News-Press from Fort Myers, Florida • Page 1

MEW; PRE Thomas A. Edison Said: "Thi la only on Fort Myr nd 10 million people ra going to find It out." New-Press 'Phones New DapartoMRt 44 AdvrtWn, Clrcnlnttoa f4 Job Printing to FIVE CENTS A COPY VOL. LV. NO. 313, 55th Year.

FORT YERS, WEDNESDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 27, 1939 FOET MYE TV T7 uTWTrJ I P1 Blues Singer Tells Story Of Jefferson's Assaults Hitler Losing His Patience With Britain Airport Show Set Oct. 29 To Aid Bonds Turkey, Backed by Italy, Seeks Help From Russia To Organize Balkan Bloc ri yw'. 'tWlwswyi Ribbentrop Rushes to Moscow, Learning Of Diplomatic Conference Peace Pamphlets Hit Washington WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 (JP) The dropping of "peace" pamphlets on downtown Washingtonsome of which fell near the White House brought a threat late today that Aviatrix Laura Ingalls would lose her permit to fly. Miss Ingalls admitted after the flight that pamphlets from her plane had fallen on downtown As the surprise flight ended, the civil aeronautics authority issued a "show cause" order against Miss Ingallp, which might bring revocation of her aviator's license.

The grounds were that she had violated a restricted air zone, covering the capitol, the White House and other government buildings. The pamphlets carried the imprint of the week-old women's national committee to keep U. S. out of war, which opposes President Roosevelt's stand for repeal of the arms embargo. Moscow Sees Soviet-Nazi Military Pact Following Talk With Von Ribbentrop following up his Aug.

23 visit, when he signed the German-Russian non-aggression pact, to negotiate a military pact between the two governments. The accusation against Estonia was included in a communique which said negotiations had begun with Estonia when her explanation of the escape of the interned Polish submarine Orzel proved "unsatisfactory." Sub Dashes for Freedom The submarine made a dash for freedom from Tallinn, Estonia, Sept. 18 after having taken refuge in the harbor there. The Estonian government said the craft escaped under fire but Russia accused the Tallinn regime of "abetting." In view of dissatisfaction at the Estonian explanation, the soviet Continued on Page Two! By WITT HANCOCK MOSCOW, Sept. 26 (JP) Soviet Russia announced tonight the expected arrival of German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop tomorrow for a second history-making visit which diplomatic quarters predicted might lead to a Russian-German military pact.

At the same time the Moscow government lifted the veil on mysterious negotiations with neighboring Estonia by charging that country was harboring unknown submarines in Baltic waters. Tass, soviet official news agency, announced Von Ribbentrop was coming at Moscow's invitation "to discuss with the government of the Soviet union problems connected with developments in Poland." Some observers expressed the belief that Von Ribbentrop was mm Legion Shows Its Might In Gay, Colorful Parade BOLTON IM. Navy Shifts Vessels to Hawaii, following Planes I 1 No Ulterior Motive, Says Spokesman, as Tension Spreads in Orient WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 (JP)- The navy has decided to shift a "pretty fair sized" force of vessels to Hawaii, in a move which appears to be linked with the European war and international tension in the Far East. A highly placed of ficial disclosing the decision today after a White House conference, asserted that the purpose was to train and decentralize the fleet and i that it involved "no ulterior mo tive." The transfer conforms, nevertheless, to a proposal long under consideration to station a scouting force at the Pacific outpost.

The main body of the fleet, including battleships, is to remain on the Pacific coast, where it hurriedly returned in April from an Atlantic cruise that was cut short several weeks by President Roosevelt's order. An early announcement is expect-Continued on Page Five Hint Ultimatum Planned Calling on England to Either Fight or Make Peaee BERLIN, Sept. 26 UP) Adolf Hitler returned to Berlin tonight to concentrate his energies on the war on the western front while his foreign minister prepared to leave for Moscow to discuss "political questions" arising from the German-Russian occupation of Poland. The fuehrer, self-styled first soldier of Germany, had been absent from his Berlin chancellery since he joined his troops in the east on Sept. 3, the day Britain and France declared war on Germany.

Berliners saw his personal flag hoisted over his official residence and thereupon concluded the war on the eastern front virtually was finished. Now it was expected he would devote himself energetically to the problems in the west. The taking of Warsaw appeared to be the most serious business remaining in the east. A communi. que today said German forces had started to storm the city after failing to win a negotiated It was announced officially that Foreign Minister Joachim von Rib-bentrop would leave for Moscow tomorrow at the invitation of the soviet government.

The question of whether anything of Poland would remain as an independent state was expected by some Berlin observers to be raised in the talks in the soviet capital. There was some speculation whether Germany and Russia would want a buffer state between thel The opinion in some quarters was that such a state would be a center for Polish patriots agitating to revive their nation and it might be to Germany's interest to wipe it out entirely. It was emphasized, however, that there had been no decisions on this score. Diplomatic quarters in Moscow advanced the possibility that Von Ribbentrop's impending arrival might foreshadow the conclusion of a German-Russian military pact. Hitler's Patience Run Low Hints were heard, meanwhile, Continued on Page Two Carter Glass 111; Doctor Concerned WASHINGTON, Sept.

26 Carter Glass, 81-year-old senator from Virginia, was confined to his apartment today with an illness which was giving some concern to his friends. Dr. Walter A. Bloedorn said the legislator was running a slight fever. Asked whether his condition serious, the physician said: "At his age we regard' any illness as more serious than in the case of a younger person." ing three young boys, all previously believed drowned in Catalina channel, were rescued Sunday by the now inoperative gambling barge Texas.

The Conchita was disabled while enroute back from Catalina island. It drifted helplessly until, by good fortune, it bumped against the side of the Texas. Caretaker W. E. Monstad hauled aboard Brown, his 70-year-old mother, his sister and brother-in-law, their two sons and another boy.

Tied to Texas' stern, the Conchita broke away and was found drifting yesterday several miles offshore. After leaving probably more than $1,000,000 damage under cloudy skies, and a new all-time rainfall record for September, the storm practically ended today. Fair weather was forecast for tomorrow. The storm brought 5.62 inches of rain to Los Angeles, including 5.41 inches in 24 hours, and similar measurements in nearby cities. At this time last year, the season's total here was only .01 of an inch.

On Mount Wilson, near Pasadena, 13.66 inches of rain has fallen since Sunday. The storm followed seven days of temperatures ranging from 100 to 107 degrees, another all-time weather record for this area. Free Carnival Planned by Ffrrt Myers Airmen; Election Date Nov. 7 A free air show at the municipal airport with plenty of seriouB and comic competition among local fliers Sunday, Oct. 29, will be part of the campaign to arouse interest in the airport bond election scheduled for Tuesday, Nov.

7. The election to approve a $75,000 county-wide bond issue will be limited to the 2,500 freeholders or resident property owners in the county. In advising the inter-civic airport committee, County Attorney William J. Wood said that to make the election legal at least 50 per cent of the freeholders must vote. It will take a majority of the property owners who take part in the election to carry the bond issue.

The county's share of $75,000 will assure construction of a $210,000 airport with hard-surfaced runways and all facilities for airmail and passenger service. It will also assure Fort Myers of frequent cross country visits from army and navy aircraft. "Figures are now being prepared to show how little the sale of these bonds will add to the tax bill," explained Gilmer M. Heit- man chairman of the airport committee which is composed of representatives of the Rotary, Ki-wanis and Liong clubs, senior and junior chambers of commerce, American Legion, city council and county commission. "The government just wants to know that we are willing to take a small share of responsibili-'ty In building a ClassrfA "airport "in Lee county," explained Mr.

Heit man. "The present site four miles south of Fort Myers and just off the Tamiami Trail has been approved by federal airport officials. We can get plenty of help as soon as we vote for the airport. It will definitely put Fort Myers back on the nation's airmap." Carl Dunn was named chairman of the airport show Oct. 29.

Other members of his committee will be Whit Ansley, R. E. Rich, Gilmer Heitman, F. h. Forehand, H.

0. Kight and Ralph Kingston. The show will be held Sunday afternoon. Bob Watson was named chairman of the direct-by-mail campaign with Ed Conroy in charge of street banners and Frank Bell chuirman of theater publicity. Lee Daniels was appointed chairman of transportation to the polls and Tom Biggar was named finance chairman.

Committees will be appointed in all Leecounty precincts to talk up Continued on Page Two! Bicycle Owners Told to Get Tags Police Chief Charley Moore yesterday warned youngsters to start getting their bicycles in shape for the supervision program which gets underway Oct. 15 with the issuing of licenses. The permit tags, which will cost 25 cents each and serve as a permanent license tag, are expected to arrive by the end of this week. "Lights and brakes are the most important items," commented Chief Moore. "For night rio'ing wheels must be equipped with a headlight and should have a 'tail-light, although a big reflector on the rear is permissible.

Brakes should be kept in first-class condition." To make sure that bicycles are in the proper condition, police will conduct inspection tests before permits are issued. After that, bicycles will be subject to inspection whenever ueemed Passed as a safety and anti-theft measure, the ordinance requires all bicycles in the city to be licensed after Oct. 15. CHAMBER MEETING Sam Fitzsimmons, president of the Lee county chamber of commerce, yesterday called a meeting of the executive committee with the publicity committee at 4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon to definitely determine how much will be spent this year for literature, newspaper and magazine advertising, radio and outdoor posters to build up the 1939-40 tourist season. The advertising this year will be written to bring winter residents and home owners to Fort Myers and other Lee county communities.

By LLOYD LEHRBAS BUCHAREST, Sept. 2 (P) Diplomatic circles here disclosed tonight that negotiations are under way for a Soviet-Italian-Bal kans pact designed to insure against spreading of war into southeastern Europe. The negotiations, initiated by Turkey, aim at arranging mutual guarantees of the Balkan status quo. The foreign minister of Turkey, Sukru Saracoglu, who now is in Moscow, was reported by diplomats to be discussing the final terms of the proposed pact with Premier Foreign Commissar Vyacheslaff Molotoff. This stage was reported reached after extensive diplomatic soundings during which a tacit approval of the plan was said to have been received from all the interested nations.

Germany's foreign minister, Joachim von Ribbentrop, was reported here to have decided to fly to Moscow as soon as he heard of the subject of the conferences between the Russian ana' Turkish diplomats. Von Ribbentrop is scheduled to arrive in Moscow Wednes" day. Both Moseow and Berlin announcements said the trip was at Russia's invitation to discuss Polish problems. Turkey's Plan Negotiations for the pact have been conducted1 in 'Italy and the Balkan countries by Turkish envoys, it was said here. Under the plan as disclosed by diplomatic sources, Turkey, Rumania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Hungary and Greece propose to form a Balkan union under the aegis of Italy and Russia with the objective of remaining a strong neutral bloc ana' keeping the war from southeastern Europe.

The five vitally interested Balkan union nations and Russia, Italy and Turkey would guarantee the status quo of the eastern Mediterranean and control the Dardanelles straits, entrance to the Black sea, and the mouth of the Danube. Concessions in land claims and' boundary disputes which have caused numerous Balkan wars and prevented the nations from completely trusting one another were schedulea to be made, it was reported, To enable the Bulgarian government to enter the proposed unioji. Rumania was reported willing to make a token rectification of the Rumanian Bulgarian boundary, but would not be required to give up Dobruja, the province Bulgaria has desired. Request to Russia In exchange for Rumanian and Bulgarian frontier rectification, Rumania was reported to have requested Russia to recognize Rumania's annexation of Bessarabia, Continued on Page Two Boston Reports Freezing Weather BOSTON, Sept. 26 ffl Temperatures fell to within a few degrees of freeiing tonight in northern New England as the autumn's coldest weather succeeded the season's first snowstorm, a fall that left a blanket ranging up to two inches at St.

Albans, Vt. In southern New England, the mercury dipped into the mid 40s at sundown. Heavy rain fell in that area. THE WEATHER In Fort Myers yesterday (Sept. 26): High 90, low 75; flve-mile southeast wind; part cloudy; barometer 29.96 (8 a.

and 29.96 (8 p.m.). Forecast: Moderate southerly winds and partly overcast weather. Tides at Fort Myera Beach: High Low A.M. P.M. A.M.

PJW. Wed. 12:08 12:25 6:13 6:34 Thur. 1:02 6:50 7:00 Sun rises 6:21, sets 6:21. Moon rises 5:48 p.

seta 5:27 a. m. Al Smith Will Back Roosevelt's Neutrality Stand To Make Radio Appeal for Lifting of American Arms Embargo WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 UP Alfred E. Smith, often a bitter critic of the Roosevelt administration, has come to the president's assistance on the neutrality question, it was announced today, and will present his views in a radio speech next Sunday.

The Columbia Broadcasting system said Smith "plans to support President Roosevelt's tf'WM" which include the highly controversial point of repealing the present embargo on shipments of arms, ammunition and implements of war to the European belligerents. The radio speech is to be made at 7 p. m. under the auspices of the American Union for Concerted Peace Efforts. This word came simultaneously today with a strategy meeting of senate opponents of repealing the embargo at which it was decided to concentrate upon the embargo issue alone and exclude from the debate other questions presented by the administration neutrality bill.

They expressed belief that the embargo was the "trade mark" of American neutrality and could be disturbed only at the country's peril. 90-Day Credits Complicated Besides the embargo repealer, the administration bill contains clauses forbidding American ships to carry goods to belligerents and banning loans to them. Ninety-day commercial credits would be permitted in the president's discretion. At his press conference today, President Roosevelt said he could not explain the 90-day credit clause. It was a complicated question, he said, on which he had, as yet, no knowledge.

He was asked if he thought unconstitutional a provision giving congress as well as the president the power to determine that a state of war exists a finding which would require the president to invoke the neutrality law. Mr. Roosevelt responded that that was a moot question which an attorney general and a supreme court might Continued on Page Two Speedy 'Crash Boat Puts in Port Here Two coast guardsmen tied up at the municipal pier yesterday morning in a Higgins semi-tunnel, blunt-nosed utility cruiser which will be delivered to the Miami air base as a crash boat. The high-powered craft was launched off Sanibel from the lighthouse tender Larkspur and came up the Ca-loosahatchee from Punta Rassa under its own power towing the cradle in which it was delivered- The heavy timbered cradle was tied to the municipal pier before the coast guard boat proceeded through the Caloosahatchee waterway with J. M.

Keegan and R. L. Thaggard in charge. They are from the Fort Lauderdale coast guard base. The hull of the stub-nosed crafty without the powerful Hall Scott motor, cost $6,800 and the boat is capable of running through wreckage and over logs without damage to the protected propeller.

JEAN WEST PAL" BEACH, Sept. 26 (M Charles Jefferson, 29, suave man of the theatre, defended himself on the witness stand today from a first degree murder charge for the sex-slaying of Frances Dunn, 17-year-old Miami school v. He took the Stand soon after the prosecution's star witness, Jean Bolton, testified she and her school mate Frances were lured from Miami to a deserted spot at the beach near Boca Raton and were mistreated and assaulted before Miss Dunn was brutally slain. Jefferson went over much of the same story told by Jean, but with widely differing details, about how he promised the girls movie careers and left Miami with them on the trip that ended in Frances' death Aug. 8 and his arrest two days later on charges of kidnaping Continued on Page Five E.

A. Hawkins Dies At Bottling Plant Edward A. Hawkins, 83, died last night of a heart attack at the Coca Cola bottling works where he was connected with his sons B. B. and R.

T. Hawkins in busi ness. Mr. Hawkins came here in' 1912 from Tampa where he had been in the bottling business. He was born near Gainesville and for many years ran a trucking and farming business before following his son, B.

ft. Hawkins, to Tampa where the two operated a large bottling plant. Later Mr. Hawkins moved part of the equipment to Fort Myers and for two years ran the plant here before his sons closed the Tampa works to1 join him. Since then they, have managed the business together.

He leaves two other sons, O. P. Hawkins of Jacksonville and U. R. Hawkins of Gainesville and five daughters.

Mrs. J. W. Smith of Reddick, Mrs. J.

Johnson of Lakeland, Mrs. E. A. Spencer of Alachua, Mrs. J.

F. Skirvice of Cherry Lake and Mrs. O. P. Mikell of Miami.

Lawrence A. Powell has charge of funeral arrangements'. Truck Crops Suffer .25 Pet. Damage Young winter ruck crops in Lee county suffered approximately 25 per cent damage from the heavy rains of last week "and the ensuing hot, sunshiny weather, County Agent Carl Heuck estimated yesterday after a checkup. Greatest damage is in retarded growth, he said, with harvesting delayed because of the setback to plants.

"Although in many cases farmers are relieving soggy conditions by 'airing out' the ground through tilling the furrows, many plants are going to have to be replaced," said Mr. Heuck. "This means additional costs in labor as well as a loss in not getting early market Driccs." Thousands Line Chilly Chicago Streets to Cheer at; Antics CHICAGO," Sept. 26 The American Legion, champion of peace and preparedness, paraded its martial might today. Company after contingent moved down Michigan avenue in the big parade of 1939, veered across Grant park and trooped through the gigantic Soldier field amphitheater while hundreds of thousands cheered.

The colorful cavalcade started south in the broad boulevard at 9 a. m. as chill winds and a slow drizzle formed a setting reminiscent of rainy days in France. The sun broke through the low-hanging clouds at noon, however, The participants 75,000 strong, en-spirited by the military music of 100 bands and 500 drum and bugle corps proceeded without break after darkness settled over the three-mile line of march. Capt.

David Flynn, head of the police traffic department, estimated 1,000,000 persons saw the procession through the streets while 50,000 others watched it from seats in the stadium. Scores of hundreds were on hand when Lieut. Gen. Stanley H. Ford, commander of the sixth corps area, serving as grand marshal, led the first platoons of the cavalcade over the route.

Spectators crowded the curbs, craned from windows of hotels and office buildings, peered from roofs. They applauaed an impressive display here, laughed at a caper there and swayed to the strains of "Hinky, Dinky, Parley Voo." There were Iowans bearing corn stalks, lumberjacks from Wisconsin, cowboys from Colorado, a jovial Kriss Kringle from Santa Continued on Page Two Torrential Rains Fall on Alabama BREWTON, Sept. 2G (JP) High waters moved menacingly upward around this South Alabama town tonight, spread over miles of lowlands, and closed one of Dixie's most heavily traveled highways. Authorities, however, anticipated "no real danger" unless dark, overhanging clouds dumped more rain. Burnt Corn and Murder creeks, often trouble makers, were far out of banks and continued rising tonight.

Estimates varied from 8 to 18 inches an hour. To the south, the Conecuh river continued a climb, which measured 11.5 feet during the day. Within 32 hours, 10.82 inches of rain fell in this town of population. A drizzle continued tonight. The torrential rains followed a tropical storm inward from the gulf, although Alabama escaped the gale as it veered into France Outlaws Xommimist Party As Slap at Russia Heavy Fighting Continues Willi French Pounding Siegfried Line PARIS, Sept.

26- (JP) The French government today outlawed the communist party in France in what political circles interpreted as an answer to Russia's lineup with Germany and invasion of Poland. The severe decree adopted by Premier Daladier's war cabinet also meant the end of all the party's affiliates and banned communist propaganda in France. Penalties not yet revealed were provided for violations. The action had been foreshadowed by suppression of the newspapers l'Humanite and Ce Soir, dismissal of communists from parliamentary committees and a break between the communists and the general confederation of labor. President Lebrun, who signed the measure, also approved a decree extending to all of France's allies as well as France herself the protection against crimes and offences against their "external safety" for the duration of the war.

French infantry, edging forward Continued on Page Two Britain 'Checking' Submarine Menace LONDON, Sept. 26 Great Britain's first lord of the admiralty, Winston Churchill, today told the nation that enemy submarines were being checked with greater success than in the world war and that the empire's merchant marine was being armed for a fight that "is only just beginning." Speaking in the house of commons immediately after Prime Minister Chamberlain had made his fourth report on the war's progress, Churchill stole the show from his chief. He declared that Britain had seized more German cargo than she had lost to submarines. British losses have been reduced from 05,000 tons in the first week of war to 46,000 tons in the second week, 21,000 in the third and only 9,000 in the past six days, he said. Churchill coupled his comparison of British gains and losses at sea with a pledge to fight sea attackers with guns, convoys and other means.

Chamberlain added "a word of warning against over-optimism" but expressed belief Britain's sea power eventually would cripple German ability to prolong California's Tropical Storm Deaths Approach 1 00 Mark LOS ANGELES, Sept. 26 (K') Deaths resulting from the tropical storm along Southern California's coast may approach 100 if the fierce gales of -Sunday sank the numerous small ocean-going craft still unreported today. More than two dozen boats, mostly pleasure cruisers and yachts, have not been heard from since the storm broke. Aboard these craft were parties ranging from two to 10 persons each. Best available information indicated the average number was at least four or five.

Already more than 35 persons are known to have died or are believed dead, most of whom perished in boat wrecks. These include 24 lost when the fishing boat Spray capsized near Oxnard. At least 14 boats are known to have been gunk or wrecked. The U. a coast guard began a systematic search today from Santa Barbara to San Diego for missing: craft along the beaches, in coves and on island shores.

Eight patrol boats put out from Los Angeles harbor. Two coast guard vessels from San Diego and one from Santa Barbara were assigned to aid the search. A dramatic episode of the storm was revealed today when David Brown of the 30-foot ketch Con-chita and a party of sit, includ.