Press and Sun-Bulletin from Binghamton, New York • Page 1

THE WEATHER heavy to killing frost. Tuesday fair. Fair and continued tonight with BINGHAMTON PRESS City Edition Vol. 60, No. 172.

-FOUR PAGES MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 31, 1938. PRICE THREE CENTS 'WAR OF WORLDS' PANIC STARTS PROBE Rails Aid Program Rushed toBack Pay Ruling Roads Called to Act Quickly With President Pelley Will Put Wage Slash Rejection Before Carriers in Week PRESS LEGISLATION Acceptance of Terms Is Expected, Averting Strike of 900,000 Men By International News Service Washington, Oct. 31-White House plans for a comprehensive legislative program to help the nation's distressed railroads were revealed today as a substitute for the 15 per cent wage cut which the carriers sought. President Roosevelt promised such a program his full support in a conference with President J. J.

Pelley of the Association of American Railroads, during which Mr. Roosevelt asked Mr. Pelley to ascertain the roads' attitude toward the emergency fact-finding board's recommendation against the proposed pay cut. Leaving the White House, Mr. Pelley said that the President was "very hopeful" that the special operators-labor six-man committee which he set up two months ago would meet in the near future and work out such a program.

"The President feels quite hopeful that this committee will work out a full legislative program, wald Mr. Pelley, he will give it his fullest support." Mr. Pelley said the President told him the size of the six man committee probably would have to be expanded, and indicated he wanted it to get to work as fast as possible. Mr. Pelley said he promised the 'resident to call a meeting of member roads of the association, probably next week in Chicago, he will find out their attitude towards the emergency board recommendation against a cut immediately report back to the White House.

In the meantime, Pelley indicated that the question of cepting or rejecting the emergency board recommendation would be referred back to vidual roads. Soon after Mr. Pelley left the White House, George M. Harrison, chairman of the Railway Labor Executives Association, was called in to discuss the recommendations with the President. Mr.

Harrison expressed satisfaction at the recommendations and said that he did not know what aspects of the problems involved in the rail crisis would be taken up at his conference with Mr. Roosevelt. Mr. Harrison from the White House to reiterate the words of Mr. Pelley concerning the projected legislative program, "The President," he said, "wants railroad labor and railroad industry representatives recently pointed on a committee to immediately take up the problem of development of a program for gen- (Continued on Page Eight) Fight on NLRB Member May Bring Senate Probe Washington, Oct.

31 (P)-Senatorial reaction indicated today that the American Federation of Labor's demand for rejection of the reappointment of Donald Wakefield Smith to the National Labor Board might become the basis for a general airing of criticlams the board. One senator who asked that he not be quoted by name said he was convinced that if the President makes an active fight for Mr. Smith, the federation would have extreme difficulty in preventing Senate confirmation. Senator Holt W. Va.) gave notice, however, that he intends to use the controversy to exprese some of his critical views about the labor board.

Index to Features Page Aunt Het 20 Dr. Barton 16 Bible Passage 6 Birthdays 17 Blake 6 Books 6 Clapper 6 Comics 18 Crosswords 18 Culbertson 17 Dorothy Dix 16 Dr. Dafoe 17 Editorial 6 Fashions 14 Lindsay 16 Off the Record 18 Among My Souvenirs- Harrisburg, Oct. 31 (P)- Detective John Abrams walked through a special train carrying 1,400 returning high school football fans when it stopped at a stationiny of you took anything which didn't belong to you from any place in Harrisburg," he announced, "just lay it beside you on the seat and I'll be back in about five minutes. When Detective Abrams he picked up beer mugs, salt and pepper shakers, false faces, women's underwear, glue and red ink.

Love May Find a Way for Them Kansas City, Oct. 31 than a year William J. Walker, stationed on the U. S. S.

San Francisco at Long Beach, saved and sent money to Miss Elizabeth Blanchard to finance their wedding and a trip back to the coast. Mr. Walker arrived and Miss Blanchard drew the money from the bank. Later it disappearedstolen by a sneak thief." The couple went ahead with the wedding, but they found they had only $1 to finance their trip to California. Mr.

Walker still is trying to figure a way. Now, Now, This Is Ladies' Night Waukegan, Oct. 31 (P)- Claude Warner, gambling investigator for the state's attorney's office, heard that a group of women were playing slot machines in their club quarters. He and four special constables hurried to the place. When the women- some 200 of them--saw who the visitors were blocked the entrance and shouted "It's ladies' night." The raider finally got inside but they found no gambling devices.

Protective Custody for His Auto Kansas City, Oct. 31 car has been stolen," James telle of telephoned frantically to police. "Well, not quite," replied the clerk, "come and get it." Detectives had frightened two men who were attempting to steal the machine and then drove it into the police, garage because the keys the ignition system. Corrigan Magic En Route to School Milwaukee, Oct. 31 (A)- "Watch me pull a tack out of my said Jerome Getchell, 7, to a companton as they walked to school.

The companion watched and waited. Jerome gulped and looked startled. An ray showed the tack lodged in his stomach. HONEYMOON SPECIAL Terre Haute, Oct, 31 (P)- Mestre K. Radicali, 21-year-old Robles, cafe owner, rode 3,000 miles on a motorcycle to marry Miss Georgia Taylor, 19, here.

For a honeymoon they planned a return trip to California-on the motorcycle. State's Drive Shaping up as New Deal Test Both Parties Agree to Importance of Winning in New York on Nov. 8 WINDUP DRIVES OPEN Lehman to Speak at Garden Rally Tonight; Dewey to Talk in Syracuse New York, Oct. 31 (P)-New York's political campaign appeared today to be shaping up as a test of the New Deal despite conflicting local issues that may decide how the voters mark their, ballots one week from tomorrow. There is no difference of opinion between Democrats and Republicans on the importance of carrying President Roosevelt's home state, although Governor Lehman and District Attorney Thomas E.

Dewey, hie Republican opponent, have avoided stressing national issues in their campaign speeches. Both sides know that a Democratic would be interpreted as a the President, and defeat, that a Republican victory, in addition to raising a presidential, candidate, would Republican prestige throughout the country. President Roosevelt has taken cognizance of the campaign through conferences with Mr. Lehman and other candidates and he plans to make a radio address next Friday for the Democratic ticket. Mr.

Lehman, governor for six years, is seeking a fourth term. He has kept his eye on local issues, but he has called for the election of Democratic senators and representatives "to strengthen the hands of our great President in his humane legislation." the most on state issues, basMr. Dewey, has campaigned for ing part of his attack on the state administration on charges of corruption in the Democratic party, He has called Mr. Lehman's budget-balancing a "bookkeeping trick." Mr. Dewey has criticized the Roosevelt administration, too, asserting both administrations, have failed to respect civil service principles.

He has contended that Roosevelt policies have failed to reduce unemployment and that state and national administrations have been wasteful of public funds, Governor Lehman has defended his administration as progressive and financially sound. He has called for experience in office and criticized Mr. Dewey for "ignorance" of state affairs. In this he was joined State and National Chairman James A. Farley, who dubbed Mr.

Dewey "the voice of inexperience." While Mr. Dewey has chided Mr. Lehman for his decision 10 stand again for governor after announcing his intention to run for the Senate, Mr. Lehman has contended that Mr. Dewey was "running away" from the Manhattan district attorney's office to which he was elected a year ago for a four-year term.

The direct issue of upholding the President's hand is involved in the (Continued on Page Eight) Firing Squad Executes Slayer as ElectroPens Action of Heart Pierced by Shot Salt Lake City, Oct. 31 (P) firing squad executed John W. Deering at dawn today in state prison while an recorded probably for the first time the action of the human heart pierced by bullets. Deering, who had sought in every way to speed his death and who participated willingly in the scientific experiment to determine how long his heart would beat after being struck, was calm to the end. The five-man firing squad was given the order to fire at 6:46 a.

m. (M. S. and at m. Deering was pronounced dead in expiation for the May 9 holdup murder of Oliver R.

Meredith, Salt Lake city business man. There were ominous clouds against the pale sky over the mountains as Deering was led quickly from his cell block and strapped in his chair against a prison wall. Electric wires were attached to his wrists and carried to delicate machine his last heart beats. Scientists began an immediate study of the record but. said it would be some time before they could announce any findings.

Utah is the only state in the union now using a firing squad. Convicted men are given the alternative of this or hanging. One of the five rifles used is loaded with a blank. The five marksmen who acted as executioners were recruited by Sheriff S. Grant Young of Salt Lake county, their names kept a secret, They were taken to the prison in a closed car, given rifles and assigned positions behind a curtain.

left As unob- soon las they fired. they as trusively as they had come. Fantastic News Causes Hysteria Bulletin Interrupts Dance Music and "Most Horrifying Invasion" Is Flashed to U.S."People Are Dropping Like Flies" New York, Oct. 31 (P)-The program opened with dance Suddenly-'We interrupt bring you a special bulletin. Professor Farrell of the Mt.

Jen-6 nings observatory, Chicago, 111., reports several explosions of the incandescent gas occurring at regular intervals on the planet Mars." Eventually the Martians landed in meteor cars with the shock of an earthquake in the vicinity Grovers Mills (fictitious locale), N. A 30-second pause studio music. Then the octopus-like Martians using the dread "heat-ray" and then, by telephone from the scene, the report of 40 persons dead there. A moment after the gas explosIons on Mars, the scene of the fantasy switched to Princeton, where an astronomer undertook to "explain" the phenomena. Another meteor "struck" at nearby Grovers Mills to interrupt the professor, rushed out with the announcer to investigate.

It was a giant tube of metal, they reported, not a meteor "Just a announcer called. "Something's happening! Ladies and gentlemen, this is terrific! "The end of the thing is beginning to come off. The top is beginning to rotate like a screw! The thing must be There was a voices as fictitious spectators grew alarmed. "Look! The darn thing's unscrewing. Keep back! Keep back, I tell you! trying Mayhe there's men in it, to escape! red hot.

They'll burn to A cinder! Keep back there. Keep those idiots back!" There was a clanking sound of falling metal--then more voices: "She's off. The top's loose. Look out there. Stand back!" Suddenly the "monsters" began crawling out.

Their "firearms" proved to be death ray machines. Two hundred spectators died instantly. "The governor of New declared martial law. Through the drone of airplane motors came radio reports of army pilots to headquarters: machine partially crippled. Believed hit by a shell from an army gun.

A heavy black of extreme density, nature unknown. Objective is New York city. We're ready to attack. They're closer. There they go.

A giant arm is raised. They're spraying us with flame." An "operator" cut in: "Poisonous black smoke from the Jersey marshes. Gas masks useless. Urge population to move into open "The bells you hear ringing are to warn people to evacuate the city Martians the came the announcement "from a point in New York." "A11 communications with Jersey closed. Our army, wiped out.

This may last broadcast. We'll stay to the enthen: "I've just been handed a bulletin. Cylinders from Mars Are falling all over the country. One outside Buffalo--another in Chicago- -St. Louis.

The announcer kept on: "People are dropping like flies. poison gas spreads. The Martians eventually SUCcumbed to germs that we worldlings are immune to and the real announcer cut in to explain simply that the audience had been listening to a dramatization of Mr. Wells' book. H.

G. Wells 'Perturbed' by Panic Play Caused London, Oct. 31 (INS) H. G. Wells, the author, was deeply perturbed today at the panic caused by the broadcast in America of his "War of the World." "It was my understanding with the broadcasting company that the broadcast should be presented as fiction and not as news," said Mr.

Wells. NAZIS LAUGH---AND HERE'S THE REASON Berlin, Oct. 31 (INS) 10 Americans fall so easily for a fantastic radio broadcast of an "invasion from Mars," that explains why they 80 readily believe Nazi "atrocity" tales, Der Angriff said today. "What is the lesson?" Der Angriff wanted to know about the wave of American mass hysteria. "Let us weep for our American contemporaries, who accept such atrocities as true.

Naivete is a gift of God, but it should not be abused. How much less naivete is required to accept as true atrocity stories about Nazi Germany. "This explains a lot for U8 in the old world." Broadcasts Over Nation Dramatization of H. G. Wells Story Too Realistic for Thousands 'MARTIANS' IN JERSEY Police Stations, Newspapers Swamped by Calls; Some Smell Gas Mercury Theatre of the Air music last night.

our program of dance music to Twenty minutes before eight, Nation Reacts Strangely to Martian War JEW YORK, Oct. 31 (AP)-The terror caused by radio's "end of the world" and "foreign invasion" as some listeners understood it, produced some strange repercussions throughout the country. It brought the following messages over Associated Press wires to the New York office: PROVIDENCE Weeping and hysterical women swamped the switchboard of the Providence Journal for details of the sacre and destruction and officials of the light company received acores of calls urging them to turn off, all lights SO the city would be safe from the enemy. ATLANTA The Birmingham Age Herald reported people fathered, in reported groups women and on prayed. the phone, Reports to newspapers from listeners in the Southwest had it that a planet struck in New Jersey, monsters, almost everything.

Anywhere from 40 to 7,000 people reported killed. So confusing were the calls that editors were able to determine only that "something was happening in New The calls taxed telephone facilities of the newspaper offices, but subsided almost as quickly AS they started. Responeible people, well known to editors, were among those calling. BOSTON Boston Globe had call in connection with radio dramatization of meteor in which New Jersey woman called brother here to say she heard radio broadcast and' she was leaving home. immediately, "getting out of here." She told him many others in her neighborhood also leaving in Claimed she could "see the fire." RICHMOND.

"Meteor," Martineville publisher guest "went home, crying." TimesDispatch readers report they "praying." Mercury program NEW HAVEN--Waterbury says "causing alarm" locally 'because of realism. MONTGOMERY (Ala.) Adsays one for man reported physician called his had hysterics. Guest from New York fainted. CHARLOTTE Wilmington, N. reports several score phoned newspaper office; one said wife was hysterical; another said given his wife bromide result of broadcast; several wanted to know to whom to protest.

ASHEVILLE (N, -Times says five boys at Brevard college, Brevard, N. fainted as monium reigned on campus for when students convinced world coming to an end. Many fought for telephones to inform parents to come and get them. Students finally quieted by few who knew program was dramatization. INDIANAPOLIS Woman ran into Indianapolis Methodist church screaming, York destroyed.

It's the end of the world. You might as well go home to die. 1 just heard it on the Services dismissed immediately, MILWAUKEE Newspaper switchboard operator got several calls saying "it was thrilling; there ought to be more programs like that." She reported most men liked program: most women didn't. LOUISVILLE, station operator reports carload of tourists, bound for California, stopped quickly for tankful of gas, drove away with a roar, saying heard about meteors on radio and wanted to get "as far away from the destruction as possible." ist heard program stopped at INTO DETROIT-Pennsylvania motorAnn Arbor police station to ask if true New York and New Jersey conquered and hordes marching on Pennsylvania; said two daughters in back seat had fainted during broadcast. CINCINNATI-TwO New Yorkers who had just registered in A downtown hotel ran a police headquarters and demanded that something be done.

Telephone company reported many tried to put in calls to New Jersey. One church service broken up. WGAR was swamped calls Cleveland station and broke into broadcast to reassure listeners. Aged couple in flight to country aroused groceryman to get food supplies and did not wait for explanation. SCRANTON, dozen famIlles snatched their belongings and rushed hysterically outdoors, one wanting to know if S.

Army reserves had been called out." PHILADELPHIA New York and New Jersey students at the (Continued on Page Eight) By the Associated Press New York, Oct. 31 Thousands of terror-stricken radio listeners throughout the country fled from their homes last night when they tuned in on a series of synthetic news, broadcasts which depicted the beginning of an interplanetary war. The simulated news bulletins, which accompanied a Columbia Broadcasting System dramatization of H. G. Wells' fantasy, "The War of the World," became so realistic that they sent a wave of mass hysteria across the continent.

The broadcast was intended only as fiction, Explanatory announcements dur. ing the program, between 8 and 9 were overlooked by thousands, who were led to believe that a poison gas expedition had arrised from Mars and was spreading death and destruction over the New York metropolitan area. In the double-quick tempo of the news broadcasters, the fiction of a Columbia program became 80 realistic that hysteria prevailed among listeners throughout the United States and Canada. Demands for an investigation multiplied in the wake of the broadcast. Frank P.

MeNinch, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, asked the broadcasting company to furnish the commission with an electrical recording the broadcast, as well as a copy of the script. "I shall request prompt consideration of this matter by the commission," he said in Washington. "I withhold final judgment until later, but any broadcast that creates such general panic and fear as this one is reported to have done is, to say the least, regrettable. "The widespread public reaction to this broadcast, as indicated by the press, is another demonstration of the power and force of radio and points out again the serious (Continued on Page Eight) MARTIANS ON THE MOVE A Radio version of this picture adapted from H. G.

Wells by Artist Broughton of The Binghamton Press staff is what threw parts of the United States into panic last night. Orson Welles' portrayal of "The War of the was just a bit too realistic. This picture shows the Martian Wells conceived them, striding death ray going full blast. The has just scorched a New Jersey up over the horizon to help SEC Approves Stock Reforms for Exchange Rules and Practices Adopted in Effort to Avert Whitney Case R. Washington, Oct.

31 (U.P.)-The Securities and Exchange commission today announced a program for extensive reforms in rules and practices of the New York Stock Exchange, developed jointly with the exchange after the conviction of Richard F. Whitney. The program, the SEC said, calls for thorough revision of many exchange practices, including a plan for separation of capital used for "banking functions" and brokerage activities. The report is the second issued by the SEC since the crash of Richard Whitney Co. sent the former president of the New York Stock Exchange to prison.

Chairman William Douglas of the SEC said it "indicates what a livewire, progressive group of business people can do when they sit down at the good old round table." The new program contemplates 13 major changes in exchange regulations, part of which promulgated into SEC rules, effective throughout all securities markets. The program includes: ONE -Brokers must maintain A 15-to-1 ratio between indebtedness and working capital, replacing the present 20-to-1 ratio. TWO -No governor or officer of an exchange may loan money or securities or borrow from any exchange member firm. THREE- -No governor or member of an exchange committee may participate in an investigation of any member or firm indebted to the officer. FOUR--The exchange will require "short form" reports quarterly on financial condition of its (Continued on Page Eight) F.

D. Wage-Hour Chiefs Confer on Func Request Washington, Oct. 31. (U.P.)-President Roosevelt summoned wagehour officials to the White House today for a conference which will include review of requests for additional funde to administer the new law. Secretary of Labor Perkins and Wage-Hour Administrator Elmer F.

Andrews and their aides are participating in the discussion. The White House did not disclose the purpose of the conference but Labor Department officiale said it would include review of requests for additional funds. fighting machines as H. G. across the country with their big fellow in the foreground barn and his buddy is coming him.

London, Paris Speed Steps for Rearming 'Grand Inquest' of Chamberlain's Munich Action Nears in Parliament By the Associated Press Britain and France made new efforts today to build up their armaments in the face of Europe's unsettled future. British Prime Minister Chamberlain met with the cabinet to draft his program on the eve of a threeday parliament session that is expected to be a "grand inquest" into his Munich peace. Reports gained that he was seeking to meet demands of some of his ministers for creation of a ministry of supplies with powers to enforce an armaments speed-up. In France, Premier Edouard inet for first series of Daladier also' summoned his cabmeetings to draft decree laws to rehabilitate French finances, the nation's most pressing security need. At the same Foreign Minister Georges Bonnet opened a series of conversations which was regarded as the prelude to fourpower negotiations for general European appeasement.

M. Bonnet received his first report from Andre Francois-Poncet, who has been transferred from the Berlin embassy to Rome, on his last conversations with Fuehrer Adolf Hitler and high German officials. They talked at the war office. M. Bonnet then returned to the foreign office and conferred in succession with Sir Eric Phipps, British ambassador; Auguste dre, new French ambassador to Berlin; the Italian charge faires, Renato Prunas, and the German ambassador, Count hannes von Welcyek.

M. Bonnet's conversations with (Continued on Page Eight) Lights Failed so Town Thought War Was Real Concrete, Oct. 31 (U.P.) The citizens of this little mountain town claimed today that they took the real brunt of the "invasion" of the earth by the men of Mars. Just as all announcer was "choked off" by "poisonous gas" in what he had just said might be "the last broadcast ever made' the lights in Concrete failed. Many who were tuned in on the program and.

like thousands of others throughout nation, did not realize it withe only A play, became panic stricken. 'Invasion' Means Aches for Young Opportunists North Bergen, N. Oct. 31 (INS) -Dramatization of a H. G.

Wells' novel spelled panic thousands, but not to two towheaded youngsters with a couple of pennies in their fists. To them it spelled 0-P-P-O-RT-U-N-1-T-Y-and they made the most. of it. The lads were in a local candy store, looking over gumdrops and all-day suckers, when the the staccato broadcast began. As "Martian shopkeeper suddenly rapidly in threw scope, out his hands in terror and dashed out the door, shouting over his shoulder: "Go ahead, boys.

Help yourself to anything you want." When he returned, reassured, a half hour later, he found the boys had gone--and had taken with them the foundation of a first class stomach ache. Convinced there was no place in society for him after half his lifetime had been spent in prison, Deering demanded that the state take his life. He had served prison terms for arson at San Quentin and for burglary at Folsom, both in California. Then he sought to make restitution by giving his body to the University of Utah. He willed his eyes to the state that any blind person might obtain the corneas for trangplanting to restore sight.

No one has asked for them. Deering was captured in Detroit Aug. 1 following An intensive search throughout the West and midwest. A gun he pawned for "three bucks" at Reno, brought about his identification and ultimate capture. In Detroit he told officers "I want to talk to you fellows.

I'm wanted in Salt Lake City for murder. I want to go back there and die." Returned to Salt Lake City, he told of planning the holdup, of shooting Mr. Meredith when "he reached into his pocket." He said he had a companion, but refused to give his name. "I didn't mean to him, but any rat that would shoot a harmless old fellow deserves to he said. "It's the least I can do.

I'm ready. I hope they make It fast." Throughout his trial he fought almost desperately for the sentence. He cursed the court when it entered a plea of innocent for him. mandatory in murder cases. He argued with his attorney and against the attorney's counsel took the witness stand to tell of his crime.

When sentence was pronounced he said gruffly: "Okay." War Is Certain, Hitler May Win, Says Observer Material losses to the Allies at Munich were enough to change the balance of power in Europe in favor of Germany, writes H. R. Knickerbocker, roving foreign correspondent of International News Service, in a new series of articles on the situation in Europe today. Will Hitler keep his pledge to refrain from any further territorial claims in Europe? What are the next steps Germany will take and when will they come? These questions and others will be answered in Mr. Knickerbocker's series.

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