Abilene Reporter-News from Abilene, Texas • Page 1

WEST TEXAS' crwui NEWSPAPER Abilene "WITHOUT, OR WITH OFFENSE TO FP-fENDS OR FOES WE SKETCH YOUR WORLD EXACTLY AS IT VOL. LIX, NO. 118. United Pitas (UP) ABILENE, TEXAS, TUESDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 26,1939. -TEN PAGES.

PKM PRICE FIVE CENTS. Itasca Grocer Appointed to Control Board AUSTIN, Sept. Davis of Itasca today was appointed by Governor W. 'Lee O'Daniel a member of the state board of control. A merchant who sells groceries, Davis will fill the vacancy on the board caused by the death of Claude Teer, chairman, killed in San Antonio when he ran into a train after a period of illness.

Davis is a long time personal friend of the governor, the latter's office announced. STARTS OCT. 1 The appointment is effective October 1 and Davis will serve out Teer's unexpired term of six years which began in January 1936. It was said at the governor's office the board would choose a new chairman. In re-appointing Teer, Governor James V.

Allred had named him chairman. Davis' name had not been mentioned in speculation about the capitol. The governor made good on rumors he would pull a "rabbit from a hat." The appointment was one of the most important a governor has to make because of the salary of $7,000 a year, the lenrth of term and the responsibilities of the office. The bostrd of control is the purchasing department for entire government and, among other duties manages the state's eleemosynary institutions. UntO recently it also was the directing head of thfe old age assistance, direct relief and child welfare systems, but these have been transferred to a new department.

Other members of the board -are Tom DeBerry and Henry Meyer. In January, Meyer's term will expire. The six-year terms are overlapping, normally one appointment coming up each two years. Teer's death, however, will give O'Daniel the unusual duty of making two appointments to the board within the space of a few months. Much interest is manifested as'to the man who will get the job opening in Appointee Is 37, Native of Itasca ITASCA, Sept.

Davis, appointed a member of the state board of control today by "Gov. W. Lee O'Daniel, is a native of Itasca, 37 years old. He was a son of the late Jake A. Davis, pioneer businessman here.

For 15 years the appointee has been manager of the J. A. Davis Sons grocery and market here. Davis, a member of the city council, is a deacon in the First Presbyterian church and is president of the men's Bible class. He is married and has a six-year- old daughter.

Life or Death? WOMAN SNIPER TRIED BY NAZIS Sitting in judgment on an accused woman sniper, this German court martial, according to German censors, seek to. determine whether Balya Gelblung is a soldier or a sniper. Death is the penalty for civilian snipers, imprisonment for The woman's uniform may indicate she was serving with the Polish army. Pacific Storm Toll 43 Lives LOS ANGELES, Sept. 25-- (AP)--At least 43 persons were believed tonight to have perished in a violent wind and rain storm which struck southern California late yesterday and caused damage that may exceed $1,000,000.

Dozens of other persons were aboard 14 pleasure boats reported missing along the coast. The storm wrecked, sank or beached more than a score of boats, created flood conditions in many localities, including mountain resort areas, put 35,900 telephones out of commission and nearbv Fugitives Nabbed MENOMINEE, Sept. convicts who fled from the northern Michigan prison at Marquette late today were captured without a shot tonight, and the officials they carried with them on their flight rescued, alter their automobile overturned on a sharp curve five miles north of Menominee night. The capture climaxed a wild 90- mile-an-hour chase after the convicts had met a police barricade'at the north edge of Menominee and had sped away under a fusillade of shots. Welles Urges New World Nations to Resist Aggression PANAMA, Psnama, Sept.

--The United States, through dersccretary of State Summer Welles, urged the repuWics of the new world to resist all aggression--direct or indirect--and offered economic help to soften the European war's effects on the American continents. Representatives of the American republics heard Wells declare at the first plenary session of their neutrality conference the time had come for ail 21 republics in the new- world to come out clearly against any belligerent activities 'in close proximity to the shores of the new world." after Welles spoke, thr. conference heard proposals from Peru and Cuba for protection of American seas from activities of tbs belligerents. The Cuban statement was regarded as an expression of the almost unanimous stand of Caribbean and Central American nations for a coastal patrol of both continents by American navies. It was recalled that Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil recently instituted a coordinated patrol for their Atlantic coasts.

Opening the session, the Panama foreign minister, Narciso Garay, declared tt was time for immediate Abilenian Hit Fatally by Car Lee 39, operator of. a welding establishment, died at the "Hendrick, Memorial hospital yesterday afternoon of injuries suffered in an automobile accident at Eastland earlier in the day. Returning from Port Worth, Guy was attempting to take a spare tire off the back of his car when a motorist hit him from the rear, breaking both legs and crushing the lower- portion of his body. He was rushed to Abilene in an ambulance but died at 3:50 p. m.

Operator of a welding shop at 437 Locust, Guy is survived by his father, J. M. Guy of Abilene, one brother, Hiram Guy of Abilene, and two sisters, Mrs. Homer Gunn of Leona, and Mrs. Robert Jarma of Temple.

Born at Oneaville, Texas, September 16, 1900, Guy was brought to Abilene as a baby. He attended Simmons college during the 192122 term. He was a member of the First Baptist church. Funeral will be held at Laughter's Funeral home this afternoon at 5 with Dr. M.

A. Jenkens conducting the service. Pallbearers will be Coyal Comp- a companion of Guy at the time of the accident, Marvin Harrison, Ernest Powers, J. K. Groseclose, Bill Hennessy, and H.

H. Mansell. Prosecution Asks Death for Minister CAMDEN, N. Sept. in the electric chair was demanded by the prosecution today for the Rev.

Walter Dworecki, stocky 45 year old Polish clergyman charged with murder in the slaying of. his daughter, Wanda, 18, last Aug. 8. in Los Angeles towns, seriously disrupted rail and highway traffic and cut off power service. A 30-mile gale swept the Los Angeles harbor area tonight.

More rain for the next 36 hours was forecast. Thirty homes were damaged and eight peninsula near Long Beach, causing damage estimated at $100,000. The casualty list includes: Eight persons drowned overboard boats and in rip tides and their bodies recovered Two bodies washed ashore. Twenty three persons believed drowned overboard tlie fishing boat Spray, from which the body of a 24th victim was 'recovered and included in the known death list of eight. Ten other persons believed drowned in the wrecked sloop Conchita and yacht Nino-P.

Swamped with rescue work, coast guard officials said they had no definite idea of how many boats might actually be missing. RECORD SEPTEMBER RAIN The storm created near-flood conditions in some parts of Los Angeles with 5.41 inches of rain in less than 24 hours preceding today noon. This is the heaviest September rain in Los Angeles' weather history. The rain broke up the worst heat here in weather bureau records, as measured by its 8-day intensity. The Spray sank off Point Mugu ar Oxnard, 70 miles northwest of here.

It capsized last night within 500 feet of the pier. Two persons fought their way safely to shore. The fishing boat Loura, missing for many hours with seven men aboard, was found later to be safe on Anacpa island. RESCUES A water rescued 65 persons from the fishing barge Virginia, caught in the gale off Malibu beach. The coast guard rescued 40 others aboard the livft-bait boat Indiana after she keen, reported See STORM.

Pg. 3, Col. 4 Bond Redemption Money Asked for Safe Rural Roads AUSTIN, Sept. 25--(fPh-The Texas safety association, alarmed over a large increase in rural traffic deaths, today asked county judges and commissioners to utilize part of bond redemption funds which will be assigned then for the placement of adequate signs and signals at hazardous points. "During the first six months of this-year," said George Clarke, association secretary, "fatal accidents rural areas increased 121 percent over those for a similar period in 1939.

At the same time, those on state highways decreased 9.5 percent." Bands Named for Fair Parade; Sale of Rodeo Box Seats Begun action to conserve peace. He was. cash prizes. $75 going to first, $50 elected permanent president of the West Texas fair machinery started rolling ahead at full speed Monday. Byron England, chairman of the band parade contest, announced names of bands and pep squads that had made known plans to participate' in the big parade Tuesday afternoon.

Drawn with them to the fair will be hundreds of residents of West Texas towns. Dub Wooten, chairman of sales of box seat tickets at the rodeo, announced that these ducats had been placed on the market, both for local and mail order buying. England said Merkel, Santa Anna, Winters, DeLeon, Cisco, Coahoma and Ballinger bands and pep squads have given definite word they would be present. Snyder has indicated that It will probably be represented, and several others are expected to participate. These school groups will be competing in the parade for $150 in to second and $25 to third.

Last ymr prizw ware won by Santa Anna, Sweetwater, and Merkel, in that order. Members of the bands and pep squads will be given free admission to the fair grounds on Tuesday. A real bargain is offered in the box seat tickets. These will sell for 25 cents each. They may be bought singly, or in any number.

There are 21 boxes in the new grandstand, each containing 10 seats, so many buyers will want to reserve blocks of 10 tickets, thus buying out a box for private parties. The boxes are conveniently arranged for such parties, and are separated from the main grandstand by a walk, Wooten pointed out. They are five or more feet off the ground, giving a good view oi' the arena. These have been placed on sale at Sloan Dnif store. Mail orders may be placed to that store or to the West Texas Fair association, Abilene.

Box seat tickets will be available for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoon's rocieo performances. They will remain on sale at Sloan's until noon of each day. Heralds Fair By Ed N. WISHCAMPEK The oratory of Jim Stinson, the brilliant whistling of Rudd Swan, the singing of Ed Shumway, and the sincere cordiality of the Rotary ambassadors of sood will won the heart of Central West Texas for the West Texas Fair Monday. The Rotarians--20 strong--circled a 258-mile route on the first of four trips through the territory boosting the big regional exposition.

Entertainers and others brought the total delegation to 28 --small, but effective enough. The trek was a sane, orderly affair that won instant favorable regard with citizens in every one of 17 points visited. Jimmy Bateman and Lee Gowan were trip chairmen. Several took turns as master of ceremonies at the microphone during the day, but Bateman filled the post most of the time. Roscoe Blankenship manned the mike at the last three towns on the itinerary--Putnam, Baird and Clyde.

PREXIES DUEL Judge Stinson was up to his usual excellence as chief orator. Heads of two Abilene colleges, Don Morris of A. c. who is also president of the 'Rotary club, and Dr. Frank L.

Turner of McMurry, spoke at each place and frequently exchanged good natured jibes at one another to the delight of their audiences. Swan, personable young Rotarian, was the hit of the day insofar as entertainment was concerned. He bought a trip ticket just for the sake of Rotary and the West Texas Fair, having no billing as an entertainer, An A. C. C.

instrumental trio, Duane Moser, Clint Cooke and Roland Howell, was brought along for that purpose. But Swan was "discovered" as a fancy warbling whistler between Lawn and Novice, and thereafter he appeared as soloist with the boys. Crowds along cheered their approval. Ed Shumway became an impromptu entertainer en route too, and received equally enthusiastic applause with Swan. While the bus traveled, Shumway worked out arrangement with the collegiate trio and sang songs for which he is locally famous from Novice on.

Shumway also spoke at several points. Screaming sirens on the automobiles of J. A. Fincher, hotel man, and State Highway Patrolman M. T.

Rierson broke the early morning calm at Lawn after that town's residents ate breakfast. TheTM was no official delegation awaiting, but the townspeople gathered around and good na- turedly greeted the visitors. Walter Pettitte, stock farmer, and Druggist Herman Griffin were busy handshaking with the Abilenians during the 10-minute stop. Judge Stinson was almost ieft behind on the takeoff, and hi; had to run as he hadn't 40 to board the TRIPPERS, Pf. 3, Col.

4 Norway Points To Naval Battle COPENHAGEN, Sept. of communities and small islands on the oast of Norway today reported day-long cannonading far at sea which they interpreted to mean a naval battle was raging. It was impossible to learn the time the firing started but it stopped at least timporarily --between 7 and 8 p. m. (noon and 1 p.

m. CST). Inhabitants of a small island south of Bergen in southwestern Norway said they saw several ships of undetermined nationality proceeding northward" at full speed last night amid a constant exchange of gunfire. HOUSES SHAKEN Others, however, reported first hearing the big guns at about 6 They said the concussion shook some island houses. Late in the afternoon along the coast said the firing appeared to be moving northward and westward--away from Norway.

Earlier the residents of Algroi island, six miles west of Bergen, had said the battle--if it was a battle- seemed to be moving toward shore. (Cannonading last week in the Kattegatt, between Denmark and Sweden, first was taken for a naval battle but later proved to be target practice by Swedish batteries.) Eeports came from Marstenen, a small island off Bergen, that six or seven boats had been seen to the northward constantly maneuvering, but they could not be identified. (The British admiralty said Monday "night that it had received no report of a naval engagement off the Norwegian coast, "as would have been the case had one taken The cannonading lulled a half hour early in the afternoon but when it was resumed the sound of lighter caliber guns could be heard distinctly In coastal towns. Reports of the firinf began reaching Copenhagen at about the time it was announced that Swedish, naval authorities had instructed Swedish ships bound for England to stay within territorial waters alonr Swedish and Norwegian coasts until contacted by British convoys waiting- for them somewhere off Norway. Since a point off Bergen was considered by naval observers as a logical place to organize such a convoy, some sources thought it possible German warships might be attempting to disrupt it.

Meanwhile, an aftermath of the Polish-German fighting found 170 Polish sailors and officers interned near Stockholm after three Polish submarines had taken refuge in Swedish waters. Agitation over the sinking of neutral ships in the Skagerrak continued in the northern European countries. A Norwegian delegation left Oslo for London to confer with British authorities about Norway's shipping situation. France Announces Nazi Airfleet Beaten in Two Western Front Battles The Weather ABILCXE and Vicinity: Partly cloudy today, cooler in the afternoon. WEST TEXAS: Fair, cooler In north portion Tuesday; Wednesday fair, warmer In the Panhandle.

EAST TEXAS: Fair Tuesday and Wednesday; cooler In north portion Tuesday afternoon. OKLAHOMA: Tartly cloudy Tuesday day and Wednesday; cooler In east and south portions Tuesday; warmer Wednesday, NEW MEXICO: Partly cloudy with scattered yhowerw west portion Tuesday and Wednesday; cooler west portion Tuesday. TEMPERATURES Mon. Mon. A.

M. HOUR P. M. 73 1 92 70 2 93 70 3 93 87 4 93 65 5 92 63 6 89 64 7 83 6X 8 80 75 9 77 84 10 -88 11 -Richest, and lowest temperatures to m. yesterday, 9-1 and 63; same date a year Ago, 93 and 68; sunset yesterday, sunrise today.

6:31. 6:30: sunset today, By The Associated Press PARIS--French announce defeat of German airfleet in two major air battles; French big guns reported pounding main forts of Siegfried line along entire western front. BASEL--Swiss dispatches say Frencn resumed drive against Siegfried line from Saar basin to Vosges mountains in heaviest western front action to date. ROMANSHORN, Switzerland--German airplane motor plant in former Zeppelin works at Friedrichshafen reported disabled by allied air raid. BERLIN--Germans say massing of troops along Netherlands and Belgian frontiers is precaution against French and British plans; announce British destroyer sunk by submarine.

COPENHAGEN--Dry-long cannonading indicates naval battle may be under way off Norwegian coast. (Report of battle denied by British). MOSCOW--Estonian foreign minister leaves Moscow suddenly; diplomats discuss possibility Russia might be making demands on small neighbor Turkish foreign minister arrives. PANAMA--United States delegation calls on American republics to resist all aggression, offers United States economic aid in war emergency. WASHINGTON--President Roosevelt's effort to repeal arms embargo gains strength in senate as administration forces propose, substitute described as strict cash-and-carry system.

LONDON--sritain studies problems of munitions and supply. SHANGHAI--Ten thousand Japanese soldiers and equal number of Dhinese reported killed to Japanese drive on Changsha. Aerial Fight Prelude to Artillery Attack on Main Siegfried Line Forts By H. TAYLOE HENRY PARIS, Sept. 25--(AP)--The French announced tonight they had defeated a German airfleet in two major air battles over the western front.

'The battles were fought yesterday as a preliminary to the pounding of Germany's main Siegfried forts from one end of the western front to the other by big French guns which opened up today. The French said "superior numbers" of German planea were defeated in two distinct fights. The French admitted they lost two planes, but said they were certain the Germans lost a greater number despite" their superior strength. The pilots and machinegunners of two German planes shot down on French territory were captured. PILOT DOWN SAFELY The French pilot of one plane shot down by the Germans parachuted safely to his squadron headquarters.

The French official communique said the Germans lost "many" pursuit ships in the two Sunday fights in which squadron after squadron took part. Despite caution of French authorities in reporting only German on which they literally able to place their hands, French observers reported they saw other German planes burst into flames and plunge to earth. While the planes foujrht overhead, the French started the drive which today carried them into the German mountains between Wissembourg and Pirmasens. Waves 'of French infantry, aided by artillery fire, were said to be attacking toward the only main road through the mountains in one of the most difficult sectors of the entire northern flank of the front. As the French infantry attack began on the northern flank, the rest ol the front sprang into action.

SHELLS SCREAM OVER RHINE Advices from the front said shells screamed across the Rhine at the Siegfried fortifications all the way from Karlsruhe south to the Swiss frontier. It was the first time the southern flank, where the Maginot and Siegfried lines are separated only by the Rhine, has been active since some French artfllery operations the first two days of the war. The French drive into the Haardt mountains was reaching out toward the Siegfried line Itself, military dispatches indicated. The Haardt range, a continuation of the Vosges mountains, covers a 20-mile sector between the German town of Pirmasens and the French town of Wissembourg. The Siegfried line, which runs just behind Pirmasens, begins to angle in toward the frontier just southeast of the town, diminishing the width of the no-man's-land separating the main positions of the two armies.

The quick French blows, military observers said, were "designed to keep the Germans so occupied thejr would be unable to launch the general offensive which the French have expected for several days. Observers said the French ap- arently believed they had found a weak spot in the nazi fines, where the Germans trusted to the difficulty of the terrain to protect the Siegfried line. This mountainous area, heavily woo'ded and cut by small streams, is the only sector of the northern flank east of the German key city of Saarbruecken which the Ger- ing and raiding operations lait week. The French were apparently waging an artilleryman's war on the theory their heavy caliber shells would be the most effective means of making contact with the forts and softening the reinforced concrete walls. Now that French guns were reported unplaced on German, soil all the way along the northern flank from the Moselle river- valley on the Luxembourg frontier to the center of the front at Lauterbourg, the French high command apparently had given orders for a methodical shelling of the Siegfred line from one end to the other.

See AERIAL FIGHT, 3, CoL 4 's Embargo Repeal Effort Gains Support WASHINGTON, Sept Roosevelt effort to repeal the arms embargo gained strength in. the senate today after administration forces had proposal -formally a substitute which was described as a strict and all-inclusive cash- and carry system. The introduction of QIC measure brought private expressions of approval from several senators who have yet to commit themselves publicly on the crucial issue. In addition, the influential Senator George, (D-Ga) announced his outright support. He said the new bill would mean "strict cash and carry, only for arms but for every article and all materials" exported to belligerents.

Forty-four senators (only five less than a majority) had previously announced themselves in- favor of repeal of the embargo on arms ments to warring nations and so today's developments were welcomed by administration men as new evidence tht they have the votes. However, the opposition, of group led by Senators Borah OR- Ida), Vandenberg (R-Mich), Clark (D-Mo), and LaFoHette (P-WM, remained undiminished. Several of the bloc immediately expressed a renewed, determination to hold out until the end against repealing QIC embargo. They were counting, on. debate, in the senate and elsewhere, to swing votes to their side; In an harmonious atmosphere--of uncertain duration--the senate 'foreign relations committee received the measure and rapidly approved a request from Borah, to postpone further action until Thursday, so that the opposition might have an adequate opportunity to study the measure.

Woman Strangled By Housebreaker STORRISTOWN, 8ept.2S.-£) --A pretty matron with her own apron today "by intruder who broke into her secluded home a mile west of Norristown. The victim was Mrs. Clara. Buchanan, 38, wife of a Philadelphia business executive, Their son, Edward 8, returning' home from school, found, the body sprawled on the riming room floor. Much of her clothing was ripped away.

The apron was looped tightly around her neck. Munitions and Supply Problems Claim Attention of British Government By DREW MIDDLETON LONDON, Sept. twin problems of munitions and supply occupied Britain's government today as the royal air force continued to pepper Germany with pamphlets, German submarines claimed two more victims and the nation continued its placid, almost humdrum prosecution of war. Prime Minister Chamberlain and his ministers of supply and labor, Leslie Burgin and Ernest Brown, talked with Maj. Clement Attlee and Arthur Greenwood, labor party leaders at No.

10 Downing street. The interview was believed to be in prep- Chances Good for Brazos Power Loan District Manager Reports WASHINGTON, Sept. John A. Norris, general manager of the Brazos river conservation and reclamation district, said today he was optimistic over an application for a $11,500,000 loan from the Reconstruction Finance corporation for Brazos river power development. "There is a definite shortage of power in that area now" commented Norris at a meeting with Senator Morris Sheppard of Texas.

"The power demand in Texas has been growing rapidly and will continue to giow enough in the next two years to absorb all the power output of the dams on both the Brazos and the Colorado rivers." John D. McCall, general counsel for th'! district, said the potential power market along the Urazca tershed would constitute adequate security for the loan. The proposed $11,500,000 loan would include a dam at De Cordova bend near Granbury. Other Items, Norris would in- clude purchase of power generating equipment for Possom Kingdom dam. under construction near Mineral Wells, $620,000, and construction transmission lines connecting the Possum Kingdom dam and De Cordova Bend, $1.000,000.

The loan also would provide a reserve of $2,400,000 for cooperation with federal or state government in flood control, and a $1,000,000 reserve for contingencies. The Brazos river district had pending with the Public Works administration, when it ceased making allocations, an application for a loan and grant of $28,000,000 to construct several power and flood control projects on the river, including those proposed in the RFC application. McCall and Norris said they would remain here several days to discuss details of the loan application with RFC officials and Senator Sheppard and Rep. W. R.

Poage. aration for tomorrow's first meeting of the council of ten, the group that will control munitions during wartime. Criticisms of the supply ministry, especially virulent in labor newspapers, believed discussed today. Further consideration i may be given them at tomorrow's meeting. Germany's submarine warfare yesterday accounted for two more allied ships and 11 British lives.

In each case the submarine was believed to have escaped. A British freighter was attacked and sunk off the Irish coast with a loss of 11 seamen, according to the government's report. Watchers on the shore got their first sight of the war at sea when the French Collier Phryne of 2660 tons was sunk just off the British coast. London afternoon papers boasted "our planes make daylight flight over Germany" about the Royal Air Force flight Sunday which dropped pamplets on western and northwestern Germany. All the British planc.s returned safely, according to the i government's report.

Legion to Declare Neutrality Views CHICAGO, Sept. policy makers of the American. Legion today turned to the task of outlining-, their current views on neutrality--one- of the most momentous issues in the history of the organization. A committee on foreign relations was assigned to work on drafting' report on the subject amid predictions the nation in general and congress in particular would be influenced by the pronouncement. Children's Welfare Unit Official Dies of Two Weeks'Illness A two weeks' illness, most of which che spent in a coma, proved fatal last night to Mrs.

F. W. Grain, 56, mother of Nicholas Grain, Abilene business man. She died at the Hendrick Memorial hospital at 6:55 p. m.

Mrs. Grain had suffered a cer.e- bral hemorrhage on September '11 after returning home from a 200- mile automobile trip that day. Funeral will be held at 4 this afternoon at the Central Presbyterian church, in which she had been a very active worker since moving; to Abilene nine years ago. Her pastor, the Rev, E. B.

Surface, will conduct services. Burial will be in Cedar Hill cemetery under direction of Elliott's Funeral home. Pallbearers will be E. S. Cummings, R.

Granger, E. M. Collier; W. A. Stephenson, T.

S. Lankford and Reed. Mrs. Crain was born Sarah Lena Ogles in Montague, October 15, 1882. She was married to Mr.

i Crain in 1905 at Norman, Okla. They moved to Dexter, N. M. in 1906, where they liver until coining to Abilene. Both Mr.

and Mrs, Crain were associated with the Rev. W. A. Nicholas in carrying on the work of the West Texas children's Aid and Welfare association. They resided together at 1621 North Second.

street. Mr. Ciair was secretary- treasurer of the association. Survivors are Nicholas Crain, sister, Mrs. Esther Myrtle Albert of French Camp.

and two brothers Floyd Ogles of Roswell, N. and Lloyd Ogles of Twenty- Nine Palms, Calif..