Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, the Evening News from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania • Page 3

TIMES LEADER. THE EVENING NEWS, WILKES BARRE, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 6, 1942 Telephone WANTADS Your TO 2-2121 3 Hurt As Blasts Halt Power In Central City PRIMITIVE METHODISTS ELECT PASTORS FOR YEAR G. G. BERRY ACCEPTS CALL TO CITY PULPIT Kingsbury, N. Minister Succeeds Rev.

Gomer Evans at Bethel Baptist Church Rev. G. Gordon Berry, above, has accepted the pastorate of Bethel Saptist Church, Wilkes -Barre, and will assume his new charge on Palm Sunday, March 29. Announcement of Rev. Mr.

Berry's acceptance of the Parrish street pulit was made today by Richard Jones, chairman of the board of deacons of the church. The congregation voted its unanimous approval of the new pastor at a recent meeting. Rev. Mr. Berry, who is 31 years old and single, will succeed Rev.

Gomer Evans who resigned from the Parrish street church last March after completing 20 years of service in that charge. Following his anRev. nouncement Mr. Evans that he was desired elected to pastor retire, emeritus of the Bethel congregation where he preached since February 1, 1921, when he came to this city from Brisbin, Pa. Rev.

Mr. Berry for the past four years has been pastor of two Bapfist, churches. Kingsbury, His N. resident and he church also occupied the pulpit of the Baptist Church at Truthville, N. which is 13 miles from Kingsbury and about 21 miles from Glens Falls, N.

On December 7, 1941, the day of the Japanese sneak invasion of American possessions in the Pacific -and again on February 8, last, Rev. Mr. Berry preached in the Bethel Church, city, having come here on trial for approval of the congregation. Ordained in 1937 Rev. Mr.

Berry is a graduate of the Philadelphia School of the Bible and the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, He ordained in the ministry on November 23, 1937, by a council called by the Kingsbury Baptist Church. On June, 1937, he became the pastor of the Kingsbury and Truthville churches, the first charge of his religious career. He will sever his affiliations at those two churches in the next ten days and complete arrangements to move to Wilkes-Barre the week preceding March 29. Kingston Man Is Fatally Stricken At Work In Mine John Yasenchak, 31, of 122 Penn street, Kingston, was found dead yesterday afternoon at the Harry E. colliery in Swoyerville where he was employed as a miner.

Mr. Yasenchak was stricken with a heart attack while at work and died shortly after. Surviving are his widow, Jennie, two daughters, Joan and Dorothy, his mother and the following brothers and sisters: Paul, Mrs. Anna Lane, Mrs. Catherine Malonis, Julia, all of Kingston; Michael and Joseph, with the U.

S. Navy; Helen, William, Pauline, and Leo will of held Kingston. Saturday funeral be afternoon at 2:30 from the home of his brother, Paul Yasenchak, 122 Penn street, Kingston. Interment will be in Denison cemetery. Administrator Named Mrs.

Helen Cawley was named today to administer the estate of Frank Cawley, late of 598 North Main street, Wilkes-Barre, who died recently. The value of the estate is not given. East End Invites Minister From St. Clair and First Calls Carnegie Pastor. 8 Asked to Remain Congregations of 10 Luzerne County churches in the Wyoming DisProtestant Primitive Methodist assembled in their respective churches last night to choose a pastor for the conference to begin on May 1.

Eight clergymen were invited to remain in their ministers respective were pastorotes chosen for and P. two M. churches in East End and Heights of this city. In addition to electing their ministers. the thousands of persons in the Primitive Methodist denomination selected one delegate from each church to attend the annual conference of the Primitive Methodist Church from April 29 to May 2 at Youngstown, Ohio.

In each instance but one the congregation made three choices for a pastor. If the first selected clergyman refuses the call the second will be asked. The third will be summoned if the first two decline invitations. Two Get Invitations At the East End P. M.

Church where the pulpit was recently vacated by the Rev. H. O. Fichter, the congregation voted Rev. Richard a E.

Owens of St. Clair as first choice. Rev. William Smith of Carnegie, was the first choice for the First P. M.

Church, South Sherman street, which has been without a pastor since June when Rev. A. B. Russell passed away. Several churches in this section of the Wyoming District also held annual 1 meetings in conjunction with the session to elect pastors.

New trustees were selected as were station stewards, church clerks, pianists, organists and ushers, Harold Barrett, of the Heights section of this city, will be ordained as a clergyman during the rational session of the Primitive Methodist Church at Youngstown, Ohio, next month. Following are the elections in each of the ten local PM churches: WILKES-BARRE CITY East End PM Church Pastor-First Rev. Richard E. Owens, St. chalice, second choice, Rev.

Evan P. Thomas, Pittsburgh; third choice, Isaac Davies, Girardsville. Delegate to conference Raymond Russell. Sherman Street Church Pastor--First choice, Rev. William Smith, Carnegie; second choice, Rev.

Dr. Wesley Boyd, Shenandoah; third choice, Rev. Robert Lewis, Lowell, Delegate to conterence-Mrs. A. B.

Russell. Trustees- John Marshall to succeed Edward Bromfield; Paul Hilburt and Charles Baer, both reelected. Church clerk-Mitchell Davis, reelected. Station steward Charles Baer, reelected. PLYMOUTH Franklin Street P.

M. Church Pastor--First choice, Rev. W. F. Rev.

present, Thomas, Pittsburgh; Paul, pastor; second choice, third choice, Rev. Peter Scholes, Nanticoke. Delegate to conference- be elected). Church clerk--Mrs. Ben Lewis, reelected.

Station steward -Raymond Adams. First P. M. Church Pastor-First choice, Rev. Herbert Hoyes, present pastor; second choice, Evan Thomas, Pittsburgh; choice, Rev.

Alvin Tippins, Hudson. to conference Schultz. Nanticoke P. M. Church.

Pastor-First choice, Rev. Peter Scholes, present pastor; second choice, Rev. L. Collins, Avoca; third choice, Rev. W.

T. Waters, Dickson City. Delegate to conference--Francis Higgins. Parsons P. M.

Church Pastor-First choice, Rev. Thomas W. Jones, present pastor; second choice, Richard E. Owens, St. Clair; third choice, Rev.

John Stephens, Mahanoy City. Delegate to conference Mrs. Thomas Smailes. Trustee James Hamilton to succeed Arthur Everett. Avoca P.

M. Church Pastor choice, Rev. L. L. Collins, present pastor; second choice, Rev.

James Eley, Scranton; third choice, Rev. Herbert Hoyes, Plymouth. Delegate to conference (None to be elected). Rev. L.

L. Collins announced today that he will accept the pastorate of the Avoca Church at Sunday's services. Laurel Run P. M. Church Pastor-First choice, George T.

Bamford, present pastor; second choice, Rev. Alban C. Tippins, Hudson; third choice, Rev. L. L.

Collins, Avoca. Delegate to conference Miss Sarah George; alternate, 7A Almon Barnes. Church clerk-William Bowers to succeed William Davis. Station steward-Norman Franks, re-elected. Trustees-Raymond Thompson to (Please Turn To Page Twenty) Officer Candidate Training Now Open For Married Men Harrisburg, March 6 (P) -Married men or others with dependents may volunteer for officer candidate training and be inducted into the army through their local boards, Col.

B. F. Evans, State selective service director, disclosed today. The volunteers will be given four months' training in the ranks to determine if they are potential prospects for commissions. Those not recommended for an officer candidate school at the end of this period may request to be transferred to the enlisted reserve, returning to civilian life until those having similar dependency claims are called.

Volunteers must be American citizens with at least four years high school education. It under 21 years of age they must obtain the written consent of parents or guardians. Scene Of Series Of Electric Explosions On Northampton Street City Druggists May Adopt 9 P.M. Closing Hour To Aid National Defense Program Meeting in Hotel Redington yes-, terday afternoon, 15 druggists representing and other establishments sections in of the the city, the expressed of themselves their stores as favor- early closing night except Saturday as a patriotic move chiefly to conserve electricity and man power. It was pointed out during the discussion that some States have enacted legislation providing a penalty for retailers who fail to COoperate in a voluntary closing plan in the interest of National Defense.

Proponents of the shorter business day referred to a survey recently completed and which brought out the fact that there would be few patrons if any inconvenienced by a oclock closing hour inasmuch as Marine Facilities To Be Inspected Lieutenant-Col. W. Dulty Smith, officer in charge of the Philadelphia recruiting disrtict of the U. S. Marine Corps, will inspect the facilities of the local recruiting office in City Hall Saturday, Staff Sergeant Warren J.

Lewis announced. Nine Marine recruits left today for Philadelphia to commence active duty. They are Donald M. Slusser, 20, of Berwick; Henry G. Bloomer, B.

531 North 136 River street; Carey, East Main street; John Kulpon, 27 Corlear street; William F. Homnick, 155 Stanton street; Robert J. Skilbinski, 12 Cypress street, all of WilkesBarre. Clarence E. Maisano, 185 Rock street, Pittston, and Edward J.

Gadomski, 221 Boston avenue, West Pittston. Skilled Workers Needed By Spokesmen for the U. S. Employment Service with local offices at 32-34 North Main street today announced receipt of a requisition for an rivet unlimited number of riveters, heaters or buckers-up for use in defense industry. They said that applicants who qualify are assured steady work at top wages and that those interested should report and register at the local employment office.

practically all of the business is transacted by that hour and emergency calls could be handled just as they are at present after closing hours. Although there were two stores not represented at yesterday's meeting it was evident that the proposed plan has general support especially because of its patriotic appeal. But because of the stores not represented at the meeting, a committee was named to contact the proprietors of these establishments to get their reaction before a final decision is made. The suggested plan calls for the closing of all drug stores at 9 oclock each night excepting Saturday night when the stores would remain open until 11 oclock. Court Allows $25 For Counsel Fees Judge Thomas F.

Farrell handed down a decision in the suit of Stanislawa Piszezek vs. Polish National Alliance, a suit for counsel fees and costs in litigation in which $500 had been paid into prothonotary's office by the defendant to' await the result of an interpleader issue between rival claimants. Judge Farrell quotes the by-laws of the Alliance in issuing his decision that Attorney Alexander J. Laffey, counsel for defendant, is entitled to $25 and reimbursement of $6.60 for costs expended -for service of the papers. Attorney T.

G. Wadzinski appeared P. for claimant, and represented Attorney the plaintiff nad Attorney Laffey the defendant. To Face Charges Of Dodging Draft Federal Judge Albert L. Watson, presiding in Scranton, has issued a bench warrant for removal of Jack Lamarr, Wood street, city, from Philadelphia to Scranton to face charges of dodging the draft.

Lamarr was placed on probation December 4 for failure to register for the draft on condition that he return to Wilkes-Barre and keep in I contact with his local draft board. Side Glances -By Galbraith COPR. 1942 BY NEA SERVICE, INC. T. M.

REG. U. S. PAT. OFI 3-6 that diet book? You are all getting so fat that people will soon be giving you unpatriotic looks!" I ELEVATORS ARE STALLED, STORES IN DARKNESS FOLLOWING EXPLOSIONS FATHER BORR TRANSFERRED BY BISHOP Assistant Pastor at St.

Nicholas Church Goes to Williamsport -Young Priests Assigned Appointment by William J. Hafey, head of the Scranton Catholic Diocese, of six new priests- all of whom ordained last Saturday in St. Peter's Cathedral as assistant pastors and the transfer of two other priests, was announced at Scranton today by Rev. Dr. William K.

Dolan, chancellor. The new priests who received their first assignments, and the date the appointments are effective, are: Rev. William M. Dunleavy, assistant pastor of St. Gabriel's Church, Hazleton; Rev.

Joseph J. Ferrara, assistant pastor of Most Precious Blood Church, Hazleton; Rev. Myron F. Florey, assistant pastor of St. Anthony's Church, Dunmore; Rev.

John J. O'Brien, assistant pastor of Holy Saviour Church, Wilkes-Barre; Rev. Leo J. O'Malley, assistant pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church, Scranton, all effective today, and Rev.

James M. Lowry, assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church, Wilkes-Barre, effective Tuesday, March 10. Assistant pastors transferred were: Rev. T.

Otto Borr, from St. Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre, to St. Boniface Church, Williamsport, and Rev. Joseph F. Meier, from St.

Boniface Church, Williamsport, to St. Nicholas Church, Wilkes-Barre. Both changes are effective Thursday, March 12. Finish Testimony In Dispute Between Bus Firm, Union Attorney James M. Stack, serving as special master in the dispute between the Martz Company and the Street and Railway and Coach Employes' Association, held a final hearing at the court house yesterday withhold after which he agreed to his report to the court for the time being because of the possibility of an amicable settlement of the controversy.

Attorneys W. L. Pace for the union and Max Rosenn, for the company, announced that an agreement has been reached to meet within a few days to discuss terms of the contract which is to expire next May. At the hearing yesterday before Attorney Stack were Bert Manning, president, and William Thomas, secretary, for the union, and Frank Martz, and William A. Gallagher for the company.

Taking of testimony was ended and the was asked to withhold his recommendation pending the conferences between the union and the company which are likely to get under way Monday. Mine Schedule For Saturday (The anthracite production quota for this week is 958,288 tons.) Adonizio-Idle. Anthracite--Idle. Blanchard-Idle. Capone- -Idle.

-Idle. DeRomo- -Idle. Dial Rock-Idle. Glen Alden--All Harry E. Working.

Heidelberg--Idle. Kehoe-Berge Idle. Lehigh Valley-Dorrance working. Luzerne- -Idle. Mineral Springs Idle.

Morgan Coal Payne -Idle. Russell--Idle. Sparito -Idle. Sari- Idle. Sullivan Trail Idle.

Susquehanna -Idle. Sussex- Idle. Volpe Mines working and breaker idle. POWER OFF IN CENTRAL CITY FOR 9 MINUTES Many Passengers Trapped as Elevators Stop Suddenly Between Floors in Buildings A wide area of the city, including the central city, east, west and south from Public Square as well as some on the north side, was affected by the interruption in electric power following today's explosions on Northampton street. In some sections, the effects of the explosions were more pronounced than in others.

The plant of the Times-Leader Evening News was without service for nine minutes during which time there was no electric power for machinery or lighting. After service was resumed approximately seven minutes of time was required before the metal pots on the linotype machines heated in composing room were to the point where the metal would flow with the result that the actual printing operations were halted for fully sixteen minutes. Use Emergency System Hotels in the city were affected by the interruption with the exception of Hotel Sterling where an emergency system kept the plant operating normally. The management of Hotel Redingreported a flickering of the lights there at the time of the explosion but the elevator service was not affected. Fort Durkee Hotel reported lights out and elevators stopped for nine minutes but said that there was no one on the elevators at the time they were stalled.

Joseph Stemmer, office boy for the Evening News, was on, of the elevators in the Record building on North Main street when the blast occurred. The had moved only about eighteen inches above the first floor when the interruption came and Stemmer succeeded in reaching a part of the mechanism which released the car and permitted it to drift back to the first floor landing. Passengers Remain Calm The battery of five elevators in the Miners National Bank building went dead when the blast came and there were passengers of the cars. There was no excitement and those at floor landings when the service halted, left the cars and proceeded on foot. An automatic contrivance on the elevators between floors when the interruption came permitted cars to drift to the nearest floor landing where passengers were discharged.

Building attendants immediately lighted emergency gas jets in the stairways and those who preferred not to wait until service was restored, walked the steps to or from the various floors. A similar condition existed at the Wilkes-Barre Deposit and Savings Bank building, another of the larger office buildings in the area. Here both elevators were near the top floor when the power went off and they glided to the next floor where they remained until after the emergency had passed. No Disorder Reported Central city department stores reported no disorder and little inconvenience on the part of customers as a result of the explosion. Pomeroy's reported lights dimmed, but not completely out and elevator service interrupted for no more than minute or so.

Lights were out at Isaac Long's and elevator service was halted but there was no excitement. Likewise, lights were out and elevator service was halted at Bergman's but there was no on the elevators at the time they went dead and everyone appeared calm and collected. The Boston Store reported lights out and elevator service halted for almost ten minutes, but business moved along normally. Lazarus store, nearest to the scene of the trouble, likewise experienced a complete interruption of service but there was no excitement. Light Surges Felt The management of the Hazard Insulated Wire Works reported two or three light surges were felt there but there was no interruption of elevator, lighting or power service.

Mercy Hospital, to which the victims of the explosion were taken, reported a few surges felt there but no definite Interruption of electric service, A large area of left without electric ing as the result of street man-hole which Light employes who Many elevators were extinguished machines were shut explosions occurred ground transformer South Main. the Wilkes-Barre business section was power for nearly ten minutes this morna series of explosions in a Northampton injured four Pennsylvania Power and were repairing a transformer switch. in the central city were stalled, lights for a time in dozens of stores, electric down when the first of the series of shortly after ten o'clock in an undervault on Northampton street near the underground transformer pit, three P. P. and repair men were inspecting an oil switch when the first explosion occurred, sending up a 50-foot geyser of smoke and flame which could be seen blocks away.

Another man was at the top of the pit. Then followed a series of six blasts from the bottom of the pit. It was between these bursts of flames that the three men crawled to safety on the sidewalk. All were rushed to Mercy Hospital for treatment of severe burns and shock. Injured employes are: WALTER KUKULINSKI, 236 Lee Park avenue, Hanover township.

EDWARD GABLE, Leonard street, Wilkes-Barre. DANIEL W. PIERCE, 32, of 27 East Ridge street, Lansford. HENRY BALL, 51, 481 West Broad street, Hazleton. Power Is Restored Up until late this afternoon, the exact cause of the trouble had not been determined by P.

P. L. offfficials, who were still investigating. The initial explosion knocked out of commission a total of 12 other underground stations throughout the city, but power was restored to all these circuits by light company crews in nine minutes time. At 11:55, about an hour and onehalf after the first explosion, power restored to the Lazarus store and other Northampton street places business as far east as Percy Brown Company.

A section of South Main street, from the Sear's Roebuck store up to Northampton street, had power restored at 1:30. Story of EyeFirst apparent sign of trouble on the surface was encountered by Edward Gable, a helper, who was standing at the top the manhole while the three other employes were conducting an inspection underground shortly after 10 oclock. A burst of flame and an explosion from the mouth of the pit, sent him staggering back. It was at that time that Jacob Sauerwine, engaged in general hauling, who was collecting papers from a store only a few feet away, ran to the scene just as a second blast occurred, and aided Gable in bringing the first man, Henry Ball, out of the pit. Just about that time, Alexander Vankevich, of 556 North Main street, city, heard the rumble and saw shooting flames.

He ran to Northampton and Franklin streets and pulled the fire alarm there. "The second man to come, to the opening, Was Daniel Sauerwine said. "When pulled him out, the coat on his back was on fire and this we jerked off, but in doing so Gable suffered burned hands. Pierce appeared to be in a bad way as the skin hung in shreds from his hands, "The last man out was Walter Kukulinski, and before we could pull him out, another explosion occurred, but for some unknown reason he did not seem to be burned as badly as Pierce," Sauerwine related. "All were badly scared and they did not talk.

The police patrol then came and all managed to walk to it." One Victim's Story Pierce, the most seriously injured of the four, was able to talk to Policeman John Dunn, who took him and the others to the hospital. "I asked Pierce what Patrolman Dunn said, "and he told me that he was working in the vault with the other two men. He said they turned the oil switch off and when they got through with their inspection and were about to emerge from the vault, the switch was blown off. He said he did not know what caused it, but remembered crawling with the others to the manhole opening to be rescued." The three burned men were taken to the Charles and Mary Music Store on West Northampton street where they remained until the arrival of the police patrol wagon for the trip to the hospital. Charles Williams, manager of the music shop, and a witness to the series of explosions, described the accident as one of "worst I've ever seen." Williams stated that the first concussion was a severe blast which could be heard distinctly throughout the South Main street business district.

Flames from underground shot into the air as high as Lazarus' department store he said. Williams also stated that the men climbed out of the hole between explosions. He said he counted six blasts before all men were out. The last man coming out was caught in the flames, Williams said, and as the workman ran into the street with his clothes afire he was grabbed by a policeman and two other men and was rolled on the street in the melting snow, Street Roped Off Central city fire companies, summoned by two box alarms, arrived on the scene with a dozen pieces of equipment. Hundreds of shoppers and store employes, attracted by the explosions, crowded into Northampton street between South South Franklin to such extent that the area had to be roped off.

While the first explosion of the switch caused a general "blackout" in many buildings in the central city, the power was restored nine minutes later. In the' Northampton street area, however, power remained disconnected while an emergency crew from the P. P. L. Co, conducted an investigation of trouble.

Emanating from the pit, however, was a haze of smoke and gas which made it impossible for an immediate investigation. Frank Mueller, district manager of the light company, arrived on the scene and a vacuum pump was installed to clear the atmosphere in the pit. At the suggestion of Mueller, Fire Minister's Wife, Formerly Of City, Dies At Blossburg MRS. BARTON VAN VLIET Mrs. Barton Van Vliet, Blossburg, the former Mary Brader, daughter of Mr.

and Mrs. Augusta Brader, Wyoming street, this city, died this morning at 2 at the Blossburg Hospital following the birth of a son on Monday. Mrs. Van Vliet was about 26 years of age. The deceased was the wife of Rev.

Barton Van Vliet of Blossburg. They were married on October 12, 1940, in the First Baptist Church of this city. Mrs. Van Vliet who was a young women of sterling characteristics, had a wide circle of friends in this valley. She was a graduate of Coughlin High School, Bucknell Junior College, a Baptist Institute of Philadelphia and Temple University in Philadelphia.

She had completed extensive study to be a missionary. Beside her husband and parents her infant son, Richard Albert survives; also a sister, Mrs. Robert Fritz of Philadelphia, a brother, Charles Brader with the U. S. Army in Louisanna; her grandfather, Charles Hammonds, 33 Oaklawn avenue; two uncles, Cyril Hammond of Warrior and Percy P.

Hammonds of Hamden, Conn. Her body wil be brought here for burial on Monday. Chief. spraying Ambrose of foamite Saricks into called the for pit and against the oil switch where the explosions were centered. Although the cause was not immediately determined, it was believed that the subsequent explosions were caused by a seepage of current back into the three 2300-volt transformers of which the oil switch as a circuit breaker.

Although no damage was done to the Northampton street side of the Lazarus store with the exception of singeing a section of the street awning, C. D. Lamb, store superintendent, ordered the evacuation of the store by 160 employes. He said that he requested that the employes "take their lunch hour" until a complete investigation could be conducted by the power company to insure that no further explosions would ensue. Division Manager Explains Manager Mueller of the light company, who with other officials of the company, arrived at the scene shortly after the men were rescued, stated that the first information he had as to the cause of the explosion came from Engineer Seiple, who, supplied with a gas mask, went into the vault and had a narrow escape when another explosion blew a dense cloud of black smoke through the manhole opening in the sidewalk.

"There are three transformers in the underground vault and they are supplied by 2,300 volts of electricity through an underground line. The size of the transformers are 3-100- KVA or the equivalent of 25 horsepower," Mr. Mueller said. "The underground line leads to an oil switch before reaching the transformers, which acts as a current breaker, similar to a fuse supplying domestic current in a home. The explosion, in my opinion, was caused by the failure of the 2,300 volt switch, which protects the transformers, like a fuse." Switch Exploded The first step is to file with the local Selective Service Board an "application to volunteer and waiver of dependency" which must be signed by his dependents.

After the board has checked the application, together with his citizenship, educational qualifications, and whether he is a "necessary man" in his civilian occupation, the registrant is given a preliminary, physical examination by the local board examining physician. If the registrant is rejected, he is retained in Class 3-A. It acceptable he is placed in Class 1-A and ordered to report for induction as a volunteer for officer candidate training at the next call by his local board. "For some unknown reason this oil switch exploded. The men were inspecting and checking the underground equipment when the explosion occurred," Mr.

Mueller con tinued. "Following the explosion, and after the men were gotten out, we were trying to restore some of the electric service to stores on Northampton street, which had been affected by a dead-end circuit following the blast. I wanted to find the fault and Engineer Seiple then decided to make an inspection. When supplied with a gas mask he went into the vault, and it was he who discovered that the oil switch was responsible, the top of it having been blown Attaches at Mercy Hospital at 1 oclock this afternoon reported that one of the four injured P. P.

L. employes was not admitted to the inthe sidewalk while the three men were in the transformer pit. Barre, who was acting as helper on juries were slight. He was Edward a Gable of Wilkesstitution for treatment since his inThey said the extent of burns of the three other employes was still undetermined..