Corpus Christi Caller-Times from Corpus Christi, Texas • 1

but sin is Righteousness Thought a reproach 14:34. for exalteth to Today a any nation: peo- Corpus Christi Caller ESTABLISHED 1883-Vol. 51-No. 95 CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, FRIDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 27, 1939 Twenty- Russia Releases American Ship City of Flint Win Test Vote FDR Assails Embargo Repealists Propaganda Robstown's New $77,000 U. S.

Post Office Robstown's ROBSTOWN (Sp) principal talk was made was $77,000. First Piling To Be Driven Today on Million Dollar Plant Lon C. Hill president the Central Power Light" Co. and Mayor A. C.

McCaughan will officiate at 2 o'clock this afternoon at a the first piling is driven for new power plant on the north the ship Excavation work has started and driving of the piling is expected to progress rapidly after today. Lee Akin is the piling contractor on the big project which, when finished next June, will have an output of 15,000 kilowatts. Also present for the ceremonies tomorrow will be George Gilliam, division manager, Ennis Joslin, district manager, J. T. Persons, chief engineer, and others.

Fireman Fatally Injured in Oil Field Explosion Grover C. Duncan Blown 115 Feet Away From Rig Boiler obstown's new federal post office was by Congressman Richard M. Kleberg. Robstown's New Post Office Is Dedicated Kleberg Principal Speaker Ceremonies ROBSTOWN (Sp) In in which he praised the federal postal system and Robstown as a center. Cong.

Richard M. Kleberg Thursday afternoon dedicated a new $77,000 U. S. Post Office and federal building to the people of this town. The dedication was against a setting of celebration, since it was the second day of Robstown's King Cotton Carnival.

The Cotton Picker Band, directed by Ray Sims, played several musical selections at the opening and closing of the dedication program. The Rev. Val L. Sherman, local Methodist pastor, gave the invocation. Representatives from Boy Scout troops 52.

99 and 66 and from the Cub Scout group raised the flag of the United States for first time over the new building as the band swept through with "The Star Spangled Banner." John Manning, superintendent of Robstown Schools, served as master of ceremonies, introducing John W. Kellam. Robstown's mayor, who welcomed all present. Many Visitors B. S.

Byrnes, president of the Robstown Chamber of Commerce, spoke briefly to the effect that "the business men of Robstown through their efforts in the chamber of commerce and their respective committees are always looking forward and trying to do something to build their town so that it may live up to its reputation of being the 'biggest little town in Texas." 0. T. Kellam, local postmaster, introduced a number of distinguished out-of-town guests cluding Denver, Chestnutt, Kenedy publisher; J. S. Clements of San Angelo, contractor on the (Turn to Page 2.

Column 3) Another Oil Strike For Victoria County VICTORIA, Texas, Oct. 26. (AP) Another oil strike was recorded in Victoria County today when the Houston Oil No. 1 Ed Dietzel in the Fleming Prairie community cored 15 feet of saturated sand at 4,8000 feet. The well iS five miles southwest of the Coletto Creek Field.

Ruth Judd's Relatives Plead With Murderess To Surrender PHOENIX, Oct. 26. (P)- While anxious relatives expressed the hope she would surrender to avoid the possibility of being declared sane and executed, Winnie Ruth Judd, mad murderess, succeeded today in keeping her whereabouts unknown. Investigators admitted they had found no trace of the 34-year-old blonde. slayer of her two best friends in 1931, since her midnight visit Tuesday to the home of her parents, the Rev.

and Mrs. H. J. McKinnell, a few minutes after she fled from the Arizona State Hospital for the Insane. As baffled officers pushed the search for the trunk murderess, a brother, Burton J.

McKinnell, Washington, D. joined the husband, Dr. W. C. Judd, Los Angeles, in declaring the escape a "mistake" and a "foolish move" and expressing the hope she would surrender as possible.

Should she at large unremains til officers catch up with her, young McKinnell expressed fear she might be declared sane and executed, a fate she twice escaped, once in 1932 by appeal of her conviction to the state preme court, and again in 1933 by virtue of being declared insane. Governor Bob Jones has prom- The Weather Partly cloudy. Sailing weather somewhat rough. Four Pages Today--PRICE FIVE CENTS Not Known If Or American In Charge of Britain Partly Excuses Soviet Grab in Poland Empire Ready for Nazi's "Fight to End" Chamberlain Says LONDON, Oct. 26.

(P) -Britain today partly excused without defending Soviet Russia's part in the partition of Poland while new pleas were made in Parliament for another try to gain Russian friendship for the British-French allies. Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax told the House of Lords that Russia would never have occupied eastern Poland if Germany not started it and set the example." As he spoke Prime Minister Chamberlain, addressing the House of Commons, declared that Britain was ready for Germany's "fight to the finish." Lord Halifax explained to the upper house that the Soviet action "has been to advance the Russian boundary recommended at the time of the Versailles conference by Lord Curzon," then British foreign secretary who was a Versailles delegate. However, he said he did not wish "to defend the action of the Soviet government at the particular time at which they took it." Soviet Friendship Plea This and the call by the labor and liberal opposition to seek again Soviet friendship came in spite of a Russian protest at the inclusion of foodstuffs in the British contraband list. In a note Russia reserved the right to claim compensation for any losses incurred in enforcement British contraband regulations. Chamberlain in his weekly report on the war said in reply to German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop's Danzig speech Tuesday that "the positive conclusion which we are to draw from it is that the German government have made the choice, which as I state don October 12, lay before them." The choice that Chamberlain offered them was that Germany give convincing proof of her sincereity and desire for peace by "definite acts" and "effective guarantees" or "we must perservere in our duty to the end." "He (Von Ribbentrap) has announced their intention of seeing the struggle through with all their energy and strength," Chamberlain continued today.

"If that indeed is their decision there can be but one reply and we are prepared to give it." Shoes Change Feet The prime minister drew a chuckle from Soviet Ambassador Ivan Maisky in the diplomatic gallery as he recalled the words of Von Ribbentrop, when he was ambassador to London three years ago, that the only real danger to Europe was the further spread of Communism. He also drew laughter from the Soviet envoy when he accused Germany of inviting Russia to "join a crusade against the British empire." He reviewed the war developments past week, saying that "it seems now to have become the rule for merchant ships to be sunk without warning" by German sea raiders, but that the de- (Turn to Page 2, Column 2) Of War Fear Critics of New Deal Foreign Policy Branded as Fakes WASHINGTON, Oct. 26. (P)- President Roosevelt, striking out at critics who charge that his foreign policy may lead the United States to war, accused them tonight of perpetrating "one oft the worst fakes in current history." In and out of Congress, he said, orators have been "beating their breasts and proclaiming against sending the boys of American mothers to fight on the battlefields of Europe." This, he asserted in a radio address, is "a shameless and dishonest fake." No person in any post responsibility anywhere in the United States, he said, has ever suggested that American boys be sent to fight abroad. The president's speech, made as the Senate neared the final action on his proposal to repeal the arms embargo, was delivered from the White House the auspices of sunder the New York Herald Tribune Forum on "The War's Challenge to the United States." Praises Press and Radio The president also praised the "majority of the press and the radio" for "objective reporting" of the international situation.

He said this had worked so well that he wished "for more of it in the field of domestic news." After repeating that this country is neutral and does not intend to get involved in the war, the president said: "That we can be neutral in thought as well as in act is, as I have said before, impossible of fulfillment because, again, the people of this country, thinking things through calmly and without prejudice, have been and are making up their minds about relative merits of current events on other continents. "It is a fact increasingly manifest that presentation of real news has sharpened the minds and the judgment of women everywhere of real messenda public discussion--and we Americans begin to know the difference between the truth on the one side and the falsehood on the other, 110 matter how often the falsehood is iterated and reiterated. Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth." Dangers to Democracy Discussing propaganda, he said it was perhaps a good thing that Congress had been "deluged" with it from time to time in behalf of various causes. "Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate," he explained, "begin to discriminate (Turn to Page 2, Column 7) Shattered Wreckage Of U-Boat Found in Strait of Dover LONDON, Oct. 26.

(P) The British admiralty announced tonight that "the shattered wreck of a German U-boat was found today on the Goodwin (The Goodwin sands are considered exceedingly dangerous shoals in the Strait of Dover. They are just off the southeast cost of Kent, England, and flank the southern approach to the Thames River.) Boatmen at Deal, just opposite the shoals, said they saw the conning tower treacherous, sticking out of the water. Gunfire was heard off Deal yesterday but a heavy mist prevented the sight of any action. Mystery Continues To Surround Fate Of Seized Vessel Nazi Crew Ship Final Ballot In Senate May Be Cast Today Senate Outlaws Use Of American Flag by Belligerent Ships NE7 Newspapers and War News service charges, normally one of the highest figures on any paper's expense sheet, have gone even higher since the outbreak of war in Europe. Newspapers themselves are the first casualties in any war involving the country wherein they are published.

Comes the declaration and the newspaper loses its liberty, its honesty, its source of revenue and becomes a propaganda sheet. These are facts, established a suggestion of successful contradiction. Many industries may stand to make handsome profits out of war manufacture and trading. Farm commodities bring better prices. But a newspaper, Josing its freedom, loses everyA newspaper, of all businesses, has the most to lose and the least to gain in anybody's war.

Yet the Lookout frequently hears it said, many people seem to feel, despite the obvious results, that newspapers thrive on war and its news, that the few measly nickles one gains by selling extras represents a handsome profit which makes conflict financially worthwhile. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Neutrality vs. Headlines News is a precious commodity, inflammable as well as perishable, all depending on the handling, and there's a reason for the suspicious opinion that newspapers, some anyway, gain a hidden, mysterious profit from war. One who writes and chooses to be known simply as Pete neat job of putting the question.

He states his case. "Let us be say your editorials chorus with the too generally unread editorials of most other papers. And in chorus with them you shout in black scareheads (to your credit, not as black as most) that 'Germans Seize American Ship City of It must be no secret to you that front page news and its emphasis of position, treatment angle and headline is, as a lever to displace public opinion, 10 times as effective as your month's output of editorials. The mild excitement you display over this event is moderate, almost in comparison with the hysteria affected by so many of your competitors. but in prominence given the story there lurks the suggestion that here is a Nazi thrust at sacred American rights, dastardly and challenging.

Radio, Too 3111 stupid. Enlighten me. What is the feature of this story that merits your top headline when at least half a dozen similar seizures of our ships by the British have slipped slyly past on two or three inches of type? Is it that an English seizure 1S SO commonplace as to 110 longer be news? As I begin this letter the KRIS newscast neatly underlined my point with the AP follow-up of the incident. A According to the opinion of some ex- officer, whose dicta preface' the 6 p. m.

newscast, American public opinion is being heated by this repetition of German actions which 'led us into the last Although wholly within their legal rights, the commentator admits, and morally correct, the Germans should have learned what a bad temper it puts us in to have our shipping interfered with. By anyone, that is, except the British. "What a lecture that newscast read id the German pirates! 'Purely a matter of our secretary of state exclaimed. And then, tripping innocently, the commentator hurried by a reference to the four or five' of our ships in the hands of the English. These ships, bound for ports dubious to British eyes; are they supposed to have hunted up the nearest English destroyer and swooningly surrendered? Is it of their own sweet will, or by that these four or five American ship masters proceded to Plymouth or London for Admiralty trials, days and weeks ago and still without hearings? What does our secretary of state mean by 'force' which the Germans used, and which the English, by inference, did not use? "Parallel Cases" "The English have seized a number of our vessels, suspected of carrying contraband, and have (Turn to Page 2, Column 1) WASHINGTON, Oct.

26. (P)- Administration forces won by a two to one majority today the first test of strength on the crux of the President's neutrality program, repeal of the arms embargo. The vote, 55 to 27, came on an amendment, (D-Calif) proposed which by Senator would have forbidden munitions sales to all foreign nations, neutrals or belligerents, in peace time or war, except states of the Western Hemisphere at war with -American nations. Since the scope of the Downey present it conproposal vextendedu beyond the tained some controversial matter not essentially involved in the neutrally debate. These extraneous cost the proposal the vote of Senator Vandenberg (R-Mich) and possibly one.or two others.

However, with these exceptions, both sides agreed that the vote was a test of strength and that, when he Senate ballots on the quesion in form--that of a motion the repeal another, clause from the pending legislation---the roll-call tally list would look very much as it did today. May Tighten Debate Gag Administration forces, athough they received but 55 votes on the Downey amendment, or 57 including two that were paired, were still highly confident of amassing a final total of 65 or so. In justification of this claim they pointed to the fact that 14 senators were absent, and whom unrecorded today, are avowedly on the administration side of the argument. The final ballot may come tomorrow. Majority Leader Barkley (D-Ky) announced that he would ask for an agreement to vote on the bill and all amendments at 5 o'clock tomorrow.

Senator McNary, the Republican leader, advised him, however, that there would be objections to such 8 proposal, suggested that he seek, instead, a stricter limitation of By agreement, each senator now is limited to speaking 45 minutes on the bill and 45 minutes on each amendment. Barkley heeded McNary's advice and, just before the Senate adjourned, secured an agreement that hereafter each senator would be limited to 20 minutes' discussion of each amendment. Before Downey arose with his embargo amendment, the Senate had adopted one amendment -by Senator Tobey (R-NH) to forbid the use of the American flag by belligerent merchant ships---and rejected another--by Senator Danaher (R-Conn) to forbid the sale of poison gas or flame throwers to the European belligerents. Tobey told the Senate that British merchantmen, in some insances. had flown the American flag during the World War to escape German submarine attacks.

and argued that such (Turn to Page 2, Column 8) District Attorney Ousts Assistant Hatchitt Has No Plans on Selection Of Lyman's Successor Joe P. Hatchitt, district attorhad definite plans ney, said, yesterday afternoon he appointment of a Charles G. Lyman, assistant district attorney, whom Hatchitt discharged yesterday morning. The Nueces County grand jury convenes Monday morning, but Hatchitt declared yesterday he will attempt to go through this term of court without an assistant. For almost three years Lyman had been Hatchitt's chief assistant here.

First announcement of Lyman's discharge came when Hatchitt handed to C. J. Wilde, county auditor, a letter which read: "This will advise you that on this date it is my will that the services of Charles G. Lyman, assistant district attorney, discontinued. You will please advise itt declined comment when the commissioners court." tioned as to the reason for Lyman's dismissal.

Nor did Lyman have any comment to make. Hatchitt was first elected district attorney in 1936. Last summer he campaigned successfully for re-election. His term expires January 1, 1941. Lyman plans to take up the practice of law.

His office is in the Nixon Building." (Photo by Walter McGonagill.) dedicated Thursday afternoon. The Cost of the new federal building Moon's Eclipse May Chase Cool Wave From Coastal Area midnight tonight, an eclipse of the moon Will occur, J. P. cAuliffe, bureau The time at which the moon will approach nearest a total eclipse will be 12:37 o'clock Saturday morning. From 9:42 to 12:37 o'clock the moon will move into the shadow of the earth.

The moon will be visible as a dark red color. A cool wave in the northern part of the United States has failed to move southward as expected, consequently Corpus Christi will find no respite from the warm weather today. Partly cloudy weather, continued warm, 15 the forecast. It again will be a windy day. Driver Quizzed As Crash Kills Refugio Resident Four Others Escape Death in Collision On Highway 9 The body of Hildred McNulley, 24, of Refugio, who was killed almost instantly late Wednesday night in a head-on collision of two automobiles at the intersection of Highway 9 and the Shell Road.

was taken overland to Refugio last night for burial. Definite funeral, arrangements. in charge Zarsky Funeral Home at Refugio, had not been completed last night. The David T. Peel Funeral Home handled local arrangements.

Four men involved in the accident with MeNulley escaped serious injury. G. Neal, 1514 Malone Street, and W. B. Reese of Hempstead were released from Fred Roberts Memorial Hospital after receiving emergency treatment.

Miles Free on Bond Neal was the driver of the car in which Reese and McNulley were riding. W. Miles, 5523 Bonita Street, Houston, and his negro chauffeur were occupants of the other car. Miles, who was driving his car when the accident occurred, was taken into custody by State Highway Patrolmen R. M.

Arnold and R. B. Goodrum, was released 011 $1,000 bond shortly before noon yesterday. The Neal car, approaching Corpus Christi, had just passed beneath the underpass west of the intersection when the accident occurred. highway patrolmen said.

Miles was driving on the Shell (Turn to Page 2. Column 4) District Convention Of Lions' Clabs Held at Robstown ROBSTOWN (Sp) Approximately 100 members of Lions Clubs, their wives and guests gathered 111 Robstown Thursday night for a district Lions' convention. Representatives were present from Corpus Christi, Kingsville, Alice, Aransas Pass, and Robstown. Banqueting at the high school cafeteria, the Lions heard Cong. Richard M.

Kleberg of Corpus Christi and Orville Cox of McAllen, district Lions governor, as principal speakers. C. C. Lotspeich, president of the Robstown Lions Club, was master of ceremonies. Perry and Maurice Horine of Corpus Christi, accompanied at the piano by Mrs.

C. A. Rundell, sang. A comical German band number was presented by seven high school boys from Kingsville. Congressman Kleberg touched on the major events in history, turning his talk toward the arms embargo debate now taking place in Congress.

Cox discussed Lionism. By WITT HANCOCK MOSCOW, Oct. 26. (AP) The Soviet government tonight leased the American freighter City of Flint and well sources said she had sailed under the United States flag from Murmansk, Russian port, where she was taken Monday by a German prize crew. The government announcement said merely that the ship had been given clearance after inspection of her cargo and ordered to leave port immediately, but failed to throw any light on the all-important question whether the American or German crew was directed to take the vessel away.

Well-informed sources, however, denied German reports that she had sailed under the Nazi banner. The Germans have charged she was carrying contraband. (United States Secretary of State Cordell Hull announced earlier in Washington that the United States government had demanded of the Soviet government the return of the City of Flint and her cargo to the American crew. U. S.

Presses for Details (In Berlin, however, officials said that the Russian government had agreed to release the freighter and her cargo to Germany.) The United States embassy here had been pressing the foreign office for details of the status of the freighter and at same time had been studying the question of what right Russians had to examine her if the City of Flint was flying a United States flag, however, it was not certain she was actually under the control of an American crew and officers. (If a German crew in control of the vessel were following United States naval practice, a United States or neutral flag would be hoisted and flown until the vessel reached a German port and her status determined by a prize court. (DNB dispatches from Moscow implied that a German crew was in control of the vessel.) (Although a Danish radio broadcast said the vessel first had unloaded her cargo, this point was not mentioned in official dispatches from Moscow. If the cargo was unloaded it was possible the intention was to ship the goods overland to Germany.) Crew Reported Safe Laurence A. Steinhardt, United States ambassador, received assurances during the day the American crew of Flint was safe aboard the ship.

Meantime, a sharp attack on ef(Turn to Page 2, Column 5) Grover Cleveland Duncan, fireman in the employ of E. A. Graham Drilling was fatally injured in a boiler explosion on a rig in the Clara Driscoll Field about noon yesterday. He succumbed to severe burns and other injuries at 6:20 o'clock last night in a Robstown hospital. The cause of the explosion was not ascertained, but Duncan was seen running toward the boiler, reaching there simultaneously with the explosion.

He was blown a distance of approximately 115 feet, it was said. Duncan started to work two days ago for the drilling company, it was reported, and efforts were being made last night to locate his family. The body is in charge of Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Home. 17-OUNCE TOT KEPT ALIVE IN INCUBATOR DAYTON, Ohio, Oct.

26. (P)- A 17-ounce baby girl born today to Mrs. Herbert Vancil, 20, was reported "doing well" in an incubator tonight. Weather Corpus Christi and vicinity: Partly cloudy to unsettled Friday. Highest temperature yesterday, 89 Lowest temperature yesterday, 76 Sailing weather will be rather rough, with fresh to strong southerly winds.

Sun and Moon Sunrise, sunset 5:50. Moonrise 5:36 p. moonset 6:01 a. m. Tides for Today At Aransas Pass: High, 1:55 a.

m. and 4:00 p. m. Low 8:45 a. and 9:22 p.

Nazis Confident City of Flint Will Reach German Port Safely for Prize Court Action -ised she will not be punished if she returns voluntarily. From Santa Monica, a sister-in-law, Caroline Judd, said she hoped Winnie Ruth would communicate with relatives or "give herself up as soon as possible" for her safety and for the safety of those who love She expressed the belief, however. that Winnie Ruth had escaped to "the American mining regions" of Mexico, where she formerly lived with Dr. Judd. It was recalled here that Mrs.

Judd, during her trial in 1932. had mentioned several times that she and Dr. Judd were "very happy" in Mexico. It also was known that she had correspondence with someone in San Louis Potosi. Authoritative sources also disclosed that Mrs.

Judd had recentlv expressed the desire to go to South Africa, where she had missionary friends, and that Phoenix ministers, whose names were not disclosed, had discussed the prospect with state authorities. Governor Jones, in San Francisco to attend a conference of Western governors, said he thought Mrs. Judd was hiding somewhere near Phoenix and that her mother knew her whereabouts. BERLIN, Oct. 26.

(P) -Supreme confidence that the American freighter City of Flint would some German port safely before long was expressed tonight in well-informed German circles. These quarters intimated that despite the demand of United States Secretary of State Cordell Hull that the ship be returned to the United States, the vessel would be convoyed from Murmansk by submarines whose commanders would be only too happy if British men of war would try to seize her, (In Moscow the Soviet Russian government announced the captured ship had been released and well-informed sources said she sailed under an American flag and denied German reports that the City of Flint was under a German flag when she left Murmansk.) The Germans had announced officially that the Soviet government had agreed to release the City of Flint to Germany. (A dispatch from DNB, official German news agency, telling of the release, implied the City Flint still was under control of the German crew which took her to Murmansk. The dispatch said the German crew which had been interned and then released, was aboard the vessel.) The Nazis' contention that they acted within their rights in capturing the American merchantman and taking her to the Russian port of Murmansk was set forth in a strongly-worded official statement which said: "The City of Flint was without any doubt legally captured because she had contraband aboard. "Because of damage by the sea the ship had to enter the harbor at Murmansk under direction of a German prize command." The statement said that the question of whether the contraband consisted of more than onehalf of the cargo "plays no part in the seizure of the ship." "This question comes up for discussion when the matter of confiscation of the ship, is examined before a prize court," it added.

"According to German prize regulations all ships are subject to capture without regard to nationality if they are transporting contraband. "Furthermore, according to the Hague agreement of 1907, which Russia and the United States entered, prizes damaged by the sea are entitled to enter neutral harbors and may remain there to repair the damage." It added that the legality of each capture by the German navy would be examined the German prize court in Hamburg. The Nazi navy faced the problem how to get the City of Flint to Hamburg for the prize court trial. It must run a British blockade around Norway and through the North Sea if it is to be brought into court. This was admittedly a precarious task as the freighter has been given so much publicity that it was felt Britain would be on the watch.

Whether there was any other way for the Reich to have the vessel's cargo condemned as contraband without bringing the ship into Hamburg was not clear. Nazis have asserted they are masters of the North Sea as well as the Baltic, however. The foreign office informally gave the American embassy a few details of the ship's seizure but left open a number of questions. Announcement that the Soviet had released the freighter and the German prize crew to Germany was made following ations between the two countries. The Reich asked that free on the ground they entered the Russian harbor in distress and that the ship was not seaworthy..