The Plain Speaker from Hazleton, Pennsylvania • Page 1

ASSOCIATED PRESS DOUBLE TRUNK WIRE SERVICE TIE THE WEATHER. Occasional rain 8nd light snow tonight. Warmer tomorrow. PLAIN PEAKEE FIFTY-SIXTH YEAR. THREE CENTS A COPY.

HAZLETON, AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY $700,000 Worth Of Coal Goes Bar Dog Tests In Murder Trial Japan Will Not Tell U.S. Secrets Of Her Naval Building Plans Hitler Confers With Austrian Dictator At Demand Of Mussolini 1 111 i i mum i n.mm"'fmmwnv ptf IMP fm iL hV 4 Firemen are shown fighting the fire which swept coal pocket of the Lynn, Gas Electric Com. pany, causing damage estimated by company officials at $700,000. Several firemen were treated for smok inhalation before the flames were brought under control. 12, 1938.

Up In Smoke Manslaughter Is Wright Verdict Los Angeles Prisoner Claim ed He Found Wife and Friend Together. LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12. (IP) Paul A. Wright was convicted of manslaughter today in his trial for killing his wife and John Kimmel in the Wright home last November 9th.

The case was given to the jury late yesterday. The trial, lasting more than three weeks, was marked by Wright's contention he shot Mrs. Wright and Kimmel in a "white flame" of rage when he found them in an abnormal embrace on a piano bench in the Wright residence in Glendale. Although the prosecution said in its opening statement it would attempt to prove the slayings were premeditated, the jury was not asked specifically to vote the death penalty. The state, in concluding its case, stated it had shown murder "in Borne degree," and asked the jury for its determination.

Jerry Geisler, Wright's counsel, claimed his client was unconscious when he fired the fatal shots. He pointed out that under California law a person is not responsible for his acts while in an unconscious state. The manslaughter conviction carries a penalty of from one to ten years in the penitentiary. Sunbury Woman Dies On Trip. PHILADELPHIA, Feb.

12. P) Mrs. Elizabeth Sten, 75, of (1142 Line avenue) Sunbury, died shortly after she arrived here today by train. She collapsed at Broad street station and physicians at the Hahnemann Hospital pronounced her dead, apparently from heart disease. Throw Iodine In Face Of NLRB fitness NEW BRIGHTON, Feb.

12. (J1) Henry Keppen, 37, slated to testify before the National Labor Relations Board against the Moltrup Steel Products Co. of Beaver Falls, was in a hospital today suffering from iodine, thrown in his face. Alfred W. Bittner and Meyer Bernstein, CIO Steel Workers' Organizing Committee representatives, quoted Keppen as saying his assailant threw the iodine while he was returning to his home and that the attack was so sudden no identification was possible.

The hearing, at which Keppen was to have appeared yesterday, was adjourned until Monday, when it will reopen at Beaver, with the company prepared to call 200 of its 250 employes as defense witnesses. Dr. R. L. Sheets said the iodine narrowly missed one eye.

The doctor said he "evidently was drugged, too, in some manner, Hospital attendants said his condition was "not serious." Margiotti For Free Primary Hits at Darkroom Conferences as Democratic Slalc Makers Confer. PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 12. (A1) -As State Democratic leaders met in a reported slate-making parley, Attorney General Charles J. Margiotti, himself mentioned as a gubernatorial possibility, issued today a statement calling for a "free, open and uncontrolled primary," Margiotti issued his pointed statement from a room on the eleventh floor of a hotel (the Bcllevuc-Strat-ford) where the slate-making conference also was being held two floors below.

"It was backroom slatemaking conferences which led to the resentment thr.t led to the overthrow of the Republican party," Margiotti's statement said. "It would be political suicide to follow this shameful and outmoded policy. I' never will. "A handful of politicians, political bosses, has no right to hand-pick the candidates of the party. The party dees not belong to them.

It belongs to the people." Margiotti did not immediately make known his own plans. There were indications, however, he might do so later in the day. A group of friends crowded in and around his room. He said he would have something "further" to say. The attorney general's blast was delivered as the names of David L.

Lawrence, secretary of the commonwealth, and Lieutenant Governor Thomas Kennedy were being heard most frequently outside the ninth-floor parley scene. Half Million More For Roads Around Sunburv SUNBURY, Feb. 12. ilP) A half-million dollars was spent by the state on Northumberland County roads in 1937, and another $450,000 has been earmarked for this year. District' Engineer Thomas W.

Abernethy, speaking for Samuel W. Marshall, chief of engineer of the state highway department, last night listed these new projects State route 154, 1.94 miles, from Montour County line to Milton, .32 of a mile on U. S. 122 in Sun-bury, and 5.67 miles on a rural route in Augustaville, $65,000. Rescue Ship For Red Scientists Disabled MOSCOW, Feb.

12. (JP) The ice breaker Murman, speediest of three vessels seeking to rescue four Russian scientists stranded on a drifting ice floe off Greenland, today reported heavy seas had temporarily disabled her automatic steering controls. Waves rolling over the ship tore off a hatch and covered the decks with ice before the storm subsided, the Murman messaged. Her position was not given, but reports last night placed her about 300 miles from the ice floe. Ivan Papanin, commander of i'nfc drifting polar camp, reported calm weather and further freezing of broken ice to solidify the explorers' position.

He said the floe was drifting southeast of Greenland about 50 miles off Scoresby Sound. Bankers Meet At Allcntown. ALLENTOWN, Feb. 12. (JP) Four hundred bankers were expected today for the annual session of group 3, Pennsylvania Bankers Association.

Court Won't Allow Evidence in Case of Two Girls Facing Chair in Jersey. NEWARK, N. Feb. 12. (IP) Upholding the objection of Prosecutor William Wackenfcld, Common Pleas Judge Daniel J.

Brcnnan today barred a toxicologist from testifying at the trial of Mrs. Ethel Sohl, 20, and Genevieve Owens, 18, for murder in the slaying of William Barhorst. Counsel for the defense sought to have the expert testify on the effects of marihuana on dogs. Counsel for Mrs. Sohl has based an insanity plea on her smoking of marihuana cigarettes which, she testified, made "wrong seem right." Dr.

James C. Munch of Temple University said he had not observed the effects of prolonged use of the narcotic on human beings. The court stopped him from describing results of experiments on dogs, whose nervous systems behave like those of humans. Defense of the other defendant, 18-year-old Genevieve Owens, will follow, and her counsel, Reginald C. S.

Parnell, said she would be her own first witness. Attacking "Bunny's" insanity defense unsuccessfully twice yesterday, the state failed to keep from the witness stand Dr. James C. Munch of Temple University, who has served as adviser to the League of Nations and Congress in the fight against marihuana. He testified the drug causes a person "to do things he would not do if in full possession of his senses." Dr.

Munch, who has smoked "reefer" cigarettes in his experiments, said thev produce "pleasant dreams" and "bizarre, gruesome effects." "The intensity varies with the amount taken," he said, whether the narcotic is smoked, absorbed through pills, or taken otherwise. Mrs. Sohl testified that when she shot and robbed William Barhorst, 34, in a bus last December 21, she was under the influence of marihuana and unable to distinguish "right from wrong." Suggests Disarmament Conference. WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.

(IP) Senator King, Utah), said today he would introduce a resolution Mon day authorizing President Roosevelt to call a disarmament conference inv mediately. King said he feared Japan's refus al to supply the world powers with information about her naval plans would encourage an armaments race and place a "crushing burden" on tax payers of all nations. Rumania Told Of New Fourteen Point Plan BUCHAREST, Feb. 12. OP) With military rule and censorship to silence opposition, the new Rumanian government today issued a 14-point program assuring the nation of justice and peace, and promising a new era of prosperity by radical emigration, social and constitutional reforms, including organized emigration of Jewish surplus population.

The program assured foreign relations would be continued with Rumania's traditional friends, England and France; affirmed adherence to the League of Nations, and appealed for "Christian Brotherhood" of all Rumanians under the leadership of Premier Dr. Miron Cristea, patriarch of the Rumanian Orthodox church. Investigation of illegal citizenships acquired after the Worid War are to continue and "destructive elements" to be expelled. Honor Mother Of Lincoln. LINCOLN CITY, Feb.

12. (JP) Descendants of neighbors of the Thomas Lincoln family, who lived in a crude cabin here a century and a quarter ago, gathered today on Lincoln City's highest hilltop to honor the memory of the mother whom Abraham Lincoln, as a boy of 9, helped to bury. prove the transaction. In its order, the commission stated: "Such rich dividends clearly were possible only through unconscionably high service charges levied on the public utility subsidiaries of the Philadelphia under the guise of furnishing a more efficient and economical service through a service company. "This truly is an amazing example of the burden which has been placed upon rate-payers of the public utilities, through the device of a servicing company." The rejected plan provided for the Duquesne Light to acquire $270,000 of the stock and Equitable Gas and Pittsburgh Railways $90,000 each.

Pittsburgh Motor Coach, a fairly large customer of Equitable Auto, was not to have participated in the transaction. Income of the Auto the commission report indicated, is derived almost entirely from rental of motor vehicles and auxiliary equipment to operating subsidiaries of Philadelphia including Duquesne Light, Equitable Gas and Pittsburgh Railways. Italy Massed Reserves On Borders Last Time Leaders Met. VIENNA CABINET CALLED TOGETHER Utmost Secrecy Surrounds Meet Schus-chnigg Detours. VIENNA, Feb.

12. (JP) Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg of Austria met Reichsfuehrer Adolf Hitler of Germany for a secret conference today at the urgent suggestion of Premier Benito Mussolini of Italy. The Austrian cabinet sat in continuous session as Schuschnigg conferred with Hitler at the German Fuehrer's mountain retreat at Berch-tesgaden. (Austria, troublesome crossroads of Europe, has long been a aore point in otherwise cordial relations between Germany and Italy. (The great majority of Austrians are German-speaking and Anschluss- or onion has been one of the main desires of the Nazi party and Hitler, himself a native of Austria.

(The last time union between Germany and Austria was threatened, shortly after Hitler came to power, Italy mobilized her army on the Austrian border in implied warning to Germany to keep hands off. (Since then the two Fascist states have joined forces in the Rome-Berlin axis. Italy has been reported to have given Germany a fre hand Austria in exchange for a sphere of influence in the Balkans, aid in developing conquered Ethiopia and support for Fascist policy in the npanisn civil war.) Franz von Papen, recalled as ambassador to Vienna in Hitler's drastic governmental shake-up a week ago, was also at Berchtesgaden, in Hitler's beloved Bavaria, presumably participating in the conferences. The meeting was arranged with greatest secrecy. Schuschnigg left Vienna ostensibly for Innsbruck but entered Germany from Salzburg.

It wag stated here that Hitler had several times urged Schuschnigg to make a personal call and the Austrian chancellor yesterday decided to accept after being urged to do so by Mussolini. Only sketchy reports of the meet ing reached Vienna, but one message, purporting to come directly from Schuschnigg, said the outlook for improved relations between Austria and Germany was extremely good. One report current in Vienna was that the Austrian cabinet may be reconstructed shortly to make place (Continued on Page 15) "Suicide" Writes Wife For Money To Get Home HARRISBURG, Feb. 12. (JP) A 37 year old Hershey chocolate worker who left a pile of clothing and a suicide note along the Susquehanna River a week ago, wai reported today as having written to his wife for train fare home from Mayfield, Ky.

Herbert Schaffner, Hummelstown auorney, said Mrs. Wiiiiam Ra'nn had received a letter from Rahn yesterday, asking for $20 to get home. Schaffner said Rahn wrote that he was in a daze and did not know what had happened. Rahn left hi suburban Hummelstown home for work last Saturday at 6:15 a. but never reported at the Hershey factory.

Two hours later, clothing and a note declaring he intended to end his life were found along the river bank in Central Harrisburg. his wife, he had written lie couldn't "stand the worry." Roosevelt Honors Lincoln. WASHINGTON, Feb. 12. (JP) President Roosevelt visited Lincoln Memorial today and stood bareheaded while Colonel Edwin N.

Watson, his military aide, placed a wreath. Soviets Doom 18 More. MOSCOW, Feb. 12. (IP) The provincial press has reported eighteen more death sentences on charges of counter-revolutionary wrecking.

WEATHER. Eastern Pennsylvania Probably occasional rain in east, and light snow in west portion tonight and Sunday; slowly rising temperaturt Sunday and in west and north portion tonight. New Jersey Cloudy; probably rain in central and south and rain or snow in extreme north portion tonight and Sunday; not much change in temperature. Sandy Hook to Hatteras Increasing northeast winds becoming strong tonight over north portion and fresh north winds over south portion. Weather overcast with rain over central and north portion tonight and over north portion Willing To Discuss Limitations Willi America On Size Of Fleets.

SINCLE SHIPS NOT INCLUDED Mikado's Government Disclaims Armament Race Contemplated. TOKYO, Feb. 12. (A1) Japan refused formally tonight to divulge ecrets of her naval construction in reply to demands for information by the United States, France and Great Britain. Japan declared herself willing, however, to discuss naval limitation on a quantitative basis restricting the, size of fleets rather than individual fhips.

The formal note contended Japan failed "to Bee any logical reason" for assuming she was planning to build warships beyond the limitations of the 1936 London naval treaty. The government insisted, moreover, that Japan has "no intention whatever of possessing an armament which would menace other The declaration was contained in note handed to United States Ambassador Joseph Grew by Ken-ttuki Horinoushi, Japanese vice-minister of foreign affairs. It answered the three-power demands to know by February 20 whether Japun's naval building program contemplated battleships in excess of 35,000 tons. (The 1936 naval accord binds the United States, Great Britain and France to the limit a qualitative limitation on individual warships. Russia and Germany are enjoined similarly by parallel treaties with Great Britain.

(Japan is not a signatory. Construction of a battleship larger than 85,000 tons frees the treaty members from the pact limit.) "Mere communication of information concerning construction of vessels will, in the absence of a quantitative limitation, not contribute to any fair and equitable measure of disarmament," the note declared. It added that "the Japanese government will be ready at any moment to enter into any discussions of the matter of disarmament which gives primary importance to a fair, quantitative limitation." In an accompanying communique, the government reiterated its stand at the 1936 London naval conference concerning the importance of quantitative limitations. This was in explanation of why Japan "cannot afford to disclose her plans of naval construction." It declared more extensive armaments building by other powers would leave Japan "no alternative but to alter her building plans to cope with such construction." Admits Jap Troops Did Damage To U. S.

Homes TOKYO, Feb. 12. (IP) The Japanese government, answering a United States protest of January 17, today admitted that Japnne3C noldiers committed disorders in Nanking and illegally entered American property at Hangchow. The Japanese note, however, said the Nanking incidents were the result of "unavoidable insufficiency of the force detailed to duty protecting the rights and interests of third powers." Regarding incidents at Hangchow the note asserted supply lines were cut and it was necessary to requisition provisions within that city. "In view of the fact the requisitioning had to be effected at night, with fighting still in progress, it is possible some requisitioning squads made mistakes in identification," the Japanese explained.

Hitler Alarmed Over Fascist Collapse BERLIN, Feb. 12. (JP) Reichs-fuehrer Adolf Hitler, alarmed at the collapse of Rumania's Fascist-inclined government and the unfriendly reception given his governmental hakeup abroad, apparently has decided to make a series of gestures of conciliation. For the present these are in the direction of Austria, the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church nd more may follow. 1 These moves were given dramatic direction today when Hitler met Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg of Austria for a secret conference on the delicate relations between the two neighbors.

New Arrivals. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. ffenry Penkola of 1 Morris Lane. A daughter was born to Mr.

and Mrs. Fred Kepping of 128 West Sixth street at the Corrigan Maternity Hospital. New Hitler Aide. While Europe seethed with rumors of a break between Chancellor Hitler and German army leaders. Dr.

Hans Heinrich Lammers, (above) member of the new secret foreign policy committee, conferred with Hitler at Berchteagaden. No Chance To Block Jackson Senator Austin Admits Solicitor General Nominee Will Win Majority. WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 (IP) Senator Austin (R-Vt.) said today he saw "no chance" of blocking subcommittee approval of Robert H. Jackson's nomination to be solicitor general.

Chairman McGill (D-Kana.) of the Senate Judiciary sub-committee considering the nomination, predicted that not more than two of the eight members would vote against recommending confirmation. Austin said that nevertheless he would continue to question Jackson on "his attitude toward the courts and his general philosophy of The sub-committee recessed yesterday until Tuesday. The Vermonter contended yester day that Jackson as assistant attor ney attorney had elected to try anti trust cases before judges favorable to the government in order to "pre vent the New Deal from being de feated" and "to enforce" his "philosophy of Jackson testified he always tried to "pick a friendly judge and a favorable He said he had not been responsible for selecting the Madison, court in which major oil companies were recently convicted of violating anti-trust laws, but added that he thought the department of justice had made a "good choice" in trying the cases there. Senator Norris and Senator Dieterich (D-Ill.) asserted that Jackson wculd not have been performing his duty unless he had sought the most favorable court. Since congress had given the department of justice discretion, they said, there could be "no criticism" for exercising that discretion.

Gasoline Production Down. WASHINGTON, Feb. 12. The Bureau of Mines reported today a decline in the daily average output of gasoline during December. Production was about 5,833,000 gallons, a decline of 71,000 gallons from November.

To Broadcast Baer Fight. NEW YORK, Feh. 12 (IP) Future fights in the blow by blow schedule of WJZ-NBC, now include the comeback ring appearance of former Champion Baer. The battle, set for March 11, is his 15 round go with Tommy Farr, British heavyweight. Air time will be around 10 p.

m. A short wave transmission is also planned for the benefit of English listeners. near Watsonville in Central California, waited for the overflowing Pajaro River to recede and let them return to their homes. The same river flooded many block on the lower end of Watsonville, in the heart of a rich agricultural area which faced heavy damage if flood conditions continued. A bridge spanning the Salinas River at Soledad, 20 miles south of Salinas on the coast highway, was washed out last night, and fear was expressed at least one automo bile hurtled into the river before warning signs could be put up.

Coast highway travel was cut off, (Continued on Page 15) Pw fy VI I A Nation Is It Is Prepared spected, that our nationals and our interests abroad be given fair treatment, and that there should prevail in the world conditions of peace, order and security." The secretary added that if the country "is prepared and known to be prepared, the likelihood of its be-irg drawn into trouble will either be absent or greatly diminished." Hull replied to a letter from Ludlow asking specifically whether all the ships of the proposed expanded navy program are necessary for home defense or whether they are to be used in cooperation with some other nation. "In my opinion," he said, "all of the ships and auxiliary services pro vided for in the proposed program are needed for the national defense of the United States and its posses' sions. It is the desire of the people and of the government of the United States that this country be not drawn into or forced into war. "It is the duty and the intention of the administration to make effective so far as lies within its power the desire of the country in this as in other respects. It is the belief of those of us who, with full sense of re.

sponsibility, advocate these increases in our naval strength, that the mak ir.g of these increases will contribute toward attainment of that objective." CIO Puts One Over On Hague Jersey City Police Are Left On First Base by Surprise Visit. JERSEY CITY, N. Feb. 12. (IP) The Committee for Industrial Organization came and went, and Jersey City police, behind-hand for the first time, stared at the 'Put on a smile, wipe off the frown; we're making Jersey City a union town.

Join the CIO." Losers in two previous attempts to distribute handbills in Jersey City where Mayor Frank Hague has declared a "fight-to-the-finish" against a "CIO invasion," union organizers successfully passed out handbills last night to employes going off duty at the gates of the Joseph Dixon Crucible Company, pencil manufacturers. A handbill plastered to a pole in front of the plant was the only trace left, when police cars arrived, of the violation of the city ordinance banning such Chinese Claim They Killed 1,000 japs HANKOW, Feb. 12. (IP) More than 1,000 Japanese, troops were reported tonight to have been wiped out in a futile attempt to cross the Hwai River near Pengpu on the Lunghai front in Central China. Chinese dispatches said many of the Japanese were drowned and others were picked off by Chinese sharpshooters.

Other Japanese units admittedly reached the north bank of the stream in face of the Chinese gunfire. Fourth Diphtheria Death In Family. TREVERTON. Feb. 12.

(IP) Two year old Naomi died here, the fourth diphtheria victim in Frederick Yohe'a family within a brief space of time. Mrs. Yohe and two other children also died. Want Tenure Act Amended. GETTYSBURG, Feb.

12. (IP) The Adams County School Directors' advocated that the tenure law provide a three-year probationary period for teachers. Hull Declares Safer If WASHINGTON, Feb. 12. (JP) Secretary Hull declared today that the United States foreign policy consists in avoiding "extreme internationalism with its political entanglements" and also "extreme isolation" which makes other nations believe this nation is "more or less afraid." Hull called the policy "a matter of simple common sense." In a letter to Representative Louis Ludlow, Indiana, author of a consti tutional amendment-to require a popular vote on war, the secretary of state declared that bigger military forces are necessary for the preservation of America's peace.

Most congressmen, meanwhile ac cepted an an administration exposi tion of policy the proposal of Rep. Vinson (D-Ga) to write into the navy expansion bill a declaration against eggression. He said it was only natural that this country should "proceed on parallel lines" with other govern ments with whom we have "common interests and common objectives" but he denied this country has any al liar.ces. He said the United States reserved "always the fullest freedom of judgment and right of independence of action." "We believe," the secretary declared, "that the people of this country desire that the country be re Soft Coal Rate Is Endangered May Suspend All Minimum Priees Due to Decision of U. S.

Courts. WASHINGTON, Feb. 12. (IP) The National Bituminous Coal Commission considered today whether to suspend all minimum prices it has set for the sale of soft coaL The question arose because the District of Columbia Court of Ap peals in a ruling yesterday suspended commission-fixed prices for rail road fuel and for coal consumed by the city government of Cleveland. Allan Coe, lawyer for the com mission's consumers counsel, said he would ask the court to suspend the entire schedule, unless the commission took this action itself.

It would be "manifestly unfair," lie said, to preserve only some of the mini- mums. The court suspended the price schedules in the locomotive fuel and Cleveland cases because public hearings were not held before the com mission adopted them. The court's order will not neces sarily change the prices now charged for fuel, but it removed the government-fixed price "floor." Two operators, James D. Francis of Southern West Virginia and Charles O'Neill of Central Pennsylvania, said they expected little or no change in prices within their areas. Constitutionality of the Guffey Coal Control Act did not figure in the court ruling.

Boy Film Star Wants Little For Himself LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12. (IP) Actor Freddie Bartholomew says he can not afford to pay his father 20 per cent of his $100,000 yearly salary. A petition asking for an adjustment, scheduled for hearing in court Monday, sets forth 12 year old Freddie pays: His father, $20,000. Federal and state income taxe3, $67,000.

His agent, $10,000. Of the $.1,000 remaining, his petition says Freddie must pay attorneys' living expenses and claims against his estate. Servicing Company Plan Hit As Gouge By Public Utilities 14 Dead In California Floods: 1000 Homeless HARRISBURG, Feb. 12. W-The Public Utility Commission today refused to allow the Duquesne Light Equitable Gas Co.

and Pittsburgh Railways Co. to purchase the, common capital stock of Equitable Auto Co. from the Philadelphia Co. The 4500 shares of common stock were listed at a par value of The commission held that the stock was purchased by the Philadelphia Co. for only $165,000 and disclosed that profits averaging 45 per cent on the original investment have been taken by the company since 1920.

Between 1920 and 1936 the Philadelphia Co. received $1,274,716.82 in cash dividends approximately a $75,000 a year average on its original investment of $165,000 in Equitable Auto, the opinion showed. Under the rejected proposal, the stock would be sold to the three subsidiaries of the Philadelphia Co. for $315,000 cash, a clear profit of the commission said. The commission indicated the price was one reason for its refusal to ap SAN FRANCISCO, Feb.

12. (IP) Flood-filled lowlands dotted wide areas of central and northern California today in the wake of a record-breaking 17-day rainfall that left .1,000 temporarily homeless in one town and accounted for a storm death toll of at least 14. Hundreds of swollen streams poured flood waters across low lying areas from Fresno, 400 miles north, to Red Bluff, as rain fell today for the 17th consecutive day. Mountain snows combined with rain in the valleys to cripple highway traffic by flooding roads or blocking them with snow and slides. One thousand residents of Pajaro, i.