The Press Democrat from Santa Rosa, California • 1

THE WEATHER Generally talr and mild Thursday and Friday, cloudy extreme north. Temperature yesterday; Maximum, 68; minimum. 44. Rainfall last 24 hours to p. m.

yesterday, seasonal to date, 13.63; normal, 7.47. Sell Holiday Trees and Wreaths through the CLASSIFIED ADS Phone 54 EIGHTY-FIRST YEAR-NO. 300 Published Daily Except Monday SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1937 Price 5c Per Copy TWO SECTIONS-FOURTEEN; PAGES C3 CI 9 9 SA rf bt a irpio) Lm U.S. AID ASKED FOR FLOOD CONTROL HERElUWWi ion Is Sought MATORSI' OF OFFER BY S.P.EXPECTED Fo rRelief Program Wounded Survivors Tell Panay Bombing Horrors SHANGHAI, Dec. 15.

(AP)-The United States gunboat Panay "kept her guns blazing until the last minute," Jim Marshall, Far East correspondent of Collier's Magazine, narrated from a hospital cot URGE MOONEY BE PARDONED tar i wkt nAirniPkn nr nttrl today. Six Hour Day, 30 Hour Week Is Demanded of Congress PITTSBURGH, Dec. 15. (UP) The Steel workers organizing committee of the Committee for Industrial Organization today proposed a broad legislative program to combat unemployment due to business recessions and technological imDrovements in industrv. WARNING TO JAPANESE IONDON, Dec.

15. (AP) Great Britain tonight dispatched a strongly-worded note to Tokyo insisting attacks upon British gunboats and her other Yangtze shipping in China must cease. Tokio Moves to Don Helgren Appointed to Inspect Wells Donald Helgren, local labora tory technician, was yesterday employed by the Sonoma county board of supervisors to inspect and sterilize all wells in the flood-swept fifth supervisorial district. Fear of epidemic being spread by pollution of wells from sewage and other waste prompted the board to engage Helgren at a flat salary of $120 to do the important health work. Amend Cemetery Law The board also voted to amend the recently passed ordinance governing cemeteries, eliminating a clause providing that at least one applicant for establishment of a cemetery or crematorium must be an owner of the property to be dedicated for cemetery purposes.

The amendment also makes some changes in the regulations regarding promotion or financing of cemetery projects. The changes were asked by R. M. Barrett, attorney for Bert Hildebrand and the Santa Rosa Memorial Park i association, which contemplates erection of a modern crematorium i and columbarium near the Odd Fellows Mausoleum. Street maps of the Donaghy Tract subdivision near the Sonoma State Home at Eldridge were approved and accepted by the supervisors.

The property is soon to be placed on the market as home sites. Hospital Meet Set Announcement was made that the hospital committee of the board will hold a special meeting next Tuesday with Dr. James G. Anderson, county physician, and District Attorney Toland McGet-tigan to discuss county purchases and requisitions. An agreement between the board and A.

E. Henning, executive officer of the state division of parks, permitting the county to use labor camp structures and equipment in Armstrong Grove was ratified. The agreement provides that the state park commission may use up to 15 per cent of the total number of men employed in the camps. A letter of appreciation from the Tomales High School for assistance given its judging team in making a trip to the recent national Future Farmers of Amer- (C'ontinued on Page 6, 7) At the same time, Foreign becretary Anthony Eden, referring to the grave issues involved, told the House" of Commons any repetition of the attacks must damage relations between the two countries. The British note, approved by the cabinet in a two-hour session, demanded measures to stop incidents on the Yangtze river and added that adequate punishment for those responsible seemed the only method whereby, further outrages could be prevented.

The British protest recalled previous incidents in which Japan expressed regrets for attacks made on British nationals and property, stating "it is clear that steps hitherto taken by the Japanese government to prevent such attacks have so far failed." The note stated Britain must ask to.be informed that "measures actually have been taken of a character which will put a definite stop to the incidents" of which they complained. P.G.E. Labor Vote Result Set Dec. 23 SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 15 (UP) Outcome of an election to determine the collective bargaining agency of employes of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company will be announced December 23, it was said today by Mrs.

Alice M. Rosscter, regional head of the National Labor Relations board. Board officials said approximately 7,000 employes voted on whether they wish to be represented by the California Gas and Electric Employes' Union, an independent organization, or the Committee for Industrial Organization. Rose Tournament Queen Is Selected PASADENA, Doc. 15.

(UP) A committee which looked over 1500 beautiful snhool girls today announced Cheryl Walker as the of the forthcoming Tournament of Roses. She is 19, blonde, 107 pounds in weight, and 5 feet 3V2 inches tall. She is a singer and champion swimmer at the Pasadena Junior College. Her mother says she is a good cook. Punish Officer In Ship Attack SHANGHAI, Thursday, Dec.

16 (UP) In accordance with Japan's pledge to the United States that she would punish those responsible for the bombing and sinking of the U. S. gunboat Panay, the Japanese navy today recalled Rear Admiral Teizo Mitsunami, chief of aerial operations in the current hostilities with the Chinese. It was understood that Admiral Mitsunami will be relieved permanently of his post in the field. Tax Boosted in 42 Of State's Counties SACRAMENTO, Dec.

15. Tax rates in seven of the nine bay area counties and in 42 of the states 58 counties, have increased during the last year, some as high as 82 per cent. These figures were released today by State Controller Harry B. Riley. Bay area counties and their increases include: Alameda, up 6 per cent; Marin up 6 per cent; Napa, up 12 per cent; San Francisco up 2 per cent; San Mateo, up 41 per cent; Santa Clara, up 38 per cent, and Sonoma up 2 per cent.

Plumas County's taxes increased over 82 per cent. Maggard Quits As Ferry Line Chief SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 15, (UP). Resignation of Edward H. Maggard as general manager of the Southern Pacific-Golden Gate ferries, and appointment of Carl F.

Fennema as his successor was announced by the company today. No reason was given for Mag-gard's resignation. He said he will continue as president of the Northwestern Pacific railroad. Fennema has been associated with the company for eighteen years. For the last eight years he has been Maggard's chief Marshall was one of four survivors of Sunday's tragedy on the Yangtze, all wounded, who were flown back to Shanghai today.

Marshall and F. Hayden Vines, Roanoke, employee of the British American Tobacco Company, told of their escapes first from flying shrapnel and then from a battlefield in China's interior after Japanese planes sank the Panay and destroyed three Standard Oil Company vessels. Twelve Bombs Dropped "Japanese planes dropped 12 bombs around the Panay and the Standard Oil ships," Marshall said. "They came so low it was impossible for them not to know they were bombing foreign ships. "The first bomb hit the fore-(Continued on Pagre 2, col.

6) Rio Vista Winning Fight on Flood RIO VISTA, Dec. 15 (AP) Part of the Egbert district was under water tonight, but hope was expressed 300 workers piling sandbags along the levees would win their fight catastro phe. Water flowed over some of the lower parts of the levees, but the dykes appeared to be holding well. Workers said conditions were not as bad tonight as they had anticipated, although the crest of the Sacramento river flood and a high tide in Suisun bay were experienced about the same time. Residents of the Egbert district had evacuated as a precautionary measure and no casualties were reported.

Rail Rate Decision Is Due in March WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (AP) The interstate commerce commission completed yesterday the first of a series of hearings on application by the nation's railroads for a 15 per cent increase in freight rates. Observers predicted a decision by March. The next hearing will begin here December 23rd when testimony on the application of eastern lines for a one half cent a mile increase in passenger fares will be heard. R.

C. Fulbright of Washington, chairman of the shippers committee, said major objections to the freight advance will be made at regional hearings later. $1,200,000 Parking Lot Plans Hit Snag SAJN FRANCISCO, Dec. 15 (UP) Financing operations of the Union Square Garage which planned to construct a parking lot under Union Square, in downtown San Francisco, were halted today by the State Corporation commission. The commission contended the promoters did not furnish data requested in their application, and their financing plans were not satisfactory.

GRAHAM TRIAL SET NEW YORK, Dec. 15. The trial of William J. Graham 3nd James C. McKay, prominent figures in the business and sports life of Reno, on a charge of using the mails to defraud in connection vith stock market and race track swindles, was set todav for January 17 on the trial calendar of the United States district court.

In two previous trials under the same indictment, the juries failed to reach SURVEY OF JIVER AREA IS SOUGHT County Groups Unite For Quick Action; Board to Help SONOMA county appealed to the federal government for aid yesterday in protecting the Russian river area from future flood ravages. An immediate government survey of the Russian river basin and several of its tributaries for the purpose of flood control and property protection was requested by the board of supervisors in a resolution adopted at the conclusion of a flood control conference participated in by representative spokesmen from throughout the flood-strickea area. Co-operation Pledged At the same time complete cooperation of the county was pledged for aiding in flood control as far as legal restrictions permit. Out of the conference came the conclusion that i residents and property owners within the area affected must assume the initiative in developing and working out any permanent program for flood control, and the impression that now was the opportune time to start such a movement while Oblic interest was aroused. A plea for coordinated efforts of all interested agencies and individuals throughout the icntire drainage basin, submerging any possible selfish interests for the greatest common benefits to the area as a whole, was voiced by many of the spokesmen participating in the flood control discussion.

Viewed as Emergency Calling attention to the heavy damage that has been caused by the last flood, the board's resolution urged that Russian river (Continued on Page 2, col. 1) The National Whirligig News Behind the News By Ray Tucker Planned Though he airily deprecated the prospect of "state socialism" while discussing the plight of the nation's oldest problem playmate railroads President Roosevelt's voice didn't quiver noticeably at rcpoitorial suggestions of government ownership or subsidies. Behind his attitude lies the imminent threat of an American variety of a fully managed economic system. His more radical advisors have hatched a scheme for applying to all productive enterprise the same law of "economic necessity or justification" which now affects farm production, radio licenses, establishment of new shipping routes. Mr.

Roosevelt's theory of the railroads' difficulties is that they were allowed to grow up like Topsy to run wild on borrowed money they can't earn or repay. Therefore, he hints, give the government authority to prevent over-expansion anywhere at any time. Though it sounds fantastic, or socialistic, the philosophy of totalitarian control is embodied in the new Maritime Act. The board can withhold subsidies from lines invading an area already serviced by existing routes. Uncle Sam now denies petitioners the right to utilize the air or soil or water-power.

To dose industrial producers with socialized medicine of the same sort is a step which S.E.C., T.V.A. and A.A.A. doctors contemplate calmly. Keymen Most Washington observers missed the significance of the prospective shift of Joseph P. Kennedy to London and its relation to recent diplomatic moves but scouts for the three international bad boys (Japan, Italy, JTrermany) caught it.

It forecasts closer union, politically and economically, of the democratic countries' front. With Mr. Kennedy at the Court of St. James and William C. Bullitt at Paris, Mr.

Roosevelt has the satisfaction of knowing that two of his most trusted and cleverest personal pals are on the (Continued on Page 4, col. 2) Continuance of Boat Service Across Bay-Held Probable SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 15. (AP) Directors of the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District disclosed tonight they had approved a tentative plan under which the bridge which claims to be losing $1,000 a day would buy out its auto-ferry competition for a price of $1,250,000. payable at the rate of $125,00 0a year, without interest.

Under the proposal, the bridge would not eliminate the ferry system, but would operate a limited service, keeping from one to three ferries in commission as a "stand-by" service in case of need. The tentative agreement provides that the Northwestern Pacific railroad shall continue to operate its commuting service from Sausalito to the Ferry Building, but will convey no automobiles. Will Make Offer Bridge Director Arthur M. Brown, explained the status of negotiations between bridge officials and the Southern Paci fic-Golden Gate Ferries, after various versions of the proposed agreement had appeared in newspapers. Brown said the bridge directors after conferences with, the ferry operators to obtain an idea of what price would be acceptable to the ferry company, agreed at a closed board meeting today to make the $1,250,000 offer to the ferry concern.

The bridge officials expect the ferry company to accept. Brown said, but there still remains a possible question of the legality of the proposal. Under the act creating the bridge district, Brown explained, its funds may be used only for bond interest and redemption, and. for operating expenses. Brown said directors believed that under the theory of the California railroad commission that a "standby" system was needed in case the bridge were Tendered unfit for travel by highway approach, slides, earthquake, or other causes, purchase and maintenance (Continued on Page 2, col.

4) Jury Disagrees in S.F. Murder Trial SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 15 (AP) A jury hearing murder charges against Sidney Featherly, 61, hotel clerk, was dismissed tonight after it deliberated seven hours and failed to reach a verdict. "It is impossible for us to reach a verdict," the foreman told Superior Judge Lyle Jacks. The court set December 22 for a hearing to select a new trial date.

Featherly was charged with slaying Pierre Griffoul, manager of the hotel where Featherly worked, during an argument over day off. The clerk said he had not been given a day off in 20 years. an hour and maximum hours of 40 a week be specified in the law. The administration bill would give an, administrative agency power to fix wage standards, within limits. The A.

F. of L. bitterly opposed such a grant of power because it said the functioning of another agency with broad pow-Board, had been unsatisfactory. Hear Your Name -Over the Air- Let others hear it and let them know more about your business. We cover every inch of Sonoma and adjoining counties.

Rates on Application Station KSRO 437 Mendocino Ave, Santa Km PHONE 110 Roosevelt's Help To Release Prisoner May Be Sought WASHINGTON, Dec. 15. (AP) Members of a special senate committee investigating the Tom Mooney case said today they thought Mooney should be pardoned. This expression came after counsel for Moodey had urged the committee to call him here for hearings. Chairman O'Ma-honey, Democrat of Wyoming, of the committee, said the group was doubtful of its authority to do this but that most members felt he should be freed.

"I'm willing to do anything I can to aid Tom Mooney," declared Senator McCarran, Democrat of Nevada, a committee member, "but there is the question of how we could get Mooney here if the state of California refused to deliver him." Neely Outspoken McCarran and O'Mahoney argued that senate committees are empowered to call witnesses only for the purpose of assembling information with a view to drafting legislation. Taking a similar view. Sena tor Neely, Democrat of West Vir ginia, said that the Mooney case "is a disgrace and is one of the most outrageous things in the history of the world. Mooney was convicted of murder in 1917 in California superior court in connection with the dynamiting of a Preparedness Day parade in San Francisco July 22, 1916. He.

was sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after President Woodrow Wilson intervened. Group Accused The senate committee is con sidering a resolution calling upon President Roosevelt to urge the governor of California to grant Mooney a full pardon. John W. Jenkins, an organizer of Mooney defense committees, told the Senators that Mooney was being kept in jail by "a small group of bankers and ship owners." He said ship owners had provided $30,000 of campaign funds for governor Merriam of California. Ranch Wife Enters Plea of Not Guilty SAN RAFAEL, Dec.

15 Mrs. Maria Marshall, 46-year-old Fallon ranch wife accused of the murder of her husband, Frederick, appeared before Superior Judge Edward I. Butler today, entered a plea of not guilty and asked for an early trial. It was indicated the case would begm. about January 10.

Mrs. Marshall has keen kept in County Jail here since her indictment two weeks ago by the Marin County Grand Jury. She told investigating officers her husband had died of injuries suffered when he fell off a barn roof. PUTNAM PLANS VOYAGE LOS ANGELES, Dec. 15 (AP) George Palmer Putnam, publisher, will sail tomorrow on Film Director Tay Garnett's schooner for the Galapagos Islands on a sporting expedition to bring back animals for the Los Angeles zoo.

Putnam said the trip will be an outing for him and that it has nothing to do with a search for his wife, Amelia Earhart, who disappeared last July while on a transpacific flight with her navigator; Fred Noonan. tion pending in the House indicated there was a good chance the chamber would approve a constitutional amendment by Representative Ludlow (O. Ind.) to require the national referenda on declarations of war. The petition bears 218 signatures, enough to make possible a House vote on the Ludlow amendment on December 27. Congress probably will be in recess on that date, however, and thus the vote is expected to be delayed until January.

Meeting in national con vention for the first time in the steel union's 18 months of existence, the 1,000 delegates from the United States and Canada voted. 1 To ask Congress for an immediate appropriation of to continue the PWAand WPA work relief program through next June 30. 2 To empower SWOC leaders to submit to Congress a bill to establish the six-hour day and 30-hour week for all industry in inter-state commerce with- Continued on Page 2, col. 2) 2 Women Rescued In S. F.

Office Fire SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 15 (UP) A spectacular fire drove people from offices in the Carmen Jackson building, in downtown San Francisco today. Two young women were rescued by firemen when they were trapped by the flames. Hettie Johnson, a stenographer, and Vivian Wall, a dancer, were treated at an emergency hospital for burns. The fire attracted hundreds of persons and three alarms were sounded before it was extinguished.

The burned building stands on the site of the historic Lola Montez theater. Deadline Set For Employer Reports ACR AM ENTO Dec. 15. The State. Employment Department today prepared to subpoena rec ords of employers who are delin quent in making earning reports of their employees.

This was the announcement today of the departments director, Carl L. Hyde, who set December 20 as the deadline for filing the reports. He said they were necessary to enable the Unemployment Reserves Commis sion to pay unemployment com pensation accurately after January 1. $2500 Homes Loom In New Program WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (AP) A proposal to liberalize President Roosevelt's housing program in the hope of stimulating con struction of homes costing $6,000 to $10,000 won the approval of the House Banking Committee today.

Committeemen also hinted they would write into the Roosevelt measure a provision to encourage building of homes valued at $2,500 or less. The one change was desiened. thev said, to assist persons in cities where building costs are high and where $10,000 homes may be no better than $6,000 dwellings in other communities. Bank America Will Give $400,000 Gift SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 15.

(AP) L. M. Giannini. president of the Bank of America, an nounced today the bank has au thorized a special Christmas distribution of $400,000 to more than 6,000 employees. Salary increases during the year amounted to $1,100,000, Gi annini said, and the total payroll increased more than $2,100,000.

The bank will also pay more than $500,000 into the employees pen sion and insurance funds for the year. Some two score of the 48 states are represented among the petition signers. While 148 of the signatures are those of Democrats, 54 are Republican and the remainder Farmer Laborite and progressive. The proportion of Republican signatures to the whole Republican House membership is particularly striking. Administration supporters, al ready plagued by widening controversy over the farm and wage-hour bills, will have to weigh the added risk of arousing opposition NAMED ROSE BOWL QUEEN Miss Cheryl Walker was chosen queen of the 1938 Tournament of Roses at Pasadena, California, New Year's Day.

She will ride with her court in the floral parade, theme of which will be "Playland Fantasies." HOUSE REJECTS A. F. L. PLAN ON WAGES, HOURS WASHINGTON. Dec.

15 (AP) An attempt to sidetrack the administration's wage-hour bill in favor of a more drastic measure sponsored by the American Federation of Labor failed in the house tonight. The vote, by tellers, was 162 to 131. The substitute, which would have imposed uniform wage-hour standards instead of the more flexible ones in the administration bill, provided the first major test of the leadership's strength on this legislation. The federation's proposal was that minimum wages of 40 cents Declare War among, peace organizations back home if they are asked to vote against the plebiscite idea. A score, of signatures were set down by Calif ornians and Wash- ingtonians.

A two-thirds vote of both hnnip i rfnuired to submit any constitutional amendment to the states, men, Deiore me anwnu-ment can become effective, it must be ratified by the state legislatures or conventions of 36 Vote of People Sought Before U. S. Could 1 -fi A i ws WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (AP) The State Department aligned itself today against a strong movement in Congress to require a favorable vote of the people before the United States could declare war, except in event of invasion. Secretary Hull told reporters that, from the standpoint of promoting peace and' keeping the country out of war, he was unable to see "the wisdom, or the practicability" of the proposed requirement.

Nevertheless, study of a peti.