortionist was
unknown. Search for him assumed
coastwide proportions when an all
points BROADCAST went over police
shortwave radio asking for his cap
ture. He was described as 20 to &c
years old, five feet seven inches
tall, weighing las pounds, and
wearing brown jacket, black jeans
long pointed shoes and a black hat
Count and Countess de Tristan
according to background pieced to-
gether from information disclosed
by Santa Rosa police officers who
aided in setting the trap, received
the first of a series of extortion
notes early last November. The note
demanded $4,000 and warned that
unless the demand were met, "some
member" of the family would be
killed. The note was postmarked
from Santa Rosa. 1t was Immediate
T. given to the FBI.
Two other notes were received by
the de Tristans-the last one lC
days ago In it the writer instructed
the family to send an emissary with
the $4,000 in a cigar box.
There are conflicting versions OF
what followed. One says that as
the G-man drove to a cabbage patch
on farm near here a Slight young
man stepped out. He was a monde
script chap" wearing black jeans
brown jacket, and a hat pulled
low over his face. The man reached
out his hands and the Oman hand
ed over the box, stuffed with paper
The next moment, however. the
man pulled pistol and stuck it into
the G-man's ribs.
Hand over your gum" the man
demanded.
Helpless. the FBI agent surren-
dered his gun.
The man fled into adjoining brush
and disappeared.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
lockwood School
Teacher Succunbs
ToSudden Attack

CALEXICO, Dec. 20-Mrs. Julia
H. Grant, teacher at lockwood
school here, was found dead today
beside her car parked in the drive
way at her home near the east
city limits.
Officers said she apparently had
been lying there all night. When
she failed to appear to teach the
sixth grade Friday morning, Prin-
cipal Allen Mains went to her home
in search of her. He found her
lifeless body beside her car. 1t was
believed she died from a heart
attack.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Supervised Play
Continue Here

Supervised play at all school
grounds in El Centro will be con-
Quoted throughout the holiday
season, Playground Director Will
liam Raaka announced Friday.
Fairgrounds at Wilson. McKin-
ley, Harding, and Washington
schools will be open every day ex-
cept Christmas day from 8 a. m.
until noon with the regular staff Of
playground supervisors in charge.
Crafts will be emphasized and
Harding and Mckinley pupils will
play a variety of games at the
Harding school Saturday morning.
All athletic equipment will be
available.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
PeddIing Burglars
Sought in Valley

The orange peddling burglars,
trio convicted in Imperial county
in 1896 of burglarizing houses un-
der cover of their orange peddling
activities, were hunted in Imperial
Valley Friday for questioning in
connection with robberies in Pomona
and Redlands.
Buster Ward. Joe Martin, and
Ben Gabard were believed to be
headed toward Oklahoma and Texas
via Imperial Valley with loot taken
in a service station robbery in
Redlands and a stick-up in Po-
mona,
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Committee Hears
Sabotage Story

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20. (UP)-
Two witnesses from Los Angeles
appeared today before a Dies sub
committee and gave what Chairman
Jerry Voorhis described as possibly
important testimony regarding sab
otage and espionage in southern
California.
The witnesses were Del Kear and
Francis Clancy, who we're accom-
panied by Rankin Daughette, COM
mittee investigator.
VoorhiS and Rep. Noah Mason, r.
ILL.,. the other member of the testi-
mony although Voorhis said sit may
be important"
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20

ldJe yesterday Dy state attorney S
men who sought the Bunds financial
records which were to be used in
connection with $3.50 suit against
the organization for delinquent per-
sonal property assessments for 1888
The investigators we're surprised to
find they had obtained what was
believed to be the first Bund men,
bership list ever seized.
When the raiders found notations
written in German after the names
indicating that they were In the
army navy, marine or reserve forces.
they called in william S. Devereaux.
agent in charge of the FBI in Chi
cago.
A states attorneys source said
that the records seized included a
list Of 5000 middle west Bund men,
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Allies Aim Shatterinq
Blows at Axis Powers
= AMBl|Ne
u spoR1ER
Wrong, gain

Wrong, tgain-
That blankety- plank Christmas
lighting editor is always getting his
foot, in it, and expecting us to pull
the'foot out. And SO we do it again
1t seems that in the chamber of
commerce lighting contest, wherein
telephone calls are made and if
lights are up the fortunate person
receives a prize, the number of c.
S. Reed was called However, the
address given for G. S. Reed was
actually that Of Bill Reed. c. S.
didn't have lights up and, Of course,
failed to get a prize. But Bill Reed
did and his children couldn't fig
ure out why they shouldn't get an
award.
Personally, we can't either. But
the only thing we have to give away
is oleanders. However, if you have
any use for couple of those, here
they are.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20

bers and scores of applications for
membership. According TO a reliable
source, the entire record was writ
ten in German.
The states attorneys office source
said there We're perhaps 1000 names
of men who are members of the
Bund and are serving in the active
or reserve armed forces of the Unit
ed States.
A municipal court official who In
speeted the list said notations after
some of the names indicated the
exact status of the men In the arm
ed forces and that some OF the Bund
members had been in the q. 4
army, had been discharged. returned
to Germany and then reinllsted IN
the army
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Robbery Suspects
Nabbed at Yuma

Three men wanted by the federal
bureau of investigation for bank
robbery and grand theft were held
in Yuma Friday after their arrest
at the California; Arizona border
Thursday night.
Meyer Dembia, 81, Vincent Henry
Paolino, and Joseph Mazzaglia
were nabbed at the checking sta
ton on their flight from Kansas
City.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Christmas Light Judging Only One
Week Away; Nightly Jackpot Grows
1oS2: More Displays Going Up

prize of a dollar will be carried
over until Friday night when three
more phone numbers will be sell
ected at random and called, Added
to the regular dollar a night. that
means 81 will be decided Friday
night.
SO that's another reason to get
busy and put up your Christmas
lights.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20

the Valley. LICCIt Grange III Uemper-
ature was anticipated before Mon
day, though lowering in humidity
could result in cooler temperatures
over tine weekend.
In an extended forecast" Jacobs
indicated Christmas Day weather
would be clear in Imperial Valley
as we'll as in other sections of south
ern California.
f., Unreasonable warm weather pre-
vailed throughout most of the United
States east of California and Arizo-
ma except on the Atlantic Coast
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
POSTOFFICE TO TAKE CARE
OF CHRISTMAS RUSH

Parcel post and stamp windows
at the Ell Centre Post Office viii
be open until p. m. Saturday to
accommodate Christmas crowds, ac-
cording to Frank Richmond, post
master.
Parcel and stamp windows us
ually close at noon on Saturdays,
according to Richmond.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20

where scattered rain and light snow
was reported.
Clearing skies and crisp weather
we're reported from all parts Of
Arizona Friday with the lifting Of
a fog blanket that had shrouded
the state for more than two days.
The U. S. weather bureau re-
ported that the thick fog of the
past 48 hours had disappeared in
all sections, and predicted fair
weather, with some high cloudiness,
for Friday and Saturday.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
BY UNITED PRESS

An earthquake, apparently CEN
tered in the New Hampshire noun
tains, Jared a wide area of New
England. New York, New Jersey
and Quebec province. Canada, for
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Some Fun

Some Fun
Someone passed up some fun at
the Calexico Junior Women's club
party The girls went TO a lot of
trouble hanging mistletoe over ev-
cry doorway.
Then the gals stood around ex-
pectantly all evening but the men
the dopeS-didn't have sense enough
to take advantage of the opportu-
nifty
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
, minutes early Friday.

three minutes early Friday
There were no reports of dam
age or casualties. except for brok-
en- windows and dishes: Shocks
were felt from Montreal, 400 miles
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Poor joe

Poor Joe
And still another:
Last year Joe Thompson care
1ully decorated a window with a
Christmas scene. He did it all him
self. All his wife did was to loan
him an ironing board
When his scene was mentioned
In the paper, it was Mrs. Joe
Thompson's display.
That made him a little mad but
Joe had forgotten about it in a
years time and this year he went
to work on another display. This
time he did ALL the work and his
wife didn't even loan him an IRON
ing board. But when prizes of Post
Press checks were handed out and
one OF them was awarded the
Thompson display, the check was
in Mrs. ThompSon's name!
Why? Gosh only knows, we don't.
Worst of it is that now Mrs.
Thompson won't endorse the check
over TO Joe!
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Clearing Skies
Predicted n ere

Woodrow c. Jacobs, Imperial Valleys weatherman
dropped his pessmstic tone Friday and predicted contn
ued clearing skies for Saturday and Sunday.
Although rains expected along the coast Satur
day Jacobs said the storm is not enough reach
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
List BdreS bund
Members in Armv

CHICAGO, Dee. 20. (UP)-Army intelligence officers
and G-men today investigated back ledger seized in
raid on American Bnd headquarters determine
whether some all of the members listed were in the
armed forces of the United States The ledger was seized
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Quick Proof

Quick Proof
And then there was the one about
Paul Eyer, who Joked with the
chamber of commerce:
"Shucks, l don't think you pull
those telephone numbers out of a
hat. think you just choose num-
pers of houses that don't have
Christmas lights up!"
The next evening the Eyer num-
ber turned up unexpectedly on the
list to call. Eyer's lights weren't up
and SO he missed a prize!
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Trap Fails When
Thug Sticks Gun
I'm C-Mon'S Ribs
Note Demands $40, 1000 From Parents of
Boy Kidnapped Last Sept, Threatens
Death TO Some Member of FamiIy

SANTA ROSA Cal, Dec 20. (UP)-An extortionist
demanded $4,000 from wealthy Count and Countess Marc
de Tristan under threat of killing of their
y it disclosed today by Santa Rosa authorities who
said FBI attempt to trap the criminal Wednesday night
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
Farmers Argue
For Land Credit
Low-n+eres+ Loans Justified Here,
Federal Bankers Told; First Hope for
F Favorable Action Cleaned at Ne etino

tenyear fight to obtain the extension of lownteres
loans to the Imperial Valley appeared to be
Friday, following twoday investigation into the county,
farm credit needs and problems by directors and other
officials of the Federal Land Bank.
Imperial Valley press., 1940-12-20
100 Attractive

100 Attractive
This Christmas lighting contest
has Carol Davis hopping mad.
Don't make the prizes so at
tractive!" she complained. Some
one stole the lights off my tree last
night"